@Mike Boreham , I also notice that when I add a new file / folder with a name that is longer than any name in the column, the column width does not auto adjust to the new longest name.
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Finder > Column View > Column Widths
- Thread starter JoelBC
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Commander One looks like a throw back to the 90s. But, I have used it for some years because it reliably connects to many cloud service with easy drag and drop between them. I would not suggest it as a Finder replacement.
I tried to like Path Finder, but have now given up on Finder alternatives. Better to get Finder to work how you want. For example: Extensions like Context Menu (from App Store), tweaking tools (like Tinker Tool), and scripting opening side by side windows.
Commander One's looks did not trouble me. I gave up on it quickly because it did not display the files teh way I wanted and it showed my iCloud drive as 4 drives which I really did not like.
I am slowly coming to that conclusion. I like Tinker Tools but it is a buggy. What other extensions do you recommend?
I have found Tinker Tool pretty good for minor tweaks to settings.
Finder Extensions (i.e. add on to Finder):
I use Context Menu all the time. The web site https://langui.net/context-menu/ is not much but the app works fine. Adds to the context (right click or control-click) menu - additional commands and sub-menu (rather like Quick Actions).
I used to use Service Station https://servicestation.menu/ Works as expected (another addition to the control-click menu) but it has not been updated for 3 years and there is no support.
Finder Quick Actions:
Some apps add to Quick Actions. You can write your own Quick Actions - I use Automator with simple scripts inside.
Finder Automation:
I use Keyboard Maestro (a multi-purpose automation tool) to provide simple ways of opening two Finder windows side by side with particular settings. Keyboard Maestro makes some things easier, but much can be done with AppleScript usually wrapped up in an Automator app/action.
@Mike Boreham , I heard back from the developer who advised that:
TinkerTool is an application to change user preference settings in macOS. IT WILL NEVER CHANGE ANY PART OF macOS, SO IT CANNOT HAVE ANY INFLUENCE ON HOW APPLE IMPLEMENTS FEATURES OF THE OS, WHICH INCLUDES THE FINDER.
The behaviour we have noticed all remain until i) Apple iis advised of it (or notices it) and ii) Apple fixes it!
TinkerTool is an application to change user preference settings in macOS. IT WILL NEVER CHANGE ANY PART OF macOS, SO IT CANNOT HAVE ANY INFLUENCE ON HOW APPLE IMPLEMENTS FEATURES OF THE OS, WHICH INCLUDES THE FINDER.
The behaviour we have noticed all remain until i) Apple iis advised of it (or notices it) and ii) Apple fixes it!
That doesn’t seem very helpful! So basically saying it is up to Apple to fix the behaviours we have noticed. It really isn’t a big deal for me, having existed without it for so long. I shall just be glad when it works and expect to do the extra click or two when it doesn’t.
I don‘t remember whether Path Finder and Forklift are the same.
@Mike Boreham Agree on both points in that i) it would be nice to get fixed and ii) it is not that big of a deal as TinkerTool is better than nothing.
I believe that Forklift and Path Finder are different as they are applications as I understand things.
I believe that Forklift and Path Finder are different as they are applications as I understand things.
@Mike Boreham
As promised, I have installed Path Finder and I have tried to configure it to the best of my ability / understanding (the developer website is not much help).
I have a number of questions that I would appreciate assistance with noting I have the free / trial version which may explain some of my issues ( as the trial version may not be "full featured" nothing with apologies in advance that the developer website provides zero guidance on this):
- Bookmarks bar: Is their a bookmarks bar for the second pane and, if yes, how do I get it to appear? Is it possible to have the bookmarks take me to the folder rather than show a dropdown list for the folder and, if yes, how do I go that?
- Dropbox: If I link my Dropbox so that it appears in the sidebar will I be able to get Dropbox links to share directly from Path Finder?
- iCloud drive: How does the iCloud drive folders listed by Finder <> the iCloud drive folders listed by Path Finder (see images at the end of this post)? Which is correct?
