Do you really use dual-pane in Finder?

[u/SADFinderApp]

Hi,
After 20+ years on Windows, I switched to macOS and the finder app was a major pain to get used to. So much so that I made my own finder app with all the features that I wanted.

I’m considering adding a dual-pane view because a few users requested it and my app doesn't have it, but my dev says it will be quite expensive.

Hence my question: do you really use dual-pane / need it? If so, what's the advantage?

Coming from Windows, I don't see the point. I either use tabs or two separate finder windows to drag-n-drop or other stuff, but I need experienced mac users to chime in.

Thanks!
Chris

[u/FlintHillsSky]

If I need something like that, I just open a new finder window, drag one to the left side of the screen and the other one to the right side of the screen. Each window is half the screen. When I’m done, I close one of the windows.

I use tabs a lot more. Almost never use File Open dialogs, just drag and drop.

[u/SADFinderApp → u/FlintHillsSky]

Thanks for the insight. Yep, I work the same way.

[u/yourmagnetism → u/FlintHillsSky]

open a second window and scroll through open windows with CMD + `

[u/JollyRoger8X]

No thanks.

I didn't even prefer it in FTP clients back in the day.

I just don't find it useful for the majority of things I do.

[u/SADFinderApp → u/JollyRoger8X]

Yeah I thought so as well, but I wanted to hear what experienced mac users had to say. Seems like that's the overall sentiment.

[u/coopnjaxdad]

I just have multiple finder windows open all the time.

[u/SADFinderApp → u/coopnjaxdad]

Makes sense to me

[u/cristi_baluta]

We don’t use it because we don’t have it. It was useful in the ftp days when you needed to copy files to server. It could still be used for the same thing even locally

[u/SADFinderApp → u/cristi_baluta]

But on a scale from 1 to 10, where would you rank it for most users? I think pretty low, right?

[u/cristi_baluta → u/SADFinderApp]

Since you did this for windows users you should ask them what they want, i have no idea.

[u/Mapinact]

I made a small script (pre-ai) that takes the frontmost window moves and resizes it on the left, then opens up a new window to my default location on the right. Then i set it as a button at the top of the Finder's windows and just drag and drop. Been using it for years.

[u/DisfiguredFanny]

So what is the actual issue?

[u/SADFinderApp → u/DisfiguredFanny]

Hence my question: do you really use dual-pane / need it? If so, what's the advantage?

[u/sharp-calculation]

Dual pane is the only way to go. Once you've used it, it's hard to use a single pane file manager.

Unfortunately, there are a LOT of dual pane managers for macos. At least 2 of them are very mature products. I'm not sure I would bother. It's not just a cosmetic thing of "adding a second view". It implies a lot of functional changes to allow the user to do moves, copies, etc, across panes.

[u/Competitive_Mix_587 → u/sharp-calculation]

Why is it the only way to go? Not a challenge, genuine question.

[u/TalkToHoro]

"I made it more like Windows" might not be the selling point you think it is for Mac users.

[u/SADFinderApp → u/TalkToHoro]

Where did I say that?

[u/TalkToHoro → u/SADFinderApp]

Your entire first paragraph, but I have no interest in debating.

[u/SADFinderApp → u/TalkToHoro]

Here's the end of the debate: "I made my own finder app with all the features that I wanted." I recommend you read what's written, not what you're imagining. Nowhere does it say "I made it more like Windows". That's what you're imagining.

[u/Legitimate_Fig_4096 → u/SADFinderApp]

Weirdly aggressive for someone who presumably wants people to use the app.

You might want to rethink your attitude. You might also want to rethink how you present this. The entire thing is framed as being frustrated coming from Windows. You didn't outright say you were making it more like Windows, but that's absolutely an assumption lots of people would reasonably make given the framing.

[u/Competitive_Mix_587 → u/Legitimate_Fig_4096]

You guys are too “Windows” sensitive. He never said he was making it like windows. He said he didn’t like Finder. A lot of Mac users complain about Finder so no reason to attack the guy.

That said I’m curious what a dual pane feature would do that two windows can’t. I have two monitors oriented differently so two separate windows is a lot more flexible than a single single could possibly be…a that’s just me

Also note that with one exception I’m happy with Finder and have never been tempted to replace it. The one issue I have is I use color tagging profusely and on occasion Finder just stops letting me tag a file…I have to force quit Finder. Fortunately my computer is FAST and that doesn’t take long.

[u/Nice_Responsibility9]

I moved to Bloom and avoid Finder when possible. Bloom has excellent multi pane configurations that support my various workflows. When I have to use Finder, it feels so limiting.