Software I'd find useful....

IHMO, XP had a pretty good built-in file search function.

For OS's after XP, I've found (Search) Everything to be really helpful.

Code:

http://www.voidtools.com/

However, this isn't why I posted. What I'd really, really like is an app that could search portable archives, then document the search results into a database.

For example, I could, one by one, plug in my many external USB drives then fire up my new software to record their contents. Or, I could document the contents of the four HDDs in a desktop machine that isn't running most of the time.

Then, even when none of these drives were running, I could search the database for the location of various software.

Anyone seen software that'd do do this?

 

Thanks PeteC: I've been using the free Agent Ransack (and the more advanced File Locator Pro) for several years to find words. Either app will find say, one specific word - eg 'versatile' or 'Francesca' - from a whole hard drive full of Word docs. Like, 'Hang on, didn't I say something earlier about Francesca? And in what chapter?" For anyone who does a lot of writing, Agent Ransack is absolutely indispensable, IMHO.

However, I've never tried to use Ransack or Locator in the way you suggest - I was hoping there might be some software that's written specifically to do what I described above. These apps could be a good fallback, though

Cheers.

 

Thanks, TonyT, I'll keep that in mind.

My software (imaginary, wish-list) would have a merge-able database. So you could take the DIR readout from drives A,B and C, blend them together then do the printout.

Maybe some sort of 'librarian' type of app would do the job?

I emailed the guy who wrote the 'Everything' app to see if he'd ever come across this kind of software, or whether he might consider doing something along those lines. Haven't had a reply yet.

Cheers

 

If you "blend them" how would you be able to keep track of what was on which drive?

Do you want the folders the files are in listed as well?

And date and time stamp?

What happens when you add, rename or erase a file from the disk(s)?

 

SpywareDr, I'd like to have a selectable choice of columns, but it wouldn't need to be too detailed. File name, Size, Date created and Location would be enough. Time stamp isn't important. So let's say I was looking for Cobian Backup or Zone Alarm or XNView - the merged database would show where all versions of these programs were.

Obviously, the list would need to be updated from time to time if new versions of software had been downloaded since the last merge and printout, but that's to be expected. I mean - if I was searching for the most recent version of XNView on 20th July, I might discount or ignore listings dated 20th April and either do a manual search of my main download folder or just grab the latest copy from the publisher's website.

I collect software. Years ago, everything could be stored on one or two HDDs, but nowadays it's necessary to have mega-gigs of storage. So, unless one has the wherewithal to purchase new multi-terabyte drives, the simple solution is to utilize whatever storage is available.

Hey - we all do different things with our software. In my case I like to keep track of it. Hence my need for a database app that does what I've outlined.

 

Connect all the drives and do a search. All of the columns are there, they can be sorted, rearranged, added-to, it's current, a-n-d it doesn't have to be maintained.

 

SpywareDr, thanks, but your suggested solution, while obvious for you, isn't practical for me, partly because I have caches of software all over the house, on machines and drives that don't all run at the same time. For example, I might spend a month working on one of several different laptops, then move back to my main desktop machine.

(Climate comes into this - it's no fun sitting at a desktop in a room not much above frig temperature )

No, my requirements are just as I've described them. What surprises me is that, in this age of cheap and abundant information, more computer users haven't had the need for the sort of software I've talked about. Or maybe they have, but never bothered to ask anyone if it exists.

It's odd, the way things are today. There's more information about than ever before, but
systems for its collation and dissemination are lagging.

Cheers all.

 

If you really feel you've found an unfulfilled need, developing a solution could make you rich.

 

SpywareDr: Good call. It's a bit late for me now, though: should've started writing software thirty years ago when I had more bottle. We might all be using Doors now, instead of Windows, lol.

TonyT: Excellent links, cheers. Bound to be something there that'll do what I want.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions, guys (and gals )