Remote Filepicker for .NET Applications

The Remote Filepicker is a .NET user-control which enables users of your application to browse the filesystem of a remote computer.
This functionality is commonly required by client-server applications where the client-side has to display the server's filesystem.

The user interface is similar to what people are used to from the Microsoft Windows dialogs which pop up whenever a user saves or opens a file. The standard windows dialogs are limited to the local computer. The Remote Filepicker overcomes exactly that limitation.

Features

This component allows developers to easily embed client-server file-picking functionality into your own application:

• Displays a server's files and folders on a client
• Three modes of operation:
  • OpenFile: Browse the server's filesystem and select a file
  • OpenFolder: Browse the server's folders and select one
  • SaveFile: Navigate to a folder on the server and type in a filename
• Multi-Language user interface: English and German currently available. Additional translations on request.
• Security: The view of the remote server can be limited to a certain directory and its subdirectories, so that users cannot stumble upon confidential files on the server.
• Filetype filter: Display only files with a given ending (e.g. only show XML files)
• Uses the platforms native file- and folder-icons. Those are queried on the client-side, thus do not have to be transferred through the network.
• Customizable caption: Seemless integration into your application
• Enumerate Remote Printers
• Lightweight and very easy to use
• Compatible with every .NET application and every OS that runs .NET applications. Tested on:
  • Windows 2000
  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista

How to use the component

All that is needed to add remote file-picking functionality to your project is:

On the server-side:

1. Reference two .NET Assemblies: RemoteFilepickerHelper.dll and RemoteFilepickerControl.dll
2. Initialize the Server: Printcom.RemoteFilePicker.InitServer()

On the client-side:

1. Reference two .NET Assemblies: RemoteFilepickerHelper.dll and RemoteFilepickerControl.dll
2. Add the control to your Visual Studio Toolbox
3. Drag & Drop the Filepicker to your Project
4. Display the Remote Filepicker by calling ShowDialog()

How it works

The control communicates with its server-part using TCP/IP with a configurable port. It uses the remoting facilities of Microsoft's .NET framework. It can establish a connection independently from your application OR it can use a remoting connection already established by your application.
The control itself can be used with any .NET 2.0 or higher application. A version wich can be used with older .NET 1.1 applications can be made available upon request.

Pricing

The Remote Filepicker is a Product of Printcom Output-Management GmbH.
It is available under two licences:

Non-commercial use and evaluation ONLY
May ONLY be used for evaluation purposes and non-commercial hobbiest applications. Displays an "evaluation-only" notice in the window's title.	FREE download Remote Filepicker-1.5.6 Developer's Manual
Commercial use
One developer license required for every developer working on a software containing the Remote Filepicker This version does not display a copyright notice and thus blends seamlessly into your application. You may even add your own branding.	195 EUR / 245 USD

Ordering and Support

To order: Contact filepicker@printcom-gmbh.de with the number of developers which need to work on the remote-filepicker integration. You will receive the component as a download shortly afterwards.
Additionally, we will e-mail you the payment details and you will receive a proper bill.

To obtain technical support: Contact filepicker-support@printcom-gmbh.de

News

17.10.2008

Remote-Filepicker 1.5.6 has been released and the evaluation download above has been updated to the latest version. Besides the usual bugfixes this release contains improved keyboard-control.