 | Dec 8 2009 |
TEMPEL I have made a beta version with a new feature to search for "changed or created within X minutes/hours/days". I need a few testers to make sure I didn't break anything. If you like to try it, please download 1.4b1 from here and then contact me about your experience: https://files.tempel.org.s3.amazonaws.com/FindAnyFile_1.4b1.zip (note to MacUpdate staff: Do _not_ post this as a new version - betas are not meant for this!)
(Version 1.3.1) | |
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 | Dec 4 2009 |
JAZZYGUY Great Tool! Thanks so much for this wonderful freeware!
(Version 1.3.1) | |
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| Dec 4 2009 |
PAT320 This tool is simply amazing. Thanks very much for this freeware.
(Version 1.3.1) | |
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| Dec 1 2009 |
THUS.SPAKE.Z Find Any File, as well as EasyFind, are extraordinarily good at what they're designed to do. I use both, and find them superb. While both are free(blessings upon their developers), I'd have no problem with putting out a few shekels for them. Neither have failed me yet.
(Version 1.3) | |
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 | Aug 29 2009 |
MAC66GRAPHICS Much easier to use than Houdah Spot[which is pricey] and the price here is right FREE. I use Find Any File FIRST and it has ALWAYS delivered and saved me time. Dare I say, I'd be willing to pay for the next update. Keep up the good work. YOU are much appreciated. and easy 5 out of 5 stars,
(Version 1.2.1) | |
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Replies:
| Dec 1 2009 |
AGGO Shhhh don't encourage him.
(Version 1.3) | |
| Dec 1 2009 |
I've thought about making a paid 2.0 version which offers all the features people have requested in the past months (choosing individual volumes for search, more data columns such as creation date, more search criteria, "exclude" filter and more). All these are features I do not need (currently, I mostly implemented features I needed myself, and just made them available to everyone). If I should make this paid 2.0 version, the free 1.0 will remain available, though. We'll see...
(Version 1.3) | |
| Jul 14 2009 |
RONL Just found this and one of the features that I really am glad to see is the hierarchical results with the items searched for in bold. I used UltraFind for many years (years ago) with the Classic Mac OS and loved it. Hopefully this will be somewhat like it (again... I just started using it...)
(Version 1.2.1) | |
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| Jul 8 2009 |
XENOPHILE I've tried all the search utilities I can find, and FAF is without question the best of its kind. By separating the search and results into different windows, FAF permits one to easily tweak search operators and compare results. The search window alone is wonderfully Mac-like and makes the addition of new search operators and fields effortless. But where FAF shines is its results window, which displays hits in either the familiar list format, or in a novel hierarchical file system view. What makes the file system view so wickedly powerful is that when a user searches for a file, he usually has some idea of where it is, or at least where it is not, so it's easy to drill into the file hierarchy and look at search hits only in relevant places. Very, very cool. It's a shame FAF is getting fewer downloads than some competitors like Devon's EasyFind, because FAF kicks Devon's runt app into next week. I give FAF 7 out of 5 stars - one extra for being free (many thanks to the developer), and one extra for being insanely good. separating
(Version 1.2.1) | |
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| Jun 15 2009 |
TH3 J0K3R This is an amazing app. I use it to uninstall other apps and find all the stuff that came with them. I didn't know this before but by holding the option key you can use the 'Find All' feature to search for files across all user accounts on your Mac. Thanks Dev.
(Version 1.2.1) | |
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| May 26 2009 |
ARVIDTP fantastic little utility!
(Version 1.2.1) | |
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| May 22 2009 |
THEL I'm in love! Marry me? [*rotfl*] But seriously... Sherlock 2 & Spotlight have always driven me crazy. For half a decade I've been using Sherlock 2.1 (from Mac OS 8.6!) in X's Classic Mode in order to do quick searches by Creation Date et al. Because of your wonnnnderful application, I can finally stop doing that. :::happy-dance::: Thank You!
(Version 1.2.1) | |
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| May 22 2009 |
Works so much better than command-F in the finder. And it found a 'hidden' file for me. Excellent application that everyone should have.
(Version 1.2.1) | |
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| May 13 2009 |
MYSTERY TRAMP Really nice piece of work. The developer should be commended. | |
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| May 5 2009 |
µø˚´¥
Great app! Finds *way* more results than Spotlight, including system files and hidden files. The checkbox to include/exclude package contents is a godsend. Furthermore, the results window acts like a Finder window, so a double-click opens the file and a right-click brings up the normal Finder's contextual menu.
