Noodlesoft Forums

Hi all,

I'm trying to use Hazel to copy files from a DVD to my hard drive whenever the DVD is inserted. The rules work just fine when I execute them manually. The problem is that Hazel takes an eternity (around 30 minutes!) to kick in once the DVD is inserted.

I am having Hazel watch the /Volumes folder, then have a rule that verifies it is the appropriate DVD. It does finally run, but the idea was to be able to insert a DVD from a stack, have the files pulled by Hazel, then move on to the next DVD, all in rapid succession.

I'm guessing that watching /Volumes is a bit of a hack on my part, but its the only way I can think of to do it. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Paul

PS
If I wanted the disc to be ejected after Hazel is done copying the files, I suppose I'd have Hazel run an AppleScript to do the job as the last rule. Is there any better way to do that?

GeekNeck wrote:If I wanted the disc to be ejected after Hazel is done copying the files, I suppose I'd have Hazel run an AppleScript to do the job as the last rule. Is there any better way to do that?

I'd use an embedded one-line shell script, e.g.:

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/usr/sbin/drutil eject

The drutil man page documents other verbs/options. Or output from typing drutil in a Terminal shell might be sufficiently helpful to figure it out what'll work with the optical drive on your system and it's easy to test before getting Hazel involved.

sjk wrote:I'd use an embedded one-line shell script, e.g.:

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/usr/sbin/drutil eject

A most excellent solution, sjk!

There is almost always a way to do what you want on the command line, although it it is not always obvious. Coming from a Linux background where there is a simple "eject" command, I had considered this route, but could not find a suitable solution. "man -k eject" was fruitless! I wish there was some compendium of useful OSX commands somewhere (other than man pages)...

Thanks again for your response!

GeekNeck wrote:The rules work just fine when I execute them manually. The problem is that Hazel takes an eternity (around 30 minutes!) to kick in once the DVD is inserted.

Well, I'll be darned! Having the Hazel window open seems to be the problem! I first noticed this when the DVD would not eject with the Hazel pref pane open. I closed it and was able to successfully eject the disk. With the pref pane closed, my rules ran fine, just a few seconds after I inserted the DVD. Go figure...

Are any of your rules referencing folders on the DVD? If so, then having Hazel open will indicate that the folder is in use and will prevent ejection.

GeekNeck wrote:"man -k eject" was fruitless!

I tried that, too, anticipating fruitlessness… before resorting to a web search to jog my memory for the name of that command I hadn't used in years.

I wish there was some compendium of useful OSX commands somewhere (other than man pages)...

Some web searching will reveal scattered lists and discussions of shell-level commands people consider useful, e.g.:

What are useful Command-line Commands on Mac OS X? - Server Fault

The page has some less common ones, most which aren't intended to be run interactively and more OS X-specific than other lists:

Description of Mac OS X processes : by triviaware

And a classic favorite of mine:

Mac OS X Hacking Tools

There's still a wealth of useful, interesting information (outdated or not) from Amit Singh on that site. I've been eagerly awaiting more news from osmeta, where he's President and CEO.

sjk wrote:Some web searching will reveal scattered lists and discussions of shell-level commands people consider useful, e.g.:

Excellent links. Thanks!