Ask HN: Non programming professionals, what do you use for version control I just got done helping a friend recover some gimp project they messed up when I realized, if I had a similar problem while coding I'd just use git to revert my mistakes. If you use computers to create any kind of content then you have to have some sort of system for tracking your work and collaborating. So what kind of tools exist for writers, digital painters, photographers? |
As an added check, at key moments in a project I'll just add (or increment) the number at the end of my filename, so I'm now working in a new file and can "revert" back to the earlier version just by changing files.
Same idea, though.
Don't use that format — it doesn't sort correctly. You are better off with _20220709 or _2022-07-09.
They tend to be complex, expensive and centralized software that require an entire IT team to set up and maintain. Sort of similar to ERP software, and in fact, they often get integrated with ERPs.
Smaller orgs tend to use nothing, or an ad hoc system of file/folder structures and spreadsheets, because they can't justify the cost of PLM. I wish there existed a lightweight option. Git doesn't work well with large binaries and it's merge-based workflow doesn't really apply to CAD anyways. PLM software usually use an exclusive check-out model. There is OnShape, a low cost cloud CAD start-up that was bought by Siemens, which has some PLM features I believe.
Unfortunately, my work computer these days is too slow to take either of those actions so lightly.
Saving a file with different names on occasion seems to be the way the rest of the world does it.
My child does a ton of different layers in her art program, each of which is a separate project... that get saved periodically.
The question was aimed at Non Programming Professionals. I thought my answer was thoroughly non-professional, and therefore just about perfect. /s
But seriously, you both make good points.