Why does Lion lock files?

Really? What makes you think so? In what circumstances do you see something else?

I guess it's semantics, but since turning it off stops automatic locking, I don't see how that's not "complete."

I don't know what you mean by "turn off the idea of files being locked." It's been possible to manually lock or unlock files for a long time; it's just easier now with Lion, since you can do it via the title bar, rather than having to go to Get Info or use Terminal; or let files be locked automatically after a period of time.

And there won't be. It's not real common, but the system locks certain files under some circumstances. Apple isn't likely to allow that to be defeated.

This answered my question.

It's funny it was in Time Machine.

I always try for a solid 10 min before looking on forums. Time Machine was next to look into but time ran out.

Thanks for the post!

I am a Mac lover from way back but I HATE file versioning and locking like you wouldn't believe!

The way I have worked for untold years is to go Save As, give my altered file a slightly new name like title-smaller (my very functional, clear, versioning system), choose where and Enter. Then hey presto! The original version is safe, unaltered and closed. The new version is still in front of me to keep working on. Very efficient, always know where everything is and what I've got in front of me.

It DRIVES ME CRAZY to have to unlock every file, make a duplicate to work on, make sure nothing has changed on the original behind it and then close it, then Save to save the new version. So many steps - it's as bad as Windows.

The Save A Version crap gave me a spin and I could never work out where it went. Then I find out it goes to a hidden folder. And now there's no simple way of displaying hidden folders with a Finder preference. Have to do some messing about with permissions (that apparently puts the computer at risk) and Terminal codes..... So I thought oh well I'll just ignore it. Until I find out that all those duplicate files are taking up space and slowing the computer. So I want to delete them. But can't do that without finding how to view the hidden files.... It's all just gotten TOO HARD and very UN-APPLE!

diannetrussell wrote:

. . .

It DRIVES ME CRAZY to have to unlock every file

You don't. Two choices:

• Go to Time Machine Preferences > Options and simply turn locking OFF.

• Upgrade to Mountain Lion. Files already locked will remain locked until you unlock them, but nothing will be locked automatically any more. Plus, Save As is back (via the Option key) on most apps.

The Save A Version crap gave me a spin and I could never work out where it went. Then I find out it goes to a hidden folder. And now there's no simple way of displaying hidden folders with a Finder preference.

There's no reason to do that, either. Click the title bar for a document and choose Browse All Versions, or File > Revert to.. > Browse all versions from the menubar.

Thanks Pondini! Time Machine hey? Who'd have thought? I did that, looking forward to unlocked files from here on.

I used the Browse All Versions as you suggest, however I cannot see any way to delete all the old versions from that. Just documents floating in space with no File menu and no Path. Any ideas?

thanks

Click the title bar of a Version on the right side of the browser. You''ll get an option to Delete this version.

Option-click to get an optioin to Delete All Versions.