[Rumpus-talk] Icons

[John O'Fallon]

> The files stored in their directory will be multi-media files with  
> the extensions of .mp4, .m4v .mp3, and .mov.  Rumpus is showing a  
> default icon.  They want to be able for the media centers to  
> visually distinguish between them.

The Rumpus server is unable to generate thumbnail images on it's own,  
because as a daemon process it doesn't have access to graphical  
services of the system.  So, when a thumbnail image needs to be  
generated, the Rumpus server hands the job off to the the Rumpus  
application, which uses OS X system services to actually create the  
thumbnail image JPEG.

So, while the Rumpus application doesn't generally need to run for the  
server to function, this means that it does need to be running in  
order for thumbnails to be created any time new files are uploaded.

There is also a difference in the system services available with which  
to generate thumbnails.  In OS X 10.4, image processing services exist  
but are limited to fairly basic image file types.  In OS X 10.5, Apple  
introduced QuickLook, which Rumpus takes advantage of to allow  
thumbnails to be created for many more file types.  In fact, QuickLook  
plug-ins, installed on a Rumpus server, will be used to create  
thumbnails in Rumpus, so that your server's ability to display  
thumbnails can be extended by installing plug-ins for the file types  
stored on the server.

To test to see if Rumpus is able to generate a thumbnail image of a  
particular file type on your server, use the "Generate Test Thumbnail"  
button on the Thumbnails tab of the Web Settings window.  If a  
suitable thumbnail image can't be created, a system update may be  
required (especially if you are running OS X 10.4).  If the server is  
running OS X 10.5 or later, search the Web for a QuickLook plug-in for  
the file type in question and install it, then retest.

Finally, note that Rumpus stores thumbnails so that it doesn't have to  
regenerate them every time a directory listing is served.  If default  
file icons have already been created for files in certain directories,  
you will need to signal Rumpus to rebuild images in those folders.  To  
rebuild images, log in to the Web interface under a user account set  
with the "Administrator" privilege, move into the directory in  
question, and choose "Rebuild Images" from the "Thumbnail Actions" pop- 
up menu.

John


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  Rumpus: The Premier File Transfer Server For Mac OS X.
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