How do I disable copying of original files?

Even at Reader level access a user can copy originals. This may not always be desirable but there are a number of possible ways to work around this.

Set up user level access/passwords allowing only those whom you wish to have copy privileges to access the Catalogue. All others would use PortWeb to browse the Catalogue. With PortWeb you can build a shopping cart feature through which visitors can order reprints or high-res copies of your photographs. Although web users could still swipe your lo-res thumbnails, you can use JavaScript to suppress the mouse context menu making it difficult for them to do so. The latter still won't stop the more expert lifting your image. A downside of using web browser access is that any image viewed in the browser will be transferred to the user's computer - into the browser's cache, from which the more expert may retrieve it.

Another possibility, depending on your network OS and setup, is to restrict user access to the volumes/folders where the image files are kept. If you are using Windows NT/2000 (or later), you can ask your administrator to set up a user group that includes only those people to whom you wish to grant access. The administrator would set up a shared volume/folder shared only with authorised users. Your Catalogue itself would be in a less restricted volume/folder. Set up user-level access in your catalogue restricting the unauthorized people to 'read' privileges. Although these people would still see the option to copy files, the NT permissions will not allow them access. Of course this would limit the ability to click for a full-size preview.

If you are happy with people just having access to the thumbnails (they can make selections based on just this view) then with administrator access go to Catalog > Administration > Startup and check the box 'Disable link to original'. If you click on the thumbnail it now does nothing - you get no error message and see no preview. This enables you to give someone the Catalogue as a standalone document with no media - they can look at the thumbnails and choose what they want. They will have no access to the media, although of course that means no preview too and you should make sure in your instructions/training that they are aware of this fact. Sadly, using the feature disables access to both originals and disk previews. this is unfortunate as thumbnails alone might be insufficient for users to make selection choices.

Question: How do I disable copying of original files? [FAQ00177.htm]
Last Update:- 31 May 2006

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