Snow Leopard - Finder - Sort folders first, then files

[xper]

Hi!

I really prefer Windows way of sorting a folder, first folders and then files, is there a way to do it in Snow Leopard?

I have done this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/show...34&postcount=1

But that doest work for me in SL, so anyone else got any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Richard1028]

You might want to google a mac app called, "Pathfinder".

[Consultant]

Windows way = fail.

Ever try to sort by last modified in windows? Doesn't work due to separate folder / file arrangements.

That's why people rarely use the detailed view to sort files in windows.

[theBigD23]

I'd also like a way to do this without a third party app.

[professorjay]

Originally Posted by Consultant

Windows way = fail.

Ever try to sort by last modified in windows? Doesn't work due to separate folder / file arrangements.

That's why people rarely use the detailed view to sort files in windows.

Just because Windows has this minor feature and Mac doesn't, it's an automatic fail? I do not need to do something the 'Windows' way or 'Mac' way. Just the most efficient way.

I have thousands of audio files sorted by folders in hierarchies that can go several levels deep. Listing folders first would be very helpful.

I may finally give PathFinder a shot.

[devburke]

Originally Posted by Consultant

Windows way = fail.

Ever try to sort by last modified in windows? Doesn't work due to separate folder / file arrangements.

That's why people rarely use the detailed view to sort files in windows.

You know, I prefer Macs in almost every way and will usually defend them, but in this case I think they got it wrong. Folders at the top make sense. But all it would take is an option under View > Arrange By, separated from Name, Date Modified, etc. by a separator like this one:



…which you can check that says “Arrange Folders at Top” or something like that. It can even be off by default if you prefer!

[ivnj]

Just say arrange by kind. All folders get separated from everything else. If they go to the bottom and not to the top do it again and they will. When you say arrange by kind they got in oposite order. If they were on bottom they will move to the top and visa versa. Just do it again. Try it.

[devburke]

Originally Posted by ivnj

Just say arrange by kind. All folders get separated from everything else. If they go to the bottom and not to the top do it again and they will. When you say arrange by kind they got in oposite order. If they were on bottom they will move to the top and visa versa. Just do it again. Try it.

The problem with that is what if I want all my files to be listed together by NAME and not separated by type? Separating out folders while keeping all other files mixed together isn’t all that crazy since all different filetypes are still files, but a FOLDER is not!

[ivnj]

It separates everything not just folders. Try it.

[Richard1028]

Originally Posted by ivnj

It separates everything not just folders. Try it.

But this also destroys any logical sort on the non-folders.

Whatever. The Finder in OSX has always sucked and always will. I'd just settle for the ability to move a freaking file without dragging the damn thing.

[calderone]

Originally Posted by Richard1028

But this also destroys any logical sort on the non-folders.

Whatever. The Finder in OSX has always sucked and always will. I'd just settle for the ability to move a freaking file without dragging the damn thing.

With your ability to see the future, I would hope you would make some smart financial decisions.

And why do you need to have folders at the top? Have you tried typing the name of the things you want? That brings you right to it. Why be a passive user when you can be active?

Here are some basic tips for navigating in Finder:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.p...10510111342529

[professorjay]

Originally Posted by calderone

And why do you need to have folders at the top? Have you tried typing the name of the things you want? That brings you right to it. Why be a passive user when you can be active?

So now I need to memorize the names of all my thousands of files? Why not throw every single file in one monster folder in that case? My computer is supposed to work for me, not the other way around.

This attitude of 'what you want is wrong, Apple is right, just deal with it' around here is why I rarely visit.

[tongteh]

Originally Posted by devburke

You know, I prefer Macs in almost every way and will usually defend them, but in this case I think they got it wrong. Folders at the top make sense. But all it would take is an option under View > Arrange By, separated from Name, Date Modified, etc. by a separator like this one:

Attachment 197941

…which you can check that says “Arrange Folders at Top” or something like that. It can even be off by default if you prefer!

hmm, i just tried to do that, but i cant get the seperator? why? anyone?

all i have is this:

[Richard1028]

Originally Posted by calderone

With your ability to see the future, I would hope you would make some smart financial decisions.

Yes. I'm going to buy stock in Pathfinder.

And why do you need to have folders at the top?

Why do you need them mixed with files?

Have you tried typing the name of the things you want? That brings you right to it.

What if I forgot the name?

[devburke]

Originally Posted by tongteh

hmm, i just tried to do that, but i cant get the seperator? why? anyone?

all i have is this:

Oh sorry, that separator screenshot was from a NetNewsWire menu.

[GGJstudios]

To make folders sort before files in Finder:

1. Open Finder and navigate to this path:

2. Right-click on Finder and select "Show Package Contents":

3. In the window that opens, navigate to this path:

4. Right-click on InfoPlist.strings and open with TextEdit:

5. In the line "Folder" = "Folder"; add a space between the open quote and the "F" in the 2nd occurrence of the word "Folder", as shown here:

6. Save and close the file, entering your admin password when prompted.
7. Click  > Force Quit P7
8. Relaunch Finder P8

[tkermit]

Originally Posted by GGJstudios

To make folders sort before files in Finder:

1. Open Finder and navigate to this path:

Attachment 198137

2. Right-click on Finder and select "Show Package Contents":

Attachment 198138

3. In the window that opens, navigate to this path:

Attachment 198140

4. Right-click on InfoPlist.strings and open with TextEdit:

Attachment 198141

5. In the line "Folder" = "Folder"; add a space between the open quote and the "F" in the 2nd occurrence of the word "Folder", as shown here:

Attachment 198142

6. Save and close the file, entering your admin password when prompted.
7. Click  > Force Quit P7
8. Relaunch Finder P8

Isn't that exactly what the OP claimed to have already tried? (Look at the link he posted). Anyway, as far as I can see, this will only affect sorting by kind, by displaying folders as the very first group there. It does not, however, put folders at the top when you sort by e.g. name.

