Table of Contents       9. AppleScript


9.4 Change the preferences of NeoFinder

One preference you can change is the location of the database folder that NeoFinder uses. This allows you to quickly switch between multiple NeoFinder database folders, if you need them.

For example, we use a small database folder for testing, and a complete, very large database folder for actually using NeoFinder in our own development environment.

Two small AppleScripts allow us to quickly change between these folders:


tell application "NeoFinder"
     set database folder path to "/Users/norbert/Desktop/Test-Folder/"
end tell


Enter the above lines into the Script Editor.app in your Utilities folder, and save it as a Script inside the Scripts folder of NeoFinder. Then it will be available to you directly from inside the menu of NeoFinder! See: 9.2 The Scripts menu and folder


What is the exact path to my folder?

If you don't know the exact path to the folder you wish to use, or having trouble to get the script to work, Apples Finder has a very deeply hidden gem that allows you to actually copy the full path for a folder. (In previous Mac OS X versions, the Finder simply displayed the full path in the Get Info windows, but no more.)

Here is how that works.

1. Select the folder in the Finder

2. Open the context menu with a short click, and make sure it stays open.

3. THEN hit the "alt" key.

4. The "copy" command in the context menu will magically change to "Copy as pathname," which is exactly what you want.

Then paste the path into your script, and enclose the path with the "".

How to copy a path in Apples Finder


9.1 The NeoFinder AppleScript dictionary
9.2 The Scripts menu and folder
9.3 Find by AppleScript
9.4 Change the preferences of NeoFinder
9.5 Cataloging and updating
9.6 Use the Selection