[kwdrum42]

I have recently had some problems transferring files created on a PC to a Macintosh. My problems were worked around, but it brought up some interesting questions I would like answered about how Macintosh handles files and associations.

For example, Windows uses very simple filename extensions to associate files with default applications. When you change the extension, you change the association. Simple. I was told by a Mac user that the Mac OS knows intuitively what type each file is and how to open it. However, when I asked how to change a file's default association, they didn't have an answer. In the situation I mentioned earlier, I opened the file on a Mac, and the computer assigned a default application. However, it chose the wrong one, and I couldn't find a way to tell it which application to use. In addition, the "Open" dialog in the program I wanted was filtering files based on type (no way to say "All Files," heaven forbid) and I couldn't open it that way. I got frustrated and recreated the files on the Mac.

Every Mac user I've ever talked to did not know how to get into the inner workings of the OS and change a single file's association for a default application. Could someone be kind enough to explain this to me?

I don't remember what MacOS I was in, but it was an old one.

Feel free to chat with me about this on ICQ: 52180187

Thanks for the insight.

- Kevin