Any user, when working at a computer, has to deal with files in one way or another - copying, transferring, deleting, creating directories, packing and unpacking, changing attributes and access rights, viewing, editing, etc. On Mac OS X, the default file manager is Finder. This program is not for everybody, and I personally don’t think it’s convenient [for a programmer] when working intensively with files.

Luckily, there are various Finder alternatives, both paid and free. Paid solutions have two significant shortcomings- they want money and their source code is closed. Of the free file managers (FM), Google found Xfolders, and . I was unable to install Xfolders - the system refused to recognize the downloaded installer image. Moroshka (which, by the way, was created Russian developers) can be installed directly from the App Store.

Cloudberry looks like this:

The program makes a positive impression; one can note such functions as support for bookmarks, the ability to unpack a bunch of different archives and pack ZIP, 7ZIP and TAR, there is a hex file viewer. The program is quite lightweight and launches quickly. However, the sources of Cloudberry are closed.

The second FM under consideration - Midnight Commander works in the console, is distributed with the source code and can be installed via ports/brew. Looks like that:

The main disadvantage is the console nature and sometimes specific controls.

Third file manager, attracting attention - muCommander. Written in java and runs on all major desktop java platforms - Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Solaris, FreeBSD. Distributed with open source code. It looks like this (the application supports color themes):

Advantages:

• Virtual file system with support for FTP, SFTP, SMB and HTTP/HTTPS
• Bookmark support
• View, create and unzip ZIP, TAR and GZip archives
• Style support
• Almost normal keyboard support and the ability to customize hotkeys
• Cross-platform and translated into many languages ​​of the world
• Sending files via e-mail
• Open source

Flaws:

• No file search functionality
• Missing normal text editor and a file viewer - you can only edit and view text files with a size of no more than a megabyte, the editor and viewer are very slow. You can also view image files
• It takes a relatively long time to start (because it's java)
• Minor bugs - not all hotkey combinations and other unpleasant bugs work in Mac OS
• Can't create 7zip archives
• Does not contain a hex editor/file viewer

However, all the shortcomings of muCommander are compensated by open source :)

I cloned them to GitHub and corrected the following:

Version dated January 2, 2014

What is done:

• File search implemented. Hotkeys available in search results F3 And F4- view and edit the file accordingly
• Fixed hotkeys in the editor and viewer - combinations Ctrl+S And Ctrl+F(previously not working) replaced for Mac versions OS on Cmd+S And Cmd+F respectively
• Added command to open a terminal/console window by F2, works on Mac OS and Windows
• The component for viewing/editing text has been replaced with RSyntaxTextArea , large files now load much faster, the limit of viewed and edited files has been increased from 1 megabyte to 10. In the future it is planned to enable syntax highlighting
• Text search dialog in a file - the last entered line is saved
• View graphic files- added commands to move to the next (space) and previous (backspace) file
• The editor/viewer windows expand to Full Screen
• Added "dark" color theme "Trol" (it's in the screenshot above)
• Fixed bugs with editing theme colors on some panels

The easiest way to install the updated muCommander for MacOS is to download the dmg image from the official website and then replace the file /Applications/muCommander.app/Contents/Resources/Java/mucommander.jar to the updated jar.

Version from 01/14/2014

What is done:

• Syntax highlighting in the viewer and editor. You can choose from several predefined themes
• Saving and loading state (cursor position, encoding, syntax highlighting and type) of the viewer/editor for the last 100 open files
• The F3 key on a directory calculates its size. F4 key opens the permissions editor
• In the graphic file viewer, you can move to the next/previous files using the “right” and “left” keys or from the menu
• Added Undo/Redo commands and a dialog to go to file line in the file editor
• The dialog for selecting/unselecting files has been simplified - you can enter a mask with symbols * And ?
• Added built-in pdf viewer
• The application has been recompiled for Java 1.7, older JVM versions are no longer supported
• Fixed a bug when the viewer and editor did not open in Windows
• Fixed theme editing bugs
• Fixed various minor bugs

Version dated 05/10/2014

What is done:

• View binary files in hexadecimal format
• Support for new image formats for viewing. Available formats: png, gif, jpg, bmp, wbmp, ico, psd, tga, tiff, pnm, pbm, pgm, ppm, scr.
• The image viewer can show information about the image and the color of the selected pixel.
• File and text search history
• Support for non-Latin files in RAR archives
• Fixed bugs when working with rar archives
• Improved win1251 encoding recognition
• Auto-detection of XML files in the text viewer
• Fixed many minor bugs

Version dated June 23, 2014

What is done:

• Saving sizes and positions of windows and dialogs
• Optimized opening files for viewing and editing (now everything is faster)
• The library is now used to unpack 7zip files. Unpacking speed should increase, bug with littering has been fixed home directory temporary files
• Added a calculator with support for hexadecimal (type 0x12), octal (type 0123) and binary (type 0b10101010) numbers
• Ability to create symbolic links using Alt-F7
• Ability to edit symbolic links using F4
• Fixed several minor bugs

To install under MacOS you need to unzip the file muCommander_mac.zip to the directory /Applications/ having previously cleared this directory and made it backup copy if it exists. Then overwrite the file the most recent version. For other platforms it is enough to replace the file

IMPORTANT: For Windows you need to copy , one exe-the file will not be enough.

