Hi and welcome to the XY forum!Mesh wrote:I am a new user to XYplorer. I've used many other file managers, and for years had decided on PowerDesk as the best balance between the bunch. As it is effectively a dead product now, I have been looking for a replacement.
After trying many others (including DOpus), I find XYplorer to have the best balance of features and performance - except for dual pane.
As Graham said, I also think there are numerous unique features of XY which offset the DP issue. Now as you've probably seen in this thread before, I'm one who really needs DP on some occasions, and when I do, I use an alternate product (x2 lite) for that function/need, but the remaining time, I'm perfectly happy with XY setup.
I'll agree that it's not the ideal to need another app, but given the limited time I use it (maybe 2-3 times per month for total of maybe 2 hrs max), it's not unworkable.Mesh wrote: This has nothing to do with an outmoded sense of nostalgia, or a resistance to change. It's because, like many others here, there are parts of my workflow that are most efficiently done with a dual pane setup, and multi-tabs just don't cut it. I've read the rest of this thread, and I've seen some of the suggestions offered - but I have to agree with those who state that using a third party app is not only cumbersome, but simply not a substitute in many circumstances.
Yes, bugs are handled quite quickly, as are most all user requests! Some have been implemented almost TOO soon, before we've had a chance to discuss best approach for all types of users/systems...DP is one of a few that have not been implemented, but we've talked about it...I even did so via phone one time!Mesh wrote: Speaking as a new user and potential customer, I will state that when it comes to software, in addition to features and performance, support and development are very important to me. From taking an admittedly quick look through the forum, I see that bugs tend to be addressed relatively quickly - which is fantastic. But user requested features don't seem to be handled with the same care and attention. This issue of dual panes seems to be a stellar example of this.
It's obvious that it would be a major overhaul of code and Don's not as willing to do that for this feature, it seems...I see it as somewhat similar to the Apple systems not running Windows until just recently...a clash of cultures, maybe?Mesh wrote:
Personally, I don't see what the problem is - given how much this feature is desired and requested by many of XY's users, I don't understand why it hasn't been added as an option. Please note that I'm not talking about changing the nature of XY from one type of file manager to another - but adding it as an option so that users of either philosophy can work as they please.
Separate windows, huh? Well, one can run multiple XY's and get that type of handling...there are some scripts that aid in that setup as I recall.Mesh wrote:
If we were talking about making XY dual pane *instead* of multi-tab, than I could understand the arguing and resistance by many - the author in particular. But there is no reason why XY can't be both, and as such, I am at a complete loss as to why this feature is getting such resistance.
Some people love having tabs in their internet browsers, and now IE7 supports that. Personally, I hate it - I think it's much more efficient to have a seperate window for each simultaneously open page. But IE 7 allows people of either philosophy to work exactly the way they want to. There's no reason why XY can't do the same.
Please don't be just as reluctant to try to use XY without DP as Don is to implement it, if you get my point...there have been a few other features that us users have asked for and he's declined but it's generally been for the best as in many cases, he's come up with a solution that is better or we've found it's not really needed after discussion.Mesh wrote:
Having said all that, I am thrilled to see the features and polish that XY possesses. However, I am going to decline making a purchase at this time. The first reason is that I require dual pane, and XY doesn't have it. But the second reason is that as a prospective customer, the arguing and resistance that the author has exhibited towards implementing a feature that is clearly desired by many users and potential customers makes me nervous.
The way Don handles us users and our requests is why I've devoted hundreds of hours to help support it and promote it! He's been extremely willing in most cases to add features...some times, for small tweaks/items, it's been in as little as one day! Now do you get THAT level of support from another vendor? I really would doubt it!Mesh wrote:
The best developers I have had relationships with respond to feature requests with a positive attitude. It's not about whether they themselves have any use for the feature in question - if the users have a genuine desire and use for it, they do their best to implement it.
Well, I think you may be saying you're going to overlook ALL the other great features and the great support of XY just for a feature that most of us find isn't really as needed as we thought...I really don't think you can find this level of response and support from any other file manager...maybe you can, as once I found XY, I was hooked within about 2 days, so I don't really know what else may exist...some vendors release updates once a month, if that...Don does it almost daily (when not on holiday/vacation) and that's only typical of security/virus software!Mesh wrote:
What I'm seeing here worries me, and that gives me pause. If these things should change, and dual pane is implemented well into XY (and I do mean well, as opposed to a half-hearted attempt to stop the begging), I will reconsider and most likely make a purchase at that time. But until then, I'm afraid I have to look elsewhere.