Messages

76

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is it so hard to find a decent image organizer?

« on: August 15, 2009, 12:02 PM »

DonL: Thanks! I had already downloaded the XYplorer trial and looked through the help file but found no EXIF tagging solution. So I was about to give up on it. But this gives new hope! 
...

-Nod5 (August 15, 2009, 04:14 AM)

Pretty long post. Could need some ellipsis... I added one...

I prefer to answer shortly, never mind, and give you some information you *might* not know yet about XYplorer:

1. Not only right-click, but also left-click on thumbnails gives a preview, but only as long as you hold the mouse button down.
2. You can quickly add a tag by directly clicking into the tag column! That's one click per tag. (You have to activate this mode in Configuration / Tags).
3. Yes, only one tag per file is possible; but you also have the "Comment" field where you can put as many keywords as you like, which you later (see next point!) can use for searching.
4. The current version of XY does not yet support searching by Tag or Comment, BUT one of the next versions will. And this search will be *ultrafast* because it will get the info directly from the tag database and not from the file system / hard disk. A big advantage over alternative tagging systems like descript.ion.
5. Your scripting idea ("C.") with Dual Pane would work, nice idea actually. Especially useful for semi-automatically filling the Comment field.
6. XYplorer does support export of file data (including tags and comments!) to CSV format ever since. Check out the Report tab on the Info Panel...
7. Version 8.30 will also support Date Shifting (e.g. add 3.5 hours to the EXIF date before renaming/touching the file).
8. Yes, XYplorer's dateexif will be equal to date taken. Note that files can have only EXIF and no date taken (if "date taken" refers to "extended shell properties" of files). XYplorer's dateexif will return the EXIF date of those files as well.


Don

77

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is it so hard to find a decent image organizer?

« on: August 15, 2009, 02:23 AM »

So I seek something with these features:

1. thumbnail mode
2. some very fast way to add a tag to selected file(s) (For example, single click a tag in a list to toggle a tag on/off for all selected)
3. some simple way to rename the actual image file name based on its EXIF timestamp and the tags added in step 2

-Nod5 (August 14, 2009, 06:18 PM)

Try XYplorer.
1. yes
2. yes
3. needs a simple script that you can pass through the address bar, e.g.:
        //prefix EXIF date to current filename:
        ::rename b, "<dateexif yyyymmdd_hhnnss>-*", p;

Further XYplorer offers a one-click solution to set the modified date to the EXIF date of a file (also bulk).

But note: XYplorer's EXIF functions will only be officially released in the next version! (8.30)

http://www.xyplorer.com/

78

General Software Discussion / Re: Program Whose Time Has Come: virtual folders, collections, file baskets...

« on: July 30, 2009, 02:14 PM »

Virtual Folders (VFOs) are next on the XYplorer roadmap. They will be fully integrated, portable (!), ultra-fast, have a location in the folder tree, be searchable, and more. Search the XY user forum for "Virtual Folders" to get some ideas.

Don
http://www.xyplorer.com/

79

General Software Discussion / Re: XYplorer 8.00 released with DUAL PANES (!)

« on: July 03, 2009, 05:24 PM »

The thumbnail view is, of course, really helpful but I have one problem with it for files from which I have several versions (i.e. several stages of editing). 
When using the thumbnail view I often would still need to know the file format to be able to distinguish versions.  For me it would be great if the thumbnails could be overlayed with file format icons or text for (doc, pdf, tif, jpg, psd, psp, ....) - as an option.
???

-Lutz_ (July 03, 2009, 11:10 AM)

There's a option to do this in the configuration dialog.

80

General Software Discussion / Re: XYplorer 8.00 released with DUAL PANES (!)

« on: July 03, 2009, 07:50 AM »

I am asking because in the case of directories with many BMP files XY seems to be not responding until every thumbnails is generated. It gives the feeling of slowing user down.

-fenixproductions (July 02, 2009, 01:52 PM)

Yes, I actually fixed this today.

