Tagging / keywording files

[Forkjulle]

I see that Apple prefer the idea of fewer folder trees. For example, iPhoto works with keywords and folders don't matter. iTunes is much the same.

But what about normal folders like Documents?

Is there an intuitive way of keeping all documents in a single view (without using sub-folders) but using keywords or tags to sort and find?

What is the closest you've found?

 

[Weaselboy]

Just select a file or folder in the Finder, then type command-i to bring up info on the item. At the top you will see an area for Spotlight comments. Type whatever tag(s) you want in there then exit the pane. Now when you search Spotlight for the tag, any documents with that tag will come up.

You can also then use smart folders in Finder to show only documents tagged work for example.

 

[Forkjulle]

Just select a file or folder in the Finder, then type command-i to bring up info on the item. At the top you will see an area for Spotlight comments. Type whatever tag(s) you want in there then exit the pane. Now when you search Spotlight for the tag, any documents with that tag will come up.

You can also then use smart folders in Finder to show only documents tagged work for example.

I think I've fallen in love with you.

(Sorry, I'm new to Apple, so I'm learning as I go.)

 

[Weaselboy]

I think I've fallen in love with you.

Aww... shucks.

 

[robgendreau]

You've hit on a bit weakness of the Mac OS; it still relies on the desktop metaphor, which should have been ditched long ago. It's unnecessarily limiting on a computer. For example, if you wanted to save your email does it go in a folder of authors, or questions, or "mac", or sent? With tags you just assign all those as tags and you can easily find what you want without duplicating the file and obsessing over folder structure.

You should consider a tagging application. There's a bunch of good ones: Tags, Punakea, MailTags, and others. And some good applications that take tagging further and substitute for the Finder, like Yep and Leap. Many Mac applications like these don't use Spotlight, but use open meta tagging. It's pretty widely used, although not formally adopted by Apple, which is a shame. Windows 7 has a great tagging feature that is much easier to use. I had hoped Apple would have gotten on board by now. Sigh.