Organize your PDFs with iTunes

There's a great tip on Lifehacker today about using iTunes as an organizational tool. We've all got lots of PDFs sitting around; some important, some not. Instead of burying them in a series of nested folders within your Documents folder, use iTunes.

Make playlists for your different categories (like "Taxes" or "Parenting Committee"), add your files and you're done! Drop the lot into a "PDFs" folder and you've got organized, search-able files in an application you've probably got running anyway.

If you want to take this a step further, follow the full tutorial at Lifehacker and create a PDF-only iTunes library.

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Source: http://lifehacker.com/software/pdf/geek-to-live--organize-yo…

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There's a great tip on Lifehacker today about using iTunes as an organizational tool. We've all got lots of PDFs sitting around; some...

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FlacoakaIntruder

I dont have much pdf to organize (some books, data sheets, misc, etc)... and paying for software is out of the question on this one... So, think folders (smart folders in fact), are the solution.
I modified every pdf I have so that the first page represents what the pdf is about, by example on ebooks the first page is the cover of the book. So i want the finder to show me instead of the pdf generic icon, the first page of the pdf... is this possible?? Notice that i only want this on pdf's, and not in jpg, or any other file related to preview, becuase usually the "showing thumbnail of the image" functionality of the finder eats a lot of memory... thx

March 08 2007 at 11:08 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ronan

If you are really serious about pdf documents, then check out Papers from mekentosj. Download, organize, search and reference your papers.

It's aimed at researchers, who end up with billions of pdfs. If you've only got dozens, then do like the man said and use folders!

March 08 2007 at 5:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Addison Hartley

I used to really like Yep - UNTIL they made it costly $$$$.

The free version was great.
Am not going to pay $29 for the new version.

March 07 2007 at 7:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Clark Nova

I use Yep. It kicks ass.

March 07 2007 at 7:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

superpixel

Personally I'm still a fan of folders. Why? Because I work in a paperless office where I have to keep projects organized. I don't get to tag PDF's, and I do not originate all the files I receive-- so there isn't a Spotlight-able way to keep everything organized. Topical organization has been around for a few thousand years (leather pouch for sharp tools, felt pouch for flints, etc.). There's something to be said for that.

Now if only Finder wasn't a second-class citizen in Mac OS...

March 07 2007 at 5:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

trevc

Call me when I can view these on my iPOD as well ... oh wait, i have a shuffle!

March 07 2007 at 5:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dave Caolo

"It's called FOLDERS people. They've been around for-oh, I dunno-ever."

Exactly. This Finder based on nested folders is archaic at best. Some of us want something else.

March 07 2007 at 4:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Travis

Why would I want to do this? It's called FOLDERS people. They've been around for-oh, I dunno-ever.

Or better yet, Apple came out with this cool technology called Spotlight. Check it out.

March 07 2007 at 4:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Doug Adams

Man! I've been advocating this since iTunes 4.7 (October 26, 2004)!

March 07 2007 at 4:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply