Automator

[brn2ski00]

Because for some reason, this doesn't work with a large number of files. It works with small batches (20 or less files), but not 2,000+ items.

I figure the script could just poll my iTunes directory, and look for .m4p files and copy them to the USB drive.

 

[AdeFowler]

Here are:

Add Spotlight Comments to multiple files
Rename multiple files

They belong in:

~/Library/Workflows/Applications/Finder

(you may need to create the Applications/Finder folders)

To use them, select some items in the Finder, Control-click, More> Automator

 

[motulist]

Because for some reason, this doesn't work with a large number of files. It works with small batches (20 or less files), but not 2,000+ items.

I figure the script could just poll my iTunes directory, and look for .m4p files and copy them to the USB drive.

I just went and tried to do it with over 500 files and it worked, but it took a few seconds until it responded like it was going to allow a drag and drop. Try selecting them all and doing a drag and hold over the usb drive's icon for a few seconds, maybe even up to a minute, to see if it will suddenly allow you to do the drop. Also try wiggling the mouse around a tiny little bit while holding, I find that sometimes sort of wakes the OS up to the fact that you really are trying to do a drag and drop.

 

[motulist]

Here are:

Add Spotlight Comments to multiple files
Rename multiple files

They belong in:

~/Library/Workflows/Applications/Finder

(you may need to create the Applications/Finder folders)

To use them, select some items in the Finder, Control-click, More> Automator

Awesome, thanks!

 

[richard.mac]

Because for some reason, this doesn't work with a large number of files. It works with small batches (20 or less files), but not 2,000+ items.

I figure the script could just poll my iTunes directory, and look for .m4p files and copy them to the USB drive.

this is probably because you flash drive is formatted to FAT32 so it works on PCs and Macs but has a 4 GB limit per write. try formatting to HFS+

 

[Burgess07]

I've set up an Automator workflow to switch between the 2d dock and the 3d.

 

[kellah]

I never use Automator. It's just dumb. The amount of time it takes for you to setup a workflow takes just as much, if not more time than doing it manually. I see no need for it, as it does things you do by opening an app. I mean, why have an Automator task for checking your email when you open Mail? It does that already? I think the best thing about Automator is it's icon.

Don't respond if you don't realize what Automator is capable of.

 

[sebf]

I use automator to show/hide hidden files on my mac just by right clicking in finder. I also use it for running various terminal commands as well as prompting me to plug in my external drive in when using iTunes.

 

[richard.mac]

I use automator to show/hide hidden files on my mac just by right clicking in finder. I also use it for running various terminal commands as well as prompting me to plug in my external drive in when using iTunes.

sebf do you use this apple script in your workflow to show/hide hidden files? this one both shows and hides so you dont need two seperate workflows.

try
	set myvar to do shell script "defaults read com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles"
	if myvar is "FALSE" then
		do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE"
		do shell script "killall Finder"
	else if myvar is equal to "TRUE" then
		do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE"
		do shell script "killall Finder"
	else
		display dialog "Error"
	end if
on error
	display dialog "Would you like to hide files or show files?" buttons {"Show", "Hide"} default button "Hide"
	set myChoice to button returned of result
	if myChoice is "Show" then
		do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE"
		do shell script "killall Finder"
	else if myChoice is "Hide" then
		do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE"
		do shell script "killall Finder"
	else
		display dialog "Error"
	end if
end try

 

[RainCityMacFan]

I use Automator when I have to. Just open Automator, make a quick workflow depending on my current needs and it does the job right.

Ex. I had over 400 fonts to install, instead of opening all of them and installing them one by one. Open up Automator and make a workflow in about 3 minutes and boom.

or renaming files, if you download multiple files that have stuff you don't want in their names, you can remove all of them without having to rename them yourself.

Automator, for me, isn't a daily tool but when I need it... Thank god it's there.

 

[brn2ski00]

this is probably because you flash drive is formatted to FAT32 so it works on PCs and Macs but has a 4 GB limit per write. try formatting to HFS+

Thats not a bad idea. How can I format a USB drive on a mac? I have done it before on a Windows PC, but never with a mac...

 

[motulist]

Thats not a bad idea. How can I format a USB drive on a mac? I have done it before on a Windows PC, but never with a mac...

Open up the application called "disk utility" and erase the drive reformatting it as hfs+

 

[4JNA]

best use i have found so far is combining mutiple single page PDFs into a single document. second is multiple automated backups. both save me a ton of time.

 

[sebf]

sebf do you use this apple script in your workflow to show/hide hidden files? this one both shows and hides so you dont need two seperate workflows.

Cheers for that script, I was using two separate scripts (one to show and the other to hide).

 

[RumMunkey]

I keep my iWeb website on a flash drive, so I always have an updated version with me to work with on my iMac or my MacBook Pro (depending on where I am).

However, I'd be screwed if I lost that flash drive, eh?

Automator to the rescue!

I created a workflow that quits iWeb (prompts to save if not saved), copies my domain file from my flash drive to a local folder, trashes my old backup, then ejects the flash drive for me.

I put it in my scripts menu, so I access it from the Menu Bar drop down in 2 clicks.

 

[Keebler]

i don't use automator...yet. but i'm really horny too. i know it will help me during the day. i don't think it's useless as others have said...i think it's just learning the app and truly understanding the capabilities.

i know for my business, i use fcp, dvdsp and bitvice ALOT and quite often, the steps are the exact same.

in that case, i'm ordering this book:

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books...9-item.html?ref=Search+Books:+%27automator%27

it should help understand what I can do and to help me make it happen

PS. kudos to richthomas for the finder idea. that would be awesome.

someone else said it was useless b/c you need to click to launch the app.
I thought this way before I find out that we can use ical to launch & run automator. I can definitely use that feature!

Cheers,
Keebler

 

[hodgjy]

I set up a really simple workflow to run a shell command to defragment my Windows XP virtual drive used by VMware Fusion.

 

[Neil321]

i don't use automator...yet. but i'm really horny too. i know it will help me during the day. i don't think it's useless as others have said...i think it's just learning the app and truly understanding the capabilities.

i know for my business, i use fcp, dvdsp and bitvice ALOT and quite often, the steps are the exact same.

in that case, i'm ordering this book:

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books...9-item.html?ref=Search+Books:+%27automator%27

it should help understand what I can do and to help me make it happen

PS. kudos to richthomas for the finder idea. that would be awesome.

someone else said it was useless b/c you need to click to launch the app.
I thought this way before I find out that we can use ical to launch & run automator. I can definitely use that feature!

Cheers,
Keebler

This may help also

http://automatorworld.com/