Guide to organize downloaded files into categories and still share them in Triber using SymLinks

[SpudmanWP]

My system setup:
Tribler running in a Docker container in a TrueNAS device.
Video hosting done through Plex

Historically, most of us would:

1. Download something
2. Extract the relevant video file and 1 or more srt caption files
3. Paste the files into a folder structure that Plex is monitoring
4. Delete the source file that Tribler downloaded to in order to save drive space.

This isn't ideal because it reduces the sources available for the community to use.

I have found a solution after reading this article, that shows Linux & Windows using something called a "Symlink". Think of it as a shortcut on steroids. When a program sees a symlink, it treats it as the file itself.

There are two different types of links, Hard and Soft (aka symbolick link. Hardlinks show in Windows as the file itself, exactly, no visual difference in the icon. Softlink look more like a shortcut with an arrow in the icon pic. There are other differences, but nothing that affected my system. The key difference is that a Hardlink becomes the file itself if you delete the source, while a Softlink acts like a shortcut and becomes invalid if the source is deleted. If you are working across drives, then you need to use a Softlink .

Here are the steps to use the "Link Shell Extension" mentioned in the 1st link above.

1. Right-click on source files
2. Select "Pick Link Source"

3. Go to the Destination folder
4. Right-click in the destination folder
5. If you are pasting in a different drive, you are only given the option to drop a Softlink (aka Symbolic link)

6. If you are pasting on the same drive, pick the "Drop As..." menu and either Hardlink or Symbolic Link.

I have confirmed that Plex treats both Hardlink and Softlink correctly.

So, my new project for the next year or so is redownloading all of the files I have and leaving them as hosted while I enjoy them in Plex.