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Why SO many random DCIM Folders? I want ONE!

I have an ipone 4s. I have had an iPhone for over 5 years now. Before the DCIM folder would hold 1000 pictures. As soon as I would take another picture (ei 1001) then it would start another folder for those thousand pictures. So by time I got into the 5000+ I had over 5 folders. They are random (ei 851PKYZB, 851XTGOR, 914ELZYG, etc.) Last month or so when I plugged my phone into the computer to copy my photos onto my desktop I had ONE folder. It was glorious not to have to open every folder to figure out where the newest pictures were.


Then today I plug my phone into my computer to copy pictures over and I now have a folder for every 100 pictures. YES TONS and TONS of folders (55 folders to be exact) and no rhythm or reason to the numbering system. Some with only 1 picture in them, as I delete a lot of pictures after transferring to my computer. So when I wanted to find todays pictures I had to open over half of them to find my pictures.


HOW do I get it back to ONE folder? I understand the reason there is a DCIM folder to begin with, but I really think I should be able to have 1 folder or at least have them numbered 100APPLE, 101APPLE, or something that is numeric and I know that the very last folder are the new pictures. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. (I have the newest iOS 8.1.2) Thanks in advance.

iOS 7.1

Posted on Dec 13, 2014 6:24 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 13, 2014 7:03 AM

It does matter, as when I got to upload new photos I have over 50 folders to look in, to find the newest pictures. I was ok with 5 or 6 folders but 55 is a bit much and I take lots of photos and then delete them, so I will end up with many many more folders. If the folders were in order and the first folders the oldest pictures and the bottom folders the newest pictures, I wouldn't care how many folders I have, but they are RANDOM....

366 replies

Sep 7, 2015 7:02 AM in response to Philly_Phan

Philly_Phan wrote:


Well, personally I disagree with that solution. I'd prefer taking my time with each shot. However, my preferences are irrelevant.


Some time back I suggested a 2-step workaround that seems to have been lost in the discussion. Transfer all of the pics to iPhoto in one swell foop. Do NOT tinker around in iPhoto but, instead, export the entire group of pics to the folder of your choice. Yes, it is an extra step but the export requires only a mouse click and the pics are exported rather quickly.

Again, this is not an option on the PC. The user has a PC. This entire thread is about iPhone with PC.

Sep 7, 2015 7:25 AM in response to drume

drume wrote:


Philly_Phan wrote:


Well, personally I disagree with that solution. I'd prefer taking my time with each shot. However, my preferences are irrelevant.


Some time back I suggested a 2-step workaround that seems to have been lost in the discussion. Transfer all of the pics to iPhoto in one swell foop. Do NOT tinker around in iPhoto but, instead, export the entire group of pics to the folder of your choice. Yes, it is an extra step but the export requires only a mouse click and the pics are exported rather quickly.

Again, this is not an option on the PC. The user has a PC. This entire thread is about iPhone with PC.

It is my understanding that Windows Photo Gallery can be used the same way.

Sep 7, 2015 7:43 AM in response to Philly_Phan

Not really. The Windows "Photos" app is terrible for this, since its import utility doesn't even allow thumbnails large enough to see and has no options. The better Windows wizard, as previously mentioned, is available by right-clicking on the iPhone and selecting "Import pictures and videos". It has reasonably sized thumbnails, a full range of import options, stretchable time range grouping, and allows selection of any combination of groups and individual photos. It doesn't make up for Apple's terrible limitations with Windows, but it helps.

Sep 7, 2015 8:24 AM in response to drume

drume wrote:


Not really. The Windows "Photos" app is terrible for this, since its import utility doesn't even allow thumbnails large enough to see and has no options.

There's no need for thumbnails and/or options in this instance. "Photos" would be used merely as a mechanism to obtain the pics from the iPhone. The pics would then be exported to a folder of choice, which is what tboake wants.


drume wrote:


...Apple's terrible limitations with Windows...

If you truly believe that, then you should either replace your iPhone with an Android or replace your Windoze with a Mac. Complaining on a forum accomplishes nothing.

Sep 7, 2015 8:57 AM in response to Philly_Phan

Yes, thumbnails are necessary unless you only plan on copying everything and all at once, then never copying anything again.


