New to Mac OS X ...Help

let's say you have a list of 100 items and you want to select items 50-75. in windows you would click 50, then hold shift and click 75 to highlight all the items in between. is there anyway to do that on the macbook pro?

 

Click on 50, hold the SHIFT + OPTION keys, click 75.

Finder is probably what I hate most about OS X, it's absolutely awful.

 

hmmm that doesn't seem to be working for me

 

Well... I dunno then. All I know is, I hate Finder. It behaves so randomly for me. Sometimes, just holding shift and clicking works the way you'd think it should, just like it does in Windows.

But other times it does nothing but also select the first and last file, but holding the option or command key will work... I honestly have no clue the deal is with Finder, It's the most horrendously written file browser I've ever seen. I would infinitely prefer File Manager from Windows 3.1.

 

Change the View of the Window to List (the icon that looks like four horizontal lines) then Click #50, hold Shift and click #75. Voila.

Also if you click to the left of a file's icon (or almost anywhere on the background in List View) and hold you can drag the mouse to select multiple files.

To select multiple items that are not adjacent hold Open-Apple (the button next to the Space Bar) and click items. Holding Shift+Options also does this.

 

hmm... i don't think its possible on mac.. i tried out numerous combination, search the help files, etc. and find...

doesn't seems to suggest what u were trying to do.

i agree! mac's finder is really bad; no address bar? no thumbnail preview? no trash warning?

 

I'm always either in List or Column view, and have found absolutely no rhyme or reason to the way Finder behaves, it's just a spin of the roulette wheel.

 

Shift clicking isn't working for you? Because it is working for me. I just click one file, hold SHIFT and click another file a bit further down, and Finder selects all the files in between.

In order to get thumbnail preview, go to a folder with pictures, press Cmd+J, check SHOW ICON PREVIEW and drag the Icon size bar all the way to the max.

In order to see the path, click on View>Customize Toolbar, and drag the Path button into your Finder. You can then click on that to see a drop down of the path to the folder you're currently in.

Do not forget that unlike Windows XP, the method for locating files and folder is to use Search as opposed to browsing. Finder and Spotlight work harmoniously together, so you should make use of that.

 

I was wondering about this too. Shift + Click only seems to select multiple files/folders when in list mode. I have to do one at a time, or drag a box with the mouse, if I'm viewing in icon mode.

It seems file browsing and the time it takes to organize files -- for example, taking a music library and creating individual folders for each artist/album, and manually renaming the files -- is much faster in windows. This is the only thing I prefer in Windows right now

Is there a shortcut for renaming files? It seems I have to click on the file name, wait, then click once again.

 

You could just open up Terminal and do it the good ol' unix way....

You can rename files faster in Finder just by hitting "Enter" with the file selected. (strangely enough, "Enter" doesn't open the file but renames it instead).

Hopefully Leopard adds more functionality to Finder in addition to a better interface.

 

Surfacewound could you please tell us exactly what you really hate about the Finder?
I hear this a lot on other Mac forums but others say exactly what you say. It's either FTFF or I hate the Finder or the Finder really sux but nobody ever says what exactly the issue is. I use the Finder daily but maybe I use it just to grab my apps and maybe my needs are basic. I would just like to understand what's so bad about it?

 

Pretty much everything. It's incredibly inconsistent (like how I mentioned in this thread).

You take a fresh OS X install and it wants to force you into using Icon view. I think it's the most worthless view there is so I always want to use List or Column view.

So does it remember your settings even after specifying? No. But sort of yes. What? Exactly.

So I open Finder the for the first time, switch to Column view. What comes up the next time I open Finder? Icon view. Repeat x times, varying between same session/ different boot ups. Every time switching to Column. Comes up to Icon view every time.

Now in XP, in Windows Explorer would simply set a folder to how you want to view it (detailed view for me) and then go to tools > folder options and apply that to every folder, and Windows remembers it.

