How to copy files but don't replace existing files?

this is a good question. i would also like to know.


allow me to also mention that i lost a massive amount of data when i "replaced" a previous folder with backup data of the same name. I WAS NOT EXPECTING ANY PRE-EXISTING FILES TO BE COMPLETELY ERASED when i pasted/replaced the folder.

this is a serious issue that i think people need to be informed of, as the greater population of computer users run some version of windows, which does a "paste copy of file(s) if it does not exist here, and replace old file(s) if it exists with new file being pasted" operation.

Perhaps it might be the case. But that is really not a good way to respond. It shows more zealotry, ignorance and intolerance. So, most OS's do not replace by removing the existing file structure and putting those files in place. Most do a copy and overwrite. And the warning does not define "replace" at all. Its like what I read in Crystal Reports help once, "This is the Post button, to post, click post." But what was I actually posting? I could only tell by experimentation.

So, I agree with the other 2 folks making the comments. The behavior and warning is misleading to people who want to switch. Including myself. I have switched, and I admit very happily for the most part. This could **** alot of people off though. And I can see how I would not recommend switching to a Mac to some of my clients. Too many files would be lost.

So, if anyone from Apple is listening. I see two issues.

First, one of communication. Not that typical users read warnings, but that's why there are folks like me around. In either case, good explaining is giving information in a more informative way. Perhaps "[... Do you want to remove the existing item and replace it with the one you're moving?". Simple change and gives an better understanding of what "replace" really means, and what will actually happen.

But it makes sense for the second issue to be also addressed as well. There should be more alternatives for people who move around often. There should be a "Stop", a "Replace", and there should be a "Copy And Overwrite" of some sort. Where the behavior that many from Windows, and various X Windows interfaces, is replicated.

That is a nice (and simple) added feature that would probably make many people happy. New users and old users, whether running away from something, or looking for hardware that is more usable in different situations.

lunarist

You lost data because you replaced a folder. Replaced means replaced, not merged. I know the default behaviour on Windows is to merge the folders, but this is a different OS. There was a warning window.

Regards

TD

g-pod

If you try and copy 50 files onto a folder where there are, say, 20 files already of the same name, then the Finder will pop up a dialogue pointing out that you will overwrite the file of the same name. It will give you the option to skip, Proceed and Apply to all. If you select Skip and 'Apply to All' it will not overwrite the files already there and only add the other 50.

By all means practise this once or twice to confirm...

Regards

TD