Opening directory files

[krelian]

I know that you can use php to open a directory file, and obtain the information within it, but is it possible to use php to open a users computer files? As in, I want to access a directory on users computer that contains music files for use on my site. Say its at... C:\Windows\MySitemusic\
Is it possible to obtain the names, and use a javascript or equivilent dropdown to change the embeded music source? If so, how would I go about doing such a thing?

[Mordecai]

Using PHP, you cannot access anything on the user's computer. (Unless they have it openly available.)

[BuzzLY]

Let's say you went to the FBI's web site. Would you want them to have the ability to have a look around your computer, and download the pictures in your porn directory? I think not.

You can't do it. And if a way is figured out how (without installing a trojan horse or a worm), you SHOULDN'T do it.

[krelian]

Alright, thats what I needed to know.
Thanx for the help guys.

Actually, I just had another thought as well. Is there anyway to do this using a cookie?

[BuzzLY]

No. A cookie stores information you want to keep on their computer, so the next time they visit your site, you can retrieve the information. It will not give you access to their computer.

Your line of questioning leads me to believe that you may be attempting something less than desirable. I hope this is not the case, but you will not find the answers to such things here, I think. Please give up the idea of accessing a user's data -- just think how pissed you would be if you found out that Microsoft was stealing things off your computer...

[matt_4013]

You never know Buzzly, there've been so many times when that would've come in so handy for me to be able to pick up a windows username, and send it to a php script, for completely legitimate means. You could do it with a combination of javascripts, assuming of course that the user doesn't update their browser, or OS 😉 Not talking about any browsers or OS' in particular of course . .. cough cough

[drawmack]

the only thing even close is to use a file field to allow them to upload files to your site.