| What does it do?
The Finder and its Desktop is the Mac's front end, with which you interact. Using the metaphor of an artificial desktop, it allows you to manipulate files such as applications and documents simply and directly, opening and copying them, and so on. In recent releases of Mac OS, the Appearance Manager (through the Appearance control panel) allows you to customise the Finder, from the picture shown as a Desktop background, to the style of windows used. How does it work?
The Finder is actually a form of application, normally left running behind all others continually, and is set running at the end of the normal start-up sequence. It shows storage devices as volumes, icons which you can open to reveal their contents in a hierarchical structure of folders and files. Opening a file (by double-clicking it) instructs the Finder to determine the type of the file, information registered in its hidden Desktop database. If an application, it will be loaded and run. If a document, the Finder looks to see which application it should run in order to open that document. What can go wrong with it?
Although generally very robust, the Finder can run out of memory (typically if too many windows are open), can crash because of problems with other software, or can crash when other products crash. Current versions of Mac OS attempt to give the Finder as much memory as it needs, but this may not always work. Keeping literally thousands of files in a single folder can generate such memory errors, and should thus be avoided. Problems with document icons, or opening documents with the wrong application, can be fixed by rebuilding the hidden desktop database files, by holding down the command and option keys at start-up, until asked whether you want to rebuild the Desktop. How can I upgrade it?
Because the Finder is such an integral part of Mac OS, it's invariably only upgraded as part of complete Mac OS releases. A small number of third-party products patch the Finder to alter its behaviour, and many products change its appearance and human interface. A simple Finder is also an option, to restrict access and facilities - for example, for children or pupils. Further info
Web sites with further information include: www.gui-central.com - GUI Central, for everything you might need to customise your Mac's human interface www.deskmod.com - DeskMod, focusing on customisation and enhancement of the Desktop. | |
