As an alternative to the file upload function of your Web browser (cf. 3.3.2) there are three BSCW upload helpers that you may use to upload documents to your workspaces:

• the JUploader applet,
• the drag & drop uploader and
• the JUploader program.

The JUploader applet is automatically started via  GoTo    Document Upload  in the top menu when all prerequisites are met (Java-compliant browser and platform). The other two upload helpers need prior activation via  Options    Preferences  (see 4.2.2).

The drag & drop uploader needs a Java-compliant browser, but is not available on all platforms and browsers. After activation, a specific upload icon is placed prominently in the headers of your folder pages. Just drop a file (or a group of files) onto this icon to upload it to the current folder.

The JUploader program is a local application that must first be installed on your local computer, while the JUploader applet needs no installation on your side. Both offer the following functionality:

• upload of several files in one operation,
• drag & drop of files into the upload window,
• upload of folders as a compressed archive or as single files,
• specification of document type and description before upload,
• progress bar for feedback of upload status,
• multilingual user interface,
• HTTP/1.1 (virtual hosts),
• HTTPS (SSL) — secure file upload.

Use of the JUploader program

While the use of the JUploader applet is straightforward, the use of the JUploader program needs some configuration. After you have installed the latest JUploader program on your computer (see 9.4.1) and have activated the use of the JUploader program in your user preferences (see 4.2.2) you proceed as follows to upload a document.

• Select  File    New    Document  to add a new document to a workspace — your Web browser will now download a file from the BSCW server and hand it over to the BSCW uploader that should start automatically.
• If your Web browser has not yet been configured correctly it will ask you how to handle the file downloaded from the BSCW server. Instruct your Web browser to start the installed BSCW uploader with this file.
• Once your Web browser is configured to start the installed BSCW uploader, the uploader will automatically be launched every time you want to add a document in BSCW.