gbFileDepot

gbFileDepot provides a simple and convenient way to reduce file clutter by archiving unused files into a database. To archive files, just drag and drop the files (or folders) onto gbFileDepot. If a folder is dropped, only the files in the folder will be added (file in subfolders are not added). A file selection dialog is also supported.

Database files may be restored to their original location or saved to a new location. Restored files may optional be kept in the database for later actions. Database files may also be removed from the database without first restoring the file. Files removed from the database are simply tagged as "inactive" and may be restored until such time as the database is compacted.

When storing files, the user has several file-protection options. The original file may be left in place or it may be deleted. If the original file is deleted (optional), it may be sent to the Recycle Bin. A copy of the original file may also be kept in a gbFileDepot backup folder.

A database file may viewed without restoring the file by just double-clicking on the file name. A temporary copy of the file is made and opened with the user's default client for that type of file. Executable (*.EXE) files may not be executed without first restoring the file.

Download (v1.0, 165K)

The next image shows the main screen of gbFileDepot. The screen consists of a toolbar for selecting various actions/settings and a file list. The file list may be used to show all active or inactive (deleted) files in the database.

gbFileDepot also has a minimal toolbar mode, which minimizes the application footprint on the screen, as shown in this image:

Key Features List

Key features of gbFileDepot include:

Using gbFileDepot

Using gbFileDepot is very straightforward.

Add Files to gbFileDepot
The primary approach to using adding files to gbFileDepot is to simply drag files onto the gbFileDepot shortcut or open application. But several approaches are supported:

Backups
When a file is added to gbFileDepot, several backup actions are taken, depending on user settings. All settings are made via the toolbar.

A backup of the gbFileDepot database or of a file already in the database may be made on demand.

File Actions
Several actions can be taken on files in the database.

Note: there is no "Save Changes" option in gbFileDepot. Changes made are stored immediately in the database.

That's it! Additional details are provided below.

Toolbar

The gbFileDepot interface includes the following toolbar.

The following options are available from the toolbar. Some buttons provide additional dropdown menu options.

DataBase File Structure

gbFileDepot keeps a single database which contains all files. Each file is preceded by a 500 byte header structure as follows: 

Type FileIndexType
   fname As StringZ * %Max_Path
   ext As StringZ * 10
   size As Long
   date As StringZ * 22
   storedate As StringZ * 22
   fileid As Long
   active As Long
   desc As StringZ * 100
   res1 As Long
   res2 As Long
   res3 As StringZ * 22
   res4 As StringZ * 44
End Type

The reserved fields are to provide the option of adding new elements in the future, while maintaining compatibility with databases of prior releases.

Default values for description element are entered as follows. 

.bas                  Source Code
.inc                  Include File
.htm                  Hypertext Web Page
.dll                  Dynamic Link Library
.txt                  Text File
.bat                  Batch File
.exe                  Executable
.ini                  Initialization File
.wav .mp3             Sound File
.avi .wmf .mpg        Video File
.zip                  Compressed Data
.doc                  MS Word Document
.ppt                  MS PowerPoint Document
.xls                  MS Excel Document
.pdf                  Portable Document File
.ico                  Icon File
.chm .hlp             Help File
.png .jpg .gif .bmp"  Image File

The user may overwrite these descriptions at any time.

Search

gbFileDepot provides a very basic search capability, using the search dialog shown in the next image. Searches can be initiated using Ctrl-F, F3, the toolbar Search button and the Actions dropdown menu subitem "Perform Search".

Just type in a search term and press Enter (or the OK button) to have gbFileDepot list all files whose header or content (text files only) contain the search term. The search is case insensitive.

When a search is completed, the display lists all matching files.

Searches cover all active or deleted files, depending on whether the View Deleted toolbar button setting. The search is not made on the visible files list, as that list may be the results of a prior search.

Once the results of a search is displayed, the user can return to a full listing of files (per the View Deleted setting) by pressing Ctrl-A or by clicking the ViewX toolbar button twice.

File List Context Menu

A context menu is available from the gbFileDepot file list. Menu subitems differ depending on whether ViewDelete is on or off.

Here are descriptions for each of menu items:

Backup Files

gbFileDepot automatically creates a subfolder called "data", in which backup copies of database files are placed. Files are named with the following format:

A sample backup file name is:

The FileID is a unique number, assigned by gbFileDepot, for each file entered into the database. Each time you add a file to the database, it is assigned a new FileID.

The main database is called "depotdata.bin". The database backup file is called "depotdata.bin.bak".

SendTo

You can manually create a SendTo shortcut to gbFileDepot. That will allow you to right-mouse click one or more files and send them to gbFileDepot without opening gbFileDepot and without dropping the files on the gbFileDepot application or shortcut.

The steps to create the SendTo feature are:

  1. Windows-R
  2. Shell:SendTo
  3. Create gbFileDepot shortcut in the SendTo folder

To remove the SendTo shortcut, take these steps.

  1. Windows-R
  2. Shell:SendTo
  3. Delete gbFileDepot shortcut in the SendTo Folder

Keyboard Shortcuts

The following key combinations are available to the user to access gbThreads features:

Other Comments

Miscellaneous information is provided in this section.

INI File
gbFileDepot application settings are saved in an INI file, kept in the same folder as the gbFileDepot application.

Comments and suggestions are welcome!