Comparer 1.0.10.0 - files comparing application.

[fenix_productions]

2Peter
Please provide somewhere "filecontent.wdx" plugin or give valid name. I can't find such plugin anywhere.

[Peter]

2Peter
Please provide somewhere "filecontent.wdx" plugin or give valid name. I can't find such plugin anywhere.

http://ghisler.ch/board/viewtopic.php?t=11763&start=13

But I believe that my considerations are wrong. It makes no sense to use a special "property-compare-software" to compare pure text. And this is why "filecontent" is senseless in that way.

Peter

[fenix_productions]

2Peter
Linked plugin does not work in TC 7.04a here. It shows no fields!

But I believe that my considerations are wrong. It makes no sense to use a special "property-compare-software" to compare pure text. And this is why "filecontent" is senseless in that way.

That's what "Comparers" tab stands for.

[Peter]

I use the plugin 1.00 from Oct. 6, 2006 with TC 7.04a and it displays the field "Full text" in Search function (it was made for it ...) and in Comparer. But it shows no fields in user defined columns.

Peter

[Peter]

Proposals:

a)
Please add a "Close / Quit / Exit" - Button to the menu. I don't like the "X"-button.

b)
Have you plans to add "print / save to file" functions?

Peter

[fenix_productions]

a)
Please add a "Close / Quit / Exit" - Button to the menu. I don't like the "X"-button.

I don want to implement it because such items was always useless for me (Alt+F4 was always better). I will add Esc for quit instead.

b)
Have you plans to add "print / save to file" functions?

Yes I have. Currently command line version can print out HTML file. I'd like to add reporting functionality but please remember that it takes time

[fenix_productions]

1.0.0.0 is out.

All information can be exported to CSV, HTML or BMP files.

Some shortcuts keys were added:

Ctrl+C - copy selected row as plain text,
Shift+C - copy selected row as RTF,
Esc - close window (works for main form and settings).

Additionally there is a feature called "Sticky mode". By default: dropping a file into Comparer will show its details. Each drop - new info shown but previous attributes disappear. In "Sticky mode" columns content is replaced only, so (ex.) if you're viewing two files and drop new one into left column -> right file will stay and only first one will be replaced.

[Peter]

Hello fenix_productions

I played around again a little bit - first remarks.
(plus edit ...)

• xpdfsearch.wdx
  causes a crash every time using PDFs (I know - it is not on your list of tested plugins)
• The "Sticky mode"
  is fine, but the icons (red and blue) are a little bit confusing. I don't know which colour means what ...
• Export to Image:
  Export to HTML fits width of column automatic, but export to Image does not. Could be improved.
• Export to HTML (and Image) should have more (meta)info. Caption, creation date, headers, footers, ...
• Export to Image:
  Export to an existing and write protected file creates an error.
• Sticky mode on/off:
  If I have already one file and want to add a second one - it is not possible. I have to add both files at the same time ...
• Left / right alignment:
  A quick idea - the path of the file (maybe other props too?) should be right aligned. With very long paths the end is truncated - but it would be better to truncate the beginning and display the end of the path.
• Column width:
  Every file-drop resets the width of the column to the default. It should keep the width that I want.

Peter

[fenix_productions]

xpdfsearch.wdx causes a crash every time using PDFs (I know - it is not on your list of tested plugins)

I am still fighting with not-working plugins but in most of the cases this is just playing with crystal ball I don't really know why they crash because it happens right away on load (without calling for specific functionality).

The "Sticky mode" is fine, but the icons (red and blue) are a little bit confusing. I don't know which colour means what ...

I am glad it works fine for you.

I will play with it little bit more after New Year. I would like to have "pressed button" effect as end-result so bare with me.

PS. Red means OFF, blue is ON.

[Hacker]

fenix_productions,

I don't really know why they crash because it happens right away on load

Some plugins do not like to be called by software other than TC - they check who is invoking them.

Roman

[fenix_productions]

2Hacker

some plugins do not like to be called by software other than TC - they check who is invoking them.

Thank you for your info. Do you know any way to fool them?

2Peter

Currently I am using built-in control's export features so they can't be customized too much. I will implement my own solution for one of the future versions. Same goes for overwriting.

