Default Folder X 4.0.8 was just released, delivering a few bug fixes and enhanced tracking of recent folders.  Ostensibly this fixes compatibility issues with Bias Peak and QuickBooks Pro, but may also affect other applications, so you should update even if you don’t use Peak or QuickBooks.

So yeah - someone wrote to ask for a feature and I realized that there’s no documentation for the “secret settings” in Default Folder X.  Open System Preferences, click on Default Folder X, then hold down the option key and click on the Settings button.

Here’s the quick run-down:

1. OpenFinderWindowsInColumnView:  Does what it says.  When DFX opens a folder for you in the Finder, the window will be in column view.
2. OpenInFrontFinderWindow:  When DFX opens a folder in the Finder, it uses the frontmost Finder window instead of creating a new window.
3. ReboundWhenChoosingFolders: Some apps use Open dialogs that allow you to select files or folders.  By default, DFX doesn’t do its “rebound” feature in these dialogs because it can cause the current folder to change if you’re using column view.  This switch makes it rebound anyway.
4. MenusUseSmallFonts: For people with good eyes.
5. HidePreviews: The OS X-supplied previews in column view in some apps (Photoshop) are really slow for large files.  This turns them off.
6. HotkeysForRecentFolders: Option-up-arrow and option-down-arrow open windows in the Finder to show your  recently used folders.
7. QuitWithoutConfirmation: Quitting DFX won’t bring up the “Are you sure?” alert.
8. ShowHiddenFinderWindows: Makes Finder-click work even when the Finder is hidden.
9. DisableContextualMenu: Turns off DFX’s contextual menus in Open and Save dialogs.
10. ExportAndPrintToDocumentFolder: There’s a setting in DFX called “Make save dialogs automatically default to the current document’s folder.”  Normally it (intentionally) doesn’t work when you print to PDF files or export a file - this setting makes it work in Print to PDF and Export dialogs too.

So, there’s a few more little bits for Default Folder X.  Enjoy!

Ben and I spent some time with Chuck Joiner of MacVoices talking about NetSketch, Ben’s new iPhone app, as well as discussing some of the challenges and excitement coming on the iPhone both for customers and developers.  As always, it’s great to talk to Chuck - he really does fun and informative shows!  Go here for the interview.

Sorry for the silence - things have been very busy behind the scenes here and there’s a lot to catch up on!

Version 4.0.7 of Default Folder X was posted yesterday, cleaning up some problems that cropped up with Word 2008 after Microsoft’s 12.1.1 update earlier this month.  There are also corrections for a few features that weren’t working as they should, and some re-engineering under the hood to allow for expansion in the future.

The update is free for everyone that’s got a valid license for Default Folder X version 4 (including those who received a free upgrade because they purchased version 3 on or after June 1, 2007).  Just download the installer and run it - it’ll update your copy to the latest version.

You can read more about this release and download copies from:

http://www.stclairsoft.com/DefaultFolderX/release.html 

Adam Aaron asked if I could make DFX pop up its menu under the mouse when he pressed a certain key combination. You can actually do this now with a simple AppleScript and one of the numerous macro utilities out there (Adam used QuickSilver to make it work on his machine).

First, write a little AppleScript like so:

tell application "Default Folder X"
ShowMenu
end tell

Then have your macro utility of choice (QuickSilver, iKey, QuicKeys, or whatever) run the script when you hit your favorite key combination, and there you go

(Note: If you’re running Default Folder X with its “Show icons and menus in the Dock” setting turned off, the application target in the AppleScript should be “Default Folder X Helper” instead).