[Solved] Can't open files if special characters in file path

[seezee]

I'm trying to access OpenOffice files on a NAS (ReadyNAS NV+). The client computer is MacOS 10.6; the files are in a sub-directory of a directory that has a UTF-8 extended character in the name (an 'a' with an umlaut, U+00E4).

When I try to open one of the files, an error message appears saying that the file does not exist. If I move the file up the directory structure to a location above the folder w/ the special character, the file is accessible. What are the possible workarounds for this? I can't change the folder name, because too many symbolic links & shortcuts on other workstations rely on that path.

[Villeroy]

Use a link without umlaut.
Under Linux this would look like:
ln -s /server/blöder äppel tümpel/ /home/user/corny_apple_pool/

[seezee]

It's not a question of links. I can browse to the original file via the OS X finder, but when I try to open it (if it is under the folder w/ the umlaut in the name), I can't open it. I can create a link (an 'alias') & drop it in a local folder on my Mac, give it a name w/o any umlauts etc, but can't open the file via the link. The problem is that the PATH/TO/THE/FILE contains the umlaut, and apparently OpenOffice for MacOS can't handle that. Never had this problem w/ OpenOffice for XP.

[Villeroy]

Well, the work-around I suggested might circumvent the problem, given that MacOS supports symlinks like Linux does. You access the same files under another path without umlaut.
I'll move this topic to the Mac forum.

[seezee]

I've tried this syntax to create a symbolic link to the parent folder for the files, i.e.,

Code: Select all

cd /Users/foo/Documents //change to documents folder on the Mac's local drive
ln -s /Volumes/Path/to/Original/Directory Foldername //create soft link from directory on network drive to 'Foldername' on local drive

, but I get an error saying that 'Foldername' doesn't exist. Shouldn't it be creating 'Foldername' in the current directory, i.e., the Documents folder on the local drive'?

[acknak]

You might try using the OOo file dialogs: Tools > Options > OOo > General > Open/Save dialogs > Use OOo dialogs: YES (checked)

Oh, and "Options" is under the "Preferences" menu on the Mac.

[seezee]

Preferences are under the OpenOffice.org menu in MacOS. The options you list do not appear in the dialog; however, under Load/Save > General there are some load & save options (just no Use OOo dialogs).

[lgusaas]

Preferences are under the OpenOffice.org menu in MacOS. The options you list do not appear in the dialog; however, under Load/Save > General there are some load & save options (just no Use OOo dialogs).

Wrong location.
The path is OpenOffice.org/Preferences/OpenOffice.org/General
There is a setting under "Open/Save dialogue boxes" to 'Use OpenOffice.org dialogue boxes"

[seezee]

@lgusaas, you are (of course) correct. I found that pref. dialogue & made the change you suggested. Then I made an alias to the My Documents folder on my NAS & placed it in my MacOS home folder. Browsed to a file via the alias in the OOo Open File dialogue & opened it.

Marking this as solved.

[Hippno]

@lgusaas, you are (of course) correct. I found that pref. dialogue & made the change you suggested. Then I made an alias to the My Documents folder on my NAS & placed it in my MacOS home folder. Browsed to a file via the alias in the OOo Open File dialogue & opened it.

Marking this as solved.

Registered to say how irreplaceable you help was for me. Thank you a bunch, detailed explanation and no further problems