We have an application running on an Azure server using RDS that has a procedure for users to send emails to their customers. They would like to be able to attach a file from their local computer to the email. The path to the local computer is \tsclient\c{some folder} I tried using getfile but it doesn't allow storing and passing a path for retrieving the file. That forces users to navigate the Windows file tree to get the file they want. I tried using OpenFileDialog in Client tools 7.29 but get an error 1429 at line 752 in wwdotnetbridge.invokestaticmethod. This is the test code I was using to see if I could make it work.

*FUNCTION OpenFileDialog(lcFolder, lcTitle, lcExtensions, llCheckFileExists)
do wwdotnetbridge
SET PROCEDURE TO wwutils additive

lcFolder=""
lcTitle="Get File"
*lcExtensions="Png Image|.png|JPEG Image|.jpeg|Gif Image|.gif|Tiff Image|.tiff|All Files|"
lcExtensions="txt"
llCheckFileExists=.f.

retval=OpenFileDialog(lcFolder, lcTitle, lcExtensions, llCheckFileExists)

MESSAGEBOX(retval)

Should I be able to make this procedure work or is there a better option in client tools? Thanks for any help you can provide.

That code works for me, but you have to make sure the filter string is in the right format. using txt does not work, you have to use the same format as the example (commented) code uses.

The extension should be:

lcExtensions="Text File|.txt|All Files|"

or

lcExtensions="Text File|.txt"

+++ Rick ---

Hi Bob,
I saw your question where you mention running an Azure server using RDS. I was thinking about possibly using this as well but need to do some homework.

Can you give me some insight on the cost for having a server in the Azure Cloud with Remote Desktop Services? What configuration do you use? Are you happy with the performance? How many users do you have on a single server?

Thank you!
Steve

Steve,

I'll chime in here as I have some experience with VPS hosting, which it sounds like is what you're looking for.

One advice I have if you're just planning on hosting your own servers on a virtual machine host and are not looking to use any of the specific services of a full features application platform like Azure or AWS - don't use those platforms.

They are terribly expensive for VPS hosting, under equipped (they toss off the cheap hardware on the cheap plans) and underperforming unless you use their higher tier and very expensive plans. They also add all sorts of services related to Azure management and other services that you are unlikely to need, that further slow down VPS servers.

You'll be much better off with other, smaller services that specialize in VPS hosting that often provide multiple times the performance at a fraction of the cost for the supposedly same rated virtual hardware.

Personally, I use and have been using Vultr for over 5 years now even though I have a comped Azure account through my MVP status and it's been a much better and cheaper experience than I had with 1 year on Azure. Even with Microsoft comp, my Vultr account costs a lot less than even a shitty, underpowered with less specs Azure VM used to cost.

There are other services that provide similar level of service and performance you can look around - I work with a number of customers who use VPS servers both as application servers (as I do) as well as Remote Desktop host servers for remotely running apps and dev environments. Almost all of them don't use the big services. The big thing is, make sure you try out the service and ensure it gives you the performance you expect. You should try at least a few and set up a few VMs and compare. The 'specs' used to specify how much resource and performance you get usually can't be used to effectively compare real performance.

That said, using Azure or AWS makes good sense if you use the PAAS or SAAS offerings to host applications and integrate with the full eco system - there are tons of features and integrations that are powerful, but contrary to what is often advertised as a money saving move to the cloud often ends up being terribly expensive and difficult to accurately predict and manage the costs.

In short, you have to do your homework, but if VPS hosting is what you're looking for definitely look for places other than Azure or AWS.

+++ Rick ---

Wow!! Great info Rick!! I know you have posted on Vultr before and I had forgotten about that. I will definitely checkout Vultr. It sounds like VPS Hosting is exactly what I need!!

Thanks again!!
Steve