Help and Support > Feedback and Suggestions
file numbering format
bchat:
--- Quote from: sevengates on May 15, 2013, 10:32:09 PM ---Would it be possible for the format for the naming of all the files posted to DCM to be coordinated, with DCM setting a single standard that everyone could follow?
I think a good format could be something like -- full title of the series -- followed by issue number -- followed by any variant descriptive information, such as the year or number of pages. Also there should be a single standard for spaces, such as the underline symbol "_".
So an example would be: Horrors_At_Midnight_004_1952_36pp.cbr
If all posters followed such a simple standard format, think of what a pleasure that would be when sorting your downloaded files!
--- End quote ---
That wouldn't help me sort my downloaded files at all. I would still need to rename them, since the naming/sorting format I use is not the same as yours (date, publisher, then title & issue number).
I'm not knocking the idea of there being a standard way of naming the actual files, because however it's done, I still need to rename every file I get, so it really doesn't matter to me either way. But, it takes two seconds for someone to rename a file after they've download it, and you're asking anyone who isn't you to spend countless hours in order to identify, download, rename and then upload a file to meet your standard ... without getting paid for doing it. Call me silly, but I don't think that's going to happen.
Yoc:
It can only happen if it's somehow automated. I'd rather our code master concentrate on new exciting features than something like this. As nice as it might be.
-yoc
sevengates:
I guess my last comment didn't sound like I meant it to sound. I apologize if it sounded demanding, which was not my intention.
I only meant to bring attention to the concept of file naming. I thank everyone who took the time to consider the issue. I understand what you are saying re why files have the names they do.
DCM is a fabulous site, and thanks to all who make it happen. Peace out.
garbanzo:
Lazy filenames are my only complaint about this site. Why can't a standard be enforced? Scanner release hubs on DC++ enforce file naming conventions, and those hubs can see several hundreds of new files uploaded in a single day. They have no problems enforcing a convention. Now consider the fact that the number of uploads per week at DCM can usually be counted on one hand - that's hardly a chore to moderate. There's no need for automation. If the site needs volunteers to moderate uploads, just ask. I'm sure you'll get plenty of responses.
Of course you'll never find a standard that pleases every user. Nobody can. And no file sharing sites I am part of even considers this as something to be concerned about. They set the standard and enforce the standard. If users want to rename files on their own, that's their prerogative. But at least you can look at a file you've downloaded and actually know what it is. Here, there's no telling with some files. cmj34.zip - any clues?
A comic book's indica page tells us its title. The issue number is found on the indica and/or the cover. A filename should at the very least start with the full and proper tile, followed by a space, followed by the issue number, followed by another space if anything comes after that.
If the scanner/uploader wants to zero-pad the number, or to add issue year and/or month, or stick on a bunch of other stuff like publisher or scanner/editor tags or random characters, that's fine. But the root filename can and should be standardized.
Also, why allow ZIP and RAR files, when CBZ and CBR are standards?
That's just my two cents. Take it or leave it :)
OtherEric:
Not all books have numbers. Not all books have the indicia agree with the title. There are lots of titles that had multiple series, and your proposed filename might not cover some of those duplicates. For the life of me, I don't know why everybody doesn't rename files to CBZ or CBR but they don't.
This is an all-volunteer operation. Even if we had a standard naming convention, enforcing it would be a problem. The way our software works, it's surprisingly hard to change the name of the file; the only way I know is to download it, rename it, and reupload it. It's a tech limitation. Even more importantly, there are scanners who would take offense if we renamed the convention they use on their books.
Even if we got past all that, one of the reasons we only get a few scans a week is because such a high percentage of books that are usable on the site at all are already uploaded. A few files a week wouldn't be difficult... but renaming literally thousands of older scans would be.
Also, there are people out there who track what books they have by the names of the scans, and particularly what version of the scan if multiples versions exist. Renaming the files would create confusion for a lot of people over what they already have.
If we were starting this project all over, yeah, we might have tried to create and enforce a standard. At this point it would probably do more harm than good.
Oh, and I'm willing to bet cmj34.zip is Captain Marvel Junior #34 or 35. (Those issues got merged into one for reasons lost in the mists of time.) But I'm deliberately not checking until after I post this.
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