File sharing via link generation

摘要

Users specify that a file set comprising their files, folders, or other content owned by the users should be made accessible via a link, such as a uniform resource locator (URL). The system which stores and provides access to the files accordingly creates a link that specifies the file set to be made accessible. The users may distribute the link to recipients with whom the file set is to be shared, and the distribution may be performed in any manner that the users choose.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method executed by a file access server, comprising:
receiving a request from a user of a first client located remotely from the file access server in response to the user selecting a user interface element representing a request for a link providing access to a server folder, the server folder stored on the server and containing a first plurality of files; responsive to receiving the request, generating a link specifying the server folder providing the link to the first client for distribution by the user to other clients; receiving, from a second client located remotely from the first client, a first access request via the link; responsive to receiving the first access request, providing a first representation of the server folder to the second client, the first representation including the first plurality of files; receiving, by the file access server from the first client, a request to synchronize with the server folder a set of client files stored in a client folder, the set of client files including a plurality of new client files not stored in the server folder; synchronizing, by the file access server, the server folder with the client folder, the synchronizing comprising creating a plurality of new server files in the server folder that correspond to the plurality of new client files; receiving, from the second client, after the synchronizing, a second access request via the link; and responsive to receiving the second access request, providing a second representation of the server folder to the second client, the second representation including the plurality of new server files, the first representation omitting the plurality of new server files.