Make navigation logical

Why doesn’t double clicking an item do what it does in any other Mac software?
Why do you need a Phd. to navigate DevonThink?

But what does a double click do in any other Mac software?

  • In Finder, it launches an app to open the file.
  • In Finder, it opens the folder if it’s a folder
  • In Numbers, a double click in a cell with a value selects it
  • In Numbers, a double click in a cell with a formula opens a popup with this formula
  • In PhotoShop, double clicking on a settings layer, opens the settings
  • In PhotoShop, double clicking on a layer, opens the layer settings like name and so on
  • In PhotoShop, double clicking on a tool icon does nothing different from single clicking
  • Again, in PhotoShop, double clicking on a channel does nothing different from single clicking
  • However, if the channel is a saved selection, double clicking opens a setting dialog

What exactly is it that any other Mac software does when one double clicks on an item?

If you double click
• In Finder it opens the file - a finder element or a folder - a finder element
• In Numbers it Opens a numbers element
• I don’t know photoshp
• In DevonThink you double click an item, like a Devonthink List, it opens a non modifieable Numbers sheet or something unrelated
• To open the item as a Devonthink item you have to go to an obscure gearbox in the top of the sheet and chose “open”

• To open the item as a Devonthink item you have to go to an obscure gearbox in the top of the sheet and chose “open”

No you don’t. You can

  • Control-click > Open With
  • Press Shift-Command-O
  • Set Preferences > General > Double-click opens documents externally

Why do you need a Phd. to navigate DevonThink?

Simply put: If you can use the Finder, you can use DEVONthink. However, DEVONthink offers more options (and power) than the Finder since it is more flexible in its uses.

Like you have to control click a finder window to open a file. If you double click you get a photoshp page.
Shift command does nothing
Preferences set as you suggest

You finally open your list in Devonthink. No way to return to main window without closing the list
If you click to many links, you also need a PHD to get back to the main window
Too often when you lunch Devon think you get “Devonthink running” or something to that effect and you need a PHD to get out of a loop. Closing doesn’t always work
Otherwise Deven thin is a great information depository

A screencast of the behavior you’re describing could be helpful.