When using SD cards, or any medium to store data, the key is multiple backups. Historically, the only relatively permanent and secure way to store data is by printing it out with ink on paper. Magnetic tape worked for a while but degradation of the magnetic coatings and outside magnetic influences introduced errors, often not recoverable The same problems occurred with floppy discs of the various sizes. Additional to the storage problem is that at technology progresses the ability to read prior media becomes almost impossible – how many wire recorders still exist? Or 7” floppy disk readers? SD cards are now a passing standard with micro SD cards taking over. This form of storage is relatively safe but the quality of the cards, the reliability of the writers/readers varies and they are subject to mechanical damage to the contacts and storage damage from electrical influences. Some newer computers don’t even have SD card sots. L USB memory sticks are an option with the same caveats as SD cards. Computers soon won’t have a standard USB slot as many are going with Type C USB. Storing information in “the cloud” has become popular but by doing this you’re relinquishing control of your information to some unknown entity. It’s reputed to be safe but I personally won’t rely on someone else to guard my privacy. That also relies on connectivity issues with the internet, which is iffy at times. In the end, using multiple forms would be safest – SD plus USB, and multiple storage media of each. Having two or three backups almost guarantees you have what you need when you need it. Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: bk-request@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2019 4:03 AM To: bk@rootsweb.com Subject: BK Digest, Vol 14, Issue 47 Send BK mailing list submissions to bk@rootsweb.com To subscribe via email send a message with subject subscribe and body subscribe to bk-request@rootsweb.com To unsubscribe via email send a message with subject unsubscribe and body unsubscribe to bk-request@rootsweb.com You can reach the person managing the list at bk-owner@rootsweb.com When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of BK digest..." To all Digest receivers: There are two forms of the "Digest" differing in appearance. The default is "Plain" and the other choice is "MIME" - if you would like to try the other view send a private message to me at listutilities@cox.net Today's Topics: 1. Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? (Roy Marriott) 2. Re: Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? (Barry PYCROFT) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2019 22:46:28 -0500 From: Roy Marriott <roy.marriott@gmail.com> Subject: [BK] Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? To: bk@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <CAK+BQvzcx66OTitOLnUdfejRbhSSAVUe16UpjXWh+qAGkKBXUg@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Windows 10, BK 7.3.3 registered. Using Dropbox to synchronize my working files, but as a previous poster has said, the media and picture files can eat up Dropbox space in a hurry. I have assigned a drive letter (X:) to my SD card slot on my laptop, and again on my desktop machine. This way I can keep the same file path in Brothers Keeper. And I can use my "sneaker-net" to carry the SD card with me from laptop to desktop as desired. My question is with regard to the durability of the SD card(s). I've heard that there are limited read/write cycles when using an SD card. It's an A-Data branded 32 GB micro SD xc with full size adapter, class-10, U-1. I'm making frequent backups of the micro SD. Some of the warnings about read/write cycles are related to using SD cards in continuous looping cameras and such. I'm not doing that. I'm basically using it like a mini "hard drive." Bad choice? or okay? I'm open to suggestions. Regards to all, Roy Marriott ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2019 11:09:34 +1300 From: Barry PYCROFT <barry@pycroft.co.nz> Subject: [BK] Re: Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? To: <bk@rootsweb.com> Message-ID: <000d01d4cee9$21499800$63dcc800$@pycroft.co.nz> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hello Roy. I have found that main failing with SD cards is the quality of the Connector in the device.; PC, Laptop, etc. Some card readers are made poorly. If a connector fails, the card cannot be read. Static Electricity (Zap makes scrap) could be an issue in some environments. Then also, a quality brand ( if there is such a thing for SD Cards) is a better bet than those purchased cheaply from a large Asian country. I insist on a single 'active' database. How else can one maintain such on multiple devices and with low faith in reliability of said devices.? It is difficult for me when I am in travelling mode. What you do should work for you a treat, but I am not so focussed or diligent. Barry P. --==-- -----Original Message----- From: Roy Marriott [mailto:roy.marriott@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, 