fileaxy Files

Fileaxy changelog of note

== Version-1.5.6 ==

>< Fixed bug where singleton Folder instances (which model a host OS directory) were being doubly allocated.  This broke consistency of UI, causing phantom files to appear and linger.  Reverted to previous, slower Folder hierarchy creation mechanism.


== Version-1.5.5 ==

<> English spell check courtesy SCOWL project's "12dict-3of6game.txt" word list.  Access feature via file right click file name tip and also Tag Word search command sub-menu.

<> Implemented bold facing of non-English tag words in Select by Words dialog.  Currently proper nouns are not recognized, ex. Jurassic, Jones, July, Java.

<> Implemented [CTRL]+[G] hotkey for Gather All imported Files command.

<> Faster run-time memory saving via improved String ID conventions in redesigned file name UTF-16 character compactor.

<> Removed Sync-Diff post mortem alert to open a Browser of file faults.  This rarely worked due to FNF (file not found) and duplicated what was seen in summary report.

>< Fixed bug where occasionally Browser Path view tab layout would not stabilize.  Widget oscillation wasted CPU power and was distracting.

>< Improved Browser split-pane layout reflow of file buttons when resizing window or moving splitter leftward.

>< Fixed single Browser shaded file buttons to not become uniformly dark gray when changing image preview render helper programs in session.  Date/size range limits were being discarded.

>< Fixed single Browser right-click file menu forgetting duplicate file associations after changing image preview render helper programs in session.

>< Fixed startup crash where application persistence of directory path names via .ZIP file was not terminated with final lines due to unflushed write buffer.

>< Fixed Select by Words dialog showing a tab for non-displayable leading characters.  This typically happened with non-installed foreign language fonts.

>< Fixed "CompileSrc.class" build helper to properly target / cross-compile a JRE 8 compatible .JAR from newer JDKs.

>< Fixed "CompileSrc.class" build helper to use UTF-8 encoded source with platforms that default to "Cp1252" like MsWindows.


== Version-1.5.4 ==

<> Performance improvements, especially with showing widely scattered file Selections, and file right-click -> "Gather All" after initial effort.

<> Reduced memory requirements, especially in cases with duplicate SHA-1s as seen when holding many same volume backups for Sync-Diff.

<> Implemented a more familiar Sync-Diff side report of file Move/Renames via a temporary Duplicates view Browser.  Access this feature with right-click on a Move/Rename file and menu click name.  This may ease the cognitive load of a two-way mixed merge of out-of-synch files.

<> Implemented extending current selection with [SHIFT] key pressed thru Calendar view tab month and year menu tree.

<> Implemented stopping of -all- Browser incremental auto-saving with [ALT] unchecking that feature in Options tab.

<> Improved information density of text file preview by not showing indentation or double spacing, however that does lose WYSIWYG.

<> Changed Path view tab policy to not hide an empty directory if user marked as a Favorite Folder.

>< Fixed UI annoyance where navigating to a folder empty of files was difficult in Path view.

>< Fixed UI blocking when showing a large .ZIP file right-click preview.

>< Fixed missing image preview when "Automatic" refresh of a Favorite directory resulted in examining a partially copied file.  Now waits 3 seconds.

>< Fixed broken MsWin executable program icons showing up as red 'X' when running Java 11+ constrained Shell API.  Now shows the available small icon.

>< Fixed a too long running Select -> "Reoccurring" tag words Task delaying user's requested program termination.

>< Fixed malformed HTML indicator for "Huge" files in Sync-Diff report table.  Was showing nothing.

>< Fixed performance regression where file I/O was sometimes not issued in FS path order, thus missing OS read-ahead convention.

>< Hardened metadata reads to fail over to ISO-8859-1 decoding if not recognizable as UTF-8 when communicating with helpers apps like FFmpeg.  Previously losing preview when geo-location info present on some hosts.

!! Unresolved issue with Ubuntu Wayland window manager intermittently losing Java sub-menus and dialogs.  A fix is forthcoming from Java platform devs.  Non-Wayland, X11 desktop environments like Xfce (ex. Xubuntu), etc not impacted.


