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XYPlorer Preview handlers needed (?)

Posted: 16 Oct 2024 06:03
by JRConsult
Two thoughts and related questions:

In XYPlorer, regarding for preview handlers, is there a RAR file GUID or preview handler we can point to in order to view inside RAR files like we can ZIP files ?

In XYPlorer, regarding for preview handlers, is there a chm file GUID or preview handler we can point to in order to view inside chm files (aka Windows Help Files) like we can document files ?

In going through the XYPlorer Help file and on the Internet also viewing the known Windows 7 / 10 / 11 Preview Handler thoughts, I see a few "almost" but nothing hits the thought target.

Thank You for any guidance in this area.

Re: XYPlorer Preview handlers needed (?)

Posted: 21 Oct 2024 13:06
by admin
I'm not aware of any.

But note that the Hover Box can preview the contents of RAR files. (Configuration | Information | File Info Tips & Hover Box | Show Hover Box)

Re: XYPlorer Preview handlers needed (?)

Posted: 21 Oct 2024 17:12
by JRConsult
RE: RAR Preview Handler need

Suggested: Show Hover Box

Thank You! I knew that general Show Hover Box option is around, but didn't make the connection.

That brings up a RAR situational thought:

If the Hover box can detail even some of the RAR file's innards, then certainly a RAR Preview Handler could more easily be developed ?


RE: Preview Handler possibility for CHM files, usable in XYPlorer

By definition: Windows HTML Help is delivered as a LZX compressed binary file with the .chm extension. It contains a set of HTML files, a hyperlinked table of contents, and an index file. The file format has been reverse-engineered and documentation of it is freely available e.g. Unofficial (Preliminary) HTML Help

Re: XYPlorer Preview handlers needed (?)

Posted: 21 Oct 2024 19:30
by admin
You're right, it would be possible to show what the hover box shows in other preview areas. But then people would expect to be able to drag files in and out of the archive. A can of worms.

Why should there be a CHM preview? What should it show?

Re: XYPlorer Preview handlers needed (?)

Posted: 23 Oct 2024 02:05
by JRConsult
admin wrote: 21 Oct 2024 19:30 You're right, it would be possible to show what the hover box shows in other preview areas. But then people would expect to be able to drag files in and out of the archive. A can of worms.

Why should there be a CHM preview? What should it show?

It could show the CHM HTML component, just as XYPlorer shows HTML with that preview handler. It might / could also show the CHM index WHETHER or NOT the Index is active in the View.

If one is going to act upon Preview Handler's in XYPlorer View activity, why not "do" a handler for RAR and CHM, that would really round out the system, would it not ?

Among my 57 years in the Technology / Internet / PC arena, I used to manage groups of Fortran and C++ programmers and act as QC / Field testing, and if you like, I would be happy and grateful to toss in any assistance I could to "make it / them happen."

Joe/Oak Ridge, TN

Re: XYPlorer Preview handlers needed (?)

Posted: 23 Oct 2024 12:05
by admin
Thanks for the offer, but I have a lot on my plate. I have to prioritise.

You might be able to find preview handlers for both somewhere and use them in XYplorer.

Re: XYPlorer Preview handlers needed (?)

Posted: 24 Oct 2024 04:24
by JRConsult
admin wrote: 23 Oct 2024 12:05 Thanks for the offer, but I have a lot on my plate. I have to prioritise.

You might be able to find preview handlers for both somewhere and use them in XYplorer.
Roger that, understood. And yes, I am pretty continuously looking out for a very few Preview Handlers -- RAR and CHM for now, and have messaged the RAR author to see if they have an interest in coding one or adapting any existing one, for use in a variety of services and tools, for XYPloyer and the XYPlorer View functions.

Anything found, be it holy grail or not, will be reported back here in this thread.

Joseph R / Oak Ridge TN / USA