And wow, is it fast. And free.
Yeah, it crashed on me once - but I'll give it five stars anyway.
(Version 1.1.2) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| May 11 2009 |
TEMPEL I think I've identified the crash, which happened when one switched back to the Find window after a search. Should be fixed in v1.2
(Version 1.2) | |
 | Apr 13 2009 |
PIECEMAKER I was keen to try this but it seems the download links (both here and on the developer's website) are dead. Guess i'll have to wait till/if it goes live again...
(Version 1.1.2) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
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| Apr 13 2009 |
TEMPEL The download site I used was down since Apr 7 and only today (Apr 13) someone contacted me telling that it was down. Funny detail: It was a Windows user. Download links should be up and running again.
(Version 1.1.2) | |
| Apr 8 2009 |
GORABIT Sorry, I'm only back with a review to give this app its well deserved 5 stars.
(Version 1.1.2) | |
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| Apr 8 2009 |
GORABIT This is a fantastic app. When I downloaded it, I thought I would use it very seldom, but now I couldn't live without! Highly recommended - soon or later you'll need it. Many thanks to the developer.
(Version 1.1.2) | |
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| Mar 22 2009 |
ZO219 This is damn near perfect. Hello, Apple? That Spotlight thingey? Dear developer, some way to restrict searches would be swell. I'd pay for that.
(Version 1.1.1) | |
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| Mar 19 2009 |
VALAMBHIAJN This is by far the best search application that I have come across. I've never had success using Spotlight or Sherlock in older OSes. Recently, I had to search for a particular file across various server volumes - the time it took to find this file was amazing. Apple should take a leaf out of this developers' book. | |
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| Mar 18 2009 |
RORO01 Many thanks. To be perfect, it should find also "by content".
(Version 1.1.1) | |
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 | Mar 18 2009 |
RORO01 Drag it to the Finder window's toolbar next to the Search box.
(Version 1.1.1) | |
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| Mar 18 2009 |
SGGINC This is one killer must have app. FAST and finds ALL files including package contents (if wanted) and files in the trash. Try it you'll love it!!!
(Version 1.1.1) | |
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| Jan 9 2009 |
TEKL I would like to have AppleScript support so I can set where to search on or at least an option to set the search source to the active finder window.
(Version 1.0.2) | |
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| Jan 11 2009 |
TEMPEL I can see the use of AppleScript support, but honestly, I doubt I'll implement this - it's just too much work for too little gain, in a free app. Sorry. I'll keep in mind the need for targeting the contents of a Finder window, though.
(Version 1.0.2) | |
| Dec 31 2008 |
LEINAD very, fast, very easy, find any files in library, work very fast in USB card in FAT, work slowly in NAS disk, but EasyFind or Terminal it's the same. good works
(Version 1.0.2) | |
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| Dec 30 2008 |
TEMPEL Testers for new version sought. I don't know what others do on their birthdays, but I added some features to Find Any File: - can now also search non-HFS formatted disks, although not as fast (i.e. the speed is comparable to EasyFind) - added checkboxes in Results window to filter bundle contents and invisible items. Before I release this as v1.0, I'd like to have it tested by a few more people than just me. Any volunteers? Contact me, e.g. via my website (see "More Information" on the previous page)
(Version 1.0.2) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Dec 30 2008 |
TEMPEL Actually, you can download v1.1b1 now from my web site. See: http://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/index.html
(Version 1.0.2) | |
| Dec 29 2008 |
AESCHYLUS This little application IS much faster than EasyFind on my iMac G5. Wow -- much faster. Both programs always find the same number of files. The advantage for EasyFind is that it can exclude invisible files and avoid looking inside package contents. These would be valuable features for Find Any File, but *only* if it does not slow this speed demon down. It's a delight.
(Version 1.0.2) | |
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| Dec 30 2008 |
TEMPEL Thanks. I am surprised that EasyFind is so slow. As it scans entire discs, it could just use the same Mac function my app uses and become faster instantaneously. All it takes is to read Apple's documentation... I could easily add filtering of invisibles and package/bundle contents. I'd do that in the Results window, maybe with two separate checkboxes at the top. They'd say "hide invisibles" and "hide package contents" (or better to use "bundle" instead?). By default they'd be off to show everything. Checking them would simply filter them from the view. That way, you'd not have to start a new search to filter them. Note: A common problem with UI design is the phrasing of actions and modes. In this case, the checkboxes could also be named "show ..." instead of "hide..." and be on by default. What makes more sense here? Comments and suggestions are welcome.
