OT - CATALOGING HARD DRIVES

vicmilt wrote on 5/24/2010, 11:35 PM
Don't know where else to go...

I've managed to accumulate about 40 to 50 hard drives with video and still data.
Naturally most are off-line.
I used to be able to keep track of contents by a simple printed label, but the system is beyond human control.

Can anyone suggest an off-line hard drive cataloger?

That is... mount a hard drive - catalog the file names - retain the files into a large database; searchable by title, type and location.

i.e. "Find Sears" or "Find mov" or "Find 2001" or "Find SFX wings flapping"

If not - how are you all keeping track of the mounting flood of video/audio/graphic assets?

Comments

John_Cline wrote on 5/24/2010, 11:49 PM
For over ten years I have used a program called "WhereIsIt" to catalog several thousand data CDs, about 500 data DVDs and somewhere around 50 hard drives. My database is approaching 1 million individual files comprising almost 60 terabytes of data. This program is absolutely indespensible in maintaining my data storage and my sanity. It is well worth many times its $39.95 cost.

http://www.whereisit-soft.com
vicmilt wrote on 5/25/2010, 12:15 AM
Thank you John - once again Vegas Forum provides...

am downloading software as I write.

Will begin cataloging with trial and report back. It certainly seems to answer everything I need, and with your personal recommendation... well, I am excited!

v
farss wrote on 5/25/2010, 5:37 AM
So far seems to work as advertised.
The only unkown is can I install it on multiple workstations and have them use a common catalog and if so how does that workout with the licensing.

Bob.
Serena wrote on 5/25/2010, 5:47 AM
How many licenses do I need?

One registered copy of WhereIsIt? may either be used by a single person who uses the software personally on one or more computers, or installed on a single workstation used non-simultaneously by multiple people, but not both. You may access the registered version of WhereIsIt? through a network, provided that you have obtained individual licenses for the software covering all workstations that will access the software through the network. For instance, if 5 different workstations will access WhereIsIt? on the network, each workstation must have its own WhereIsIt? license, regardless of whether they use WhereIsIt? at different times or concurrently.

Single-user licenses are issued to a specific user as stated on the order, and are not transferable. Orders stating multiple licenses are issued by default as a single site-license for a specified number of users. On prior arrangement they may also be issued as a number of individual single-user licenses, or a combination of both.

Unregistered Version Limitations

Unregistered version of WhereIsIt? has build-in some limitations in order to encourage registering this software. All of the following limitations are removed when the program is registered using the appropriate license key file.

* Adding new disk images to catalogs is limited. Unregistered version allows adding at least three removable disks (floppy, CD, DVD, Zip drive,...), or until the total capacity of all already cataloged disks reaches 2 GB. You will not be able to add more disk images to the catalog if the above limit has been reached. If you want to add more data, you can open a new catalog.
* Auto-loading catalogs on program startup is disabled. Registered users can setup a list of catalogs to load automatically when program is starting, or select to open all catalogs that were opened in the last session.
* All reports will include a visible message saying they were generated with an unregistered version.
* Tips on program startup can not be disabled in the unregistered version. The first tip will always remind you that you are working with an unregistered shareware program.
* Script language is only available in registered version. Script language is mostly used for unattended catalog updates, or it can perform special tasks on program startup, for example, updating the catalog data when program starts, so you always have the latest state to work with.

farss wrote on 5/25/2010, 6:36 AM
"One registered copy of WhereIsIt? may either be used by a single person who uses the software personally on one or more computers, or installed on a single workstation used non-simultaneously by multiple people, but not both."

That part sound good, I only need one licence but then the next part contradicts it:

" You may access the registered version of WhereIsIt? through a network, provided that you have obtained individual licenses for the software covering all workstations that will access the software through the network. For instance, if 5 different workstations will access WhereIsIt? on the network, each workstation must have its own WhereIsIt? license, regardless of whether they use WhereIsIt? at different times or concurrently."


Bob.


John_Cline wrote on 5/25/2010, 12:16 PM
I have WhereIsIt running on five machies and they all access a common catalog located on a server. It's been over ten years since I bought it and I honestly can't remember whether I bought five licenses or installed one license on five machines. I'm the only one that uses it and they don't get used simultaneously so I'm probably staying within the limits of the license. I'll try and figure out how many copies I bought.
vicmilt wrote on 5/27/2010, 1:35 PM
Well - if you've got a lot of drives - or simply an unmanageable amount of files, spread out everywhere - then I totally recommend this software.
It's cheap, fast and easy.
And boy, when you're looking for an old file - this sure helps.
Thanks John.

v
John_Cline wrote on 5/27/2010, 1:41 PM
I'm glad it worked out for you Vic. I use this program multiple times every day, in terms of use it's right up there with my web browser, e-mail program and Vegas.
Kevin R wrote on 5/28/2010, 3:41 AM
Bob,

Your quotes from the license don't contradict, but it does take a second read to comprehend. Hint: "access through a network".
farss wrote on 5/28/2010, 6:02 AM
I've assumed "access through a network" to mean "access the application through a network".
Anyway seeing as how J.C. recommended it I now have a licence and it's working hard cataloging every disk I find. If only my own neurons could connect because knowing which disk a file is on is one thing, knowing where I put the disk is another. Oh, here's a thought, RFID tags on all my drives and a RFID scanner at every door.

One tip, turning on CRCs for every file seems to really slow down cataloging, duh :(

Bob.
ECB wrote on 5/29/2010, 8:33 AM
Many thanks John Cline for recommending WhereIsIt. It is just what I have been looking for.

Ed B
vicmilt wrote on 6/10/2010, 11:51 AM
This a bump - a "happy" bump.

Thanks again John - you have changed my life.

I totally recommend it to anyone with a ton of files - and who doesn't have that situation.

You catalog everything - one drive at a time with a single click.
Then when you need a file you search for it, and BOOM - there it is - on "Drive D - Outdoor Archive" or whatever you've named that drive.

Couldn't be easier and it's like the Facebook of my computer life. I've found old friends that have been missing for years.

v
TeetimeNC wrote on 6/10/2010, 2:16 PM
I'm going to give this software a try.

Bob, I found this in the FAQ regarding the licensing:

Basically, you need a single license if you will use the software yourself alone, and you are allowed to install it on more than one computer, if necessary (i.e. on your home computer and your laptop). If the program is installed in a way that offers access to, and is being used by more than one person, you need an appropriate number of licenses.

This seems to me to say it is ok to install on a network if only one person is using the program.

Thanks Vic for bring up the question in the first place.

/jerry
gpsmikey wrote on 6/10/2010, 4:27 PM
Wow - the attorneys haven't gotten ahold of that yet - it still makes sense !!

I've downloaded it but have not installed it yet to try it (just upgraded to version 10 of Snagit though - now there is a handy utility !! ). http://www.techsmith.com/learn/snagit/10/ -- check out their tutorials. I find it very handy for "remembering" how I had Vegas configured for something or another - a quick screengrab of the config and there I am !

mikey