Website Integrated php/Ajax FTP File Manager

[Psionicsin]

I was looking for a way to simplify FTP uploads/downloads for my clients due to the fact that my business only works on files that are uploaded as such, and 80% of the time I'm on the phone trouble shooting with them on setting up an FTP client for their operating system.

After some searching, I finally found that what I needed is an integrated web based ftp file manager with a gorgeously styled "computer illiterate" friendly interface. This piece of server-side software in perticular is what I found:
FileRun.

However I nearly screamed when I saw the price, so I've decided to ATTEMPT to create my own. FileRun was created with AJAX, so I'm going to try and stick to the same thing (Unless you can recommend a better language)...but I need help lol. So far I've bought three tutorials dealing with AJAX from Lynda.com. They are the AJAX Crash Course, AJAX Essential Training, and AIR 2 with Flash and Flex Essential Training.

The requirements of the project would be:

• Built in Log-In before any access to files
• Log-in must check MySQL DB for clients
• Log-In must differentiate between multiple users via their info
• When successful, see a custom made GUI representation of their folder on my server
• Be able to see a custom image representation of their files with file names
• Be able to upload files (Restricted to certain file types ONLY)
• Be able to download files

Would you say that this would be a good area for me to start? Does anyone have any ideas or help they would like to throw out there to get me started?

[akrylic]

If you are looking for a web-based ftp client, then I would suggest http://net2ftp.com/ - it's free, and will save you the time of making your own.

[Psionicsin]

Originally Posted by akrylic

If you are looking for a web-based ftp client, then I would suggest http://net2ftp.com/ - it's free, and will save you the time of making your own.

net2ftp seems to defeat the purpose as it still requires users to enter in all of the ftp information. The purpose of me creating one so that all they need to do is enter their user name and password is because anything after that and clients seem to get highly confused, and then I'm on the phone with them trying to get them to connect.

I don't have time for that crap. I'm trying to eliminate them entering in things like ftp server, initial directory, port number and so forth. Just log-in, drag and drop, upload, and done.

A lot of these free web based ftp are geared more towards a single user...not the 27 clients that I regularly have.

[DrDOS]

PHP has a lot of built in FTP functions. You might be better off wrapping some code around them. Just go down to ftp_ on the listing.

http://www.php.net/manual/en/indexes.php

[Psionicsin]

Originally Posted by DrDOS

PHP has a lot of built in FTP functions. You might be better off wrapping some code around them. Just go down to ftp_ on the listing.

http://www.php.net/manual/en/indexes.php

Ok I'll have a look. As I had to have a crash course in php (I'm primarily a flash guy), I'm still new-ish to it. But just for visualization purposes, this is what I want...