Path Finder 2.1.5

Forget the OS X Finder, it’s so last century. If you ask any Mac user what element most defines the Macintosh experience, the answer you will get will likely be “the Finder”. The Finder, the Macintosh file navigation tool, is the application most responsible for defining the Macintosh experience. However, the Finder in OS X, while superior in some respects to it’s OS 9 counterpart, is missing some key OS 9 features.

Enter Path Finder. Path Finder is a Finder replacement from CocoaTech. Written entirely in Cocoa, Path Finder employs some missing OS 9 features, and out-innovates Apple’s own Finder in many areas.

Return of…

The first thing you will notice upon launching Path Finder will be the OS 9 features it resurrects. Miss Labels? They’re back in Path Finder. Ditto Trash on the Desktop. Note that there are several utilities that bring back each of these features, and the total price of buying both of them equals about 2/3 of Path Finder’s price ($34). But Path Finder doesn’t stop there.

File Navigation on steroids…

File navigation is the Finders primary purpose, and as a replacement, Path Finder shines. It employs all three methods of navigation - icon, list, and column view. Path Finder windows also feature a customizable shelf, just like the Finder. Path Finder also features a desktop, just like the Mac Finder. When both file browsers are active, the Path Finder desktop sits on top of the Finders desktop.

Which brings us to another point. You can use Path Finder as a compliment to the OS X Finder, or you can use it in place of it. Up until the most recent release, replacing the OS X Finder meant messing with the command line and potentially ruining your system. Now, Path Finder employs a “Quit Finder” command in the application menu, allowing you to permanently (until restart at least) replace the Finder. This is a welcome addition, and one that we’d like to see taken to the next step with a way to permanently replace the Finder. Of course, we’d need a pref to switch back, if we so desired.

Path Finder also features a handy Menu Item that allows for quick access to all your applications, all of your running applications, and your favorites.

Another Path Finder only innovation is a Preview tray, accessible in any view. This tray provides a full 128×128 view of the selected icon, along with the items various stats. This lessens the trip to the “Get Info” box (which Path Finder also features in a superior form).

Path Finder also features a bottom tray that allows you to adjust a Windows transparency, and set it to “Float”. When floating, the specified Window will always remain on top of all other windows.

Another Path Finder innovation is it’s built in Text Editor. It’s not Word, but it is quite functional, and gives TextEdit a run for it’s money.

New to 2.1.5…

One of the best things about Path Finder is that it’s developer is constantly making bug fixes and implementing new features. Version 2.1.5 saw the addition of two new additions that are quite innovative. First is the process tray, which sits on the right hand side of a Path Finder window, and can be toggled with the tiny circle on the left. The Process tray shows all running processes, and allows you to quickly switch between them. Also shown is the Trash and it’s current status.

The coolest new feature is the Drop Shelf. The Drop Shelf holds anything you want it to. Applications, folders, files, aliases, etc. These can be grouped in to any number of Shelfs. Path Finder comes with three shelfs already configured - Standard, Favorites, and Applications. Standard features all the folders in your home directory. Favorites and Applications are all the items from their respective folders.

The coolest aspect of the Drop Shelf is it’s ability to replace the Dock for power users who need more. Path Finder just needs to go the extra step and provide a way to permanently turn the dock off and implement a application switcher, and it will have replaced one of OS X’s most controversial tools.

Have it your way…

Another criticism of the OS X Finder is it’s lack of customization. OS 9 provided the means to change system fonts, colors, etc. Path Finder picks up where OS 9 left off, and allows for full customization of font and typesize for all views. In addition, you can set two colors for Column and List view rows, making it easier to discern which information applies to which item. You can also specify text color, whether to italicize aliases and bold folders, and dim invisible items.

Path Finder also allows you to fully configure the keyboard commands. Not happy with “Apple-N” creating a new window and not a new folder? Well, you can easily change it with Path Finder.
The high level of customization in Path Finder is truly remarkable. In my opinion, this is one of it’s strongest features.

This and that…

Path Finder is a great replacement or addition to the OS X Finder. It’s not perfect, and could use improvement in a few areas. Desktop icon arrangement is a work in progress and will surely get better in the upcoming releases. Overall performance is decent, but certain functions like copying files tend to hog system CPU cycles. Startup time is a bit long. These are minor quibbles that will most certainly be addressed in the coming weeks and months.

Perhaps the best thing about Path Finder is it’s developer, Steve Gehrman of CocoaTech. That’s right - this product is developed by one individual, compared with the many working on the OS X Finder. Steve is constantly updating his product, and actively solicits feedback on features and performance. Try making suggestions to Apple about the Finder and see how far they get you.

Overall, this is the single most important OS X system utility. For only $34 you restore just about every cool OS 9 feature OS X is missing, and you get a file navigator that Apple hasn’t even begun to catch up to.

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Cost: $34

Website: http://www.cocoatech.com

Posted: September 8, 2003 / Category: Reviews