Add More Information to 'Help' 'About Total Commander' e.g. Language File

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Phred
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Add More Information to 'Help' 'About Total Commander' e.g. Language File

Post by *Phred »

We've added more information the the last few years to 'About..', but I was lost recently when I had to determine what language file was currently in use.

We have the exe, ini, ftp.ini, and these are relatively constant variables. In the same way, the language file can change, as I recently found out - in it you can change the 'fixed' column header titles.

Perhaps we could include the 'branch' ini files too when sections of the main ini are externally referred to. (Does it happen already? I've never successfully managed to link to external ini sections to be able to tell.)

Other variable constants?

Any thoughts?
Regards, PhredE
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Re: Add More Information to 'Help' 'About Total Commander' e.g. Language File

Post by *fenix_productions »

What do you mean as "branch ini"? Files used with RedirectSection variable?

if yes… I am using such setup for years* and there is no such info in About dialog.

*) My oldest redirected INI file is from 2007.
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Re: Add More Information to 'Help' 'About Total Commander' e.g. Language File

Post by *Phred »

fenix_productions wrote: 2021-04-15, 20:24 UTC What do you mean as "branch ini"? Files used with RedirectSection variable?

if yes… I am using such setup for years* and there is no such info in About dialog.

*) My oldest redirected INI file is from 2007.
Yes, that's what I'm meaning, fenixP - via the RedirectionSection.

You're a lucky man, succeeding over 13 years ago. I wish I could get it to work; I'll have a look in the WIki.
I'd like to have it work so that I can have certain sections monitored over the LAN so that changes in my various ini profiles can be synched.

Indeed, there's no such information in About; I'm suggesting that there could be as a reference to the variable constants we can set in TC. So we know what's set and where to look.
Regards, PhredE
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Re: Add More Information to 'Help' 'About Total Commander' e.g. Language File

Post by *petermad »

2Phred
I wish I could get it to work;
There really isn't anything difficult about it - under the section name you just write: RedirectSection=your_ini_file

I have for many years redirected to 3 different files like this:
Spoiler

Code: Select all

[PackerPlugins]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[PackerPlugins64]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[FileSystemPlugins]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[FileSystemPlugins64]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[ListerPlugins]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[ListerPlugins64]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[ContentPlugins]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[ContentPlugins64]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[ReplaceIniLocation]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[user]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[DirMenu]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[attrplugin]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[rename]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[SyncOptions]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[Selection]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[SearchName]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[SearchIn]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[SearchText]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[RenameTemplates]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[RenameSearchFind]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[RenameSearchReplace]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[left]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[right]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[lefttabs]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[righttabs]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[Command line history]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[RightHistory]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[LeftHistory]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[MkDirHistory]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[NewFileHistory]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[TargetList]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[AllResolutions]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[640x480 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[800x600 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1024x768 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1152x864 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1280x960 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1280x1024 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1400x1050 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1920x1080 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[PluginDuplicates]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[DirSelection]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[activetabs]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[ButtonbarCache]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[LastTracks]
RedirectSection=history.ini
If you don't give a path to the .ini files, they are placed in the same directory as wincmd.ini.

Note: When RedirectSection is placed in the [Configuration] section, all variables of that section will be redirected, except for AlternateUserIni and UseIniInProgramDir, which will always be read from the main ini file. So you cannot redirect selected parameters in the [Configuration] section.
Last edited by petermad on 2021-04-16, 22:30 UTC, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Add More Information to 'Help' 'About Total Commander' e.g. Language File

Post by *fenix_productions »

2petermad
In my case I have separate INI for each section. I know this may be a lot :)

And I have different folders for standard INI and historical ones.
This way when I move (copy) my TC I just need to skip "%COMMANDER_PATH%/ini/logs/" path and will have environment with no personal data (except TC key).
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Re: Add More Information to 'Help' 'About Total Commander' e.g. Language File

Post by *Phred »

I'm working on this option of the redirection of ini file sections and having some luck.

I admit I was given pause by all the prohibitions here in Help - in 'Settings in the file wincmd.ini: Overview':
'..except for the following sections: [Configuration], [Layout], [Packer], [Confirmation], [Extensions], [Associations], [Shortcuts], [ShortcutsWin], [PackerPlugins], [FileSystemPlugins], [ListerPlugins], [ContentPlugins].'

and the dichotomy of AlternateUserIni=<somename.ini> and RedirectSection=1|0

I also find puzzling the Help section where it says:
AlternateUserIni=<somename.ini> is to be placed in the [Configuration] section as a Global option, and
'..it will redirect [the] storing of all user-changeable sections to an alternate ini file' - singluar.

