The date can be added automatically, but by default it is set to DMY and the century is unchecked. All photos and media files on my computer begin from a 8-character full date, like 20170117_0215_freetext.ext Only this sequence guarantees proper sorting, what I recommend to everyone, to begin filenames from the full date (and hour if necessary).
I'm using this for a few years (as I very much agree with your vision on this): At "Add (7)" Prefix: <empty> Insert: <empty> at pos: 0 Suffix: freetext.ext Wordspace: <empty>
At "Autodate (8)" Mode: Prefix Type: Modified (Curr) Fmt: Custom Sep: <empty> Seg: <empty> Custom: %Y%m%d_%H%M%S_ Cent: <empty> Off: 0 (I'm not (yet) allowed to add an attachment)