Finder

I had a look at the file browser of MacOSX. Although I do not see a file as proper MicroContent, there are some similarities. Especially the amount of metadata attached to a file, make similar functions possible.

I noted the following things:

• Metadata - this Client is mainly working on the metadata of a file and thus on the metadata of MicroContent Items. So it is a bit of a struggle to apply this checklist as metadata is sort of excluded by definition. However I have not been strict and bent the definition from time to time;
• Trash - the Client has a special List, the trash can, for removing Items;
• Alias - one can create links to files. One might see this as the Item of this Client
• Archive - changes on or more Items to an Item in a new (Zip) format;

Supported MicroContent Type(s): Metadata •
Rating: This Client gets 51 out of 90 points with checklist version 1.4. • Developer: Apple • Version: 10.4.4 •

Checklist:

• MicroContent (3/10) - to what degree does the client support MicroContent Items?
  
  • Structure - NO, although the associated metadata can be seen as structure. So this more a definition issue;
  • Multiplicity - NO, as we are not talking about MicroContent here;
  • Flexibility - NO, not relevant here;
  • MicroWeb - NO, not on the file level;
  • Pick-list fields - NO, but one can see the colour labels as pick-list metadata fields;
  • Merged - NO;
  • Title - YES, the name of the file. The extension is another matter;
  • Description - YES, called Spotlight Comments;
  • Tags - YES, the colour labels are related to tags. Thus only a limited number of tags are allowed;
  • Rating - NO;
  
  
• Interface (7/10) - does the client have the characteristic layout?
  
  • View-pane - YES, this is where the preview can be seen;
  • View-pane Styles - NO;
  • View-pane Window - YES, one can see the metadata through the GetInfo cammand;
  • Items-pane - YES, this is the folder structure with files. Note that this Client mixes the concepts of groups, lists and Items into a single pane;
  • Items-pane Views - YES, one can select an icons, lists or columns view;
  • Items-pane Sorting - YES, one can arrange by name, dates, kind, size and label;
  • Items-pane Fields - YES, but only in list view;
  • Lists-pane - YES, mixed in the Items pane and the sidebar;
  • Browser-pane - NO;
  • Pane layout change - YES, one can chose from a compact widescreen, traditional and combined view;
  
  
• Item functions (5/10) - An Item is called a File.
  
  • View - YES, although not all information is readily available;
  • Create - NO, for this one need separate creation applications;
  • Edit - YES, the metadata can be edited;
  • Mark - NO;
  • Search - YES, and also in the content of a file;
  • Access Control - YES, to secure a file or set it as template;
  • Duplicate Control - NO, with a function one can duplicate Items;
  • Delete - YES;
  • Persistence - NO;
  • Downloading - NO;
  
  
• List functions (11/17)
  
  • Local Lists - YES;
  • Connected Lists - YES, one can see connected devices such as CD’s and iPods;
  • Shared Lists - YES;
  • Remote Lists - NO, I miss this one
  • Handpicked Lists - NO, the contents of each List is set by the author of the List;
  • Smart Lists - YES;
  • Recommendation Lists - NO;
  • List Metadata - YES;
  • Statistics - YES, number of Items and storage used;
  • Directory - NO;
  • Add - YES;
  • Edit - YES;
  • Remove - NO;
  • Show - YES, sometime for Files of the type image;
  • Backup/revert - NO;
  • Refresh - NO;
  • Delete - YES;
  
  
• Group functions (7/9) - does the Client support groups?
  
  • Unlimited Depth - YES;
  • Local Groups - YES;
  • Connected Groups - YES;
  • Shared Groups - YES;
  • Remote Groups - NO;
  • Handpicked Groups - YES;
  • Smart Groups - NO;
  • Recommendation Groups - NO;
  • Directory - NO;
  • Add - YES;
  • Edit - YES;
  • Delete - YES;
  
  
• Import (2/6) - does the client allow for importing Items?
  
  • Classic - NO;
  • Standards - YES, a standard file structure with metadata;
  • Proprietary - NO;
  • Applications - YES, one can import files through other apps;
  • Bookmarklet - NO;
  • Drag&drop - YES, from other applications;
  
  
• Export (6/14) - does the client allow for exporting Items?
  
  • Classic - NO;
  • Standard - YES;
  • Proprietary - NO;
  • HTML - NO;
  • Print - NO;
  • Feeds - NO;
  • Local - NO, as all local files are managed through this app;
  • Connected - YES, one can put files on an iPod or burn a disc natively with this app;
  • Shared - YES, connect AFP-servers;
  • Remote: .Mac - YES, the iDisk;
  • Remote: FTP - NO;
  • Remote: RPC - NO;
  • Drag&drop - YES;
  • Application - YES, Items can be opened in other applications;
  
  
• MacOSX (10/15) - is the client a good MacOSX application?
  
  • Look&Feel - YES;
  • Menu - YES;
  • Toolbar - YES;
  • Alt-click - NO;
  • Ctrl-click - YES;
  • Drag&drop - YES, for moving files or folders;
  • Services - YES;
  • Dock - NO;
  • Spotlight - YES;
  • Dashboard - NO;
  • AppleScript - YES;
  • Framework - YES;
  • Menu bar - NO;
  • Plug-ins - NO, I wonder whether one could write plug-ins for preview;
  • Language - YES;