== Version-1.5.3 ==

<> Added facilities to designate "avoid" Directories in each Browser by right-clicking in Path view.  These will not Import into that Browser until unchecked in "Options" view.

<> Performance improvements when starting up.

<> More efficient use of memory.  About 100MB reduction with 1.5 million files imported.

>< Fixed inability to run on Java 17 and Java 21 after CLI "--illegal-access=warn" and "-add-exports" deprecated.  Sadly, can no longer show large, custom .EXE application icons or Shortcut info on MsWindows.  Use Java 8 or 11 to observe these !

>< Fixed Ubuntu 23.10 Wayland GDM sessions not showing the Fileaxy "Import" and "Move/Copy" file pop-up submenus.

>< Though XWindows operates reliably, reduced intermittent non-display of Wayland GDM modal interaction dialogs on Ubuntu 23.10.  If stuck, workaround is to type [CTRL]+[ALT]+[D] keys to show Desktop, click Fileaxy in Dock to recover expected UI state.

>< Fixed inability to find new FFmpeg version 6 helper installed through MacPorts.

>< Corrected a few deadlocks.


== Version-1.5.2 ==

<> Improved Path Adjust performance when determining what missing/moved files can be recovered.

>< Fixed parse error when gathering ImageMagick supported file helper types.  CLI "Magic" directive has been replaced with "Module".

>< Fixed non-display of some file name text in Sync-Diff report Table by forced word breaking on underscore characters.


== Version-1.5.1 ==

<> Implemented in manual "Adjust Path" command to also offer option to"Automatically" find relocated files in a path, -OR- an advanced "Refresh" that imports missing files.  This aids recovery of lengthy SHA-1 and preview icon calculations.

<> Improved Sync-Diff feature with command to repeat last source/destination.  This item is located in the selection Undo/Move/Copy menu popper and shows date last performed.

<> Implemented command to copy absolute paths text of file selection to clipboard for pasting.  This command is found in the the MD5/SHA clipping sub-menu.

<> Further reduced UI lag with slow smbfs/SMB/CIFS/AFP/NFS/USB-1 shares from sufferable to lamentable.

>< Support for .SVG file type icons on Arch based Manjaro Linux and "/usr/share/icon/gnome" when on Raspberry Pi OS.

>< Code betterment.


== Version-1.5.0 ==

<> Updated API usage to be compatible with Java runtime versions from 17+ to 8.

<> Reduced UI lag with slow smbfs/SMB/CIFS/AFP/NFS/USB-1 shares from intolerable to sufferable.

<> Implemented an "Adjust Path" right-click menu command in Path view tab to relocate a missing Folder.  Now Fileaxy can better retain previous SHA-1 and preview icon work.  Handy with MsWin drive letter changes, MacOS drive label change, or Unix mount point move.

<> Implemented dialog to group similarly named files by reoccurring file name tag matches for selection.  Because a 50% threshold was understandable, no Markov-chain filtering is performed.

<> Implemented an 'Avoid' setting for a Favorite directory which shields it and sub-dirs from importation into a Browser.

<> Implemented an undoable bulk file name Match-Replace feature that can add/change file extension, prefix, suffix, or force Unicode to ASCII with optional case-sensitivity.

<> Implemented in Sync-Diff report table more indications of file status with a summary info popper.  These are: no read access, no write access, date unknown, date mismatch, date reversion, empty file size, +4GB file size, intra source duplicate, overwrite size change, Unicode in path, long path name, file rename, file move + rename.

<> Implemented selecting in Duplicates view tab all file series with modification dates that differ by more than 12 hours.

<> Implemented "Go To Other Browser" main menu command to augment host OS native window picker.

<> Implemented recognizing an ALL CAPS search term to avoid lowercase matches.

<> Implemented showing in scroll poppers which file series also have the current file selection.

<> Implemented in Presenter option menu a list of keyboard shortcuts.  Ex. use [ENTER] key to initiate file rename.

<> Implemented calculating SHA-512 of file selection to clipboard.

<> Reduced UI clutter by requiring magnify glass widget click in non-Search view tabs to show search terms submitter.

