XYPlorer Suggestions

[DocLotus]

Nice file manager.

I really like the fact that you are actually working on it. All of the other file managers that I have used in the past are dead… PFM (Professional File Manager; back in the dirty ol’ days of DOS), PC Tools (both DOS and Windows), PD (Power Desk) and Explorer Plus with no new updates in several years on any of them.

My current favorite file manager is Explore Plus mainly due to the split screen feature which is very nicely implemented. Explorer Plus was written by the same guy that wrote PD 5 so they have a lot of similarities.

I also use a lot of image management programs (ACDSee 10, FastStone 3.5, etc.).

I have always wondered why there could not be just one program to handle normal files, images and videos. Some come very close like yours; however there is still a lot of work to be done to close the gap to create one great file manager that “does it all”.

I have a few suggestions that might help.

• Add… Split Screen; both horizontal and vertical. As a power user, this is a feature this I use a lot.

• Add… Color options to thumbnail backgrounds; the current all white is way too bright and distracts from the thumbnail image. Both ACDSee and FastStone do an outstanding job of this.

• Add… Selectable Borders option around thumbnails. There currently is no outer border around the thumbnail image. ACDSee has a border on/off option. FastStone does an outstanding job of this by allowing the user to select the color and shape of the border including rounded corners which are very nice to look at and really dresses up a thumbnail. I am using the rounded corner, red border with a black thumbnail background; looks awesome.

• Videos… Configuration, Previewed Formats shows Audio\Video files but they do not work; no thumbnails, and will not run. They do show up and run correctly in several other programs just fine.

• Configuration screen… creeps down lower right each time it is popped up. This may be due to the large font (120DPI) that I have to use on my 24 inch hi-rez 1200x1920 LCD screen.

I will be more than happy to work with you on this if you so desire.

Thanks for a wonderful program;
Doc

[DocLotus]

• Another thing that I would like to see is the ability to move the string of icons to the location of my choice. I want them to be just after and in line with the menu (after Help). This way I can have the maximum amount of space for my files and images. I have ACDSee set up like this and it looks really nice and clean and provides more room for files.

• Add… A good Search function; if there is currently one, I cannot find it. PD and ExplorerPlus use the same standalone serach.exe which is fast, versatile, and gets the job done quickly.

• Add.. a good file filter command.

• Icons… Add one for Search and one for Filters.

Thanks again;
Doc

[RalphM]

Welcome to the forum.

• Add… Split Screen...

In XY terms this is called DualPane (DP) and has been discussed in various posts already (use Search in forum), but Don is still not really convinced it's necessary.
I would like to see it as well in XY one day, but I have to admit, I seldom really miss it much.

• Add… Color options to thumbnail backgrounds...

I don't work w/ thumbs that much, but I can imagine the white background strains your eyes after a while.

• Add… Selectable Borders option...

Dito

• Videos… Configuration, Previewed Formats shows Audio\Video files but they do not work; no thumbnails, and will not run. They do show up and run correctly in several other programs just fine.

The problem w/ videos not showing thumbs has been discussed before as well and I seem to recall it depends on the format somehow.
But I never had any trouble to view videos within XY.

• Configuration screen…

Wait for Don to check this one.

• Another thing that I would like to see is the ability to move the string of icons to the location of my choice...

¨
Search the forum again, has been discussed extensively, but AFAIK it's not gonna change soon.

• Add… A good Search function...

Ouch, sorry but that one did hurt.

Let me tell you, that XY offers the best and fastest search engine I ever used, and it's XY's own engine, no need for external apps here.

Display the Info Panel and check out the tab Find Files and consult the XYWiki for more info. (Ctrl + F does the trick as well)

• Add.. a good file filter command.

See my comment on Search - Dito her

• Icons… Add one for Search and one for Filters.

Search is integrated in the IP and therefore doesn't need an icon, and as for Visual Filters there is an icon. (if put on the toolbar)

You probably have to become a bit more specific with your suggestions in order to get the right answers.

[j_c_hallgren]

• Another thing that I would like to see is the ability to move the string of icons to the location of my choice.

First, I'll also say welcome to the XY forums!

This has been discussed before, and as I recall it, there is some coding limitation in the language that XY is coded in that prevents this, which likely doesn't exist in some other languages.

Just so you know...sometimes, as on other forums, reactions to first-time posters who present a list of wishes before getting to know the product somewhat thoroughly first may not get desired result...we try to be very cordial and friendly here but I know of one poster who got extremely upset and left very abusive comments because Don wouldn't change it to that posters wishes...so when you complained about the search, I was offended because that feature is what I believe is one of XY's best features, but if you think otherwise, then maybe we'll have to disagree, ok?

[admin]

• Configuration screen… creeps down lower right each time it is popped up. This may be due to the large font (120DPI) that I have to use on my 24 inch hi-rez 1200x1920 LCD screen.

Yep, good catch. Fixed.

[letmein]

I would like to see 2 new features:

1- I want to open xyplorer by doubleclicking on 'empty 'desktop.
2- It would be nice if xyplorer remembers its original path. Whenever i open xyplorer, i want it to start from drive C every time instead of the last opened folder / drive.

[admin]

I would like to see 2 new features:

1- I want to open xyplorer by doubleclicking on 'empty 'desktop.
2- It would be nice if xyplorer remembers its original path. Whenever i open xyplorer, i want it to start from drive C every time instead of the last opened folder / drive.

1 - not an app feature but an OS feature
2 - see "Permament startup path" in help

[letmein]

2 - see "Permament startup path" in help

It would be nice to see it in the configuration setting box instead of looking it in 'help' because I rarely read help.

[jacky]

2 - see "Permament startup path" in help

It would be nice to see it in the configuration setting box instead of looking it in 'help' because I rarely read help.

uh? You realize that Permanent startup path is in Configuration, under Startup & Exit. Or do you not only not real help, but also don't even look in the app itself...

[j_c_hallgren]

2 - see "Permament startup path" in help

It would be nice to see it in the configuration setting box instead of looking it in 'help' because I rarely read help.

Don's answer was a pointer as to where to find how to set/access it, which jacky just clarified...and...with XY, reading the help and/or wiki is almost a requirement at times, even for us veterans! So...while we're more than willing to help here, at times, we'll point you back to help and/or wiki for the details, ok?

[bugger]

So are there no plans for video thumbnails to show up in XY? What language is this written in that prevents this?

Thumbnails would truly rock and make XY more accessible as a full file/photo/video manager for many.

It's not a show stopper for me, there's plenty more to love about XY.