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+8 votes
443 views

Not a question, just a warning for anyone using the "Export to csv" function of the VGPS. I used it yesterday to do some analysis of all webcams past and present (see thread on Groundspeak forum), by using map compare to produce a list of all webcam caches around the world, archived or not, and exported the list to CSV. It prompted me to open or save, and I chose open. I worked on the list for a while, then remembered I was still working on a temporary file and saved as an ordinary xls document. I finished the analysis, posted the results on the forum and saved and closed the file, feeling very smug.

Yesterday evening I went to re-open the file, and found no sign of it. Excel didn't have it in the list of recent files, and it wasn't in my documents. I suddenly realised what I had done wrong - the temporary file was in the temporary internet files folder, and Excel had saved the document in the same place. I spent some time looking through all the temporary folders I could find, and fortunately after a good half hour of searching I found it. However if the computer had cleared the temporary files in the meantime I would have lost it permanently.

So the moral of the tale is this - when exporting any form of file, always make sure you save it before you start, and know where it is!

in Miscellaneous by Optimist on the run (Expert) (20.5k points)
edited by Optimist on the run (Expert)
Exactly! Backup, Backup, Backup! :D

1 Answer

–6 votes
I dont use it :D
by Ficule (820 points)
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