| Zabcat xplorer² File Management Software |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Software | ||||||
| Written by Doug Dallam | ||||||
| Monday, 12 December 2011 | ||||||
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Zabcat xplorer² File Management ConclusionIf you've never worked with a dual pane file manager, you'll never go back once you do. (It's a little like going with a dual monitor set up. Once you incorporate it into your workflow, there's no going back.) After using a dual pane file manager, it feels like you're literally tied down when you have to use a single pane file manager. You also have the benefit of X2 anywhere you need it because X2 has a portable option. (Image: with the directory tree (1) on the left and two (2,3) directory locations open on the right.)
xplorer² is not simply a file "explorer” as much as it is a nearly complete file "manager." We've touched on some of the major functions of X2, but that's just a start. xplorer² is a fully customizable dual pane file manger, incorporating most everything a power user needs. For instance, besides having two panes with different directories open in each pane, you can search using a built in very, very powerful Boolean search engine that completely replaces the Windows' search engine. But that's just for starters. With X2, you can synchronize directories; find duplicate files; preview almost any file type (with plugins), including text, docs, pdfs, RAW digital camera RAW files, and of course jpgs, gif, and png's; bookmark your most used directories; mass rename files; shred files; add tabs to each pane for even more directory locations (similar to internet browser tabs); access webdav and ftp files; and run DOS commands right from xplorer²'s interface. There's also a hex viewer and a portable version. You even get top notch documentation, and almost immediate support from the developer, including the free version downloaded from www.zabkat.com. There isn't much to dislike about a high caliber tool like xplorer² and a tool that can do so much for file management tasks. For these reasons, and the fact there is a free version, xplorer² from ZABKAT gets the prestigious Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer award! Pros:
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Comments
Suggestions, Hmmm... How about "Multi-pane" ?
I really don't like the search functionality built into windows explorer, so if this does a better job, I just might take the plunge.
Thanks for the review.
Anyway a lot of similarities between those two, TC/RX2.
what im waiting for it's a damn good norton commander for apple. Fully working and reliable, i mean.
Nice review.
While I assume that "something that has been lacking since Windows 2.0" is just a typo and means 3.0 (or 3.11, which I think was the last version), the unexplained hatred towards Windows Explorer and the Vista/7 version in particular (which actually has some improvements over XP), the repeated insults to Android users and users of other modern things such as Facebook, and the discussion of this as if it's the only Windows Explorer alternative make the reviewer sound ignorant and small minded, and is really off-putting. These comments would have been somewhat forgivable if they showed up once, but they're the majority of the review.
It would also have been nice to see a comment regarding the differences between the free and commercial versions.
Too many companies are dumbing down the interfaces, and losing GUI functionality and replacing it with "gee wiz" my interface is semi-transparent... and look-a-like a black framed pic apps and os's.
Each device has a purpose. This particular piece is a utility...
The review was decent. Yes, it could have mentioned some of the other apps out there they have similar functionality and even compared one or 2.
Points for that. But no more exaggerated than your review of his piece as "Aweful".
And, I did mention a couple of differences between the two version. Sorry you missed that too.
Mack: You mean you don't think xplorer2 really found that salami sandwich behind my refrigerator? It really did, promise.
X2 also has a gazillion options, but as you noted, once you get used to it, it's fine. I'm curious why you think DO is superior? Maybe I'll check it out if it can do something I need that X2 cannot, but one thing I don't need is for my file utility to have a memory leak.
As for commands, you sure can do all of that. Try Customize, User Commands. You can use any keyboard shortcut, icon, email, paths, etc.
If you contact Nikos at ZABKAT, he's write you fast back and explain it much better than I can. If you do contact him, please do write back with what you find.
Did you try dragging the preview pane to a different location?
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