And replace? Really? So I guess if my car is irritating in some ways, I should just replace it until I get one where everything is perfect, right?


Everything is a trade-off, balancing good attributes with frustrating issues. Live in reality where things aren't black and white. This forum is precisely for "complaining" in order to constructively criticize and find/provide helpful information, which is exactly what I provided.

Sep 7, 2015 9:04 AM in response to drume

Actually, this forum is decidedly not "for 'complaining' in order to constructively criticize..." It is for describing issues or problems, or asking questions with the intent of finding a solution. The TOU specifically states:


Post constructive comments and questions. Unless otherwise noted, your Submission should either be a technical support question or a technical support answer. Constructive feedback about product features is welcome as well. If your Submission contains the phrase "I'm sorry for the rant, but…" you are likely in violation of this policy.



Cheers,


GB

Sep 7, 2015 9:53 AM in response to drume

drume wrote:


Yes, thumbnails are necessary unless you only plan on copying everything and all at once, then never copying anything again.

That's exactly what tboake needs. The Photos app would function as a bridge between the iPhone folder system and the single folder solution that tboake wishes.


drume wrote:


And replace? Really? So I guess if my car is irritating in some ways, I should just replace it until I get one where everything is perfect, right?

There is a difference between merely "irritating in some ways" and "terrible limitations." Which is it?


drume wrote:


Everything is a trade-off, balancing good attributes with frustrating issues. Live in reality where things aren't black and white.

Absolutely correct, which is why I provided a workaround for a "frustrating issue" rather than a "terrible limitation." Why do you object to a completely functional workaround?


drume wrote:


This forum is precisely for "complaining" in order to constructively criticize and find/provide helpful information, which is exactly what I provided.

No, that is absolutely NOT what this forum is for. Please refer to Gail's post.

Sep 7, 2015 1:22 PM in response to Philly_Phan

If you take issue with users who complain about the problems they're having with their Apple devices, you're going to be awfully busy going around to all of the threads telling them to stop complaining. Support forums are where people come to complain. Always have been, always will be, regardless of the product or service. Quoting the TOU won't change that. I've always found it ironic when people complain about complainers.


This thread grows because Windows Explorer users continually end up here looking for solutions. Since Apple isn't in a hurry to offer a complete and total solution (and probably never will) then we will continue to offer alternate tools and/or work-arounds that allow users to keep using Windows Explorer. And we manage to do that just fine without insulting them, telling them they're using the "wrong" tool, or a "primitive" tool. Amazingly, all the drama stops when a select few people avoid this thread. You're not going to stop thousands, if not millions, of people from using WE with their i-devices. I'm not sure why a few of you have such a problem with it. If you don't want to use it, that's great, all power to you. If someone doesn't have anything helpful to contribute, there shouldn't even be a need to post here.

Sep 8, 2015 8:16 AM in response to gail from maine

Philly_Phan
wrote:


A solution was given. Please stop whining.

There has yet to be a solution to the issues brought up in this thread. There have only been suggestions of using alternate tools and work-arounds to help alleviate some of the frustration. So as long as newcomers find their way to this thread seeking help, and don't want to read through the entire thread, myself and others will continue to offer those alternate tools and work-arounds. If you only want to come here to harass people, stop whining about the tool we choose to use and avoid the thread.


Csound1
wrote:



Hey Tab, Instead of criticizing others why don't you offer some help

That's interesting coming from someone who admittedly doesn't use a PC so has no reason to be in this thread and only harasses people for using a tool you don't use.


If you haven't noticed, I've returned to this thread on several occasions to inform newcomers to this thread of the work-arounds that have been posted here. Many choose not to read through large threads, so I've been happy to repeat what we've learned for those who haven't. Maybe you can start acknowledging the ones who do help rather than argue with us. What have you done here, besides attack people for using Windows Explorer?


gail from maine wrote:


Ignore and violate the TOU often enough on this forum, and you won't be heard from again. If you want help, then explain what it is you want help with. If you want to complain, go elsewhere....


Cheers,


GB

Please point to where I encouraged anyone to ignore the TOU. I most certainly did not. I don't see you going after Lawrence or Csound, for example, for all of the many attacks and insults they've posted simply because people choose to use a certain Windows tool that they do not. It's obvious we're not all help to the same standards here. As I said before, this thread runs smoothly when a few troublemakers aren't around. If they have nothing helpful to offer, why aren't you telling them to go elsewhere?

