Path Finder is an alternative file manager for Mac OS X with advanced functionality. Free File Managers for Mac OS X. Analogues of Total Commander File Managers for Windows
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 drawbacks - 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 by 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 open source code and can be installed via ports/brew. Looks like that:
The main disadvantage is the console nature and sometimes specific controls.
The third file manager that attracts attention is 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 by email
- Open source
Flaws:
- No file search functionality
- There is no normal text editor and 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 the Mac OS version by 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 are now loaded 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
- Viewing graphic files - added commands to move to the next (space) and previous (backspace) file
- 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. The unpacking speed should increase, a bug with the home directory being littered with temporary files has been fixed
- 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 a backup copy of it 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.
In this publication, we will make a brief overview of OS X file managers. A file manager is a program that allows you to make working in the operating system convenient and efficient without leaving your keyboard. Naturally, to achieve such results you need experience, or rather, skillful hands.
In Mac OS X, one of the most convenient options for high-speed navigation is without a doubt the Finder program. However, for users who are more advanced, more additional functions are needed, as well as support for navigation without using the mouse.
Disk Order
Disk Order is a file manager that allows you to work in two columns. Each of these columns displays files in the form of a list, icons and columns. this program has access to the content of iOS devices and successfully supports network connections. Bulk renaming of files is one of the useful and necessary functions in this program.
Let's list the main functions of Disk Order:
Connection to servers is performed asynchronously.
Interface with tabs.
Built-in applications: media viewer and editor.
A client for working with FTP in which you can create, upload and download files, change access rights, view files and perform a number of other functions
Ability to work with archives zip, tar, gz, tbz, tgz, bz, bz2
Drag-and-drop support.
Color highlighting of files.
Availability of Command Line.
Support for plugins that extend program functions
Customizable and user-friendly interface.
Customizable hotkeys.
Path Finder
Visually, this file manager is similar to the Finder interface, but Path Finder has many more add-ons. Drop Stack is an unusual feature on this list. Its essence is that you can throw files into it, and then go to the desired folder and then put the required files into it.
Let's briefly describe the functions of Path Finder:
Drop Stack temporary file storage panel.
Bookmarks that allow you to quickly navigate to your favorite files and folders.
Tabs with the function of saving a group of tabs.
Bulk renaming and modification of files.
Hex editor.
Built-in terminal.
A graphical text editor that allows you to create text, resize and crop photos.
Download Path Finder file manager from the official website.
muCommander
This is a classic file manager. It has an OS X interface. MuCommander has been developed for many years, so this free program has become one of the best in its segment.
Let's talk about muCommander functions:
Work with FTP, HTTP, SMB, SMB, SFTP and Bonjour servers.
Quickly rename and copy files, create emails with attachments and folders.
Working with archives. Ability to create, unpack and view ZIP, RAR, TAR, GZip, BZip2, AR/Deb, LST, ISO/NRG content.
Note that ZIP archives can be instantly modified without the need for repacking.
Multiple application windows.
Displays the free space of the partition.
Download muCommander file manager from the official website.
Midnight Commander
This file manager is quite famous in the Unix environment and requires no introduction.
Midnight Commander features:
Ability to work with file system images.
Available FTP and SFTP clients.
Ability to copy and move files in the background.
Built-in text editor with syntax highlighting.
Console mode.
List of directories for quick access by pressing Command +.
Description
Meet the updated version of Commander One 2.0 with support for more connections, more features, improved functionality, Dark Mode support and many other additions. We never stop improving our software, making it faster, more convenient and more powerful. Experience a new level of comfort when managing files on your Mac!
Commander One is a free two-panel file manager that will help you manage your files and folders in the most efficient way. Fast and powerful, yet easy to use, it provides all the necessary features for absolute control over all files located on your computer or network drives. Commander One is written in Swift and is fully compatible with OS X 10.12.
“Commander One looks like a great app to have on your Mac if you’re frustrated with OS X’s built-in file management.”
