Understand the New Views

New to the XP is the Tiles view, which is essentially the replacement for the Large Icons view. With the exception of predefined picture folders, it is also the default Windows Explorer view. With the Tiles view, XP displays as many as three lines of text to describe each file, showing you more information about the file than was previously available with either of the old Icons views. Exactly what information displays depends on the type of file selected. For example, if you select a Windows Media Audio (.wma) file, not only will the filename display, but also the artist name, which comes in handy when I'm trying to find just the right MC Hammer dance groove.

Also new is the Filmstrip view. Shown in Figure 7-4, the Filmstrip view displays the currently selected file larger than its other folder compatriots. It also centers the picture. The Filmstrip was developed specifically to work with folders storing graphics files such as .jpg, .png, .tiff, or .gif.

Figure 7-4. Using the Filmstrip view.

Below the selected picture, you have four buttons. The first two will flip through the picture list; the other two buttons manipulate picture orientation. You can rotate pictures clockwise or counterclockwise.

It's no real chore to work with the different viewsjust make your preferred view selection from the View menubut there are still a few snags that can crop up. For example, not many people know how easily they can make the Details pane help them find files.

Another possible snag: sometimes the folder contains pictures, but you can't access the Filmstrip view. When you click the Views button, it isn't listed in the available views. That's because a folder must first be "told" that it holds image files. XP designates certain folders, such as My Pictures, as picture folders at installation time, and you never have to think about it. Many third-party applications do the same.

But if a folder won't use the Filmstrip view and you want it to, here's what you need to do:

1. Choose the View menu and then click the Customize This Folder… selection.

2. As shown in Figure 7-5, you can inform Windows about the contents of the folder in the drop-down box. If you choose either Pictures or Photo Album, the Filmstrip view will now be available.

   Figure 7-5. Transform any folder into a "picture" folder.