Charles, Although I don't know the exact technical reason why FO database files have different dates, I do know that this is perfectly normal. For example, my set of FO files range in date anywhere from 3/2/02 to today's date. I'm sure only certain files in the entire set of files get updated when only certain things are done in the database. For example, I suppose that one of the database files might not get updated unless you add a new fact type. If you haven't added a new fact type in the past year then that file might have a date 1 year older than other files. I don't have any information that defines the exact purpose or content of each type of datafile in an FO database. But I think your strategy of looking at the date or timestamp of FO datafiles as a way of remembering what you were last working on the last time you were in Family Origins isn't going to be very practical. Even if you know the exact technical reason for each datafile's existence there are probably several different actions you might have performed that caused that datafile to be updated and thus a new date stamp. In other words you are not going to for being able to pinpoint what you last did in the database based on the date and timestamp of a datafile. As far as I know, none of the datafiles in the database set serve as a log of user activity in the database. So, I think it would be more practical for you to simply take brief notes for each database session summarizing what you did that session; a diary so to speak. A log file that records your activities in the database would be a nice enhancement to FO or RootsMagic. Maybe Rootsmagic will do this, I don't know. Allan Plucinik Colorado Springs, CO Charles Gohlke wrote: > Kevin, > > I appreciate your explanation of the FO file extensions and am wondering > if you could carry it one step further. I'm referring to the letters of > the alphabet in the name. The 35 files in any database consist of: > > name .FOW > nameC.CDX,DBF,FPT > nameD.CDX,DBF,FPT > nameE.CDX,DBF,FPT > nameI.CDX,DBF,FPT > nameK.CDX,DBF > nameL.CDX,DBF > nameM.CDX,DBF,FPT > nameP.CDX,DBF,FPT > nameR.CDX,DBF > nameS.CDX,DBF,FPT > nameT.CDX,DBF > nameX.CDX,DBF > nameY.CDX,DBF,FPT > > After I've been working on a database for awhile (for a number of > sessions spread over weeks), I have a lot of files with different dates. > For instance, the three "C" files may have different dates than the three > "D" files. Or, the C.CDX and C.DBF files may be newer than the C.FPT > file. Many of the file dates remain unchanged from session to session. > The net result of all this is that the file dates are spread all over > the map with some more than a year apart. > > I suppose this falls under the category of WHO CARES? but I'd like to be > able to look at the list, pick the name (alphabet letter) with the latest > date and be able to say to myself "Oh yeah, now I remember. I was working > on the source list, merging individuals, editing notes or whatever." > > Can you, or anyone, shed any light on this subject? Maybe Bruce can tell > us. > > Charles Gohlke > > ==== FAMILY-ORIGINS-USERS Mailing List ==== > PLEASE remove as much of the Original Message as possible when replying to a List Posting. Include only that part of the original message important to your reply.