Enabling repositories
Repositories can be enabled by an administrator in Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Repositories > Manage repositories.
A repository plugin may be set to
- Enabled and visible - appears in the file picker
- Enabled and hidden
- Disabled - default setting
The order in which repositories are shown in the file picker may be set using the up and down arrows.
Vocabulary
Repository plugin: it is also called a repository type. It can be named Box.net, Flickr, Mahara, Youtube... Adding a plugin allow users to create instances of this plugin. Only instances are displayed into the file picker. Type only exist in order to let a Moodle administrator to deactivate/delete all instances of a type in one click.
Repository instance: An instance is displayed into the file picker and it is the access point to an external repository. An instance can have specific settings (for example be linked to a personal account).
- First case: when you add the plugin, an instance is automatically created and can not be edited. The Moodle administrator cannot change the instance name. The instance name displayed into the file picker will be exactly the same as the plugin name. For example Youtube, Box.net...
- Second case: the plugin allow the Moodle administrator to add multiple instances. An instance has a name for example Flickr Public access to Martin account, Martin's Mahara...
For this second case it is important to identify two different kind of instances:
- Common instances: The instances set by Moodle administrator in these same administration pages will be available into any file picker.
- Private instance: A teacher can set some instances available only for a course, and an user can set some instances only available for himself. In order to set instances for a course the teacher will go to the course page, and in order to set instances for a personal use, a user will go on his profile page. An administrator cannot add/edit private instances from the administration pages.
Common repository settings
Common repository settings can be set by an administrator in Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Repositories > Common Repository settings:
Cache Expire
You can specify how long in seconds file listings are cached locally when browsing external repositories.
Allow external links
With some repositories such as Flickr and Wikimedia, users can have the choice whether to copy the media into Moodle (the preferred solution) or to make a link to it instead.
Legacy course files in new courses
This repository is not normally available in new courses as it is designed for upgraded 1.9 courses. However, if it is checked here then it will appear when new courses are created - but certain backup and restore features won't work with it. See Legacy course files for more details.
Allow adding to legacy course files
New feature
in Moodle 2.6!
When 'Legacy course files' is available in a course, this setting controls if users are able to add new files to it. When enabled, users will be able to add files and directories, as well as delete. When disabled, users will not be able to add files and directories.
Repository capabilities
- View alfresco repository
- View box.net repository
- Use course files repository plugin
- View a Dropbox folder
- View file system repository
- View Flickr repository
- Use Flickr public repository in file picker
- View google docs repository
- View server repository
- View the Merlot repository
- View picasa repository
- View recent files
- View amazon s3 repository
- Use uploading in file picker
- Use URL downloader in file picker
- View user private files
- View WebDav repository
- View wikimedia repository
- Use youtube in file picker