LONG FileNames use 'em for curation and more

[SpectateSwampBANNED]

It's been proven long file names aren't a thing since barely anyone uses them. We already have file searching tools and have for a long time. Making a home brewed program and trying to make wine from water is cool and all, but literally you're the only one here that thinks it's the best thing ever.

Long FileNames aren't a thing because the Perfect Perfects have spent decades trying to make sense out of 8 character names... Impossible

Within minutes of having access to Your videos, audio, pics and text... On an external drive....
You could be randomly playing the first 5 seconds of 'em all.
Nothing is required to make use of the program... But long filenames make it a better search.
For mp3 audio files... I do take the metadata and put it in the directory info for searching...

There is more to curation than just searching... Lots more.
I can play the first few seconds of every video and audio file... Checking for data degradation or just plain corrupt data.

In looking at the metadata for over 14000 audio files... You'd be disappointed at how pathetic and useless most of it is..
When metadata isn't immediately visible it can be bad forever..

 

[Kursah]

Thread is going nowhere at this point. This is really someone stuck in their ways that won't listen to reason or advice, and the "my way or highway" feeling is getting stronger.

It's been proven long file names aren't a thing since barely anyone uses them. We already have file searching tools and have for a long time. Making a home brewed program and trying to make wine from water is cool and all, but literally you're the only one here that thinks it's the best thing ever.

People have tried to help, give advice, politely correct, and you ignored it all. Nothing more to say since we're running into brick walls and those are bad for your teeth.

Keep in mind the OP started this topic to share their solution, not asking for a different one. Not sure where that assumption came from? Maybe I missed SpectateSwamp seeking other recommendations but I'm not seeing it.

I'd like to remind everyone else of that as well, feel free to provide feedback, but there's no harm in someone sharing a solution even if its one that works for them that most in the general community here aren't open to or supportive of. While I may not be a fan of long file names, I have to give the OP credit for developing a system and process for said system that works for them. There's no harm in that, even if its not something I would want to change over to. The fact he's taking time to share it isn't for folks here to shame him about.

Specate may not change his process simply because the other way is how many others do it and that's fine, its not harming anyone here. Its different, which makes some folks clearly uncomfortable, but let's not let that drive the dialog here as that's not what this topic is about. Its about the solution he's sharing with this community.

Let's all ensure we do our part to keep this topic constructive.

 

[Frick]

I'm just curious about how you remember what files you have without organization.

 

[SpectateSwampBANNED]

I'm just curious about how you remember what files you have without organization.

I know I have "bear" videos...
I know I have video from golf tournaments.
When I want to find stuff I have forgotten about. I run it randomly.

AS well
The program operates off a Directory list containing all the mpg, jpg, mp3 files
searching that file (not in player mode) in context, can show everything complete...

 

[claes]

r/datahoarder would have a field day with this thread lol. Imagine buying into this convention with 24TB of data... Probably spend a year of your life writing out the date.

Do what works for you, but don’t kid yourself about how well it will work for others.

 

[Aquinus]

Specate may not change his process simply because the other way is how many others do it and that's fine, its not harming anyone here. Its different, which makes some folks clearly uncomfortable, but let's not let that drive the dialog here as that's not what this topic is about. Its about the solution he's sharing with this community.

That's not the problem. As I said before, if you open a project for critique, expect some honest feedback. This makes me uncomfortable because as a senior engineer, I'd probably want to can any of my engineers that thought this was a good implementation. I get that he's sharing it, but I think we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that it's a very limited implementation and the OP has some weird obsession with filenames. The idea isn't bad, but the implementation is questionable at best (and I'm being kind with my words.)

It started as honest feedback with suggestions for improvement, the OP has just rejected anything except for using filenames which is bizarre. No half decent engineer I know would dig their heels in on a particular implementation like the OP has. That alone is the reason for resistance. I don't sugarcoat my opinions for the sake of people's feelings, that doesn't make for good software or honest feedback.

 

[SpectateSwampBANNED]

I did a play catalog of all my test mp3 files...
The metadata is pathetic. One would never know how bad it is.
along with a sample of the messy details.

Immediately after the catalog I'm ready to play 'em

For anyone that is interested in the ability to randomly play songs or video or pics
Just download the .exe and the associated .dll
run the catalog option
run a 2nd time with random set.
Within minutes you will be amazed..
If you don't like the song... Kill it using the close...
With the app icon right there a quick enter and it is running again with the same
prompts... Almost too fast...

 

[claes]

Of course your metadata is bad... you never took advantage of it...

GitHub - beetbox/beets: music library manager and MusicBrainz tagger

music library manager and MusicBrainz tagger. Contribute to beetbox/beets development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[SpectateSwampBANNED]

Of course your metadata is bad... you never took advantage of it...

GitHub - beetbox/beets: music library manager and MusicBrainz tagger

music library manager and MusicBrainz tagger. Contribute to beetbox/beets development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Few, very few people have ever seen metadata. I have and didn't like it.
Nope there is corruption everywhere... and you can't see it.

 

[claes]

Few, very few people have ever seen metadata. I have and didn't like it.
Nope there is corruption everywhere... and you can't see it.

I’m sorry but I don’t know what you are suggesting... What corruption?

I could say “I’ve seen long file names and I don’t like them,” but I’m not sure how that would add to this thread.

 

[evernessince]

I don't recommend using long file name in an enterprise context, more precisely in "Windows" environment. Most of the programs doesn't support path longer dans 255 characters, and may cause issue in applications, backups and restore, shadowcopy, etc...

