An extra efficient means of using column view

Nov 10, '01 02:30:00AM

Contributed by: james_sorenson

Column-view would be the fastest way to peruse your files if it weren't for the delay each time the finder generates the preview. Most of you know the trick of eliminating the preview-pane in column view. Just in case, here is a very brief refresher: open the file com.apple.finder.plist in your Preferences folder in a text editor. Find the following lines and set ShowPreview to false as shown:

<key>ShowPreview</key>
<false/>
Anyhow, the problem is that now you can't see the file size, type, version, etc. However, the Show Info window (Command-I) does all this. Even better, it will automatically update as you select different files.

So, disable the ShowPreview, then keep an Info window open next to your Finder window to see the full-size icon, size, dates, etc. If you need to see the preview, just switch to the preview panel in the Info window! Scroll-wheel works nicely for switching panes. Now column view works very quickly, and you only generate previews when you need to see them.

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