Tech: Windows again

Subject: Tech: Windows again
From: GUEST,Bert
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 02:40 AM

Are there any Windows fans out there who can tell me how to create a folder with the files in the order IN WHICH I ENTER THEM?

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: BobL
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 03:13 AM

Windows XP Explorer: click View | Choose Details, then check Date Created. Clicking on the "Date Created" column should then show the files in creation order.

Windows 7 & 8: dunno. Probably something similar.

Windows 10: right-click anywhere in the column headings. Check "Date created", then click on that column heading.

And if all else fails, name your files with serially numbered prefixes... (been there, done that).

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: GUEST,Bert.
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 03:18 AM

I don't want creation order. I want the order in which I enter them into the folder.

Serially numbered prefixes look rather awkward on a CD of songs.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 03:19 AM

I wondered why I couldn't post, I was pipped at the................

The best I can suggest is to have the Date Created column visible and sort by clicking the right hand triangle on the right of that column, it will appear.

To add the date date created column, right click in the column headers and choose the Date Created option.

the problem I find is that it depends on the software you have used to create the file (not all s/w is Created (pun intended) equal). And worse depending on the version of Windows it may be the Date Modified that carries that meaning. But have a go and see what the effect is.

If the folder/files are in a USB device - and worse - if they have jpg or mp3 etc Windows may be very helpful and ignore you preferences and offer its own. You then have to re-do the above wheeze.

if it is that important consider free Portable Apps from http://portableapps.com/ like FreeCommanderPortable - I keep all mine on a USB stick so I can use them anywhere.

( my blickie opens in a second widow)

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: GUEST,Bert
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 03:22 AM

Sorry BobL,

I didn't mean to sound snotty there. I just get frustrated with Windows.

We learned our ABC's in kindergarten and some of us grow up and need more sophisticated ordering criteria. I guess Microsoft have not progressed beyond kindergarten yet.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 03:26 AM

If they are mp3 or maybe jpg try right clicking on the file, choose properties, choose details and edit the TAGS like (say) track number. Click to the right of the description and a box will appear.
Then have the track number column visible and sort on that. You can re-order them any time by editing TAGs.

In Fact Windows may decide that track number on an mp3 is what you wanted regardless and display that (and Album, Track etc).

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 03:28 AM

Hi, Bert -
If these are music files, you should be able to right-click the filename and select "properties." Then select "details" and enter a track number (that field is often identified by a # sign). Once you've numbered all the tracks, you should be able to # symbol at the top of the column and sort in order or reverse order.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 03:33 AM

Bert - welcome and join us, you can see people are very helpful here, though if you encounter a troll (they exist) ignore them.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 03:52 AM

It's nice to welcome Bert, but I think he was around even before Mudcat opened for business. I think this is the very same Bert used to work for Max at Mudcat Central, and who has written a number of interesting songs.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 04:07 AM

I don't know if it works with the track number field as I have not tried it but when setting up a collection of items that I intend to add to later I use an index field and leave gaps in my numbering system.
For example the original list has numbers 1000, 2000, 3000....
I can add extra items between them as 500, 1500, etc.
This can stand quite a lot of future additions!
Eventually you might need to renumber everything and start again.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: GUEST,Bert
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 04:26 AM

Thanks guys,

I'll try that track number thingy.

And Yes, I'm the same old Bert that I always was, I just haven't logged in this time.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 07:57 AM

Most file containers store the list of files for a folder internally in the desired order, assuming none have been removed. When any program asks the files to be listed, they will probably come in the order yielded by the file container (hard disk etc.).

Now all you need is a program that does not always sort the files for its user interface. Search for "Windows file managers" in software lists. Good luck.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: GUEST, ^*^
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 09:50 AM

If you use Windows Explorer to look at the contents of any folder you have a couple of ways to change the view and see more or less about the contents and to order them in different ways.

When viewing Explorer (go to the Start menu, open the Accessories, and find Windows Explorer - right click over it and "send to desktop" so it is right there where you need it) there is a button that a mouseover shows as "change your view." The little arrow lets you change from a list to details, list, small icons, etc. When you have the folder itself open, if you right click inside the window (but not on top of any of the contents) you get a dialog box that includes

Arrange by
View
Sort By
Group by
Refresh

Arrange by lets you examine folder, month, day, rating, tag.
View is a repeat of the "change your view" options.
Sort by and Group by are two that I think you might be looking for. You can rearrange the contents of the folder by type and then by date, size, type, etc.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: Stanron
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 09:55 AM

If you are creating a new folder then just put a number at the start of each file name. Not much use if you want to order folders that already exist though.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: GUEST,DaveRo
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 11:29 AM

There are 3 dates associated with a file in Windows:
CreationTime
LastAccessTime
LastWriteTime

If you copied the file into the folder these are not changed. But if you load the file into a program and write it to the folder then it will set LastWriteTime. That often appears in file lists as 'date modified'.

An ID tagger such as EasyTag could be used to read and then rewrite an mp3 I should think - even if you don't actually bother to enter the tag details.

For music, setting trackname in the ID tag is best, as suggested. (Though I have a phone which will only play mp3s in alphabetic trackname order which is really irritating.)

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows again
From: Snuffy
Date: 24 Aug 15 - 09:33 AM

Windows Explorer allows the song title to differ from the track name: I usually put an accession number at the start of the track name, but not in the title (Use Properties/Details). I can sort on either key: for example:
Track Name: 139 Widecombe Fair
Title: Widecombe Fair