"Mac isn't right for me"

[tkim]

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but another "quirk with OSX that I dislike about OSX, maybe I'm just doing something wrong but here is the scenario:

I have a folder on my desktop, I open it the folder and finder pops up, ok fine. I want to copy something from that folder onto a networked attached server. Now in windows I had a shortcut to the samba share, I then copy/cut the file from my desktop folder where ever I want it to go in my samba drive, which has 10+ directories for photos/music/backup info/files/etc. But When i try to click on finder again, it obviously won't open since the finder is already open viewing the folder on my desktop. So I hafta navigate to the samba share in sidebar of the finder window that is currently open. After that, I hafta open up the desktop folder again after navigating to the samba share in order to drag and drop from that window onto the samba share. Does that make sense?

So for example.

I have a download folder on my desktop. I open up the download folder and have a file X. I want to copy file X onto my samba share. If I click on finder again it won't open. I hafta use the window that is currently viewing my download folder and navigate to the samba share on the sidebar. I navigate to where I want file X to go. Then I hafta go back to the desktop and open the download folder again. I can't simply copy/cut the file and paste because that option is not available, as explained in this thread.

To me this just seems backward. But I guess it's something I'll hafta get used to. Anyone have a more efficient way of doing what I described?

 

[shfle]

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but another "quirk with OSX that I dislike about OSX, maybe I'm just doing something wrong but here is the scenario:

I have a folder on my desktop, I open it the folder and finder pops up, ok fine. I want to copy something from that folder onto a networked attached server. Now in windows I had a shortcut to the samba share, I then copy/cut the file from my desktop folder where ever I want it to go in my samba drive, which has 10+ directories for photos/music/backup info/files/etc. But When i try to click on finder again, it obviously won't open since the finder is already open viewing the folder on my desktop. So I hafta navigate to the samba share in sidebar of the finder window that is currently open. After that, I hafta open up the desktop folder again after navigating to the samba share in order to drag and drop from that window onto the samba share. Does that make sense?

So for example.

I have a download folder on my desktop. I open up the download folder and have a file X. I want to copy file X onto my samba share. If I click on finder again it won't open. I hafta use the window that is currently viewing my download folder and navigate to the samba share on the sidebar. I navigate to where I want file X to go. Then I hafta go back to the desktop and open the download folder again. I can't simply copy/cut the file and paste because that option is not available, as explained in this thread.

To me this just seems backward. But I guess it's something I'll hafta get used to. Anyone have a more efficient way of doing what I described?

If you want to open another Finder window when one is already open just open Macintosh HD.

Another easier way would be to locate the Samba in the Finder and drag it to the finder sidebar (Which creates a short cut that you can drag files straight into without having to navigate anywhere, wherever you are in the finder).

Another thing to remember is that when moving files, if you keep the mouse button pressed in you can automatically navigate through any folders and sub folders, until you reach your required destination.

I suppose most of this is what you are used to. Not being able to drag and drop properly in Windows has driven me nuts for years!


Hope this helps

 

[tkim]

If you want to open another Finder window when one is already open just open Macintosh HD.

Another easier way would be to locate the Samba in the Finder and drag it to the finder sidebar (Which creates a short cut that you can drag files straight into without having to navigate anywhere, wherever you are in the finder).

I suppose most of this is what you are used to. Not being able to drag and drop properly in Windows has driven me nuts for years!


Hope this helps

My samba share is automatically in the sidebar under network connections or whatever so that's no big deal. I guess I could just use the Mac HD icon. Which would be similar to having an icon directly to the samba drive in windows, but I would still hafta navigate to desktop > download folder which would be a pain

Thanks for the idea though

 

[shfle]

Not sure if you were aware of this (Or if it is any help as I am not 100% sure what you mean) but I'd just added this to my original post:-

Another thing to remember is that when moving files, if you keep the mouse button pressed in you can automatically navigate through any folders and sub folders, until you reach your required destination.

You could also put shortcuts to any commonly used folders or sub folders in the sidebar for quick navigation if you want.

 

[shfle]

Basically, what I am saying is that when you open the folder on the desktop and have selected the file(s) that you want to move, drag them to the Samba shortcut but keep the mouse button pressed in. The finder window will change to the Samba's content, still keeping your mouse button pressed navigate to eg. photos folder, the finder window will again change to the contents of this window, and so on for any further sub folders. Once you reach the folder where you want the files to be release the mouse button and the files will be there.