[GGJstudios]

Originally Posted by tkermit

Isn't that exactly what the OP claimed to have already tried? (Look at the link he posted). Anyway, as far as I can see, this will only affect sorting by kind, by displaying folders as the very first group there. It does not, however, put folders at the top when you sort by e.g. name.

The procedure I described works. Yes, it does put folders at the top when you sort by name, because the folder names begin with a space. It works.

[tkermit]

Originally Posted by GGJstudios

The procedure I described works. Yes, it does put folders at the top when you sort by name, because the folder names begin with a space. It works.

It certainly doesn't look like it. Or how would you explain my attached screenshots ? (taken after I had applied your method)

As I see it, the steps you posted don't change the name of folders, but only the name of the kind label

[mysterytramp]

Originally Posted by xper

Hi!

I really prefer Windows way of sorting a folder, first folders and then files, is there a way to do it in Snow Leopard?

I have done this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/show...34&postcount=1

But that doest work for me in SL, so anyone else got any suggestions?

Thanks!

OS X just doesn't work this way. None of its previous iterations -- and I go back to 1.1g -- has acted like this. The Windows switchers all swear by it. I use XP at work and I've never seen the benefit. To each his own.

Apple may one day change the Finder to do this. If prowl apple.com you'll find the link for offering a suggestion. Until there's a change, your best bet is to rename your folders so that a space precedes the name, so that instead of a folders named "My Files" and "His Files" they would be " My Files" and " His Files."

mt

[melroed]

Hi- I have been trying the fixes listed here for this "arrange by kind" issue (all of my many pdfs show before my files & folders, since I use Adobe Professional). I would be ok with putting a space before my folder name, but for some reason it doesn't work for me. The folder with the space at the beginning of the title still shows after the pdfs. I downloaded trial of pathfinder but do not want to pay in order to view in another application. I am actually running Leopard 10.5.8, so maybe this is not the best thread to post at but any help would be appreciated.
muchas gracias!

[professorjay]

Originally Posted by melroed

Hi- I have been trying the fixes listed here for this "arrange by kind" issue (all of my many pdfs show before my files & folders, since I use Adobe Professional). I would be ok with putting a space before my folder name, but for some reason it doesn't work for me. The folder with the space at the beginning of the title still shows after the pdfs. I downloaded trial of pathfinder but do not want to pay in order to view in another application. I am actually running Leopard 10.5.8, so maybe this is not the best thread to post at but any help would be appreciated.
muchas gracias!

Just sort by name. I name all the folders in my audio file collection w/ a space first and it works.

Otherwise, if you're looking to sort by type and list folders first, try out the 'hack' that other people have done here. From what others have said, that still works for 10.5.X

[TheAshMan]

This and other shortcomings in Finder keep me from using OS X all the time. Mac OS X has so many great features, but they get lost in these silly issues like this folder sort problem. Folders and files are entirely different objects in the file system and should be treated like such. Folders/directories can contain other items, so they should be at the top. Sorry, but Windows is better with this. I know this is the UNIX underpinning, but for crap's sake, it is an easy fix. Look at Pathfinder and Linux distros that do it.

The Dock, Quick Look, Cover Flow, Spring Loaded folders, Stacks, Folder Actions, and I count Spotlight too, are all great features that would kick the crap out of Windows, but they are dragged down by the lack of completeness of OS X Finder and affiliated functions.

For example, Windows has a smooth file system path navigator at the top of Explorer Windows just like a web browser that makes it easy to see and modify where you are, type the path to complete, autocomplete, very nice, smooth, and responsive. You can right-click any file or folder and choose "Copy As Path" and paste a full path to the object in any application, great for networks and attaching files to emails, etc. In Windows, selecting any object in Windows Explorer shows you metadata at the bottom of the screen that can be very useful.

Finder has a stupid path bar at the bottom that you have to turn on as an option and it has little, and clunky functionality, double-click to change where you are in the system and that is it. No copy/paste function. Much harder to find your files.

OS X is much more pleasing to the eye and sometimes can be fun to use, but the form loses out to the function in Windows. This from a guy who loves OS X and has used it for years and years, imagine how all the switchers feel. I know a few at work who have switched back because of these kinds of issues. Apple should pay attention if they want to keep growing and retain all these new users.

[TheAshMan]

Sort by last modified, is very easy to use in Windows, because you know exactly where the file will be, right below the folders. In OS X I'm never sure where the heck they will be. I only use Spotlight and Smart Folders which is the better way, but doesn't excuse the poor navigation abilities of the Finder.

[1800collect]

Originally Posted by tkermit

It certainly doesn't look like it. Or how would you explain my attached screenshots ? (taken after I had applied your method)

As I see it, the steps you posted don't change the name of folders, but only the name of the kind label

You're correct this does not work in Snow Leopard. What it does is it makes the Folders always at the top or bottom if you sort by "Kind" instead of just in the middle. Somewhat helpful, but not what we're looking for when you sort by "Name" and want the folders to come first in alphabetical order followed by all other files in alphabetical folder.