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Mac OS X Updates and Next Generation Finder Development

Apple has reportedly started testing of a Mac OS X 10.4.5 update (Build 8H5), but also appears to be working on the "next generation versions" of Finder with a focus on advanced search features, navigation, and performance/responsiveness.

Apple has recently posted a Job description looking to hire a Finder Software Engineer. The interested candidate should be able to:

- Participate in all of the various stages of feature development from design brainstorms, through feature development, all the way to fixing that last critical elusive bug under a tight release deadline.
- You will be required to produce clear designs, excellent implementation and tight code.
- Deliver tight, well implemented features, fix bugs and develop Finder into the best file browser on the planet.
- Work on performance and responsiveness of the Finder, making it feel lightweight, fast, snappy and pleasant to use.

While it's unclear if this job description applies to Mac OS X 10.5, Apple did announce at WWDC 2005 that the next version of Mac OS X 10.5 would be called Leopard and would be released in Late 2006/Early 2007. A preview is expected at WWDC 2006.

While little information about Mac OS X 10.5 has leaked out, one early Page 2 report claimed "extensive use of Spotlight alongside an improved user interface and performance improvement."

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79 months ago
This sounds very exciting.. I'm glad to hear that there is at least SOME work being done on the finder to make it better. While it isn't so bad right now, it does need some work that could make it better.

advanced search features, navigation, and performance/responsiveness.


I wonder what these Navigation changes would be, personally i think the finder is okay right now in terms of navigation. Performance/Responsiveness improvements would be a big plus..

While little information about Mac OS X 10.5 has leaked out, one early Page 2 report claimed "extensive use of Spotlight alongside an improved user interface and performance improvement."


If this is so, i'll be buying Leopard the day it comes out. Just for the improved Finder.

I can't wait! :)
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79 months ago
The sooner the next update comes out the better.. especially for my intel iMac
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79 months ago
They misspelled "TEH SNAPPY". How are they going to get a talented software engineer now?

But seriously: it seems that with every major revision of Mac OS X, there's talk emanating from inside the company that they're cleaning up Finder so that it runs faster and smoother, but we haven't seen a whole heckuva lot of progress yet. Far too many glitches and inconsistencies still remain from all the way back to the 10.0.x days. Get it done, already!
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79 months ago
I would personally like a plugin architecture for previews, so that more file formats could have a Finder preview.

David:cool:
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79 months ago
Any improvement is welcome, let's hope Leopard doesn't disappoint! :)
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79 months ago
I spent 4 months waiting for MWSF, now I have to wait another 5 anxious months.

Well, at least it will be better than Vista if this is true.
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79 months ago
Leopard is going to beat the crap out of Vista since it seems like Tiger already is better than Vista. It will be an embarrasing moment for Micro$uck when Leopard is released.
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79 months ago
How about a decent way to look at images in a folder? You would think with iPhoto and Aperture, Apple could have a better way to view images, like in Windows XP.
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79 months ago
Microsoft having a more-advanced OS than Apple ...



... is like a cart that pulls a horse.
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79 months ago
shouldn't this be expected with a new OS release? Don't get me wrong, I am all for continuing work the Finder. It just seems that a 2 yr old can predict that Apple will be working on the Finder these areas. If memory serves me, every release of OS X has seen improvements to the Finder so is the fact that the next generation of Mac OS X would see the next generation of the Finder?
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