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Typist · Apr 10, 2007, 09:52 AM

When creating a New Folder on the desktop, is it possible for the folder to appear at my cursor rather than a random area of its own choosing? I hate having to go on a search-and-find mission after creating the new folder because its hidden placement amongst the open windows and assorted icons on the desktop. I simply want the new folder to appear at my cursor/arrow. Is it too much to ask?

Typist

Big Mac · Apr 10, 2007, 09:57 AM

Use Expose's Desktop display to hide your windows, and clean up your desktop.

Typist · Apr 10, 2007, 10:51 AM

Thank you for your reply, Big Mac, but using Exposé doesn't place a new folder at the cursor and doesn't automatically or necessarily show the new folder's placement. Prior to OSX, when creating a new folder on the desktop, the folder would appear at the cursor. It was a nice feature. I miss it.

peeb · Apr 10, 2007, 12:43 PM

Yeah, I miss that one too...

Big Mac · Apr 10, 2007, 12:51 PM

Strange, I don't remember that feature at all.

Hal Itosis · 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Typist

Prior to OSX, when creating a new folder on the desktop, the folder would appear at the cursor.

No way Typist. New folders fall into wherever the next "empty space" exists.
That's been true since System 6.0.8 until today. (And possibly before 6.0.8).

And that's not "random" either. Desktop files are arranged from top to bottom...
and from RIGHT to left. So if you leave an "empty space" on your desktop for it,
then that's where it will go. When the desktop space gets completely filled, new
items land *on top* of the HD icon in the top right corner.

Another workaround is to have the Desktop folder in the Dock. Click on that
icon, and the *window* will open with whatever view you like. Let's say we do
list view sorted by date. No problem finding that new folder now... is there?

Plus we can click-hold on that Dock icon to get a popup menu from which we
can open anything on the Desktop without having to hide (or even leave) the
app we're in. [NB: disks and shares aren't really "on" the Desktop.]

Pure OSX goodness.
Go and sin no more.

peeb · Apr 10, 2007, 02:21 PM

Perhaps we're dreaming - it would be a nice one to have / re-have! What I hate most is that the auto-fill sometimes places folders and files behind the dock so it's a pita to get them.

Typist · Apr 10, 2007, 04:10 PM

D'oh! I figured it out! But honestly, it's almost too embarrassing to tell. Perhaps it will prove useful to someone else.

Hal Itosis, you had me scratchin' my head wondering how I was able to place those 'new folders' precisely where I wanted them back in the day. So I boot up in OS9 and, much to my surprise, I found that I could Click>Hold the mouse to bring up a contextual menu with the option "New Folder." Selecting "New Folder" creates and places a folder right at my cursor. In OSX this still works but you must hold the Control Key before you click; Control>Click. I know this now because I just tried it and it works. I had totally forgotten. Sheesh! What is wrong with me?! I've become too accustomed to using the keyboard shortcut Command>Shift>N.
And while you are correct about the system's hierarchy when it comes to the placement of new folders on the desktop, this does not apply strictly to folders, it applies to everything, which means my real estate is quickly seized up with saved documents, screen shots, etc, -- I can't keep a specific "empty space" open on the desktop ... nice idea tho.
Not sure what you mean about the folder-in-the-dock, I'll give it a try....

Thank you ALL for helping me out!! I hope I can return the favor sometime.
(-:
Typist

Hal Itosis · Apr 11, 2007, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by Typist

I found that I could Click>Hold the mouse to bring up a contextual menu with the option "New Folder." Selecting "New Folder" creates and places a folder right at my cursor.

Shoot... that didn't even occur to me. [it should have]. Oh well, sorry.

Originally Posted by Typist

Not sure what you mean about the folder-in-the-dock, I'll give it a try....

Go to your Home window... there's a *folder* there named "Desktop".
Drag it to the Dock.

chabig · Apr 11, 2007, 01:48 AM

Wow! I never knew that creating a folder via the contextual menu placed it at the cursor location.

Macola · Apr 11, 2007, 01:45 PM

It depends...since I have my desktop items arranged by kind, obviously this doesn't work.

namannik · Apr 11, 2007, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Typist

I've become too accustomed to using the keyboard shortcut Command>Shift>N.

Change it to the old way:

Hack to the Past 2.0 - MacUpdate

Typist · Apr 12, 2007, 10:33 AM

Okay, Hal, (can I call you Hal?) .... I get it now. Good tip! Thanks!

Macola, I never used "arrange by kind" so, out of curiosity, after reading your post, I gave it a shot. I like it. I may have a use for it. I've been custom arranging the desktop and setting it using DIM (Desktop Icon Manager). Thanks!

namannik, NoooWAY! LOL! Now, should I or shouldn't I? I must ponder this. Thank-you.

namannik · Apr 13, 2007, 12:49 AM

If you think you should, then do it. It switches the command keys for "New Window" and "New Folder".

since1984 · May 3, 2007, 04:34 PM

The Control/Click-Hold/Select method is great. Another simple method is to keep an empty folder at one edge of the screen where it won't be obscured by windows, and then just duplicate the folder as needed.