File manager comparison

[Cynthia Moore]

Hi, I'm new here. If I posted this in the wrong place, please move it.

I am finally fed up with Windows Explorer. I need something that actually works. After a little research, I am evaluating Directory Opus, System Navigator, Total Commander, and Xyplorer.

I must say that the list of features on the home page are truly impressive. Does all of that stuff work without making the UI impenetrable?

I would appreciate any comments from anyone who has tried any of these other products and can compare them to Xyplorer.

Also, where does the name "Xyplorer" come from?

Thanks, Cyn

[j_c_hallgren]

Hi and welcome to the XY forums!

I've not used the other FM's to any extent but years ago when I found XY, i just liked the look of it as compared to WE.
And things you need to consider are total cost of purchase (if any) and what the entitles you to (DO seems a bit costly from what I've read); how much support you get for product (that's what sold me on XY! This forum and author's speed of response!); how well it does what you need (XY does dozens of things I'll never need but still is easy for me to use);

Be aware that many features may be a bit hidden/obscure (to some folks) or named differently than you expect so if you need help, search here and ask if needed, ok?

Don't recall where Don came up with XY as name -- was before i came here

[admin]

I must say that the list of features on the home page are truly impressive. Does all of that stuff work without making the UI impenetrable?

Uhm... yes!

The question is: What are your needs, your habits, your likes? Only testing the thing will tell you whether it works for you.

Don't hesitate to ask for support.

[Cynthia Moore]

Yes, I understand that the only way to know for sure is to test it, and I will do that when I narrow it down to 2-3 candidates. But testing a new product thoroughly takes quite a bit of time. And if I test several products, well...

I was hoping to get some comments from aficionados -- what do they like best? What did people find the most helpful when switching from Explorer? What did they find the most beneficial in comparison with other programs?

I'm a more or less average user.

[admin]

Well, here is something to read for you: http://www.xyplorer.com/reviews.htm

[SkyFrontier]

If you have some more spare time, Cynthia, check out a Resources Index I made: http://www.xyplorer.com/xyfc/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11842
It's plenty of stuff meeting your request, plus my personal inputs.

In short, I was a happy PowerDesk user which quickly tested XY back in 2004 just to find it more of the same.
2008 I revisited it and felt in love almost instantly - it was still lacking some features but seeing quick responses for personal requests made me keep some faith. Since then it just gets better. I still miss (a lot!!!) a dual-tree, dual-adress bar setup to play with but the powerhouse it provides me pays the price, despite it being high.

Features I Love:

-scripting (it's like having a 2800-in-1 software; yes, the number *IS* near the real thing! Impressive as it sounds...);
-tabbed navigation;
-customization;
-user support to some extent.

[eil]

Cynthia Moore, i'm kinda between avarage user and geek, but i wasn't like that before i found XY
it gives enermous abilities to handle what you want and how you like, that often users don't even know - this morning they wished for what was already done.
my list of precious funcions is:
- tabbed view much like web-browser
- speed and lightweight on cpu and ram(optimization will never be a waste of time!)
- internal scripting
- interface customization
- user buttons/catalog to make kinda own workflow where windows is almost not needed
- hundreds of little features that on first look are not so important, but then you can't live without them

[bdeshi]

The biggest advantage of XYplorer is that there's hardly anything it can't do when it comes to file management.

To read about the many features of XY, you can browse http://www.xyplorer.com . Nothing there is purely for advertisement, everything it says about XY is completely true.

Only a few points I can think of to entice you to get XYplorer:
• Like most other file managers, you can "favorite" files and folders for quick access. But XY allows you to add frequent actions to favorites. (say, "move selected file to parent folder")
• You can define short aliases for files/folders/actions, so that entering @docs takes you to "my documents", or @time pop up current date/time.
• color files/folders according to myriad filters.
• You can define a program to open certain files without polluting the system registry. Note that this isn't file extension dependant. For example, you can open all pdfs in "My Documents" by default pdf viewer, but those in "My Documents\Editing\" in a separate pdf editor.
• quick preview images in an auto-closing popup justby click&holding cursor on the file.
• preview a host of file formats inside the program.
• the amount of information it can show about files is astounding.
• help and support is peerless. The included user guide is highly detailed and it acts as kind of a contextual help system (you don't have to get frustrated searching for everything) and your opinions and feedback here won't go unheard here.
• I think we're getting into geekery, but you can browse the net too!
• last but not least, it makes you coffee.

And scripting, that takes a whole forum to talk about.

---
Please excuse teh typos, ( touch keypad ).

[Slavaon]

...For example, you can open all pdfs in "My Documents" by default pdf viewer, but those in "My Documents\Editing\" in a separate pdf editor.

It is very interesting! Tell as it can be done.

[bdeshi]

Open Tools->Customize File Associations.
Click new and paste

Code: Select all

d:\my documents\editing\*.pdf>path\to\pdf\editor\app.exe

[Slavaon]

SammaySarkar
Thanks, it works.
---
"Customize File Associations" - me is known.
This I did not know:

...you can open all pdfs in "My Documents" by default pdf viewer, but those in "My Documents\Editing\" in a separate pdf editor.

Fine possibility of the program
Are you had to talk about this before!