Make a folder act like an old-fashioned server.

[RobinAbbott]

Hi everyone. I'm trying to create a folder on a Mac that behaves like an old-fashion mounted server - so every time you drag a file into it, it's copied over and the original stays put. And when you drag something out, it once again makes a copy, and more importantly leaves the file there. Is this possible?

Now, I know what you're all shouting, "Just hold down Option, Rob!" But the folder in question is a shared Google Drive folder. No matter how many times I say "Hold down Option when you want to drag out a template", my people drag out a file without Option and it's no longer visible for the next person.

I know Cloud computing is here and we need to adapt, but I'm working with a varied knowledge and skill base who are used to working with mounted servers.

I'm an experience Mac user - 20+ years - but never venture into the Terminal. However, I'm willing to give it a go if that's required.

Apologies if this is in the wrong part of the forum.

Thanks in advance. Rob.

 

[Qaanol]

If you are the only one who should be editing the templates, then perhaps something as simple as making the folder read-only for everyone else would suffice.

 

[RobinAbbott]

Thanks, but sadly we use the folder for a number of things - sharing, editing, storage etc. It would be a seamless transition for us if the Cloud folder just acted like a mounted server.

 

[kryten2]

Perhaps a Folder Action might be useful.

Folder Actions is a feature of OS X that lets you associate AppleScript scripts with folders. A Folder Action script is executed when the folder to which it is attached is opened or closed, moved or resized, or has items added or removed. The script provides a handler that matches the appropriate format for the action, as described in this chapter.

Info : Folder Actions Reference