27 February 2019 4:46 PM To: bk@rootsweb.com Subject: [BK] Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? Windows 10, BK 7.3.3 registered. Using Dropbox to synchronize my working files, but as a previous poster has said, the media and picture files can eat up Dropbox space in a hurry. I have assigned a drive letter (X:) to my SD card slot on my laptop, and again on my desktop machine. This way I can keep the same file path in Brothers Keeper. And I can use my "sneaker-net" to carry the SD card with me from laptop to desktop as desired. My question is with regard to the durability of the SD card(s). I've heard that there are limited read/write cycles when using an SD card. It's an A-Data branded 32 GB micro SD xc with full size adapter, class-10, U-1. I'm making frequent backups of the micro SD. Some of the warnings about read/write cycles are related to using SD cards in continuous looping cameras and such. I'm not doing that. I'm basically using it like a mini "hard drive." Bad choice? or okay? I'm open to suggestions. Regards to all, Roy Marriott _______________________________________________ Remember - Use the Archives at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/search _______________________________________________ Email preferences: http://bit.ly/rootswebpref Unsubscribe https://lists.rootsweb.com/postorius/lists/bk@rootsweb.com Privacy Statement: https://ancstry.me/2JWBOdY Terms and Conditions: https://ancstry.me/2HDBym9 Rootsweb Blog: http://rootsweb.blog RootsWeb is funded and supported by Ancestry.com and our loyal RootsWeb community ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer To contact the %(real_name)s list administrator, send an email to %(real_name)s-admin@rootsweb.com. To post a message to the BK mailing list -- bk@rootsweb.com, send an email to %(real_name)s@rootsweb.com. __________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to %(real_name)s-request@%(host_name)s with the word "unsubscribe" without the quotes in the subject and the body of the email with no additional text. ------------------------------ End of BK Digest, Vol 14, Issue 47 **********************************

I use the Western Digital (WD) external hard drive and store them in soft sided case when I transport them in my computer bag. My WD external hard drives are 10 TB and more and they are reliable. I use a USB Hub to connect them to my computer and back them up OFTEN, I also keep the backups in a safe. Also I use a service called Carbonite that is an automatic backup service that backs up everything on my computer and one WD hard drive. I believe in redundancy...FYI...thanks, Terry ________________________________ From: David Youse <dhyouse@comcast.net> Sent: Sunday, March 3, 2019 12:17 To: bk@rootsweb.com Subject: [BK] Re: . Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card When using SD cards, or any medium to store data, the key is multiple backups. Historically, the only relatively permanent and secure way to store data is by printing it out with ink on paper. Magnetic tape worked for a while but degradation of the magnetic coatings and outside magnetic influences introduced errors, often not recoverable The same problems occurred with floppy discs of the various sizes. Additional to the storage problem is that at technology progresses the ability to read prior media becomes almost impossible – how many wire recorders still exist? Or 7” floppy disk readers? SD cards are now a passing standard with micro SD cards taking over. This form of storage is relatively safe but the quality of the cards, the reliability of the writers/readers varies and they are subject to mechanical damage to the contacts and storage damage from electrical influences. Some newer computers don’t even have SD card sots. L USB memory sticks are an option with the same caveats as SD cards. Computers soon won’t have a standard USB slot as many are going with Type C USB. Storing information in “the cloud” has become popular but by doing this you’re relinquishing control of your information to some unknown entity. It’s reputed to be safe but I personally won’t rely on someone else to guard my privacy. That also relies on connectivity issues with the internet, which is iffy at times. In the end, using multiple forms would be safest – SD plus USB, and multiple storage media of each. Having two or three backups almost guarantees you have what you need when you need it. Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: bk-request@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2019 4:03 AM To: bk@rootsweb.com Subject: BK Digest, Vol 14, Issue 47 Send BK mailing list submissions to bk@rootsweb.com To subscribe via email send a message with subject subscribe and body subscribe to bk-request@rootsweb.com To unsubscribe via email send a message with subject unsubscribe and body unsubscribe to bk-request@rootsweb.com You can reach the person managing the list at bk-owner@rootsweb.com When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of BK digest..." To all Digest receivers: There are two forms of the "Digest" differing in appearance. The default is "Plain" and the other choice is "MIME" - if you would like to try the other view send a private message to me at listutilities@cox.net Today's Topics: 1. Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? (Roy Marriott) 2. Re: Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? (Barry PYCROFT) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2019 22:46:28 -0500 From: Roy Marriott <roy.marriott@gmail.com> Subject: [BK] Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? To: bk@rootsweb.com Message-ID: <CAK+BQvzcx66OTitOLnUdfejRbhSSAVUe16UpjXWh+qAGkKBXUg@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Windows 10, BK 7.3.3 registered. Using Dropbox to synchronize my working files, but as a previous poster has said, the media and picture files can eat up Dropbox space in a hurry. I have assigned a drive letter (X:) to my SD card slot on my laptop, and again on my desktop machine. This way I can keep the same file path in Brothers Keeper. And I can use my "sneaker-net" to carry the SD card with me from laptop to desktop as desired. My question is with regard to the durability of the SD card(s). I've heard that there are limited read/write cycles when using an SD card. It's an A-Data branded 32 GB micro SD xc with full size adapter, class-10, U-1. I'm making frequent backups of the micro SD. Some of the warnings about read/write cycles are related to using SD cards in continuous looping cameras and such. I'm not doing that. I'm basically using it like a mini "hard drive." Bad choice? or okay? I'm open to suggestions. Regards to all, Roy Marriott ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2019 11:09:34 +1300 From: Barry PYCROFT <barry@pycroft.co.nz> Subject: [BK] Re: Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? To: <bk@rootsweb.com> Message-ID: <000d01d4cee9$21499800$63dcc800$@pycroft.co.nz> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hello Roy. I have found that main failing with SD cards is the quality of the Connector in the device.; PC, Laptop, etc. Some card readers are made poorly. If a connector fails, the card cannot be read. Static Electricity (Zap makes scrap) could be an issue in some environments. Then also, a quality brand ( if there is such a thing for SD Cards) is a better bet than those purchased cheaply from a large Asian country. I insist on a single 'active' database. How else can one maintain such on multiple devices and with low faith in reliability of said devices.? It is difficult for me when I am in travelling mode. What you do should work for you a treat, but I am not so focussed or diligent. Barry P. --==-- -----Original Message----- From: Roy Marriott [mailto:roy.marriott@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, 27 February 2019 4:46 PM To: bk@rootsweb.com Subject: [BK] Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? Windows 10, BK 7.3.3 registered. Using Dropbox to synchronize my working files, but as a previous poster has said, the media and picture files can eat up Dropbox space in a hurry. I have assigned a drive letter (X:) to my SD card slot on my laptop, and again on my desktop machine. This way I can keep the same file path in Brothers Keeper. And I can use my "sneaker-net" to carry the SD card with me from laptop to desktop as desired. My question is with regard to the durability of the SD card(s). I've heard that there are limited read/write cycles when using an SD card. It's an A-Data branded 32 GB micro SD xc with full size adapter, class-10, U-1. I'm making frequent backups of the micro SD. Some of the warnings about read/write cycles are related to using SD cards in continuous looping cameras and such. I'm not doing that. I'm basically using it like a mini "hard drive." Bad choice? or okay? I'm open to suggestions. Regards to all, Roy Marriott _______________________________________________ Remember - Use the Archives at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/search _______________________________________________ Email preferences: http://bit.ly/rootswebpref Unsubscribe https://lists.rootsweb.com/postorius/lists/bk@rootsweb.com Privacy Statement: https://ancstry.me/2JWBOdY Terms and Conditions: https://ancstry.me/2HDBym9 Rootsweb Blog: http://rootsweb.blog RootsWeb is funded and supported by Ancestry.com and our loyal RootsWeb community ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer To contact the %(real_name)s list administrator, send an email to %(real_name)s-admin@rootsweb.com. To post a message to the BK mailing list -- bk@rootsweb.com, send an email to %(real_name)s@rootsweb.com. __________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to %(real_name)s-request@%(host_name)s with the word "unsubscribe" without the quotes in the subject and the body of the email with no additional text. ------------------------------ End of BK Digest, Vol 14, Issue 47 ********************************** _______________________________________________ Remember - Use the Archives at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/search _______________________________________________ Email preferences: http://bit.ly/rootswebpref Unsubscribe https://lists.rootsweb.com/postorius/lists/bk@rootsweb.com Privacy Statement: https://ancstry.me/2JWBOdY Terms and Conditions: https://ancstry.me/2HDBym9 Rootsweb Blog: http://rootsweb.blog RootsWeb is funded and supported by Ancestry.com and our loyal RootsWeb community

