[Mac] The smart Smart Folder

I wonder why Apple “we own the most advanced OS in the world” keeps hiding some of the most useful stuff in Mac OS X. Or, specifically, they tend not to share more detailed informations with power users.

One great example are Smart Folders: a kind of live search of files and folders, filtered by user-specified criteria, such as extension, date of creation, file size, owner, megapixel in a photo, and so on.

Wow, that’s cool and shining, so what’s the point?

Let’s say, for istance, we want to search for all the pictures taken with flash on from 1/15/2010 to 2/15/2010. I would set my smart folder as follow:

• File type: picutre
• Creation date: after 1/15/2010
• Creation date: before 2/15/2010
• Flashlight: on

Or, if I’d like to list all my mp3 files with the word “and” in them, having a CD-quality, I’d do this way:

• File type: mp3
• File name: contains “and”
• Bitrate: > 256k

You may have noticed that I’ve built all the search criteria using the AND attribute: looking for an image AND it was taken with flashlight AND the creation date was after — AND …

What if I want all the files in a folder that are either mp3 OR pictures? (and, eventually, other criteria)

For setting the OR attribute you should press the “+” button while holding down the ALT/OPTION/pan¹ key on the keyboard. You’ll notice the plus button turning into dots.

BUT, shouldn’t the most advanced operating system in the world have this tip written in the User Manual or – at least – on the website?

Note all’articolo:

1. Yeah, a frying pan is the only thing I can compare that symbol with↩

——–