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Path Finder 5.0 is available, more file-management power
Cocoatech's Path Finder is the Mac OS Finder replacement that many users love (including us). If you haven't used it, you are missing out on something. A tabbed interface, insane customization options, powerful search (you can completely override Spotlight if you like) and so much more will have you ditching the Finder in no time. Path Finder can be run in conjunction with the Mac OS X Finder or on its own. Today, it gets even better with the release of version 5.0. There are cool new features like a dual-pane file browser, which lets you display two folders simultaneously in one window and move files between them. Other new features include sidebar, Favorite Places and shared network places. Many so-called "power users" complain about the Finder's limitations. If that's you, chances are Path Finder has the fix. It requires Mac OS 10.4 Leopard 10.5, and costs $34.95$39.95 for a single license. (Cocoatech let us know that they're working on the server issues that blocked access to the PF5 pages earlier.)
Path Finder 4.8.2 can now replace the Finder, supports Quick Look
The guys over at Cocoatech have released an update to their excellent Finder replacement Path Finder that adds a couple of absolute gem features in Leopard. First, Path Finder now supports the brilliant Quick Look feature. Better yet, Path Finder now integrates with the OS in that it can now intercept the "Show in Finder" calls from other applications and direct them to Path Finder. What this means it that those little magnifying glass icons in, for example, the Safari downloads window (right) will now take you to Path Finder instead of the regular Finder. This even works on Stacks where the "More in Finder" button again goes to Path Finder. While there were some Input Manager style hacks that had previously allowed similar functionality, this is the first time this has really worked seamlessly with the OS. Thanks, apparently, is due to Apple themselves for making this possible with Leopard.This really opens the door to replacing the Finder wholesale in Leopard with Path Finder.Path Finder 4.8.2 is available for download in a demo. It's a free update for registered users of PF4, $17.95 for upgrades from earlier versions of PF, and $34.95 for a full version.[via Infinite Loop]
Path Finder 4.8 released
We mentioned last week that some long hoped-for features were coming to Path Finder 4.8, including per-folder settings allowing you to specify differing viewing options on a folder by folder basis. Today Cocoatech officially released the upgrade. As expected the changelog is headed by the per-folder settings and the new Unified interface (inspired by Leopard), but there are also a long list of improvements and bug fixes.Path Finder 4.8 is a free upgrade to Path Finder 4 users. The regular price is $34.95 and a $17.95 upgrade is available for users of earlier versions; a demo is available for download.Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Path Finder 4.8 to bring per-folder settings
Over at the Cocoatech blog they've announced that the forthcoming version 4.8 of Path Finder will finally have one of the most long-requested features: per-folder settings. Basically what this means is that Path Finder will remember particular view settings (e.g. icon, list, column, etc.) for different folders. So you could keep your ~/Pictures folder in icon view, your ~/Documents folder in list view, and your ~/Music folder in column view and it would automatically remember your preferred view whenever you navigate to that folder in Path Finder. All of these preferences are stored in Core Data and thus Path Finder does not leave annoying hidden files (like the Finder's .DS_Store) in the file system.In addition, the 4.8 upgrade will bring interface improvements to move closer to the Unified style that is becoming de rigueur for new Mac applications. The 4.8 update is supposed to be available "very soon" and will be free to registered users of Path Finder 4.
Path Finder 4.7 is available
Don't feel glum that you can't use Leopard's new Finder for another four months, just download Path Finder!Pathfinder is the Finder replacement for Mac OS X that has earned many fans. It's a dream for power users, as it greatly enhances the amount of information available about your files, customization and more. Today, Cocoatech released version 4.7. Changes include: A revamped Get Info window that provides summary information for multiple items. "Experimental" Subversion support from within Path Finder with basic svn functionality (status, update commit, diff, add, etc.). A redesigned Applications Launcher The integrated Terminal feature has been updated to the latest iTerm code. There's more, of course, and you can get the full run-down here. Path Finder 4.7 costs $34.95US (existing customers can upgrade to Path Finder 4.7 for $17.95US) and requires Mac OS 10.4 or later.
Ask TUAW: The Finder, iTunes Artwork, and More
It's Wednesday and that means it's time yet again for Ask TUAW, our weekly Q&A column. This week we'll be tackling questions about the Finder, finding tracks without artwork in iTunes, changing iPhoto file names, and more. As always, readers are most welcome to offer their own thoughts and comments, but especially to submit new questions to be taken up next week. And so without further ado, let's turn to this week's questions.
10 Mac OS X Finder alternatives compared and reviewed
While the Mac community anxiously awaits a much-rumored and much-needed Finder update in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, Simplehelp decided to survey the landscape of 3rd party alternatives for a temporary fix. A total of 10 Finder replacements are reviewed, with a chart that rounds up the basics, and plenty of screenshots to accompany each app.While Path Finder is obviously one of the reigning kings of this genre, Simplehelp found some pretty unique - though not always functioning - takes on the file management paradigm, all with significant pros and cons to consider.While I haven't put all these apps to the test recently, I've given many of them a spin at least in the last year or two, and I can't say I'm optimistic for a 3rd party's ability to replace the Finder any time soon. Apple seems pretty intent on locking down their (arguably aging) Finder, and it seems we're all stuck with it until those rumors of a revamp come true.
Why Path Finder 4 is Tiger only
We've mentioned Path Finder, the full featured Finder alternative from Cocoatech, a number of times here on TUAW. I am sure there are a few of you that were upset because the latest version of Path Finder only works with OS X 10.4. The MacDevCenter sat down with Steve Gehrman and Neil Lee, the men behind the app, to talk about the decision to only support Tiger with Pathfinder 4.They both make compelling arguments for Tiger only support (mostly they wanted to include the latest and greatest Cocoa features, and since there is only one guy coding it didn't seem sensible to support two different versions of Path Fider, a Tiger specific version and a pre-Tiger version). Well worth a read, if you are interested in Mac development.
Path Finder 4.1 released with Universal Binary, other enhancements
Path Finder, the powerful file browser/manager (pseudo-Finder) from Cocoatech, has been updated to version 4.1. Along with Universal Binary status and the typical round of bug fixes, this update also includes: Improved Go To Folder with autocomplete Smart Folders – Path Finder can now read Finder-created Smart Folders New Size Browser for quickly viewing total file sizes of folders, bundles, etc. Added rotate buttons to the integrated PDF viewer Path Finder can now preview PDF bundles (often found on OS X install disks) Added preview support for Help Viewer bundles Path Finder now displays if an application is PPC, Intel, or Universal Binary in the info panel Path Finder can now previews NEF files Added preliminary “email to” support for Microsoft Entourage and Eudora Updated Chinese, Japanese, Russian, French, and German localizations Check out Cocoatech's changelog for the full list of improvements and fixes, and scroll to the bottom of Path Finder's product page to download the new version. A 21-day demo is available, while a full license costs $34.95.
Path Finder goes universal
Path Finder, everyone's favorite Mac file browser on steroids, went universal today with the release of version 4.02. Other changes include: A new crash reporter Plugged memory leaks (yay) Fixed an issue where you could accidentally arrow into the preview column and not get out Transparency and float state now saved for text editor and image editor window Version 4.02 is a free update for registered users. A full license costs $34.95 and upgrades to version 4 cost $17.95 (although, if you bought Path Finder 3 after Sept. 29th, 2004, you can upgrade to the current version for free).
