Adding New Folders to the Platform - A Q&D solution

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August 21, 2009 - 8:43am

solanus

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Adding New Folders to the Platform - A Q&D solution

One of the more requested enhancements to the PA platform is the addition of more folder shortcuts, other than the default Documents, Music, Pictures, Video, and Explore.
While you can't add them to the same right-hand side of the platform yet, it is easy to make shortcuts to folders in with the app shortcuts.

This example makes shortcuts to two custom subfolders of Documents: Web Pages and Work.

First create your subfolders:

X:\Documents\WebPages
X:\Documents\Work

Then create the following folder structure:

X:\PortableApps\Folders\App\Appinfo

Then, make or copy icons for each folder, and place them in AppInfo with the names appicon1.ico and appicon2.ico

Finally, make a text file containing the following, and save in AppInfo as appinfo.ini:

[Format]
Type=PortableAppsFormat
Version=0.91

[Details]
Name=Folder

[Control]
Icons=2
Start=..\..\Documents\
Start1=..\..\Documents\WebPages\
Name1=.Web Pages
Start2=..\..\Documents\Work\
Name2=.Work

So you should have the following

X:
|_Documents
|    |_WebPages
|    |_Work
|
|_PortableApps
     |_Folders
         |_App
             |_AppInfo
                 |_appicon1.ico
                 |_appicon2.ico
                 |_appinfo.ini

Now, Refresh App Icons, and you should see two new icons in your app list, that will open those folders.
I started the names with a "." so that they would appear at the top, but you can also make them favorites, and rename them as you would any other.

August 21, 2009 - 9:07am

OliverK

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Nice trick!

Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world

August 21, 2009 - 2:36pm

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works also with other non exe files

like pdf etc

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August 21, 2009 - 3:04pm

(Reply to #3) #4

solanus

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Yep, as long as they have an

Yep, as long as they have an association. I'd like to see what happens when you've got CAFE or Portable File Associator running!

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January 6, 2010 - 12:10am

TheShadowOne

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I think i broke something

Its not working for me.

i did this in dos commands,

E:>md documents
E:>md documents\work
E:>md documents\webpages
E:>cd portableapps
E:\PortableApps>md Folders
E:\PortableApps>md Folders\App
E:\PortableApps>mf Folders\App\Appinfo

Copied two icons into folder E:\PortableApps\Folders\App\AppInfo
Created INI file in E:\PortableApps\Folders\App\AppInfo

01/03/2009 09:43 AM 22,486 appicon1.ico
01/03/2009 09:43 AM 22,486 appicon2.ico
06/01/2010 02:31 PM 214 appinfo.ini
3 File(s) 45,186 bytes

appinfo ini contains
[Format]
Type=PortableAppsFormat
Version=0.91

[Details]
Name=Folder

[Control]
Icons=2
Start=..\..\Documents\
Start1=..\..\Documents\WebPages\
Name1=.Web Pages
Start2=..\..\Documents\Work\
Name2=.WorK

Closed Portableapps.com platform and re-opened tested and noting appears

January 6, 2010 - 10:58pm

(Reply to #5) #6

solanus

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What version of Portable Apps.com?

I've tested this in 1.5.2 (the current release) and 2.0 beta 3, and it works.
Assuming that you have the Portable Apps Menu installed into the root of your drive, and that you aren't using a fork like Geek Menu, it should work.
Check the permissions of the folders, in case something funky is going on.

Don't know what else it could be.
Wish I could be of more help!

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

January 7, 2010 - 9:15am

(Reply to #6) #7

Benedikt93

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PA.c Format

Maybe the launcher requires in its newer versions also newer versions of the apps.
So try changing the version under[Format] into 1.0

EDIT: Of course this can't be the problem as it works with 1.5.2 and 2.0b3

Does anybody know if the names under "Start" are case sensitive?

