Researchers working cross platform OSX-Windows

[globalnomad]

Hi folks,

Does anyone know how an existing tag structure assigned within OSX will render within this program on a Windows machine? We are two writers using different systems sharing files across Dropbox. OSX tags are described as Yosemite tags, but as I understand it are essentially OpenMeta.

in essence, does this program assign and see OpenMeta tags or use a proprietary system?

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere, I can't find anything but am still looking.

Kind regards,

Norman
PS: This isn't an opening shot in an Apple v Windows battle. ;-)

[highend]

in essence, does this program assign and see OpenMeta tags or use a proprietary system?

It uses a proprietary system (a tags.dat file that contains all tags for all files). XY is a windows application. OpenMeta tags (which, after a short google search, seem to be bound to MacOS only) aren't supported.

[globalnomad]

highend - thanks for that.

Yes, I hadn't fully appreciated that Openmeta tags are purely visible to OS X users: the word 'Open' did it.

So what we're saying here is we are stuffed, a Windows machine isn't going to recognise tags assigned within Dropbox files.

More research methinks...

Tagging is a fairly complex issue.

[binocular222]

Make a tag.dat file which contain all file name and tag, make sure the format is pure text and readable by both Mac and Win, i.e:
file1.doc|tag1,tag2
file2.doc|tag3,tag4
...

[Marco]

So what we're saying here is we are stuffed, a Windows machine isn't going to recognise tags assigned within Dropbox files.

If Mavericks exports the OMtags to Dropbox via an helper file or something similar, then with some scripting they will be visible in XY too. Not immediate, but doable.

[globalnomad]

Gents,

Many thanks for the responses, I should have dug deeper around my assumption that 'OpenMeta' tags were cross-platform. I think what's required is a tagging methodology that does just that but I'm not holding my breath. I think there may be an opportunity for developers there but that thought comes from a low technical understanding of the challenges involved.

[bdeshi]

Heh, XYplorer's tagging system is a top candidate, only if XYplorer itself were (truly) cross-platform!

[globalnomad]

I think you're right Sammay, if we disregard the pointless 'no-mans-land' between the various OS' we might greatly enhance the world's computing experience.

My question would be, 'is it technically possible' to make the implementation seamless and simple? If so, once the idea caught on every app such as XY would try for it... But to be first would be something.

[highend]

As long as you don't use Windows via Bootcamp on your Mac? No (unless you find a tagging system for it that doesn't save a.) tags directly into the metadata of files | b.) separated from the files but in a non readable format).

[globalnomad]

Hello highend,

You are all educating me (I'm reading as well) as we progress with the discussion.
So the tagging process depends on a separate file held within the greater associated folder/directory. This data 'educates' any file manager as to the assignment of tags within the folder concerned.

So the requirement is for any (OS X/Windows/Linux etc) file manager to be able to read the associated (tag) data file.

This would seem to imply we have a form of 'translator' within apps (for example XYplorer) to interpret/read the data file no matter what it's origin? Is this technically possible?

Our problem is collaborative, I use a Mac, my pal is an ardent Windows user. I want him to see the extensive array of tags I have assigned for the benefits this will bring to researching/writing. I guess a natural development might be to bring XYplorer to OS X and Linux which would pit it against the other great names out there e.g. Yep/Path Finder 7.

[highend]

This would seem to imply we have a form of 'translator' within apps (for example XYplorer) to interpret/read the data file no matter what it's origin? Is this technically possible?

Sure. As long as the tags are saved in a separate (and readable) tag file (on the Mac OS side).

I guess a natural development might be to bring XYplorer to OS X and Linux

Apart from virtualization (XYplorer runs within wine on Linux for example) you shouldn't wait for this to come. XY is coded in Visual Basic (non .net version) and not in C(++) or anything that runs natively on Mac OS.

[globalnomad]

Thanks highnend. If my Windows pal could read my OS X tags, I'd be a happy bunny, but I get it....