App of the Day: Hazel (Mac housekeeper)

Tired of manually moving files from your Desktop to a specific folder? Looking for an automatic method of adding downloaded images to iPhoto or to your Pictures folder, without worrisome and frequently broken browser plugins?

Then Hazel may be just the app for you. A fairly sophisticated but surprisingly easy to use program, Hazel is a PrefPane that monitors folders you specify for changes.

So you know, Hazel was the name of a housekeeper in a 60s' TV show. I like that...it's clever. I'm a fan of clever.
:)

It can do all kinds of cool stuff to files in your rules, including:

  • Move file
  • Copy file
  • Set color label
  • Add keywords
  • Add comment
  • Archive
  • Open file
  • Import into iTunes
  • Import into iPhoto
  • Run AppleScript
  • Run Automator workflow
  • Run shell script
  • Run rules on folder contents


For instance (and this is just a tiny little example of what can be done), I have a rule set up like this:
hazel.png

Basically, this says that if a file is on my Desktop and was added over 8 hours ago, put it in the folder 'SM'. it skips, however, an alias I have to my monthly archive folder.

However, Hazel does much, much more than this. Check out these example rulesets included in the download:
Managing downloaded Music files:
hazel-music.png

Importing downloaded Pictures into iPhoto:
hazel-pictures.png

Now, imagine this: a rule that scans your Documents folder and automatically moves files of a certain type to the appropriate folder. You can basically be as sloppy as you want, and Hazel will do all the work.

Hazel also has another nice little feature - the ability to manage your trash:
hazel-trash.png

Creating rules is simple. A click here and a click there, and you have the ability to manage your entire system automatically.

Check Hazel out here. You won't be sorry, but you will be organized.

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