* Adding Media

[peterbel]

I have the media for FH held in a particular directories, images, certificates, documents etc.
I recently processed a number of new images and then moved them into the images folder and I am now puzzling on how I can distinguish which images to 'Add' from the every long list of images I have in that folder!

Has anyone got a good suggestion?

Thanks

[tatewise]

I assume that all those directories/folders are within the Project's Media folder.

So, try using the Check for Unlinked Media Plugin and just List Unlinked Media.

Another idea is to sort those files by Date, which should bring the new ones together.

In future it might be better to keep the new Media files in a WiP folder outside the Project, then add those files and use the option to move files into the Project's Media sub-folder, and then delete the WiP folder contents.

[davidm_uk]

When I discover new information (images, documents whatever) on a web site or have taken photographs of an original document that someone has shown me (eg. family bible), initially I download these into a "New Info To Add" folder which is under the top level of my FH Project (ie. at the same level as MyName.fh_data folder). I give these files meaningful and unique names (eg. Census 1901 - John Smith (b1878), Birth Certificate for John Smith (b1888), Marriage Index - John Smith and Sue Brown (m1898) etc.).

When I've collected a few of these I'll then have a session of entering the data into FH. I take each file in turn and move it into the relevant FH media folder. I have a structure of folders similar to what you describe except to a lower level (eg. ....\Media\Certificates and Indexes\Births and Baptisms\Certificates\..... and ....\Media\Certificates and Indexes\Births and Baptisms\Indexes\..... etc). Once moved I open the file so that I can see the contents, then ALT-TAB back and forth between FH or AS to enter the data into FH.

I also use the unique filename as the source title and the title for the multimedia record in FH**, so that later on when working in FH I can quite easily find the correct FH record and the actual file in Windows Explorer if I need it.

Everyone will have their own way of doing all this, I just offer my process for your consideration.

** when I move the file into the FH Media folder I also select the filename (excluding the extension) and copy it. Then when I'm in FH I can just paste it into the new source title and MM record title.

[tatewise]

David, just a matter of interest, why do you prefer to Move the files manually in Windows/File Explorer rather than using the FH Add Media option to Copy Media Files or the equivalent in AS?

[davidm_uk]

Mike,

Because in the process of moving the media file I can firstly copy the filename to the clipboard (ready for pasting into the New Source Record title and Multimedia title) and, having moved the file then just double click to open it ready to enter the details within it into FH.

Also, I believe that the FH Add Media option just copies the file, I'd then have to return to the file in my "New Info To Add" folder to delete it.

I've not counted the number of mouse clicks or key presses for each approach, probably not much difference. I've just gotten used to this process over the years so I barely have to think about it.

Plus I'm a bit of a Windows Explorer "freak". I always open files I want to work on via WE, rather than open an application (Word, Excel etc) and then open the files from within the app. It's just "the way my Mum put my hat on" !!

[tatewise]

David, that is a very reasonable way of working, but to give another perspective, this is how using Ancestral Sources (AS) would work.

Within AS there are Templates and options that allow the Source Title, Media Title, and Filename to be formatted to your rules, and can easily all be the same.

In the Add/View Images dialogue the Link new image dialogue allows you to open the New Info To Add image in say Windows Live Photo Gallery as well as Copy it into the FH Media sub-folder and create a new Media record.

The details can then be entered in AS using the image in Windows Live Photo Gallery and when finished use its File > Delete command.

A very similar process can be performed via the FH Add Media > Insert from file dialogue, where the filename can be copied to clipboard and image opened in say Windows Live Photo Gallery en-route. The subsequent data entry into FH and image deletion would be very similar.

[davidm_uk]

Mike, hmmmm.... sounds like I should take some time out and drag myself into the 21st century! A New Years resolution maybe.

Old habits die hard

[peterbel]

Fristly thanks David and Mike for your input, I have learnt quite a bit from your comments.
I had know idea about AS so I will definately investigate that!

I also tend towards using IE for all file manipulation and often find this is at odds to the way applications are written, hence my current predicament. I used to have a work in progress folder and gradually move things from there but I must have had a rush of blood to head and swept all my unlinked items in one go! I blame it on old age!

I assumed that FH just records the path to new media when you add, and that could be anywhere and probably not in my preferred location, and of course FH will not find media if I move it after adding, so what to do?

I would have thought it would not be particularly difficult to alter FH to have filter on the Add function that would screen out linked files, instead of just using a simple IE type file selection window. Unfortunately file dates are not move dates so I can't use them

I will study your methods and see what will best dig me out of the hole I have created for myself

[davidm_uk]

Peter - if you haven't already got it you might find the plugin Check for Unlinked Media useful in finding any files in your Project's Media folder that aren't linked to a media record in that project.

That plugin, together with the FH Tool Work with External File Links, should help in tidying things up.

[peterbel]

Thanks again. Another 'feature' I knew nothing about!
At the moment I am opening the both the Media (All Media) window alongside to Add Pictures window and then selecting those that aren't listed in All Media. !!

[tatewise]

The Check for Unlinked Media Plugin was suggested in my first answer back on Wed Dec 02.

[peterbel]

You did indeed Mike but my FH was plugin free when I started this thread and I wanted to do it within the application.
I have now completed the add and linking using the 2 windows method, tedious but successful.
I still think that FH could make this easier. Perhaps if the process was for the user to place correctly named media in specific folders, FH could define/create them, then the Media window could offer unadded(!) media as an option, selecting providing the add option.

Just my thoughts.

Peter