81

General Software Discussion / Re: XYplorer 8.00 released with DUAL PANES (!)

« on: July 02, 2009, 08:38 AM »

I still find it strange not to see as many thumbnails as I want to. I.e. PDN files (from Paint.NET) can be seen in Explorer, Total Commander and many other file managers because they can use IShellFolder for getting the thumbnail. Even my Comparer does it but XY has problems.

-fenixproductions (June 16, 2009, 06:53 AM)

Did you try 8.10? Should work now...

82

General Software Discussion / Re: Fast View

« on: June 27, 2009, 02:05 AM »

I'd love to see a viewer that would

• show files in the order they are sorted (no slideshow, just some key to move on or back) - which sounds like what you've planned
  
• allow easy zooming in to selected area (I can see this could be problematic if you're showing so many different formats) e.g. Ctrl+Drag to select area to zoom in - or Ctrl+mousewheel, but that usually doesnt allow zooming into particular area - could be really great if it zoomed into where the mouse arrow was

-tomos (June 26, 2009, 05:45 PM)

1. yes, it works that way
2. XY's MDBU feature (MouseDownBlowUp: mouse button down on a thumbnail in the file list or on the preview on the preview tab) will always attempt to show the preview in the largest possible size (up to 100%). If this is larger than your screen you can pan around the image by moving the mouse.

83

General Software Discussion / Re: Fast View

« on: June 26, 2009, 02:33 PM »

FYI, XY's full screen mode supports walking through the current list using PageUp/PageDown.

84

General Software Discussion / Re: Fast View

« on: June 26, 2009, 02:00 AM »

BTW, the next version of XYplorer (8.10) will have a full screen preview for HTML, MHT, URL, NWS, EML, and MSG files in perfect original size quality.

85

General Software Discussion / Re: XYplorer 8.00 released with DUAL PANES (!)

« on: June 17, 2009, 01:48 PM »

BTW, I took the ardent extra-energy of this thread and converted it into PDF-thumbnails in next release... .. and, yes, it also includes exotic stuff like PDN and what not...

-DonL (June 17, 2009, 12:33 PM)

Just being curious: using IShellXXX stuff?

-fenixproductions (June 17, 2009, 01:10 PM)

Yes! I had made an attempt at this about 2 years ago, failed, and gave up early. Now when you mentioned it in your other post I decided to give it a quick 2nd try and -- viola! -- solved the problem easily. So, some credits go to fenixproductions for PDF-thumbnails in XY, thanks!

86

General Software Discussion / Re: XYplorer 8.00 released with DUAL PANES (!)

« on: June 17, 2009, 12:34 PM »

I do want to state for the record that I admire what Don's been accomplishing with his file manager. He's trying to bring all the power of the Total Commanders and Directory Opuses of the world to an Explorer-style file manager without becoming as convoluted in the options/preferences department as Directory Opus and I think he's done very well accomplishing that.

-Innuendo (June 17, 2009, 09:28 AM)

I must say, for a descript.ion user you did a fine job in describing my work!

87

General Software Discussion / Re: XYplorer 8.00 released with DUAL PANES (!)

« on: June 17, 2009, 12:33 PM »

So here's to you!

-KenR (June 17, 2009, 11:16 AM)

Hey, thanks for the beer!!

BTW, I took the ardent extra-energy of this thread and converted it into PDF-thumbnails in next release... .. and, yes, it also includes exotic stuff like PDN and what not...

88

General Software Discussion / Re: XYplorer 8.00 released with DUAL PANES (!)

« on: June 16, 2009, 07:17 AM »

I still find it strange not to see as many thumbnails as I want to. I.e. PDN files (from Paint.NET) can be seen in Explorer...

-fenixproductions (June 16, 2009, 06:53 AM)

Nobody ever asked for PDN files. The place for bug reports and wishes is the XY User Forum...

89

General Software Discussion / Re: XYplorer 8.00 released with DUAL PANES (!)