(Version 1.0.2) | |
| Jan 6 2009 |
ASMEURER My guess is that EasyFind is slow because it also searches contents. It probably doesn't bother using faster methods for just file names. As for the options, using the affirmative (i.e., show hidden) would probably be the best choice. You might want to look at Apple's User Interface Guidelines if you are interested in improving your UI.
(Version 1.0.2) | |
| Dec 29 2008 |
PHALERON It does so little, but it does it so well.
(Version 1.0.2) | |
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| Dec 28 2008 |
"n the find results list ctrl-click (right click) a found item. In the contextual menu that comes up select "Reveal in Finder". A Finder window will open with the item selected. You can then do whatever you'd like with the file including dragging it to the trash or right-click and "Get Info", "Move to Trash" etc." Thanks for this helpful reply.
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
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| Dec 28 2008 |
STEVEW You're quite welcome. This solution works but it appears I overlooked the ability to delete directly from the app. Drag and drop a file from the results will move it - and not just to the trash. TEMPEL pointed out to me that dropping onto the trash dock icon without waiting for the trash folder to open doesn't work correctly now and he's going to release a fix soon.
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| Dec 27 2008 |
STEVEW Overall this is a useful app as it does a file system search independent of Spotlight. It works as stated and I've not had any problems. It is a 1.0 release though and feels like it. Based on most apps I've tried this one *feels* more like a beta release. I'm going to give it 3 stars because of the Spotlight independent search capability and it's free but there are other free apps that do this better - EasyFind by Devon is the best example. - Search starting points limited although tree view mitigates that somewhat - "found" items in tree view could be more distinctive. (Currently found are bold, tree structure is italic.) Maybe make the found items red? - Slightly non-intuitive search criteria selectors. For example when choosing "File Type Code" an option menu appears next to it with only one item - "equals". It should be just a single menu although my guess is that the developer plans to add more to the second menu in the future ("does not equal" etc) Good start TEMPEL. Take a look at EasyFind - it looks to be your main competition. As a free-lancer you'll have a hard time besting them but if you can provide some functionality they don't you can have a winner here. Good luck!
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| [ 3 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Dec 28 2008 |
TEMPEL I had a look at EasyFind before. Have you tried my hierarchical results view? Nothing like that in EasyFind, and I find it very useful. Lastly, my tool finds items by name much, much faster than EasyFind, which is the main reason why I released my tool which I've been using privately for years already. Can you confirm these observations?
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| Dec 28 2008 |
TEMPEL Oops, I didn't even read your comments completely before replying. Pardon me, it's still early in the morning for me. So, to answer your other suggestions: > "found" items in tree view could be more distinctive. (Currently found are bold, tree structure is italic.) Maybe make the found items red? Yes, I agree the tree view is a bit hard to interpret at start. I'll consider your suggestion. > Slightly non-intuitive search criteria selectors. For example when choosing "File Type Code" an option menu appears next to it with only one item - "equals". It should be just a single menu although my guess is that the developer plans to add more to the second menu in the future ("does not equal" etc) I won't change much of that, though. To change that, I'd have to add a lot of special code, while currently it's internally very simple, one "rule" for all choices. This is a decision I've made based on the fact that (a) it works anyways and (b) since I don't earn money with this, I take a few shortcuts - it doesn't have to be perfect. Also note that the Mac OS search routines this tool uses have more options such as choosing a lower _and_ a higher bound for dates and sizes. I considered adding those, too, but decided against it because it would require a change to the now-simple UI, which, again I won't do because I don't really need that extra freedom in choices and I don't want to make the extra big) effort. So, other than fixing bugs I don't plan to improve this tool much. I think it's pretty useful as it stands. Definetely more useful than EasyFind in many ways (mostly speed, root search option and hierarchical view).
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| Dec 29 2008 |
TEMPEL Version 1.0.2 grays out the names in italics, to make them stand out even less. I don't like to use colors for the bold items, though. Don't want to make it look like a Windows 3.1 app. Did you have a specific coloring in mind? I'm not good at visual design, I'm open to suggestions.
