File.php Usability Modification (To be rolled out on CCLE Moodle PROD 11/4/2008 during maintenance window)

Functionality Changes:
1) creates a course_materials folder accessible to the course members grouping
2) on file upload, users start navigation in the course_materials folder

Effect of Change:
For materials placed in the course_materials folder, the padlock functions consistently, i.e. private (closed padlock) items are viewable only to course members, and public (open padlock) items are viewable on the public view of the course. There is an exception to this behavior as described below in point 2) of Support Implications.

Support Implications:
1) When using the file manager, users who have previously uploaded content into the root folder will need navigate up one level (to the ‘Parent folder’) to access their materials. Users may not see that they are in the ‘course_materials’ sub-directory and report that their content has disappeared from the File Manager.
2) Users will no longer need to use the previously prescribed workaround, except for the special exception where a web gallery or html page with sub-directory needs to be made public. See instructions here.

Please note that previously uploaded content will not be affected by this change.