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UTI

How does macOS tell the type of a file?

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How does the Finder know the right app to open a file with? Or QuickLook how to preview its contents? Or other services like Spotlight know how to index and handle files? UTIs.

December 24, 2022 Macs, Technology, Updates

Why won’t that Help book open?

In Big Sur and Monterey, if you’ve not opened an app’s Help book, the first time you do it may appear empty, or simply not work. Here’s why and how to fix it.

November 16, 2021 Macs, Technology

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

UTIutility version 1.1 is now a Universal App

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Explore UTIs, MIME and file types, extensions, and more. Now runs native on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

August 22, 2020 Macs, Technology, Updates

Cut-Copy-Paste: Inside the Pasteboard/Clipboard

How these fundamental features work in macOS, using the pboard daemon and UTIs. With full log transcripts too.

May 12, 2020 Macs, Technology

What happens when you double-click a document? Processes, problems and solutions

An explanation of the magic which takes place when you double-click a document, the things that can go wrong, and how to fix them.

May 4, 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

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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

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