Here is a description of the filing system I have come up with

Nothing Added
If you have a Mac running OSX you have everything you need to do this part.

Directory Layout:

1. create ~/Documents/files - main location
2. create ~/Documents/files/inbox - untagged files
3. create ~/Documents/files/personal - not work related files
4. create ~/Documents/files/work - work related files
5. create ~/Documents/files/personal/data - files stored here
6. create ~/Documents/files/work/data - files stored here
7. create ~/Documents/files/personal/folders - smart folders go here
8. create ~/Documents/files/work/folders - smart folders go here

Main Rules:

1. All files are FULLY tagged the first time you tag them.
2. All files names must be unique and very detailed.

Tag Rules:

1. Spotlight tag words start with &. (&tag)
2. Tag words are always a single word.
3. Tag words are the simplest form of the word.
4. The first tag is always work or personal. (&work)
5. The second tag is always a date context (&2008-02)
6. Tags run from most general on the left to most detailed on the right. (&planet &island &city &building)

Smart Folder Rules:

1. Each rule starts with "spotlight comment -> begins with -> main tag" (&work or &personal)

Process:

1. New files get saved to the inbox and spotlight tagged starting with &work for work and &personal for personal stuff. Additional tags are added to add context.
2. move the files to work/data or personal/data for final storage.
3. create smart folders based on the tags.

Make it Brainless

Everything with "Nothing Added" plus Hazel (http://www.noodlesoft.com/hazel.php) to automate the moving of the files.

1. Get and install Hazel.
2. Monitor the inbox folder for the following to rules.
3. "Comment -> Starts With" the main tag then move it to the proper data directory. (2 rules one for &work and one for &personal)
4. "Comment -> is blank" and "Date Added -> is not in the last 1 Day" change the label color and send a growl notification.

Process:
Same as "Nothing Added" without having to move the files your self and you get a reminder about un-tagged files.


Make it Easy

Everything with "Nothing Added" and "Make it Brainless" plus Default Folder X (http://www.stclairsoft.com/DefaultFolderX/)to tag files right when you save them.

1. Get and install Default Folder X.
2. Set the default save folder to inbox.
3. Do all your tagging when you save the file.

Yet to work out

The only way to convert to this system is to manually tag all your files one by one. I still want to find a way to make that process as easy as possible.

I've had a few days off from work because of a cold. It's the first time in a long time that health issues have caused me to miss work. I love doing what I do for a living and if anything I spend way too much time working because I love it so much. But, the last few days have got me thinking. Since what I do involves computers, and I have this thing about loving what I do for a living, what would I have been 200 years ago? If I take a few minutes and strip away all the crap, I am a geek. I am a computer geek mostly. But, a geek in general. Now the way I define geek, and I think most will agree, is a person that is strongly focused in the study of and/or application of technical skill and/or knowledge. So, in a broad since, everyone is a geek. Their are computer geeks, film geeks, automative geeks, literature geeks, and I'm sure there are even water geeks out there. With that in mind I know I would be a geek of some kind. Now, I also see myself as a knowledge well. A person that other use to gain more knowledge or skills. I have so many interests that I pick up bits and pieces and can vomit tons of information, not all of it useful, on anyone that asks. Sometimes, even without someone asking. I also see myself as a go to guy. Someone that can figure out a solution to any problem. As long as we agree that my way is right, I'm even able to listen to other peoples suggestions. So, with all that in mind I think I have my answer. I'd be a blacksmith. 200 years ago, if you needed something made or fixed you'd find a blacksmith. They had a ton of technical knowledge about metals, wood, and even some animals. You almost couldn't have a community without one. So, I'd be a blacksmith.

Tags: thought

Check out http://twitter.com. Click the "Watch a video!" link to learn about it. Once your signed up you can follow me at http://twitter.com/shawnbutts.

Tags: twitter

So, I've decided to start blogging, or at least more than I have in the past. I've also decided to start twittering. I figure I might as well pick up a few useless habits.

Tags: Stuff

I had not updated the site in so long I figured it was time for a redo.