There is no need to open a second finder window to do this. Apologies if I have totally got the wrong end of the stick.

 

[Flumixt]

I spell relief: S-H-I-P-P-E-D-I-T-B-A-C-K

 

[baggss]

I think we all need to take a step back here. Doug_b is obviously not getting it and this is a problem for him. That's fine. The Mac IS different, plain and simple. Not better, not worse, just different. I think enough has been said to explain this to him and he will take away whatever he is willing to take away.

Doug, if you have issues with the small things, the big things will only be worse. I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but maybe the best course of action for you would be to simply go back to Windows and be happy with your decision. It's your money, it's your time, it's your life. You should probably be as happy as you can with all 3 and that's not what is happening now.

 

[Nevermore]

Another thing to remember is that when moving files, if you keep the mouse button pressed in you can automatically navigate through any folders and sub folders, until you reach your required destination.

I suppose most of this is what you are used to. Not being able to drag and drop properly in Windows has driven me nuts for years!


Hope this helps

Never did that before: What a hoot! Tons of thanks. I have always laboured to open up a new Finder Window. I had no idea I could "force" it to pop open. Again, thanks!

(since posting, I am maniacally scooting around forcing directories to pop open. I gotta tell you, this is the first really fun thing I have seen and, to boot, is it ever going to make life easier on the Mac)

 

[Doug b]

I think we all need to take a step back here. Doug_b is obviously not getting it and this is a problem for him. That's fine. The Mac IS different, plain and simple. Not better, not worse, just different. I think enough has been said to explain this to him and he will take away whatever he is willing to take away.

Doug, if you have issues with the small things, the big things will only be worse. I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but maybe the best course of action for you would be to simply go back to Windows and be happy with your decision. It's your money, it's your time, it's your life. You should probably be as happy as you can with all 3 and that's not what is happening now.

I'm glad you're not trying to be a jerk, and I know that but I wonder if anybody really ever reads exactly what I'm trying to convey. I say this because after all of what I wrote (typed w/e) what you got out of it was that I should probably go back to Windows. And this is after I expressly said that I haven't used Windows for 3 years +.

What is true, and unfortunate for me, is that my understanding and patience with the terminal (whether it be Linux or on the Mac) is very limited. I'm not ashamed to say that I'm an avid GUI user, and in this, I can also say that I know what works best for my way of working within one. If I weren't so lazy, I might be inclined to show you guys, in a desktop video session, exactly what I'm talking about, and compare both methods which are described here. I'm sure there's a program within Ubuntu that will allow me to record a session, that I can post, is there one for OS X as well ? Because really, I wouldn't mind explaining this with visuals.

Another thing you guys should understand is that the Mac was really meant to be a gift for my wife, since she needed a new laptop. Yes, she'd have been just as happy with an Acer or Toshiba from wherever, because they also suit her needs just fine (web, email, Office suite) but I was the one who caved and figured, why not. Check out what all the hoopla is all about.

And I also feel very strongly about Vista. I loathe it. It's the most intrusive, and hulking piece of garbage I've ever had the displeasure of using. I'm always being called by family or friends to try and resolve their issues (while I'm not great in terminal, I have dabbled in the IT field and also build and repair PC's and troubleshoot software etc.. but then, who doesn't these days ?) and that's not an undertaking that I would want to go through for myself as well. I've vowed to keep any iteration of Vista as far away from my home, as possible. This leaves me with two other realistic options:

OS X or Linux. Unfortunately, Linux in any form, is still plagued with driver support/issues. No thanks to market share, and we all know where this is going... So in order to make sure we were covered, enter the world of Apple. And while it's true that I could have just installed XP on a new Laptop, I felt it was time to move on from there. I also knew fully well that I didn't like any type of proprietary software ties, which Apple uses very well, and at times works to the users advantage, if they don't mind being tied into them and losing a bit of flexibility. (integration wise)

I also really wanted to explore Garage Band and programs like Aperture 2 and its ilk. We both agreed that it would be fun to explore a different avenue, and since she's not using it for anything but the most basic of things, I'm the one who does all the organizing, software installing, peeking around and so on and so forth..

