When I save a spec section in my Windows computer, I like to name the file with the spec section number. If I use a decimal, however, Windows assumes I have come to the end of the file name. For example, 092213.13.DOC is uninteligible to Windows. I suppose I could name it 092212DOT13.DOC, but that seems like a spoiler. Does anyone have any advice?
From MF04 Introduction and Applications Guide, page 9: Electronic Filing; it seems to recommend naming the file 092212.13.doc, but remember in MAI (MasterFormat Accredited Instructor) training, it was recommended to not use a second period in the file name. I plan to just ignore the dot and call it 09221213.doc, the file names will still list in order.
At my former company, we had an issue with naming files with project numbers with a dot in them (a decision by the accounting department); it just gave me and the IT guys headaches. The IT guys recommended only using the dot between the file name and the file extention; not within the file name.
Having two periods in the file name can also cause problems with MasterWorks (the macros with MasterSpec) when printing to pdf’s. If you had the following files:
111111.01.doc
111111.02.doc
111111.03.doc
The macro will save the first as 111111.pdf, chopping off whatever is after the first period. It will then save the second as 111111.pdf, overwriting the first. The third will then overwrite… Leaving you in the end with only one file.
I have decided to break it down and save it this way: 05.5000, METAL FABRICATIONS.doc. This not only saves this way in MS Word, it allows the “Division” Number to be delineated as well. This will hopefully “ease” the pain of the transition, allowing a better understanding.
You could of course solve the problem by changing operating systems to something that does not have any concerns ‘dots’ in file names.
For the record, don’t judge Microsoft Windows as a general group unless you specify which version you are using. Windows XP is not Windows 3.1. Win XP is not perfect, but it has been very stable over the last 3 years.
Michael did not say which version he is using, but he must be using some setting that is different from the default. My Win XT, 2K, and XP systems over the years have never had a problem with multiple decimal points in file names.
Kristin’s problem also seems unique. As a test, I renamed a file with an extra .11 before the .extention, and Acrobat 7.0 created a (filename).11.pdf file without a problem.
It appears there are some local issues, some of which may be due to running the programs through a corporate server rather than a stand alone system. I don’t think I am the only person without this problem. It goes without saying that anyone who depends on a computer for their livelihood would benefit from the latest improvements in computer technology.
How about an under_score instead of a dot?
111111_01.doc
In reply to David Lorenzini-
I had a problem making pdf’s using MasterWorks when there is more than one dot in the file name. MasterWorks will pdf many documents in one directory while you go get coffee.
I agree, making one pdf with Acrobat of a file with multiple dots is not a problem.
Try hyphens.
(Our project numbers are four digits, a dot, and three more digits, so for Windows folders and filenames, we use a hyphen instead. Works for us.)
Using acroplot to create pdf’s doesn not eliminate any of the delineators I use
Our office has a system-wide problem with the overall length of the path and filename exceeding 64 characters. When archiving, anything over 64 will get truncated and we may not be able to retrieve the file. With the server name, volume number, project number and all of the folders and subfolders within the project directory, the character count is sometimes close to 50 before I name my spec files. I cannot afford to add dots and delimeters.
I often substitute dashes for dots or I just leave a space.
Richard,
One solution to the 64 character limit is to diminish the path by eliminating so many subfolders. Then the file name which can be as many as 12 to 15 characters is less of a problem, no matter how many “dots” or characters you have.
To all,
The trick to delimiters is to be consistent. It matters not whether you use periods, underscores, hyphens, spaces, or some combination of them as long as you always use the same thing. Using different delimiters will work too, but will make it sorting files in the computer inconsistent. Being consistent with the number of delimiters is also important for the same reasons. Being consistent means the files will be consistently sorted in the explore window (or whatever operating system you are using).