a folder structure for Attachments

[danzac]

Something that I like about Sente is the ability to have the Attachments folder organized with folders based on date, author, etc. Is something like this possible for Bookends?

I'll even go a step further and ask if it is possible for every reference to have its own folder in attachments (should it be chosen in preferences)?

The reason I am suggesting this is for those of us who prefer to take notes in database programs like devonthink or pathfinder. This way users could have multiple note files in a dedicated folder for a reference. And because each reference would have its own folder, then maybe Bookends would be able to update itself in the attachment inspector, recognizing new attachments?

Danny

[Jon]

You can have subfolders in the Attachments folder now. Bookends won't create them for you automatically, though. I don't understand your comment about the attachments inspector updating itself. If you mean would Bookends "know" that a folder belongs to a reference and that it should update itself if you move a file there, then no. First, I don't see the point. Second, it would be difficult to prevent problems if you have more than one database and two different references have the same unique id.

Jon
Sonny Software

[danzac]

Manually creating a detailed attachments folders system like that of Sente would take a lot of effort by the user I definitely think it would have to be Bookends generated!

As to the inspector 'knowing'- It is going along with my idea of every reference having its own folder in attachments, regardless of whether or not it has an attachment. This would make it easier for users to make notes in other programs and put them in the right spot if they are using DT or PathFinder. If every reference had its own folder, then the unique ID shouldn't matter (I think). The inspector would also be able to 'know' about attachment updates that happened externally to Bookends because every citation has its own folder.

Danny

[Jon]

No, it would matter, because Bookends would need some way to sync the reference (in Bookends) with a folder (in the Finder). The reference's unique id would be one obvious way, but as I said that could fail if you had more than one database.

Jon
Sonny Software

[danzac]

Ahh, I see. I would think that users would not want the unique id to be part of the folder names anyway.

So lets say my folder structure was Author, Year, Title- then that would be enough info in the folder structure to know which citation it was, no?

You would definitely want the folder title to reflect the reference as best as it could so that it would be easily identifiable.
Could the unique ID be part of the folders information (like the spotlight comment or something?)

[Jon]

There are ways I can think of to hide the unique id. But that wouldn't change the funamental problem that there could be collisions between different databases.

Bookends also has more flexibility than other apps that allow attachments because it doesn't force you to place them in an attachments folder (and from feedback I get many people prefer to leave them where they are). You can't mix too many metaphors -- this would not co-exist well with forcing a 1:1 relationship between a reference and it's folders.

Danny,I don't think the idea of attachments being created ad hoc in the Finder is a good one, and I don't see the general utility for it. Maybe I'm missing something, but I see drawbacks here without much in the way of added value.

Rather than give solutions, it would be better if you stated the problem you are trying to solve. If the problem is better interoperability with DT, then we've been through this before, and I think you know what the right solution is.

Jon
Sonny Software

[danzac]

My desires for integration is with DT is in mind, but it is not the sole reason. DT 2.0 coming out this year will have an open folders structure so stuff can be in the database that is added from outside. PathFinder can also quickly make rich text files and place them in the Finder.

As you asked, what is the basic problem? I think I am trying to address not only compatability with other database type programs, but how to take better notes. The notes field is often not good enough, I'd rather have multiple files on a reference- especially when the notes are on wildly different topics. Having those notes searchable not only by BE, but also from other programs, and being able to add notes other than through BE would be great. It opens up the notes that we make to more than just one search from a single program.

[Jon]

In that case, take your notes in any application you like (TextEdit, etc.). Attach them to the pertinent reference in Bookends. They will be searchable by Spotlight, and available to other applicaitons.

Jon
Sonny Software