If I have already one file and want to add a second one - it is not possible. I have to add both files at the same time ...

This change will be the easiest one

Left / right alignment:
A quick idea - the path of the file (maybe other props too?) should be right aligned. With very long paths the end is truncated - but it would be better to truncate the beginning and display the end of the path.

I think feature versions will wrap text around.

Column width:
Every file-drop resets the width of the column to the default. It should keep the width that I want.

I will fix that.

PS. If there are some answers for your posts, please, post new ones below them. It is easier to follow up.

[Hacker]

fenix_productions,

Do you know any way to fool them?

Nope, sorry.

Roman

[fenix_productions]

New version (1.0.1.0) is out.

I have implemented few features requested here.

1. When user is viewing single file in stick mode, he can drop another one into:

- Fields column -> two files will be compared, last dropped one will occupy left column;
- First file column -> active file will be replaced by new one;
- grey area on right side -> two files comparison with new one in right column;

2. Wordwrap option for cells content.

------------
I've also changed Settings dialog logic a little bit which means:
- no longer Apply buttons,
- clicking on "+" loads OpenFile dialog (for choosing plugin).

Additionally: "stick mode" should be indicated better since now.

[Peter]

Hello fenix_production

thanks for the improvements. Here my first remarks:

Sticky icon:
Very fine.

"Apply / +":
Fine, but still confusing: If I select an existing Plugins on the left (e.g. Fonts.wlx) and press the "...-Button" to select another plugin, then I have the entry "Fonts.wlx", but connected with e.g. "arch.wlx" ????

CCDocProp.wdx
It has problems with some date features - see the CSV-export:

Code: Select all

CCDocProp.wdx;CDocProp.wdx;CDocProp.wdx
Title;; 
Subject;;
...
Last Printed;01.01.0001 00:00;01.01.0001 00:00
Created; $'Z‹#È; F^ Ç
Last Saved;01.01.0001 00:00;01.01.0001 00:00

Proposal: Non scrolling lines
The first lines (Thumbnail and name) should be fixed so that it is always displayed, also when scrolling down a long list.
Or: Replace the title of the columns ("First file / Second file") with the name of the files (when existing ...)

Bug / Proposal: Size of "Select Fields window"
If I change the size of the window the OK / Cancel Buttons disappear.
The size of the window should be saved for the next usage.

Proposal: Disable Plugins
If I do not want to use some existing plugins I have to delete them from the list - and redefine them when I want to use them again. Maybe you can add a "Disable / Comment out" option to existing plugins?


Peter

[fenix_productions]

"Apply / +":
Fine, but still confusing: If I select an existing Plugins on the left (e.g. Fonts.wlx) and press the "...-Button" to select another plugin, then I have the entry "Fonts.wlx", but connected with e.g. "arch.wlx" ????

I don't think it's bug. This feature was meant for easy changing path to plugin file for an existing entry.

CCDocProp.wdx
It has problems with some date features - see the CSV-export:

Code: Select all

CCDocProp.wdx;CDocProp.wdx;CDocProp.wdx
Title;; 
Subject;;
...
Last Printed;01.01.0001 00:00;01.01.0001 00:00
Created; $'Z‹#È; F^ Ç
Last Saved;01.01.0001 00:00;01.01.0001 00:00

I thought such bug should not be present because all data are text strings. It seems to be control's error. I will check that after all.

Proposal: Non scrolling lines
The first lines (Thumbnail and name) should be fixed so that it is always displayed, also when scrolling down a long list.
Or: Replace the title of the columns ("First file / Second file") with the name of the files (when existing ...)

I will consider that. Maybe files names in title bar will be better?

Bug / Proposal: Size of "Select Fields window"
If I change the size of the window the OK / Cancel Buttons disappear.
The size of the window should be saved for the next usage.

Easy to fix.

Proposal: Disable Plugins
If I do not want to use some existing plugins I have to delete them from the list - and redefine them when I want to use them again. Maybe you can add a "Disable / Comment out" option to existing plugins?

Already on ToDo list (task 37).

Currently you can walkaround it by: creating copy of comparer.ini, renaming it and starting app with such file (-c parameter).

BTW I've started working on Export feature. I hope I will get better (than control's built-in) solution soon.