Alternative Linux file managers
Viewers and Players
The software uses third-party programs, such as Kate, Gwenview, and Okular on KDE for displaying file content. Double Commander also has its own viewers and editors, which you enable by pressing the function keys. For example, F4 starts a very simple integrated text editor and F3 opens a viewer that also displays hex and binary files.
Double Commander supports various archive formats, including ZIP, TAR, GZ, LZMA, and RAR archives, as well as DEB and RPM. The software even offers a directory synchronization tool; you will not need an external program for simpler data retrieval tasks. A batch option rounds off the functionality and enables fast renaming of multiple files in a single run. For quick navigation in large databases, the software lets you create bookmarks that support rapid content discovery.
Configuration
Because of its huge feature set, careful configuration of Double Commander is recommended. You can reach the configuration window via the Configuration | Options menu item.
In the left pane, a configuration tree divides options into groups, and the corresponding context-sensitive settings are displayed in the right window. Here, you specify display functions and external programs, define or modify keyboard shortcuts, change the appearance of the software, or add new function buttons to the button bar, among other things (Figure 8).
On Windows, the proprietary, commercial Total Commander has gained a large fan base as an all-round file manager. Its numerous extensions can be used in several formats for Double Commander and are available for download from the corresponding plugin page [6]. Plugins set up the file manager to perform tasks beyond plain vanilla file management.
Conclusions
You would be hard pressed to find another operating system that offers as many programs for file management as Linux – the choice is accordingly difficult. Resource-saving contenders like XFE and Sunflower are excellent for use on older hardware, regardless of the desktop environment.
Vifm, in contrast, is only likely to find favor with users who are already familiar with the Vi(m) text editor: If you do not want to do without mouse control and a graphical interface, you will need to look elsewhere. If you are looking for a multitalented file manager that can even handle synchronization tasks and include network drives, your best option is Double Commander.
Infos
- XFE: http://roland65.free.fr/xfe/index.php?page=home
- Sunflower:: http://sunflower-fm.org
- Vifm: https://vifm.info
- Vifm documentation: https://vifm.info/manual.shtml
- Double Commander: http://doublecmd.sourceforge.net
- Total Commander plugins: http://www.ghisler.com/plugins.htm
« Previous 1 2 3
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Direct Download
Read full article as PDF:
Price $2.95
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
LibreOffice 7.5 has Arrived and is Loaded with New Features and Improvements
The favorite office suite of the Linux community has a new release that includes some visual refreshing and new features across all modules.
-
The Next Major Release of Elementary OS Has Arrived
It's been over a year since the developers of elementary OS released version 6.1 (Jólnir) but they've finally made their latest release (Horus) available with a renewed focus on the user.
-
KDE Plasma 5.27 Beta Is Ready for Testing
The latest beta iteration of the KDE Plasma desktop is now available and includes some important additions and fixes.
-
Netrunner OS 23 Is Now Available
The latest version of this Linux distribution is now based on Debian Bullseye and is ready for installation and finally hits the KDE 5.20 branch of the desktop.
-
New Linux Distribution Built for Gamers
With a Gnome desktop that offers different layouts and a custom kernel, PikaOS is a great option for gamers of all types.
-
System76 Beefs Up Popular Pangolin Laptop
The darling of open-source-powered laptops and desktops will soon drop a new AMD Ryzen 7-powered version of their popular Pangolin laptop.
-
Nobara Project Is a Modified Version of Fedora with User-Friendly Fixes
If you're looking for a version of Fedora that includes third-party and proprietary packages, look no further than the Nobara Project.
-
Gnome 44 Now Has a Release Date
Gnome 44 will be officially released on March 22, 2023.
-
Nitrux 2.6 Available with Kernel 6.1 and a Major Change
The developers of Nitrux have officially released version 2.6 of their Linux distribution with plenty of new features to excite users.
-
Vanilla OS Initial Release Is Now Available
A stock GNOME experience with on-demand immutability finally sees its first production release.