Thanks to all for your thoughts on this topic. The choice of working media seems to be somewhat "whatever works" as long as it is sufficiently backed up. My choice of dedicating an SD card to the BK "pictures" and "media" is because of the simplicity of assigning a drive letter to the card (and card slot) thereby shortening the pictures path for Brothers Keeper. As with everything involving storage media (even paper which yellows and gets brittle), the key is Backup, Backup, Backup. And to be certain one must have backups of the backups as well. And it has to be on currently available media that will also be available tomorrow. Which also means that I will have to stop using those (5 1/4 inch) floppy disks. As we investigate yesterday we must look to tomorrow. Best regards, Roy Marriott On Sat, Mar 2, 2019 at 11:18 PM David Youse <dhyouse@comcast.net> wrote: > > When using SD cards, or any medium to store data, the key is multiple backups. > > Historically, the only relatively permanent and secure way to store data is by printing it out with ink on paper. > > Magnetic tape worked for a while but degradation of the magnetic coatings and outside magnetic influences introduced errors, often not recoverable > The same problems occurred with floppy discs of the various sizes. Additional to the storage problem is that at technology progresses the ability to read prior media becomes almost impossible – how many wire recorders still exist? Or 7” floppy disk readers? > > SD cards are now a passing standard with micro SD cards taking over. This form of storage is relatively safe but the quality of the cards, the reliability of the writers/readers varies and they are subject to mechanical damage to the contacts and storage damage from electrical influences. Some newer computers don’t even have SD card sots. L > > USB memory sticks are an option with the same caveats as SD cards. Computers soon won’t have a standard USB slot as many are going with Type C USB. > > Storing information in “the cloud” has become popular but by doing this you’re relinquishing control of your information to some unknown entity. It’s reputed to be safe but I personally won’t rely on someone else to guard my privacy. That also relies on connectivity issues with the internet, which is iffy at times. > > In the end, using multiple forms would be safest – SD plus USB, and multiple storage media of each. Having two or three backups almost guarantees you have what you need when you need it. > > Sent from Mail for Windows 10 > > From: bk-request@rootsweb.com > Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2019 4:03 AM > To: bk@rootsweb.com > Subject: BK Digest, Vol 14, Issue 47 > > Send BK mailing list submissions to bk@rootsweb.com > > To subscribe via email send a message with subject subscribe and body > subscribe to bk-request@rootsweb.com > > To unsubscribe via email send a message with subject unsubscribe and > body unsubscribe to bk-request@rootsweb.com > > You can reach the person managing the list at bk-owner@rootsweb.com > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of BK digest..." > > To all Digest receivers: There are two forms of the "Digest" differing in appearance. The default is "Plain" and the other choice is "MIME" - if you would like to try the other view send a private message to me at listutilities@cox.net > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? (Roy Marriott) > 2. Re: Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? (Barry PYCROFT) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2019 22:46:28 -0500 > From: Roy Marriott <roy.marriott@gmail.com> > Subject: [BK] Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? > To: bk@rootsweb.com > Message-ID: > <CAK+BQvzcx66OTitOLnUdfejRbhSSAVUe16UpjXWh+qAGkKBXUg@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > Windows 10, BK 7.3.3 registered. > > Using Dropbox to synchronize my working files, but as a previous > poster has said, the media and picture files can eat up Dropbox space > in a hurry. I have assigned a drive letter (X:) to my SD card slot on > my laptop, and again on my desktop machine. This way I can keep the > same file path in Brothers Keeper. And I can use my "sneaker-net" to > carry the SD card with me from laptop to desktop as desired. > > My question is with regard to the durability of the SD card(s). I've > heard that there are limited read/write cycles when using an SD card. > It's an A-Data branded 32 GB micro SD xc with full size adapter, > class-10, U-1. I'm making frequent backups of the micro SD. > > Some of the