Author Topic: FolderCache 6.3.8.1 (Read 97400 times)

MilesAhead · « **on:** April 23, 2009, 06:04 PM »

I took the AutoIt3 engine I had for monitoring when Explorer opens a folder and just converted it to a complete application. FolderCache.

This implementation is much simpler than others I've done. Leave it run in the system tray. Hit Shift-PgUp to open the launch window. The GUI is no great shakes but I made it wide to avoid the need for horizontal scrolling to see all of the folder name. It should be usable in screen res 800x600 or higher.

Right now there are no user configurable options. It's hard-wired for a max of 24 folders. There's no install needed. To have it start with Windows just make a shortcut in the Startup folder.

(One note, the launch window is created dynamically when opened and destroyed with each close. While it is open, the folder monitor function is paused. No folders will be added to the cache while the launch window is open. For this reason there is no minimize button on the window frame. If you change your mind about opening a folder in the window, just click the close 'x' on the window frame or click the Open Selected Button with nothing selected, to close it.)

f0dder · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2009, 06:15 PM »

You should probably change the name - when seeing cache, I half expected some file/disk caching stuff rather than "just" a list of used folders

(oh, how I wish somebody would make a NT version of "vramdir"...)

MilesAhead · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2009, 07:32 PM »

You should probably change the name - when seeing cache, I half expected some file/disk caching stuff rather than "just" a list of used folders (oh, how I wish somebody would make a NT version of "vramdir"...)
-f0dder (April 23, 2009, 06:15 PM)

When I see Disk Cache I expect a disk cache. When I see folder cache, I expect a folder cache. Sorry to disappoint.

'sides, then I'd have to do something more difficult with the icon. Typing a dollar sign is easy.

btw AutoIt3 form designer thing is a bit off kilter. I changed the numbers a bit so it's at least closer to horizontal center.

mouser · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2009, 07:45 PM »

thanks for sharing

MilesAhead · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2009, 11:50 PM »

thanks for sharing
-mouser (April 23, 2009, 07:45 PM)

You're welcome.

Updated to v. 1.1 On exit it writes the folder list to FolderCache.txt in the home folder. On startup, if that txt file exists it reads the folder names in. So it should start empty only the first time or if you delete FolderCache.txt.

mouser · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2009, 02:33 AM »

hey looks like martin at ghacks likes it:
http://www.ghacks.ne...er-cache/#more-12308

Screenshot - 4_24_2009 , 2_30_51 AM_thumb.png

f0dder · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2009, 02:46 AM »

You should probably change the name - when seeing cache, I half expected some file/disk caching stuff rather than "just" a list of used folders (oh, how I wish somebody would make a NT version of "vramdir"...)
-f0dder (April 23, 2009, 06:15 PM)
When I see Disk Cache I expect a disk cache. When I see folder cache, I expect a folder cache. Sorry to disappoint. 'sides, then I'd have to do something more difficult with the icon. Typing a dollar sign is easy.
-MilesAhead (April 23, 2009, 07:32 PM)

I'd have opted to simply call it an MRU list, but that's just me. And after all, the name doesn't detract from it's usefulness

Nod5 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2009, 03:43 AM »

Nice!

I'm linking this up with a previous thread were similar apps are mentioned: https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=5102.0

mediaguycouk · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2009, 07:38 AM »

I like this

Thanks for putting it on the RSS feed, would have noticed it otherwise.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2009, 01:40 PM »

I like this

Thanks for putting it on the RSS feed, would have noticed it otherwise.
-mediaguycouk (April 24, 2009, 07:38 AM)

Thank you. I added an Up/Down in v. 1.2 to set the maximum number of folders. I notice the scrolling isn't really spiffy so an optimum number may be what fits in the window.. maybe 18 or 20 or so.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2009, 01:47 PM »

You should probably change the name - when seeing cache, I half expected some file/disk caching stuff rather than "just" a list of used folders (oh, how I wish somebody would make a NT version of "vramdir"...)
-f0dder (April 23, 2009, 06:15 PM)
When I see Disk Cache I expect a disk cache. When I see folder cache, I expect a folder cache. Sorry to disappoint. 'sides, then I'd have to do something more difficult with the icon. Typing a dollar sign is easy.
-MilesAhead (April 23, 2009, 07:32 PM)
I'd have opted to simply call it an MRU list, but that's just me. And after all, the name doesn't detract from it's usefulness
-f0dder (April 24, 2009, 02:46 AM)

True enough.

