Author Topic: Easy way to mark file as done? (Read 13475 times)

tomos · « **on:** August 21, 2014, 07:20 AM »

[edit] Note: I found a solution for this case (post#2 simply marking files as read-only), but very interested in any other suggestions - also those that will only work in one file manager! [/edit]

I'm looking for a simple way to mark files as "done".

I would like to use a method that is part of the file and visible in various file managers, so I guess changing one of the file attributes would be the way to go (e.g. archive it - is that the same as making it read only? that would be fine).
The attribute could be easily displayed in detail mode in any file manager.

So I reckon using a file manager would probably be the easiest route (?)
I currently have XYplorer and Dopus installed, so could use either of them, (or windows explorer).

I did do a search online, and in both help files, but my search-fu isnt very good, so didnt come up with anything helpful. (Note: I'm a fairly basic user.)

TIA for any suggestions

tomos · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2014, 07:31 AM »

Solved
should have used the brain a bit more before posting

Simply select the files:

alt+enter to show properties
press 'r' for read-only
return out

rjbull · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2014, 05:08 PM »

It would still be nice to have an optional way of colouring "done" or read-only file differently from the rest. Maybe there are ways to do that in advanced file managers...

mouser · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2014, 05:17 PM »

If you commit to always using one of those heavy duty file managers you mention, they may have their own way of leaving notes or tagging files that will display them differently within that program.

tomos · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2014, 02:36 AM »

It would still be nice to have an optional way of colouring "done" or read-only file differently from the rest. Maybe there are ways to do that in advanced file managers...
-rjbull (August 21, 2014, 05:08 PM)

that would be nice. In this case read-only is a solution, but where it isn't...

If you commit to always using one of those heavy duty file managers you mention, they may have their own way of leaving notes or tagging files that will display them differently within that program.
-mouser (August 21, 2014, 05:17 PM)

yeah, I see they both support tags of some sort, must look closer there.

Maybe I'll remove the [Solved] prefix and see if there's any more suggestions.

DonL · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2014, 04:03 AM »

In XYplorer it's called "Extra Tags". For "Done" you would create a special column named "Done" with checkboxes. See here:

http://www.xyplorer...._13.80.htm#ExtraTags

But, of course, those tags are not visible from other software.

tomos · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2014, 04:21 AM »

Thanks Don

AbteriX · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2014, 04:53 AM »

Me think, "read-only" is a file attribute and could be set even by accident.

Wouldn't be renaming (adding a tag. e.g. a leading or trailing underscore)
or moving to a folder (e.g. sub folder "\Done") be a option?
Your used file managers would do that by a script from a button click or a keyboard shortcut.

Names with an specific scheme could even by coloured, to distinguish them in that managers,
and have the scheme to identify them in plain WinExp.

.

x16wda · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2014, 05:02 AM »

You could make the file "hidden" which would either gray it out or hide it, depending on your setting for showing hidden files.

Or you could compress it, which would color the entry blue in standard file mangler (er- manager, I meant).

MilesAhead · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2014, 08:34 AM »

Would not clearing the archive bit work, assuming your backuup method just copied everything without twiddling bits?

tomos · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2014, 08:36 AM »

For my purposes at the moment, read-only is ideal:

quick and visible by anyone anywhere
if I (or someone else) decide the file needs more work, it simply gets replaced by a new version (they're PDF's created from working files) - this new version will not be read-only, so I can see at a glance what is unfinished /not-checked /not-approved-yet

Me think, "read-only" is a file attribute and could be set even by accident.

Wouldn't be renaming (adding a tag. e.g. a leading or trailing underscore)
or moving to a folder (e.g. sub folder "\Done") be a option?
Your used file managers would do that by a script from a button click or a keyboard shortcut.
-AbteriX (August 22, 2014, 04:53 AM)

renaming is not an option (in this case, I'd have to change the names back);
but simply moving to a sub-folder could be the easiest solution

Funny how sometimes the easy ways are the ones you dont think of first $:-\$

I was thinking today though:
ideally I'd have and use a cross between an IM and a file manager, that is fully integrated with a commentable versioning backup system :-)

tomos · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2014, 08:39 AM »

