Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Panther Edition

Finding Files 1: The Search Bar

In Panther, you have two different search tools for rounding up files and folders you’re looking for.

The first one, the Search bar (Figure 2-12), is especially convenient because you can opt to have it appear at the top of every Finder window, all the time, ever ready to help you ferret out a stray icon. After 20 years, the Finder’s name is finally justified.

In Mac OS X 10.3, moreover, it’s a much more flexible tool. It’s no longer limited to searching the window you’re in.

On the other hand, it’s only good for finding icons whose names you know. If you want to search for a file you created on a certain date, or to search for words inside your files, see Section 2.10.

The Search Bar

If you don’t see the little round-ended box at the top of every Find window, then check these conditions, all of which are described in the Finder toolbar discussion beginning in Section 3.3.4:

• Your Finder toolbar must, in fact, be visible (see Section 3.4.1).

• The window must be wide enough to reveal the Search bar.

• The Search bar must be on the toolbar to begin with (Section 3.4.2.2).

Performing the Search

If all is well, and the Search bar is staring you in the face, here’s how to use it.

Step 1: Where to look

First, click the magnifying-glass icon inside the Search bar. From the pop-up menu (at top in Figure 2-12), specify where you want Find to do its searching. Your choices are:

Figure 2-12. The Search bar is a kind of software sieve that lets you screen out the rabble in a ...