File Repository

Points to remember:

• The default location for the file repository is: C:\Program Files\HomeStuff\Data This is where the database is located on your disk drive.
• The default location for the photos of your items is: C:\Program Files\HomeStuff\Data\Pictures - THE PICTURES DIRECTORY.
• The default location for the receipts of your items is: C:\ProgramFiles\HomeStuff\Data\Receipts - THE RECEIPTS DIRECTORY.
• The default location for removed graphic files is: C:\Documents and Settings\%user name%\My Documents\HomeStuff - THE HOMESTUFF DIRECTORY.
• Graphic files are NEVER DELETED. You have to manually delete these graphic files. This is a safety that was built in by design.

The database cannot be moved without breaking HomeStuff.

The default directory locations can be changed using the General Tab found in the Tools menu. It is recommended that you use the default settings for these locations. If you decide to change the defaults after having used HomeStuff, you will need to move the files located in the Pictures and Receipts directory to the new location of your choice. This feature was implemented to allow you to share your graphic files between applications. See the ReadMe.txt file for the latest information concerning this feature and the state of its implementation.

What happens to item photos and receipts graphic files when they are added and removed from the HomeStuff repository?

Adding a graphic file: The new file you scanned or uploaded to your PC is MOVED from its initial location anywhere on your disk, to either the Pictures or the Receipts directory.

Removing a graphic file: The file is RENAMED to "removed_" and the repository file name such as "Removed_CB7D09B0.JPG" and MOVED to the HomeStuff directory This means that in a multi-user environment, there could be more than one location where HomeStuff would leave "Removed_" Pictures. Your graphic files will be left in a folder located in (for XP/Win2000) C:\Documents and Settings\%user name%\My Documents\HomeStuff. The %user name% is usually replaced by your logon ID name.

Replacing a graphic file: The existing graphic file is RENAMED and MOVED to the HomeStuff directory and the new file is RENAMED and MOVED to the repository.

Copying and Pasting graphic files: Copy will remember the file name to copy, Paste will COPY, RENAME and ASSOCIATE it with a different item. Net result: two copies of the same file with different names. This is a disk consumer but it is also the most flexible solution considering the overhead and the management of these files would need to be done by You, the user. This one to one relationship keeps things simple and tidy while consuming a moderate amount of disk space.