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[JustinChase]

PLEASE let me change MC so that it DOES NOT MOVE files when I change the filename.

MC already has the option to move files; spelled out plain and simple "Move files...".  If I want to move my files, I'll specifically tell MC to move the files.  I know that changing path information will break a link and casue a file to be unplayable.  That's okay with me.  A quick undo will get you back to where you were if you made a mistake.  Letting MC move files in this way (renaming paths) is not so easy to 'undo'.

I only need to manipulate my different libraries every year or so; and I always forget until MC is actually moving the original files off my external drive and trying to put them on my laptop.  Problem is they don't fit, and I get tons of error messages, and all of my files are in who knows where locations.  It takes me 5 seconds to do this, and HOURS to try to fix it.  It just doesn't make sense to me to do this.  Maybe a popup saying that renaming path info will break links would help others, but it sure beats having to spend hours trying to fix the unexpected. 

Seriously, please, please, please, reconsider this functionality.  The ability to move files should not be taken lightly, and having MC do it without specifically asking for this to happen is just wrong.

If anyone can tell me why having this functionality (move files when renaming paths) is a good thing, I'd be happy to listen, but I bet any argument FOR it, can just as easily done with the move files command just as easily, and no one will fall victim to this VERY FRUSTRATING experience again.

Thanks for listening.

[rebootjac]

I agree with your point to a certain degree. MC should warn you the first time you use this tool (there should be a popup that comes up first time that warns and you could uncheck a box to not have it nag you next time)

But, when you change filenames and paths in MC.. what you have to realize is you are renaming all of the folders in one swipe on your actual system not inside MC. The reason I think why MC doesn't warn you presently when you do this is because the filename (and the path) information is an auto-calulated field in the library. It's just reading your exact file structure as you have it on your OS. When you rename the path.. you are therefore interacting with the OS and its out of MC's control.. just a theory.

What you could do to eliminate this problem entirely is just make your own auto-calculated field with the file path and name info and dump in a custom tag. That way, I believe you can have your functionality you want (rename pseudo filenames/paths without effecting your ACTUAL filename and paths)

I do this with my keywords tagged with images and audio. I made a custom "dumping ground" the way I like to think of it with this in my calculated library tag:

[Filename (path)];[Filename (name)]

//basically it's saying dump this file information you find in the filename (path) and filename (name) tags in MC and merge them together as a full filepath with filename tacked on.

Then, what I do is I take this temporary "dumping ground" for the full filepath and names I harvested this way and copy that calculated field (using MC's copy tag tool) to my actual keyword field and manipulate it there (replace all of the slashes and spaces.. etc to make them keywords)

Hope I'm useful. I know this method works for me perfectly

[lalittle]

PLEASE let me change MC so that it DOES NOT MOVE files when I change the filename.

Justin,

I have a feeling that I'm simply misunderstanding what you're saying, but at this point I don't understand your request.  If you rename the "filename" and not the "path," MC doesn't move the file.  If you rename the path, MC HAS to move the file or the path name wouldn't make sense.  I'm honestly unclear by what it is that's happening that is confusing you.  In my experience, both the "move" and the "rename" functions in MC are straight forward.  They're "powerful," but I don't find them confusing.

Thanks for any clarification,

Larry

[JustinChase]

For clarification...

If my files are on my external hard drive, which is where I keep all of my original files, the filenames all start as follows...

E:\Chris\My Documents\My Music

But I keep copies of the files in a different format on my laptop for traveling.  I also keep them in a different directory structure...

C:\Documents and Settings\Christopher Baber\My Documents\My Music

After some time, the library gets quite changed; new cover art added, changed ratings, etc.  So, when I have time and energy, I want to reconnect the laptop library with the hard drive original files.  In order to do this, I need to do a find/replace to change the second path to the first path, in order to have the library pointing to the right place.

If I forget to change the My Music folder to something else (outside of MC), it moves my files.  I don't want to move anything.  I just want to point my library to a different place.

The reverse is also true.  When I'm done updating with the external (original) files, which sometimes I also manipulate, I need to rename from the first path to the second.  Again, if I forget to disconnect the drive, I end up moving files; which is what happened last night.  It starts moving the files off the hard drive and onto the laptop WITHOUT WARNING, and I have to hard kill MC and hot disconnect the hard drive to get it to stop.  I think I lost a couple hundred files last night doing this.  I have a second backup, so I think I can get them all back, but it takes hours, and really sucks to do.

rebootjac had a good point that renaming moves files with the entire directory structure (thanks), and I can see how that would be useful.  Maybe adding this option to the move command would work.  Maybe leaving it alone is the only solution.  If that is the case, PLEASE give me a warning, or better yet, the OPTION to move files or break links.  My biggest gripe is just that I only do this once a year or so, and always seem to forget to disassociate the files outside of MC, and end up in the same frustrated situation.

I know others have expressed frustration at this behavior as well, so I know I'm not alone here.

Again, thanks for listening and hopefully considering this.

[GHammer]

For clarification...

If my files are on my external hard drive, which is where I keep all of my original files, the filenames all start as follows...

E:\Chris\My Documents\My Music

But I keep copies of the files in a different format on my laptop for traveling. I also keep them in a different directory structure...

C:\Documents and Settings\Christopher Baber\My Documents\My Music

After some time, the library gets quite changed; new cover art added, changed ratings, etc. So, when I have time and energy, I want to reconnect the laptop library with the hard drive original files.

It sure sounds like a job for the handheld device functionality of MC.

[LonWar]

I'm confused..... (What else is new) if you do not check the Directories box in the Rename files box, then only the name of the file changes not the path.

Or am I missing something?


The move command in MC is completely useless.... It moves everything into 1 folder. So the rename files to move structure locations gets used by me quite a bit.
THere is a thread to modify the copy function.... (Shameless plug)

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=31662.0

[KingSparta]

PLEASE let me change MC so that it DOES NOT MOVE files when I change the filename.

imjustagamer
If you do not check the Directories box in the Rename files box, then only the name of the file changes not the path.

Yep, Very True

It only moves it when you tell it to.

Maybe they should put in bold Letters "This May Move The File If You Have This Checked"

[JustinChase]

Yep, Very True

It only moves it when you tell it to.

Maybe they should put in bold Letters "This May Move The File If You Have This Checked"

I'm not using the rename function.  I'm using the find/replace function, but I'm using it on the filename field.

Maybe I will look at the handheld device functionality in MC.  The problem I have with that is that it takes 5 FULL DAYS to convert all the files.  I don't want to do this again if I can help it.

At the very least, a warning that MC wants to move my files (with the ability to cancel) would at least keep me from moving them by accident.  An option to disallow this altogether would be better for me.

Again, I am speaking about the "FIND AND REPLACE" function and NOT the RENAME function.

Thanks for all the input everyone.

[LonWar]

I'm not using the rename function.  I'm using the find/replace function, but I'm using it on the filename field.

Maybe I will look at the handheld device functionality in MC.  The problem I have with that is that it takes 5 FULL DAYS to convert all the files.  I don't want to do this again if I can help it.

At the very least, a warning that MC wants to move my files (with the ability to cancel) would at least keep me from moving them by accident.  An option to disallow this altogether would be better for me.

Again, I am speaking about the "FIND AND REPLACE" function and NOT the RENAME function.

Thanks for all the input everyone.

See now I understand....  It takes me awhile sometimes.... I knew there had to be more to it then I was reading....    ?