Last post EVER about creating new files from Finder

The problem with Automator's "New Text File" is that it always either creates the file on the Desktop or makes you choose a folder. The point of the contextual menu is context — i.e., you've specified the folder by right-clicking on it and you shouldn't have to re-specify.

But I agree that Automator is the easy way to go here. And if anyone's still listening, I've created a couple workflows to demonstrate this functionality using Automator. Get 'em here:
http://systemsboy.blogspot.com/2007/03/scripts-part-7-contextual-menus-with.html

Enjoy!

-systemsboy

Michael, I don't think I've explained myself. I wasn't referring to *your post's focus on switchers*. I think that's fair, since as you put it they are the ones that might be interested more in this feature.

I was talking to the "not the Mac way ranters", whose reactions seemed to imply that creating a new file from the file manager is the "Windows" - the wrong - way.

When I wrote about "same functionality" I was referring to the ability of creating new files from the file manager; I know about the difference in "location", that's why I added that the other tools provide a more convenient way to do it than SPs.

I do find NuFile more convenient, for instance, but I used Stationery Pads before finding something better.

Federico: There's a key difference between these tools (and thanks for mentioning DocumentPalette, I have to include it in the main post) and stationery pads: *location*. The Windows-style 'right click here to create a new file' lets you make that file wherever you happen to be in Explorer, regardless of default save folders for your apps or where your stationery files live.

If I open a Word stationery file, it's going to want to save in the last used folder from Word. I don't always want that; maybe I'm working in a Finder window full of pictures and I want to create a placeholder Word file right there, right now, to hold caption notes. Bang! done.

The reason these posts are focused on the Switcher audience is that the contextual menu new file capability is *not* the same as stationery, and they miss it when they come over to the light side.

This scripts and the other tools mentioned in the other posts (NuFile, DocumentPalette and QuickSilver with its "Make new..." action) basically provide the same kind of functionality we've had, here on the Mac, for years in the form of "Stationery Pads", but in a way that some people find more convenient.

So I'd really like to know what is it that qualifies these tools as the "Windows way" to do things, something only switchers could appreciate, like I've read here and in comments on the previous post...

I'd have to say this is more of a unix feature. Doesn't anyone remember 'touch' ?

How about just having a decent Finder that does it for you...is it too much to ask? Maybe everyone is busy cramming stuff in Leopard that I don't need/won't use, like html Mail, Spaces, and all that other stuff.

Thank you all for the input! I now understand some of the impetus behind all of this, although for what I do (med student stuff), just opening the apps works for me. At least I know that I personally, am not losing any of my exceedingy minimal time.

Thanks all

Actually, being able to create a new file in Finder and having the app open the newly created file is a good idea. That would be the best of both worlds.

I usually organize projects by folder, and have several different types of files in that folder. Being able to insert a new file into the folder and work on it right away would be a good idea. I think NuFile just creates the file, but then once it is created, it's just a double click away to edit it. Sometimes I do keep project folders in the left pane of the finder window, but usually that's not a practical solution, for one, Finder starts flaking out if you have too many folders there.

I love Quicksilver, but this is one case that I'm not sure how it can do it as well as NuFile can do it.

im really at a loss here to see why you would want to create a file without the application being open. at leas tin the manner every one here seems to be thinking (ie. in its native format like .doc, .indd, .ai, etc..). I can see just makign a blank file to write to for things like .xml, .conf, .css etc.. but nothing more than that. I always have a terminal window open so its no big deal for me to cmd+tab>[terminal]>"touch /path/to/file/filename.extenstion" but thats jsut me.

like wise for what people were talking about with predetermined templates i have a shell script written to do this.. well and alot of other things, again for use with terminal. (if you havent guessed - if im not in a design application my goal is to touch the mouse as little as possible). Ofcourse i could plug this in to QS if i wanted but honestly i havent really jumped on that wagon yet. Ive seen people use it and it looks sweet but i havent had time to mess with it.

What about "Document Palette"?