This week, we curse bitterly at
having to rename files manually. Luckily, there’s a solution
Features at a glance
·
File copy, move and rename
·
Multiple format meta-tags supported
·
Powerful file name template editor
·
Command line support
File
Grinder: batch renaming files has never been easier
Let’s face it: renaming loads of files is
boring. You may start out all enthusiastic, happily hitting F2 and renaming,
but after a while you soon lose the will to carry on. For example, you have
goodness knows how many MP3s, all of which have the name: track01, track02 and
so on. You have been press-ganged by the kids into renaming them into a format
that the LCD on their expensive MP3 player can understand. Normally you would
launch Explorer and open up each file individually to identify the song title,
then close down the media player and name the MP3 accordingly. Actually,
normally you’d most likely tell them to do it themselves and stop whinging, but
let’s say you’re in a considerate mood. This may very well be fine on an album
that contains just a few tracks, but when you’re dealing with a brace of albums
that total well over a hundred MP3s, this process soon becomes a long, hard
slog.
What you need it is an automated tool of
some description. What you need is the File Grinder. Basically, File Grinder is
a batch renaming, copying and moving tool, but with a trick up its sleeve. As
opposed to the normal standard batch processing applications, File Grinder can
rename files based on the file format’s meta-tags via a selection of inherent
file templates; such as MP3, JPEG, HTML, video and FB2 e-book formats, along
with a very basic and generic All Files template. To enjoy this Valhalla of
batch processing wonderment, drop on by bit.ly/KgPmf1 and hit the big, purple
download button.
File
Grinder is a batch renaming, copying and moving tool, but with a trick up its
sleeve
Usually, when playing around with batch
file processing tools, you have a complicated interface, with far too many
choices, options and icons. However, what’s nice in this case is that File
Grinder is a relatively easy-to-use piece of software. The interface is
simplistic, laid out nicely, easy on the old eyes and should be a doddle for
most PC users to quickly get to grips with. Having said that, there are some
functions that aren’t too forthcoming at first for the casual user, but after a
brief look around the various icons and buttons you should be confident enough
to start batch renaming.
When using File Grinder, one element of the
renaming process that should be taken with care is when you’re setting up the
destination location of the finished files. There’s a button to the left of the
text box that, when clicked, will reveal a drop-down selection containing the
following: Rename, Move and Copy. Should you have spent some time getting the
process ready, and you neglect to select Copy, for example, there’s a pretty
good chance that all the files you’re dealing with could be renamed in the
wrong manner and result in being moved to the destination and lost from the
original format. Obviously, you’ll be more careful in this respect, but
accidents do happen and it’s certainly worth pointing this element out. Not
that it happened to us, of course. Ahem.
In conclusion, although File Grinder may
not be the most exciting application to ever grace the computing world, it is
very useful. It’s free, portable and certainly quick at its job, but it’s the
simplicity of File Grinder that wins over in the end, plus the fact that it can
save you many a lost hour of file renaming. Of course, bear in mind that as it
uses meta-tags, you actually have to make sure the files do have a valid
meta-tag to start with; if they don’t, then you’re going to end up outputting a
very confused-looking file.
