spotlight and finder differences

Question

tamo2009 Author

Level 1

0 points

spotlight and finder differences

Hi im a new user and would like to ask what the difference is between finder and spotlight .

This next question sounds very stupid but hear goes : about every 10 minutes I hear a dull audio sound like a low drum beat . Its the same sound that I hear when i click on send/recieve in Entourage ,this happens whether i have Entourage open or not and its very annoying . Im sure due to the fact that i'm a cpmplete novice(feels silly about this one)there is a simple explanation to this.

Thanks , Tom

iMac24, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Feb 15, 2009 1:57 PM

Reply

Answer 1

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Feb 15, 2009 6:00 PM in response to tamo2009

Finder is the application that runs your Desktop and allows you to access everything else. Spotlight is a process that collects metadata on files/folders and what you use when searching.

Can't answer the spurious sound item, but it sounds like something's running and checking every 10 minutes. Open the Console app in /Applications/Utilities/, select the System.log file (click on logs icon in upper left-hand corner, and see if you can find something that activates around the times you hear the sounds.

If you're new to Macs, see these:

Basic Tutorials on using a Mac,
Mac 101: Mac Essentials,
Anatomy of a Mac,
MacFixIt Tutorials,
MacTips,
Switching from Windows to Mac OS X,and
Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition.

Additionally, *Texas Mac Man* recommends:

Quick Assist.
Welcome to the Switch To A Mac Guides,
Take Control E-books, and
A guide for switching to a Mac.

Reply