Cultofmac.com
”Once it’s installed, you get dual pane browsing, unlimited tabs, a variety of sorting options, an easy toggle for revealing hidden files, and more. It also adds a handful of new keyboard shortcuts to make moving files around a little less painful. If you’re not a fan of how Finder does things, Commander One’s a more than capable alternative.”
Lifehacker.com
Two-pane interface
-Classic two-panel interface with the ability to choose the most attractive fonts and colors for you;
-An unlimited number of tabs makes it possible to open the required number of folders;
-Three viewing modes for the most convenient work with different types of files: Full, Brief and Thumbnails.
Navigation and browsing
-Show hidden files by pressing one button;
-Queuing file operations, including those that are already in progress;
-Drag support
-Rename files and folders while moving them.
Search
-Built-in search with support for regular expressions;
-Search by file contents;
-Search Spotlight.
Commander One offers many tools to make your file routine easier
-Ability to archive, extract files or open ZIP archives like regular folders;
-Work with .ipa, .apk, .jar, .ear, .war archives as with regular folders;
-Preview any file types, including binary and hex, without opening them;
-Setting up hot keys for the most frequently used operations;
-Use Quick View to view and manage a large number of files;
-Quick access to previously opened or most frequently used folders using History and Favorites;
-Detection on the network and display in the list of computers using the NetBIOS protocol;
-Selecting a program to open the file using "Open with" in the File Menu or through the context menu.
**Commander One also has a PRO version available for in-app purchase**
Additional features of Commander One PRO:
*FTP, SFTP and FTPS Manager with the ability to change file permissions
*Working with RAR archives: extraction, full access and archive search
*Working with TarGz archives: compression, extraction, full access and archive search
*Working with 7zip archives: compression, extraction, full access and archive search
*Connecting MTP devices
*List of processes
*Dropbox connection for direct access to files
*Ability to easily share Dropbox links
*Connecting and working with Dropbox Business accounts
*Select from available interface themes, as well as create your own
*Connect and manage files in Amazon S3
*Connect unlimited Google Drive accounts to manage files and folders without copying them to Mac
*Mount multiple WebDAV connections at once and work with your online files directly from Commander One
*Connect your Microsoft OneDrive accounts and get full access to your storage files as if they were on your Mac.
If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]. We are always happy to help. Your feedback is welcome and will be taken into account in future updates.
What's new
Update history
Version 2.4
Improved: compatibility with some macOS versions.
Improved: archiving files with extended attributes.
Improved: compatibility with some FTP servers.
Improved: downloading from and uploading to Amazon S3 connections.
Improved: handling hotkeys in different locales and keyboard layouts.
Fixed: crash when copying/moving files with umlauts in a filename.
Fixed: setting the wrong Content-Encoding when uploading to Amazon S3 connections.
Fixed: displaying the progress of copying and moving files.
Lots of other minor fixes and improvements (thank you for your continued feedback!).
Ratings and reviews
Ratings: 263
ANC Canistra, 08.12.2017
Not a bad replacement for Total Commander
A more than good application, which is completely familiar to me, as a person who has been using Win for a long time, and even earlier under DOS. The only thing I didn't like was the lack of easy navigation through the keyboard. For example, moving to a higher directory using backspace, or reviewing content by pressing space. But, I must say, the rest of the functionality and hotkeys are in place, as they should be.
Developer response ,
Hello, thank you for the feedback. The future updates of our file manager will bring more improvements. Stay tuned!
Hekcfy, 09/19/2017
Disgusting
A poor parody of total commander. The developers clearly do not use Mac OS and wrote this application on Hackintoshes or some other emulators. Otherwise, they would know that Enter in mac os does not lead to a folder. Yes, after switching to Win, this is not usual. But when creating a product for Mac OS users, please support the existing patterns. The free app is completely useless. Any action other than open the application is not available. Remove it, don't embarrass yourself.
Developer response ,
Hello, for any technical issue please contact [email protected]. Also feel free to send any suggestion on this email on how to improve our software. Thank you!
User09876541234, 10/29/2017
Install? -Please! Do you want to launch? buy it!
