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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Extensions: do I need them?
RobinS - Jul 6, 2006 - 1:31 pm
I'm referring mainly to .doc files. They waste line width and it would appear that things work fine without them. I have "Show all File Extensions" turned off in Finder Preferences of course. When I create a new MS Word 2004 document and save it the extension is added. So I delete it later. Anything wrong with that? (Will I burn in Hell? 
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earthsaver - Jul 6, 2006 - 2:22 pm
You might, but in the meantime, as long as you remove file extensions by renaming normally in the Finder and not in an Info window, you're good to go. I thought, though, that you wanted extensions so you can differentiate between files of different types in column view when you don't show icons.
Meanwhile, if you're still frustrated with Finder operations, try using Terminal instead. [At least it's all keyboard-based.]
Meanwhile, if you're still frustrated with Finder operations, try using Terminal instead. [At least it's all keyboard-based.]
earthsaver - Jul 6, 2006 - 2:31 pm
When you're saving in Word, why not uncheck Append File Extension? Once you uncheck it the first time, believe it or not, Word remembers the next time and leaves it unchecked.
RobinS - Jul 6, 2006 - 8:45 pm
> You might, but in the meantime, as long as you remove file extensions by renaming normally in the Finder and not in an Info window, you're good to go.
Yes - that is how I usually rename. Just hit Enter, type new name, hit Enter. Very fast.
> I thought, though, that you wanted extensions so you can differentiate between files of different types in column view when you don't show icons.
I think the icons are better. And they take up less width or the same. No matter. The colors stand out better and are easier to identify in a long list. I wonder if there's any way of sorting by icon type? Never heard of that.
> Meanwhile, if you're still frustrated with Finder operations, try using Terminal instead. [At least it's all keyboard-based.]
Wow - sounds geeky. But I'd probably love it. Is there a good online guide you can recommend for using Terminal for launching stuff? Like an OS X Terminal for Dummies kind of guide?
> When you're saving in Word, why not uncheck Append File Extension? Once you uncheck it the first time, believe it or not, Word remembers the next time and leaves it unchecked.
Yes that works. I wasn't sure of the meaning of append so I looked it up: to add or supplement. If its taking the file extension away, should the term be to Delete File Extension? Maybe I'm missing something here. But it works.
You know, its interesting how much stuff we absorb when we're not consciously "learning" through help files and such. Just by piddling around in a program things get learnt. Sort of how a young child learns.....an effortless, gentle, stressless observing of things.
Yes - that is how I usually rename. Just hit Enter, type new name, hit Enter. Very fast.
> I thought, though, that you wanted extensions so you can differentiate between files of different types in column view when you don't show icons.
I think the icons are better. And they take up less width or the same. No matter. The colors stand out better and are easier to identify in a long list. I wonder if there's any way of sorting by icon type? Never heard of that.
> Meanwhile, if you're still frustrated with Finder operations, try using Terminal instead. [At least it's all keyboard-based.]
Wow - sounds geeky. But I'd probably love it. Is there a good online guide you can recommend for using Terminal for launching stuff? Like an OS X Terminal for Dummies kind of guide?
> When you're saving in Word, why not uncheck Append File Extension? Once you uncheck it the first time, believe it or not, Word remembers the next time and leaves it unchecked.
Yes that works. I wasn't sure of the meaning of append so I looked it up: to add or supplement. If its taking the file extension away, should the term be to Delete File Extension? Maybe I'm missing something here. But it works.
You know, its interesting how much stuff we absorb when we're not consciously "learning" through help files and such. Just by piddling around in a program things get learnt. Sort of how a young child learns.....an effortless, gentle, stressless observing of things.
earthsaver - Jul 6, 2006 - 8:57 pm
- You can sort by file type in column view only in Finder alternatives like Path Finder.
- Search MacDevCenter.com for and you'll find a five-part series introducing you to the Terminal. A good start for you, I think.
- The check box says Append because checkboxes are not dynamically named like some menus. So, adding a check would append the extension and removing the check would remove the extension. Also, delete would not be the appropriate terminology, because you are not deleting it; if you did, OS X wouldn't know what to do with the file and would prompt you to select an application. You can delete an extension in an Info window in the Finder.
- Search MacDevCenter.com for
- The check box says Append because checkboxes are not dynamically named like some menus. So, adding a check would append the extension and removing the check would remove the extension. Also, delete would not be the appropriate terminology, because you are not deleting it; if you did, OS X wouldn't know what to do with the file and would prompt you to select an application. You can delete an extension in an Info window in the Finder.
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