<> Improved Browser file Refresh popper to not remove files whose imported path is currently unavailable.  I.e. if partition/drive/volume is ejected do not remove files from Browser.

<> Improved positioning of dialog windows to locate near mouse pointer.

<> Improved performance with large file selections of its command popper and Path right-click.

>< Fixed memory leak where every Sync-Diff report retained all file path status information.  Was losing approx. 1MB per 1K files checked.

>< Fixed bug where Sync-Diff was not reverting modification file dates of destination files when already present from a host OS copy, but timestamped +12 hours or later.

>< Fixed bug that sometimes resulted in a newly populated Browser not saving.

>< Fix bug in JFileChooser (Home) button click on MsWin not homing.

>< Tested with MacOS 10.15, MsWin10, MsWin7, Arch Manjaro Linux 2022.08, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS 32-bit, Fedora 33 64-bit, Raspberry Pi OS 64-bit, Raspbian Buster 32-bit.


== Version-1.4.4 ==

<> Improved scan performance of Sync-Diff substantially by offering options to utilize faster and cacheble file comparison methods.

<> Improved scan performance of Sync-Diff substantially on MsWin by inheriting write permissions only from destination directories.

<> Improved UI to first import and select any missing on disk files when moving or copying an incomplete AlphaNumeric series.

<> Improved UI to show multiple task progress indications.

<> Improved UI to show an error when an external program is needed but not installed on host OS to open a single file, for example .DJVU

<> Improved Rename File dialog to gray button when user typed name matches another file on disk.

<> Improved Selection right-click menu to indicate if all SHA1 calculations are ready.

<> Improved Sync-Diff file table right-click to show source and destination paths in a tip.

<> Improved Duplicate File series and Similar Images series to indicate when files reside on the same drive if they were not in the same directory.

>< Fixed bug when searching for a solo '*' character.


== Version-1.4.3 ==

<> Changed file handling policy when file is not available.  Now using any available duplicate content for opening or Presenter viewing.  This general idea will be more fully implemented in future releases.

<> Implemented multi-term search results menu that groups results by number of literal quoted terms matched.  Access this feature through file right-click and "Search by words", then look in results pop-down "Exactly Matching" submenu.

<> Implemented showing the median file size (not average) in dot extension Tally Reports.

<> Implemented a "Select Long Path" command button for files whose path is comprised of more than 255 characters.  Can be useful for avoiding file handling problems on MsWindows.

<> Implemented reporting Mac resource fork file sizes in right-click menu on Mac platform.

<> Implemented hidden feature to append dot extensions onto multiply selected files.  This was needed when working with older, no-dot extended Mac files when grouped by MIME type on Linux/MsWindows.  Access with [ALT] Rename but know that there is no undo!

>< Fix for a UI blocking (tens of minutes on 2010 era hardware) window closure when approx. 30K+ files in any single series or when user trying to quit program in same situation.

>< Fixed obviously incorrect Similar results bug where too many non-similar viewable files were falsely considered 100% similar.  The file "~/.fileaxy/argb-16.jobj" should be discarded so as to recreate a correctly rendered cache.

>< Fixed UI stopper bug when interactively looking for similar matches and all files failed to render, or had no preview, or none cached.

>< Fixed bug where right-click Refresh command on a single sub-Path incorrectly removes all unavailable files in Browser instead of just at that sub-Path and children.

>< Fixed bug where a checked [X] Inverse checkbox "Select Unique" did not select Non-unique files, i.e. those duplicated.

>< Fixed bug where cloning Browser with no selection emitted unnecessary, but attention requesting beep.


== Version-1.4.2 ==

<> Implemented selection and file right-click menu command for name word search on literals and showing preliminary results in tip.

<> Implemented grouping the number of matching search terms in file name searches from "Hits" button.

<> Implemented single Folder series as selection move/copy destination for Folder view right-click.

<> Implemented knowing when an unavailable drive was last seen by Fileaxy on MsWindows platform.

<> Implemented file content refresh from file selection right-click menu.

<> Implemented sorting independent views by file name's character count.  This can result in higher information density.

<> Improved icon cache auditing by removing only previews from a single available drive/volume/mount having missing files.  This functionality is located at bottom of option-click opened Audit dialog.

