Another Newbie

[robfuscate]

i'm just returning to Macs after some years with PCs. It isn't by choice, just employment change, certainly there are some very nice things in OSX, I just have too many useful programs that have no equivalents in Mac to want to change now.

My questions

1/. How can I set View As Columns as the default opening view for folders when I open them?

2/. Can I set the columns to 'auto-size' to fit contents, instead of dragging?

 

[devilot]

My questions

1/. How can I set View As Columns as the default opening view for folders when I open them?

I can only answer this one.

While in Finder> Finder Preferences> check 'Open new windows in column view

 

[robfuscate]

ooops

Oh, perhaps I should have said that I had this box ticked and it doesn't seem to work... is there some other way?

R

 

[TLRedhawke]

Alas, no. The checkbox is the only approach, but even so OS X is kind of flaky with enforcing this preference.

 

[balamw]

certainly there are some very nice things in OSX,

Finder certainly isn't on the top of my list of what's right about OS X.

It doesn't annoy me enough to try them out myself, but have you considered trying alternatives, such as Path Finder? http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/16678

B

 

[robfuscate]

Finder certainly isn't on the top of my list of what's right about OS X.

It doesn't annoy me enough to try them out myself, but have you considered trying alternatives, such as Path Finder? http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/16678

B

Unfortunately I am only a basic user, cannot add/change anything

there are a number of programs out there which would certainly enhance my Macxperience, that i simply can't use.

2/. Can I set the columns to 'auto-size' to fit contents, instead of dragging?

Anyone any suggestions/advice about this?

R

 

[frankblundt]

Unfortunately I am only a basic user, cannot add/change anything

really? not at all? i thought even in "limited" accounts you could still install applications, just you have to install them into your own home folder (after making a folder called applications) rather than into the system apps folder.
They can lock the dock too (which is a pain) but i don't think that stops you running apps from your folders directly.
No?
Or do you mean not allowed by THE MAN? (been there ) If your setup is that oppressive, someone's responsible for making it that way - grumble to them about what you want to do. They lock you out of helping yourself, they should be helping you out.

or you could get hold of a system cd and reset the admin password (don't get fired tho)

 

[stridey]

Oh, perhaps I should have said that I had this box ticked and it doesn't seem to work... is there some other way?

R

Try openning a new Finder window, changing to column view, and immediately closing it again.