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February 3, 2010 - 12:10am

varxtis

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Ya, I think Im also doing something wrong

Im trying to add specific File shortcuts to the list. The Icons and title come up perfectly, but there is no action/response when I click either.
the ini file looks like this

[Format]
Type=PortableAppsFormat
Version=2.0beta3

[Details]
Name=Folder

[Control]
Icons=2
Start=F:\Documents
Start1=F:\Documents\testmovie\Fullmetal_Alchemist_Brotherhood_-_42.mkv
Name1= Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 42
Start2=F:\Documents\Music\FMA_-_Period.mp3
Name2= FMA_-_Period

Ive tried this with and without underscores for the file spaces. Ive also tried just directories/folders instead of specific files, and even gone down to the basic, exactly as the example shows, and still nothing happens.
Please help.
Also, a question about all this. Is there anyway to make the files within the drive associated to a portableapp installed on the drive?
So for instance, set it up so that I have an mp3 listed on the platform, and (regardless of what computer the drive is plugged into) the mp3 opens into xmplayer.

[INI file put in <pre> block - mod Chris]
Edit - Thanks Chris, sry

February 3, 2010 - 12:42am

(Reply to #8) #9

auscompgeek

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I see the problem

Your [Format] section should look like this:

[Format]
Type=PortableApps.comFormat
Version=1.0

Ignore silly users that PM you on IRC. What? You're one of them?

February 3, 2010 - 1:24am

(Reply to #9) #10

varxtis

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still nothing

kk, I changed it to your suggestion, but It still isn't responding
Im sure you recognized this and thus suggested the change, but I am running 2.0 Beta 3. Does that make a difference?
Thank you for your help, response, and time ^_^ its greatly appreciated.

February 3, 2010 - 9:18am

(Reply to #10) #11

Bruce Pascoe

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...

The Version= setting isn't the version of your Platform, it's the PortableApps.com Format specification version, of which the current revision is 1.0.

February 3, 2010 - 10:29am

#12

varxtis

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Ah, oki doki. Well does anyone see anything else that i might be doing wrong in the ini code?

February 3, 2010 - 8:52pm

(Reply to #12) #13

OliverK

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don't use a full path. use

don't use a full path. use .. for every folder you need to go up. In this situation, you need ..\..\Documents\whaveter.etc

Try that.

Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world

February 4, 2010 - 1:32pm

(Reply to #13) #14

varxtis

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Still not working T_T

I tried it, but It still doesnt seem to be working.
This is how my ini file looks now.

[Format]
Type=PortableApps.comFormat
Version=1.0

[Details]
Name=Folder

[Control]
Icons=2
Start=F:\Documents
Start1=..\..\testmovie\Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood - 42.mkv
Name1= Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 42
Start2=..\..\Music\FMA - Period.mp3
Name2= FMA - Period

February 4, 2010 - 4:18pm

(Reply to #14) #15

solanus

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File Associations may be the

File Associations may be the problem.
If the computer does not have a file association for the mkv file, you won't get an error, it just won't do anything.
Substitute a text file and see if that opens.

There are 2 different projects that will allow you to have portable file associations:
eXpresso: https://portableapps.com/node/22055
Portable File Associator: https://portableapps.com/node/15583

Personally, I wouldn't put individual files in the PA.c platform list, mostly because I've got too many things there already! I'd put my frequent flier files in a folder, and use Portable File Associator.

But, to each his/her own.

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

February 4, 2010 - 6:27pm

(Reply to #15) #16

varxtis

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It works

I feel very very stupid. First off, Thank you for all of your responses and your time, thank you for your patience.
The problem was in the start line.
My original ini start line looks like this

Start=F:\Documents\

and now I changed it to

Start=..\..\Documents\

And it works perfectly.
I still appreciate the suggestion of having eXpresso installed.
Ive installed it and VLCPortable, that way regardless of what
host computer the drive is plugged into, media files will play
on VLCPortable. Thank you again.
(To Mod: Sry wanted each ini start line in its own box, but all
it did was create a box within a box within a box T_T)
[Fixed your pre tag - mod Chris]

February 4, 2010 - 9:25pm

(Reply to #16) #17

solanus

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It's all good!

You'll find that most people here are happy to help - and we all miss something obvious from time to time.

Peace.

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

February 5, 2010 - 1:17am

(Reply to #17) #18

varxtis

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To Solanus:

Sry to get a bit off topic from the original thread topic, but I had a couple of questions and you seem very knowledgeable. can you email me at varxtis@hotmail.com?

