Who uses the summary tab of the properties window?

[Paul Seebach]

I have found the "Summary" tab to be useful in discovering what something is
without opening it. Why doesn't Microsoft or anyone else? I have a lot of
install applications saved from downloading but now I don't know what they
are without starting the install because no-one ever uses the summary tab to
provide any information as to what it is!

Thanks

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

"There are seldom technological solutions to behavioral problems."

Train your users to use this very useful option. I know in the publishing
business, it is almost second nature to use the Summary tab as well as the
rest of the Properties options.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my personal
account will be deleted without reading.

After furious head scratching, Paul Seebach asked:

| I have found the "Summary" tab to be useful in discovering what
| something is without opening it. Why doesn't Microsoft or anyone
| else? I have a lot of install applications saved from downloading
| but now I don't know what they are without starting the install
| because no-one ever uses the summary tab to provide any information
| as to what it is!
|
| Thanks

 

[Gary Smith]

I have found the "Summary" tab to be useful in discovering what something is
without opening it. Why doesn't Microsoft or anyone else? I have a lot of
install applications saved from downloading but now I don't know what they
are without starting the install because no-one ever uses the summary tab to
provide any information as to what it is!

Part of the problem is that while Office documents store summary
information internally so that it is carried along with the file no matter
where it may be transferred, other types of files do not. The summmary
information for most files is stored in an alternate data stream.
Alternate data streams are a function of the NTFS file system and are lost
when the file is transferred to non-NTFS storage. This includes
attachment to email and transfer via the FTP or HTTP protocols, or adding
the file to a zip file. So while the summary infomration can be very
useful locally, it doesn't travel well.