For most users, the Finder is sufficient for managing files in OS X. However, if you need to work with a large number of files, the capabilities of this program are clearly not enough. And here specialized file managers will come to the rescue.

Path Finder

This file manager is similar in appearance to Finder. However, it provides more comfortable work with files thanks to a number of add-ons. Such as the Drop Stack panel for temporary storage of files (for the purpose of their subsequent distribution across different folders), the ability to create bookmarks, a simple text editor and graphic viewer, a HEX editor. The manager is able to work with archives. If necessary, you can switch to two-panel mode.

Path Finder

Midnight Commander

Classic two-panel file manager, well known to users Unix-like systems. It features an interface created using pseudo-graphics elements and evoking nostalgia for the “good old” days, when the mouse on the computer was not a necessary tool. It has a built-in FTP client and a simple text editor with syntax highlighting. It should be noted that this manager not suitable for inexperienced users.

Midnight Commander

Disk Order

Another two-panel file manager that offers the user some additional features, allowing to increase the convenience of work. In the best traditions similar applications There are built-in viewers, an archiver, and an FTP client. Also among Disk capabilities Order - directory synchronization, advanced color scheme, assigning additional key combinations and much more.

Disk Order

TotalFinder

An application that extends the capabilities of the regular Finder. Home distinctive feature is the ability to work with tabs, in the manner Google Chrome. It features high performance, as well as a set of additional functions that simplify working with files. For example, it is possible to sort according to the “folders are always on top” principle, as well as hide/show system files. The ability to work with two panels has not been forgotten either.

TotalFinder

Another add-on to Finder, designed to expand the capabilities of this application. The user has the opportunity to work with tabs, turn on and off dual-pane mode, create additional key combinations and much more - the number of additions is quite large. Another undoubted advantage of XtraFinder is that it is free.

Tran Ky Nam Software | 2.5 MB | v. 0.25.4 | for free |

It causes discomfort for you, you are tired of creating and switching between tabs, you want to control many actions using hot keys and see a convenient two-panel interface like in Total Commander on Windows, it's definitely worth trying a file manager Commander One for Mac, which we will discuss in detail in this material.

In contact with

If you are an average user who purchased a Mac solely for consuming content, then most likely the Finder's capabilities are enough for you. But those people who have recently switched from Windows to OS X or constantly work with a large number of files will clearly need a smart two-panel manager.

Quite a fast and convenient file manager developed in the language Swift programming 2.0 (improved performance of the developed software) and working with Root rights.

The “hat” of Commander One is quite reminiscent top part Finder. It was decided to get rid of the Cover Flow type (which, in general, is correct). But they added a separate display switch hidden files, buttons for working with archives, FTP, Amazon S3 protocol (secure storage) and advanced search.

The local search allows you to search for information absolutely anywhere, including packed archives. The Reg Exp function will expand your search criteria by regular expressions. In addition, Spotlight functionality is integrated into the search engine.

Separately, I would like to mention the button responsible for active operations. She collects everything active processes related to moving files to background(Similar to the Downloads button in Safari).

The two-pane workspace combines the advantages of a two-window view and a multi-tab Finder interface (you can create an unlimited number of tabs in each window).

Whenever you move files or folders, it will prompt you to change their names, and then send a window with the status of the move to the file operation queue.

At the bottom there are hotkeys for quick control files. The assignment of the keys can be customized to suit your needs.

All this you can observe and use in free version Commander One. There is also an expanded PRO version Pack, which is available for free for the first 15 days of use.

PRO Pack provides access to the following features:

• FTP client (FTP, SFTP or FTPS. Passwords are stored in Keychain, and Commander One remembers server settings);
• connecting and working with iOS and MTP devices (photo/video cameras, devices running Android control and so on);
• Amazon S3;
• working with archives (ZIP, RAR, TBZ, TGZ, 7z);
• Terminal emulator with full-screen mode;
• integration with cloud storage Google Drive and Dropbox;
• process viewer;
• Topics.

The cost of a personal license for the PRO Pack is $29.95.

The program is compatible with OS X 10.9 and newer versions of the system. Commander One can easily be classified as a Must Have.

