links to files on home PC

[mktemple]

I'm linking portfolio samples to text on my web pages.  Seems to work okay, but will the links be live when my PC where the files are stored is turned off?  Or should I try to store the files in Dropbox or some external site?

[Robin12]

Hello, @mktemple

The files that are stored on your computer are not live on the Internet. Therefore, it is impossible to for anyone, except for yourself, to have access to those files. The files would need to be stored on a server that would, in essence, serve the files to the viewer. You can upload the files to your Weebly website. What are the file types that you wish to link to?

[mktemple]

The files I want to upload are PDFs (converted from Word).  How do I upload these?

Thanks,

MK Temple

[Robin12]

You can upload those two different ways. It depends on whether you want to display the file on the site or if you want someone to have to download it to view it or both.

1. To display the file on your website use the Document element on your element toolbar. The element utilizes the Scribd service to display files directly on your site.

2. To allow visitors to download a copy of the file use the File element on your element toolbar. Then visitors will need to click the download button that is generated after you upload a file to view it.

3. You can use both of these options together. The Document element only lets a visitor view the file, but if you want to give them the option to download it too. Then drag over the File element, either on top of the Document element or under it. Then you can add some instruction to your visitors so they will know they can get a copy to keep if they like.

[mktemple]

I'll try this; I do need to know how to let people download documents, but what I really want is to be sure that when they click on the link to the file, they can see it even when my host computer is offline.  I guess I can wait till my site is published (it isn't, yet, because I'm still working on it) and try to access it myself from another device.  I know the original storage site for the document is on my computer; I would like to know if it's cached somewhere in Weebly so it's accessible 24/7, if that makes sense.

Thanks!

Mary Kay

[Robin12]

Hi, Mary Kay!

When you upload the file to Weebly using either the Document element or the File element. It will be stored on Weebly's servers. It will not be connected to your computer's files. You will just upload a copy to us, and the original copy will remain on your computer.
Once you have the files uploaded, and you publish your website visitors will be able to see the file opened on their screen if you use the document element and if you use the file element, they can click it to download a copy of it from our servers. Once you upload the files to us, we become the host of the files to serve to your website visitors.
The files on your computer are just the originals. We will have a copy of those stored on our servers. Your computer will not be linked. It is not possible since your computer is not a server. It cannot serve files on the Internet. But will allow you to upload, build your website and visit websites.

Take a look at this video tutorial it will explain how to upload files to Weebly:
https://hc.weebly.com/hc/en-us/articles/201273623-Upload-Documents-PDF-Powerpoint-Slides-and-More

Then once you publish, you will see exactly how your visitors will see your files. They will be available 24/7. Let me know if you have any questions.

[mktemple]

Thanks!  That's exactly what I needed to know.