- Path Navigator: how does one get the Path Navigator to collapse / shrink when one "backs up" in column view per the below image where a) I am back in the documents folder yet b) the deeper / subsequent folders I was in are still displayed (this seems wrong to me and is different than Finder)??
- Preserve Collapse Pane: what is this?
- Reval in Path Finder: what is this?
- Show Command Notification: what is this?
- Spring loaded folders: what are these?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
These are the iCloud folders listed by Finder:
These're the iCloud folders listed by Path Finder:
With much thanks in advance!
PS. I noticed that Path Finder in column view is expanding the column to the full width of the longest named file / folder. I have not yet tested whether this is because of TiinkerTool or not?
As promised, I have installed Path Finder and I have tried to configure it to the best of my ability / understanding (the developer website is not much help).
I have a number of questions that I would appreciate assistance with noting I have the free / trial version which may explain some of my issues ( as the trial version may not be "full featured" nothing with apologies in advance that the developer website provides zero guidance on this):
- Bookmarks bar: Is their a bookmarks bar for the second pane and, if yes, how do I get it to appear? Is it possible to have the bookmarks take me to the folder rather than show a dropdown list for the folder and, if yes, how do I go that?
- Dropbox: If I link my Dropbox so that it appears in the sidebar will I be able to get Dropbox links to share directly from Path Finder?
- iCloud drive: How does the iCloud drive folders listed by Finder <> the iCloud drive folders listed by Path Finder (see images at the end of this post)? Which is correct?
- Path Navigator: how does one get the Path Navigator to collapse / shrink when one "backs up" in column view per the below image where a) I am back in the documents folder yet b) the deeper / subsequent folders I was in are still displayed (this seems wrong to me and is different than Finder)??
- Preserve Collapse Pane: what is this?
- Reval in Path Finder: what is this?
- Show Command Notification: what is this?
- Spring loaded folders: what are these?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
These are the iCloud folders listed by Finder:
These're the iCloud folders listed by Path Finder:
With much thanks in advance!
PS. I noticed that Path Finder in column view is expanding the column to the full width of the longest named file / folder. I have not yet tested whether this is because of TiinkerTool or not?
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I am not running Path Finder at present and not able to answer from memory. You might reach more people who can answer in the Finder Alternative thread.
.
What I can recall is that one of my issues with PF was the way it handles iCloud Drive.
“Show in Path Finder” is the same as “show in Finder.”
It won’t browse Time Machine drives, so I always kept Finder running, but used Settings so that PF operated a complete Finder replacement, which as I recall Forklfit can’t.
Spring Loaded folders are a same as Finder Spring Loaded folders, I assume.
The bug that caused me to stop using it was that it would randomly rearrange all my Desktop icons to a default pattern on the RHS of screen.
To get the most from PF you do need to study and test the options carefully.
There is a huge amount to really like about it If you can learn and accommodate its differences.
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@Mike Boreham appreciated and thank you, will try the thread you suggested.
Not good! I am already having an issue with that!
Thank you.
What do you mean by operates as a "complete Finder replacement"?
Thank you.
Hmmm, that is a concern but luckily I have very few icons on my desktop!
Agreed!
Thank you.
Not good! I am already having an issue with that!
Thank you.
What do you mean by operates as a "complete Finder replacement"?
Thank you.
Hmmm, that is a concern but luckily I have very few icons on my desktop!
Agreed!
Thank you.
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I have also loaded / tested QSpace.
In comparing Path Finder to QSpace I find QSapce to be far superior in that i) it is less buggy and ii) it is more configurable. That said, the number of configuration items is endless and it takes some digging to get things configured (and I am sure I have only scratched teh surface).
Starting to think that OTHER THAN A DESIRE FOR DUAL WNDOWS that Finder + TinkerTools is etc way to go. Will need to decide how important DUAL WINDOWS is when the trial period ends.
