File types (to include AND to exclude)

[Dancin' Dave]

I would like to suggest a new feature (good thing I have that ability):

When are reviewing search results and see the list of file types retrieved in the left hand window, I would like to be able to click on a type and see that type only (so far, so good), but also click on other types (or shift-click) and *add* them to the list of displayable files type. We all know that jpg and jpeg are the same, so why can't I see them both at the same time? Etc., etc., etc.

Even better (sometimes) would be a list of exclude file types. For example, if I'm running under Windoze, I probably wouldn't care about ".sit" and ".dmg" file types. Same for Mac: I most likely would have little need for ".exe", ".bin", ".bmp", etc. So I would love to edit a list of extensions that 1) when I search, it skips (and saves screen display & search time), 2) wouldn't add to the quantity returned count (which is misleading since it's not of interest to me), and 3) would allow me to focus on the desired files that I actually care about.

Even if it were pre-determined list of extensions (based on the given platform) that I could click on a check box within the search results window -- to respect or ignore the normal exclude list. (And would be set by default to respect/ignore based upon user settings within the preferences.)

Any thoughts (about this idea)?

David

[stief]

David--adding and subtracting the file types that show is already editable in the tools->options.

I second the option to shift-click for multiple selections (if it isn't already included)

[Dancin' Dave]

Really? Not in the version I have. I'm running 4.1.5 and the only option under the Tools menu is "Statistics...". Nothing else under that menu... nada... zippo... null.

David.

[Lord of the Rings]

If you use a mac you can select multiple files at once using LW.
As far as file types goes, other whan using keywd filters there's only an option under sharing. Which is not quite the same thing. So I'm also a bit confused with this. But for filters yes you can add .exe, .jpg, .wmv etc., which isn't a bad idea anyway to get rid of some of the spam out of the search results.

[Dancin' Dave]

I'm on a Mac, and I can't select multiple file types. Every time I shift-click (or Cmd-click, or Ctrl-click), the previous type unselects. I do notice that you mentioned selecting multiple files -- but that's not the subject of my request so I don't know how it applies to this thread.

As far as using .jpeg or .exe in a filter, that would do more harm than good. I was looking for a program that (as a simple example) had in the title "works to extract data from .exe and .com files" and was a Mac program stored as a .sit file, then this file would be excluded from the results and this is not what would be useful.

No, to do as i suggested would be the only way to properly filter out the undesired files without filtering out desired content. LW properly identifies the file type so that would be the only safe way to filter out the files. Now if LW wants to give me grep-type filters (i.e., "*.exe" or "abd*.com") then I would say that that would work great, but I doubt we'll get that.

Though that's a great idea itself. Selectable filters, toggling between "merely list of keywords" and "grep-style" (where the order and other characters impacts the results returned).

Basically, the short answer: no, what LW has now can't properly filter the desired files in (or out).

[stief]

Originally posted by Dancin' Dave
Really? Not in the version I have. I'm running 4.1.5 and the only option under the Tools menu is "Statistics...". Nothing else under that menu... nada... zippo... null.

On OSX the options are in the Preferences (edit extensions to share/show in Sharing->Shared Extensions). I recall a while ago having to manually add ".toast" there in order to search for and share those kinds of images. I think that list no longer prevents the display of results, since I was able to search for ".torrent" extensions recently.

You can also compile LW (opensource) and modify the source if that is more to your liking/abilities http://www.limewire.org/gettingstarted.shtml

btw--Jens-Uwe Mager compiles an OSX version that also has support for BeanShell http://www.mager.org/LimeWire/LimeWire.html

[Dancin' Dave]

*** On OSX the options are in the Preferences (edit extensions to share/show in Sharing->Shared Extensions). I recall a while ago having to manually add ".toast" there in order to search for and share those kinds of images. I think that list no longer prevents the display of results, since I was able to search for ".torrent" extensions recently. ***

Actually, according to the way that the preferences are labeled, that list has no bearing as to what will be displayed, it only affects what is shared to others. So that doesn't address my request/enhancement/etc. I appreciate all of the suggestions, but they do not impact my idea whatsoever -- but good try. :-)

[sberlin]

Hi Dave,

The ability to select multiple selections from the filters on the left, or the ability to exclude extensions from search results will not be in the next release, but will likely be in the one after it (4.3.x). They're great ideas, and will get in there at some point.