Userdata Management?

[cloverfield]

I have some questions about management of userdata.

First of all: my music folders contain only a cover image, my movie files contain nothing (new ones are scraped with the cover and fanart).

1. Soon I need a reinstall of my windows system. How do I backup? If I copy my "old" userfolder back on a fresh system, will it work as usual?

2. Some albums are scraped with artist images (automaticly), can I add more (diy). Same goes for artist/actor/director thumbs. How can I add them myself?

3. How are the .tbn files generated? It seems I have a couple of duplicates (mostly plugins/scrips). Can I clean that folder somehow?

4. Can I store all those images (.tbn) files in the user data folder along my media files? I customized some of the .tbn files. Starting fresh at a new installation is easier that way.

[Flook]

You should start from scratch with your library data using any of these 3 apps to creat your thumbs, nfo files and fan art.
Media Companion
Media Reader
Ember Media Manager
All of them are very active. I use Media Camponion but will probably switch to Ember due to the ability to use command line with it. These download all the data to the folders where you media lives. When you have XBMC scan your media folders it will find the stored data and use it to build the library and won't scrape the internet. Makes it much easier to keep the data organized especially if you have multiple xbox's or htpc's.

I just realized I don't think any of these deal with music data. These work great for Movies and TV shows. Don't know if Ember has TV shows yet but the other two do. The easy thing to do would be to just backup the userdata folder and once you have a fresh install of windows and xbmc replace the userdata folder with your backup.

[sho]

You don't need any external media manger unless you want to.
Yes you should be able to move userdata between XBMC installations given they are of comparable revision.

To store nfo and tbn files with your media export your db to separate files (see the online manual)

[cloverfield]

You should start from scratch with your library data using any of these 3 apps to creat your thumbs, nfo files and fan art.
Media Companion
Media Reader
Ember Media Manager
All of them are very active. I use Media Camponion but will probably switch to Ember due to the ability to use command line with it. These download all the data to the folders where you media lives. When you have XBMC scan your media folders it will find the stored data and use it to build the library and won't scrape the internet. Makes it much easier to keep the data organized especially if you have multiple xbox's or htpc's.

I just realized I don't think any of these deal with music data. These work great for Movies and TV shows. Don't know if Ember has TV shows yet but the other two do. The easy thing to do would be to just backup the userdata folder and once you have a fresh install of windows and xbmc replace the userdata folder with your backup.

With all respect, but those program's are ugly and buggy. I cannot work with them. And music is indeed a problem.

You don't need any external media manger unless you want to.
Yes you should be able to move userdata between XBMC installations given they are of comparable revision.

To store nfo and tbn files with your media export your db to separate files (see the online manual)
I'll try to export the database. Would be great to have the information along with my media files. In that case I can start a new userdata file for a clean install once in a while.
Does this mean that the 4kd923nd.tbn files are gone?

I hope to get missing info too.