I'm also very opinionated, no bones about it. I try and remain as open as possible, and non biased towards anything in particular, so that when I do start to understand what it is I'm working with, that opinion might actually hold some weight.(for me at least) It's very true that I have an easier time on my Linux box when it comes to basic things, but I'm sure that as I use the Mac more and more, this will eventually change. I know all about dragging and dropping, and all the different ways in which I can get folder A to destination B etc.. It's STILL not the same, and wish people would just stop trying to tell me that I'm wrong or that there isn't a difference when I know for sure, that there is.

But I digress on that point. Here's something else, something I just learned by chance, reading some Mac magazine, which I hope solves an issue I've been having. I haven't tried it yet though.. and this might help others here too. When I first got the Macbook, I kept asking why when you cmd-tab and stopped on the icon of an application that was open, it didn't just make the app spring forward onto the page, as well. I then found a third party app called Witch, that I still haven't tried, but hopefully I won't have to because of this:

 

[Dysfunction]

If you got that that you're wrong or there isn't a difference out of my posts, I'm sorry. My point was simply that it is intrinsically different, just like any other OS in usage.

BTW, that trick works

 

[Doug b]

If you got that that you're wrong or there isn't a difference out of my posts, I'm sorry. My point was simply that it is intrinsically different, just like any other OS in usage.

BTW, that trick works

That was for Baggss, actually, but just as well for in general since people often take what they want out of a post and tend to pick on the weakest part of an argument etc.. And I totally agree with your point, wholly.

Good to know that trick works then ! That will make me infinitely happier, actually. It's amazing, what makes my life easier..... You'd seriously think I was the most anal retentive person on this forum given the things that I think are useful and refuse to give up !

doug

 

[Dysfunction]

Nah, I got 4 terminal sessions running (man I love tabbed terminal windows)... at home.. on friday night. Talk about old habits

 

[dtravis7]

I by the way was just trying to help you. I once tried to help another who wanted to move files instead of copy them and I was bashed into the fires that never go out by a Mac lover who even went as far as to call me a LIAR and that the box on my screen did not say MOVING but Copying! I gave up at that point and never mentioned it again even though it works perfectally no matter what anyone else says.

I hope you do not take my messages to you the wrong way either. Maybe I did take a few of your posts the wrong way, but it's the way you stated a few things that sounds so much like some of the OSX haters we get here that are here just to run down OSX and the mac. If I took you the wrong way, Sorry. Hope I can help more in the future.

 

[Doug b]

I by the way was just trying to help you. I once tried to help another who wanted to move files instead of copy them and I was bashed into the fires that never go out by a Mac lover who even went as far as to call me a LIAR and that the box on my screen did not say MOVING but Copying! I gave up at that point and never mentioned it again even though it works perfectally no matter what anyone else says.

I hope you do not take my messages to you the wrong way either. Maybe I did take a few of your posts the wrong way, but it's the way you stated a few things that sounds so much like some of the OSX haters we get here that are here just to run down OSX and the mac. If I took you the wrong way, Sorry. Hope I can help more in the future.

It's all good. Perfectly understandable. These are bits of dangerous territory for most people involved in such discussions, since they usually wind up being taken into a different context than what was intended, due to the nature of such heated debates and such. I didn't take what you said the wrong way, but was of course, a bit defensive because as you know, there are the most extreme zealots on both sides of the fence.

 

[rsmithgi]

You guys all seem to be talking about text. I'm talking about file management. Cut and paste makes life easier to the point of where it's ridiculous to think of not having it handy. Moving folders with sub folders and such in finder is a chore and a half in OS X.

A chore and a half? Really? Perhaps a Finder replacement application would server you better. Check out PathFinder.

This also falls in line with how I like to organize my files and folders. I hate database style programs for music and photo management, though some photo apps do a better job than others at keeping things tidy... But in OS X I found that the packaged programs such as iTunes and iPhoto love being redundant, in that they create a library which is populated by several different copies (different sizes) of the same file,(mainly talking iPhoto now) yet at the same time, you're limited to working with them, rather than being able to use the original file because why ? Because I'd be sorry that I edited the original file and would want to revert back to an untouched version in the future ? Well how about letting ME decide that ? Or give an option to do or not do that.. I like thinking for myself, thanks Steve Jobs..... But the point here is that I'd rather sort my files and folders via the file tree method, and I still plan on doing so for my own personal benefit.

You don't have to use iTunes or iPhoto (or any of the bundled packages).

