Powerful internal file viewer

[substorm]

If anyone has previous experience with XYplorer's main competition, namely Directory Opus, you might agree that one area that the developer(s) should take example is the plugin architecture which allows to significantly enhance the overall experience, specifically in the area of internal file viewers.
The plugin that takes the front stage in this field is called Quick View Plus Pro which utilizes Oracle's Outside In (previously Stellent) libraries that allow to view over 500 popular file formats (doc, docx, xls, xlsx, pdf, svg, dwg, etc.) without the presence of native apps.
Another product that greatly benefits from these libraries is X1 Desktop Search and I won't be afraid to say that lacking this technology would never allow it gain such large market.
What's interesting, even the good old veteran of file managers Total Commander has an open source app called uLister that does the same thing.
IMO, having such functionality makes the app much more portable since it's not so dependent on the locally installed software.
Lastly, the same internal file viewer could be used to index contents of the supported file formats, thus opening up doors to include another great feature: fast-as-you-type content search (see X1 desktop search to get a better idea).

Please let me know your views. Cheers!

[binocular222]

Welcome to the forum.
IMO, no
1) Too much work, Don has more meaningful things to do
2) Instant-indexed-search is already possible via a lot of 3rd party software (Everything is a beast and there's already an XY script to integrate Everything with XY http://www.xyplorer.com/xyfc/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12054), why need an internal indexer??
3) Same for viewer, just install 3rd party viewer, done. If XY develops an internal viewer, then the price would be XY price + Quick View Plus price = around $200/license. Not good.

[admin]

FYI, XYplorer works nicely with Quick View Plus:
http://www.xyplorer.com/faq-topic.php?id=QVP

[admin]

FYI, XYplorer works nicely with Quick View Plus:
http://www.xyplorer.com/faq-topic.php?id=QVP

PS: To preview Word files with QVP you have to set this uncodumented (LOL, nice one, but I meant: undocumented) tweak:

Code: Select all

NoWordSpecialPreview=1

I had built something special for Word that avoids some issues with the Inter Explorer / ActiveX way. But for QVP you have to turn it off. I'll make a note in that FAQ page,

[j_c_hallgren]

FYI, XYplorer works nicely with Quick View Plus:
http://www.xyplorer.com/faq-topic.php?id=QVP


I'll make a note in that FAQ page,

You might also want to have a link to that QVP page from the main FAQ page as there isn't one now and thus the QVP page is somewhat hidden/invisible...like from the mention of QVP under the Preview Files question, maybe?

[substorm]

Is there a way to make QVP part of the portable setup? That's what I like about the uLister WLX plugin with Oracle's Outside In libraries.

[Stef123]

This has been one of my main concerns exactly. I mailed them twice but never received an answer. So I guess the answer is no.

It'd be great to have uLister support in XY, or any kind of reliable means to get previews CONSISTENTLY. That's the keyword here. It might work great for PDF and Office files on one PC, not at all on the next, to some extent on yet another - it's like playing the lottery. You may get lucky, or you may throw up your hands in frustration at all the windows opening up...

It the weirdest paradox - XY has got the BEST portable features I have come across - no other file manager offers that amount of portable customization. And at the same no other file manager depends so heavily on the configuration of the host system. You may be able to open rar archives, you may be able to view PDF, but you cannot count on it.

[substorm]

I am glad to see more people with similar concerns. Also, I've discovered that QVP standard only shows a fraction of file formats compared to Oracle's Outside In libraries.
However, IMO the biggest appeal is that uLister is free.

[admin]

uLister is full of dependencies.

I have better plans. Later this year...

[binocular222]

IMO, Windows Explorer's preview is by far the best:
- Very fast
- Reliable
- Minimal UI
- Preview panel placed at the right, which is convenient

[admin]

Yes. XY will have the same preview later this year.

[Nighted]

You may be able to open rar archives, you may be able to view PDF, but you cannot count on it.

Well you can count on WinRAR as it is now 100% portable. Works beautifully and so far after several months I've had no issues.

[highend]

WinRAR as it is now 100% portable

Since when? Can't see anything in it's changelog...

[Stef123]

Thanks for the suggestions.
It's not about being unable to preview PDFs and RAR etc. I have portable tools like Bandizip and UniveralViewer with me. So why don't I use them? Because I also own licences to other portable managers and these handle it all without fuss, fully integrated, no extra windows/ shortcuts/ views/ favorites etc settings nessecary.

The point I am trying to make: The minute you use these tools, you essentially leave YX, you're out.
Browsing continues elsewhere, in UniversalViewer, in Bandizip .....
When you come back you have to take your bearings again. Where was I? What line is highlighted, what did I want to do with these files before I had to leave XY.

[bdeshi]

Yes. XY will have the same preview later this year.

Great stuff to look forward to!