If you're not using St. Clair Software's Default Folder X (http://www.stclairsoft.com/DefaultFolderX/index.html) with Mac OS X 10.7 ("Lion"), you should be. It’s an US$34.95 tool that enhances Open and Save dialogs in Mac OS X.

Default Folder lets you access the contents of your recent, favorite, and open folders right from Default Folder X's toolbar. Its hierarchical pop-up menus expand as you mouse over them, letting you navigate your folders to get to your files. You can assign a keyboard shortcut for all of your favorite folders. If an Open and Save dialog isn't open, then you can use Default Folder X's menu bar, Dock icon, or keyboard shortcuts.

If you're constantly saving things inside the same folder, Default Folder X can remember that folder for you. You can even set a different default folder for each application you use.

Default Folder X lets you open up or save to any Finder window with a single click. It also lets you get info on, rename, and delete existing files, putting the Finder's power in every Open and Save dialog. to help you quickly return to folders you've recently used, Default Folder X remembers them for you. It can even rebound to the last file you used in all your recent folders.

Default Folder X lets you add Spotlight keywords, OpenMeta tags, and Finder labels on the spot, while you're still in the Save dialog. It even remembers keywords you've used before and automatically completes them as you type.

With the recently released version 4.4.9, Default Folder gets some useful tweaks. This release adds faster creation of favorites and support for Automator workflows.

The St. Clair app offers features that Apple should be building into the Mac OS X.
But since it's not, do yourself a favor and spring for Default Folder.

Rating: 10 out of 10