What is Finder and it's function ?

What is Finder?

The Finder is the default file manager used on Mac OS and OS X operating systems. It is responsible for the overall user-management of files, disks, network volumes and the launching of other applications. Finder acts like the shell on other operating systems, but using a graphical user interface, and is described in its 'About' window as The Macintosh Desktop Experience. It was introduced with the very first Macintosh computer, and also existed as part of GS/OS on theApple IIGS. It underwent a complete rewrite with Apple's switch to a UNIX-based OS in OS X.
The Finder is the first application a user interacts with after logging into a Mac. One could compare it to Windows Explorer in Microsoft Windows, the Tracker in BeOS, Nautilus inGNOME, and Dolphin or the file management aspect of Konqueror in KDE.
The Finder maintains a view of the file system that is rendered using a desktop metaphor – that is, the files and folders are represented as appropriate icons, volumes are displayed on the desktop, and there is a trash can (on the Dock in OS X, on the desktop in previous versions) to which files can be dragged to mark them for deletion.

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Finder and Windows Explorer Functionality to be 'Merged'

Right, before I start what I expect will be an epic battle, this is not what I intend this thread to entail...
I have recently moved from being a purely windows user (Software Developer), to using OS X as well. My girlfriends study dictated that I recommended her buying a Mac. Consequently, her inexperience dictated that I should learn OS X in order to be her technical support. Everything until earlier this week was great, but I'm still a lover of the OS.
The aforementioned 'until earlier this week' has caused one major usability gripe with which I have now read up on exstensively; the way that finder handles copying folders.
Now to a certain extent I see why it was slightly naieve of me to think that copying a folder should ONLY replace the files within and not the whole folder, but thats because I have grown up basically Windows only.
So I copied the folder structure (containing organised subfolders) of ALL of my girlfriends university work to date across to the Mac and misinterpreted what the copy would do, it turns out that this replaces the whole folder, and does not move the original folder to trash.
AND NOW TO THE POINT OF THIS THREAD...
As I began, I do not intend this thread to be a Windows vs Mac rantfest. I would merely like to rally up who can see the benefits of merging the way that OS X replaces the whole folder with the Windows options to only replace files within (merge).
This would then allow the possibility of easily copying folders with nested sub-folders (a la windows), but also allow the original method of replacing the destined folder (keeping with the mac tradition).
I don't want to go down the route of 'but every other OS merges folders' because this isn't every other OS, its OS X, and it seems that everything else that they have done, they've done well!
If the proposed could be implemented, not only would it allow more options for existing Mac users, but also allow a smoother crossover for users from other OS's
Perhaps something like below could work.
'The folder <folder name> already exists, do you wish to replace this folder, or merge its contents with the current folder?'
|| Replace || || Merge || || Cancel ||
As I am no expert of usability, the wording above should probably be changed.
Given enough interest (and perhaps a little understanding from long term mac users ;o) ) I wish to inform Apple of this thread so we will all get the best of both worlds (and I won't have a nagging girlfriend with much lost work).
I look forward to your interest/comments (but please keep it nice).
Robsta
Message was edited by: Robsta83

A slightly different angle of approach here can be viewed by how I think Superduper operates. Superduper has a really smart update function in its cloning. It will when updating the clone look for files on a bit by bit basis and see if there are changes to any specific file. If it sees changes, it will ensure that the files that are changed on the original get updated on the clone. It will ensure the files that are deleted on the original get deleted on the clone, and it will ensure that the files that are added on the original get added to the clone when the update is performed.
Now here in is the problem. Some users actually want OLDER versions to be preserved on their backup but not the original when they copy to the archived backup. We've seen here people are complaining that their archived backup is not preserved by Time Machine:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6107525#6107525
So the problem we are faced with here, is there are different needs for different people when copying files. While some are happy just to maintain a current copy of their files, others wish to manage archives when copying files. So a merge function would have to include the caveat of what does not get preserved when the merge happens. In the face of trying to be simple, you can't be all things for all people. As a freelance technician not working for Apple, I can just say, it probably is best for the user to see how an effort has been made to simplify the process, and work around it if necessary to achieve your needs.
I've used Windows 2000 and XP Pro and know it asks me whether or not to replace each file that is identical each time I copy from one folder to another when the names are the same. This is a laborious process, saying OK, cancel, ok, cancel if it is done indefinitely. I can see the dialog box asking:
"Do you want to replace all older files, some older files, with newer files of the same name, or do you want to replace newer files with some older files of the same name?"
A new computer user would go "Huh???"
Merge is nice for those of us who can keep track of it in real life.
For the rest of us who are organizationally challenged, or time challenged, we just want it done right the first time. Unfortunately neither Apple, nor the computer can read everyone's mind.
I agree a merge function would be nice, but I think it would overly complicate matters.

What is the difference between partner function and partner type

Hi Gurus,
What is the difference between partner function and partner type?
Thanks,
Paul

Hi John,
The partner types allow us to distinguish between different business partners such as customer, vendor, employee etc and the partner functions represent the functionality or role each partner plays within the business transaction.
For example under the partner type Customer, you will find - Sold to party, Ship to party, Bill to party, Payer.
The business partners that exist in the market place are represented with a partner type in the R/3 system. Examples of business partners are customer, vendor, employee and contact person.
The following partner types are defined in the partner processing for the sales & distribution module
a.     AP contact person (06)
b.     KU customer (07)
c.     LI vendor (08)
d.     PE employee/personnel (09)
Assigning the partner functions in the SAP system determines the functions of particular partner in the sales process. One partner may take on several functions also.
REWARD POINTS IF HELPFUL
Regards
Sai

There are way too many photos on my internal hard drive. I have older libraries, and newer libraires in iPhoto and Aperture 2. What is the best way to find and reduce the number of duplicate photos/libraries before upgrading to Aperture 3?

