How-To: Use Automator for Box.net friendly WebDav uploads
As a born again OSX users, I felt it would be only natural to create a simple tutorial on selecting multiple files / folders, copying them to a folder on your desktop, and converting said files into a more web friendly title format. Early last week Dan pointed out the hidden option to access personal Box.net accounts via WebDav. A great feature for quick uploads and a awesome alternative to that .Mac stuff Apple reps attempt to dump on you during checkout. As noted in the comments of the original post, files which were reported as being successfully uploaded were not displayed within the Finder (despite being reflected via the Box web interface) due to inconsistencies involving spaces in titles. The solution? A little Automator action.
Actually, the following isn’t so much a tutorial. Rather, the following is an automated [Automator] system for selecting files and preparing them for upload to Box.net [or any need for web friendly titles].
I’ve zipped the Automator application as well as the matching workflow for those wishing to tweak their own renditions. I’ve left out the action to automatically connect to Box servers due to the fact that some users may lack a constant internet connection. The steps below will result in a folder of duplicated files in a web friendly format:
The ‘Web Friendly Titles’ application will prompt you throughout the entire process allowing you to select multiple files / folders, specify whether spaces should be replaced with underscores or dashes, and the folder in which to save the duplicated files (original files are left as-is). Once your files are converted, CMD + K and connect to Box.net via WebDav and upload away.
Drop your comments or questions below. Automator definitely automates mundane tasks in an easy to build environment. Enjoy my first UNEASY Automator application.
UPDATE: Package updated, import the Make Names Web-Friendly.action [original] into Automator before running the action.
