Random Order button no longer works

[cathaven]

I have the latest version, but I am one of the few people still using a 32bit Windows 10 (not for much longer I hope).
I noticed today that the Random Order button is no longer working. I think this is since the most recent update, but honestly, I can't be absolutely sure if I've used it since the last update. I do use it quite often, but not for a week, or two I think.

[jupe]

When you are pressing the button are only folders visible in the list? there were some recent changes so that now only files are randomized (under certain conditions).

viewtopic.php?p=201361#p201361

[cathaven]

Yes, that is obviously the problem. I need it to be able to randomize a list of folders. If it just does files, it's of no use to me.

[admin]

Interesting. May I ask why you need to do this?

[cathaven]

I have a very large digital music library. I prefer to keep it in individual folders named as "Artist - Album", rather than the iTunes method of folders for each artist, then a subfolder for the album within them. Plus I don't like the way most music library software insists on making a copy within the library, rather than simply pointing to the folder I keep them in. Another factor is that I'm currently using Windows 10 on a very low power laptop, which makes it difficult to use the randomizer within apps. In any case, I use MediaMonkey, rather than iTunes, which only allows selection of random tracks, rather than albums. There is a 3rd party plugin for random album play, but I never managed to make it work properly. So if I want to play a random album, I need to randomise the album subfolders to pick one. I can, of course, make a searched list of all the individual files, then elect to play the album the random choice appears in, but that is extremely cumbersome.
I have something very similar for digital books, albeit the "Read a Random Book" button in Calibre works fine for those, as ebooks only have the one file.
I used to use an Explorer add-on called "RandomSelectionTool", which put a link in the context menu of any folder to select randomly from its contents, but that isn't even recognised in XYplorer.
I'm sure I'll learn to live with some sort of workaround eventually, but the original way the Random Order button worked was perfect for me. It would be great if it could have options to randomize files, folders, or both added in preferences, but I suspect not enough people would care to make it worth the work.

[admin]

Thanks.

You may not have seen that it is now possible (that's the button with the dice graphic):

Code: Select all

v23.50.0205 - 2022-08-25 19:28
    + Toolbar | Random Order: Now the button's context menu features the toggle "Include 
      Folders". Tick it to also shuffle the folders.
      This setting also affects the command "View | Sort By | Random Order".

[LittleBiG]

As I could notice, if the "Sort folders apart" is off, the folders would also be randomized, no matter how the new "Include subfolders" is set.
If the "Sort folders apart" is on, and the new "Include subfolders" is set, the folders will be mixed into the files, won't be apart.

So it is pretty illogical now, I suggest to make it to obey to the settings.
"Sort folders apart"=ON and "Include subfolders=OFF: Folders remain apart, files randomized. (It is correct now)
"Sort folders apart"=ON and "Include subfolders=ON: Folders should remain apart but should be randomized. Files should be also randomized, but separately.
"Sort folders apart"=OFF and "Include subfolders=OFF: Folders should keep their order and files should be randomized among the folders. (I am not sure how useful it is, but it is logical only this way.)
"Sort folders apart"=OFF and "Include subfolders=ON: Everything should be randomized fully.

Actually, I wouldn't have created this new "Include subfolders" option, it has just complicated the whole stuff unnecessarily. I would have simply recommended to untick the "Sort folders apart" option, if the folders also needs to be randomized.

[admin]

Ok, from a strict logical point of view that's correct. But from a practical POV I think we can live with the current way.

[LittleBiG]

Sure. Fortunately you hid the option well in the button context menu avoiding the possible confusion. (But if you put this into the help file it could be worth mentioning that the ticked option always results in mixed sort order.)

[cathaven]

Thanks.

You may not have seen that it is now possible (that's the button with the dice graphic):

Code: Select all

v23.50.0205 - 2022-08-25 19:28
    + Toolbar | Random Order: Now the button's context menu features the toggle "Include 
      Folders". Tick it to also shuffle the folders.
      This setting also affects the command "View | Sort By | Random Order".

Not seen, because I can't as yet find a download for v23.50.0205 on the website, & my copy of v23.50.0200 (which does not have anything in the context menu for that button, other than "Customize Toolbar") tells me it's up-to-date. I'm assuming I'll be able to get this newest upgrade soonish. Thanks for this.

[admin]

You can always get the latest beta version right here in the forum: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4&sd=d

[cathaven]

You can always get the latest beta version right here in the forum: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4&sd=d

Thank you. Done, and it seems to work fine.