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View Full Version : Searching for files vs. Directory Structure?



cayley
Apr 3, 2007, 11:56 AM
One of the 10 highlighted features in Jobs' Keynote about Leopard was it's enhanced searching abilities. Made it sound like we'll never have to put structure to our files again.

If you want a certain file, do you just search for it? or do you follow some kind of structured path? Has using the OS X changed your habits? Any other thoughts?

Personally, I almost never search for files... only when they're not where I expected them to be.


epochblue
Apr 3, 2007, 11:57 AM
I keep my system pretty well organized and structured. Rarely, if ever, do I need to search for something.

Although, those rare time when I do have to search for something, Spotlight is a godsend.
shecky
Apr 3, 2007, 12:07 PM
i have a hyperstructured file system including the use of color labels and iterative filenames. while i understand that you could have a flat system and just use spotlight to search, i find that very confusing and really not needed if you organize your stuff from day one.

i do use spotlight to search for miscellaneous things like font folders or a certain email message, random photo, etc. but there is no way, no how i would give up my organization system.
jeremy.king
Apr 3, 2007, 01:27 PM
Since I started using Quicksilver, my file organization has been lacking. I can only imagine what a better OS X Spotlight might do to my habits...I keep a few big "buckets" but once inside, there is no organization.
dr_lha
Apr 3, 2007, 01:33 PM
I'm a lazy bastard, so use Spotlight to find almost all files. I hardly ever use the Finder. Actually I think this is why Apple don't care about "FTFF", because they want people to move away from that idea as much as possible.
cayley
Apr 3, 2007, 01:48 PM
I'm a lazy bastard, so use Spotlight to find almost all files. I hardly ever use the Finder. Actually I think this is why Apple don't care about "FTFF", because they want people to move away from that idea as much as possible.

What's FTFF?
shecky
Apr 3, 2007, 01:50 PM
What's FTFF?

it stands for "Fix the ********** Finder"

some more stuff about that on this ars thread (http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8300945231/m/794000422831)
eluk
Apr 3, 2007, 01:55 PM
Les structured than on Windows. Although old habits die hard and I forget to use Finder.