All I want is to make a list... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

jwoody · 12-06-2005, 08:28 AM

I need to create a library card type thing to help me find my archived files quickly.

I have ~10 discs with ~300 files on each.

Trouble is, I don't know how to copy the list of the files.

e.g.

I'm sure it's all very easy when you know how.

maleficent · 12-06-2005, 08:32 AM

from a command prompt

Dir *.* >myfilename.txt

call myfilename whatever you want...

the > will pipe the directory to a file

and you can always import that file into Excel - witha column added for what disk it's on..

jwoody · 12-06-2005, 08:45 AM

Mal, dearest, you overestimate my computational competence.

I was hoping the answer didn't involve the command prompt.

I haven't used that since 1989

I'll give it a go....

jwoody · 12-06-2005, 08:48 AM

Hey it worked!!!!

Many thanks.

maleficent · 12-06-2005, 08:49 AM

the command prompt isn't scary...

Go to Start/Run and type in CMD Press ENTER

A friendly black box will appear

Type Cd\ and Press ENTER
THis will take you to your root drive of C:

Pop your disk into the drive...

Type DIR D:\*.* >DISK1.txt

Press ENTER

On your c:\ drive you will now see a text file called Disk 1

Eject the first disk and enter the second disk

Press the up arrow and change DISK1.txt to DISK2. txt Press ENTER

Continue until done...

maleficent · 12-06-2005, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwoody

Hey it worked!!!!

Many thanks.

YAY YOU!!!

jwoody · 12-06-2005, 08:52 AM

This sure beats the old 'try-each-disk-until-you-find-it' method.

maleficent · 12-06-2005, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwoody

This sure beats the old 'try-each-disk-until-you-find-it' method.

I'd probably throw all the contents in one excel spreadsheet and then you can sort til your hearts content..

jwoody · 12-06-2005, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

I'd probably throw all the contents in one excel spreadsheet and then you can sort til your hearts content..

I've no doubt that you would.

But me, I'm going to print the .txt file and get the hell out of here. It's 5:00pm in Anglo-Land and I'm off to my Mam's for tea.

Jinn · 12-06-2005, 10:13 AM

I'm way too geeky for my own good. Before Mal posted that reply, I was already dreaming of creating a self-updating database that would allow you to do partial string matching on any document on any drive and let you double-click to open it from the interface. And I was starting to think how I'd prototype it. Damn you and your quick solutions, Mal!!!

oberon · 12-06-2005, 05:19 PM

You can also append to the file if you have multiple listings.. instead of > use >>. The double caret means append.

jwoody · 12-07-2005, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oberon

You can also append to the file if you have multiple listings.. instead of > use >>. The double caret means append.

Jinn · 12-07-2005, 07:45 AM

bahaha nice screenshot..

If you use > it starts at the beginning of the file and overwrites whatever was initially there.. >> appends (adds to the end) of the file.

xepherys · 12-07-2005, 08:58 PM

Jinn, I'm on board with you, when I first read it I started thinking about modifying a PHP script I have that would scan for the CD volume and update the list accordingly.

12-06-2005, 08:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
jwoody Shackle Me Not Location: Newcastle - England.	All I want is to make a list... I need to create a library card type thing to help me find my archived files quickly. I have ~10 discs with ~300 files on each. Trouble is, I don't know how to copy the list of the files. e.g. I'm sure it's all very easy when you know how. __________________ .

12-06-2005, 08:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	from a command prompt Dir . >myfilename.txt call myfilename whatever you want... the > will pipe the directory to a file and you can always import that file into Excel - witha column added for what disk it's on.. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less. Last edited by maleficent; 12-06-2005 at 08:34 AM.. Reason: forgot an *

12-06-2005, 08:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
jwoody Shackle Me Not Location: Newcastle - England.	Mal, dearest, you overestimate my computational competence. I was hoping the answer didn't involve the command prompt. I haven't used that since 1989 I'll give it a go.... __________________ .

12-06-2005, 08:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
jwoody Shackle Me Not Location: Newcastle - England.	Hey it worked!!!! Many thanks. __________________ .

12-06-2005, 08:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	the command prompt isn't scary... Go to Start/Run and type in CMD Press ENTER A friendly black box will appear Type Cd\ and Press ENTER THis will take you to your root drive of C: Pop your disk into the drive... Type DIR D:\. >DISK1.txt Press ENTER On your c:\ drive you will now see a text file called Disk 1 Eject the first disk and enter the second disk Press the up arrow and change DISK1.txt to DISK2. txt Press ENTER Continue until done... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

12-06-2005, 08:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
jwoody Shackle Me Not Location: Newcastle - England.	This sure beats the old 'try-each-disk-until-you-find-it' method. __________________ .

12-06-2005, 10:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	I'm way too geeky for my own good. Before Mal posted that reply, I was already dreaming of creating a self-updating database that would allow you to do partial string matching on any document on any drive and let you double-click to open it from the interface. And I was starting to think how I'd prototype it. Damn you and your quick solutions, Mal!!! __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

12-06-2005, 05:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
oberon Quadrature Amplitude Modulator Location: Denver	You can also append to the file if you have multiple listings.. instead of > use >>. The double caret means append. __________________ "There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb

12-07-2005, 07:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	bahaha nice screenshot.. If you use > it starts at the beginning of the file and overwrites whatever was initially there.. >> appends (adds to the end) of the file. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

12-07-2005, 08:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
xepherys <3 TFP Location: 17TLH2445607250	Jinn, I'm on board with you, when I first read it I started thinking about modifying a PHP script I have that would scan for the CD volume and update the list accordingly.