Path Finder offers a set of tools necessary to access and manage files on OS X. It would seem that everyone has the good old Finder from Apple and why reinvent the wheel? But you probably don't yet know about all the capabilities of Cocoatech's Path Finder.

The Path Finder file manager has been trying to supplant Apple's Finder for a long time. Cocoatech offers a free 30-day trial of Path Finder, while the licensed version costs $40. Today we will tell you in detail about this program and offer you to get a licensed Path Finder 6 completely free of charge!

Interface

The Path Finder interface looks very familiar: the same folders as the Finder, only with the addition of Safari-style tabs and more buttons. Navigation is the same as Finder, but you can still use additional elements navigation such as tabs or links. Path Finder includes the best elements of the browser, so if you've used Finder and Safari before, you'll feel right at home with Path Finder.

Tabs, perhaps, the best graphic element in applications and our file manager is no exception. The Path Finder tabs are very easy to use. Not only can you always see which folders you have open and how easy it is to switch between them, you can also easily drag and drop files between tabs.

Another great feature is tab sets, which are essentially separate, customizable workspaces. This is very convenient, for example, if you are working on a project and need fast access to all relevant folders, applications, downloads. Tab sets store the folders that were last opened.

Drop Stack provides temporary storage where files can remain while they are being moved. This simplifies the process of moving files to new directories, for example if you are cleaning out your downloads folder.

View Mode “double-panel conductor” The Path Finder splits the window in half so you can see two folders at once. Very useful when comparing the contents of folders or moving files between folders. Each panel is separate file browser. You can switch to this viewing mode by clicking on the icon at the bottom left.

View Switches and Sections allow you to display Additional information in the browser. By selecting the view switch icon, the screen at the bottom splits in half and displays customizable information about the selected files. Sections do the same thing, but file data appears on the left, right, or bottom of the browser.

Path Finder has the ability filter files by keywords, extension or type (search box at the top right). If you want to select files based on a set of parameters, click on the search icon on the toolbar at the top right, enter search word and click “+” to add search parameters.

Utilities

Path Finder has additional tools to do some tasks so you don't have to run additional programs. Path Finder utilities include: a text editor, a simple image editor, an application launch model, and a file archiver.

conclusions

Of course, you can look for other Finder alternatives, but you probably won't find a better file manager than Path Finder. Perhaps someday Apple will think about updating Finder, but for now Makovod recommends that you take a closer look at Path Finder and take part in our competition!

Contest

Makovod is holding a drawing for three Path Finder licenses, one in three in social networks: Facebook, Twitter and Vkontakte. What to do to get a licensed Path Finder:

1. Become a fan of the page

01/22/13 at 05:05

Finder is without a doubt one of the most convenient ways quick navigation on Mac OS X. However, some more advanced users need something more and more familiar, namely additional functions and support for navigation without using a mouse.

Disk Order

Disk Order is a file manager that allows you to work in two columns, each of which can display files in the form of icons, lists or columns. Disk Order supports network connections and access to content iOS devices. Another useful function Disk Order is the ability to mass rename files.

Disk Order Features

• Asynchronous connection to servers.
• Tabbed interface.
• Built-in multimedia file viewer.
• Built-in editor.
• FTP client with the ability to create, upload, download files, change access rights, view files, etc.
• Support for working with tar, gz, tgz, bz, bz2, tbz, zip archives.
• Drag-and-drop support.
• Possibility of highlighting files with color.
• Command line.
• Support for plugins that expand functions (terminal window, CD burning, archivers, etc.).
• Convenient, customizable interface.
• Customizable hotkeys.

Path Finder

The Path Finder file manager is visually similar to the Finder interface, but has more additions. One of the unusual features is the Drop Stack panel, which allows you to drop files into it and then move it to the folder you want to put them in.

Path Finder Features

• Drop Stack temporary file storage panel.
• Bookmarks that allow you to quickly navigate to your favorite folders and files.
• Tabs with the ability to save a group of tabs.
• Bulk renaming and modification of files.
• Hex editor.
• Built-in terminal.
• Text and graphics editor allowing you to create text, crop and resize photos.

Download Path Finder from the official website.

muCommander

The muCommander file manager is a classic file manager with an OS X interface. Developed for many years, this application has become one of the most popular, and it is also distributed free of charge.

muCommander functions

• Work with FTP, SFTP, SMB, NFS, HTTP and Bonjour servers.
• Quickly copy, rename files, create folders and emails with the application.
• Working with archives, creating, unpacking, viewing the contents of ZIP, RAR, TAR, GZip, BZip2, ISO/NRG, AR/Deb, LST. Wherein ZIP archives can be instantly changed without the need for repackaging.
• Multiple application windows.
• Display free space section.