I can?
OK..
Let's say, for example, that I have a fairly large but incomplete collection of something..
let's say it's "Burns & Allen"
Let's also say that it's tagged and titled quite differently. They were obtained from different places.
And..let's say... now I have discovered a more complete addition of those shows available..also tagged and titled differently than what I already have.
Now, I know there is software that an scan and recognize redundant files after you download them..
But is there any genie in the bottle that can scan and recognize these similarities of what you already have before you download them.?
I'm thinking there's no easy way to do this....and I just have to be industrious.
Does anyone know a better way than the one I have in mind?
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I wish that the software you describe did exist, but outside of DC++, where the "you already HAVE that file" is a feature in the private hubs, I don't know of one that will check BEFORE you download. Even in DC++, the files must be identical, not merely identically or similarly titled. Thus, that would be almost useless in your example, as you postulate a polyglot of tags, which would make the files "different."
Even the programs which claim to find duplicate files do it either by exact title (where files could easily be different) or (in the case of better ones) by creating a CRC or hash for the files and comparing those, regardless of title. In that case, different MP3 tags would create "different" files.
I'm afraid that no software will ever replace good old wetware - the brain and the memory.
Yeah, I didn't think there was anything quite like that yet..and I knew the drawbacks of the software that you mention.
Just checking...you never know.
I have a little "wetware" left........and I never have a problem tinkering with my stash.
Thanks for responding!
The first step you need to take involves regularizing all your existing titles. There are several good freeware tag editors that will help. Combining them with RenameIt (also free) with aid the task.
Then put all the titles in a database or a spreadsheet. That will make checking MUCH quicker. If you use GoogleDocs, the spreadsheet will always be available on line regardless of the computer that you may be sitting at. I travel for a living and that's a godsend. I do my work on a laptop and having GoogleDocs available makes checking files a lot simpler.
Think I'll check out GoogleDocs just for good measure.
Great advice, Bob..You've got it going on..
Thanks a million!..
You can also import logs, including shows that you are missing.
If you do, use Excel and make sure to include a column called "Have" with a Y/N (true/false) data type. Then you can write a quick macro that will highlight all rows containing show titles not in your collection.
You can even make a separate sheet of these and then export just that to GoogleDocs.