There are way too many photos on my internal hard drive. I have older libraries, and newer libraires in iPhoto and Aperture 2. What is the best way to find and reduce the number of duplicate photos/libraries before upgrading to Aperture 3?

Sharon-
Good idea.
Back up first.
I would probably wait for the merge function of the latest version before merging. Be sure to verify every merge.
Merge Libraries, then from within Aperture move images to referenced on external hard drives.
HTH
-Allen

I need help to find and open a job app that I exported, was able to fill out and sign and saved and now can't open it? What did I do wrong?

I need help to find and open a job app that I exported, was able to fill out and sign and saved and now can't open it? What did I do wrong?

What file format did you export it to?

I created an apple id online on my computer, all is well and it is functional, however when i enter this same id and password into my iphone 5c it continues to ask me to sign in. Any suggestions on what i need to do?

I created an apple id online on my computer, all is well and it is functional, however when i enter this same id and password into my iphone 5c it continues to ask me to sign in. Any suggestions on what i need to do?

I created an apple id online on my computer, all is well and it is functional, however when i enter this same id and password into my iphone 5c it continues to ask me to sign in. Any suggestions on what i need to do?

Macbook pro keeps saying connection timeout, and it used to connect to the internet fine. what's up, why can't it find and automatically connect to the internet anymore???

Macbook Pro keeps saying connection timeout and it used to connect to the internet fine. What's up, why can't it find and automatically connect to the internet anymore???

Like this: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2775868?tstart=0 ?

I am trying to find an app or software to burn iMovie slideshow to a dvd. I have a MacBook Pro with Mavericks. There are a lot of DVD Creator apps a the App store. Looking for a recommendation of what to use and tips.

I am trying to find an app or software to burn iMovie 11 slideshow to a dvd. I have a MacBook Pro with Mavericks. There are a lot of DVD Creator apps at the App store. Looking for a recommendation of what to use and tips. Thank you.

I've been using "Burn" for years and it has been the only DVD burning software I have ever used for the mac. I have never needed to look at other apps. Unless you want something that has more bells and whistles such as Roxio's "Toast" : http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/toast/pro/overview.html
There are thousands of quality free apps out there for the mac that are not part of the App Store. All you have to do is read reviews online, do a little search, the Apple forums are full of recommendations from experienced users that have been here for years...

How can I hide what I write in a find and change list

I've written a find and change script, I prepared to offer it for anyone to use, but I don't want to anyone to read what I write in the find and change list.
How Can I hide it?

OK, my be offer it for someone to use it, I mean in house coworker, no any virus in it.
How can hide the find and change list, or change it to another format, not just .txt.
mybe change it to .doc or .vb or .js, and the script still can run well.

I am trying to clean up my iMac hard drive and find a lot of space in 'Deleted Users'...what is this and can I delete that folder?

I am trying to clean up my iMac hard drive and find a lot of space in a folder named 'Deleted Users'...what is this and can I delete it to save space?

If a user account is deleted and the data for that account is not deleted, it is placed there. Yes, you can delete the files there.

When i use view as list in finder and open a folder with many files i cant right click with mouse without selecting or highlighting a file....i just want to right click to paste an item or create a new folder...what can i do?

When i use view as list in finder and open a folder with many files i cant right click with mouse without selecting or highlighting a file....i just want to right click to paste an item or create a new folder...what can i do?

Thx for that im gonna try it....but is there a way to do it without using toolbar or cmd-c...? i mean using only the mouse?why does it have to highlight the file even though i click a bit next to it....?using icon view i can right click next to the folder and i wont have a problem but with list view that i prefer using it will highlight the whole row.....and i dont find free space to right click cause i got many files

I have an unknown shared server in Finder. What is it and how can I get rid of it?

Hi,
I just noticed there is a shared server/ network listed in Finder, but I do not recognise it and cannot connect to it.
Could anybody tell me what it is and how I can remove it?
Thanks!
This is what it looks like:

If you have a networked printer, they sometimes have SD Card slots, USB thumbdrive slots, etc... and the printer offers to be a file server to share the contents of those removable camera storage devices.
It is possible your home WiFi router can also act as a printer server, or with a USB disk (or thumb drive) attached, a file server.
You could use a utility such as Bonjour Browser which will give you more information about the devices it sees on your home network
<http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/13388/bonjour-browser>

When I connect my iphone to itunes it ask a passcode really what is it and how can I find it?

When I connect my iphone to itunes it ask for a passcode, really what is it and how can I find it?

Ok follow the instructions here
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1212
follow the never synced with iTunes option and it will set up as new

How do I find and download screen grabber and what does it do?

How/where do I find and download screen grabber and what does it do?

Visual Voicemail is a carrier feature. Not all carriers offer Visual Voicemail. Contact your carrier to see if they do.

What is the find and fix space man thing called and how do i download it for the MacBook Pro

i have reacently had to whipe my Mac, however before i did this i had a little app that looked like a "space man" (sorry for the description that the best i can explain it) since the whipe of my laptop i have not been able to find and re-download it, all i ask is if someone could tell me its name and point me in the right direction to be able to download it
thanks

What did the app do?

What is Finder and it's function ?

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