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In the Finder preferences there is a reference to 'Spring loaded folders and windows', and in the Secrets PrefPane there is an option for the Dock "Enable Spring load on all Dock Items"

What is it exactly that these refer to?

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8

Here's a video of spring loaded folders in action on OS 8 (yes, OS 8, but the principle is exactly the same):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9kdAxGe9SE

I am completely mystified as to why it has never been properly implemented in Windows. You kind of get a half-assed version of it in the folder pane of Explorer, but it's not the same as being able to 'spring' folders in the main pane.

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    I love how the window-zoom border effect rotates! Some developer was showing off their geometry skillz. – jtbandes Jul 22 '09 at 7:14
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    It's all part of the Apple schtick, isn't it. The developer gets to show off their skillz, the user gets to show off their computer. Everyone wins. :) – Charles Roper Jul 22 '09 at 7:20
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    On the other hand, dragging a file on a dock icon in order to bring up a window and drag the file there doesn't work properly (the wait time is huge, and the process is sometimes hampered by other Windows). Windows gets this right. You win some and you lose some. – Norswap Jan 3 '17 at 16:29
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They're things where you can drag something over them, hold it there for a second, and they'll open automatically. Some examples:

  • Folders and sidebar items (and the path bar, I believe) in Finder are spring-loaded, so you can drag a file all the way around a directory structure without having to stop at each folder; it's quite useful. I'm assuming that the reference to spring-loaded windows is about the fact that Finder windows will bring themselves fully on screen and to the front if you drag something over them.
  • Stacks are also spring-loaded.
  • If you drag any window to the edges of the screen and wait, you'll switch between Spaces. This isn't exactly spring-loading, but it's similar.
  • Xcode actually has spring-loaded tab-style segmented controls for dragging things between panes, which is quite awesome.
  • Safari doesn't have spring-loaded tabs, but in my opinion it definitely should. ;)

The paradigm crops up all sorts of places in Mac OS X. It's usually handy when you're moving things.

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  • How would you spring load tabs? – Josh Hunt Jul 22 '09 at 7:45
  • It would switch to a tab when you drag something over the tab and hold it there. I've wanted it a few times, especially for dragging text between tabs, or files into tabs. – jtbandes Jul 22 '09 at 8:31

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