Moving htm files to a folder in Content Explorer

[mpowers]

I'm using Flare on one computer and referencing a hard drive on another networked computer. I created 6 topics and decided I wanted to move them to a new folder. I created the folder and dragged the files into the folder in the Content Explorer. The files were then GONE. They were deleted from my computer. I did a search on both computers for them as well as in both recycle bins of the computers. They are no where to be found. What happened and how do I get those files back? I worked ALL day on them!

[LTinker68]

I've never lost files, but Flare does lag a bit behind in updating the Content Explorer when you're working on a networked drive. For instance, if you create a topic then you'll see the topic in the XML Editor but it may not appear in the Content Explorer list. Usually I just left-click in the CE to put the cursor there then press F5 to refresh the list. If you close the project and reopen it then it'll also refresh the list, but I usually just go the F5 route. I believe it does eventually update the CE on its own, but it can be disconcerting the first time that happens to you.

If pressing F5 or closing the project and re-opening it doesn't work, then check with your IT administrator. It could be that the permissions on the server aren't set to allow you to do everything that you should be able to do. I would think it would give you an error, though, instead of do anything to the files, but have your IT people look into it anyway.

[mpowers]

Below is a link to a video that shows this problem in action:

http://screencast.com/t/AeBdt59H6

As you can see, the file simply disappears. I lost all of a day's work due to this bug. It seems that, when working off of a network drive, Flare cannot handle moving files from one folder to another. Instead, it simply deletes the file. And since there is no recycle bin for network drives, the file is permanently deleted.

[LTinker68]

It seems that, when working off of a network drive, Flare cannot handle moving files from one folder to another. Instead, it simply deletes the file. And since there is no recycle bin for network drives, the file is permanently deleted.

That's most likely an aspect of the network drive, not Flare. I've worked on projects on a network drive and didn't have that problem. As I said, double-check with your IT personnel that you have all the permissions you need. The network drive I work on is a simple file server and I have full permissions to my allotted spot on that server. If you're working from a web server, then the permissions may be limited or dorked.

Also, if you use a source control program then the process for moving files may be different, depending on the source control program you're using and how you have it set up.

[Richard Ferrell]

Flare Doesn't delete drives, when moving files, it just used windows explorer to move the files, Normally before moving the files, Flare will ask if you want to update links.

[i-tietz]

Several ideas/questions:

• I had a look at your flash movie. In the window Link Update I saw the path and that path of the source is quite long ... 130 characters ...
  The path of the target is 152 characters ... together with the file name it's even 160 ... maybe that is the problem ...
  You should ask your admins.
• On the other hand it could be a performance problem of the network. Sometimes I have problems saving files with Acrobat and FrameMaker or compiling scripts - just me - nobody else in my department - IT department is looking for the reason for weeks already.
• Does the folder Introduction exist on the network drive (in Windows Explorer)?
• Have you tried creating a dummy topic in the target folder and then move the other topics into it?
  I've found out that Flare only notices a new folder after you put a file (in this case a topic) into it ...
• Ever thought of working with a source control software?

[jchenf]

I came across the same problem. Flare projects stored on a network share, moving files within Content Explorer and *poof* files disappear. I did some investigation and determined the cause.

If your root folder on the network share contains a space " ", you will encounter this problem. The only solution is to make sure your root folder has no spaces.

For example:
If you store your flare projects on \\network\Flare Projects\sampleproject\, you may encounter this issue when moving files around in the Content Explorer.
If you store your flare projects on \\network\Flare_Projects\sampleproject\, you are safe.

I'm not entire sure if this is a Flare issue, but since it's reproducible and only happens in Flare (I'm on Flare 8 ), I'm leaning towards yes.