<> Improved viewable file's Meta info dialog with scrolling and info from file right-click.

<> Improved Fileaxy startup time by auto-switching to Search view tab in highly populated Browsers.  This behavior can be changed by adding "startup.search.count=999999" to "~/.fileaxy/Fileaxy.prefs" file.

<> Improved Fileaxy startup time on Macs by reducing dimensions of required host window minimize animation.

>< Fixed bug where a media read error or canceling a SHA-1 calculation would cause an incorrect hash to be associated with the next file's calculation.

>< Fixed I/O balking when graying non-applicable buttons in "Select by Other" dialog with a cancelable task and by caching the results.

>< Fixed bug where unavailable files did not show a drive path for Volume/Mount correctly on Mac/Linux.

>< Fixed occasional UI deadlocks when canceling a running I/O task by waiting for clean break from a newly created thread of execution.


== Version-1.4.0 ==

<> Implemented using already rendered previews from another identical file when smaller than 64MB.  Enable this program wide via Bottom tab "About"->Left tab "Options"->under "Render Previews with" label->[X] "Duplicate Content" check.

<> Implemented 3-minute auto-save option per each Browser.  Enable this feature via Bottom tab "About"->Left tab "Options"->[X] Automatic Save check.

<> Implemented feature to re-compare a file's earlier SHA-1 and report difference for detecting possible magnetic bit-rot or energetic bit-flip on non-changing media files where previously SHA-1 clipped.  Choose "Select by Other" dialog and click "Altered".

<> Implemented text search for files matching a known SHA-1.  Select "SHA1" search pop-down menu and paste in one or more 40-digit hex codes with [CTRL]+V.  Note: applies only where a selection has been "Clipped" previously or an image smaller than 64MB previewed via "Duplicate Content".

<> Implemented in Duplicates view tab a command to select any duplicate series whose file names differ.  Good for situational awareness.

<> Improved file name display by using two-lines with lengthy name.  Will show bracket-like characters and try to word break appropriately.

<> Improved program responsiveness on MsWin when displaying custom ".EXE" or ".MSC" executable icons en masse.  Before program would stall while gathering those icons.

<> Improved program responsiveness on Search view tab when popping up file kind picker when many files are not available or dot extension is too long.

<> Improved program responsiveness by using two high-priority threads for small I/O tasks in addition to the two low-priority threads.  Appearance of "working..." in right-click menus is much reduced.

<> Improved program responsiveness in directory chooser in "Paths Imported" tab where those dirs are unavailable.  Before program would balk while gathering info.

<> Improved efficiency of selecting possible options in many aspects of the UI by disabling those items where non-applicability to the task is determined without (much) disk I/O.

<> Improved Folder view tab name series right-click Difference from-to chooser UI.  No longer limited to dual directory series only.

<> Improved alternate [ALT] preview store audit by showing the currently selected count that would be removed.

<> Improved memory usage by migrating long-duration Key-Value entries into a Tandem array structure from HashMap.

>< Workaround for Xubuntu missing [ALT] menu command item functionality.  Press [ALT] while opening menu to see any alternate items and on any OS.

>< Bug fix for Sync-Diff feature not utilizing simultaneous reads when demand comparing files on different drives/volumes/mounts.  Now completes work faster.

>< Bug fix for UI incomplete/crash when Duplicate view tab encounters newly inaccessible files.

>< Bug fix to "Gather Duplicates from all Browsers" dialog not producing expected results when file is not available but previously had a SHA-1 calculated and it would match another file.

>< Bug fix for MsWin showing empty removable media drives like CD-ROMs, DVD, card readers, etc in Import menu in red and not bringing Browser forward when media did actually mount.

>< Bug fix to file being selected as "edited" with "Select by Other" dialog when the creation date or modification date is actually unknown.

>< Bug for for lists not showing full directory path tips after unavailable file rolled-over.

>< Bug fix, programmer face masque for pandemic carnival.


== Version-1.3.6 ==

<> Implemented copying an entire selection MD5, SHA-1, or SHA-256 "fingerprint" to clipboard for pasting.

<> Implemented transfer Sync/Diff file checkbox states to Browser file selection and vice-versa.