I'm still thinking that sections other than those prohibited, above, can be redirected to individual ini files each - as fenix and petermad say - but this seems to be contradicted by the line above.
Then again, Help does say '2. All sections can be redirected individually:'.
Frustrating.

Nevertheless, I had one success, after mistaking the placement of 1|0 and <alternate ini file.ini>, in establishing one History.ini file.
What I did find disappointing was that TC reverted to an initial wincmd.ini-like appearance. That's to be expected, I suppose, but it leads me to:

QUESTION: is there a way to migrate established wincmd.ini sections to an alternate ini file.ini (or inis) through redirection?
Regards, PhredE
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Re: Add More Information to 'Help' 'About Total Commander' e.g. Language File

Post by *Usher »

2Phred
There are two ways of redirection:

1. Global redirection to a single file global-redir.ini (using AlternateUserIni=global-redir.ini in [Configuration] section of wincmd.ini) with predefined list of non-redirected sections (as you mentioned - all except for…).
There is an option to change this list:
* You can prevent redirection of any section if you put RedirectSection=0 in this section of wincmd.ini.
* You can force redirection of any section if you put RedirectSection=1 in this section of wincmd.ini.

2. Redirection per section, which is more flexible. You can provide different filenames for every redirected section when you put RedirectSection=per-section-name.ini in any section of wincmd.ini you want to redirect. That way you can also use the same history.ini name for more than one redirection or even one global-redir.ini name for all redirections.

Is it more clear now?
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Re: Add More Information to 'Help' 'About Total Commander' e.g. Language File

Post by *Phred »

Maybe, thanks Usher.

1. Global using AlternateUserIni=global-redir.ini in [Configuration] section of wincmd.ini
Okay, that points TC to using the global-redir.ini file - but then you say '...with [a] predefined list of non-redirected sections'. Who defines that list? Must I make up a list inside global-redir.ini [doesn't make a lot of sense], or are you saying that that list 'exists', is prohibited naturally by TC?
Perhaps we should be using the term 'non-redirectable sections' - those sections that may not be redirected.
By saying 'non-redirected sections', it implies that they are not yet but they may be redirected if we so choose.


Then "There is an option to change this list" - but WHERE is this list?
What I'm seeing so far is, in wincmd.ini
"[Configuration]
"AlternateUserIni=global-redir.ini
"[Righttabs]
"RedirectSection=1"

I can't see anywhere to place the list you refer to. I assume so far that [Righttabs] data will be written to global-redir.ini - okay.

You go on to say that there's a more flexible way of doing things that, I agree, is more desirable, by choosing to implement "each permitted section in wincmd.ini may have a RedirectSection=1"
You also say that each permitted section may have a line like RedirectSection=per-section-name.ini

Does this therefore mean that 'RedirectSection=' has two schema?
That in individual [permitted-ini-section] sections, RedirectSection= can be only 1 or 0, and that
...in a permitted section 'RedirectSection=' may have a file name??

That leads me to conclude that I would have a setup in wincmd.ini
"[Configuration]
"
"[Righttabs]
"RedirectSection=1
"RedirectSection=righttabs-per-section-name.ini"

OR PERHAPS.... having just re-read the Help page - may 'AlternateUserIni=' appear, not only in [Configuration] but also in, say, [RightTabs]?
This would mean that the reference in Help to 'AlternateUserIni=' is not referring back to its entry in [Configuration], but that 'AlternateUserIni=' may be used in individual permitted sections. A REVELATION!

That would proceed to, in wincmd.ini
"[Configuration]
"
"[Righttabs]
"RedirectSection=1
"AlternateUserIni=righttabs-per-section-name.ini"

Could that actually be correct? 😮
(Oh dear, I think I'm lost: I've just re-read your reference, Usher, to 'RedirectSection=per-section-name.ini')


I'm not experimenting yet because of QUESTION. Is there a way to MIGRATE an existing wincmd.ini setup to a multi-ini configuration?
I suppose I could copy wincmd.ini to righttabs-per-section-name.ini - but would TC know how to read [RIghttabs] from within it, having been redirected to it?
I suppose in each copied ini I could remove everything but the section which it is intended to represent. A lot of work to begin with, but effective if it works. And I have a lot of 'wincmd.inis' for different purposes: "/i=..." in the shortcuts.
But, a migration tool/methodolgy?
Regards, PhredE
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Re: Add More Information to 'Help' 'About Total Commander' e.g. Language File

Post by *petermad »

2Phred
If you want to redirect your own selection of sections, all you have to do is to add RedirectSection=<ininame.ini> after each section.
You can redirect several sections to the same <ininame.ini>
If you just enter ininame.ini then the file will be located in the same directory as your wincmd.ini, otherwie you have to state full path to ininame.ini.