You should use tags instead of filename, or nomenclated filename. I raged at so much user because of this type of thinking, that all information must be in the filename. It's important to organize using folders AND filenames, not only filename.

But anyway, if you're a mac / linux user exclusively, it shouldn't pose any problem (except headache overtime).

The problem with tags is the larger the file, the longer it takes to apply the tags. It's a huge PITA. Tags are also limited in their use. Not everything you want to tag will fit into a single category. There can very likely be two or more categories you'd want to sort things into. Really windows should allow the user to create custom meta data fields and given the limitations of NTFS that would have to be done on the OS side (not cross-os compatible).

I personally use a long filename + regex to split the name up into separate custom meta fields. The solution definitely has it's downsides but it's a hell of a lot better than waiting 20 minutes for windows to tag a single file (this is on a HDD that gets 240 MB/s by the way, 16TB Seagate Exos) and it allows as many custom fields as I want.

Also, avoid tagging MP4 files in windows unless you install Icaros. I lost of few files from corruption after I tagged them with the default mp4 handler.

 

[SpectateSwampBANNED]

The problem with tags is the larger the file, the longer it takes to apply the tags. It's a huge PITA. Tags are also limited in their use. Not everything you want to tag will fit into a single category. There can very likely be two or more categories you'd want to sort things into. Really windows should allow the user to create custom meta data fields and given the limitations of NTFS that would have to be done on the OS side (not cross-os compatible).

I personally use a long filename + regex to split the name up into separate custom meta fields. The solution definitely has it's downsides but it's a hell of a lot better than waiting 20 minutes for windows to tag a single file (this is on a HDD that gets 240 MB/s by the way, 16TB Seagate Exos) and it allows as many custom fields as I want.

Also, avoid tagging MP4 files in windows unless you install Icaros. I lost of few files from corruption after I tagged them with the default mp4 handler.

You are smart. Very smart. and thanks for the info.
Part of having long filenames; is the ability to rename the previous 8 character ones
My app has the ability to copy selected pics into another folder... For sending to friends....
It should be quite simple to change that to a Copy / Rename option...
All I want is the ability to insert the folder info in front of the 8 chr one..
Many of my photos have notes in my text files... It could be useful for references.

Big files are a problem... Videos for sure.. I keep all mine videos to 3 minutes or less.
When there are too many files in a folder, seeing directory info slows... Move half or more of them to a sub folder...

I’m sorry but I don’t know what you are suggesting... What corruption?

I could say “I’ve seen long file names and I don’t like them,” but I’m not sure how that would add to this thread.

Sorry.. The data is corrupt.. All data will eventually go corrupt...
When I try and load the mp3 metadata, there are many non standard characters in the file.
Also how useless the codes for genre are..

 

[SpectateSwampBANNED]

I'm just curious about how you remember what files you have without organization.

Sorry my first answer wasn't that thought out.

The first step in accessing the videos or pics... Is to create a catalog list of all files on a drive or folder.

THEN

I can open that list in any text editor and look OR just open the folder and look at the file names.

Having a very good search helps make use of these long filenames...
(I started working on mine in 1999 and been fiddling with it since..)

to look for bears in a specific year I enter:
bear/2020
There are more than 1 of these and the first one is presented and played.
then the next.

or

by looking at the file... using the search textual display I can see that the
one I want is where it is eating chokecherries.
I enter:
bear/2020/chok
instantly I am seeing my favorite bear.

Or I can turn on Random
and search for:
bear
then the bear files (i have quite a few) are randomly played.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Someone asking about organization doesn't understand what names are even for whether it's a file or folder lol

 

[SpectateSwampBANNED]

Hi,
Someone asking about organization doesn't understand what names are even for whether it's a file or folder lol

But there are a few basics that they need to know. And not be made fun of.

 

[ThrashZone]

But there are a few basics that they need to know. And not be made fun of.

Hi,
I didn't see it as a serious inquiry.

 

[SpectateSwampBANNED]

Hi,
I didn't see it as a serious inquiry.

I respect every inquiry... Just as if they were sitting right across from Me.
Waaaayyy more respect in person. I guess.

if you have windows give it a spin
check the source code if you want to see how simple this app is.
Everything you need to know about search is there.... Yup
You'll need to get a copy of msvbvm50.dll short for microsoft visual basic????

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I usually wouldn't need a third party search engine
20h2 seems to have removed all apps list 2004 did too lol so if this continues "fortunately I do not use win-10 all that much win-7 and linux" I'll have to do something with this nonsense
No accessories folder and no admin tools folder lol all dialog listing show the same 4 listings lol

 

[Papahyooie]

Replying to sub. This is fascinating. He's turned a file system into a blobs database. Why? Who knows?! Mad lad.

+1 for templeOS vibes lol.

 

[SpectateSwampBANNED]

Replying to sub. This is fascinating. He's turned a file system into a blobs database. Why? Who knows?! Mad lad.

+1 for templeOS vibes lol.

Regular file systems are pathetic.

The biggest plus of having long filenames and a GREAT search, is I no longer have Video and Picture block...
Caused by having way too many videos and pics that are unorganized, so I have very little impulse to shoot more.
Not anymore for me and my Swampies.
Yesterday I did some pics of my favorite Llamas... I feed wild horses and they show up.
I loaded them onto my PC, renamed them, did a quick catalog and was showing them Off
I like showing my pics and videos. The Spectate App is the very best file system....

 

[SpectateSwampBANNED]

Blockage cleared.
I prioritize doing new video and curating 'em asap.
and
putting curation older ones on the back burner.

I'm always more interested in fresh fresh more than old and un cataloged stuff.