No status bar of any kind indicating total number of files in a folder
Quoted from the Ubuntu bug (filed in 2014):
Up to some time ago (I'd say pretty recently), when you opened a folder in Nautilus, there used to be a kind of status bar at the bottom indicating the total number of files. Long ago it used to be a proper status bar, which was the most functional and usable. But then of course I guess it looked too old-style, so it was replaced by the less functional and annoying "overlay" kind of status bar (imitating that of Google Chrome) on a corner, which would stay right on top of filenames and hide them, until you'd move the mouse over it so that it would move to the opposite side. A step backwards but at least there still was a status bar with the total number of files.
Now it's gone. It only appears when you select some files, to show the name and size of the selected file (if it's unique) or the number and total size of selected files. But if you don't select any file, the total number of files in the folder is not shown anywhere. You have to select all, which is annoying.
I don't know whether this is just a "classic" bug (meaning unintended behavior resulting from an error in code) or one more in a long list of demential "working as intended" design decisions that have been constantly degrading the usability and functionality of Nautilus in the recent years.
Please could someone who works on Files confirm this is intended behavior and close this issue (so I can link to the decision and close the Ubuntu bug)? Thanks :)