| File
Management for DOS (file managers, file finders, file identifiers.) Ratings: [* fair] to [* * * * * excellent] |
|
Most of the file managers listed below are design variations on the Norton Commander for DOS, a succesful commercial file manager/shell with dual directory pane, text mode display. Two of the file managers here deviate from this design (PC Valet and Tutordo) and display one directory pane and a status pane with disk, file, and/or system information. HFM and Byte Manager implement file "drag and drop." Bobby runs in graphics mode.
* * * *
This isn't the prettiest looking file manager, but it possesses more features than any other freeware DOS FM I'm aware of- and is more feature-rich than most shareware FM's I've tested. Even if you don't use it as your primary file manager, I'd highly recommend keeping this on your disk as a ZIP/ARJ/LZH/ARC archive manager.
Strengths:
|
Weaknesses
|
download hfm404nl.zip (490K)
* * * * * reviewed 12-10-96
This is a top notch app and is preferred over HFM simply for ease of operation and its shallow learning curve. This file manager was coded in assembler language- which translates to minimal RAM wastage and quick operation even on under-powered computers. DOS Controller is essentially a clone of the Norton Commander for DOS with a few features omitted and improvements added. You can use it both as a file manager and a DOS shell (non memory-resident option exists). DC has no built-in archive management features (but you can associate archive extensions with 3rd party archive managers). DC is mouse compatible, has a very competent built-in editor, easy command line access, several directory /tree viewing options, a user configurable program menu, screen saver, and more. Documentation is lacking.
* * * * * reviewed 6-20-97
Pinco Commander is an Italian, dual pane text-mode file manager which gets my top rating along with DOS Controller. In fact, it shares a resemblance with DOS Controller because it is a Norton Commander clone. It is a bit more colorful, and mouse navigation and menu bar navigation/ placement is different. Setup and configuration are a snap.
Strengths
|
Weaknesses
|
download pc20eng.zip
(See the Pinco home page
for Italian and other translations.)
* * * * *
May be the new "best of my list" FM. Hungarian origin.
Quick list of unique features:
|
Weaknesses:
|
* * * * reviewed 3-4-97
PC Valet is a fast, single pane menu/file manager that has not seen wide distribution. I prefer dual pane file managers, but PC Valet has several features that overshadow this basic limitation. The executable and associated files use less than 40K disk space excluding documentation- quite remarkable. Features include drive tree navigation, file extension association, an internal text file viewer, hex viewer, capable hex editor, and a screen saver. Among the FM's listed here, PC Valet uniquely possesses a simple file backup feature and can list all files on a drive in a single window. Archives can be viewed/extracted using external archivers.
PC Valet can be used with a mouse, making directory navigation easier, but file tagging is achieved using the spacebar. Overall, PC Valet is comparable to DOS Controller in features and configurability- I prefer the latter simply for its greater ease of navigation and file manipulation. Memory usage may be an issue if you use PC-Valet as a memory resident DOS menu.
* * * * reviewed 6-15-97
Tutordo is a file manager/shell of Italian origin- and has made significant strides in useability since I last reviewed it almost two years ago. This app has joined the ranks of the other comprehensive file managers listed here. While Tutordo boasts some very nice features it still needs polishing in some areas. Tutordo displays a single pane that is well suited to mouse users- of particular note are the copy, move, and archive decompress routines which contain directory browsing dialogs for file destinations- real time savers compared to typing paths. Copy and move dialogs also permit application of date and time filters. Multiple archive compression and decompression options are available through dialogs. In general, navigation is quick and painless. This version should not be considered a finished product.
Other nice features:
|
Weaknesses:
|
download
tuteng22.zip English version (385K)
download
tutit22.zip Italian version (389K)
* * * reviewed 7-10-97
I'm hesitant about including this file manager here- not because it is a poor file manager, but because it is so big. The zip file is over 1MB (exe is 500K), and that alone should suggest Bobby is a lesson in excess. Bobby is a beautiful piece of art, no doubt, and the developers have obviously invested much effort. It is the only graphics mode file manager listed here. And it has some unique features not found in the other file managers reviewed. Most notable is its ability to view graphics files including JPEG's (VESA driver highly recommended). As a file manager, it does not stand apart from the crowd and lags behind most in raw file management features (e.g., archive management). Overall, Bobby is a more-than-adequate file manager.
Pluses
|
Weaknesses:
|
download bobby13b.zip (1 MB)
* * * *
This is a great little program for a laptop (and desktop). This puppy finds files fast and offers the user several display options- including the default paging of results. Locate can't search inside archives, or find text, but it does the simple task of locating any file better than programs 10 times it's size. The most recent version overcomes DOS wildcard limitations allowing more flexible pattern-matching (filespecs like *FOO, *FOO* and F*O are now permitted).
"Version 1.23 is mainly a bug-fix release. The 1.22 overhaul screwed up the &S and &N macros; this release fixes them. Also, the new switches /NP and /NR didn't work correctly in the environment variable; fixed. New features: LOCATE now recognizes screen heights greater than 25 lines and adjusts scrolling accordingly. Limited support for UNC-style filenames. This release also makes minor changes in the &B macro and adds a blank line at the beginning of /O display if the &U macro is used. The executable size is still below 8K. The miniature version (FLOC) is no longer included, to reduce the download size."
* * * *
It's surprising how few DOS users possess a file finding utility. With huge hard drives now common place, such a utility is indispensable. MS-DOS lacks a file finder, and although the Win 3.1 file manager has a bare-bones file finding function, it is subpar. Target is a multi-drive file finder that will locate files using a variety of search options. Unlike Locate, it can search within several archive types (e.g., ZIP, ARC, ARJ, LHA, ZOO) for a file name. Power users can employ regular expression searches. Can also function as a duplicate file finder and can optionally scan found files for viruses (using McAfee's shareware SCAN.EXE).
By default TARGET won't search directories with extensions or find hidden files and it can't search hidden directories. Nevertheless, used together with Locate, Target can save hours of frustration. Also see: PKzoom- Menu driven file finder and ZIP file extractor.
* *
Filex uses a list of 1800 file extensions to identify sources of unknown files. Unfortunately, Filex is prone to error since it does not actually analyze the structure of a file- it simply matches a file extension to a description in it's database. Thus it can't distinguish MS Word "*.doc" files from plain text "*.doc" files. You can add new extensions and descriptions by editing the DAT file.
* * * reviewed 7-13-97
Analyzer is a file identifier that analyzes the signature of files rather than relying on extensions. It doesn't claim to identify many file types but it does identify some popular formats (e.g., Word (incl. subversions), Corel Draw, popular movie and image formats). It's real strength lies in it's ability to identify different compression archives, packed executables, and some high level language EXE's. Analyzer works like a directory lister but has no command line switches. It simply lists all files in a directory with the file type displayed next to the file name. You can use wildcards to filter the listing.
Note: The program doesn't accept a path as a switch, but if you put Analyzer in a directory on your path, you can 1) switch to the directory you wish to analyze and 2) run Analyzer. Some new file signatures (e.g., more EXE packers and sound files) have been added in v.132.
[ Front Page ]
(c)1997 Richard L. Green