The following script will take the frontmost finder window and maximize it for a 15" MacBookPro while changing the Finder's view mode to Cover Flow. I have found it helpful if I need to quickly use Cover Flow to find a file. Although it is set for a 15" screen, the parameters can be edited for any screen type. I invoke it using Quicksilver, and have named the script max.
tell application "Finder"
activate
select Finder window 1
set window 1's position to {0, 44}
set bounds of Finder window 1 to {0, 44, 1440, 900}
set current view of Finder window 1 to flow view
end tell
I also use an AppleScript to minimize the size of the window once I have found my file. Again I use quicksilver to invoke it, and have named this one min:
tell application "Finder"
activate
set bounds of Finder window 1 to {143, 164, 1300, 825}
set position of Finder window 1 to {143, 164}
set current view of Finder window 1 to column view
end tell
[robg adds: The lines to edit if you'd like to modify this for your screen size are those that begin set bounds of....]
Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20080514132230561