Importing CDG to Hoster from Microstudio

[gd123]

KJ File Manager

Latshaw Systems will do this with ease.

http://www.latshawsystems.com/

Once Open, you will set the "FILE TITLE FORMAT" to "A-T Format (Artist - Title)"

Click "IMPORT"
When the Files are imported, Highlight ALL files, to be changed, by Left Clicking the Mouse and DRAGGING down to Highlight Multiple Files, which turns all selected files to an Orange color. Then, Right Click anywhere on the ORANGE (Selected Files) and Choose "SWAP FIELDS" "ARTIST< > TITLE"

You have:
1234spacedashspaceABDC

You Get:
ABCDspacedashspace1234

[cccolvin]

I imported from CD to Microstudio and used only the disk "number", and did not use a brand prefix for each individual file name. If I rename all of my files, it is no problem. Hoster 3.314 will recognize my data and it will access the database, and will enter the artist and song for every file I am importing to Hoster. So, I guess I have to rename my files. I have not heard any recent postings from MTU. These other ideas have made me realize my actual problem, but I hope there is something better in V4.0.

[mindonstrike]

One of the programs I downloaded called file_renamer seemed to work quite well.
#1 it was FREE, no limitations, just a nag screen at the beginning asking for a couple dollars donation, and even that can be turned off, (but I'll probably send 'em a couple bucks if it keeps working as well as my initial check out did).

It doesn't install anything so to uninstall you just delete the folder it resides in.
I took a folder full of old txt files, selected all the files and told the program to add a DPT to the file starting at character 0 (zero) and immediately there it was. Just for fun I told it to capitalize the first letter of every word just by clicking a radio button which it did quite well.

If I were using this for real I'd have done the capitalization thing before adding the DPT prefix because it also changed that to "Dpt".

The "documentation" (if you can call it that) claims that it can undo any changes but I havn't figured out how yet.

This was checked out on an old computer with Windows ME. I haven't tried XP yet.

Sam

[horseshoe]

Search for "bulk rename utility" and download it. It can do anything you want to do with renaming. It is freeware with a donation if you wish, too. I love it and do all my renaming that way. You can also add, remove, or change extensions too. I love the batch mode. If I have a whole disc to rename, I simply highlight all of the files and do it instantly. It too allows you to go back if you make a mistake.

[bryant]

Originally Posted by gd123

KJ File Manager

Latshaw Systems will do this with ease.

http://www.latshawsystems.com/

Once Open, you will set the "FILE TITLE FORMAT" to "A-T Format (Artist - Title)"

Click "IMPORT"
When the Files are imported, Highlight ALL files, to be changed, by Left Clicking the Mouse and DRAGGING down to Highlight Multiple Files, which turns all selected files to an Orange color. Then, Right Click anywhere on the ORANGE (Selected Files) and Choose "SWAP FIELDS" "ARTIST< > TITLE"

You have:
1234spacedashspaceABDC

You Get:
ABCDspacedashspace1234

Thanks a lot, GD. Can I get rid of the disc ID field altogether, though?
for ex. I want just ABCD - 1234 with nothing else in the file name. Just title - author ? I couldn't find a way to trim the whole thing out?

[admin]

Originally Posted by cccolvin

I have not heard any recent postings from MTU. These other ideas have made me realize my actual problem, but I hope there is something better in V4.0.

From what you posted earlier, it appears our "DiscID" field must have a parameter setting requiring "AlphaNumeric, Alpha First". If it is simply a field change, we should be able to do that without too much problems. We just sent out Hoster 3.315 for Beta testing that works with VISTA Home Basic. We should be able to modify that before we release... if it is just a field definition change.

At the earliest, 3.315 will release on Monday.

[gd123]

Can I get rid of the disc ID field altogether, though?

There is one called commander that is excellent that I have been using

You say you use Commander. I assume Total Commander.


If so, then select all the files needing changed, which should highlight them RED.

Then, click FILES/MULTI-RENAME TOOL.

In the upper left-hand corner, you will see "Rename Mask: File name" and [N] in the Box.

Let's say you have a file named like this:

Custom1-01 - Artist - Title

Then, place 14- to the right of the "N" inside the bracket to get this:

[N14-]

If you look at the NEW NAME column, you will see the result, which is:

Artist - Title

Click START to complete the operation/change.

So, the number, with a DASH, will be what the Total COUNT of Characters located to the LEFT of the FIRST Character in the ARTIST, assuming ARTIST is the NEXT FIELD, as per the example above, and Add ONE (+1) to actual count of characters to be removed

If you had:

Ah8008-14 - Mardones, Benny - Into The Night.zip

then, counting all the Characters, including spaces, from the Starting Character in ARTIST, which is the letter "M," you will get the number 12.

Add 1 to the actual count: 12 + 1 = 13.

So, to remove Ah8008dash14spacedashspace from the beginning, use [N13-], etc.

[horseshoe]

That is entirely too complicated. I use "bulk rename utility". I highlight the complete list and type in the things I want to replace, such as SC9104. I then tell it to replace it with nothing, and zoom, it's all gone. It's a free program and can do this in about 2 seconds.

[bryant]

I see, that's exactly what I do now, but then have to go over to latshaw to complete the swap operation. Was wondering if all could be done within Latshaw using the swap file and another function, but I guess we need both latshaw ansd total commander.

[gd123]

I tried the TRIM Feature in KJ File Manager and, currently, the TRIM Feature is only limited to trimming an actual Field and does NOT include TRIMMING the SpaceDashSpace following any field, which renders the TRIM Feature useless, in my opinion.

So, I sent this email to the owner:

KJ File Manager:
I need to "Trim" the DiscID.
If I have a file named:
AH8008-14 - Mardones, Benny - Into The Night.zip
You can see that the DiscID is:
AH8008-14
Counting from Left-To-Right up to the First Character in the Artist, which is "M," you get 12.
However, if I put 12 in the Trim Characters Box, KJ File Manager Crashes.
I suspect this is because the SpaceDashSpace that is separating the DiscID field from the Artist Field cannot be counted as part of the DiscID.
This causes a problem when Trimming as I will end up with:
- Mardones, Benny - Into The Night.zip
which has the SpaceDashSpace at the beginning.
It is possible to program the TRIM feature with a Check Box to Delete the SpaceDashSpace?
Or, since the Trim Feature already has the abilty to enter a number, can KJ FIle Manager be programmed to include the SpaceDashSpace?
Timming any Field and leaving the SpaceDashSpace just doesn't do the trick.

Hopefully, the change will be made so that KJ File Manager will support all your needs.

[bryant]

Thanx a lot, GD. Good move. Right now I leave both open when I do the files over, so your invite to
try KJ File manager was appreciated.

[gd123]

Bryant...Good news! The one program can do it all.

It was pointed out to me that there is an EXPORT FEATURE in KJ File Manager.

Import the Trks normally
Highlight the Trks needing the DiscID removed
Right Click anywhere on the Highlighted Trks
Choose Export/Convert
Click the Radio Button next to: Export (copy converted file(s) to new location, leaving originals intact)
Click SELECT and navigate to an Empty Folder (Work Folder)
Go to the NEW FORMAT section and click the Drop Down Arrow to the right of TITLE FORMAT.
Select A-T Format (Artist - Title)
Click OK

All Trks will be converted to Artist - Title only