Columns as wide as the Steppes

The dividers between columns in Finder windows set to column view are resizable... click the resize box below the scroll bar to resize them.

Of course, I'm confused, because you keep talking about PathFinder and Finder windows, while, as I understand it, PathFinder replaces the Finder (to some degree). Have your Finder windows changed, or are you having problems with PathFinder windows?

Regardless, this is probably a topic that would be better addressed with CocoaTech support rather than here.

Gottalight wrote:
Macjack said:
"You should just be able to grab any column at the bottom by the small divider hatch marks and pull it left or right."

-mj

Message was edited by: macjack

Re-read the previous poster's suggestion that I quoted about being "able to grab any column at the bottom by the small divider hatch marks and pull it left or right." 'Top' is obvious but 'bottom' is the substance of my request for some clarity.

I fully understood macjack, but I have the feeling he and I are off track because you have used incorrect terminology. You said you're in column view, but a careful re-read of your first post makes me think you're using list view instead. Which view is checked under the View menu when one of these windows is frontmost?

Regardless, this is probably a topic that would be better addressed with CocoaTech support rather than here.

In my OP you will read that I asked for help here because Cocoatech were so slow to respond to their product's user.

I noticed that. If the question is about a CocoaTech product, then it doesn't matter how slow they are to respond, this is not the right place to ask. You could try the MacLife forums for a more general, less Apple-centric place to ask questions. OTOH, if the question is not about PathFinder, I'm not sure why PathFinder was mentioned at all.

I click on the image, which takes me to http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/macjack/?action=view&current=ScreenRecord ing.flv click on the flash button, because i have ClickToFlash installed, and get a spinning circle of dots with loading underneath the spinning dots. I don't have an account, so maybe that's what's causing nothing to happen. 😉

Gottalight wrote:
Indeed it is 'list view'...

Not a problem... after deleting PathFinder, in list view you should be able to resize by dragging the dividers at the top (where your cursor changes to a cross.) If still not, try deleting Users/yourname/Library/Preferences/ com.apple.finder.plist and restart.



-mj

Good to know. So baltwo's trouble probably lies elsewhere.
You know +and don't let baltwo know I told you this,+ he hasn't done a clean install in ten years.
He still has detritus from OS 9 hanging around!



-mj

Hello.

I believe information on a folder's style and setup is saved in the ".DS_Store" file inside the directory (feel free to correct me). If this is the case, instead of resizing the columns, you could delete the ".DS_Store" file for that directory. *Please bare in mind this will result in things like file comments being lost/deleted for this directory*. I believe Finder should then re-create the file with the "default" settings (column view settings are globally applicable).

This might seem extreme, but in the event you get this "fat column" issue again, instead of resizing each column, try this:

1. Pop into a Terminal; Command + Spacebar (Spotlight), then type "Terminal" and hit enter on the "Application" result for "Terminal";

2. Use the 'cd' (change directory) command to move to the folder that you're having the issue with;

3. Once you're inside the folder, you can opt to backup the ".DS_Store" file before deleting it. To back it up, you could do 'cp .DS_Store .DS Storebk'. Whether you decide to backup the file or not, when you're ready to delete the ".DS_Store" file, do so with: 'rm .DS_Store'.

If you're not comfortable inside a terminal, you can use some of the software found on the Internet for enabling the visibility of hidden files and folders. Once visible, you can simply select and delete the file via Finder then.

If anyone feels this solution isn't a solution and is dangerous, please speak up. I only know this has worked for people in the past (I've never done it my self, because I've never needed too).

I hope this helps.

(In a Finder window) -- While holding down the option key, click and drag the column separator (on the two vertical lines). You'll see the columns in all open windows resizing as you drag; adjust to the desired width and all subsequent Finder windows will honor that width.

I agree with baltwo - dump Pathfinder.

That whole columns thing is a severe PITA and also dangerous. It's what made me start having doubts about how decisions are being made at Apple.

I ran a serious risk of getting RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury - caused by the thousands of mouse clicks and lateral wrist movements OSX was forcing me to carry out all day.

I've even seen co-workers adopting short, incomprehensible filenames just to avoid the need to resize those pesky columns. They send me files with ridiculously shortened names like Prof0919rev2 that make no sense.

Try this: http://www.sigsoftware.com/classicmenu/

It brings back the old Apple hierarchical menu, which was wonderful. Apple should never have abandoned it. There are some other apps that try to do the same thing but in those other apps the drop-down menu is never where it should be: at the top left of your menu bar.

You'll never need to resize a column again, and you'll only ever need to click your mouse once to find anything, anywhere, on your hard drive.

And your filenames can be a mile long if that's what you want.

PAthFinder may be causing you issues. You should just be able to grab any column at the bottom by the small divider hatch marks and pull it left or right.



-mj

Dump PathFinder.

Can Finder column widths be optimised programmatically from AppleScript, anyone?

That's a question for the AppleScript forum under OS X Technologies.

Tried you movie in 32- and 64-bit modes and quit after watching the loading wheel spin around and around.