<> Implemented indication of each file read operation by flashing file magenta in Browser.

<> Implemented drive right-click showing optical, removable, and serial number info on MsWindows.

<> Implemented bringing Browser to front when a partition/drive/volume mounts and that path was directly imported by the Browser.

<> Improved memory usage by moving weak retention granularity from per-File to per-parent Folder.

>< Bug fix for occasional freeze (several minutes blocking!) with large, complex selection changes in right-side selection JList.

>< Bug fix for Swing deadlock with icon previews in rare low-memory situations.

>< Bug fix for NullPointerException when Select-All with Favorites table and IllegalComponentException with recycled JDialog.


== Version-1.3.5 ==

<> Implemented gathering files from all Browsers matching the criteria of a selection or file.

<> Implemented copying a file's MD5, SHA-1, or SHA-256 "fingerprint" to clipboard for pasting.

<> Implemented searching with regular expression (regex syntax) from "Select by Words" dialog.

<> Implemented "Select by Words" dialog terms list tips that instantly show literal matches against imported file paths.

<> Implemented file name right-click tip that highlights Unicode characters.  Helpful with look alike em-dash or non-breaking space.

<> Implemented indicator and tip in "Manage Cache" dialog to show current Browser's Preview Store and count of its subscribed Browsers.

<> Implemented capability for "Browser Overview" dialog to show multiple windows.

>< Workaround for slow reporting of image metadata in file right-click menu.  Now separate command item.

>< Workaround and bug fix for "\\serverName\shareName\" UNC paths not being handled.

>< Bug fix for "Browser Overview" dialog's Cancel button not showing all previously non-minimized windows.

>< Bug fix when right-clicking an unavailable drive or volume.


== Version-1.3.4 ==

<> Implemented in folder chooser Paths Imported tab, pre-setting from the source Sync/Diff directory name to filter a short-list of destinations.

<> Implemented warning confirmation when *Moving* files to another drive or partition.  User expectation is for Copy operation leaving original files in-place except when Trash move.

<> Implemented persisting user's window desktop minimization state of Browsers.  Click dock/taskbar window icon to show again.

<> Implemented automatic desktop minimizing of Browsers whose imported files completely reside on unmounted drives.  Restore window state with dock/taskbar click.

>< Reduced delay when indicating unavailable file status on dismounted drives.

>< Bug fix in directory case-only rename on case-insensitive drives/mounts being rejected.

>< Bug fix for externally case-changed files and directories when being refreshed to actual on media path.  Previously, file doubles could appear on case-insensitive platforms and show wrongly as duplicates.

>< Bug fix to Sync/Diff feature not properly renaming externally case-changed parent directory paths at destination.

>< Bug fix for white bar under search field of Browser appearing when auto-complete cleared.


== Version-1.3.3 ==

<> Implemented archive contents preview when right-clicking .ZIP or .JAR based files.

<> Improved presentation of a path's sub-folders in Path view tab when very many or lengthy in text.

<> Implemented automatic return to file structure synchronizing report after execution.

<> Implemented indicating pre-2002 Classic Mac resource forks in file structure differencing and synchronizing report.

>< Bug fix for losing pre-2002 Classic Mac resource forks on copy.

>< Bug fix to performance regression when de/selecting files.

>< Bug fix for JRE on MsWindows reporting every file as an executable binary.

>< Bug fix for Presenter getting lost after file rename.

>< Lower memory usage when many file Browsers.


== Version-1.3.2 ==

<> Implemented single file "New Browser of relations..." which gathers matches from all Browsers by user criteria.

<> Improved "Wizard" buttons to better explain common activities.

<> Improved program responsiveness when right-clicking a directory box in Path view tab and eliminated long pauses with unavailable files.

>< Bug fix for Cancel button of a slower task being hidden when another task completes.  Now shows multiple Cancels.

>< Bug fix for "1-way Sync" stoppage when relocating files in some GVFS sponsored file systems.

>< Workaround for Ubuntu JRE accessibility hooks crashing from JComboBox updates.


== Version-1.3.1 ==

<> Improved directory file structure differencing and synchronizing by offering the option to compare files with complete file contents SHA-1 as well as the quick Adler head+tail check.

