Dragons When Folder Merging on macOS

2 points by Gabrielfair 2 years ago | 2 comments

Something to keep in mind when using a Mac if you are from a Windows background is how merging folders operates differently. On Mac its a replacement operation in the most literal sense. There is no merging of folders. I created a 1 min video to demonstrate this user design dragon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kO90AI7CHE

k310 2 years ago |

Hold down the option key while dropping one folder over another. It will offer to merge files. Alternatively, open the folders and drag files from one to the other. Overwrites will ask you is you really want to. (like cp -i)

I have used rsync (a builtin). Faster than dragging stuff around.

Nobody reads the mac finder manual (is there one?)

Gabrielfair 2 years ago |

I would believe that many people don't know about this difference. And I would also think that many would consider this to be unintended behavior.