But noo, Finder can't do something preposterous like make sense. So fine, Finder is just retarded and Steve Jobs wants to force you to use it his way and won't let you actually consistently retain preferences. Just have to live with it I guess.

Then, randomly one day, Finder decides to open in Column view. For absolutely no reason. It just does. Woah, maybe it actually figured out that I want it in Column view since I change it to that EVERY TIME I OPEN FINDER. Awesome right?

Except..after it opens in Column view for a while, it just as randomly decides to open in Icon view again. ...

All that rambling, and that's just about the view options...

I guess this is more of an OS X thing than a Finder thing, but I hate how the enter key never actually executes anything. Pressing enter on a folder won't open/expand the folder, it just highlights it for a rename. And coming from Windows, the first few moments I was using OS X I found myself randomly renaming files without having a clue WTF just happened.

I just want to know who's the idiot that renames his stuff SO often that it should be the DEFAULT command by the ENTER key of all things? Probably Steve again. Absolutely retarded.


Hey, take a look at my music folder in Icon view! (which by the way is what view my music folder always comes up in, ALWAYS, even if the default folder in Finder magically comes up in Column or List view... and by "always" I mean except when it doesn't. Yeah.)





Isn't it great? It's so intuitive! I love it, you always know what's best Steve, thanks!

This is what my music folder looked like after copying my music to it from an external hard drive.

So I right click and go to "show view options" and tell it to snap to a grid, like in Windows, right? NO! You see, in Windows, it actually WORKS! Yeah, go figure, right?

So the only way to make it, oh I don't know, usable, is to use the "keep arranged by" box. Which would be okay, except, unlike Windows, which sorts folders by priority of folders and then files, Finder doesn't discriminate and just throws everything in alphabetically, regardless of what it actually is. So I have folders scattered throughout the files of other folders, all because it won't simply prioritize it like Windows does.

"So use Spotlight, that's the point" people say. Well to that I say, no. Spotlight really sucks too, and I don't want to have to remember the name of EVERYTHING I have just to find it. Just stupid.

And don't even get me started with dealing with networked drives...

I could go on, but I'll spare you.

 

Err well, actually I didn't make it all the way through the post...

But I'll just say "Quicksilver". Try it out...it's not a replacement for Finder or Spotlight, but it'll make navigating OSX much more efficient.

 

Surfacewound sorry to hear that you are having so many issues with the Finder. Some of the things you mentioned about "snap to grid" does work at least my Mac. The Finder does remember column view for me after closing and reopening the Finder and even after a restart.
You are right about on a fresh install of OS X that the file arrangement is sorta "not set" to view a particular way but that's what customization is for in View Options. It's a quick fix.
I rename folders all the time because for the work I do it requires me to download PDF's from websites and they end up being with crazy file names so I am used to hitting the return key to rename.

I think the issue is that you have used Windows for so long that your brain becomes "Windows Centric". My brain is very "Mac Centric" so if I was to jump on a PC I would say, "I have to uninstall a program every time I decide to get rid of it"? Being Mac centric for me I am used to simply dropping the actual file in the trash without dealing with the registry.

That's the gist of it, OS X and Windows work differently. Now, I agree the Finder does need a revamp and I think the new iTunes design in Leopard will solve a lot of issues. Apple has gotten a lot of flack about the Finder so things should be better in Leopard.
Tiger's Finder is perhaps the most complained about. Before Tiger it was designed pretty well.

Maybe at this time OS X is not for you and you should continue using Windows and possibly Leopard will address your concerns. Thanks for your feedback.

 

Well see, there we go with its inconsistency again. Why does changing the settings work for you, but not for me? Why can I click on one file, hold shift and click another ten files down and have it highlight (USUALLY) but that not work for the OP? It makes no sense whatsoever, it's just a horribly written program/interface.

And yes I've always been a Windows user until a few months ago, but most of the UI/organizational differences between it and OS X are just more logical.