Sep 8, 2015 1:30 PM in response to tab1075

tab1075 wrote:


Philly_Phan
wrote:


A solution was given. Please stop whining.

There has yet to be a solution to the issues brought up in this thread. There have only been suggestions of using alternate tools and work-arounds to help alleviate some of the frustration. So as long as newcomers find their way to this thread seeking help, and don't want to read through the entire thread, myself and others will continue to offer those alternate tools and work-arounds. If you only want to come here to harass people, stop whining about the tool we choose to use and avoid the thread.


Csound1
wrote:



Hey Tab, Instead of criticizing others why don't you offer some help

That's interesting coming from someone who admittedly doesn't use a PC so has no reason to be in this thread and only harasses people for using a tool you don't use.


If you haven't noticed, I've returned to this thread on several occasions to inform newcomers to this thread of the work-arounds that have been posted here. Many choose not to read through large threads, so I've been happy to repeat what we've learned for those who haven't. Maybe you can start acknowledging the ones who do help rather than argue with us. What have you done here, besides attack people for using Windows Explorer?


gail from maine wrote:


Ignore and violate the TOU often enough on this forum, and you won't be heard from again. If you want help, then explain what it is you want help with. If you want to complain, go elsewhere....


Cheers,


GB

Please point to where I encouraged anyone to ignore the TOU. I most certainly did not. I don't see you going after Lawrence or Csound, for example, for all of the many attacks and insults they've posted simply because people choose to use a certain Windows tool that they do not. It's obvious we're not all help to the same standards here. As I said before, this thread runs smoothly when a few troublemakers aren't around. If they have nothing helpful to offer, why aren't you telling them to go elsewhere?


Here, specifically:


If you take issue with users who complain about the problems they're having with their Apple devices, you're going to be awfully busy going around to all of the threads telling them to stop complaining. Support forums are where people come to complain. Always have been, always will be, regardless of the product or service. Quoting the TOU won't change that.


Relative to this:


Unless otherwise noted, your Submission should either be a technical support question or a technical support answer. Constructive feedback about product features is welcome as well. If your Submission contains the phrase "I'm sorry for the rant, but…" you are likely in violation of this policy.


Complaining is neither a question nor is it an answer. It also isn't constructive feedback. It is just complaining. The example of "I'm sorry for the rant, but..." is a guideline. A rant is just a complaint registered with more passion, shall we say. But the degree is not implied in the example, and any complaining simply for the sake of complaining is against the TOU....


GB

Sep 9, 2015 9:12 AM in response to gail from maine

Complaining is a natural, unavoidable part of the support process. If someone comes to these forums to say, "After updating to iOS 8.x.x, my battery dies quicker than it did before," that is a complaint. It's simply a well-mannered complaint. Just as the title of this thread, "Why SO many DCIM Folders? I want ONE!" is not only a question, but also a big complaint. That doesn't mean it isn't justified here. It's a legitimate complaint by the OP and many users who saw a certain method of doing something work for years, only to have it stop working at some point. In all reality, the portion of the TOU that you keep quoting does not say, "Do Not Complain." I just think you've interpreted it as such. The key thing is how the complaint is worded. This thread is chock full of technical answers and constructive feedback. It only ever strays from that when a few users come here to attack and insult everyone who doesn't do things the way they do. If they come here only to put someone down for using a tool they don't like, that is not helpful. So again I ask, since they are not here to help, why don't you address them instead of those of us who are here to help?


There's a few people in here who keeps telling everyone, Do not use Windows Explorer. That is not constructive feedback. Offering alternatives is. I've said it before, one of those people has offered alternatives in the past, but at the same time, keeps coming back to this thread and puts everyone down for continuing to use Windows Explorer. By offering help out of one hand and an attack out of the other, how is that constructive? As I've said, this thread runs smoothly and is a big help to users. The only time we see the drama (similar to what we've seen on the last couple pages) is when those select few troublemakers come here to antagonize others. It's unfortunate that their points status allows them a free pass for their behavior.

Why SO many random DCIM Folders? I want ONE!

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