3.1   Basics

Within EagleFiler, you work with one or more libraries. To create a library, choose New Library… from the File menu. Each library that’s open in EagleFiler is displayed in one or more browser windows. Each browser window contains a source list, which lets you access the library’s records. The record is the basic unit of information in EagleFiler. Files, folders, and mail messages are all records. Each record has contents that can be displayed (and perhaps edited) in the record viewer, and you can annotate records with tags and notes.

To start using EagleFiler, you need to create a New Library…. Then you can add records to your library. You can create new documents from within EagleFiler using the New Record ‣ Rich Text File command for the New RTF toolbar button. You can also import existing files and Web pages into your library. There are many different ways to import.

EagleFiler libraries are like iPhoto libraries: when you import a file, a copy is created in the library. While EagleFiler is importing, it shows:

• a downward-pointing green arrow in EagleFiler’s Dock tile.

  

• a spinning progress indicator below the source list for the libraries that are being imported into.

• an entry in the Activity window.

You should not modify or delete a file or message while EagleFiler is in the midst of importing it. Doing so could cause EagleFiler to copy the file in an inconsistent state. Once the import is done, you will have a copy in the library and you can modify or delete the original if desired.