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IDEA: Monitor a folder and send shortcuts to desktop

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kingsmob77:
Hi DC'ers.  

I have been a lurker for some time but haven't posted before now.  I love DC and the amazing creativity displayed by its members.

I have an idea for a little app.  If it has been requested before, please forgive me.  I searched for it but found nothing that was exactly what I am thinking.  

I'd like an app that will monitor whichever folder it is placed in and as files and/or folders are saved/moved/etc to the folder, it will create shortcuts on the desktop.

Some configuration options that would be nice:

* Ability to select output folder (Quick launch, etc)
* Filters - File Types, File Name, Wildcards, etc
* Ability to choose if files, directories or both are "shortcutted"
Again, this may have been done before and if so, many apologies.  If it hasn't been done before, does ayone feel like taking the challenge?  

Thanks,
Kingmob77

mouser:
hey this is actually a pretty good idea!

kingsmob77:
hey this is actually a pretty good idea!
-mouser (October 20, 2009, 12:33 PM)
--- End quote ---

Thanks, I have a quota of one a year.  i'm glad I finally got it out of the way.  *Whew*, now I need a nap.   :D

AndyM:
This could be very useful.

You are talking about putting the "app" in one folder.  So you'd either be limited to only monitoring one folder, or putting a copy of the app in each folder you wanted to monitor.

I wonder if a better approach wouldn't be to have an .ini file that contained a list of "folders to monitor".  You could add to or edit the .ini file manually, perhaps with a simple interface, and/or be able to drop a folder on the interface/ProgramShortcut to add it to the list, and/or have a right-click folder menu choice to "add to list of monitored folders".

What the heck, as long as you have a list of folders to monitor, maybe add a field to have an optional filter, including/excluding certain file types.

kingsmob77:
You are talking about putting the "app" in one folder.  So you'd either be limited to only monitoring one folder, or putting a copy of the app in each folder you wanted to monitor.
-AndyM (October 20, 2009, 02:16 PM)
--- End quote ---

Exactly. I was thinking of one copy of the script/exe in each folder to be monitored.

I wonder if a better approach wouldn't be to have an .ini file that contained a list of "folders to monitor".  You could add to or edit the .ini file manually, perhaps with a simple interface, and/or be able to drop a folder on the interface/ProgramShortcut to add it to the list, and/or have a right-click folder menu choice to "add to list of monitored folders".

--- End quote ---

This would of course the the coolest way to do it.  I was keeping it as simple as possible in order to make it more attractive for someone to try.  An .ini file would be sufficient but some sort of GUI config would be cool too -- as long as it was simple.  I see part of the value in this app being simplicity. Easy and quick to set up and run.

What the heck, as long as you have a list of folders to monitor, maybe add a field to have an optional filter, including/excluding certain file types.

--- End quote ---

Totally.  If one was developing an .ini or GUI config, there are a number of additional features that could be implemented. 

* File filters: File type, file name, wildcards
* Ability to select files, directories or both will be "shortcutted" in a given folder
* Ability to select a "target folder" to allow individual monitored folder to send shortcuts to specific locations.
Those are just a few off the top of my head.  It could be a pretty nifty application.

-Kingsmob77

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