warnings about read/write cycles are related to using SD > cards in continuous looping cameras and such. I'm not doing that. I'm > basically using it like a mini "hard drive." Bad choice? or okay? > > I'm open to suggestions. > Regards to all, > Roy Marriott > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2019 11:09:34 +1300 > From: Barry PYCROFT <barry@pycroft.co.nz> > Subject: [BK] Re: Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? > To: <bk@rootsweb.com> > Message-ID: <000d01d4cee9$21499800$63dcc800$@pycroft.co.nz> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hello Roy. > I have found that main failing with SD cards is the quality of the > Connector in the device.; PC, Laptop, etc. Some card readers are made > poorly. > If a connector fails, the card cannot be read. > Static Electricity (Zap makes scrap) could be an issue in some > environments. > > Then also, a quality brand ( if there is such a thing for SD Cards) is a > better bet than those purchased cheaply from a large Asian country. > > I insist on a single 'active' database. How else can one maintain such on > multiple devices and with low faith in reliability of said devices.? It is > difficult for me when I am in travelling mode. What you do should work for > you a treat, but I am not so focussed or diligent. > > Barry P. > --==-- > -----Original Message----- > From: Roy Marriott [mailto:roy.marriott@gmail.com] > Sent: Wednesday, 27 February 2019 4:46 PM > To: bk@rootsweb.com > Subject: [BK] Pics, Media, etc. files on SD card? > > Windows 10, BK 7.3.3 registered. > > Using Dropbox to synchronize my working files, but as a previous poster has > said, the media and picture files can eat up Dropbox space in a hurry. I > have assigned a drive letter (X:) to my SD card slot on my laptop, and again > on my desktop machine. This way I can keep the same file path in Brothers > Keeper. And I can use my "sneaker-net" to carry the SD card with me from > laptop to desktop as desired. > > My question is with regard to the durability of the SD card(s). I've heard > that there are limited read/write cycles when using an SD card. > It's an A-Data branded 32 GB micro SD xc with full size adapter, class-10, > U-1. I'm making frequent backups of the micro SD. > > Some of the warnings about read/write cycles are related to using SD cards > in continuous looping cameras and such. I'm not doing that. I'm basically > using it like a mini "hard drive." Bad choice? or okay? > > I'm open to suggestions. > Regards to all, > Roy Marriott > > _______________________________________________ > Remember - Use the Archives at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/search > _______________________________________________ > Email preferences: http://bit.ly/rootswebpref Unsubscribe > https://lists.rootsweb.com/postorius/lists/bk@rootsweb.com > Privacy Statement: https://ancstry.me/2JWBOdY Terms and Conditions: > https://ancstry.me/2HDBym9 Rootsweb Blog: http://rootsweb.blog RootsWeb is > funded and supported by Ancestry.com and our loyal RootsWeb community > > ------------------------------ > > Subject: Digest Footer > > To contact the %(real_name)s list administrator, send an email to > %(real_name)s-admin@rootsweb.com. > > To post a message to the BK mailing list -- bk@rootsweb.com, send an email to %(real_name)s@rootsweb.com. > > __________________________________________________________ > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to %(real_name)s-request@%(host_name)s > with the word "unsubscribe" without the quotes in the subject and the body of the > email with no additional text. > > > ------------------------------ > > End of BK Digest, Vol 14, Issue 47 > ********************************** > > > _______________________________________________ > Remember - Use the Archives at http://archiver.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/search > _______________________________________________ > Email preferences: http://bit.ly/rootswebpref > Unsubscribe https://lists.rootsweb.com/postorius/lists/bk@rootsweb.com > Privacy Statement: https://ancstry.me/2JWBOdY Terms and Conditions: https://ancstry.me/2HDBym9 > Rootsweb Blog: http://rootsweb.blog > RootsWeb is funded and supported by Ancestry.com and our loyal RootsWeb community

In message <CAK+BQvxGCJJqmweLcKr4zMP84ZSpYkK+D1pxMH19pmpVNVnGEg@mail.gmail.com>, Roy Marriott <roy.marriott@gmail.com> writes: >Thanks to all for your thoughts on this topic. > >The choice of working media seems to be somewhat "whatever works" as >long as it is sufficiently backed up. My choice of dedicating an SD >card to the BK "pictures" and "media" is because of the simplicity of >assigning a drive letter to the card (and card slot) thereby >shortening the pictures path for Brothers Keeper. If shortening the path (pictures and "media") were the _only_ consideration, then (at least until JS lets us use relative pathnames) I'd have suggested looking at the "subst" command: while it dates back to DOS days, it still works (at least in XP and 7, I haven't