Can you help me find a FREE replacement for Comcast PWP that has FTP access?

Question

So, here's how I use Comcast's PWP via FTP: First and foremost, I use FireFTP. I'd prefer to be able to keep using it. Ok, so I'm on Overclock.net and I enjoy providing tech support for anyone who needs it, when I can provide it. To that end, many of my replies to their threads are more like tutorials. So, this includes inserting screenshots into my post (not just the link, but inserting the whole image) and sometimes providing links to files that they need. In order to do that, I just upload the file (whether it's an image file or some kind of file that they need) in FireFTP, grab the URL, and use it. It's extremely easy and fast. How do I use the URL? If it's an image file, then I will just use the <img> tags (HTML code for those of you who aren't sure what I'm talking about). Overclock.net's post editor does have an 'Insert Image' button, but most of my screenshots are so big that they get resized, and I can't have that. Using the HTML code bypasses their auto-resizing "feature". If it's just a file, then I will simply paste the URL. Every now and then, I might choose instead to link some word or a phrase to a screenshot image file or the regular file that they need. It depends on what makes the most sense at the time. Like, sometimes I need to make a step-by-step list and sometimes I need a screenshot to be in one of those steps. So instead of trying to find a way to insert an image into one of the steps, I just link some text to the screenshot image file. This link needs to point to the image file (so, directly to the image), not a web page that has the image on it!! All options that I have personally looked at so far either cost money (I am not going to pay for simple file storage when I am using it like this LOL that would be stupid), or they don't provide an easy way AT ALL to obtain the absolute direct link to the file. Instead, they make you dig and dig and dig if you want that link, otherwise you're stuck with a link that points to a web page where the file download is located. Sigh. I hate that. I can't use that. Not for this type of use! I just want what I have now with Comcast's PWP via FireFTP. That's all. It's free, and I have fast downloads for my users, no file upload limit (I could upload a 1 GB file right now if I wanted to), and no expiration date on anything - including my account. I could go 6 months without any activity and still be able to use Comcast's PWP space via FireFTP. Most services seem to say that if you go inactive for more than 30 days, then your account is terminated. Most services also have a file upload limit of like 5 or 10 MB, and some of my files absolutely NEED to be much bigger than that from time to time because sometimes they are big setup files that the person needs that can't be found on the internet anymore - that I still have. Old ones. So, I also absolutely cannot have a limit on how big of a file I can upload - just as long as it doesn't exceed the storage space that's available to me, obviously. Like the 1 GB storage limit on Comcast's servers. So, can you help?

Answer 1

Hawkewynde wrote:
I've lost track with all of the 'discontinuance' talk going on in the other threads. Have you found a host that feeds your needs? It reads as if the goal is very simple:- have a host that can hold files for use on a message board- when someone clicks on, let's say, the <IMG> or text link, it simply displays the linked image or kicks off a file download. File size and what-not are different issues, though noted.I insert images, I don't link to them. Most people probably link to images, but I put them right in the post, just as if it were a true tutorial. The <img> tag in HTML is what displays the image on the page. Inserting images means that you display them in your post. Just like this:  My images though are usually big screenshots. This is just a tiny example to show that I don't link to images, I insert them. The only time that I link to an image is when it makes more sense, such as needing to have an image inside of a list of instructions where I don't want to split the instructions up with a big screenshot. Sometimes I only need to quickly mention the image in a paragraph, and so I'll link a word or a phrase or sometimes even a sentence to it. Dropbox is working somewhat OK. Uploads are noticeably slower, and it's pretty clunky for me. I have to delete "dl=0" at the end of the link and type "raw=1" every single time if I want to avoid having the link point to the web page where the file is located (and I need to avoid that pretty much 100% of the time), and I have to go outside of Firefox to upload the file and I no longer have a very fast method of grabbing the URL. I used to just stay inside Firefox: press Alt+T, then W then F, then Tab, then Enter, and then I'd upload the file, select the file, press Ctrl+U and bam I'd be able to work with the URL however I want. That entire process usually took like 5-7 seconds (yeah, including grabbing the URL - uploads were always just that fast). Now with Dropbox, lol, the whole process from start to finish isn't worth timing. If I decide to keep using it, then I'll have to get used to it. Maybe someday it'll be that fast with Dropbox. I don't know. So, I guess I'm still looking, but at least I have something just in case I don't find anything. heh I really hate having to delete "dl=0" and then type "raw=1" every single time though. So I'd still be much happier if I could find good free FTP hosting that provides at least a gigabyte per account, the ability to have more than one account (so that I could have more space, just like with Comcast), fast uploads, and nice fast downloads. Of course, no limit to how big the upload is and no expiration date on my files or no required activity (the ability to be inactive for however long I want). I guess I'm dreaming. heh