(Version 1.0.2) | |
| Dec 27 2008 |
NOTAFOOL Is it possible in "Find Any File" to drag-and-drop straight into the trash, or to delete, a file that it has found ? It is possible using the "Find File" feature in MacOSX. If it is not currently possible, do you propose to add that feature to "Find Any File" at some time ?
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| [ 8 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Dec 27 2008 |
TEMPEL Odd questions you keep asking - why don't you just try it out? What makes you expect that it shouldn't work? Unless you did and just wanted to point out the crash of this app after moving a file to the Trash and then right-clicking on the Icon? Well, I guess it's time for a 1.0.2 release soon
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| Dec 27 2008 |
There is really no need at all to be so uppity and so defensive when I raise a perfectly legitimate question about your software. I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in denigrating it. All I am interested in doing is clarifying for myself precisely what it presently can do and what it presently cannot do. Of course I tried deleting files before I posted here about what appeared to me to be its current ability to delete a file moved to the trash. Why on earth would I raise the issue at all but for the fact that it wouldn't work for me ? Instead of getting angry with folk who are trying out your software and then raising queries, you should in fact be grateful that they are taking their time to test it and report back to you.
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| Dec 27 2008 |
NOTAFOOL Corrigendum: Substitute "inability" for "ability" in my last posting. A typographical error.
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| Dec 27 2008 |
TEMPEL It is just not clear from your questions what you are have tried and what not. I could have just replied to your first part of your last question with "yes", but would that have helped? I appreciate feedback, but (a) I am indeed upset about your rating as I find it just wrong to judge a program on basis of not understanding or needing it, and (b) you could help be much more supportive if you'd be more verbose about what you see versus what you expected to see happening. If you ask "can I drag a file to the Trash", the only answer I can give is "yes". If you'd ask "I've tried moving it to the Trash, but it appears to stay unmoved", then I'd better understand what your problem is and I could both help you and others by improving the software, trying to avoid misunderstandings you and others run into. So, please keep asking questions if you find something unclear or not intuitive, but give me more information - I can't see what you've done, so you have to tell me.
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| Dec 27 2008 |
NOTAFOOL You really ARE a very defensive and unhelpful fellow aren't you ? No-one else but you would have any difficulty whatsoever understanding exactly what I am saying. But since you appear to be not only uppity, unreasonably defensive, rude and more than a bit thick, I shall put it in simpler language. I searched for a particular file on my Hard Drive, using "Find Any File". It found that file and I can see that file in the application's window. I try to to drag it into the trash can, but it totally refuses to be moved at all. I look for some option IN the "Find Any File" application that will permit me to delete the file in any manner, but can't find any such option. I then post here, asking whether your application can or cannot delete a file. Instead of getting a straight and polite answer from you I get a rude rant. What is the matter with you ? This is no way to get folk to use or admire your software.
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| Dec 27 2008 |
TEMPEL I thought I gave you a clear answer: Yes, it can drag files to the Trash. I said so in my reply, didn't I? After a few more trials and your now-a-bit-more-detailed answer, I find, however, that there is a bug in there as the dragging only works if you drag it into the opened Trash folder but not when dragging it into the Dock icon. Shame on me for not noticing this earlier. Thanks to you I found this bug now. Shame you had to get to ugly about it instead of the constructiveness I had kindly asked for.
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| Dec 27 2008 |
STEVEW Hey guys, calm down a bit I noticed from your many posts at MU you do tend to be/sound fairly negative. You could have at least posted a comment here like - "Oops, my mistake. I now understand the Spotlight thing. NOTAFOOL did ask a legitimate question - albeit a fairly trivial one. If your going to develop for customers you need to take all comers. Here's the answer (I think). TEMPEL - please correct if I'm wrong. In the find results list ctrl-click (right click) a found item. In the contextual menu that comes up select "Reveal in Finder". A Finder window will open with the item selected. You can then do whatever you'd like with the file including dragging it to the trash or right-click and "Get Info", "Move to Trash" etc. I've got some more comments/questions on the app I'll post in a new thread here shortly.
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| Dec 28 2008 |
TEMPEL Steve, thanks for your helpful comments. However, there is no need to use Reveal. Just drag the item from the Results window to the open Trash window. If the window is not open, drop it over the Dock's Trash icon, hold it there for a short while until the trash window opens and then drop it in there. Much simpler than the Reveal path. The fact that dropping it simply on the Dock Trash icon does not work is a bug in FaF that I should have fixed in a 1.0.2 release very soon.
