Great file repository extension for Joomla!

Remository is a highly capable file repository for use within one of the supported CMSs (Content Management Systems - currently Joomla! or Mambo or Aliro). It can organise files into folders (described in the system using the generic word "containers") that can be nested to an arbitrary depth. Files can be uploaded or downloaded by site visitors, subject to constraints configured by the site administrator.

There are three different ways in which files can be held by Remository:

• The most flexible is to store the files in the CMS database, which means that operations such as moving a file from one folder to another does not involve an operation on the disk system. Also, the database is not prone to the file permission problems that can create difficulty in some hosting situations, nor is it affected by the pernicious PHP safe mode.
• Database storage can become difficult if the volumes are very large. This may run up against issues of maintenance (depending on the extent of access to the server) or against hosting policies. So files can alternatively be located in the file system on the web server.
• Remository can also make available files that are located elsewhere on the internet. These are known as remote files and are defined by a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier, for example http://remository.com/downloads/filespec/).

Visitors can browse the file repository, starting at the topmost folders. Or there is a search facility in Remository; also an optional search plugin that will extend the CMS site search to include the file repository. Subject to possible constraints set by the site administrator, someone browsing the repository will be able to download any selected file. Subject to constraints, they can also upload a file to the repository, where it will typically be authorised before publication.