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Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:25 am
by JAB Creations
I finally was able to get Ubuntu to run at a resolution greater then 800x600 (thanks to VirtualBox's Guest Additions) though I really don't like the default file manager in Ubuntu 9.10. I much prefer the folder tree structure when viewing the file system's hierarchy the way Windows Explorer does in XP (Vista and 7's version of Windows Explorer blows). I also like having icons with text labels for buttons including folder/search, cut, copy, paste, delete, etc. I tried Thunar but it seemed even more dumbed down then the default file manager though it has a badass icon. Since there are probably hundreds of file managers does any one have any helpful suggestions?
Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:31 am
by AbraCadaver
I use Kubuntu as I prefer KDE over Gnome. KDE used to use Konqueror as the file manager though tthe newer KDE 4.x uses Dolphin. You can still use Konqueror and it is very configurable.
Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:38 am
by JAB Creations
I've worked with Kubuntu a few times before I've noticed Konqueror's GUI is much more customizable then what I'm (not) seeing with Ubuntu's default file manager.
Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:40 pm
by galfrid
I've been using Ubuntu for a few years now, although I was a windows addict for a very long time before that -
If you're familiar with 2xExplorer for windows (freeware dual-pane explorer), there are several ubuntu based clones that seem to work very well, and might suit your purposes (they're all available through the software channels): bsc, Gnome Commander, and Tux Commander are most notable in my mind.
Hopefully this helps!
Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 4:34 pm
by volomike
Um, open Nautilus on GNOME, turn on the Side Pane option (or press F9), and by default I think it shows "Places". However, click that word Places and a menu appears. Choose Tree. Voila -- similar experience to M$ Exploder, er, I mean Explorer. Close the window and open it again -- it remembers how you liked it last.
Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 6:21 pm
by daedalus__
nautilus has a lot of options and addons.
look in synaptic search for nautilus
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/add-custom ... lus-linux/
Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:01 pm
by JAB Creations
I've been having trouble with Ubuntu... the best way to explain it is in Windows style...whatever Ubuntu's equivalent to Windows Explorer (explorer.exe) isn't loading...and the only thing I can access is the context menu on the desktop (the wallpaper loads but no top menu or task bar at the bottom)...put a massive hurt figuring more out today.
Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:07 pm
by daedalus__
uiasdgfuikasef
alt+f2
gnome-panel
Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:47 pm
by s.dot
I quite like dolphin.

Sorry, that doesn't help your post much. But I just switched over to kubuntu today.
Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:23 am
by JAB Creations
Alt+F2 did nothing unfortunately. I reinstalled Ubuntu and I got rid of the swap file! WOOHOO! I could never get rid of that anti-performance feature! Hey, ALT=F2 works
now.

Well at least I know of a new shortcut...I just hope I don't lose an entire day's worth of progress
again with Ubuntu especially since I don't know how to salvage the OS like I do with XP.
I downloaded Kubuntu 9.10 tonight and will try that out a little later or tomorrow.
One gripe I have with Ubuntu is that while the OS is generally fast and responsive when I was fixing the "main menu" with the accessories and system menus in example it felt very slow and easy to fail when attempting to cut, copy, paste, and delete menu items even after I disabled visual effects altogether. It didn't feel as solid as the GUI with Windows Explorer (in XP) so I'm hoping Kubuntu ends up feeling more solid.
I am happy that some of my important programs work with Wine! So that will make the transition much smoother!
Mike, F9 only shows a static left-sidebar
without the directory tree structure. This is what I mean (bad looking/stolen/but good example image of XP's Windows Explorer left sidebar with tree structure)...
I'll try the other suggestions later on. Thanks for the replies!

Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:36 am
by daedalus__
i wish i could have helped more but im new myself.
ive heard people say kde feels a little more "windows-like". im trying to get away from that feeling so i stick with gnome. but all the desktop managers are highly configurable and modifiable. you can install more than one desktop manager and use them concurrently you can also use window managers along with a desktop manager.
its all really neat.
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/gnome
Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:05 am
by JAB Creations
Thanks for the suggestion though that's more like a toy then a tool for me at this point. If I am to get rid of Windows XP as my base OS I need a serious production environment with tools designed to
not slow me down. That includes a file manager exactly (or improved upon (as in not slaughtered and rebuilt)) Windows XP's Windows Explorer (not to be confused with Internet Exploder), a good syntax highlighting code editor that works with XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and (My)SQL at this point. My choice FTP is CuteFTP 6.0, newer versions added a really annoying GUI item that I kept clicking on so thank goodness for my saved application installer policy!

I'll try Kubuntu out later tomorrow, I'm installing it now. Okay...maybe before I go to bed I'll play around with it just a
little bit.

Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:58 am
by daedalus__
well if you want to be really fast learn to work through the terminal as much as possible. but about the windows explorer thing.. really above the sidebar there is a box that probably says places, click it and select tree?
Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:10 pm
by JAB Creations
Nope, that file manager just doesn't have the tree structure on the left. It has a hierarchy toolbar though that is linear only in to the directory that you're in and does not display an all-encompassing tree.
I installed Kubuntu and I'm having trouble with VirtualBox's extras. I'm in the terminal (which there should be no reason for at this point) and I've typed
su to authenticate as my user
john with my password but it's still saying I need administrative privileges to execute VirtualBox's extras which I need to install in order to set the resolution to something higher then 800x600. What do I have to do?

Re: Ubuntu File Manager like XP's Windows Explorer?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 2:21 pm
by daedalus__