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Non-admin OSX accounts FTP character limit? (6 posts)

  • Started 16 years ago by soundtrackboston
  • Latest reply 16 years ago from Scott McGuire
  • soundtrackboston Member

    I stumbled upon an interesting problem today. If a non-administrator account on OSX downloads (via ftp) a media file (quicktime for example) whose entire filename is over 32 characters, the file gets corrupt.
    When I switch to an admin account, the file works. Any ideas?

    Posted 16 years ago #

  • Scott McGuire Administrator

    Hi,

    So the problem happens when you are downloading a file with Fetch while logged in with a non-admin account, is that correct?

    Which version of Mac OS X, and which version of Fetch are you using?

    Thanks,

    Scott McGuire
    Fetch Softworks

    Posted 16 years ago #

  • soundtrackboston Member

    Yes, when downloading a file with fetch in a non-admin account. OSX 10.4.8 fetch 5.3

    Posted 16 years ago #

  • Scott McGuire Administrator

    Hi,

    I did some tests and I could not duplicate this problem on my Macintosh, so I'd like some more information.

    Could you please do the following?

    * Log in using your non-administrator account.
    * Quit Fetch.
    * Open Fetch again.
    * Connect to your server.
    * Download one of the problem files whose filename is over 32 characters.
    * Then choose Fetch Transcript from the Window menu, copy the entire contents of the transcript window, and paste them into a reply to this message.

    We'll take a look and try to figure out what's going on.

    Thanks,

    Scott McGuire
    Fetch Softworks

    Posted 16 years ago #

  • soundtrackboston Member

    I found a solution to the problem. It actually exisists on our Rumpus Server.

    On Rumpus, there's an option called "Allow Automatic MacBinary Encoding". When selected, "permits well-behaved Mac OS FTP Clients to send Macintosh files with their finder info and resource forks intact" . Apparently, a non-admin account on OSX is not "well-behaved", because the resource forks did not seem to be intact when downloading those files over 32 chars. So, in un-checking this option, that symptom was cured.

    Very strange. The problem also existed when downloading via web browser.

    Posted 16 years ago #

  • Scott McGuire Administrator

    Hi,

    Thanks for the followup. A server sending you stuff in MacBinary format was on my list of suspects, because in some cases MacBinary can have problems with filenames that are longer than 32 characters.

    I cannot easily explain why you would see the problem only on your non-admin account, though.

    Nevertheless, I'm glad to hear you've found and fixed the issue.

    Thanks,

    Scott McGuire
    Fetch Softworks

    Posted 16 years ago #

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