If you’re a power user, the Mac OS X Finder may not be flexible enough for you. If so, you should check out Path Finder (US$40) from CocoaTech (www.cocoatech.com).
Recently revved to version 6, it’s a standalone application that looks and operates much like the Finder, but with extra features and enhancements. It’s optimized for single window use, eliminating the clutter of overlapping windows.
Path Finder is built around a modular interface with six different customizable views. The tool maintains all the conventions of the OS X Finder, but lets you choose both the layout and the amount of information displayed.
The CocoaTech tool allows developers, writers, artists, and casual users alike to manage their files according to their own tastes, special needs, and workflows. Permitting thousands of different combinations, the tool’s main window can be configured to display a maximum of five modules for browsing and managing files.
There are more than 20 different modules in three different categories, allowing you to customize the kinds of file information you’d like to have displayed. Among Path Finder’s features:
° You can collect files together into a temporary holding place with the Drop Stack. When you’re ready, you can copy or move the collected files in a single step.
° You can work with your files side-by-side in a dual pane view.
° You can access frequently used files and folders with bookmarks.
° You can quickly switch between open folders using tabs. And you can store commonly used groups of tabs as presets.
A free, fully functional, 30-day trial version is available for download from the CocoaTech web site.