It was time to go to art school, and I was in need of a computer on the go. While my Compaq Presario had served me well, I made a pit stop at the Apple store to make a pretty expensive purchase. From that moment, I’ve been using the Mac OS X, and while I’ve always found it to be my operating system of choice, it felt like there was something missing.
It was how Finder operated, which was largely based around the dragging and dropping of files, but you always had to have multiple windows open to do so. That was when I was introduced to Total Finder. While there are many additional features, Total Finder offers tabbed finder windows. So popular that Apple included tabbed windows in the latest build of Mac OS X Mavericks. So how does Total Finder compare to Apple’s version? How much time can be saved with this program?
Design
Now with Total Finder there isn’t to much to talk about with design as it uses the overall stylings of the OSX Finder software. However, it does change things, that’s how you use Finder. To break down Finder for any Mac newbs, it’s like Windows Explorer for files and such. What makes Total Finder unique is its layout. OSX Maverick added Tabs but the titles of each tab would show up below the toolbar which felt cluttering, while Total Finder moves the tab names to above the toolbar, making it easier to keep track of the folder that you are working in. The rest of the design to Total Finder is similar to what you’ve come to expect from Finder.
Functionality
Total Finder brings it, with a couple of neat tricks up its sleeve. We’ve already established the Tab Layout, but one of its core features is its ability to dual screen Finder windows, essentially laying out two folders in a side by side format. When you need to view files quickly and move things even faster, this is a life saver. A quick word for any web developers, you can view your HTML files while keeping track of the Media folder, simultaneously saving you a grip of time when building out larger sites. Another feature is the Visor functionality, which locks the Finder window to the bottom of the screen. This of course depends on how you use your computer, you can have auto hide and appear using a key command. While this is a neat option, it’s something that I’ve tried to use but couldn’t work into my day to day operations. Though I can see the benefit when using a single monitor.
Overall
This is a must have for any heavy Mac user. It was a life saver for me being a Web Developer / Designer. Moving files and staying on top of everything became a lot easier. And just to note, I tried to go cold turkey once Mavericks was released. I removed Total Finder to see how long I could survive without it… I only lasted a week. I can assure you I won’t be leaving it any time soon. You should certainly check it out, there is a 14 day trial of the software at http://totalfinder.binaryage.com