Make "Keep files in this folder" relative: ..\mysettings 2ra3g

[thoste]

When I go to Settings section

General-->Miscellaneous-->Advanced

then there is entry entry field "Keep files in this folder"

where s can enter an ABSOLUTE path e.g.

D:\fdm\mysettings\

for settings and other files.

However when I run FDM as portable version from an USB Stick the drive letter may change
from computer to computer. Next time it could be G:\fdm\mysettings\

So I would appreciate if the entry filed and FDM would understand RELATIVE pathes here like (mind the leading double dot!):

..\mysettings\

which means according to common defintions: "go up one dir level and then step down to subfolder
\mysettings\ which would be perfect.

Could this option be implemented?

Thomas

[Usher]

Not in 3.x version, I'm afraid. In most cases you can change drive letter to keep it the same for any computer you want FDM to run. Just use some free letter from the end of alphabet: X, Y, Z etc.

[johnlgalt]

I understand his concern, though. On computers where he does not have privileges, the USB will connect using whatever drive letter it sees fit, and he would not be able to change the drive letter of the device itself.

A feature like this in newer versions (the 5.x Alpha?) would be very useful for a portable version of FDM.

[Usher]

SUBST command does NOT require privileges, it mav be run even from Guest . In most cases there is B: letter free, so the following steps will be needed:

1. Connect USB drive with your FDM portable to some clean PC (without earlier FDM install) and see the letter assigned to your drive (f.e. X:).
2. Execute command
SUBST B: X:\
3. Run FDM portable from drive B: and change all paths to this drive ( folders, FDM service files location etc.). All settings will be saved in registry in HKEY_CURRENT_\Software\FreeManager.ORG key.
4. Run regedit, find the key and export it to the reg file on your B: drive, f.e. B:\FDMportable.reg
5. Close FDM and execute command
SUBST B: /D
6. Go to X: drive and check if FDM has created folders and moved service fies to that drive.

Now you are ready to run FDM portable on any PC as follows:
1. Connect USB drive with your FDM portable to some PC (without earlier FDM install) and see the letter assigned to your drive (f.e. Y:).
2. Execute command
SUBST B: Y:\
3. Click B:\FDMportable.reg to FDM settings on this PC.
4. Run FDM from B: drive and enjoy!
5. Close FDM and execute command
SUBST B: /D

This way you keep all your s on your portable drive and you can even resume stopped s if it's allowed by the server-side.

You can try it on your own and report if I have missed anything above.

[thoste]

Hmm, fiddling around with SUBST commnd might be a short-term work around.

However on the long run relative pathes should be possible.

Since it isn't be difficult to implement v5.x should contain this feature.

Thank you
Thomas