Tabs are useful for multi-tasking and help us to improve our productivity. Other than the old and obsolete IE6 browser, almost all the browsers come with tabs function. Even some native applications (like the Nautilus File Manager in Gnome) also follow suit and add tabs as a feature. Now, what if you can also add the tabs functionality to the Finder in your Mac?
TotalFinder is a free application that adds tabs to your native Finder. It is still in alpha mode only works in Snow Leopard.
After the installation, you will immediately see your Finder in a Google Chrome like interface. You will also notice a new icon for the Finder app. Yes, a sunglass wearing Finder. Look cool, isn’t it?
Add and manage tabs like Google Chrome
TotalFinder was coded using the Chromium codebase, so it is no surprise that it looks and functions like Google Chrome. You can open a tab (by clicking the +) and move your tabs around by clicking and dragging it. You can also drag the tab out of the Finder window to open it in a new Finder window. Similarly, drag the tab from one window to another to combine them into one window.
Keyboard shortcut such as Ctrl + Tab to cycle through the tab is also available.
One thing that is still lacking is the availability of a “Open in new tab” option in the context menu. In addition, middle-clicking of the mouse to open in new tab does not work as well.
Support for Visor
With the support for Visor, you can now assign a custom shortcut key and call TotalFinder up whenever you want. There are also several animations effects that you can play with.
.DS_Store support
Ever been frustrated that Finder create a .DS_Store file in almost all the folders in your Finder? Now you can have more control over this and send a redirect to the cache folder instead of getting it to create a .DS_Store file. You can also prevent it for creating a .DS_Store file in all remote network drive.
Tweaks – Toggling hidden files
Of all the tweaks, “Show Hidden Files” is my favorite. In the original Finder, there is no way for you to view hidden files. The only way is to go to the terminal and type in command line to edit the plist. With TotalFinder, you can now get it to show hidden files quickly and easily. One thing though, you have to restart your Finder to activate the “Show Hidden Files” function.
Uninstaller
This software also comes with an uninstaller that allows you to remove it easily.
Conclusion
For a product still in alpha mode, I would say it is pretty impressive. Of course it is not bug free, but I am sure that can be iron out when it reach the final release. One thing though, TotalFinder is currently free for its alpha mode. According to the developer, it will not be free anymore once it reaches beta (and final release). There is no mention of the costing at the moment. Meanwhile you can use and enjoy it while you can.
Damien Oh started writing tech articles since 2007 and has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. He is proficient in Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iOS, and worked as a part time WordPress Developer. He is currently the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Make Tech Easier.
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