And I change the filenames of files I download all the time too, but that's what save as is for.

The rest of OS X I like just fine, especially, as you mentioned, the way it handles applications and the lack of a registry. There's plenty about OS X to like that Windows just can't offer, but it's a two way street.

And call me a cynic, but I'm just not confident that Apple is going to actually "fix" Finder for Leopard and have all these problems I have with it addressed.

Someone just port Windows Explorer to OS X and I'll be mostly content.

 

Okay Surfacewound, you just jinxed me. Only kidding, I see the inconsistencies with the Finder. At first it was keeping my settings for column view and now it only does intermittently. Oh well, I generally don't use the Finder much anyway which is why I haven't noticed all the inconsistencies. Other than file management I would recommend going into the Macintosh HD and dragging the Applications folder into the Dock next to the trash, odd place for it to go.
On the Applications folder just right click, control click, double tap or hold down on the trackpad and the apps spring up like the start button in Windows. It's easier to grab apps this way anyway.
Well as I mentioned earlier Apple has received quite a bit of flack in terms of the Finder and we may have not seen all of it from WWDC's Leopard preview but it's anyone's guess if Apple is really going to pay attention to it's customer's concerns.

 

Looks like inconsistency is its only consistency.

 

You do know that Cmd+O opens the files/applications right? So instead of jamming Enter like you would on a Windows box, just hold in Cmd and press O. A little bit more work, but it's not that bad. Worst case just remap the keys for Finder.app in System Prefs.

Cmd+Space opens up Spotlight, which you should use to find files/programs. OS X is designed so that users use the search to find their files, as opposed to use a file browser and look for their files (Vista is like that as well).

The not being able to arrange folders at the top and files at the bottom is a pain. I hope they fixed that in Leopard.

 

If it's not that big of a deal, then why not make rename cmd+R and have Enter execute commands? And there's TWO enter keys! At least let ONE of them actually open something, jeeze!

Thinking about that and that damn one button mouse/track pad philosophy and my head my explode.

 

Im thinking about picking the MBP over the Dell 1520, which would mean I'll spend about 400 MORE for the MBP, because I like the size, weight and aesthetics.

However, after reading this thread I'm like WTF? OSX is supposed to be easier to use than Windows, when the ENTER key renames stuff, and you have to type in Cmd+O on the keyboard to open stuff? Is that what you Mac fans call intuitive, and easy to use?

I dont know about everyone else, but I almost always have a Windows Explorer window open because I constantly need to browse my folder structure and move downloaded files from the default folder, move pictures, music, etc. It seems to be this would be a colossal pain in the ass using Finder.

Even selecting multiple files seem difficult.

I'm not so sure about the MBP after all.

 

I think a lot of people here are forgetting that in OS X you really should not need to use Finder. I almost never use Finder. There are so many better ways to access your files like Quicksilver or even Spotlight.

Surfacewound, try clicking 'View'-->'Arrange By' and then select your desired organization. That should clean up the mess in your music folder. And remember, Windows Explorer seems more logical to you because you have been using it for years and Finder for weeks. I was the same way, until I realized that browsing for files was ridiculous all together, and that using apps like Quicksilver, or even letting something like iPhoto handle the structure for you were much easier.

And for the guy that could not figure out how to easily sort his music into artist name, then album, then song. Just open iTunes and let it organize your music. It does it just like that, and you don't have to deal with it.

 

The additional Enter button is quite important. It executes different commands in coding/shell environments. It is quite useful.

You can remap Cmd+R to rename and Enter to open, but if you think about it, most people simply double click things to open them, and having a key to open files isn't exactly intuitive.
You might argue that you might want to select multiple files and open them simultaneously, but in that case, which doesn't happen too often, Cmd+O serves the purpose just fine, especially since your hand is already on the keyboard.
Having the Return key rename stuff is very good, as you can just press it, type the name you want on your keyboard and press Return again to finish. If you made an error, simply press Return again.

