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June 26, 2006
Implementing “tags” in Mac OS X
Add this to the pile of things I'd like: the ability to add “tags” to my data in Mac OS X. Above, I've mocked up what this might look like in the Macintosh Finder. The white triangle to the right of the file name (DSC_8957.JPG) has been clicked and is seen here in the “open” state, revealing the associated tags which I would have typed in. Clicking on any of those tags would bring up a Spotlight-like interface showing more items with that tag. Tags could also be auto-generated by the OS.
And wouldn't this be nice: tags from photos in the Finder could also be automatically included when uploading via 1001 to Flickr.
Technorati Tags: macintosh, OSX, macosx, tags
June 26, 2006 in Macintosh OS X | Permalink
Comments
I definitly agree with you on this. Tagging is at this time too difficult/cumbersome... Lets hope to see this in Leopard.^_^
Posted by: WZot | Jun 27, 2006 8:40:32 AM
"Tagging" is a very important process that has been missing from the Mac OS X file system for many years now. Labels and comments in the Finder tried to fill this need at a very basic level, but just never evolved to where things should have gone. The thing with tagging is that objects must be able to be "tagged" via a predefined/user editable pull down list or you end up with users typing "san francisco" vs "sanFrancisco", etc.. and you end up with a mess of tags that require creative searches to locate exactly what you need.
The other dilemma for users on a network is the same place where spotlight falls down. Local caching of the tags and attributes is slow, as the search doesn't have a cache to search, and just won't work at all if the tag data is not stored in the files, and some file formats just don't support these options..
I had always hoped that Mac OS X Server would deliver a rendezvous type export of spotlight data to clients - that way the server does the indexing, and just hands out the cache to clients. (Requiring a log in - of course.)
Another feature I am looking for is the ability to save a Spotlight index on removable media, as well as storing that cache locally, so I can search for that cd from 2001 with the San Francisco pictures on it, without having the disk loaded. This may not help me locate the physical cd, but at least I have an idea where to go.
Hopefully the next cat lets some of these features out of the bag..
Posted by: Nate | Jun 27, 2006 9:26:39 AM
Could we not implememnt this with meta data already garnered from digital cameras or the meta data information from photoshop/acrobat?
Posted by: Jerald Bernard | Jun 27, 2006 10:29:40 AM
I read somewhere that Apple filed a patent to use OCR tech to read text in photos, and automatically add that as metadata to image files. Mind-blowing.
Posted by: Allan White | Jun 27, 2006 2:39:14 PM
I personally think that the keyword feature in iPhoto is decent. While not perfect, I would like to see something like this available... maybe from a Finder window or Menu Bar??
Posted by: Jay Robinson | Jun 27, 2006 8:39:51 PM
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