(Version 1.0.1) | |
| Dec 26 2008 |
TEMPEL Note: I just found out (a bit late, I admit) that Find Any File crashes if you're trying to use or edit a Date option when running on a PowerPC Mac (or in Rosetta). Fixing this will take a few days, I am afraid. So, if you are using a G4 or G5 Mac, you're good as long as you do only search by names. Check back in a few days - by then I hope to have a fix for PPC as well.
(Version 1.0) | |
| [ 1 Reply - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Dec 26 2008 |
TEMPEL Nevermind - the bug is already fixed. If you download now, you'll get Version 1.0.1 with the fix for PPC Macs.
(Version 1.0) | |
| Dec 26 2008 |
NOTAFOOL Maybe I am missing something, but for the life of me I cannot fathom what this application does or is supposed to do that Mac OSX's inbuilt "Find" function does not already do perfectly satisfactorily. Sure it works fine, but what is it adding ? Perhaps the Developer could explain ?
(Version 1.0) | |
| [ 6 Replies - Reply ] | |
Replies:
| Dec 26 2008 |
TEMPEL I've tried to explain what it does in the 3 points I've listed: Basically, I can find files Spotlight won't find. If you've never been in that situation where you wonder why a Spotlight did not find a file you know to exist, then, well, this app is not for you. But does that justify to rate it? If everyone would rate all the app here they don't need, what good will the rating be to those who are actually interested in the app and would like to know how well it works for their purpose? (Apologies, though, if you were not the person who rated this app.)
(Version 1.0) | |
| Dec 26 2008 |
TEMPEL One more thing: Additionally, it offers a folder view that will often be much more helpful to find the file you're looking for than the standard flat view is that Spotlight offers. I've tried to explain that in the text as well. How could I phrase it better so that people won't have to ask any more how this app is superior to Spotlight?
(Version 1.0) | |
| Dec 26 2008 |
STEVEW Haven't looked at the app yet but the difference *could* be whether or not it uses the Spotlight database. OS X "find" does not search your disk - it searches the Spotlight database. If something isn't in that database "find" will not find it. The Spotlight database is not a list of files. When spotlight indexes it does capture file names along with other attributes, keywords and file content (text etc). Yes that makes it more powerful but... The problem(s) with Spotlight are that indexing may be incomplete or corrupted and Spotlight does *not* index every file - you can exclude things but there are others that are excluded by default which you have no control over. So all you really know when you use it is whether you found the file, not whether it exists on your computer. Lastly the find utility does not allow you to choose *where* to find. Since Leopard (I think) it restricts your locations to "this mac", your hard drive or shared volumes. Yes that's everything but you often end up with too many results. Wouldn't it be nice to search just your documents folder rather than wading through a list a mile long with every system file that comes close? The results list is also limited to name, kind and date last opened (view options are disable for find). Why not at least include path name so you can sort by that? I'm searching for a find utility that doesn't use the Spotlight database - don't know if this one is it but hopefully I answered your question. (No affiliation with the developer).
(Version 1.0) | |
| Dec 26 2008 |
NOTAFOOL I was not in any way comparing it to Spotlight. I did not even mention Spotlight at all. Please re-read carefully what I wrote. What I asked was what does it do that the MacOSX built-in "Find" function does not do perfectly well already ?
(Version 1.0) | |
| Dec 26 2008 |
TEMPEL You do mean the Find command from the Finder's menu bar, also available by Command-F, don't you? That Find function _is_ using Spotlight. I'll try to make that more clear in my docs.
(Version 1.0) | |
| Dec 26 2008 |
I said it very clear in my comment as well. You don't need to explain it better. - "Find" (search field in the Finder toolbar) is built on Spotlight. - "Find" searches the Spotlight database not the file system. - "Find" cannot find anything that's not in the Spotlight index. - The results in the Spotlight menubar search function are the same as in the Finder toolbar search function except that the Finder search function restricts its display to a list of possible file matches rather than all possible hits (like a menu option etc) If you want to test this delete or reset your Spotlight index and then immediately do a Finder "Find". You will not get any results. Maybe this article will help http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2531
(Version 1.0) | |
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