Would not clearing the archive bit work, assuming your backuup method just copied everything without twiddling bits?
-MilesAhead (August 22, 2014, 08:34 AM)

I thought of that, and my backup (Syncovery) does allow *not* using it (I'll have to check what it does by default).
Any tips how I do that? (again, I searched unsuccessfully

)

MilesAhead · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2014, 08:47 AM »

Would not clearing the archive bit work, assuming your backuup method just copied everything without twiddling bits?
-MilesAhead (August 22, 2014, 08:34 AM)

I thought of that, and my backup (Syncovery) does allow *not* using it (I'll have to check what it does by default).
Any tips how I do that? (again, I searched unsuccessfully )
-tomos (August 22, 2014, 08:39 AM)

Unless there's a freeware that makes it easy my thought would be a context menu to a simple command line using attr command. That way you could select multiple files and the Explorer would launch the command for each. Perhaps a run hidden so the prompt wouldn't flash.

Edit: In fact a similar handler could be added for Folder to zap an entire folder in one shot.

Edit2: I have a script I can modify that puts a handler inn the Registry for all files and folder. It should work on both 32 and 64 bit systems. It's hard coded for MD5Hash.exe but it's only a few lines o AutoIt3. If you want to try that route I'll make it available.

Curt · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2014, 08:12 AM »

http://filemarker.net/
but a little expensive.

MilesAhead · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2014, 08:29 AM »

Rather than use my script this page shows the Registry key to use and how to add subkeys and values.

http://superuser.com...xt-menu-of-all-files

Contro · « **Reply #15 on:** August 25, 2014, 09:46 AM »

http://filemarker.net/
but a little expensive.
-Curt (August 25, 2014, 08:12 AM)

Now there is a free version. Downloading !!!!!!

Contro · « **Reply #16 on:** August 25, 2014, 09:50 AM »

Rather than use my script this page shows the Registry key to use and how to add subkeys and values.

http://superuser.com...xt-menu-of-all-files

-MilesAhead (August 25, 2014, 08:29 AM)

What script Miles ?

MilesAhead · « **Reply #17 on:** August 25, 2014, 04:51 PM »

Rather than use my script this page shows the Registry key to use and how to add subkeys and values.

http://superuser.com...xt-menu-of-all-files

-MilesAhead (August 25, 2014, 08:29 AM)

What script Miles ?

-Contro (August 25, 2014, 09:50 AM)

It comes compiled with MD5Hash to add it to the all files and folder context menus. I looked at it and thought better of posting because MD5Hash uses a function that gets the entire command line as one string rather than an array with each param. I thought it would just cause confusion. It uses %1 when most programs need "%1" with the double quotes.

Contro · « **Reply #18 on:** August 26, 2014, 05:07 AM »

Rather than use my script this page shows the Registry key to use and how to add subkeys and values.

http://superuser.com...xt-menu-of-all-files

-MilesAhead (August 25, 2014, 08:29 AM)

What script Miles ?

-Contro (August 25, 2014, 09:50 AM)

It comes compiled with MD5Hash to add it to the all files and folder context menus. I looked at it and thought better of posting because MD5Hash uses a function that gets the entire command line as one string rather than an array with each param. I thought it would just cause confusion. It uses %1 when most programs need "%1" with the double quotes.

-MilesAhead (August 25, 2014, 04:51 PM)

$:-\$

What do you mean ? It's difficult to follow your reasons.
No link ?

MilesAhead · « **Reply #19 on:** August 26, 2014, 05:52 AM »

What do you mean ? It's difficult to follow your reasons.
No link ?
-Contro (August 26, 2014, 05:07 AM)

I mean if you have a space anywhere in the path of the file clicked on, it won't work. That's why it has to be "%1" with the double quotes. MD5Hash works regardless of the space because it gets everything after the program name as one string. It doesn't get chopped at the first space. For more info search spaces in filenames and Windows.

Curt · « **Reply #20 on:** August 26, 2014, 02:04 PM »

http://filemarker.net/ but a little expensive.
-Curt (August 25, 2014, 08:12 AM)
Now there is a free version.
-Contro (August 25, 2014, 09:46 AM)

-you're right, I forgot there is a free version. http://filemarker.ne...file-marker-free.php. I use Pro.