Will WinXP "Search..." multiple folders?

[George]

I'm using a WinXP-pro PC, and often do 'folders and files' searches (right
click My Documents > Search... > enter criteria). It's just an easy way to
get a file quickly, without navigating through the directories

Typically, I know the one or two directories the file is likely to be in...
for instance, it's likely to be in, let's say, c:\2004 or c:\2005.

Is there a way to specify in "Search..." that I'd like it to search MULTIPLE
folders like the above?

So far, all I can see how to do is search ONE folder at a time, or search
the parent folder, which in this case has 25 years of data (c:\1980,
c:\1981.... c:\2005) and takes a very long time.

Thanks,
George

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi George,

The simplest and speediest way to do this type of search would be to
search each folder individually.

Another way would be to use the "When was it modified" option in the
search tool.

Or you could place the 2004 and 2005 folder in a new folder and name
it something like 04-05 and search this folder for most recent files.

Do you really keep all your files and folders in the root of C:\ ?

 

[Sharon F]

I'm using a WinXP-pro PC, and often do 'folders and files' searches (right
click My Documents > Search... > enter criteria). It's just an easy way to
get a file quickly, without navigating through the directories

Typically, I know the one or two directories the file is likely to be in...
for instance, it's likely to be in, let's say, c:\2004 or c:\2005.

Is there a way to specify in "Search..." that I'd like it to search MULTIPLE
folders like the above?

So far, all I can see how to do is search ONE folder at a time, or search
the parent folder, which in this case has 25 years of data (c:\1980,
c:\1981.... c:\2005) and takes a very long time.

Thanks,
George

I use FileLocator Pro from www.mythicsoft.com. They also provide the free
Agent Ransack search tool. Both of these alternative search tools would
allow you to create a search parameter limited to select folders. They will
also add that search criteria to a drop down list for that field so that a
similar search can be easily performed.

 

[C.Joseph Drayton]

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Hi George,

I'm not being a smart aleck, but you might try changing your filing
system.

For example, instead of making the year the top folder, I make it
the bottom folder like:

d:\memax\correspondence\2004

I have five projects that I am involved in plus my computer
business. If I did everything in a year, finding data would be a
pain in the neck. Even if you put categories below the year, it
still means that you have to back totally out to get to the next
place to try looking for your file.

The other thing I do, is use a program called TrayIcon Pro which can
be found at: http://metaproducts.com/mp/mpProducts_Detail.asp?id=8 ,
This program allows me to quickly and easily navigate my data
directories to open a file that I need. It took a while to figure
out an effective file structure to use with the Program, but now I
never use 'My Computer' or Windows Explorer to open a data file.

Ciao . . . C.Joseph

That which a man buys too cheaply . . .
He esteems too lightly

I'm using a WinXP-pro PC, and often do 'folders and files' searches (right
click My Documents > Search... > enter criteria). It's just an easy way to
get a file quickly, without navigating through the directories

Typically, I know the one or two directories the file is likely to be in...
for instance, it's likely to be in, let's say, c:\2004 or c:\2005.

Is there a way to specify in "Search..." that I'd like it to search MULTIPLE
folders like the above?

So far, all I can see how to do is search ONE folder at a time, or search
the parent folder, which in this case has 25 years of data (c:\1980,
c:\1981.... c:\2005) and takes a very long time.

Thanks,
George

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[George]

Thanks Bert, great ideas, I'll give a try. Actually, my files and folders
are under "My Documents\files\2004, etc.", and not under c:\2004, but the
WinXP My Documents path is so long, I didn't know a better way to convey the
issue in the posting, other than just simplify to "C:\2004"... anyway...
Thanks

 

[George]

Thanks, Joe, great points, and all well taken.

You're right, the "by year" scheme has shortcomings (and some pro's since
one theory is the older info is, the less useful, and a "by year" scheme
lets older years slip into archives easily.) I studied this a while back,
and keep looking at new ideas, apparently there are whole schools of study
on how to organize info. Your method looks sort of like the "by category"
(or "by topic"). There's also the "by name (or entity)" method. I'm
thinking a lot of what goes into choosing the top level scheme has a lot to
do with the type of business someone's in. Doctors use "by (patient)
name". Libraries seem to use "by subject."

Maybe the Google/Yahoo/MSN search engine competition will come up with a
great new way for everything/everybody. Anyway, thanks again.

George