File Naming standards for the file sharing community
I know that there are other people out there that get frustrated when trying to
find files. I made this file to make it easier for all of us to find what we're
looking for regardless of what application we're using. Every one has their own
preference when it comes to naming files, but this bites us in the butt when it
comes to searching. We end up having to just enter the main name and then
have to slog through the results trying to find the one we want.
Whether you sort your results by file name or title it can be maddening to hit
sort and then find that they don't sort as well as we'd like simply because
someone renamed the file and put a dot instead of a dash or took a space out.
A good example of this would be TV episodes. There are a few main ways to
name them but many variations on them. For instance when someone puts the
name, space, dash, and the episode number. Then another user will take the
spaces out. This then changes where the file ends up when sorting results.
E.g.
Alias - 1x06 - Reckoning
Alias- 1x06- Reckoning
Alias.-1x06 -Reckoning
Alias.1x06.Reckoning
Alias 1x06 Reckoning
These would all end up in different places in the search results instead of
being in order with the rest like this.
Alias - 1x01 - Truth Be Told
Alias - 1x02 - So It Begins...
Alias - 1x03 - Parity
Alias - 1x04 - A Broken Heart
Alias - 1x05 - Doppelganger
Alias - 1x06 - Reckoning
Alias - 1x07 - Color-Blind
Alias - 1x08 - Time Will Tell
Alias - 1x09 - Mea Culpa
If the File is just one space off you might end up with something like this.
Alias - 1x01 - Truth Be Told
Alias - 1x02 - So It Begins...
Alias - 1x03 - Parity
Alias - 1x04 - A Broken Heart
Alias - 1x05 - Doppelganger
Alias - 1x07 - Color-Blind
Alias - 1x08 - Time Will Tell
Alias - 1x09 - Mea Culpa
Alias- 1x06 - Reckoning
It may not look like much of a problem, but when searching through years of
episodes with a few versions of each episode being shared, it can be tedious as
hell searching through hundreds to thousands of results trying to find the one
you want.
Of course I only use Alias as an example, I can't in good faith suggest that
people download copyrighted material ;)
Some just use the number, some use just the episode name so that it makes
it hard to get the best results when searching. If a search language could be
used similar to something like google. Just being able to use the OR function
would make it much easier to search. This way you wouldn't be committed to
one search criteria. E.g. Alias 1x06 OR 106 OR Reckoning but since that option
isn't around yet We've got to do something else.
So The solution is we the entire file sharing world can come together on this
and have a standard way of naming files and NOT to change file names and
titles.
Now don't get the wrong idea. I don't think everyone should do things my way,
but the standard has to start somewhere. Why not here? I don't really think
there is a best way as long as we all use the same one. I haven't seen anyone
else post something like this (I'm sure they have in one form or another) so I
thought I'd write out something comprehensive so that we can all get onto the
same page. I think we should all be able to agree on this. If we can stick to
this exactly, it will work, spaces and all. I've tried to go with the most common
ways. Of course this goes along with entering the info in the proper places like
"album" "artist" "category"
File Naming Standards for The Whole File Sharing Community
For Episodes
Series - 1x01 - episode name
E.g.:
Alias - 1x01 - Truth Be Told
"Any extra info after the episode name."
For Music
Song - artist
"Any extra info after the artists name."
For documents
Author - Title
"Any extra info after the authors name."
If people can go into their shared folder and rename as many files as possible
with at least the first part of the file and title names using this standard we'll
be good to go.
I think the rest of the file types are pretty much self evident. These types
seem to have the most variation. If anyone feels that there are other file types
that need more of a standard just say so and I'm sure this post can be edited
to suit. The trick is just choosing one way and sticking to it.
Entering anything after the standard naming is up to the person putting the
file up for sharing of course, as long as we all start the title name and file
name this way it will work.
There is the problem of differentiating between the many versions of
the same file, as there is usually more that just one person adding new files.
To help with this just go by this standard and simply add something at the end
of the file name like an initial or something to make it unique. This way there
aren't many versions of the same file with exactly the same file name.
If everyone could put this whole post as a text file in there shared folder as
well as put in the text below into the description part of the file info. So that
those who don't visit forums can get the message. It might be a good idea to
add it in the set up file to file sharing applications as well.
The file size can be put in when we have a verified file and hash link. I don't
know how to do hash links etc.. so if someone could take care of that stuff it
would be great. I see people doing so much work that everyone benefits from, I
thought I should do what little I could. Hopefully one day I'll learn programming.
Put something like this in the description box of popular files:
***ATTENTION!!***
New file naming standards for all file sharers
Search in documents for this file name "File Naming standards.txt" file
size=_____ or go to this link for the info "link to this thread"
If we can get one file verified as well as a hash link so that we know
everyone's all getting the same info. You know that there will be those who
put a number of fakes out there to try and keep us from coming together on
this. Also if People could copy this and repost it at other forums as well a link
to this thread so people can verify the info is the same. If the place where you
want to post this won't let you post this much text then just give them just
give them link to this one or some other forum that will. And if someone wants
to create a file out of this and host it that would be great. I've spent all of
spare time I have just to write and post this.*include everything in this post to
this point if posting in other places. I've been wanting to do it for ages. Maybe
this post could be pinned wherever it would belong if people seem onboard
with it.* B)
