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file types

Explainer: file types

Many think that a file’s type is determined by its extension. Although partly true, that’s indirect: it’s the UTI which sets the type, as explained here.

October 16, 2021 Macs, Technology

There’s more to files than data: Attributes

Explaining inodes, names, dates, permissions, file types, and specialised attributes used for iCloud.

October 22, 2020 Macs, Technology

What’s that file then? How to identify unknown file types

You’re checking through old files. How can you tell which file type they are when you don’t recognise the extension, or they don’t even have that to help?

September 21, 2019 Macs, Technology

What are those Us? A journey with UTIutility version 1.0

T T Read More

What’s a UUID, and a UTI? What can you learn from each, and where can you look them up? Important info about these, and a new release of a tool to help.

May 30, 2019 Macs, Technology

Finder icons and QuickLook: friends or enemies?

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Icons are a fundamental part of a graphical interface, and convey valuable information. Although QuickLook thumbnails can enhance, they can also conflict unless carefully thought out.

May 18, 2019 Macs, Technology

Missing types of files: the bug in UTIs

An old bug in UTIs can cause problems for apps, and may even crash them. The issue is that macOS can’t always tell what type of object certain ‘files’ are.

January 22, 2019 Macs, Technology

Open a document: how it works, and where it can go wrong, 3: Launch

Last of 3 articles explains how macOS selects and starts the app with which to open a document which you double-clicked/tapped.

July 12, 2018 Macs, Technology

Open a document: how it works, and where it can go wrong, 2: Security check

Second of 3 articles explains how macOS puts documents through its security checks before opening them.

July 11, 2018 Macs, Technology

Open a document: how it works, and where it can go wrong, 1: identification

How does macOS open the document that you double-click/tap? First of 3 parts explaining what should happen and where it can go wrong.

July 9, 2018 Macs, Technology

UTIutility 1.0b2 now looks even deeper into UTIs and file type designators

T T Read More

Additional information is now shown for UTIs, it has its own custom app icon, and works wonderfully in Dark Mode.

July 7, 2018 Macs, Technology

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