I am looking for some type of extension (if it exists) that would present the user with a modal window/pop-up while a PDF (or other doc like a pic or Word doc) is downloading from the server. In a nutshell I'm going to be running an Intranet to a fleet of vehicles that will have Verizon 3G connectivity (typically around 500-1000 kbps or less). Much of the information they will need to access will be in the form of PDF's that can be as large as 5MB or more. Clearly it could take a minute or longer to download and I want to be able to notify the user that the download is in progress so they don't think it isn't working and continue to click away locking up the computer. One more caveat, they will not have Internet access, only Intranet running on a local server on the LAN.

I know it is a unique situation. Any assistance would be appreciated.

Hi Brian,

You're right. This is a bit unique and something I have not been asked about before. I think the first place to look would be the JED for a download manager that does this already.

extensions.joomla.org/search?q=download+manager

It would take some time to go through them and make sure they do this.

You could always get a developer to write a custom plugin for you. This seems like a script that could be written since it's a common practice with all types of downloads.

One thing you could do for expediency is set the download link to open in it's own window and put a notice on the page with the download link that they can expect a new window to open and they should wait for it.

If I see a way to do this or someone else on the team is more familiar with doing it, we'll let you know.

If you find something, be sure to share it on the forum.

Cheers,
Ed