Record Autosave Feature

[jackinct]

Hi,
My question re a feature has come up before, and, apparently, it looks like it's been some time since it was asked (and I couldn't find a definitive answer if it exists). I have Ver 2.0.6.

When using the Timer Record feature, is there a way of auto-saving the recording when the timer has expired? Part 2 of this question: what would happen to the recording if my Win 7 automatically shuts down my PC (at a user set predetermined time), i. e., if there is NO record autosave, when I turn my PC back on, is there some way of 'salvaging' the recording?

Thanks JackInCT (USA).

[waxcylinder]

No, not right now - but I would value that too and that's why I included it in the Proposal I wrote in the Wiki: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Propo ... provements

The developer who wrote Timer Record originally is interested in pursuing this further, but is very busy on other Audacity work right now - so nothing of this will be in the next release for sure.

Would you like me to add your vote to the Feature Requests and Proposal pages in the Wiki?

WC

[jackinct]

Would you like me to add your vote to the Feature Requests and Proposal pages in the Wiki?

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. Yes, please add my 'voice' to the list of those requesting an autosave feature.

The rest of this reply is FYI: theoretically, a macro (that has a time schedule feature as to when it runs) could do the job. As a home user, I find Win macro programs daunting re comprehension as to how they work (not to mention expensive). Anyone ever set one up re creating an Audacity autosave capability?

I do have a freeware task automation program (NOT the Task Scheduler that Win7 comes with) that, for my purposes (and it has multiple functions), I use to shutdown my PC everyday at a predetermined time (in case I forget, i. e., for the express purpose of my PC NOT sitting there doing nothing, especially in lieu of running all night). BUT, if I record a program with the timer record feature [which I would like to do for an internet streaming radio program], the process (for Audacity when the program is still open), as is typical for Win software, the program 'close down' process generates a pop up window asking if I wish to save the work; and of course IF I'm not there to respond to that message, the PC won't shut down.

[Gale Andrews]

Moved to "Adding Features".

Part 2 of this question: what would happen to the recording if my Win 7 automatically shuts down my PC (at a user set predetermined time), i. e., if there is NO record autosave, when I turn my PC back on, is there some way of 'salvaging' the recording?

Yes there would be an Automatic Crash Recovery dialogue.

But as you point out, Windows would not be able to shut down with unsaved changes in Audacity, unless you (or an app) forced the shut down.

Gale

[jackinct]

Moved to "Adding Features".

But as you point out, Windows would not be able to shut down with unsaved changes in Audacity, unless you (or an app) forced the shut down.

Hello, you're right re Windows (at least with the freeware scheduled/unattended auto-shutdown software that I'm test 'driving') not shutting down. The shutdown process starts as scheduled, but immediately I get a popup type dialog window asking me if I want to save the file (standard fare for all windows software), and the shutdown process ceases (doesn't crash, etc., just stops).

I posted the popup question in a Windows tech forum, and it remains to be seen if a command line type code, etc., can be created by some volunteering guru.

[Gale Andrews]

Hello, you're right re Windows (at least with the freeware scheduled/unattended auto-shutdown software that I'm test 'driving') not shutting down. The shutdown process starts as scheduled, but immediately I get a popup type dialog window asking me if I want to save the file (standard fare for all windows software), and the shutdown process ceases (doesn't crash, etc., just stops).

I posted the popup question in a Windows tech forum, and it remains to be seen if a command line type code, etc., can be created by some volunteering guru.

There is free software such as http://www.autohotkey.com/ or https://www.autoitscript.com/site/autoit/ using which you can create a script to start Audacity recording, press keys in Audacity to save the project then shut down the computer. When you have made the script you can use Windows Task Scheduler to run the script.

Look at this topic to get some ideas http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 46&t=81680.


Gale

[waxcylinder]

Yes, please add my 'voice' to the list of those requesting an autosave feature.

Votes added

[jackinct]

Windows Task Scheduler Image File.jpg (157.23 KiB) Viewed 1930 times

When you have made the script you can use Windows Task Scheduler to run the script.

Gale

Thank you for your reply. Re Task Scheduler: as a long time Win 7 home user, I made my first attempt this week to use that feature. It was a disaster. The attached image file shows what happens when I attempt to open the 'program'; that popup window is following by two more such windows with other warning statements. I've made an extensive, time consuming search of the issue via Google searches and it is quite evident that many end users are experiencing similar issues (and have been going back to the XP OS) to include those that have gotten the attention of Microsoft tech support whose suggested fixes don't work. I tried some of the MS tech support suggestions, but 'no joy'.

[Edgar]

I also had this problem to solve for a client; here is a link to the thread which started it all:
http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... or#p223451
Audacity AudioBiocolor is a project I did for a French medical team. I had to solve the problem of automatically saving a file for them; if you feel comfortable compiling with Microsoft Visual Studio, here is a link which will allow you to download the complete Windows project:
http://www.hometownband.org/members/efm ... roject.zip
I have never uploaded just the executable, but if it looks like something which might work for you I could do so.

[jackinct]

I also had this problem to solve for a client.......
I have never uploaded just the executable, but if it looks like something which might work for you I could do so.

Hello Edgar,

To begin with, I feel that it would be prudent to do some very specific clarifications with you re your offer in your post. I certainly am more than willing to give your executable a try on an "as is" basis; I have no tech skills to evaluate it before I use it, but I'm willing to trust to luck (I would create a restore point beforehand).

For a start, I would presume that an auto-save feature would be of benefit to more Audacity users than just me ; and so I would further presume, (a) that you would post it in an "as is" [re liability] state in this forum, (b) further I would presume in doing so that would NOT violate any terms of service on this forum, and (c) finally I would presume that the program developers would not feel that their turf had been trampled on (since the moderator(s) read posts, I presume that one of them would pass this on to the development team).

By the way, if your executable has an exe file extension, many anti-virus programs WILL NOT let you download a file with such an extension.

I am familiar, in a general way, with VBS, and have used a few in my personal Excel spreadsheets (I'm a non-tech home user). BUT the VBS's that I use were created by Excel guru's, i. e., there are, via any search engine, a multitude of folks who freely offer various Excel solutions, and I make good use of them; I would rather spend the time searching for a request that is EXACTLY what I'm looking for that has caught the eye re a solution from an Excel geek (my own VBS's are doomed to failure).

Finally, I would think that as a starting point, it would be a safe presumption that the recordings are being made using Audacity's Timer Recorder. The user would initiate an ATTENDED recording session (setting one up), and fill in the Timer Recorder dialog window; at the conclusion of session your script would have to launch, and likely in the context of a scheduled shutdown.

I of course would post the end results to this forum (and I would trust that anyone else that tries it would do the same).

Cheers, Jack