Libraries - Am I missing the point?

[Sigurd]

The idea of the Library (I think) is that it gathers all documents you want to be treated as belonging to the same category into one folder. Yet to do that one has to add the required folders to that Library. For example, I want all my current documents in the "current" library. I have a folder on my data drive called "Current" with sub-folders for current Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc., files. To create the library I add the folder "Current" to the Library.

Why? I can just as easily open the relevant folder on my data disk. I must be missing some fundamental point here.

 

[vicvic]

I don't get it either. I have lost, deleted and had double files all by doing nothing. i worked out search is your friend with 7

 

[logicearth]

It is for when you have items scattered though out on multiple drives or folders for whatever reason. All Libraries does is aggregate that into a single view. That is all.

 

[kegobeer]

Libraries are a great tool. I created a download library, and added all of the various directories I use for downloading files. Now, when I click the Orb and type "downloads", the library pops up, I click it, and I have instant access to all of my download files and directories. I chose a default download folder, so whenever I download something, the file goes to exactly where I want it, and then I move it to another folder, if necessary.

 

[garysgold]

I don't get it either. I have lost, deleted and had double files all by doing nothing. i worked out search is your friend with 7

Libraries do not move or copy any files. They simply record where they are and allow you to access them through the library. Great if you got stuff spread around. Shawn has done several tutorials on them. I like 'em (both the libraries and tutorials).

 

[Disk4mat]

Libraries are an excellent feature. Just because they are there dosent mean you must use them. Just as any other Windows feature.

Here is one example how I use the Videos library. I have the following folders I added, X:\Music Videos | D:\Multimedia | D:\Downloads\Video | G:\Mobile\Videos

So I can have all of the above consolidated into a single view. From there I can sort, arrange, manage and search (videos library is indexed).

The only instance where libraries arent useful, is when you dump everything into a single folder by category. ie My Documents, My Videos etc.

 

[pparks1]

I don't get it either. I have lost, deleted and had double files all by doing nothing.

Libraries will NOT move files, delete them, or duplicate them. They simply show you multiple locations as if they were all in one place. If you had duplicates...it's because you had duplicate files already on your hard drive.

 

[Qdos]

Libraries are useful for untidy disorganized users.

If you're accustomed to mapping files to organized folders where you know where they can be found then it's nothing but a purely annoying 'feature'...

I wish Windows7 allowed users the option to turn off the irritating libraries function, it really only exists for people who clutter up their files all over the shop...

 

[logicearth]

It is not just for disorganized users. I for example have a requirement for having multiple places to store files. Having a laptop with limited storage is one possible reason. Another possible reason is multiple locations for music. I have one location were all my DRM-free music lives and another where my Zune subscription music lives. I want both to be a single library but be in different places on the HDD.

There could be many more uses of it. Not just a feature for untidy disorganized users.

 

[Qdos]

It is not just for disorganized users.

I never said it was exclusively useful for disorganized users...

At least you can remove the libraries user icon from the start menu...

 

[garysgold]

At least you can remove the libraries user icon from the start menu...

You can also remove all of the libraries from the library folder so it's not taking up space. I don't know of a way to remove the Libraries folder itself.

 

[Qdos]

+1 rep

 

[garysgold]

Thanks.

 

[logicearth]

...so it's not taking up space.

4 KB (with the default 4096 cluster size) per library is a lot of space?

If you are curious, here is what a library really is:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<libraryDescription xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/windows/2009/library">
  <name>@shell32.dll,-34575</name>
  <ownerSID>S-1-5-21-298772887-1063904651-2225699868-1000</ownerSID>
  <version>10</version>
  <isLibraryPinned>true</isLibraryPinned>
  <iconReference>imageres.dll,-1002</iconReference>
  <templateInfo>
    <folderType>{7d49d726-3c21-4f05-99aa-fdc2c9474656}</folderType>
  </templateInfo>
  <propertyStore>
    <property name="HasModifiedLocations" type="boolean"><![CDATA[true]]></property>
  </propertyStore>
  <searchConnectorDescriptionList>
    <searchConnectorDescription publisher="Microsoft" product="Windows">
      <description>@shell32.dll,-34577</description>
      <isDefaultSaveLocation>true</isDefaultSaveLocation>
      <simpleLocation>
        <url>knownfolder:{FDD39AD0-238F-46AF-ADB4-6C85480369C7}</url>
        <serialized>[really long value]</serialized>
      </simpleLocation>
    </searchConnectorDescription>
    <searchConnectorDescription>
      <isSupported>true</isSupported>
      <simpleLocation>
        <url>S:\Documents</url>
        <serialized>[really long value]</serialized>
      </simpleLocation>
    </searchConnectorDescription>
  </searchConnectorDescriptionList>
</libraryDescription>

 

[Qdos]

...so it's not taking up space.

4 KB (with the default 4096 cluster size) per library is a lot of space?

I think he may have been referring to real estate on your monitor...

 

[satchmo]

Here is an example how libraries can be helpful for a very organized person.

I have my son's photographs stored under "Pictures/Personal/<my son's name>/" and his videos stored under "Videos/<my son's name>/".

These are two different folders, so if I want to access my son's videos and pictures at the same time, I had to open both folders.

With libraries, I can just open one folder and have direct access to all the files.

 

[garysgold]

...so it's not taking up space.

4 KB (with the default 4096 cluster size) per library is a lot of space?

I think he may have been referring to real estate on your monitor...

Exactly. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Sigurd]

Libraries are useful for untidy disorganized users.

If you're accustomed to mapping files to organized folders where you know where they can be found then it's nothing but a purely annoying 'feature'...

I wish Windows7 allowed users the option to turn off the irritating libraries function, it really only exists for people who clutter up their files all over the shop...

I think that is why I asked the question. I do have my folders and files organised so I can generally find what I need as a result of that and the excellent search function. So I found the Library just seemed to add an extra top layers and then duplicate the folder organisation I had already created.

I can however see merit in Satchmo's suggestion. That is one way to get some additional benefit but you need to be organised to start with!

 

[MUff1N]

I love the new Libraries feature of W7!
It makes finding what you need fast so easy!!!
Once you get it setup how you want it (folders you use a lot) it's a breeze as having them all in one place really speeds things up........
This is something I can't do without now...

 

[Qdos]

I find it pointless. Over the years I've developed filing and archiving habits, and I put certain materials in certain places to not only be tidy and sure where to find whatever I want to call up, but to prevent accidentally viewing certain material at certain times (depending on who may be able to look over my shoulder and where I may be if using a notebook).

Libraries majorly negate this, it's a step backwards. The least Microsoft could have done was provider users with libraries as a switchable function - instead of forcing it into your face, want it or not...