Do not change file datestamp unless content changed
Do not change file datestamp unless content changed
I find myself in somewhat of a mess with various copies of iFamily files here and there, because the program changes the date even when all I do is READ a file. Would it be possible to change it so as to not change the file datestamp unless content is actually changed?
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- Posts: 328
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:12 pm
- Location: Cornwall, England
Hi,
Running a quick check shows that when a file is opened the Finder entry shows a change to the 'Modified' date and time but not the 'Last Opened' one.
This gets changed when you quit from iFamily.
Would have thought this was controlled by the system rather than the app but it should be fairly straight forward for Warwick to resolve (?)
regards,
Nigel
Running a quick check shows that when a file is opened the Finder entry shows a change to the 'Modified' date and time but not the 'Last Opened' one.
This gets changed when you quit from iFamily.
Would have thought this was controlled by the system rather than the app but it should be fairly straight forward for Warwick to resolve (?)
regards,
Nigel
File date
My protection position is to include the date in the file name eg 'familyfile 07.09.2010.ftkSql'. If I'm looking and not changing no worries, if I'm going to add or change I duplicate, put the copy in an archive folder rename the new one with the new date and carry on. It is more long winded to describe than to do and means I can return to the tree at any point in time if I've made a mistake or accidently deleted something. After a suitable priod of time I ditch the copy files to avoid too much clutter. Works for me and is independent of any vagaries of the system or software.
maybe a preliminary mode ...
Nigel - Yes, for some apps only, the Finder tentatively changes the modified date, but reverts it if a file is closed with no action - tested with Excel. Preview.app and Tex-Edit Plus.app do not make the tentative change.
alid - I have thought of this approach, too late, I already have a big sprinkling of files to sort out.
Maybe iFamily could have a preliminary "browse" mode asking if you simply want the file statistics ...
Maybe the sql-based file can be browsed with some app, perhaps Applescripted?
...Al
alid - I have thought of this approach, too late, I already have a big sprinkling of files to sort out.
Maybe iFamily could have a preliminary "browse" mode asking if you simply want the file statistics ...
Maybe the sql-based file can be browsed with some app, perhaps Applescripted?
...Al
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- Posts: 328
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:12 pm
- Location: Cornwall, England
Hi Al,
Mmmm. In that case it would appear that iFamily is saving the file back after it is opened even if no changes are made - just read.
I guess that that change could be a change in Focal person or even the person being viewed as all those items (and more, no doubt) are saved on exit so that you can carry on where you left off.
If you are trying to keep a set of history files (snapshots of what data you entered at a certain point) then the best action is to make a copy with (as suggested) a date tag in the file name. As long as you only view these you know what stage you were at - even though the last modified stamp will change (for reasons given above).
If you put the date in YYYYMMDD format the copies will sort in date order.
Not sure there is a way round the dilemma you are in as long as a change is saved even if that change is not 'family history' data.
Nigel
Mmmm. In that case it would appear that iFamily is saving the file back after it is opened even if no changes are made - just read.
I guess that that change could be a change in Focal person or even the person being viewed as all those items (and more, no doubt) are saved on exit so that you can carry on where you left off.
If you are trying to keep a set of history files (snapshots of what data you entered at a certain point) then the best action is to make a copy with (as suggested) a date tag in the file name. As long as you only view these you know what stage you were at - even though the last modified stamp will change (for reasons given above).
If you put the date in YYYYMMDD format the copies will sort in date order.
Not sure there is a way round the dilemma you are in as long as a change is saved even if that change is not 'family history' data.
Nigel
How to explore file content
Nigel - thanks for the thoughts.
I think I have found a solution for previewing file contents:
http://osx.iusethis.com/app/mesasqlite
Download MesaSQLite.app - this application that can peer into the iFamily FtSql file.
1. Start MesaSQLite.app, direct it to the first file in question
2. Set Tablename to ZPERSON
3. Click the second button at bottom, clear all, click ZLASTCHANGE and ZPERSON
4. Click on "Show All"
5. Click on ZLASTCHANGE column header to sort by latest record change
6. Optionally, right-click on unwanted columns and select "Hide column"
This allows seeing which peoples records were last changed, and when (I don't know how to read the date code). And the number of people "records" is shown at lower left.
7. Now Menu: Open DataBase and select the next file to be compared
...Al
I think I have found a solution for previewing file contents:
http://osx.iusethis.com/app/mesasqlite
Download MesaSQLite.app - this application that can peer into the iFamily FtSql file.
1. Start MesaSQLite.app, direct it to the first file in question
2. Set Tablename to ZPERSON
3. Click the second button at bottom, clear all, click ZLASTCHANGE and ZPERSON
4. Click on "Show All"
5. Click on ZLASTCHANGE column header to sort by latest record change
6. Optionally, right-click on unwanted columns and select "Hide column"
This allows seeing which peoples records were last changed, and when (I don't know how to read the date code). And the number of people "records" is shown at lower left.
7. Now Menu: Open DataBase and select the next file to be compared
...Al
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- Posts: 328
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:12 pm
- Location: Cornwall, England
Hi,
Just looking in the preferences section and at the top of the panel there is an option to include the date of the last change for a record
This then displays the last changed info for each record in the upper section diagram display.
I don't know if that would help track down when changed were made rather than rely on the file info.
Nigel
Just looking in the preferences section and at the top of the panel there is an option to include the date of the last change for a record
This then displays the last changed info for each record in the upper section diagram display.
I don't know if that would help track down when changed were made rather than rely on the file info.
Nigel
date of last change
Hello Nigel -
Well while that is built into the program, opening a file causes the filedate to change. What I needed was a way to see the last change date for the file without modifying the file. Indeed, seen in MesaSQLite, there is a ZLASTCHANGE timestamp parameter associated with each entry. It is nine digits plus six fractional digits. Presumably this is updated by iFamily? Does anyone know how to read the timestamp as a date?
Well while that is built into the program, opening a file causes the filedate to change. What I needed was a way to see the last change date for the file without modifying the file. Indeed, seen in MesaSQLite, there is a ZLASTCHANGE timestamp parameter associated with each entry. It is nine digits plus six fractional digits. Presumably this is updated by iFamily? Does anyone know how to read the timestamp as a date?