Two Columns commanders – two column file managers for Mac OS X
Posted on August 17, 2009 by admin
Some switchers from PC to Mac usually look for Mac replacements or equivalents of some of their favorite Windows apps. I dare say this is an independent process, no matter where are you from and what is your nationality (well, at least in the countries and cultures where computers are available). There are for sure different habits. Once I read that some applications are popular only in some nations – this concerns Total Commander (Windows two column file manager), based on the old idea of classic file manager – Norton Commander. When I switched to Mac, I had been looking for a replacement of that Windows app. I have found a number of apps more or less useful, simple or with a wide spectrum of additional functions. Which one is the best? It is rather difficult question, it depends on needs and likes of each user.
The newbie to Mac OS X will probably find a few apps that remind in some extent Total Commander for Windows. These are xFolders, muCommander and Forklift. There are of course more apps with two columns interface and I am going to deal with all of them I know. More advanced users can use Unix/Linux Midnight Commander via Terminal after installing MacPorts.
xFolders
xFolders by Kai Heitkamp, was one of the first file managers that refereed to its DOS original. xFolders is a simple but fast file manager with two columns interface. No doubt it refers to Norton or Total Commander with the bottom buttons for file operations. Shortcuts are even the same: F5 – copy, F6 – move and so on. Navigation is also typical for windows. Instead of CMD+ Arrow Up or Arrow Down, it uses Enter (to open folder or file) and Backspace (to go up in the hierarchy of folders). xFolders lacks FTP/sFTP client. It has its own terminal and file preview (but it can not challenge Mac OS X Quickview). xFolders is free of charge and it is avialable for both Intel and PowerPC Macs.
You can get it at:http://www.kai-heitkamp.de/cms_en/main.php?content=9&module=0
muCommander
muCommander is free app written in Java by a group of developers (including one Polish – Mariusz Jakubowski). It is available on almost all operating systems that can run Java apps. Disadvantage of such solution is efficiency and speed of Java apps – they are sometimes slower than apps writen in native environment of exact OS. Usually this is not noticable. I have to admit that muCommander moves forward – the latest versions are faster than the previous ones.
muCommander interface is available in a few styles – OS X style, Linux style or style that follows the classic Norton Commander. Similarly like in the classic Norton Commander or Midnight Commander the basic file commands are available via buttons on the bottom of the window. The same as in originals, you can navigate through folders using Enter and Backspace.
This app can challenge Finder or other file managers. It has FTP/sFTP client, it supports other protocols too, including SMB, NFS, HTTP or native Mac Bonjour. There is also a function of mass file name change.
mUCommander does not support Quickview, pressing space selects a file. Preview of the files is available by pressing F3 key (which requires to use combination of FN and F3 keys), which is not best possible solution.
muCommander supports file archivers and compression. It opens and compress Zip, RAR, TAR, gZip, bZip, ISO/NRG and AR/Deb. If we need to change something inside Zip package we do not need to unpack it.
muCommander is available at: http://www.mucommander.com
Forklift
Forklift by Binarynights.com is the app I have been using for over a year and there is no any signs that it would change. Forklift is a two column file manager but it does not reffer much to classics like NC or MC. Forklift mixes Finder functionality with functions known from Windows Total Commander. There is typical Mac OS X blue stripe of locations, shared folders etc. Entire interface is pure Mac OS X and it is available only for Mac OS X. Like in finder, you have to use CMD+Arrow UP or Down to navigate throughout the folders and to open files. Shortcut keys are the same like in Finder. Forklift supports Quickview and multitab browsing (like in Safari or Firefox). We can open many locations and quickly switch from one to another.
App has also an FTP/sFTP and Bojnour client. It can connect to almost every storage device. This is also my favorite FTP client. It support mass changing of file names, and can safely delete apps and associated files. There is also interesing function called SyncBrowsing that enables easy browsing and creating backups (original location in one column, and backup location in the other), or updating files on servers. Forklift supports SmartFolders and Growl notifications.
With all that functions it is not for free. You have to spend 19,95$. 15 day trial version is available at: http://binarynights.com/
Pathfinder
Pathfinder by Cocoatech is a interesting extended file manager with very flexible interface that enables two collums view. It reminds a bit both Finder and Forklift, however it can encompass more views and options than its rival.
We can divide the window to many panels with lots of information and view options – including CoverFlow.
Pathfinder has also its own file clipboard – very usefull option!
App supports multitab browsing
It is available at: http://www.cocoatech.com/
June
June by As Is Technology is a simple and minimalist file manager in style of old Norton Commander or Midnight Commander.
Actually only the file browser panel is in text mode and in style of those classic file managers. June offers only a basic file operations. Navigation is also typical for those old classics, and to open file or folder you have to press Enter. June by default shows hidden and system files, that can be a bit messy for a ordinary computer user (I mean not a geek person). You have to know a folders structure of Mac OS X to get where you want to. Well, it is for free and it is still under develop. Authors ask for donation to help and speed up that process.
You can get it at: http://www.asistech.org/
