Since I switched from Debian and Ubuntu to Mac OS X Leopard, I got used to most of the differences between those operating systems. Yet one very important thing for me was still lacking: A command line utility called mmv...
Description
According to this article, which describes very well what mmv can do for you:
mmv is command-line tool which allows the user to move, rename, copy, append and link large amounts of files with a single command. The tool is especially useful when you need to rename a lot of files that have similar filenames, yet subtle differences.
The problem, and my idea...
What bothered me so much was the fact that mmv was only available through fink (which I don't use), and not with MacPorts (which I like better). However, I thought about doing something tricky to be able to use mmv: Why wouldn't I install fink, and then install mmv, in order to copy its binaries and its documentation files in my /usr/local/?" Of course, the main goal was to be able to use mmv after having completely removed fink. Since mmv has very few dependencies, this may not be such a crazy idea...
Indeed, it wasn't: I did exactly as I just said, and it worked flawlessly! At last, mmv within Leopard! Then, I thought: Why wouldn't I make an archive of all those files, and distribute my binary version of mmv for Mac OS X Leopard (for Mac Intel)? According to mmv's license, there is no reason why I shouldn't do it!
Download
Therefore, here is my version of mmv:
Binary version of mmv, for Mac OS X Leopard (Mac Intel)
Install
First, download the .tar.bz2 file, and be sure to let it in your Downloads directory (usually /Users/<your_short_username>/Downloads/).
Then, open a Terminal and execute the following commands:
% cd /usr/local/
% sudo tar xvjf ~/Downloads/mmv-binary-MacOS-10.5-Intel.tar.bz2
That's it!
Uninstall
Open a Terminal and execute the following commands:
% cd /usr/local/
% sudo rm -R -f bin/m{ad,cp,ln,mv} share/doc/mmv/ share/man/man1/m{ad,cp,ln,mv}.1
That's it!
An important note
As the distributor of this binary version of mmv, I want to add to mmv's copyright notice my own warning:
This software is provided by the distributor “as is” and any express or implied warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. In no event shall the distributor be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this software, even if advised of the possibility of such damage.
I also wrote a README file containing all this important information. Once the software installed, it should be located at /usr/local/share/doc/mmv/README.
One more thing...
Enjoy!