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The Finder in OS X is a touchy subject with Mac users. Let’s face it, most times it flat out sucks. The main problem is that it doesn’t have the Apple polish Mac users have come to love. There are a bunch of Finder alternatives out there, but my main problem with a lot of them is that they run as a separate app instead of integrating with the Finder itself. Most Mac nerds know about TotalFinder from BinaryAge, but “normal” users may not know what it’s all about. I decided to take a long overdue look at TotalFinder for the sake of showcasing a great app that is striving for what the Finder should be. Hit the break to see some of the major features.
Tabs
TotalFinder brings tabs to the party, much like any popular web browser. No more weird keyboard shortcuts to bring up a new Finder window. A simple cmd-T will do the trick just like in Safari or Chrome. This is awesome for those times you need to move files around quickly. You can easily pull a tab off to make a new window by just dragging it away. Opening a folder will start a new tab as well. TotalFinder also gives you the ability to cut and paste files instead of having copy/paste/delete. It’s amazing that Apple hasn’t implemented this yet, but TotalFinder solves the issue perfectly.
Dual Mode & Folders on Top
This feature is huge. Remember the last time you opened two Finder windows side-by-side to move things around? Yeah, not anymore. With Dual Mode, you get a sidebar on the right and left to quickly shuffle files around and get out, saving tons of time.
Another nice touch in TotalFinder is the ability to organize your files with folders on top. Nobody likes a messy window. Nobody. BinaryAge recognized this and added a simple but very welcome feature that’s easy on the eyes. It’s nice not have to de-clutter your Finder window every time you open one.
Show System Files
Some Mac users know how to deal with hidden system files, but most don’t. Rifling through hidden files can be a scary proposition, but TotalFinder makes navigating these files incredibly easy with the tick of a checkbox in the preference pane. Speaking of the preferences, they’re integrated right into the native Finder prefs, again showing the developer’s vision for keeping everything within Finder itself.
Wrap-up
In short, I think TotalFinder is great. Really great, actually. It’s been around for a while, and it’s proven. There has been tons of praise for the app over the years and the developer continually adds new features on a regular basis. Like I said before, I love the fact that TotalFinder integrates seamlessly into Finder as it severely reduces the leaning curve for the end-user. If you’re someone who uses the Finder regularly (don’t we all?), I highly recommend picking up a copy. It’s available for $18 on BinaryAge’s website.
Giveaway!
Awesome reader Josh Calvetti has generously donated a TotalFinder license to give away. Comment below and tell us how TotalFinder could be useful for you, and you could win! We’ll pick a winner by Monday, 5/7. Good luck!
