My work-flow for dealing with backups from FrameMaker--getting rid of backups

[Jaime Zuniga]

Hi Amy,

I have been messing around with your batch file idea but I am having an issue with it.

I want to create a batch file to copy all files in the current directory EXCEPT for the actual batch file, and no matter what I do using the copy command it simply does not work. So, do you know how I can exclude the .bat file when copying files?

Thanks in advance,
Jaime


From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Sharp, Amy
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 11:20 AM
To: framers at lists.frameusers.com
Subject: RE: My work-flow for dealing with backups from FrameMaker--getting rid of backups

I like having backups available in case of crashes or other emergencies, so I don't want to turn them off. As it's also my habit to save different "versions" of an active FrameMaker project in different folders, backups are only required for those emergencies.

That makes a lot of clutter in the folder for my FM files, and there are times I need to see my files without the clutter. Deleting or moving backups is not easy if you have lots of files; you can reorder the files any way you like but the backups stay glued to their parent FM files.

To get rid of the backups temporarily, I wrote an old-fashioned batch (BAT) file that moves backup files to a folder on my C: drive (FM_Backup) and then deletes the log file. It takes only a few seconds to run, and leaves a pristine view of the FM files.

IMPORTANT: This only works when FrameMaker is closed because FM automatically regenerates backup files as soon as you touch an open file.

The code I use is below. You can modify it to delete the files instead of moving them, change the backup folder name, get rid of the log deletion, whatever you'd like.

1.       In Notepad or another text editor, copy the following lines:

Move *.backup.fm C:\\FM_Backup
Move *.backup.book C:\\FM_Backup
pause
Del *.log
pause
Exit

2.       Save the file as "FM_backup.bat" or any other name as long as it has a BAT extension.
3.       Create a backup folder on your C drive called "FM_Backup."
You can name this folder anything as long as it matches the folder name in the BAT file.
4.       Copy or move the BAT file into the same folder as your working FrameMaker files.
IMPORTANT: You must insert a separate copy of the BAT file into every folder that contains your FrameMaker files.
5.       To run, double-click "FM_backup.bat."
The pauses stop the program to provide feedback as it moves the files.
6.       Don't forget to delete the backup files when they are no longer needed, as the backup folder gets bloated quickly.

I especially like using this when I save different "versions" of an ongoing project. When I open a folder containing an earlier version, I only see the project files.

The code uses the simple DOS commands move, delete, pause, and exit. It doesn't save multiple versions of backups or work from any location except where the FM files are stored, but you could get fancy if you're inspired to take this to another level.

Amy Sharp
Geophysical Technical Writer
ConocoPhillips Co.
Work: 281-293-1819
amy.sharp at cop.com<mailto:amy.sharp at cop.com>



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