Hearing Concerning File Rename Extension Fear
The file extension is a visible string that users treat as a structural property with destructive potential.
Hearing on the Matter of File Rename Extension Fear
Informal inquiry; no formal jurisdiction
CHAIR: Please describe the incident.
WITNESS: I wanted to rename a document. The document was called something like "draft v2" and I wanted to call it "final."
CHAIR: And what occurred?
WITNESS: When I double-clicked the name, the whole thing was selected. Including the ".docx" at the end.
CHAIR: And?
WITNESS: I hesitated. I wasn't sure if I should type over the whole thing or just the part before the dot.
CHAIR: Why?
WITNESS: Because if you change the extension, the file might not open anymore. Or it opens in the wrong program. I wasn't sure if that was true, exactly, but it felt like it could be.
CHAIR: Is that what happened?
WITNESS: No. I only typed over the first part. I was very careful about where my cursor was. I watched it.
CHAIR: So the file renamed successfully.
WITNESS: Yes.
CHAIR: And the extension was never at risk.
WITNESS: I don't know that. At the time I was in the process, I didn't know what would happen. The control exists to reduce effort, but uncertainty about the control created an extra verification step that the control itself was supposed to eliminate.
CHAIR: Has this occurred before?
WITNESS: Every time I rename a file with an extension visible.
CHAIR: Every time.
WITNESS: Every time. The ordinary task feels improperly performed unless file rename extension fear happens first. I look at the extension. I make sure I know where the dot is. Then I proceed.
CHAIR: And if you renamed a file and the extension changed?
WITNESS: That would be very bad.
CHAIR: Has it happened?
WITNESS: No.
CHAIR: Thank you.
Under the governing rule, file rename extension fear becomes valid procedure after two repetitions without objection. The witness has not objected. The hearing finds no grounds for further inquiry. The behavior is noted and is expected to continue.