Folder Action: Rename launches on remove action

Scripting Forums AppleScript | Mac OS X
#1

I searched the forum and didn’t see anything on this . . . sorry if it’s a duplicate.

I have a folder action (first) that adds a second folder action to to any folders added to the first folder. The same script deletes the second folder action from any folder removed from the first folder. The individual pieces seem to work OK.

When I add a folder to the first folder, the name is “untitled folder” and is highlighted. The first folder action grabs it right away, deselects the name before it can be changed and adds the second folder action to “untitled folder”. I could swear that at some point it was working that if I changed the name of the second folder, it simply changed the folder name in Configure Folder Actions and it continued to work. Now, however, when I try to rename the second folder it reacts as if I’ve deleted the folder and the second folder action is removed.

So, the question is: can you prevent changing a name from firing off an “on remove” action? As a hint, it may have something to do with referencing the folder as an alias or not. I’ve been working on this thing sporadically for several weeks and I really can’t remember what all I’ve done (I know, not a big help).

I’m not sure if throwing any of the script in here would be useful, but if there is anything you need to see, just let me know.

T.

#2

One fundamental problem you have is that changing the name of an item in a folder with an action would re-trigger the on add action, and also any on remove action because that’s essentially what you’ve done; added a new item and removed an old one. The usual method is to move the item somewhere else first and then change it’s name in its new location.

#3

Makes sense. Thanks.

I ended up letting the on removing do it’s thing and then force the on adding to run after it. Kludgy, but it seems to work.

T.