Creating a dropbox (via the Web Interface)
- Create a new folder with the word “dropbox” in the name (e.g., homeworkdropbox). Currently you must make sure to use all lowercase letters in the word “dropbox”.
- Click the share icon for the folder and add the group (e.g., a course group) that should have access to the dropbox. (Dropbox permissions use groups only, not individuals. The group can be a personal group or one from the server, such as a course group.)
- Give the group read and write permissions to the folder
- While in the sharing window, click the “Set Inheritance” button.
- Uncheck all permissions for the group to turn off the ability of the files to inherit permissions from the parent folder.
- If you have TAs or graders who need to be able to see all the contents, add them to the sharing list, but do not remove their Inheritable permissions.
Your students can now upload files and folders into this dropbox. Each student will see only their own items. The instructor will see everything, regardless of original owner.
How It Works
- Files and folders put into a dropbox are readable, writable, and deletable by the users who upload them.
- The class’s group permission is turned off so that students cannot see one another’s work.
- Files and folders also take on other inheritable permissions so that the instructor(s) can also read, write, and delete them.
!! Cautions !!
- The system will not allow a user to upload a file if there is already a file with the same name in the dropbox. This can be confusing because they may not see the pre-existing file there.
Workaround: Have students either add their name to the filename, or have them first create a self-named folder in the dropbox, then have them deposit their materials in that folder.
- The system will not allow you to MOVE a file from another directory into the dropbox.
Workaround: You must COPY the file instead. This is because a MOVED file normally retains its original permissions in the new location, while a COPIED file inherits the permissins of the new parent directory.