Overview of Folder Hub – File Browser for macOS
Folder Hub is an application used for quick access and search of files and folders in the working directory.
What problems does Folder Hub solve?
In our daily work, we often work with numerous files and folders, typically organizing them into different directories for different projects. However, accessing specific project files often requires navigating through layers of nested folders.
– Accidentally closing a folder window means you’ll have to go through the entire folder structure again to find the file you need.
– Even if a window is open, accessing the files you need may be difficult because other active windows, such as a web browser, are blocking your view.
How does Folder Hub solve these problems (interaction design)?
By default, the Folder Hub window is hidden under the MacBook’s notch. When you move the mouse into the notch, the Folder Hub window becomes visible, and when you move the mouse outside the window, the Folder Hub window disappears again.
When displayed, the Folder Hub displays various workspaces, such as Desktop, Downloads, Project A, and Project B, which are user-configurable and contain the files and folders of the corresponding project. Switching between workspaces is accomplished by hovering the mouse over the corresponding area.
An example would be loading images:
Let’s say we need to load images from “Project A” into a browser window. By moving the mouse to the text area and then hovering over the “Project A” workspace, we can drag and drop images directly from that workspace into the browser.
From this simple example, you can notice the following:
– No need to navigate through nested folders
– The Hub folder is located above all other windows, without obscuring the currently active window.
– When you access it again, Folder Hub remains in the last selected workspace, eliminating the need to search for a previously closed Finder window.