I spent a lot of time on Delphi 5 XMon explorer folder monitor but the thing I didn't like about using it was having to scroll horizontally to read long paths. I'd have to reinstall Delphi 5 to update it and I've installed that compiler too many dozens of times. The monitor engine was in AutoIt3 anyway, so I figured I'd give the GUI a shot.

If you notice any bugs please let me know.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2009, 02:28 PM »

Please download v. 1.3. It fixes a bug introduced in 1.2 that hangs the window when the folder max option is adjusted. Minor brain cramp. Should be good now.

Edit: Updated to 1.4. Made the window a bit taller and updated Readme file a bit. On my machine 24 folders fits nicely without scrolling. I think it's pretty stable now.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2009, 05:14 PM »

Latest build has a minor fix, if the folder file doesn't have a number for the max folder option on the first line. It's been updated on the page.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #13 on:** April 24, 2009, 08:52 PM »

v. 1.5 Added code to prevent opening 2 instances of the cache window.

Edit: hopefully this is stabilized now. Heres a list of changes

MilesAhead · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2009, 01:29 PM »

hey looks like martin at ghacks likes it:
http://www.ghacks.ne...er-cache/#more-12308
(see attachment in previous post)
-mouser (April 24, 2009, 02:33 AM)

Hmmmmm nice to get the write-up but I wonder if he actually used it? Afaik double-click in the Listbox does nothing. Quite a "delay" indeed!! heh heh

MilesAhead · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2009, 03:19 PM »

I left a reply. If it's still there, you can view it here

ghacks · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2009, 04:11 PM »

Miles yes I used it. I really believed that the double-click was responsible for opening that folder. It did take awfully long and I might have clicked elsewhere in the meantime

Funny.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #17 on:** April 25, 2009, 04:52 PM »

Miles yes I used it. I really believed that the double-click was responsible for opening that folder. It did take awfully long and I might have clicked elsewhere in the meantime Funny.
-ghacks (April 25, 2009, 04:11 PM)

It's the first Gui I did in AutoIt3 that didn't have all buttons. I was more surprised than anyone when double click and Enter weren't supported. I should have put the label on earlier with the usage info. Double click wears on your index finger after awhile anyway. On my XMon similar Delphi program I have right click to open. It's just faster, if you don't need a context menu. Glad you like the utility.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #18 on:** April 26, 2009, 12:59 PM »

Update

Folder Cache v. 1.6

The Enter key now presses the Open Selected Button in the Folder Cache Window even when it doesn't have the input focus. No need to use Alt-O now.

mouser · « **Reply #19 on:** April 26, 2009, 01:27 PM »

Miles, it might be nice to put a screenshot in the first post (and on your website)?

MilesAhead · « **Reply #20 on:** April 26, 2009, 01:32 PM »

Miles, it might be nice to put a screenshot in the first post (and on your website)?
-mouser (April 26, 2009, 01:27 PM)

Good idea.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #21 on:** April 27, 2009, 12:27 PM »

I added a double-click "simulation" to allow launching one folder by double-clicking the mouse. It's a bit flaky. Maybe as some time goes by I'll figure out how to smooth it out a bit. Seems like 1/10th of the time it just doesn't want to work.

Edit: try v. 1.62. Smoothed the double-click out a bit, but not perfect. I did fix a memory leak though, so definitely update.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #22 on:** April 28, 2009, 12:13 PM »

Uploaded v. 1.7 Has a visible vertical scrollbar when the number of items is too large to fit in window. Also adjusted it so that if you reduce the max folder setting below what's in the list, the list is trimmed before next window open.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #23 on:** April 30, 2009, 07:36 PM »

Uploaded v. 1.8 added an automatic horizontal scrollbar.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #24 on:** May 04, 2009, 02:23 PM »

If you are only interested in recent folders, then Folder Cache is slightly more efficient, but if you would also like to maintain a list of recent programs to reopen you may wish to use ReOpen instead. See announcement thread for details.

Edit: Added command to Tray Icon Menu to display Readme file. (If Readme.txt isn't in the same folder as FolderCache.exe the command is disabled.)