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Snow Leopard - Finder - Sort folders first, then files

Pathfinder is a great partial solution,

but the File Open/Save dialogues are still a pain

1. there's no 'go up' path or button (.. or cd\ in DOS, the folder with the back arrow in windows) and i don't know the unix command but it's there. So when you go to open or save a file and you want to go back up one or two levels from where you are , the only way it seems is to go ALL the way back to your User directory and then drill back DOWN again, all the while looking for your FOLDERS in between the filenames. yes you can put SOME favorite folders along the nav bar, but what's the problem just having a parent directory nav?? does anyone know how to do THIS better please?

2. I'm a BIG fan of apple and own a bunch of stock - but enough with the arrogance of mac fans urging changing the basic ways of doing business just to adapt to this OS. I've been working on computers since the PDP-10 days (along with Bill & Paul & Steve & Woz) and file structures have ALWAYS been this way...having folders is the APPROPRIATE way to group your files and they ALWAYS should be at the top of the sort - because they are file-structure devices, not subject to an ASCII sort....

ASCII sort is a pain also in that a capital A comes 25 letters before a lower-case 'a' - i have several online bill-pay applications that don't put Allstate with american express, which is STUPID coding since we're often in a non case-sensitive world.

oh, and i DID do the 'fix' suggested on Leopard and it doesn't seem to work except on the highest level directory. and it won't fix the file open/save problem so would appreciate thoughts on THAT (needs to sort folders first AND have a 'up directory' navigation.

thanks

OH - and speaking of 'last modified' HOW do you cause the TIME of a file's modification to appear in finder along with the date (and even though I don't want relative dates, todays' files still say Today. I want date AND TIME please.
 
ddenoff said:
but the File Open/Save dialogues are still a pain

1. there's no 'go up' path or button (.. or cd\ in DOS, the folder with the back arrow in windows) and i don't know the unix command but it's there. So when you go to open or save a file and you want to go back up one or two levels from where you are , the only way it seems is to go ALL the way back to your User directory and then drill back DOWN again, all the while looking for your FOLDERS in between the filenames. yes you can put SOME favorite folders along the nav bar, but what's the problem just having a parent directory nav?? does anyone know how to do THIS better please?
Click to expand...

⌘-↑

ddenoff said:
2. I'm a BIG fan of apple and own a bunch of stock - but enough with the arrogance of mac fans urging changing the basic ways of doing business just to adapt to this OS. I've been working on computers since the PDP-10 days (along with Bill & Paul & Steve & Woz) and file structures have ALWAYS been this way...having folders is the APPROPRIATE way to group your files and they ALWAYS should be at the top of the sort - because they are file-structure devices, not subject to an ASCII sort....
Click to expand...

'it's always been done this way' is not always a good justification for doing something a certain way. The whole folder metaphor seems a little outdated to be honest but people are creatures of habit so change will happen slowly...


ddenoff said:
OH - and speaking of 'last modified' HOW do you cause the TIME of a file's modification to appear in finder along with the date (and even though I don't want relative dates, todays' files still say Today. I want date AND TIME please.
Click to expand...
make the column wider ?
 
Windows Like Sort Files ( Folders First )

1- open terminal
2- paste this into it:

sudo vi /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app/Contents/Resources/English.lproj/InfoPlist.strings

3- type in your password
4- type 'a' (this will allow you to edit the file)
5- edit so line 7 looks like this: (add space after "Folder" = ")
"Folder" = " Folder";
6- Press escape
7- type ':w' to write
8-type ':q' to quit
9- Restart finder
10- View-> arrange by Kind
 
kingtron said:
Windows Like Sort Files ( Folders First )

1- open terminal
2- paste this into it:

sudo vi /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app/Contents/Resources/English.lproj/InfoPlist.strings

3- type in your password
4- type 'a' (this will allow you to edit the file)
5- edit so line 7 looks like this: (add space after "Folder" = ")
"Folder" = " Folder";
6- Press escape
7- type ':w' to write
8-type ':q' to quit
9- Restart finder
10- View-> arrange by Kind
Click to expand...

Thanks for the effort (even though these steps have already been posted) ! :)

Windows actually puts folders at the top even when you sort by name, which this won't be able to achieve
 
As a recent Mac convert, I am really disappointed at the lack of flexibility there is in the operating system for things like this. How ***** difficult would it be for Apple to add one more check box in the preference? Or even a hidden option, so as not to clutter up their preferences screen?

The "Apple" way of doing things is not always the best, despite what fanboys would have you believe. Sometimes, there is not best way, just preferences. Mac OS could use a few more preferences.

Say what you will about MS, but Windows 7 has preferences, and it's closer to OS X on usability than any prior version. The one-size-fits-all Apple approach has got to go.
 
Funny, I found this thread because I have the misfortune to use Windows 2003 on a daily basis, and I was trying to make Windows NOT sort folders first. Sorting folders first is broken in so many ways -- it kills me to have to slow down and figure out if I'm looking at file or folder when scanning a list that is in ALPHABETICAL ORDER for ***** sake.

