Hazel, tutorials and info

[anxela]

Here are some authorized tutorials and info from the creators of Hazel:

Video tour
About Hazel
Hazel Tips and Tricks
Hazel Features

I also made a small tutorial on Hazel with focus on organizing digital supplies, which can be downloaded here

Please note that I've just started using Hazel myself, so all the techniques here must be considered a beginner's work, therefore, everything is used at your own risk.

And the coupon code should now be up and running... DESDIG2010, valid until the end of August.

[iUma]

Heidi....wow, thanks for this. I am loving Hazel.

[Mary Rogers]

Heidi, are you already married? cause I think I love you!!
thanks so much!

[anxela]

Originally Posted by Mary Rogers

Heidi, are you already married? cause I think I love you!!
thanks so much!

LOL! Yes, I'm married, but I would be available for someone with as much passion for scrapbooking and geek stuff as myself.

[maureenreynolds]

I'm wondering how many of you are old enough to remember the 'original' Hazel? I am guessing that this may have been the inspiration for the name of the software. Hazel was the maid/housekeeper that could do it all.

[anxela]

Originally Posted by maureenreynolds

I'm wondering how many of you are old enough to remember the 'original' Hazel? I am guessing that this may have been the inspiration for the name of the software. Hazel was the maid/housekeeper that could do it all.

You're absolutely right, Maureen! This is the inspiration for the name

[anxela]

Here is a default rule for going into subfolders:

subfolder.hazelrules

Download (choose save or save as), then double click to install...
You will then have something to look at for help when making your own rules about subfolders.

[anke]

this just brings up a lot of computer lingo Heidi!

[anke]

What happened to me a lot is when I moved the files, it sometimes moved the individual items all separately. What could be causing that? And all those files it copied instead of just the previews, I just can't figure that one out...

[anxela]

Hmmm... Without seeing the rules you made, I don't really know why it moves separate files. Unless you have a subfolder rule specified, and then other rules after than one. Because when you have a "Kind is folder", and specify that you want to run rules on that folder, it will run the rules you specify after this on all these folders.

Say you have a "Kind is subfolder" - "Run rules on folder contents".
If after that, you have specified rules, these rules will be run on your folders. So you have to be careful in which order you set up the rules. Drag them in the correct order to prevent this. Also, you can check which rules apply to which folders by going to the drop down menu in the "Folders" window, and choose "Preview rule matches".

It's also a good idea to stop Hazel while you are adding rules, preview the rule, and run it on a sample folder to check that it does what it's supposed to do.

If a rule doesn't work that way you want it to, uncheck it until you have figured out what it's supposed to look like.

HTH!

Did you specify "Name contains PREV" in the rule to have Hazel just copy the previews? And then you have to have the rule set to match "all", not "any" just above the "if" statement...

[anxela]

Here is the difference in where you place the rules. In the first screenshot, I have placed AVictoria Papers rule before the rule "Into subfolders", and therefore, a folder starting with her name matches that rule.

In the third screenshot, I have AVictoria Papers rule placed after the rule "Into subfolders", and therefore, a folder starting with her name matches the "Into subfolders" rule instead, because that is coming first.

Is this helpful?

[anxela]

Originally Posted by anke

What happened to me a lot is when I moved the files, it sometimes moved the individual items all separately. What could be causing that? And all those files it copied instead of just the previews, I just can't figure that one out...

It sounds like you are going into a folder and working on the files inside it instead of on the folder itself.

[anke]

this is what my rule looks like i.e. alphas
[IMG][/IMG]

[anke]

would this set-up work for my desktop folder to move things to the EHD and separate them at the same time? Since sometimes the file says alpha and sometimes alphabet, sometimes K.Pertiet and sometimes KPertiet.... I am telling you, my head is spinning from all this stuff I was not made to do things like these!

[anxela]

That will not work, Anke. You are saying that the program has to match all the conditions, and a file cannot start with both K.Pertiet and KPertiet at the same time. You would have to make two separate rules. And as alpha is the start of alphabet, when you search for words that contain "alpha", you will also include alphabet. So delete your 4th if-condition, and make two rules like this:

If
Name starts with KPertiet
Name contains alpha

If Name starts with K.Pertiet
Name contains alpha

Maybe it's a good idea to add
Kind is Folder to both, so that you're sure you're only moving folders, and not single files. Like this:

If all conditions are met:
Name starts with KPertiet
Name contains alpha
Kind is Folder

Do the following:
Move file to folder alphas

[anxela]

Ok, I thought Hazel would save me a lot of time, but I don't think it will.

Because now I just sit here watching my download folder when I buy things to hear the -zing- when the folders place themselves where they belong.

There's nothing like watching others do the boring work for you!

[anke]

Thanks Heidi, I changed them all I had a feeling that was too much for one rule. Adding the "kind is not folder" might be a good idea for the previews then, right?
you really are our own genius bar here Thanks for all your help, I will get this figured out yet!

[anxela]

Originally Posted by anke

Adding the "kind is not folder" might be a good idea for the previews then, right?

Yep!