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Conference noted::windows95

Title:Microsoft Windows 95 ("Chicago")
Notice:Please read topics 1 to 22 before writing anything
Moderator:EEMELI::BACKSTROM
Created:Mon Nov 14 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2958
Total number of notes:19968

2828.0. "Establishing a user DEFAULT directory." by STAR::PITCHER (Steve Pitcher/Pathworks for OpenVMS) Wed Mar 05 1997 14:33

    I've found this frustrating since I started using Windows (V3.0!).
    
    I'm familiar with VMS.  I've grown up with it since V2.  In VMS I have
    my "default directory".  Anytime I create files, they go into my
    default directory, unless I specify otherwise.  When I open files, it
    looks for them in my default directory.
    
    There's really no such concept in Windows.  And I really mean, the
    Windows family, including Windows NT and Win95... I'll exlcude older
    versions.
    
    I'm especially interested in resolving these issue, as I'm about to
    setup a network of Win95 computers with an NT server for my local
    school system.
    
    I find that WORD for Windows, and Excel, and undoubtely many other
    utilities all seem to have some default, where they'll put your files
    if you don't specify otherwise.  But this is on a utility by utility
    basis.  And I suppose, but don't even know, that this will be
    independently specified for different users on a computer.
    
    When I create users under an NT server, I get to specify a home
    directory for each.  Will all these utilities suddenly use that home
    directory for their default, default directory?  Or will I have to edit
    the preferences or options for each utility to default to each user's
    home directory.
    
    Actually, I suspect I've got the wrong mindset here.  I'm sure I'm too
    VMS oriented... What am I doing wrong?
    
    I'm looking for some way to make it so that when any user creates a
    file, and saves it, by default, it'll go to his/her home directory.
    
    -	stp
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2828.1COOKIE::FROEHLINLet's RAID the Internet!Wed Mar 05 1997 15:0512
    Steve,
    
    you can edit the properties of a shortcut and set the startup
    directory. For example on my home PC I have a shortcut which starts
    Word under my wifes home directory and one for myself. Unfortunately
    under Windows 95 there's only one ini file which causes some suprises
    when either one of us has changed defaults like page setups.
    
    Btw. I hate VMS users doing "SET DEFAULTs" and glober places allover
    with their files. It's not perfect either...slightly different.
    
    Guenther
2828.2TARKIN::LINBill LinWed Mar 05 1997 15:1611
    re: STAR::PITCHER
    
    Steve,
    
    These deficiencies may be due to the fact that Windows, Windows 95, and
    Windows NT are really just single-user operating systems.  If you look
    at multi-user implementations, e.g. Citrix Winframe, you'll see that
    they take user "home" directory defaults to a different level than on
    the stock single-user systems.
    
    /Bill
2828.3skylab.zko.dec.com::FISHERGravity: Not just a good idea. It's the law!Wed Mar 05 1997 15:4122
Of course for W95 and NT4, the model is supposed to be that you start from your
document (which is already in your home folder or wherever) and click on it
bringing in the correct application.  You create it in the first place using
"new..." from the folder menu.

Ha ha ha.  Yes, that makes sense sometimes, and I actually do it sometimes.  Most
of the time, I am as frustrated as you.  The worst thing (to me) is that Windows
apps seem to be somewhat inconsistent in keeping the context of the previously used
directory.  In other words, it seems to me that sometimes "Save as" presents the
\winword directory as the default to save into and other times it presents the last
directory I saved in.  I'm not sure when it does what (haven't tried to find out
that hard).  Also, I have found setting the default directory for an app very
useful, but I have not again tried that hard.

Finally, I should mention that I am running Word 7 on Windows NT/Alpha and it does
actually present me with \Profiles\fisher\personal (or something like that) as the
default directory to save into.  Now that's more like it.  Don't know about other
apps.

Burns


2828.4STAR::PITCHERSteve Pitcher/Pathworks for OpenVMSWed Mar 05 1997 17:0716
    Thanks all, for your *quick* responses.  Guess its not just me.
    
    Yes, I've realized that I ought to get into the habit or creating files
    via NEW..., and thereafter just editing them...  but that really
    doesn't work comfortably either.  Pretty ugly starting out with a file
    called NEWFILE.DOC, and immediately having to rename it.... etc.
    
    And yes... I've seen that Word 7 puts files in
    ...\Profiles\username\personal, but that directory tree is under
    \WINDOWS, and I really don't like putting userfiles under \WINDOWS
    either.
    
    At least I have reason to believe that its not just me... I'll have to
    make do as best I can.  Thanks.
    
    -	stp
2828.5TARKIN::LINBill LinWed Mar 05 1997 17:319
    re: STAR::PITCHER
    
    Steve,
    
    We'll just have to work harder to get OpenVMS out there for
    everyone to use!  Unfortunately, this is an unpopular view
    for someone in the PCBU.  :-(
    
    /Bill
2828.6AXEL::FOLEYhttp://axel.zko.dec.comWed Mar 05 1997 19:4514

	You might want to check the latest version of TweakUI. It
	allows one to easily change the location of the
	My Favorites/My Documents folders. I point mine to
	my server-based network drive.

	Or you could just edit the registry entries by hand. But
	TweakUI is easy for the lay person to use.

	This might all be better managed when the new login scripting
	and directory services stuff comes around.

								mike
2828.7Digital has it today!CADSYS::GROSSThe bug stops hereWed Mar 05 1997 20:186
Re: .5

If only we could put an Alpha pc on every desktop, we could
offer VMS quite easily.

Dave
2828.8sorry for this digressionTARKIN::LINBill LinWed Mar 05 1997 21:0011
    re: .7 by CADSYS::GROSS
    
    >> If only we could put an Alpha pc on every desktop, we could
    >> offer VMS quite easily.
    
    Actually, I have a Celebris XL upgraded with an Alpha powergrade
    sitting idle at the moment.  Unfortunately, I don't know if it
    would be possible to run OpenVMS on it.  At the very least, someone
    will tell me it is "not supported" I expect.
    
    /Bill
2828.9QUARK::LIONELFree advice is worth every centThu Mar 06 1997 13:545
Right - not supported, won't boot.

You can change the Office default directories within the Office apps.

			Steve
2828.10TARKIN::LINBill LinThu Mar 06 1997 14:277
    re: .9 by QUARK::LIONEL
    
    >> Right - not supported, won't boot.
    
    Thanks for the confirmation, Steve.
    
    ;-)
2828.11You can, after a fashionCHEFS::TAYLORMMike Taylor @REO, DTN 830-4558Thu Mar 20 1997 10:3418
    Re .4:
    
    > And yes... I've seen that Word 7 puts files in
    > ...\Profiles\username\personal, but that directory tree is under
    > \WINDOWS, and I really don't like putting userfiles under \WINDOWS
    > either.
    
    You don't *have* to put user files under \WINDOWS at all.
    
    In Word 7 (and Word 2 and Word 6), go into Tools | Options | File
    Locations, and you can change the default location for user documents -
    use C:\My Documents or similar.
    
    You can do a similar thing in Excel.
    
    Hth
    Mike.