Joel Rendall

A few weeks ago, I tried a trial of a Mac program called Hazel.

I was tired of looking at a desktop full of random downloaded files, and other pieces of information that I thought I might need, but have no place to file it.

Hazel lets me automatically move files from one folder to another, according to my custom conditions. I set one up that moves all Desktop files that are 24hrs old, to another folder out of sight, called “Desktop Files,” predictably enough.

You can also have it sort files according to file type, which I use for archiving my TV shows after I have watched them.

After the 30 day trial expired, I remember it being pretty cheap to buy – between $15 and $20 (don’t quote me on it). They are obviously a small software company, so it feels good to be supporting them, rather than the big, expensive developers who charge outragous amounts of money (Adobe, cough cough!).

I prefer Mac, but at Joel’s blog, we’re non-OS-denominational, so I’ll Google around for some non-Mac alternatives:

Linux: Ok, I take it back – there aren’t any obvious Linux programs, other than getting geeky with scripting. If anyone with Linux can help (hi Steffi), let me know. Update: Check out Plasma Dashboard, for a solution to keeping your Kubuntu desktop clean. See Steff’s blog post for this, along with additional linux geekery.

Windows: Apparently there’s a built-in desktop cleaner. But if Windows holds true to their reputation, it could be irritating. Try watching this video.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 13th, 2009 at 6:33 pm and is filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.