Agree with OP, Finder is inconvenient for a lot of actions, especially once you've gotten spoiled with XP's explorer. Some windows shortcuts were so blatantly obvious like the delete key for deleting everything from files to typed letters doesn't work in that obvious manner in Finder. Folders remember their preferred dimensions and settings. Cutting and pasting and a good search function. I love the simple and effective two key short cut combos that on a standard keyboard leaves your fingers in the proper typing position after invoking them, can't say the same about the command key combos. I can also connect to servers and ftp, http, etc using the explorer and bring up my LAN servers, or whatever, in Finder, its that command-K window and I haven't been able to figure out a syntax to do it in Finder directory view mode. I'm not sure about Finder, but in Explorer, if you want the control panel (preferences) you type that into the address and it comes up, ditto for webcams, scanners, etc.
I have been having a hard time getting used to Finder for years now...
