[mythtv-users] Standard way to give real names to recording file names?
Mike Perkins
mikep at randomtraveller.org.uk
Fri Apr 25 13:32:54 UTC 2008
Michael T. Dean wrote:
> On 04/25/2008 07:57 AM, Ronald Frazier wrote:
>>> Make sure you specify the --link argument, though. Otherwise,
>>> you're on your
>>> own with the problems that can occur when you actually rename the
>>> files.
>>>
>> I've seen this mentioned several times. If running it without the
>> --link parameter is so bad, shouldn't the default for the script be to
>> assume the --link parameter unless something like a --nolink parameter
>> is given? Seems like a terrible idea to have a script that gives the
>> typically undesirable result by default.
>
> Not everyone believes that running without --link is so bad. Those who
> run it with a format that will always result in a short enough filename
> (was 127 characters, including extension, now 255 characters--i.e. who
> don't include description or whatever) and who don't use spaces (i.e.
> who specify --underscores) and who don't have non-ASCII characters
> (really non-latin1 characters) in the resultant filenames (and probably
> some other criteria I'm forgetting) don't see the problems. And,
> really, someone who does change the names is likely to run for a long
> time before noticing any problems.
>
> So, basically, mythrename.pl without the --link argument is a rope you
> can use to hang yourself. And, to make it even easier, we've even
> affixed that rope to a nice gallows and made a nice hangman's knot on
> the end (by making the user type --link).
>
> However, unlike most nooses (neese?), the mythrename.pl noose has an undo:
>
> mythrename.pl --format "%c_%Y%m%d%H%i%s"
>
> which will put all the filenames back to their original (correct) format.
>
> I just happen to believe that users shouldn't mess with the MythTV files
> directly. Using links to make a view is much better, anyway. I have my
> system run mythrename.pl --link 5 times per half hour (could use a user
> job, but it doesn't take that much resources***) to create multiple
> views sorted by start time, title/start time, recording group/title,
> category/title, title/original airdate (see attached wrapper script at
> http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/330781#330781 ). Try
> to do that (make 5 differently-sorted views) by running mythrename.pl
> without the --link argument.
>
> Besides, if we change the way things work after many MythTV releases
> containing mythrename.pl, I'm sure a lot of people would be upset. :)
>
Since the mythrename.pl script essentially contains two distinct functions,
selectable by using the --link parameter, perhaps it ought to have been two
distinct scripts. That way there's no chance of anyone breaking anything except
by design.
Mike Perkins
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