tried it in 10). I have a one-line batch file in Startup (though not for BK). Conceivably, you could even have it point to different places on different computers. > > As with everything involving storage media (even paper which yellows >and gets brittle), the key is Backup, Backup, Backup. And to be >certain one must have backups of the backups as well. And it has to be >on currently available media that will also be available tomorrow. Yes. Your SD-card actually seems a good way round the question of portability. (Assuming you put the rest of the database files on it too; they occupy a tiny space compared to a pictures folder, let alone a media one.) But, as you say, this should never be seen as an _alternative_ to backing up. (In fact to my feeling, I'd back up slightly more often, as I feel flash memory is a _little_ less reliable than HD surface - and certainly inclined to fail more suddenly.) >Which also means that I will have to stop using those (5 1/4 inch) >floppy disks. As we investigate yesterday we must look to tomorrow. I still have a machine with both sizes of floppy drive, though I haven't turned it on for I think over a year. (No, I don't have 8" drives - though when I left my previous employer in 2017, they were still using them to service equipment of that era.) Actually, our hobby/profession arguably _should_ be into the vintage disc/tape reader business; at present, the ability to read at least some Latin in documents is useful, but there might be a time when the ability to read say computer tape might be ... > >Best regards, >Roy Marriott John [] Do you dislike petitions? See 255soft.uk; #fairpetitions @jpeg_G6 -- How about a three-way referendum with second choices being taken into account? -- J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf They are public servants, so we will threat them rather as Flashman treats servants. - Stephen Fry on some people's attitudo to the BBC, in Radio Times, 3-9 July 2010

Thanks John Gilliver, see new [[]] On Mon, Mar 4, 2019 at 10:25 AM J. P. Gilliver (John) <G6JPG-255@255soft.uk> wrote: > > In message > <CAK+BQvxGCJJqmweLcKr4zMP84ZSpYkK+D1pxMH19pmpVNVnGEg@mail.gmail.com>, > Roy Marriott <roy.marriott@gmail.com> writes: > >Thanks to all for your thoughts on this topic. > >shortening the pictures path for Brothers Keeper. > > If shortening the path (pictures and "media") were the _only_ > consideration, then (at least until JS lets us use relative pathnames) > I'd have suggested looking at the "subst" command: while it dates back > to DOS days, it still works (at least in XP and 7, I haven't tried it in > 10). [[]] If I remember correctly, SUBST could substitute a drive name for a subdirectory so that it would shorten the path name.. very helpful for days when pathnames were limited in length and didn't include spaces. I did consider that, but as you noted it didn't account for the portability between machines that I was looking to include. I would imagine SUBST is still available in Win10, but I used disk manager to reassign my card slot to a specific drive letter. Otherwise, the slot is given next-drive-letter-in-line which of course can vary. I use Dropbox for my database files because I still use my desktop and have a laptop for traveling and at the library. But I also back those up on a variety of media (including, but not exclusively in Carbonite). [[]] > I have a one-line batch file in Startup (though not for BK). > Conceivably, you could even have it point to different places on > different computers. [[]] So is your batch file the SUBST command with parameters? Couldn't a second SUBST command give you a specific drive letter for BK data? [[]] <SNIP> > I still have a machine with both sizes of floppy drive, though I haven't > turned it on for I think over a year. (No, I don't have 8" drives - > though when I left my previous employer in 2017, they were still using > them to service equipment of that era.) [[]] :-) ???? [[]] > Actually, our hobby/profession arguably _should_ be into the vintage > disc/tape reader business; at present, the ability to read at least some > Latin in documents is useful, but there might be a time when the ability > to read say computer tape might be ... > > > >Best regards, > >Roy Marriott > > John > [] Roy [[]]

In message <CAK+BQvzkYJSyVUnVDXFsd1tG4HNbEnyyc7w8xed8LRyzt74uXg@mail.gmail.com>, Roy Marriott <roy.marriott@gmail.com> writes: >Thanks John Gilliver, see new [[]] [] >So is your batch file the SUBST command with parameters? Couldn't a second >SUBST command give you a specific drive letter for BK data? [] The file websubst.bat, which is in my Start | Programs | Startup folder, contains: REM my web page duplicate: REM was C:\minint\system32\subst J: D:\!my-site.web subst J: D:\!my-site.web As I said, it's not for BK. But I could set up one for BK (including pointing to a USB stick or SD card). -- J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf I don't have an agree that our language torture is a quality add - soldiersailor on Gransnet, 2018-3-8