Mac Power Users 481: Finder and Its Alternatives

Episodes
21

I think this was my favorite episode of the year so far. I have most of these apps, but learned even more and got new ideas for how to use them.

Most importantly, this episode’s discussion helped me rethink some of my processes in ways that aren’t specific to the suggestions given in the show. By that, I mean that I am thinking differently (and more completely) about file management and productivity than I did before. That re-jiggering of my thinking is what makes MPU so important for me. Thanks, guys!

5 Likes
22

I got a quarter of the way through then had to stop - I’m going to re-listen when I’m at my Mac and not driving so I can make notes and research!
Great episode.

4 Likes
23

I actually use DEVONthink solely and never store files on my Mac.

I am not sure it is a direct finder replacement because you have to index files but it is a much better storage system.

1 Like
24

What are people doing with their finder or alternatives that isn’t just stock within how the OS has it?

25

I use a MacBook Pro in a Windows office, and Forklift is a great tool for accessing a Windows shared drive and synching work documents to my Mac and to a Dropbox account. It’s a great tool for this environment.

2 Likes
26

This episode inspired me to pay a liitle more attention to the Finder and adjust it more to my needs, so thank you! I find Column view most appealing and useful but somehow I can’t set it as default. Even Apple points this out on their support document without clarifying why. Does anybody know why this is the case? And are there any workarounds? Thank you!

27

Has anyone pinned an alternative app to their app bar and unpinned Finder? Is this even allowed?

28

From their documentation, Path Finder can completely replace Finder.

I’m still evaluating, and not being able to see apps and their files in iCloud Drive is a shortcoming in PF.

1 Like
29

Loved this episode, thanks so much for it! I think I’ll have to go and use PathFinder again - I didn’t know you could have a built-in terminal window - might make it easier for me to force myself to learn to use it!! Does the PathFinder terminal respect bash profiles?

30

Between AirPods, Forklift, and Path Finder, this episode cost be about $300 :roll_eyes:

3 Likes
31

The best episodes are the most costly to the audience. We should gather data on listener spending to study this phenomenon, and it could lead to an objective measurement of episode quality. We could call it the Listener Cost Index. Any episode with an LCI above 100 is a “good” episode. Any episode below 100 is questionable. :wink:

3 Likes
32

Forklift have 50% spring sale currently, so it’s not that bad!

1 Like
33

New desktop background for a while. :slight_smile:

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2 Likes
34

Does Forklift interact with Windows servers or RDP?

35

I installed the trial of Default Folder X a week ago, and just now I realized I’ve never used it. I just never open or save new files, I guess.

36

Okay, $264 if I buy Path Finder :slight_smile: .
Still up in the air on that.

37

I’m hesitant to upgrade to DevonThink 3 as it’s in beta. Thinking about using DevonThink 2 for the time being still and create a workaround of using Transmit to keep OneDrive in Sync with a local folder. This would also in my head at least aid in creating new folders within DevonThink or in Transmit. Thoughts of if this would work?

38

DEVONthink 3 has been working well for me. For one of my databases, I needed to turn sync off, clean, then turn it back on. Everything else has worked fine.

1 Like
39

Thanks for mentioning Quick Actions. I checked out the link you gave to MacRumors which was helpful. Wondering if anyone has any Automator recipes regarding this. Also, I don’t have any 3rd party Quick actions showing and I couldn’t find ways of adding them, would there be settings in the specific apps to open that portal? Any tips for making Quick Actions would be great. If you have a list perhaps you could make a separate post. Thanks.

40

Late to listening to this episode and late to this discussion…
Anyone try Commander One as a Finder alternative?
(I don’t recall hearing it mentioned in the episode/seeing it in show-notes)
#justcurious