Files:Generic files

Definition

Some time ago a new feature has been added to AniDB which may at first look confusing: Every episode is accompanied by a 0-byte file, marked with an almost white background and without any special attributes like group, source or quality. These files are called "generic files" and can help you add even those episodes to your mylist that can't (or shouldn't) be represented by a regular file-entry.

So, what can they be used for?

You can add (http://www.anidb.net/pics/anidb_file_addmylist.gif) such generic files to your mylist just like regular files, but they have a new property, type, which also illustrates their use:

self ripped/dvd/vhs/tv/theater/filler ep/other

If there's any additional info about this episode you want to preserve, just enter it in the comment-field.

How can I set the type for many generic files at once?

After you add all the generic files to your mylist like you would do for regular files, go to your mylist and expand it using the + icon until you see the files. There you check all the generics you want to change the type of, then scroll down and select the type from the dropdown-menu(you have to scroll down a little until you see 'change generic state to') and select the type you wish to apply for the generic files. If you only have generic files added for the anime, then you just need to scroll down to the end of the file list for that anime and check the 'select all' checkbox and set the generic state for them.

I have a file that spans multiple episodes. What should I do?

Some animes have regular dual episodes. Let's take Prince of Tennis as an example:

ep 25: (eps 25&26) ...

ep 26: (eps 25&26)

If you have one of the files listed in "ep 25", also add the generic file from ep 26 to your list, with the type set to "filler" (see above). That way, it's possible to mark both episodes watched.

If some episodes of an anime are partially available in with multiple eps in one file (version A), but also with one ep in one file (version B), the episode-listing should look as follows:

ep 1: [title of ep 1]

ep 2: [title of ep 2]

...

ep last: [title of last episode]

-

special 1: (eps 1-2) [titles]

special 2: (eps 3-4) [titles]

...

Then, those who have the regular version (B) can add the files normally to their list; and those who have the multiple-episode-versions (A) should add those (the specials) to their list, and then add the according generic files of the normal episodes (1 to x) to their list, with the type set to "filler".

How can I easily add several generic files at once?

Easy with a javascript bookmarklet.

1. Create a new bookmark in your browser

2. Copy & Paste the following line into the url field of the bookmark:

javascript:var elems = document.getElementsByTagName("i"); for(i=0; i<elems.length; i++){var elem =
elems.item(i); if (elem.innerHTML == "generic file"){elem.parentNode.previousSibling.childNodes.item(1).
checked = true;};} exit(0);

3. If you move that bookmark now into a toolbar (FF: bookmark-toolbar; IE: links) you can use it like a button.

4. Before using it you must do an "expand all" on the animeentry you want to add!

Note:

Iit also selects the special/extra files at the bottom, but it's far easier to unselect a handful of those than to select 30+ or 100+ little checkboxes.

I won't use generic files. How can I hide them?

In your profile (http://www.anidb.net/pics/button_profile.gif), under "Layout Options" you can choose to "Hide generic files on anime page".