x2 - search with date constraints?

Q & A for the old 2X Explorer file manager. For other topics, please use the corresponding forum.

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fgagnon
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x2 - search with date constraints?

Post by fgagnon »

I'm a new (1-month) 2x user and just started to eval x2 today.
I like it better than 2x except I haven't found out how to search (find files) with date contraints in x2 (like I can with 2x).
Nor have I found how to activate "Additional Rules" for searching.
(i.e. haven't discovered 'how-to' by poking around the menus)
Are these features which are yet to be added?
or have I not yet found the right 'page' in the manual?

In case it matters, my (work) OS is W2Kpro v.5, SP4.

If I have time tonite I'll see if behaviour is same on home OS (XP-pro SP1)
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Post by narayan »

In the Find Files Or Folders dialog box, click on the left-most button in the Additional Rules section. (The one with a light dotted square, with a yellow spot in the left top corner: its tooltip says "Add New").

Although this button looks grayed out, it is actually fully functional at all times.

You will be presented with a lot of search parameters in a pull down menu.

Specifically speaking of the date parameter, it comes in four flavors: Assessed, modified [S], created, and modified.

[S]= "Stock"= x2's own parameter (=not Windows')

Once you set the search condition, click OK. One condition is added in the list.

Repeat the process till you are done.

* To delete any condition in the list, click on it and press DEL.
* To edit a condition, double-click on it.

You can also use the buttons. The symbols are self-evident. (Hover your mouse pointer over each button to see tooltips).

Finally press OK on the main Find.. dialog box.

Read alpha text for some details. Detailed help file is under preparation.

Hope this helps.

Tip: Use only Size[S]; because the Windows' Size parameter is extremely unreliable (In Win NT4, it comes up as text type parameter! ) .
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Post by fgagnon »

Bingo !
That works wonderfully.

Thanks Narayan.
I had missed trying that 'button', having found the others to be inactive.

And I see the other buttons in the additional rules section become alive once a rule exists. And the most recent rule(s) used are 'sticky' for additional searches while x2 remains open -- a very nice feature -- and especially appreciated because find by date is my most frequent file search rule. (Thanks & kudos, Nikos!)

Now it looks I can relegate 2x to the dustbin.
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x2 file search with date constraints - suggestion

Post by fgagnon »

Nikos,

Because search by date/time (especially for most recent X hrs/days) is so useful (and common, I claim); how about putting access to that 'filter' on the search pane as it was with 2x?

Perhaps that might seem redundant, but often redundancy is good -- and even more efficient in the long run (fewer 'clicks' to set up)
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Post by narayan »

A good idea!

Just extending that thought- When the named (saved) searches are implemented, the user should be able to trigger a list of such saved searches from the main x2, select the search required and then press OK.

Or, consider a speedier way: User clicks on a button on the main toolbar in x2. All the saved searches pop up in a list. Still keeping the mouse button pressed, he moves the pointer down the list and releases it on the desired named search. That means he can launch a search in just one click.

Just like speed dialing in phones!
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Post by fgagnon »

ooooh, i like it! :-)

now i need some time get myself familiar with saved searches, but i have real work to do today and now that i have basic x2 functionality checked out i must be good. ... no more play until the weekend [:-(
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Post by nikos »

you can't have dates in the find doalog -- its crammed enough already!
The "search-from-a-menu" is a good idea though. For sure you'll be able to do a "repeat last search" with some Alt key combination
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Post by fgagnon »

I'll settle for that.

btw -- the incr/decr 'buttons' for many (if not all) value entry fields in the rule defn pop-up box are upside down (the upper btn decrements, lower btn increments). But I suspect you already know that & have it on your fixit list.
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Post by nikos »

apparently windows thinks that spin controls should behave like that, not my fault!
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Post by fgagnon »

hmmm... I'm sure I've seen them upside-right, somewhere ...
here's an example:

in m$-own file search tool via (i hate this):

START\Search\(for files or folders)\(search ottions)\(date)\(in the last)

and find the controls upside right for both 'days' and 'months' !
{the above example for W2K)

Even so, I recognize that it does make sense for calendar date incrementing to have them upside-down -- I wonder if ther is a 'type' attribute for spin controls (or associated field) that might be upside right for plain number entry.
Last edited by fgagnon on 2003 Oct 02, 14:52, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by nikos »

perhaps there is but i think this is such a subtlety that isn't worth my time :)
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