Favorites folder

[KeithJaw]

Because of problems accessing our network using Snow Leopard, I've started using the 'Favorites' folder as a 'shortcut' to our networked drives. It works fine and is very useful.

A colleague has asked me to set the same facility up on his computer. When I dragged 'Favorites' from his 'Libary' folder to the sidebar, it appeared there with a heart icon. 'Sweet!' we thought.

However, we then found that when we dragged one of the folders which he wanted to have in his favorites over to the sidebar, the O.S. proceeded to make a copy of the whole folder contents - instead of it working as a shortcut.

What are we doing wrong?

 

[Gregg2]

When I dragged 'Favorites' from his 'Libary' folder to the sidebar, it appeared there with a heart icon.

However, we then found that when we dragged one of the folders which he wanted to have in his favorites over to the sidebar, the O.S. proceeded to make a copy of the whole folder contents - instead of it working as a shortcut.

What are we doing wrong?

One thing is that you're not describing things in enough detail. Plus it doesn't work the way it seems you're expecting it to for me. (OS 10.5.8)

If I understand... you drag Favorites to the Sidebar, then you want to add things to Favorites. I would do this in the actual Favorites Folder, not in the Sidebar, but maybe it's supposed to work there too.

Now, the folder that gets copied: where is it coming from exactly? When it's done copying, then are you able to open it in two different Finder windows with two different paths?

 

[LPZ]

Because of problems accessing our network using Snow Leopard, I've started using the 'Favorites' folder as a 'shortcut' to our networked drives. It works fine and is very useful.

A colleague has asked me to set the same facility up on his computer. When I dragged 'Favorites' from his 'Libary' folder to the sidebar, it appeared there with a heart icon. 'Sweet!' we thought.

However, we then found that when we dragged one of the folders which he wanted to have in his favorites over to the sidebar, the O.S. proceeded to make a copy of the whole folder contents - instead of it working as a shortcut.

What are we doing wrong?

The sidebar icon (with the heart) seems to have the same functionality as the Favorites folder icon that generated it. So if you double-click on that icon in the sidebar it opens the (original) Favorites folder in Finder. If you drag something onto that icon, you are simply moving the dragged item into the (original) Favorites folder. If you option-drag an item you'll create a copy (not a alias) of that item in the (original) Favorites folder. It seems like what you want is to make an alias for each of the user's "favorite" items and move these alias files into Favorites. (If there is a modifier key to hold while dragging that would create an alias "on the fly", I don't know it!)

 

[Gregg2]

Precisely what I was thinking, LPZ.

 

[KeithJaw]

The sidebar icon (with the heart) seems to have the same functionality as the Favorites folder icon that generated it. (If there is a modifier key to hold while dragging that would create an alias "on the fly", I don't know it!)

Yes, is what seems to have happened on my colleague's computer (which is the same as mine - same model, same OS). Dragging a file to 'Favorites' seems to behave in exactly the same way as dragging one on the 'Desktop' - a copy is created.

This is not what happens on my computer - which I took to be a new feature of Snow Leopard.

The 'Favorites' folder on the sidebar is not a folder per se - it cannot be selected. But if I drag a folder on to it, there is no '+' sign to suggest a copy will be created. Instead there is horizontal line with a circle at the left-hand edge, inviting me to 'place' my shortcut relative to my previous shortcuts (e.g. in alphabetical order).

The question is: why does this work on my setup, but not on my colleague's?

 

[LPZ]

Yes, is what seems to have happened on my colleague's computer (which is the same as mine - same model, same OS). Dragging a file to 'Favorites' seems to behave in exactly the same way as dragging one on the 'Desktop' - a copy is created.

This is not what happens on my computer - which I took to be a new feature of Snow Leopard.

The 'Favorites' folder on the sidebar is not a folder per se - it cannot be selected. But if I drag a folder on to it, there is no '+' sign to suggest a copy will be created. Instead there is horizontal line with a circle at the left-hand edge, inviting me to 'place' my shortcut relative to my previous shortcuts (e.g. in alphabetical order).

The question is: why does this work on my setup, but not on my colleague's?

Don't know. What I described was the behavior I saw when I tested my 10.6.4 system.

I'm not sure why you're using the Favorites folder at all. For example, you could simply connect to the desired external drive, and then drag its icon from the Desktop onto the right end of the dock. Or just click on the icon and make an alias to leave on your Desktop.

 

[KeithJaw]

Because it works so well - on my setup, anyway!

You're right - there's loads of different ways round the problem, but this seemed to be such a good method that avoided cluttering up the dock and desktop - when it works!