My Poser directory and "filing" system are a complete disaster! Based on your wonderful recommendations in previous message threads, I have finally purchased PBoost. Before installing it, I was wondering if someone could answer a few questions for me. Is it better to reorganize the folders in Windows Explorer first before installing the app? ie. creating the subdirectories within the libraries/character folder ... a folder for Vic Clothes and then subfolders for clothing type, etc. Or should these be moved outside of the Runtime folder? Should I use Correct Reference to clean up the image file references first or is this app also part of PBoost? Any help, tips, pointers, etc. would be GREATLY appreciated! Juanita

ok first you should use PBooost to do the reorganising otherwise it might not see all the files/folders, once you've set up your banks they can be located outside the runtime but you need to do it with PBooost. CorrectReference is a seperate program that works alongside PBooost, you can use it before you install PBooost but does like to know where you install it as you can access it from within PBooost.

Juanita, do not reorganize first. PBoost will want to see your directory structure the way it is. You may do some cleanup after you move stuff around (stray rsr files, etc, that get left behind). My only advice is twofold: 1) don't skimp on folders, make folders to your heart's content. 2) be careful when moving folders; think carefully when you make a move because you might want that folder in more than one place (IE I have character folders for Mike, Victoria and Vic3; I have some things that are compatable with all of them -- DAZ Creature Pack, RDNA Monster Pack. Had to think carefully if I wanted those add ons in a seperate folder or copies of them in each of my folders for Mike, Vic and Vic3. I hope that made some sense) PBoost rocks. e.d.

ps I've had PBooost since August last year & like evilded says it rocks :)

Thank you, everyone for taking the time to come to my rescue! Guess I better get started. I can see what I'm going to be doing today, tomorrow, the next day..... :-) You guys rock!

If you haven't already started, you might want to backup your stuff. You can rest assured that PBooost doesn't like to delete anything. For example, PBooost will not delete a folder that has content. You can't delete individual items or groups of items. You can delete an empty folder. Sometimes a folder might look empty, but still have something in it. The unseen items may be geometry files, textures, etc. PBoost will give you a warning about that. I usually leave those folders alone and look at them more closely with a file manager program. You might want to sketch out a plan before you actually get started. Here is an idea of banks you may want to create: 1.) Mike 2.) Vicky 3.) P4 characters (Dork, Posette, etc) 4.) Projects 5.) Stephanie You get the idea. Just think of groups or banks of things you will use. Then create those banks and move your stuff to them.

Thanks for the tips, PeterWahoo! After having had many hard drive failures, viruses, etc., backing up things is always my first priority. My biggest problem is getting rid of things that I backed up years ago. Ya never know when something is going to go missing! Just call me a packrat, which is why I am in desperate need of PBoost. :-) One thing I forgot to mention, I store my textures outside of Poser on my D: drive. Will this create a problem? Juanita

it should be ok PBooost will ask you where you keep them so will CorrectReference

Thanks again for all your help. Everyone here is always so helpful. You guys are great!!

My ultimate answer: 1.) Go over my entire Poser collection, and reorganize everythng properly. I'm talking about the original zip files, etc. Put everything on "themed" cd's (Mike, Vicky, Scenes, etc.) 2.) Run Offline CD Browser to catalog all my new CD's. 3.) Erase my Poser installations. 4.) Start over. Poser 5 allows a real advantage: external Runtimes. I don't install anything in the Poser 5 folder. I install it all in a new folder called "Poser5B." Before I started over, I asked myself what I really used. If I hadn't used something in a few weeks or months, I didn't install it until it was needed, if ever.

Attached Link: Whereisit?

Good advice Peter,I did most of that myself, I use Where is it for my cataloging which is very fast, it scanned 45 cd's in under 2 hours & I can find anything I want in seconds.

Attached Link: Offline CD Browser

c1rcle, I downloaded Whereisit, along with a bunch of other similar software. I ended up with Offline CD Browser because it was the first one of the bunch that I could understand. OCDB has been very good for me. It's always good to see someone else's recommendations. Anyone interested in Offline CD Browser, can get it for free at the supplied link.

Thanks peter I'll have a look at that :)