« on: June 16, 2009, 06:33 AM »

Hi DonL,

Thanks for answering. This is a desktop machine, with fast disks, so I'm not usre either. The only different thing is that this is windows server 2008 64-bit.

-urlwolf (June 16, 2009, 06:28 AM)

If you happen to do your browsing on a (mapped or UNC) network drive then the delay can be explained and fixed by changing some configuration stuff -- ask in the user forum.

On local disks it should be fast.

90

General Software Discussion / Re: XYplorer 8.00 released with DUAL PANES (!)

« on: June 16, 2009, 05:04 AM »

Is it just me, or is the listing of long file list very slow?

-urlwolf (June 16, 2009, 04:23 AM)

Hmm, complaints about speed is the last thing I get. XY is usually extremely fast. No idea what's going wrong at your end.

91

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Finally perfected my download commenter after only 8 years

« on: February 16, 2009, 07:36 AM »

I still have to have the self-discipline, and time, to actually add a description... 

-rjbull (February 14, 2009, 05:09 PM)

The latest XYplorer (BETA) gives you a way to select a description from a user-created (unlimited) set of ready-to-use descriptions. Spares you the typing...

-DonL (February 16, 2009, 06:18 AM)

But the user would have to set up the boilerplate text.  Is there any semi-automated way to import it from e.g. FILE_ID.DIZ, PAD files, or whatever?

-rjbull (February 16, 2009, 07:15 AM)

Not from factory, but you could create such things (or have somebody do it for you) using scripting.

92

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Finally perfected my download commenter after only 8 years

« on: February 16, 2009, 06:18 AM »

I still have to have the self-discipline, and time, to actually add a description... 

-rjbull (February 14, 2009, 05:09 PM)

The latest XYplorer (BETA) gives you a way to select a description from a user-created (unlimited) set of ready-to-use descriptions. Spares you the typing...

93

General Software Discussion / Re: Tagging Files (Tag Everything)

« on: February 09, 2009, 07:16 AM »

Maybe later.

-DonL (February 09, 2009, 01:46 AM)

OK, thanks.

-rjbull (February 09, 2009, 06:58 AM)

BTW, as both formats are simple and open, you can (supposing you program) write such a conversion utility yourself.

94

General Software Discussion / Re: Tagging Files (Tag Everything)

« on: February 09, 2009, 01:46 AM »

Is there any hope of bringing them together, at least by some kind of import/export conversion utility, external if necessary?

-rjbull (February 08, 2009, 03:35 PM)

Maybe later.

95

General Software Discussion / Re: Tagging Files (Tag Everything)

« on: February 08, 2009, 11:48 AM »

Has anyone noticed that the latest version of XYplorer 7.90.0100 lets you assign tags and comments to specific files and folders?  I don't know where or how it saves the data, though.  Total Commander uses the 4DOS DESCRIPT.ION system, which is convenient because some other programs use it too.

-rjbull (February 07, 2009, 03:18 PM)

Perhaps NTFS ADS?

-f0dder (February 08, 2009, 10:34 AM)

No. XY uses a database in an ultra-simple proprietary open source text format (it's described in the help file)
Advantages:
- ultrafast "searches" over tags ("list all blue and red files", etc. ...)
- works for files and folders the same
- files themselves are not changed
- works the same on all locations (also floppy, UNC/network, USB, whatever)
- portable (supposed the tagged files exist also on the other system)
- easy to load a different set of tags/comments
- easy to backup
Disadvantages:
- XYplorer has to maintain the DB when files are renamed or moved (but does it well)
- when other processes rename or move files the DB gets out of synch

96

General Software Discussion / Re: Another 'Lifetime' license bites the dust

« on: December 13, 2008, 05:38 AM »

There's still two left in the 'Lifetime' license club:
- Total Commander file manager
- WinRAR archiver

What others are there?

-zridling (December 12, 2008, 03:43 AM)

- XYplorer (previously TrackerV3) always had a lifetime license and still has one. Customer Number One from April 2000 is still happily using the app without any additional payment ever.