<> Implemented overwrite-is-reversion indicator by comparing files dates in path Sync/Diff feature.

<> Implemented "Apply Some" command for path synchronizing that handles insufficient space at destination by prioritizing the inclusion of smallest files first.

<> Improved displayed drive/partition/volume information in Path view tab right-click menu on mounted paths.

<> Implemented explanatory tips for the meager wizzzard buttons in Help tab.

>< Bug fix for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS where startup crashed due to an X11 issue with their JRE8 and JRE11 implementation.

>< Bug fix for various issues with Sync/Diff feature such as unexpected file unavailability and upper-lower case conflicts on NTFS.


== Version-1.3.0 ==

<> Implemented directory file structure synchronizing by relocating misplaced or renaming existing files using quick checksums for dramatic timesaving on TB-sized collections.

<> Implemented directory file structure differencing with full report to user, individual file opt-out, and drive metadata non-propagation.

<> Implemented Favorites tab in Folder chooser.

<> Changed transparent backgrounds rendered by ImageMagick to faint pink.

>< Bug fix for Debian v9.Stretch improperly enumerating external mount points.


== Version-1.2.5 ==

<> Implemented right-click in search field for most recent searches picker.

<> Implemented mouse click in Presenter goes to next image.  I know, right.

<> Smarter User Note propagation into newly created Browsers.

<> Implemented select files that are the target of other symbolic links in "Select by other" dialog on Lin/Mac.

<> More tenacity in creating previews from problem files when multiple imaging services have been enabled.

<> Much reduced .PDF preview rendering times via 'sips' on Mac.

<> More e-book types for file extension search.

>< Bug fix for occasional bad parsing of FFmpeg returned video dimensions.

>< Bug fix for failed image render being treated as visually similar to white and being persisted.

>< Bug fix for browser remaining iconified when selected via another related browser.


== Version-1.2.4 ==

<> Implemented user notes field for each Browser.

<> Implemented meta-Browser overview in Importer tab.

<> Implemented command to gather all Browser files into a new Browser.

<> Implemented select files having a Mac resource fork or broken image.

<> Implemented experimental byte code decompiler.

>< Bug fixes for properly running under JRE 9 and newer.

>< Bug fixes for unresponsive UI, especially when checking for missing files.

>< Bug fixes for intermittent deadlock when quitting application.


== Version-1.2.2 ==

<> Improved performance when de/selecting large quantities of files.

<> Implemented experimental utility for syncing Mac TimeMachine backups.

>< Bug fix for memory leaks on window or dialog close.


== Version-1.2.1 ==

<> Improved performance of finding similar imagery task by 3x with quarter of a million files and 10x with thousands of files.

<> Changed folder deletion to now permit containment of empty subdirectories.

<> File previews in list UIs now show indication of promotion and trashed.

<> Implemented alpha series skipping via [PAGE DOWN] and [PAGE UP] keys in Presenter window.

<> Improved performance of window resizing when all files are minimized by a search term or upon user command.

>< Bug fix for failing to move/copy alphanumeric files containing these *,?,[,],{,},\ characters.


== Version-1.2.0 ==

<> Implemented finding other file duplicates of only one single file with file right-click, Related ~ Select only duplicates.

<> Implemented command to select files whose names match another file's. This can be used to compare back-ups for bit rot and data degradation.

<> Implemented a report aid in the Duplicates menu popper's info section that calculates "of the selection count, how many have duplicates? This indicates when a user's folder copy is no longer relevant or if a backup is incomplete.

<> Implemented warning dialog that allows user to get a New Browser of files that failed to move or copy on user command.

<> Implemented user confirmation dialog for move/copy/delete when Trash is not the destination, concerning missing alphanumeric series files on disk.

<> Fixed a bug where the literal quote-quote searches were case-sensitive when they were not supposed to be.

>< Bug fix for not rewriting the file preview cache after manual audit by user in some cases.

>< Bug fix for incorrect warning when move/copy alphanumeric files whose names are a shortened form of a longer named series.


== Version-1.1.0 ==

[ed.- docs in progress...]