Ruby 0.90.2 - User Guide and FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - Ruby

1. Why is the software called Ruby?
   When I was initially developing the software I couldn't come up with a unique name. So I named it after my little sister. If you look hard enough you will find an easter egg in the program that shows her picture.
   
   
2. Can the software have the Windows explorer look instead of the Excel-type look
   The search functionality will return results in an Excel-type grid. However, the program does include functionality for browsing through the Disc collection via an Explorer-type view.
   
   
3. The software doesn't have functionality to read my audio CDs? Why is that?
   The software is aimed at cataloging data files. With this in mind, the program will catalog the properties inherent to all files such as size and date. Multimedia files have other "internal" properties that make them unique. Properties such as song title, album, genre, etc. This program does not focus on multimedia files, although it does have functionality to read in MP3 ID3v1 and/or ID3v2 information.
   
   
4. When an audio CD is scanned, the song names do not show in the results. Why does that happen?
   That functionality requires a direct connection with the internet so that information from your audio CD can be sent to a CDDB server. Then, the server will send back the artist, song titles, etc. This may get integrated on a future release. See #5 as to why this is not part of the functionality currently in Ruby.
   
   
5. A Disc is scanned and it does not show in the Discs list after completion. Has the program reached a limit?
   Probably not. The database can hold a large amount of data. Asides from OS resource limitations, memory, etc, a collection of Discs in the hundreds should theoretically be possible. The most likely cause is that at some point a bit of corruption was introduced into the database. If a compact/repair is performed the problem will more than likely be solved.
   
   
6. When I scan a Disc I get an error number 52 (or 53) and the scan aborts? Why does this happen?
   More than likely there is a file on your Disc that does not follow the file naming convention as specified by Microsoft. In the future I may add an option to bypass these errors but for now the file is seen as an invalid file by the operating system. This may also happen when your Disc is corrupt. I would recommend transferring the files to a new Disc while paying attention to files that may be problematic.
   
   
7. I want to scan a specific folder on a Disc. Can I do this with the software?
   Currently, the software does not have that capability. The software will scan all folders starting from the root folder. This functionality may get added in a future release. In the meantime, you may be able to share the folder, then map a drive letter to the folder whereupon the new "drive" will display in the drive list. Mapping a folder is a functionality which is part of Windows and it may or may be not possible depending on your Windows version.
   
   
8. I want to do a search on a Disc description or Disc volume label. Is that possible?
   The premise of the program is to store data files and then do a search for specific data files. However, a simplified search function is available that will search for a Disc with a specific Disc description or Disc volume label. Use the Find a Disc utility to perform this function.