I don’t understand why you should make available software that asks you to buy the full version for more than 2 rubles in order to connect to ftp?
This is a minimal and basic thing that should be in the simplest student project, I won’t even use it, I wasted my time on installation... I deleted it, I don’t recommend it.
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 convenient 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 into different folders), the ability to create bookmarks, a simple text editor and graphic viewer, and a HEX editor. The manager is able to work with archives. If necessary, you can switch to two-panel mode.
Path Finder
Midnight Commander
A classic two-panel file manager, well known to users of 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 is not suitable for inexperienced users.
Midnight Commander
Disk Order
Another two-panel file manager that offers the user some additional features to improve the user experience. In the best traditions of such applications, built-in viewers, an archiver, and an FTP client are provided. Disk Order's features also include directory synchronization, an expanded color scheme, assigning additional keyboard shortcuts, and much more.
Disk Order
TotalFinder
An application that extends the capabilities of the regular Finder. The main distinguishing feature is the ability to work with tabs, in the manner of 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 |
One of the main advantages of Apple operating systems (as well as other company products) has always been considered ease of use and thoughtful user interface. The Finder file manager, behind its apparent simplicity, hides remarkable functionality, and a user who works with Mac OS X every day can use it to carry out all the necessary operations with files without difficulty and wasting unnecessary nerves. The famously thoughtful interface allowed developers to reduce the number of Finder settings to a minimum. However, some users would still like to see the file shell more flexible and functional. Whether this is necessary or not is up to the user to decide, but it is worth noting that rumors regarding a significant expansion of Finder functionality in the next “big” version of the Mac OS X Leopard operating system appear with enviable frequency. Even if they have no real basis, their appearance indicates that some part of Mac users are still interested in this.
Whether this will happen or not is still anyone's guess, but for those users for whom the capabilities of the built-in shell are not enough, perhaps there is no need to wait for the appearance of Leopard. There are several alternative file managers that have more functionality than Finder. These programs differ both in their capabilities and in the fundamental features of the interface, so any user can choose a solution to suit their taste. This article discusses the Cocoatech Path Finder product, the feature of which is that it is “interface similar” to the standard Mac OS X manager, so that the user can switch to using it smoothly without changing his habits.
Path Finder Window
When opening Path Finder for the first time, a user accustomed to the appearance of the built-in Mac OS X shell may have a wide-eyed look. It should be noted that Path Finder has many settings that allow you to transform the appearance of windows, making it very similar to the laconic Finder interface, or, conversely, bringing all the tools used “to the surface”.
The main part of the window, which displays files and folders, is surrounded by many panels that can be customized according to your preferences. They are located both inside the window itself and in the side drawers. For each of the panels (with the exception of three; we’ll look at them in more detail later), you can choose what information it will display. Let's consider these options.
Volumes. This option enables the display of mounted volumes from hard drives, removable drives, network drives, and disk image files in the palette. Similar to the corresponding Finder panel, the Volumes panel allows you to unmount drives.
Processes. In this mode, the panel displays a list of currently running applications. And although this panel largely repeats the functions of the Dock, it provides advanced application management capabilities - with its help you can get detailed information about the operation of the application (Report item of the context menu), restart the program with administrator rights, etc.
History
File History. This panel, as its name suggests, displays all the files that the user has recently opened in the Path Finder.
Folder History. Similar to the previous function, Folder History shows a list of recently used folders.
Preview. The Preview panel is perhaps one of the most interesting tools in the Path Finder. It performs the same functions as the utility of the same name from Mac OS X, while providing expanded capabilities. Using the Preview panel, in addition to image and PDF files, you can view audio and video files, text documents, HTML and Microsoft Word files, and you can copy text fragments to the clipboard. An additional convenience is that when you select a file in the browser window, the Preview panel displays a thumbnail automatically, without the user having to open the document. Preview opens all file formats compatible with TextEdit and QuickTime. It is worth noting that the developers warn that the Preview panel does not work correctly with some QuickTime modules.
