Big Robot

What is metadata?

Metadata is data about data. The metadata that Meta deals with specifically is information about the files on your computer. So say you've got an mp3 on your desktop and it's 3.1 megabytes in size. The data that file contains is the music; the fact that the file happens to take up 3.1 megabytes on your computer's hard drive is data about that data. Your mp3 file doesn't have to remember that it's 3.1 megabytes in size, just like how you don't have to remember that you're five feet, six inches tall. It's just a fact. (You are five-foot-six, right?)

Thus, the metadata we talk about when we're talking about Meta is information about the files on your computer. Other examples of metadata include what type of file it is (Word document? Web page? Digital photo?), creation date, and the name of the file. Of course, those are just a few examples, and Mac OS X records a lot of metadata about each of your files. Meta's here to help you work with it.

Here's a little more information on how you can access metadata using Meta: Examining Metadata

Where is all the metadata Apple promised?

It's all in there, waiting for you.

Mac OS X Tiger keeps track of all sorts of metadata about the files on your computer, whether you're using that metadata or not. Things like a file's size, its name, the last time it was opened or modified, the color label you applied to it, the title of the album the song was on, the type of camera that took the photo - it's all there. But without Meta, you'd have to fire up the command line to see any of it. And searching on this wealth of metadata? Good luck.

But then again, if you're using Meta for searching, you can put all that metadata to work for you. Meta can search through all the metadata that Mac OS X keeps track of to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Want to find some classical music from your iTunes library that's less than five minutes long? Meta can do that with its eyes closed. Seriously. Meta doesn't even have eyes.

Here's how to use Meta to help you find the exact files you're looking for: Searching On Specific Metadata Keys

I already have Spotlight; why should I use Meta?

Meta puts a more flexible, powerful interface on the Spotlight technology Apple integrated into Mac OS X Tiger.

If you're already using Apple's built-in Spotlight interface, Meta can make your search experience even better: it understands any search Spotlight understands, plus it can do a whole lot more.

On the other hand, if you aren't using Spotlight because it doesn't do what you need it to, or because you don't see how searching can be that useful, Meta's like a whole new game. It's got power, flexibility, and ease-of-use, and you can try it out on us. If you don't like it, just mail it back.