97

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: XYPlorer ($15) Nov 24 at BDJ

« on: November 19, 2008, 02:58 AM »

Addendum to explain my rage: Indeed the offensive "serial punishment" comments have been removed from FileForum yesterday. Leaving XYplorer with 206 votes and an average rating of 4.1/5 points. This morning, exactly 10 hours later, I see 220 votes and 3.9/5 points (just enough to change the color of the ratings graphic from silver to bronce). Do the math and you see: Somebody (whether one or more cannot be safely said) has given XYplorer 14 times a 1/5 rating. Since you cannot vote two times with the same account, he must have created 14 accounts just to achieve this. So, how would you feel if you were me?

-DonL (November 19, 2008, 02:25 AM)

I can understand why you are suspicious, and factually you may or may not be right - I don't know - though Josh denies it.

However, that is an issue you should be raising in/with FileForum and not here. Josh's tone in his comments here was much more moderate than yours, and I do not believe that a more aggressive tone should be imported into this forum. What I'd also say is that aggression and insults from a vendor, however justified the feelings behind them may be, are likely to be very offputting to potential customers.

Even more so when out of context and with no immediately visible back story.

-Dormouse (November 19, 2008, 02:49 AM)

Yep, I blew a fuse. Sorry about that.

98

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: XYPlorer ($15) Nov 24 at BDJ

« on: November 19, 2008, 02:25 AM »

Addendum to explain my rage: Indeed the offensive "serial punishment" comments have been removed from FileForum yesterday. Leaving XYplorer with 206 votes and an average rating of 4.1/5 points. This morning, exactly 10 hours later, I see 220 votes and 3.9/5 points (just enough to change the color of the ratings graphic from silver to bronce). Do the math and you see: Somebody (whether one or more cannot be safely said) has given XYplorer 14 times a 1/5 rating. Since you cannot vote two times with the same account, he must have created 14 accounts just to achieve this. So, how would you feel if you were me?

99

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: XYPlorer ($15) Nov 24 at BDJ

« on: November 19, 2008, 02:01 AM »

DonL, peace! I do not want a fight with you. I just ask that you respect my opinion. You might not think my requests are necessary but as a potential end-user, my requests might be that feature which I require for daily interaction with my PC and as such, can cause me issues if I do not have said feature. Your product is OK, but as I said, there are many problems with it which make me turn away. I am sorry if you feel I am trying to "serial-punish" you, but that is not the case.

-Josh (November 19, 2008, 12:26 AM)

Giving a program a rating of 1 out of 5 because it does not have a particular feature is not fair. Doing this repeated times, because "it still does not have the feature" is less fair. Josh, you know very well that public user reviews and ratings are an important part of a software's public image, and for me as an independent software developer, it's even more so because I cannot afford bought campaigns. So, isn't it logical that I'm not happy to see that somebody is constantly working on lowering my overall rating on an important site (fileforum) and now is continuing this ("There are so many little nauances about this application... ") on another imporant site (DC).

If you are a user of XYplorer, and you find a bug or have a wish, why don't you simply tell me about it in the user forum? It will be usually handled very fast. And if it's not handled you will learn why. Then you can move on to another software that's better for you. No problem.
I cannot take criticism? Come on, I'm working in this business long enough now, and I get my share every day. I can take it. What I won't tolerate, however, is unfairess.

100

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: XYPlorer ($15) Nov 24 at BDJ

« on: November 18, 2008, 01:24 PM »

FWIW, I agree with your assessment of XYplorer -- it seems like they've just thrown a whole laundry list of features in, without much thought as to integrating them into a way that makes coherent sense.

-CWuestefeld (November 18, 2008, 11:58 AM)

The opposite is true.

About the run dialog (Josh, aka Metshrine is serial-punishing me in fileforum for months now, poor idiot): If you allow yourself to think for a minute: This is a system function. Run dialog = system component. Not software feature. Got it?

And for the future: Before you talk bad about something in public, please get to know it first, or simply shut up.