I redirect to 3 files: plugins.ini, history.ini and user.ini - here is my list of redirections in wincmd.ini:
Spoiler

Code: Select all

[PackerPlugins]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[PackerPlugins64]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[FileSystemPlugins]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[FileSystemPlugins64]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[ListerPlugins]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[ListerPlugins64]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[ContentPlugins]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[ContentPlugins64]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[ReplaceIniLocation]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[DisabledPlugins]
RedirectSection=plugins.ini

[attrplugin]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[rename]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[SyncOptions]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[Selection]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[SearchName]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[SearchIn]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[SearchText]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[RenameTemplates]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[RenameSearchFind]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[RenameSearchReplace]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[left]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[right]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[lefttabs]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[righttabs]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[Command line history]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[RightHistory]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[LeftHistory]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[MkDirHistory]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[NewFileHistory]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[TargetList]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[PluginDuplicates]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[DirSelection]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[activetabs]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[LastTracks]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[ButtonbarCache]
RedirectSection=history.ini

[user]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[DirMenu]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[AllResolutions]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[640x480 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[800x600 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1024x768 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1152x864 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1280x960 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1280x1024 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1400x1050 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini

[1920x1080 (8x16)]
RedirectSection=user.ini
The list of exceptions ([Configuration], [Layout], [Packer], [Confirmation], [Extensions], [Associations], [Shortcuts], [ShortcutsWin], [PackerPlugins], [FileSystemPlugins], [ListerPlugins], [ContentPlugins]) is only used when you use the AlternateUserIni=<somename.ini>

The RedirectSection=0/1 is only for overriding redirection set by AlternateUserIni=<somename.ini>

If you use RedirectSection=<ininame.ini> you do not have to also use RedirectSection=1
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Re: Add More Information to 'Help' 'About Total Commander' e.g. Language File

Post by *diopter »

Summary for redirections:
- AlternateUserIni redirects all sections, except [Configuration],[Layout],[Packer],[Confirmation],[Extensions],
  [Associations],[Shortcuts],[ShortcutsWin],[PackerPlugins],[FileSystemPlugins],[ListerPlugins],[ContentPlugins]
- To prevent a section from being redirected by AlternateUserIni, set RedirectSection=0 in that section.
- To force a section to be redirected by AlternateUserIni, set RedirectSection=1 in that section.
- To redirect a section individually, set RedirectSection=XYZ.ini in that section.
- To deactivate a section (e.g. one of the histories), redirect that section to a read-only file.
- All redirections MUST be in the MAIN (first) .ini file.

Example wincmd.ini:

Code: Select all

[Configuration]
UseIniInProgramDir=7
AlternateUserIni=wincmd_common.ini
RedirectSection=wincmd_common.ini
[Layout]
RedirectSection=wincmd_common.ini
[Packer]
RedirectSection=wincmd_common.ini
[Confirmation]
RedirectSection=wincmd_common.ini
[Extensions]
RedirectSection=wincmd_SASSAE.ini
[Associations]
RedirectSection=wincmd_SASSAE.ini
[Shortcuts]
RedirectSection=wincmd_SASSAE.ini
[ShortcutsWin]
RedirectSection=wincmd_SASSAE.ini
[PackerPlugins]
RedirectSection=wincmd_common.ini
[FileSystemPlugins]
RedirectSection=wincmd_common.ini
[ListerPlugins]
RedirectSection=wincmd_common.ini
[ContentPlugins]
RedirectSection=wincmd_common.ini
[DisabledPlugins]
RedirectSection=wincmd_common.ini
;Workaround for TC Plugins Manager

[searches]
RedirectSection=wincmd_SASSAE.ini
[Alias]
RedirectSection=wincmd_SASSAE.ini

[left]
RedirectSection=0
ViewMode=10001
...
[right]
RedirectSection=0
ViewMode=-1
...
[lefttabs]
RedirectSection=0
0_path=c:\Temp\
0_options=6|0|0|0|0|0|0|
...
[righttabs]
RedirectSection=0
0_path=d:\EBooks\
0_options=12|0|0|0|0|2|0|||1
...
[RightHistory]
RedirectSection=0
0=c:\Windows\
...
[LeftHistory]
RedirectSection=0
0=c:\TotalCmd\
...
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