Mac Finder will sort folders first over Steve's dead body...
 
actually following the directions at this link do work in Snow Leopard.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/2870134-post1.html

they just left out a few steps. once you navigate to the "English.lproj" folder, you have to right click on it, and select "Get Info"

at the bottom click the "Sharing & Permissions" triangle to maximize
then click the lock, type in your password if asked
once unlocked, you click the + button to add yourself and make sure you select read & write
then close the window

now find the "InfopPlist.strings"
you must right click, select "Get Info" and update the permissions like you did previously for the folder
once done adding the permissions, close the window

now open the "InfoPlist.strings" file with Text Editor and follow the directions in the previous link about adding a character before "Folder"
once done, save the file

now go back and remove the permissions you added previously to "InfoPlist.strings" and "English.lproj"

now restart your computer, open Finder, select "View as list", and all of your folders will now appear in alphabetical order at the top of your folder followed by all of your files in alphabetical order

hope this makes sense.
 
skybound02 said:
actually following the directions at this link do work in Snow Leopard.
Click to expand...

Dude, DOES NOT WORK.

This does exactly the same as the other tips posted here: it sorts WITHIN the file type ("KIND").

Folders on top sorted alphabetically, then JPG sorted alphabetically, then PDFs sorted alphabetically etc...

It does NOT do what you claim "folders will now appear in alphabetical order at the top of your folder followed by all of your files in alphabetical order".

-t
 
GGJstudios said:
It's another example of a first-time poster resurrecting a thread to post useless, misleading or plain wrong information. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

How so? He is right. I've not seen one hint posted here, that will actually achieve what the OP asked for, namely having Finder sort the Windows way, folders on top even when sorting alphabetically. That is different from this:
5367f983dacb6bb542f06a8c3ccd8362.png
 
tkermit said:
How so? He is right. I've not seen one hint posted here, that will actually achieve what the OP asked for, namely having Finder sort the Windows way, folders on top even when sorting alphabetically. That is different from this:
5367f983dacb6bb542f06a8c3ccd8362.png
Click to expand...
If you look at the image, the folders are on top, but the files are not sorted alphabetically. The OP wanted "Sort folders first, then files", but the solution posted by skybound02 does not achieve that.
 
GGJstudios said:
If you look at the image, the folders are on top, but the files are not sorted alphabetically. The OP wanted "Sort folders first, then files", but the solution posted by skybound02 does not achieve that.
Click to expand...

Exactly :confused:
 
GGJstudios said:
No, I was agreeing with turtle777's post that skybound02's solution doesn't work, adding my comments about skybound02.
Click to expand...

I see. Thanks for clearing that up. Interestingly enough turtle777 is also a first-time poster (after almost 7 years). :)
 
tkermit said:
I see. Thanks for clearing that up. Interestingly enough turtle777 is also a first-time poster (after almost 7 years). :)
Click to expand...
I just now noticed that! The irony! LOL! At this rate, his user title will be a 601 in...... well, about a week after the Earth is no more!
 
ddenoff said:
but the File Open/Save dialogues are still a pain

1. there's no 'go up' path or button (.. or cd\ in DOS, the folder with the back arrow in windows) and i don't know the unix command but it's there. So when you go to open or save a file and you want to go back up one or two levels from where you are , the only way it seems is to go ALL the way back to your User directory and then drill back DOWN again, all the while looking for your FOLDERS in between the filenames. yes you can put SOME favorite folders along the nav bar, but what's the problem just having a parent directory nav?? does anyone know how to do THIS better please?
Click to expand...


Default FolderX app. Can't live without it. Also, make sure you show the status bar at the bottom of finder windows that has the full path you can click on to go higher up in the directory path easily.
 
tkermit said:
I've not seen one hint posted here, that will actually achieve what the OP asked for, namely having Finder sort the Windows way, folders on top even when sorting alphabetically.
Click to expand...

Post #30 (from April 2010) mentioned TotalFinder. Was that not worthy?

BTW, folders on top is not needed [in dialog windows] anyway... just use the down arrow key to jump from folder to folder. Easy peasy.
 
tkermit said:
I see. Thanks for clearing that up. Interestingly enough turtle777 is also a first-time poster (after almost 7 years). :)
Click to expand...

I know, ain't that something.

I didn't know I never posted here, even though I lurked here a bit.
I'm a regular at MacNN.

At any rate, like it should be clear by now, there is NO easy way to have the Finder sort the Windows way. Period.

The only idea I have is this:

If all folders are assigned a Label, and then the *column* view is sorted by Label, Folders would appear AT THE END. All other items (w/o labels) are sorted alphabetically regardless of KIND.

I suppose you could hack the Finder to change label colors, so that the Folder labels are colorless.
Leaves the problem of those labels being sorted AFTER all documents w/o label.

If you can't follow, nevermind. i'm just rambling :)

-t
 
Hal Itosis said:
Post #30 (from April 2010) mentioned TotalFinder. Was that not worthy?

BTW, folders on top is not needed [in dialog windows] anyway... just use the down arrow key to jump from folder to folder. Easy peasy.
Click to expand...

This is probably the closest thing, albeit, not a free hack.

Do you have any experience re: stability of TotalFinder ?

-t
 
i did the edit of InfoPlist.strings but nothing changed, closed finder and relaunched, restarted computer, if i sort by kind folders still don't end up at the top.. any ideas anyone?
 
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