Author Topic: Understanding TF File Management (Read 11659 times)

BobBailey · « **on:** November 06, 2007, 05:01:02 PM »

I'm new to TopoFusion but not to the windows file system and not to GPS data. I've used MapSource and ExpertGPS a bit. I'm not an expert on either.

I'm baffled by the TF file management. I can't tell what I'm looking at. I finally found the file path info on the far right of the log entry. Sometimes when I "Save As" nothing happens. I have found files in the TF directory: C:\Program Files\TopoFusion

Is there a help topic somewhere that explains this? I've read quite a bit of the help and quite a few topics on this forum but I'm feeling stupid.

Finally, this is a great program. I only have the demo at the moment but will probably buy eventually. It does a LOT of stuff that I want to do when I can figure out how to do it.

Thanks... Bob

Krein · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2007, 08:23:23 PM »

What do you mean that nothing happens when you do a "save as.." ?

No dialog comes up, or it doesn't save it where you ask it to save it, or?

The little lower left directory explorer starts at the default tracks directory (c:\program files\topofusion), and you can load files from anywhere in your hard drive from that, or using the "File->Open" command.

Maybe what you're missing is that all files that are loaded (showing stats in the active list) can be anywhere on your hard drive, not just in a particular directory. All files you load will be loaded again when you restart the program.

Not sure if that helped, maybe you can clarify more about what's confusing you?

Oh - I just realized what you mean on the "save as.." not doing anything. Maybe it's because you need to select a particular loaded file to "save as..". This should really be grayed out if nothing is selected. I am certain you are not the first to be confused by this.

I always right click on a file (in the stats area) and do save as... from there.

BobBailey · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2007, 07:14:02 PM »

Quote (Krein @ Nov. 06 2007,9:23)

What do you mean that nothing happens when you do a "save as.." ?

No dialog comes up, or it doesn't save it where you ask it to save it, or?

No dialog comes up. Of course I can't reproduce it now. but it may have happened as you say.

I guess one of the things that is confusing me is that when I open one file three show up in the "log" area. How can I open just one file?

Another thing is that there is a box, second from the left, with file names in it, what is that?

Finally, I'm terrified of any button that says "Remove". This implies to me that the file will be removed as in deleted from the system.

I really did go thru the help doc and have spent some time in this forum to try to educate myself. I get the sense that TF approaches file management a bit differently and if there is something somewhere that will explain that please point me to it.

This is not the first time I've been confused about something. And it surely will not be the last.

thanks.... Bob

BobBailey · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2007, 07:26:58 PM »

As I futz around with this I'm beginning to see my problem. I'm used to seeing file management using the File Open dialog box with Comdlg32.dll. TF does its own brand of file management which will require some adjustment on my part.

I guess one problem I'm having is that "Test_FR1350.gpx" shows up as "Test_F~1" and if I have a bunch of files that start like that...

Still a great piece of software. I just need to learn how to use it.

...Bob

Krein · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2007, 07:31:27 PM »

It's perhaps not the most intuitive system, it's true. And it might be time for it to change. Just wanted to point out that the regular "File->Open" is there.

The files in the middle are not loaded - they are just a directory list of the current directory selected on the far left. Remove simply removes a file from being loaded - it doesn't delete it!

Your confusion is helping me to think about how it could be set up better, so it is useful.

You shouldn't get 3 files for loading one though! And I thought the ~ issue was solved, but I have seen it pop up myself. It probably came from double clicking on a GPX file in windows explorer? Try using file->open and it should make more sense.

I'll have to do some thinking about updating that whole interface.

Thanks.

BobBailey · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2007, 07:47:33 PM »

In general, I'm using the OpenWith>> context menu to open files. Usually TF is not already open and I know what file I want to open so I find it in Win Expl and open with the context menu.

You are right tho... If TF is open and I use File/Open to open a file I only get one and it does not have the tilde~.

Hope this helps... Bob

BobBailey · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2007, 08:12:46 PM »

Just tried opening with Context Menu and got the same results:
"Test_F~1" Moreover, also got a version of the file with the proper name: ""Test_FR1350.gpx""

Probably something to do with the command line.

Krein · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2007, 08:16:37 PM »

I think you are right. If the program is already open, double click gets the full filename, but if it's not open, it gets a tilde (short filename).

It's on the 'to fix' list now.

BobBailey · « **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2007, 01:40:04 PM »

One other thing about file and data management. Thirty years ago when it was called Data Processing I learned rather quickly to manage a piece of data once and only once. (The system had 16K bytes organized into 8K of 16-bit words of memory. We had hard disk cartridges with 500K of storage. The K is NOT a misprint.)

It was also prudent to have one and only one copy of a datapoint for accuracy. This is still true, imho.

I'm building sets of stuff for POIs and routes and really need to keep it organized into fewer files, each with discrete tracks.

Fusion is a great tool for lots of things, I encourage you to continue to "think about" how the files are managed and tracks are organized.

tia... Bob

Krein · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2007, 10:13:02 PM »

Right, I see what you are saying for POIs - multiple copies of the same points floating around can get too convoluted.

The other side is that some people's (raises hand) GPS data collections are growing out of control, and when single rides are tens of thousands of points, I only want a single ride displayed and/or loaded at a time.

All I mean is that there are reasons for "forcing" the one track per file (though it is not forced, just not well supported otherwise).

But your point is well taken. We do need to better support multiple tracks / routes in a file, and part of this has to do with the interface. It's time for an update, without a doubt.