Originally posted by Mike Curwen:
The browser decides what to do with links.
Well, yes, but that doesn't mean you have no say in it. The behaviour is governed by the Mime headers that the web server sends back with the file.
First,the Content-Type header. If the content type is one the browser doesn't have a handler for, it displays the "Save As" dialog. If desperate, you can always configure the web server, servlet or
JSP to use some absolutely wild Mime type
Second, the Content-Disposition header. Unfortunately, this is where I'm getting out of my depth (alright, I'm just too lazy to start digging through books and specs). I think, but am not sure, that if you specify "attachment; filename=
filename" then the browser will display the "Save As" dialog even if it has a handler or plug-in for the type. Take my words here with a grain of salt though.
- Peter