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.
Cool thanks. :)
Why in the world would someone what xp over OS X, they must be mad!!!
ZZZzzzzzzzzz
Um, um, um, um… wha-wha-what to i do with the files again?
Obviously mac newbies are novices at stuff like this…
Justin, within the zip are two files.. the Web Friendly Titles app and the Automator workflow. Simply double click the Web Friendly Titles app and windows will prompt you throughout. If you feel the itch, you can load the Workflow into Automator and customize it further.
Okay, coolie..
hi,
when i double click the file nothing happens. when i open automator and go to File>Open i get this error: Automator could not find an installed action with this name.
what can i do different?
You’re double click the file that reads “Web Friendly Titles” correct?
Yeah, I’m having the same problem. I unzip the files, click on the action….and nothing happens. I see the Automator icon appear on the dock, but it opens and closes really quickly. Is the action supposed to be in the same directory as the files you want to upload?
I’m having the same problem – I think it’s because the ‘make names web-friendly’ action is not a preinstalled action. Where can we find said action?
[...] UPDATE: An Automator script was created to help, errrrrr, automate Box.net uploads. [...]
i dont think this works…and if it does, the tutorial isnt good. what exactly do we have to do.
the action is really good and promising…but the directions are unclear.
Hey guys, I am running 10.4.6 and the Automator script doesn’t work. The Workflow says it is missing components and the ,app launches, then closes immediately!
What am I doing wrong?
I have the same problem as well. The icon bounces twice then disappears.
I’m having the same problem as Dan, Drew, and Cezar. Anyone have any success with the action?
Sorry guys. Package updated with the Make Names Web-Friendly.action which you must import into Automator.
Did I say I was just getting back into the Apple saddle? :)
Dan, the action is available on Apple’s Automator Downloads website:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/automator/makenameswebfriendly.html
I’ve modified the script to use the Get & Connect to Servers Finder Actions and the Get Selected Items Finder action, saved it as a Finder plugin, and can now right-click to upload files immediately from any window. It’s great!
Excellent. Works great, thanks Derek!
Phew.. no more pitch forks coming at me ;)
Drag-and-drop upload to Box automator action:
1. Get selected Finder items
2. Make names web-friendly
3. Copy Finder Items (select the Box-server in automator)
And uncheck “Show Action when run” for background operations ;)
Anyone know how I could get rid of those small mac os x-spesific files that start with “._”?
Hi,
it works perfectly with Transmit aplication for me, but id doesnt work with Transmit widget :((( Does anybody know what could be the reason?
thx wizzi
anyone care to share the automator action that has the full integration with the automated upload? I’m retarded with this automator business.
Any chance of doing this from Panther? 10.3.9- doesnt have automator…
[...] Addig is natÃÂvabb, de tÃÂz megánál nagyobb fájlok átvitelére képtelen, megoldást kÃÂnál a box.net és az OS X beépÃÂtett webDAV támogatása. Az UNEASYsilence blogon leÃÂrják, hogyan lehet FinderbÅ‘l csatlakozni webDAV tárhelyhez. (Ugyanitt Automator script és öntöttvas fürdÅ‘kád is.) [...]
Derek – the link for the file doesn’t seem to be working? is it just me?