Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT
Hi all,
I'm a recent OsX user, formerly a Windows native. In Windows I can fastly select a folder from a list by typing its first two letters (ex: in Windows Explorer, if I type "Wo" I get my Work folder highlighted.
As far as I know, this behaviour doesn't exist in OsX Lion. Is there a way to make this happen? It's absence is a major PITA.
Thanks in advance,
Jorge
MacBook Pro with Retina display, Mac OS X (10.7.5)
You're still not getting it. You can't just type S's. You have to spell the name of the folder you want. If you want to cycle through all the "s" folders instead of just going to the one you are looking for, you can type an "s" and then tab, if in Icon or List view. In Column view, tab takes you into the next pane, so you'd have to use the arrows, assuming an alphabetical sort. In the other views the tab will take you through alphabetically regardless of the Arrangement or Sort.
Why do you keep complaining to me, or any of us here?
I'm just trying to explain how it works and what you need to do to learn how to use the OS.
There isn't anyone here who can change the OS's behavior.
You can not like it all you want, but protesting here won't change how it works.
Ah, I'm not complaining to you. I've even thanked you for your effort in a previous message.
I'm just debating about usability, as it seems that you were keen to take it as is, and I'm about what could be. Of course, this is already out of the original scope of the thread. And this is way different from protesting.
My point is: I already learned how to use it (thank you for that). I just don't like it and presented and reasoned my views on it.
Ok, if we're arguing usability, why would I want to press the t key 20 times to get to the middle of the T folders when I could just press two keys and be there instantly?
That's why I don't understand the desire to stick with such a limited method of navigation.
I've used both, and I can't understand the attachment to the Windows method. Way too slow and cumbersome. Every time I start typing and realize I have to go back and type s-s-s-s-s-s, I feel like someone has sucked my brains out. It is so mind-numbingly simplistic.
You don't need to repeat 's' keystrokes, but it's an option. Just keep 's' pressed and the selection will cycle through the files and folders. This way you achieve what you want with only one key press. How come this be cumbersome? Simplistic? Oh, **** yeah!
And all the other methods are still available (type the first 3 letters from the folder or file). Options, options, options. That's what I'm asking for, nothing else.
This conversation (which has gone academic) is just going on because you asked me to adapt or die. I want neither. I want the OS to give me options.
This conversation (which has gone academic) is just going on because you asked me to adapt or die. I want neither. I want the OS to give me options.
There isn't another option. So, you can train yourself to use the system, or not.
Holding down one key and letting it run through the folders isn't any less mind-numbingly stupid. I don't need to scroll through the folders. I want to go directly to the item I want to select.
I'll try today to see if I can type fast enough for Windows to identify my keystrokes. As of yet, I haven't noticed it actually working since I type several letters, and I end up on the first folder that starts with the last letter typed.
I don't need to scroll through the folders.
Exactly, you don't need it, by I need this option. I'm browsing through numerous log folders, and I don't always know the name of the automatically generated folders. Just because you see no reason for it , it doesn't mean that it doesn't make sense.
Again, options. Which there's no need to tell me that they don't exist, I already got it.
And yet again, I'm not here to defend Windows. If I had to get to that point, I would be using Windows, which has its own faults. But I'll be glad to help you with your problem. Which Windows version are you using?
I'm browsing through numerous log folders, and I don't always know the name of the automatically generated folders.
This has nothing to do with how the OS works, but I think you're probably slowing yourself down by forcing your mind to focus on one item at a time. Your mind can differentiate patterns quickly, while looking at the whole. But then, that may just be me. You could be different.
you're probably slowing yourself down by forcing your mind to focus on one item at a time.
I quit. You win.
Thanks for patronising.
I tried out typing names on Win 7 and it does work. Thanks.
How to scroll to folder by typing its name first letters
