Hazel - automated file management

Hazel is one of those rare pieces of software (with a strange name) that feels like it's filling a gaping feature void I didn't even know A le left in Mac OS X: it's a powerful, rule-based file and folder management a that brings a little bit of Automator, A leScript and Folder Actio to the table in a way that none of those a and features do well on their own. Hazel i talls as a System Preferences Pane and, as you can see, allows you to build a list of folders on the left with a list of toggle-able rules on the right. The on/off switch on these rules is key, as they make it easy to switch between ru ing certain kinds of rules on a folder for different workflows, jo , times of the day or week.
Hazel's rules function a lot like Mail.a 's and other rule-based systems, so most users should feel right at home. The beauty here is in the sheer power available in building workflows like this, and Paul Kim, Hazel's developer, has posted a Ti %26am Tricks section at Hazel's site to offer some ideas, and he also includes a set of sample rules for importing to help you hit the ground ru ing (none of the rules are enabled by default after import, so your files won't get, uh, filed until you say so). Imagine: being able to have Mac OS X automatically delete unfinished downloads after a ecified number of days, or automatically a ign a label and move a document or other type of file to the Desktop after you haven't touched it for a week.

Hazel's potential for bringing an entirely new level of organization to your workflow is refreshingly endle , and I'm genuinely excited for the potential of this a . This 1.0.1 release is a Universal Binary, and Paul has even incorporated an interesting way of offering three different registration modes for Hazel: evaluation, demo and registered. Registered is, of course, when you purchase a lice e for a mere $16. The evaluation period allows Hazel to run feature-full for 14 days after i tallation (except for exporting rules). Hazel ste down to demo mode after that 14 day period, allowing you to run up to two rules on one directory at any given time. Not bad for such a potentially useful a , so take it for a in.