OS X is very different from Windows, for example the fact that it doesn't have a task bar. However, once you're used to the interface, you will be able to carry out tasks at a much faster and more efficient rate.
A fresh Windows user can have plenty to complain about OS X. Alt Tabbing isn't very intuitive; the Cmd key is located at a thumb place as opposed to the Ctrl key; you have to press Fn+F* keys to execute F* key functions; etc etc.
However, you could always remap your keys, and once you're used to them, you will realise the benefits of having these things differently.

 

If you read my whole post you'd see that I already did the arrange by thing.

And while I'm still new to OS X, I've been using it for almost 6 months now, not just weeks. Windows Explorer is more logical because it actually, at the very least, behaves consistently. When I set viewing preferences in it, it will actually remember it and always display it like that henceforth. Finder will simply not do this.

 

I agree that Finder is not a good tool. Choosing 'Arrange by' should work, if it does not there is something wrong. I have never had a problem with that. This will sound random, but try fixing permissions. It tends to fix odd things. It only takes a second and may work. I have no idea why it won't arrange them, it should.

 

I'm really having trouble wrapping my head around some of this Mac logic/perspective of what's intuitive.

Mac users thrive off of using key combos, but having to press the ENTER key (just ONE key BTW) is NOT an intuitive way to open folders/open files/etc.? Are you serious? I could never understand that view point in a million years.

And, strictly statistically speaking, how often do you RENAME any given file vs. actually OPEN/RUN it? I think it's safe to say that everyone is going to use their files more often than they're going to rename then, so how then is it more intuitive for one of the largest buttons on the keyboard to prompt a rename instead?

If I open Safari and type "www.google.com" and then press the ENTER key, why it God's name does the ENTER key execute the command and have Safari load Google? Shouldn't it be highlighting the address bar for me to edit it, cause that's so much more intuitive? Just press cmd + O instead ok, it serves the purpose just fine, and your hand is already on the keyboard.

 

No no, "arrange by" is the ONLY way I could organize it. It was the "snap to grid" function that did not work.

 

Of course, the logic in my post only holds if you are someone who has the dexterity and stamina to do a double click, and actually uses a mouse to select and browse files. Most users, when they are browsing their file structure and want to open a file, simply mouse their mouse pointer to the file icon, and hit their mouse button twice in quick succession.
Therefore, having an Return key opening the file is not intuitive, as it would be rarely used.
From your post, it appears that you either prefer to use the keyboard for everything, in which case I would strongly recommend you not to use Finder, but use Cmd+Space instead, or is someone who is physically unable to perform an effective double click, in which case I would recommend you change keyboard shortcuts in System Preferences.
If you are someone who simply prefers to single click on an icon, and then move your hand away from your mouse onto your keyboard and physically hit the enter key, then I recommend you install Windows XP on your Mac and use that instead.

Like I said previously, it does take some getting used to, but it'll be fine, if not great, once you are used to it.

 

Well it would seem to me that Steve doesn't think Mac users are that dexterous, since he apparently doesn't trust that they'll know what to do with two mouse buttons...

For the record, I use a mouse the majority of the time, just like everyone else (except I use *gasp* the right mouse button).

So, since most people generally use the mouse as much as possible, why again is it MORE intuitive for the rename to be the ENTER key instead of doing it via the mouse by clicking on the file name?

And I still don't understand why Safari should treat the ENTER key the way Windows does, but not OS X itself. I hate to bring up that "consistency" word again, but come on...

Most users, when they are browsing their file structure and want to rename a file, simply mouse their mouse pointer to the file name, and hit their mouse button. Therefore, having an Return key to rename the file is not intuitive, as it would be rarely used.

Want to open a file from the keyboard in XP? ENTER. Want to rename a file from the keyboard in XP? F2. YEAH WHAT NOW HUH?!