So, Apple...why not make commenting on files (or tagging) a lot easier?

 

{updated May 21, 2008}

Why not bring Spotlight up to the front a little more? It's already there. The functionality exists. A quick cmd-i on a file will get you the "Spotlight Comments" field and allow you to type away. You can write all you'd like about that PDF you created right in that little box. But that little box is just too "out-of-the-way". I want to find my file and be reminded that I can use Spotlight's awesome-ness to find things rather than use it as a glorified application launcher. But mostly I want to use it tag my files. And I want to be able to browse for files using my tags. I want to create my own terms to categorize my files and not be limited by the system.

 

Spotlight has worked great for finding information about information. But sometimes, even with all the info it provides, it's still limited. There are those instances when a user might want to categorize a file in two ways (or more). For instance, if a file is categorized as a "Work" file, and is also a "Personal" work file (as opposed to a professional work file...something that comes up for those who moonlight) there's only one way to organize it. As it stands today, one would need to create a folder titled "Work" or a folder titled "Personal". It can't be both.

 

But if a user could "tag" the file, it could be placed in a "Work" folder along with "Professional" or "Personal" work files and the metadata would tell the system which is which. Doing a quick search for "work + personal" would find that file very easily. It knows that this file is a work file for personal use, not for professional use.

 

By allowing users to "tag" files searching becomes much more relevant and useful. Users are provided a stronger set of rules to organize information beyond the limited set provided by the system. They can also use terms that are more familiar and personalized to suit their organization habits.

 

Here are some ways Apple can integrate "tagging" into the OS in an unobtrusive way, while reminding users of the potential of Spotlight.

Users can add tags directly to files from the finder window. The "Spotlight Comments" section of the "Get Info" palette has been renamed to "Spotlight Keywords". Clicking on one of the added words will invoke Spotlight search with the selected term.

 

 

Within the Spotlight search window, a "Spotlight Keywords" checkbox exposes a column with all the tags added by the user. The user can filter search results by selecting tags in the column. Selecting multiple tags compounds the filtering.

 

Users can also add tags as new files area saved from with the Save dialog box. The input field appears directly below the filename input field.

 

 

 

The "Spotlight Keywords" input field expands to accomodate multiple tags.

 

 

Users can add tags from a list of existing "Spotlight Keywords". Clicking the "Open Keywords" button invokes the palette where users can select from this list and apply tags to the file.