Q: Can you do <this>?

[Rambo]

I've recently found this program; every couple of years I search for a new file manager as my personal needs evolve.
I've used xPlorer2 for several years now - one of its draws is dual-panes and video preview options.
XYplorer does most of its work, and plenty more!
I'm almost ready to purchase, but have a few questions about options/features.
I've searched through the Help files and Forum for a while, and these answers still elude me. That could mean it's not possible; or that I've missed some keywords in my searches.
I also have some feature requests; they may be on a list of upcoming items (is there a post or URL with an 'in development' list for future releases?).

I know there's a lot here!! I've numbered the items, in case anyone has the time to reply to multiple items.

Can you:
1 ) - rearrange the layout of tabs, beyond the menu options (i.e. in a registry setting for advanced users)? My biggest request is to have the Preview tab in a column vs a row.
2 ) - add any more tabs? Best layout I've been able to manage is the drive/folder navigation column on the left, with 2 tabs up top & Preview window below them. I'd like to make the preview window more narrow (and resizable if possible), and add a 3rd tab beside it.
3 ) - shift the Preview item position (image, video) from 'centre' to 'left' or 'right' in the Info Panel tab? If the Preview tab cannot be resized, then I'd like the preview to show at either side - this would let me watch a video preview, and lay another window partially over the XYplorer window while I work in that one.
4 ) - option to continue playing the Preview if the tab focus is changed? (I'd like to continue listening to an audio/video Preview, while I go & do other tasks in another tab).
5 ) - when dragging/dropping files, the cursor needs to be over the target folder name - is there an option to set a 'full line select' so I don't have to be as accurate in mouse positioning?
6 ) - display a Folder Count as a separate column from the Folder Size field? They're two separate fields; it makes sense to me (and most other software I've used that shows this field) to have a separate column (i.e. to be able to sort on the most items, not necessarily the largest folder size).
7 ) - the LEN field doesn't seem to show anything, no matter what content is being displayed (video, audio, images, text...). In the Tiles views, file duration/length is displayed (why only there?), but why is LEN not showing me anything? Is there a DURATION field I haven't found?
------ I understand a script could do this in a report; is there a newbie guide to reporting/scripting around? I'd much prefer it in the live program, than manipulating results data after the fact, but if it is what it is, I'll make do.


I'd like to see:
8 ) - the preview controls (video/music - volume, play, pause, stop) much larger (I have a high-res monitor so they're very small!), or customizable (like thumbnails, perhaps 3 sizes to choose from).
9 ) - the file SIZE and other technical info displayed with (that is, right beside the other info, in one place) the preview controls (which only display frame size, length, format).
10) - more Columns to be able to select in a Details view. xPlorer2 has a couple of hundred fields, and XYplorer has just a dozen. With as much power as this program has, that should be easy (or, am I missing something?).
11) - more images in the Help sections, giving more examples - where a text description doesn't really explain the feature to a newbie. This could be asked of users; I'm sure the community would be more than willing to assist with a more comprehensive User Guide.
12) - add a Favourites tree - perhaps as a sub-tree in the drive/folder navigation pane.
13) - add a Gallery - Tagging, or Favouriting, files or folders, adds those items to a Gallery (video, image, audio would be most suitable, although documents could also be useful). ThumbsPlus (image database program) has this feature, so all my favourites are in one place (not copied, simply indexed). Maybe Tagging can do this, I haven't explored in detail yet.


Any answers/explanations/guides would be MUCH appreciated!!

[Marco]

5) Go to Tools > Customize List > Full Row Select
11) I tend to agree - the Help file has no screenshot and I wonder why

[admin]

11) size in bytes + hopeless to keep it up-to-date

[armsys]

5) Go to Tools > Customize List > Full Row Select
11) I tend to agree - the Help file has no screenshot and I wonder why

Rambo & Marco,
Life is a balance of choices. Were you in Don's shoes, you'll do likewise. No joke!
Oftentimes, Don busily day in and day out:
[1] answers torrent of questions in short notice from all over the world;
[2] releases 2 or more patches/fixes/new features everyday nonstop.
Being an ex-international software distributor, I know most programming tools developers in the world.
No one can match Don's passion to help his XY users. (I have much to learn from Don.)
No one can match Don's efforts to release multiple betas almost everday including Sat and Sun nonstop.
Comparing Nikos Bozinis' Xplorer2 to XY is unfair in terms of features and support.
When Nikos offers his so-called lifetime license, in actuality he doesn't mean it. Now and then Nikos renames his Xplorer2 with almost the same features (say from Professional to Ultimate) and, therefore, charges another lifetime licenese fee.
Whether XY supports 64-bit won't matter in terms of actual product performance.
XY provides more functionalities, more script commands, more parameters, and more variables than Xplorer2.
XY is more flexible and more portable than Xplorer2.
No users ever reget investing in XY.

[Marco]

@ armsys

I absolutely agree with you and I never meant nor call into question Don passion and professionality for XY. I simply stated that the help has no images whatsoever, just that. A couple images would describe more than a thousand words.
But I agree that keeping them updated is difficult.

[armsys]

@ armsys
I absolutely agree with you and I never meant nor call into question Don passion and professionality for XY. I simply stated that the help has no images whatsoever, just that. A couple images would describe more than a thousand words.
But I agree that keeping them updated is difficult.

Forgive my verbosity.
The latest Xplorer2 manual was released on 12:45:48 Aug 1, 2012.
The latest XY manual is released on 20:00:00 Nov 14, 2013.
Of course, it would be nice for the XY manual to include screenshots.
In my case, I use Ultra Recall to create my own XY manual whereby I can insert plenty of screenshots.
My XY manual helps me keep track of more than 148 script commands and 95 XY variables.
Hence, I never complain the XY manual.

[j_c_hallgren]

But I agree that keeping them updated is difficult.

I think "damn near impossible" would be more like it! Just trying to keep the screenshots on XY site reasonably current is enough of a problem...and those are more crucial, I think...

Given a choice of quick fixes and updates -or- better documentation, I suspect most here would vote for the first which is how Don works and as a former programmer myself, I know that doc's are the PITA we have to do eventually!