Using simple tools to deal with File Clutter on Mac OS X
Dealing with file clutter remains a challenge for all of us that like to increase their personal productivity and review, filter, sort and file new documents or downloads as effective and efficient as possible, but at the same time make sure we are able to retrieve them in at least the same time.
Sticking with Finder
Personally, I've tried many solution to deal with file clutter. I went from "heavy-weight" file management solution like Yojimbo, Together or DevonThink to more "light-weight" ones such as Shovebox. None of them really did the job for me as I've either seen to slow performance, have been over oder underwhelmed by the the available features, but most of the time I just missed the Mac OS X Finder, which I think is still the best file management available.
The simple and minimalistic, but efficient solution
Hence I wanted a minimalistic, Finder-based document management approach that complied with the GTD methodology and delivered the greatest possible integration with Mac OS X. Finder was the choice, however, what I missed in Finder, and that was really the only thing I missed, was the ability to tag files. So my solution to deal with file clutter involves Tags from GravityApps to apply tags to all my documents (Tags goes way beyond this, by the way). In addition I was looking to make the entire process as keyboard centric as possible, especially the part where I move the documents in the appropriate folder. LaunchBar, a Quicksilver equivalent, does a great job for me in that respect. Watch my screencast above to get a glimpse of my simple solution in action.
You will also see how I organise my documents and especially dealing with reference material, being the GTDer I am, in the video.
