Family Historian User Group

This is really a question about Project and File names. And changing them.

My error updating Drop box the other day meant I spent a morning adding data to a version of a project that was not the most recent - the most recent one was still on my lap top. That meant I had to compare two Projects with the same name.

I did this on two different computers. But how might one do this on the same computer?

I already do a lot of folder renaming. I do not edit directly into Drop box or syncing. At the end of each day I use Windows to copy my FH Project Folder (e.g.) London into Drop box and before doing this, I rename the previous Dropbox version. Londonold, and so on. The next day Londonold2

However, I noticed yesterday that this renaming does not rename the FH files held within the folder. They are still called London.
Where does the xxxx.ged come in? That file seems to be in an even deeper folder called Data.

When I open FH it opens with the Project London. I assume it always chooses (on both computers) the London folder that is kept on the C:/ drive in Documents, Family Historian Projects.

How does one know exactly what FH Project file one is working on? Since I worked on the wrong one the other day I would like to be sure.

And if one wants to compare and merge two existing FH Projects with the same name, how does one set about renaming them? I looked at saving a copy and the FH screen pops up warning one not to.

I easily solved the problem of bringing the missing people into my main computer Project by exporting a sub set in a Named List - so I dont need help. But my general uncertainty remains about having so many obsolete FH files around with the same name.

Rather than copying your project each day why don't you store the project in the Dropbox folder on your computer? That way you will always be working on the correct version of your project.

As for backups use the auto backup feature of Family Historian and save these backups to the Dropbox folder on your computer.

E Wilcock wrote:<SNIP> how does one set about renaming them?

Renaming projects should be done from within FH. FH will only rename projects when there are no currently open projects. So the first step is to Close the current project File>Close Project When you do that Project Window will open with a list of all the projects in your project folder. Select the one you wish to rename click the More Tasks button and choose Rename Project A dialog will pop up with the existing name which you can then edit to a new name which of course cannot coincide with any other project name. Having done that FH will take care of all the necessary folder and file renaming.

David

Thank you David.
Possibly I did not close the Projects before.

As for Drop box, I know people here manage it. I have a long history of failure and frustration with drop box. Plus I dont find it convenient to work on line in archives where there may or may not be good wi-fi. And no privacy.

Just to clarify, you don't need to work online in the Archives when using Dropbox, you simply need to ensure you put your laptop online when you return home BEFORE working on your desktop computer.

Also Dropbox will typically create a "sync error" gedcom file in your fh_data folder which can easily be checked and or merged with the main project file.

Rather than renaming old Project copies, why not use the FH File > Backup options to keep a backup history trail.
You can save the backups to your Dropbox folder if you like as they are all date-time stamped, so it does not matter whether performed on desktop or laptop. That will avoid the multiple Project names.

BTW: You can use the File > Project Window > More Tasks > Copy/Delete/Rename Project without closing the selected Project first, as FH prompts to close it for you.

It has worried me very much that I didnt find the Menu to copy Projects - Was trying to work out how I missed it.

It isnt true that I want FH to replicate TMG. But I do now understand that I replicate behaviour learned in TMG and other previous programs. I always clicked on the File menu which is what I am used to - and the options are not there - only on the Project Window.