connecting to large networks

[mrdice87]

ok, so here's the deal...

almost everyone on my school's network shares most of their files. what's gonna be the easiest way to access the files without having to individually log in to each computer (there are several hundred)?




can automater do this?

 

[mad jew]

You might need to elaborate. Are you saying you can already connect individually to each shared volume via Finder? Are you wanting to bypass the password dialogue box with Automator? Do all these volumes have the same password or do you have them stored in your Keychain?

 

[mrdice87]

Yes, i can connect to each volume already, and almost none of them have passwords, although they are under several different workgroups.

 

[mad jew]

There's a Connect To Servers option in Automator so that might be worth a try but I don't really see the point because double clicking on the relevant icons in Finder does the same thing. Are you wanting to show all accumulated files, not just each individual server's files?

 

[mrdice87]

there's just a lot of icons to go through and click, not to mention some of them have several shared volumes. but if i could get connected to all of them, i could use spotlight or finder to search for specific files. and it would be nice to view all the files in one folder...



p.s. is there a tutorial for automator somewhere?

 

[mad jew]

p.s. is there a tutorial for automator somewhere?

Okay, have a look through this site to see if there's anything there that helps. Good luck.

 

[thewhitehart]

You cannot search those volumes now with Spotlight, but apparently Leopard is supposed to implement such a feature. I'm not sure though if it will only index volumes directly connected to your computer, though.

 

[mad jew]

I was thinking the same thing but apparently Spotlight can search network-based Home directories according to Apple's site. Although not all-encompassing, this might be what mrdice87 is talking about.

 

[mrdice87]

when one types something in the search box in a finder widow, there is a option to search 'servers'