Struggling with Mac OSX Finder

bl0at3r

bl0at3r

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I do not want to hear arguments about windows vs mac please....

I have been using Mac OSX for about a year on and off - I use a computer very infrequently these days as I have an iPad.

One thing that I found particularly tricky to get to grips with is the finder compared to windows and 'my computer' files and folders (never really used windows explorer).

Specifically how to cut and then paste - does cut even exist? And also sorting by folder name never seems to work properly.

I want to have 2 windows open - left one being my portable hdd, right one being my pictures folder on the MacBook and dragging and dropping stuff backwards and forwards - this seemed much easier in windows than OSX and now I seem to have duplicates of stuff.

Anyone got any pointers please or an app that improves finder (or at least makes it like windows functionality).

Thanks
 
Have a window open? Press apple + n to open a new one. Also you should install Quicksilver which is a much better finder for OSx. I use it all the time to find files and launch applications.
 
Right click on the finder icon, in the icon menu, open new finder window, simple really.

Also in mavericks you can open tabs and drag and drop.


Kayjay I'm sure you know on newer keyboards the apple key is just a plain cmd now, just so new folk don't get confused looking for the apple key. So it really should be cmd+n to open new window :)
 
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Cut: cmd+x Although not allowed in the Finder, as a precaution apparently, you can copy and paste or drag and drop.
Copy: cmd+c
Paste: cmd+v
 
Also worth remembering, if you're drag 'n' dropping onto a different volume (in this case an external hard drive) the files will be copied not moved (ie. original files are not deleted from originating volume). If you wish to move the files onto a different volume, hold down the Command key (Cmd, 'Apple' or squiggle! key) while 'dropping' the files on to their new destination.
 
As a new Macbook air user, I also find the lack of Command+X difficult to get used to.

My understanding is that cut doesn't exist at all. You have to drag and drop files. But it seems unclear when it will do a copy and when it will do a cut, you have to look at how the mouse icon is displayed when you drag and drop.

What is needed on Macs is a right mouse drag.
 
Dragging and dropping onto the same volume will result in the file being moved - the file disappears from its original location and appears in its new location
Dragging and dropping onto the same volume while holding the option (alt) key down will copy the file - the file will remain in its original location and a copy will be written to the new location

Dragging and dropping onto a different volume will result in the file being copied - the file will remain in its original location and a copy will be written to the new location
Dragging and dropping onto a different volume while holding the command (cmd) key down will move the file - the file disappears from its original location and appears in its new location.

You can copy and paste files, which will result in the file being copied, not moved. Cutting a file does not exist in the finder (thank god given some of the numpties I have to deal with)

Of course to absolutely clear on exactly what you are doing you could always use the terminal commands mv (move - also used for renaming) and cp (copy). mv is especially useful when renaming a batch of files.
 
'cut' does exist - just not in the Finder - as far as I know all Apps support 'cut and paste'
Highlight what you need to cut, then cmd x
Also right clicking on the mouse, brings up a contextual menu with these options
 
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