February 8, 2010 - 8:22am

(Reply to #18) #19

computerfreaker

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Better obfuscate that e-mail

Better obfuscate that e-mail address a bit, varxtis, or you'll have spambots hitting you pretty quickly. (You can still edit your post; that's why I haven't replied to you)
Something more like varxtis [at] [hotmail] would probably be safer.

Cheers!

"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."

February 8, 2010 - 9:02am

(Reply to #19) #20

solanus

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He'll need a mod to fix it

Once someone replies to your comment, you lose edit rights!

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

February 8, 2010 - 10:06am

(Reply to #20) #21

Bruce Pascoe

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...

Which is why computerfreaker didn't directly reply to it if you didn't notice.

February 8, 2010 - 8:21pm

(Reply to #21) #22

solanus

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*sigh* no I didn't notice.

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

February 7, 2010 - 10:50am

#23

jimmy1up

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Somewhat of a twist...

I'm trying to do this on 2.0 beta 4
My Directories are:

F:\Documents\Roms
F:\Documents\Roms\Rom Hacks
F:\Documents\Roms\Rom Hack Tools

My .ini:

[Format]
Type=PortableAppsFormat
Version=1.0

[Details]
Name=Folder

[Control]
Icons=3
Start=..\..\Documents\
Start1=..\..\Documents\ROMs\
Name1=Rom Files
Start2=..\..\Documents\ROMs\Rom Hacks\
Name2=Rom Hacks
Start3=..\..\Documents\ROMs\Rom Hack Tools\
Name3=Rom Hack Tools

I have all three .ico files in there and did what you said, but nothing special appears. HELP!

"As soon as a man is born, he begins to die"

"Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies"

"Failure is not falling down, you fail when you don't get back up"

February 7, 2010 - 4:16pm

(Reply to #23) #24

solanus

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Your ini worked for me in 2.0b4

Make sure that the folder structure is correct.

F:
|_Documents
|    |_ROMs
|        |_Rom Hacks
|        |_Rom Hack Tools
|
|_PortableApps
     |_Folders
         |_App
             |_AppInfo
                 |_appicon1.ico
                 |_appicon2.ico
                 |_appicon3.ico
                 |_appinfo.ini

Also, did you refresh the menu? (Options>Refresh App Icons or restart the menu).
Even if you didn't have any icons, as long as your appinfo.ini is exactly as you describe it and the folder structure is like it is above, you should see the names in the menu! Remember, it sorts alphabetically, so you will need to scroll to the "R"s.

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

February 7, 2010 - 4:52pm

(Reply to #24) #25

jimmy1up

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Something Interesting

I did all that (and YES, I have the .ico files), but it still didn't work. But I found out how to fix that.

You see, I made a ".txt" document and just put ".ini" in the file name. So I thought that could be the problem and searched for .ini files, copy and pasted them, changed the code in them to mine, and it worked.

Thanks for the good tut.

"As soon as a man is born, he begins to die"

"Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies"

"Failure is not falling down, you fail when you don't get back up"

February 7, 2010 - 5:39pm

(Reply to #25) #26

OliverK

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you might have ended up with

you might have ended up with something like .ini.txt. Big issue on another forum

I'm glad you got it sorted.

Next time you might try something like notepad++ or geany and making sure it saves only as a .ini file

Have fun

Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world

March 31, 2010 - 7:16pm

#27

imroue

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Joined: 2008-04-09 10:45

Documents Folder

Is there a way to get rid of the default folders or rename them to what we want.. i know you can't add more to the right hand side, but can you rename them?

April 1, 2010 - 5:38am

(Reply to #27) #28

Simeon

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not yet

I think that that is planned for a future release.

"What about Love?" - "Overrated. Biochemically no different than eating large quantities of chocolate." - Al Pacino in The Devils Advocate

February 27, 2012 - 7:45pm

#29

jreynolds22

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Logo

I've set everything up and the folders show up but not my icon.

December 24, 2013 - 12:06pm

#30

mistercrowley

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Joined: 2012-08-04 04:49

Same Issue with the icon

I don't know what I am doing since I am not any kind of programmer.

I did get the item to show in my list and such but the icon does not show

Chris Crowley

June 27, 2014 - 4:11am

#31

sarginnv

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Joined: 2014-06-27 04:09

Ah, oki doki. Well does anyone see anything else that i might be doing wrong in the ini code?

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