Why use "You Can Automate" for Repetetive File Management
such as Dropbox Folder Management
Windows Explorer is useful for basic, occassional file management. That said, Windows Explorer is feature poor, lacking many capablities needed for routine, repetitive file management. An alternative is to install one of the many Explorer replacements. Another is to install a Windows Explorer extention which adds the desired features.
One extention called You Can Automate Repetitive File Management Suite adds several features to improve productivity and automate file management.
Productivity Features that Save Time:
- Bookmark commonly accessed folders.
- Bookmark a pair of folders, one to reopen later and the other to scroll the Explorer navigation pane into view. This is helpful for a copy/paste opertation.
- Open side by side dual panes for folder comparision.
- Document and file launcher, most useful for those with many documents and apps.
Windows Explorer Toolbar
The Real Time Saving Comes from Automation
I routinely copy and paste the same files. To automate file copies and other file management the Suite provides a means for recording the folder or file copies in Windows Explorer to a repeatable job. The recorded job can "replay" the original file copies by clicking on the job's desktop icon or it can be started via the Suite's file launcher.
Likewise, zip file automation is simplified by recording the folder and file zipping in Windows Explorer. The suite provides a simplified zipping feature with optional encyrption. View an video here.
Name the zip file and encryption password
Dropbox Automation
Dropbox users, such as myself, can encryt data before it leaves the PC for greater security. Furthermore, zipping shrinks the footprint of the data, possibly reducing some storage charges.
Lastly, the Suite provides point-and-click forms in the You Can Author Editor to automate most file management. This may not be for everyone but it is a scripting capability that doesn't require technical training and provides some helpful warnings and suggestions when the script is run.
The Suite is free except for a limit on the number of jobs that can be recorded free. According to the publisher the limit is set so moderate usage will be free.
