Comments on: Document Palette: Creating New Documents From the Desktop

By: Notional Slurry » links for 2009-07-18

Notional Slurry » links for 2009-07-18 — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:02:17 +0000

[...] Document Palette: Creating New Documents From the Desktop "What makes this a really handy app is that all documents created are copies of the original document you drag in the Document Palette app list. This allows you to essentially create a starting template for any type of document." (tags: utilities MacOS Leopard templates applications freeware) [...]

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:11:59 +0000

Actually, it was more complicated than that- I had to use some other utility to allow me to create a keyboard shortcut for contextual menu items. Ha!

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:10:46 +0000

Thanks, this is a great app! I had previously used NuFile, but it was messier to use, unless you set up a dedicated keyboard shortcut for each new file type you wanted. This is much better-

By: ryemac3

ryemac3 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:12:45 +0000

I’ve been using this too since I switched to OS X. I missed being able to right click on the desktop and being able to choose “Create new txt file”.

I don’t want to have to launch Open Office every time need to create a .doc or .rtf. Now I can throw a new txt, rtf, or doc on my desktop with a simple keyboard shortcut, It’s a huge time saver.

By: James Dempsey

James Dempsey — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:59:59 +0000

True, you can use the “Stationery” option, but then that would require you to have a folder full of files located on the desktop, then open and save the file where you want.

This app allows you to create the document, without opening or saving it, in any folder you wish at any time.

I agree this isn’t a huge “problem” of the Mac OS, but Document Palette is a nice “option” for those that find it useful. As you point out, it’s just a “cleaner” way of doing it.

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:42:02 +0000

I see this as a solution looking for a problem.

By: Ian Abbott

Ian Abbott — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:46:36 +0000

“What makes this a really handy app is that all documents created are copies of the original document you drag in the Document Palette app list. This allows you to essentially create a starting template for any type of document.”

Whilst it’s not that publicised, Mac OS has had the starting template functionality for a very, very long time – all the way back to the Classic builds of the OS… It’s the “Stationery Pad” check box on the Finder Info page. If you build a starting template for a document and then set that checkbox, opening that document in an application (or double-clicking it) will automatically create a copy of the document for editing, leaving the original in place. It might not be as clean, but it’s something that was in there long before MS Windows brought their right click “New…” system into the fold…

By: Thorin Messer

Thorin Messer — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:13:03 +0000

Ha–I’m a jackhole! That’s Path Finder that lets you create files with a right-click. And Path Finder is nowhere near free. Apologies.

By: Thorin Messer

Thorin Messer — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:11:45 +0000

I can right-click and choose “New File…” then name it. I can create any file type I know the extension for. This does not use any template, it just creates a file. But it’s not like creating files on the Mac is hidden or difficult or missing, unless *I’m* missing something (I’ve never used the Windows functionality you mention).

By: Joel Fagin

Joel Fagin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:56:22 +0000

There’s a way of making a stack on your dock which allows you to drag out new files. Just make up the folder, fill it with templates, go to Get Info, lock it and drag it into your dock to make it a stack.

Originally from here… http://ignorethecode.net/blog/2009/05/31/creating-new-documents/