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Storing files in FirstClass
About storing files
There are several methods for uploading files, such as word processing or picture files, to FirstClass for your own use, or for sharing with other users.
 NoteIf you are working with a large file that is on your own computer, and you, or someone who might download this file, use a slow connection consider compressing the file before uploading it. Compressed files often transfer faster and take up less space on the server.
You can share a file by attaching it to a message or by storing it in a container. If you attach the file to a message, you can add explanatory text in the message body. If you store the file in a container, it is available to anyone with access to that container.
Uploads and downloads (file transfers) take place in the background. While they are going on, you can perform other tasks, including initiating more file transfers. While file transfer is taking place, the File Transfer form is displayed, indicating file transfer progress. After transfer is complete, you can click Open Folder to open the container that holds the files you transferred. If you want this form to close automatically when file transfers are complete, select "Close when finished" before you close the form.
Although we refer to sharing files, you can also share FirstClass objects, such as documents, contacts and mail lists, bookmarks, and voice greetings. Likewise, we describe attaching files to messages, but you can also attach files to other FirstClass objects, such as documents, calendar events and tasks, and contacts.
NoteFirstClass objects attached to messages can't be transferred over the Internet.
The File Storage folder
The File Storage folder on your Desktop is a place for you to store uploaded files for your personal use. You can store files of various media, such as text, pictures, sound files, and movies. In list view, the type of file is displayed.
The File Storage folder provides toolbar buttons for all the tasks you commonly do with files, such as uploading and downloading them, previewing them, and sending them to other users.
In addition, the New Folder and Move to Folder buttons let you create subfolders for organizing your files, and move files into these folders. There are specialized folder templates for pictures, music, and movies, that provide optimized environments for those media.
The Music template has a voice player pane and a list view that includes the information, such as genre, that often accompanies an MP3 file. The files play sequentially, and there are playback controls for repeats and play order.
How you can store files
You can store a file in a container in three ways:
NoteYou can upload and import a folder just as you would a file. In both cases, a folder is created in FirstClass. The folder contents retain their file types.
Uploading files
To upload a file:
1 Open the container to which you want to upload the file.
2 Choose File > Upload.
ShortcutYou can drag files to the container to upload them. If you drag files, skip the remaining step; file transfer begins immediately.
3 Select the file you want to upload.
You can select multiple files or a folder.
After a file is uploaded, it has a subject that reflects the file type. You can change this subject if desired. To do this, open the uploaded file's properties, then type the subject you want at "Subject".
About picture thumbnails
When you upload a picture, a thumbnail of that picture is used as the picture file's icon.
To see a larger version of thumbnails in list view:
• select "Variable height rows" in the pane's view properties
You can then enlarge the icons by widening the Icon column.
or
• add the Thumbnail column.
Thumbnails are displayed at a size that is larger than the default icon size. If your container will store only pictures, you can use the Thumbnail column in place of the Icon column.
Uploading recordings
If your computer is connected to a microphone, you can use FirstClass to record a spoken message, or any other sound, and upload this recording as an MP3 file.
To use your microphone to upload a recording:
1 Open the container to which you want to upload the recording.
2 Choose Edit > Insert > Insert Voice.
A voice player window opens. For information on using this window, see Attaching recordings to messages.
Importing files
To import a file:
1 Open the container to which you want to import the file.
2 Choose File > Import > Import Documents.
3 Select the file.
You can select multiple files or a folder.
Downloading files
You can copy files stored in containers to your computer by downloading them. Downloaded files retain their file types.
For example, a downloaded HTM file is still an HTM file. It also retains information such as modification date.
NoteYou can download a container just as you would a file. Only uploaded files in the container are downloaded.
To download a file:
1 Select the file.
You can select multiple files.
2 Choose File > Download.
ShortcutDrag the file to the desired location on your computer. If you drag the file, skip the remaining step; file transfer begins immediately.
3 Select the location where you want the file to be saved.
You can also rename the file.
Changing the default download folder
When you download a file, FirstClass suggests a default folder as the destination.
To change the default destination folder for downloaded files, select the folder you want as the default at "Download folder" in your preferences.
Exporting FirstClass objects
You can export FirstClass objects, such as messages and documents, and import them again, just as you do files.
 TipYou can export FirstClass objects that you have created to manage your disk quota on the server. The exported objects are still available, because you can import them back to the server whenever you need them. After exporting the objects, you can delete the originals on the server to free up space.
When you export a FirstClass object, it is converted to an export folder that contains the exported object in these file formats:
• content.rtf
This is the only format that preserves formatting and embedded pictures.
• content.txt
This is a plain text format.
• content.xml.
This is also a plain text format. It includes embedded XML tags.
NoteThe export folder name starts with underscores. If you will ever want to import the object back into FirstClass, don't remove these underscores or rename the export folder in any other way.
An exported container is converted to a folder that contains one export subfolder for each exported object in the container.
To export a FirstClass object:
1 Select the object.
You can select multiple objects or a container.
2 Choose File > Export.
3 Select the location where you want the resulting export folder to be saved.
How attachments are handled
If you export a FirstClass object with attachments, the attachments are included in an Attachments folder within the export folder. They retain their file types.
The information in the RTF and TXT formats of the exported object includes a list of the attachments for your reference.
Importing exported FirstClass objects
When you import an export folder that was created by exporting a FirstClass object, it is restored to its original object type (for example, a message).
 ExceptionExported FirstClass containers remain folders when they are imported.
To import an exported FirstClass object:
1 Open the container to which you want to import the object.
2 Choose File > Import > Import Documents.
3 Select the export folder.
You can select multiple export folders or a folder that contains export subfolders.
Saving messages using Save As
If you want to save a message to your computer just as a plain text file, open the message, then choose File > Save As.
NoteThis doesn't save message attachments. If you need to save attachments, export the message.
Interrupting file transfers
FirstClass lets you interrupt file transfers before they are complete, and, in some cases, resume these transfers from the point they were interrupted. You may also be able to resume file transfers that were interrupted due to problems such as power failures.
You can interrupt a file transfer as long as the Cancel button is still displayed on the File Transfer form. To interrupt the file transfer, click Cancel.
If you try to disconnect from the server or quit FirstClass before a file has been transferred, you are notified of the file transfer. To stay connected and continue the file transfer, click Cancel. To disconnect immediately and interrupt the file transfer, click Disconnect Now. If you do nothing, the file transfer is completed before you are disconnected or FirstClass quits.
The name of a file that has not been completely transferred is in italics.
Resuming file transfers to servers
Whether you are uploading a file directly to a container or attaching a file to a message, you can resume an interrupted transfer. If the file was being attached to a message, you can resume the file transfer as long as the message is unsent.
To resume a file transfer, select the partially transferred file, then repeat the file transfer procedure you followed originally. The balance of the file is transferred.
Resuming file transfers to your computer
To resume a file download to your computer, repeat the download procedure you followed originally. Select the same destination as you did before, and replace the existing file when prompted. The balance of the file is downloaded.
NoteIf you try to resume file transfer by dragging the file, the file transfer will start from the beginning.
Additional information
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