In comparing Path Finder to QSpace I find QSapce to be far superior in that i) it is less buggy and ii) it is more configurable. That said, the number of configuration items is endless and it takes some digging to get things configured (and I am sure I have only scratched teh surface).
Starting to think that OTHER THAN A DESIRE FOR DUAL WNDOWS that Finder + TinkerTools is etc way to go. Will need to decide how important DUAL WINDOWS is when the trial period ends.
PF has settings which enable it to be used instead of Finder all the time (except browsing TM drives). One example I remember is that with Forklift if i double clicked an external drive icon on the Desktop it would open in Finder instead of Forklift. PF opened it in PF. Maybe I missed a Forklift setting.
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That is how I felt about QSpace after a short time.
That is my feeling as well. When I had two panes I didn’t use them as much I thought I would, and I am finding Tinkertool works nearly all the time.
I can confirm that QSpace Pro has this capability.
I will admit -- thought it has been a short period -- I am very impressed with QSpace though I still have a lot to configure / learn to take full advantage.
Great minds think alike?
Agreed, again. The only think I would add is i) QSpace is visually much more appealing / modern and ii) Finder + Moom + TinerTools would be my setup. Moom is excellent at moving directly to prefigured wind layouts; it is one of my MUST HAVE apps!
Just had another look at QSpace...disappointed that it doesn't show the iCloud items download status like Finder does. I use those a lot.
I am on a call so can not check but did you check all of the options / settings? It would be a meaningful oversight were that the case.
Hmmm, I have not seen one, definitely a nit!
I found another nit. In order for Desktop icons to open in QSpace one needs to set Desktop to QSpace Desktop. The problem this creates is that i) the desktop widgets are "greyed out" and ii) the desktop icons no longer group. Wondering whether there is a workaround for this?
Interested in your comments / thoughts on how or whether this can be solved as it would be best to have one Finder / Finder Replacement application?
@Mike Boreham et. al:
After all this digging I find that Path Finder is not for me (buggy and lack of polish) and QSpace lacks functionality I would like (i.e., does not work with desktop folders (unless the desktop is replaced which makes the widgets useless), does not work with TimeMachine, does not provide iCloud file status, it is difficult to understand (i.e., I cannot find where to save teh Workspaces), etc.).
After all this I will like stick with Finder + Moom + TinkerTools which is elegant, simple and works though it does require two extra keystrokes to get two side by side properly configured Finder windows. (which is minimal overhead in my view)
PS. I will look at Cosmil and then call it a day!
PPS. Thanks to everyone for all the help, it is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!
After all this digging I find that Path Finder is not for me (buggy and lack of polish) and QSpace lacks functionality I would like (i.e., does not work with desktop folders (unless the desktop is replaced which makes the widgets useless), does not work with TimeMachine, does not provide iCloud file status, it is difficult to understand (i.e., I cannot find where to save teh Workspaces), etc.).
After all this I will like stick with Finder + Moom + TinkerTools which is elegant, simple and works though it does require two extra keystrokes to get two side by side properly configured Finder windows. (which is minimal overhead in my view)
PS. I will look at Cosmil and then call it a day!
PPS. Thanks to everyone for all the help, it is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!
If you want dual panels, then you may want to try Total Finder or XtraFinder.
They add extra functionality to Finder (that is, they don't run as additional apps).
They may need SIP to be disabled or weakened, at least for certain features to work.
They add extra functionality to Finder (that is, they don't run as additional apps).
They may need SIP to be disabled or weakened, at least for certain features to work.
@zevrix appreciate the suggestions.
I have visited both webpages and note that both options do disable SIP which makes them no goes for me.
I will continue looking but ro now will stick with the approach I mentioned above until something better comes along (pending the response I get from the QSpace developer to my questions).
I have visited both webpages and note that both options do disable SIP which makes them no goes for me.
I will continue looking but ro now will stick with the approach I mentioned above until something better comes along (pending the response I get from the QSpace developer to my questions).
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