OSXFAQ Mac OS X Tip-of-the-Day 
The Finder II - Show Hidden Files
By Adrian Mayo - Editor - OSXFAQ
(See June 2004 for more Finder Tips - http://www.osxfaq.com/DailyTips/index.ws)
Monday's tip told (though not very successfully) how to show hidden
system folders.
Tell the Finder to show ALL hidden folders and files - even those that
begin with a dot. Though the Finder's display becomes a bit cluttered,
it is sometimes useful to switch 'full view' on for viewing or editing
hidden files, then off again. This is ideal for those who don't want
to resort to the Terminal and pico, but prefer TextEdit, BBEdit, or
another GUI-based text editor.
Note that editing hidden files can break things, so always make a
backup of the file first. In the Finder, right-click on the file and
select Duplicate.
Note on editing system and configuration files. They are generally
plain text, with Unix style line breaks (Line Feed, not Carriage
Return). Use a text editor, and never use rich text format or a
monster like word, or the file will be filled with junk.
Switch on full view, in the Terminal type:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
killall Finder
Now you will see much more in the root of the system disc (yours will
be called something different, like 'Macintosh HD').
To revert back, type:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE
killall Finder
Alternatively, edit the Finder's preference file directly. It is in
your home folder in Library:Preferences:com.apple.finder.plist
In a Text Edit look for the lines:
AppleShowAllFiles
FALSE
and change FALSE to TRUE
In PropertyListEditor look for 'AppleShowAllFiles' and change the value to TRUE
Enjoy !! :-)
Panther 10.3.7
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