Questions from a new-ish mac user

L33

L33

L33

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EDIT: Wrong forum, mods please could this be moved to the Apple Software forum?

Hi all
I've had a mac for a couple of months now, and as per my other thread I now have a macbook pro too. Originally I only purchased the mac for one reason; to develop iOS applications, but I've been using the mac for other bits & pieces between programming as it saves having to keep switching between it and my windows PC or laptop.
I'm really liking OS X, and will probably continue to use this as my primary OS at home - makes sense to do so while I am still developing apps.
I have a few questions though, maybe quite common Q's for a switcher but I've not found the answers to them yet so hoping some of the experts on here will be able to help me out :) Most of them relate to finder....

1. Finder - Is there any way to show a location/path type bar or text field like in Windows explorer that would show the current path to the folder or allow a path to be typed in manually?

2. Finder - Is there not a way to cut/paste files and folders? The 'cut' option of the edit menu always seems to be greyed out regardless of what I highlight or select in finder.

3. Finder (again) - Related to Q.2 I suppose, but where can I type in a samba path without having to open safari?

4. Finder - Is there a way to always have folders automatically sort by name etc? If I sort a folder, then drag another file into it, it just sort of plops it in the middle of nowhere, unaligned and unsorted.

5. Photoshop CS5 - Is there a way to mimic the windows Photoshop layout mode? i.e. having a proper window with a background 'panel' and all the little tool panels snap onto the outside of this? Having random floating tool panels and seeing everything else open behind them is bizarre and somewhat confusing when there is lots open.

6. General - Am I free to make subfolders within the applications folder and drag applications into them or will this cause any issues? I'd like to organise it a little by having a folder for Development tools, folder for Graphic Design etc etc.

Any help or solutions greatly appreciated!
 
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1. View > Show Path Bar
1. Go > Go to Folder (Cmd Shift G)

2. It's disabled by default. I think you can enable it with a Terminal tweak. Ostensibly I think it's because the Finder deals with the "folder" metaphor rather than plain filesystem directories thus they should always physically be somewhere.

3. Go > Connect to Server (Cmd K) probably works.

6. Go ahead. If you use a launcher like Spotlight or LaunchBar, you might need to ensure these sub-folders are being indexed.
 
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1. I don't think there is, definitely one of my gripes with Finder.

2. If I want to move something I open two windows and drag holding cmd. Alternatively, copy & paste and delete original. No straight cut that I have found (another gripe).

3. Samba, isn't that a dance? (Sorry no help)

4. Using the view options you can set whether to align to a grid and sort by name.

5. Press f to cycle window styles (I think this is what you mean?)

6. Yes it does work as the application contents are housed within the application itself (I just tested this myself with VLC in a test folder in Applications).
 
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Thank you both for your answers :)
I must admit, of the whole OS X experience I feel that Finder lets it down the most - it is very lacking compared to Explorer.

bloodiedathame said:
3. Samba, isn't that a dance? (Sorry no help)

4. Using the view options you can set whether to align to a grid and sort by name.

5. Press f to cycle window styles (I think this is what you mean?)
Click to expand...

3. haha :) I meant samba as in a windows share

4. I can do this, which lays out all of the folders nicely - but then dragging a new file into the folder isn't automatically laid out almost as if Finder has forgotten I asked it to sort by name and snap to grid. I guess what I'm trying to say is I'd like Finder to automatically arrange the icons like Windows Explorer.

5. Pressing F doesn't seem to do anything to the window in Photoshop?
This quite hard to explain, I may have to take some screenshots to explain!
 
for samba share press cmd + k and type in the address there (it will let you add it to a list) eg. smb://192.168.0.10

TBH give PathFinder a whirl much better imho although totalfinder might help.
 
feriso said:
TBH give PathFinder a whirl much better imho although totalfinder might help.
Click to expand...
WOW... Path Finder is excellent, thanks for pointing it out! It is light years ahead of the standard finder, feels much more complete.
 
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