And when I set up my external HD's to use as photo and music servers, (via a 4 port hub connected to the back of my Airport Extreme) I'm going to make sure that all of my photos are in folders according to their scenario. (actually, they already are. ie; family, friends, vacations, animals, landscapes, urban, etc.. ) Even my Linux photo app (digiKam) sees these folders, and sorts them in a tree, and still maintains a database to check for missing and added folders or photos. It's about the most logical system you can imagine. And thanks to cut and paste, I can have folders or files anywhere, and it's as simple as highlighting, cutting and pasting. With OS X, it would be a lot more time consuming than this, and I've got the scars on my fingers to prove it !

Again. You might want to check out Pathfinder.

There are certainly other little annoyances which get my pants with OS X, but if I wasn't able or willing to try, then I'd just as soon shut up and just pack it in. Mostly, it's the lack of control, as well as the lack of choices in software that gets me. I found a total of two other music players aside from iTunes (Cog and Play), which to me is astounding. And I really don't care for the "but all you need is packaged in OS X" argument, because sincerely, I hate iTunes, and iPhoto is a bit of a toy for my needs, and it's also cumbersome when dealing with organizing photos within a folder structure.

Do either Cog or Play meet you needs? Have you tried SongBird?

But enough of that. It's over and done with. We own the MBP, and I'll try and learn more, and make the best of it. I just hope I get on well enough with Aperture 2 and Garage Band, to make me want to invest more time in learning about the "Mac way" of doing things.

I have Aperture and love it. Lightroom is another option.

It's likely that it will be the last Apple PC I purchase though. As for Windows, it's more likely that I'd buy a Mac first ! But we'll see. Check back with me next year, this time !

doug

Linux just might be a better option for you. The good news is that resale value of Macs is much higher than other brands of computers. In the end, the Mac experiment might not cost you as much as you think.

 

[rsmithgi]

I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but another "quirk with OSX that I dislike about OSX, maybe I'm just doing something wrong but here is the scenario:

I have a folder on my desktop, I open it the folder and finder pops up, ok fine. I want to copy something from that folder onto a networked attached server. Now in windows I had a shortcut to the samba share, I then copy/cut the file from my desktop folder where ever I want it to go in my samba drive, which has 10+ directories for photos/music/backup info/files/etc. But When i try to click on finder again, it obviously won't open since the finder is already open viewing the folder on my desktop. So I hafta navigate to the samba share in sidebar of the finder window that is currently open. After that, I hafta open up the desktop folder again after navigating to the samba share in order to drag and drop from that window onto the samba share. Does that make sense?

So for example.

I have a download folder on my desktop. I open up the download folder and have a file X. I want to copy file X onto my samba share. If I click on finder again it won't open. I hafta use the window that is currently viewing my download folder and navigate to the samba share on the sidebar. I navigate to where I want file X to go. Then I hafta go back to the desktop and open the download folder again. I can't simply copy/cut the file and paste because that option is not available, as explained in this thread.

To me this just seems backward. But I guess it's something I'll hafta get used to. Anyone have a more efficient way of doing what I described?

Cmd-click on the Samba share and a new finder window will open.

 

[rsmithgi]

I'll tell you why it CAN be so hard... Because when you're doing it with a MacBook, which at times is awkward to control both the key and fingerpad, you might lose your place/footing. That's one thing. Secondly, it most certainly does NOT replace just being able to highlight many files or folders, right click select cut then just move freely to the directory you want to paste them to. It's more of a burden to have to physically drag folders, which at times might also miss the destination by accident. I've run into instances where when I'm simply dragging a folder in an upward direction, in order to get to the top of the screen with the scroll bar, it will over shoot, and go off of the finder page all together. That is not efficient IMO.

Why don't you just have two finder windows open? You can easily drag between the windows.

 

[goddess_of_go]

Why don't you just have two finder windows open? You can easily drag between the windows.

This is certainly what I do. And I go so far as to open the destination folder so I am dragging into it. You can't miss a target that large.

Terri

 

[Oh Henry!]

Cmd-click on the Samba share and a new finder window will open.

Someone buy this guy/gal a beer. I've been clicking on the Macintosh HD icon to open a new finder window, and all this time I could have cmd-click'd on my home directory in the current finder window. Love it!!! I'll bet there are a million shortcuts that I don't know about.

 

[Nevermore]

I am with O Henry

Between the springing folders and command clicking on the sidebar, I feel like Finder is finally working for me. I do use Command-N a lot, too but Command-Click and Command-drag are incredibly useful. Thanks!