Files uploaded via FTP (or other means outside of WP) don't show up in the Upload Manager

[stpagh]

Hello, I'm new to WordPress, but the first thing I want to do seems to be a problem. I have read a discussion about it here: ​http://wordpress.org/support/topic/106176?replies=7 but there does not appear to be a solution as yet.

When a large file is uploaded via FTP it is not visible in the Upload Manager where you can click on the file and have a link to it created in the post entry. We are trying to publish our pastor's sermons and so the file sizes will be quite large and it does not appear that we can upload them through the normal Upload feature as the browser times out. I want the process to be as easy as possible for none techy people so the interface is great, but we have to be able to use it with our files!

Any way this could be fixed for the upcoming release?

[foolswisdom]

Closing this as won't fix for now. Sounds like good plugin material though.

Your problem is actually likely that you need to adjust the web servers settings to be able to upload those files through WordPress.

FTP access is outside of WordPress' control and experience.

[tallthom]

You may want to reconsider this request. After all, when themes and plugins are uploaded via ftp, wordpress recognizes them right away (after a refresh.)

I would think the idea for adding files might be more difficult b/c if a massive quantity were added, the time to write entries to the database would be tricky to manage. But maybe it could be added as a process users could make into a cron job or a one-off runner?

I see the point about suggesting it as plugin material. However maybe it is too important a feature to leave to the plugin world? I've read dozens of posts surrounding this issue. Should be reconsidered for a mainstream WP feature.

Thanks for listening.

[DD32]

I think plugin material would be best first off, If not only just to show how its possible.

In 2.4 it would be good to have a "From Server" option along side "From Computer | Media Library | Flickr" though, It would fit pretty easily with the current design.

Just throwing out thoughts, An ajax file listing of the files in the wp-content folder, and allowing users to change up directories to say, One level higher than what wordpress is installed into.. or something..

[andy]

A plugin can be written to add to the uploader a tab for browsing your uploads directory.

Meantime workaround: Use WordPress to upload a small file with the same name as the big file. Then replace it with the big file via FTP.