Info
Info. This panel displays information about the selected files or folders. Admittedly, while the Info panel does provide more information than the Finder's Get Info tool, the value of the extra options for the average Mac user is questionable. The developers, perhaps, should provide the ability to enable the display of additional information optionally, leaving only the “standard” set by default.
Shelf
Shelf. Here, as well as in the corresponding Finder panel, the user can place the most frequently used folders, for example, Documents, Applications, Music, Movies, etc.
SelectionPath. This panel displays the file and the entire branch of the folder hierarchy in which it is located.
In addition to the standard options, in each of the custom palettes you can enable display of the contents of an arbitrary folder by selecting Add Folder from the panel settings menu.
As mentioned above, there are three non-customizable palettes in the Path Finder. The first of them, Trash, is located at the bottom of the left drawer and repeats the functions of the system basket from the Dock.
Terminal
Another panel, Terminal, occupies the entire bottom drawer and, as its name suggests, provides the user with quick access to the operating system command line. Although using the terminal in Mac OS X is exotic, you can use some “advanced” functions only with its help, so this tool does not look superfluous.
The third, non-customizable panel, Drop Stack, has several uses. The user can place several files from different folders in it and then perform the desired operation with them. In this case, the files themselves remain in their places, and only links to them are placed in the Drop Stack. When all the necessary files are selected, you can copy or move them to the desired folder, create an archive, or burn them to an optical disc. This undoubtedly very useful panel has one drawback: it does not display file names, only reporting their number, which, together with the inability to resize the panel, makes it impossible to view and manage placed files.
Burn
The latter actions are possible thanks to two more Path Finder tools - optical disc burning (Burn Disk) and compression mechanisms. The program allows you to burn CDs and DVDs in Hybrid, HFS+, ISO 9660, Joilet and even Audio CD formats. The StuffIt compression engine, licensed from its developer Allume Systems, allows you to create archives SITX, ZIP, TAR, BZIP, GZIP, etc., as well as encode files in MacBinary and BinHex formats, which may be necessary when transferring applications and documents over the Internet to users of “classic” » Apple operating systems.
Instead of icons, Path Finder can display thumbnails of graphic files
The main area of the Path Finder window, like the Finder, can display files as icons, lists, or columns. At the bottom of this area there is a slider with which you can change the size of the icons. It is possible to display image files as thumbnails; to do this, you need to enable the Show icon preview option (Show View options from the View menu). In the “Icons” mode, additional information is displayed under the name of each object: for folders - the number of objects it contains, for all files - their size, for images - size in pixels, etc. You can also customize the color palette of the window using the Show Color options item from the View menu. At the top of the browser area there is a tab bar (Tab), with which you can create and switch tabs. Below it, the full path to the current folder is displayed, similar to how it is implemented in the online music store iTunes Music Store. By clicking on the corresponding section, you can quickly move to one of the upper folders in the hierarchy - a very convenient function, especially useful in icon view display mode. Like web browsers, Path Finder has a bookmarks area where, like Shelf, you can place your most frequently used files and folders.
Path Finder includes several more tools, the functions of which are similar to those included with Mac OS X - a graphic file format converter, a slide show, a screen capture function, secure deletion of files and folders, and disk image management. There is also a function to view files in hexadecimal, but it is difficult to imagine in which case the average Mac OS X user would need it.
The current version of the program, Path Finder 4.1.1, is a universal application and requires Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger to run. The cost of the product in the developer's online store is $34.95. A free trial version of the program can be downloaded from the Cocoatech website (http://www.mobookie.com/PF4/PathFinder411.dmg), which will run for three weeks.
pros
- a wide range of interface settings, allowing you to customize Path Finder to suit the needs of each user;
- functional Preview panel, which provides the ability to instantly preview various types of documents;
- Drop Stack panel;
- optical disc recording function;
- the ability to create a new file with a mouse click;
- Built-in Allume StuffIt mechanism.
Minuses
- “overloaded” with functions. Some of them are repeated in different places in the program, others duplicate the functions of built-in Mac OS X utilities or are of questionable usefulness;
- Preview does not work correctly with some QuickTime codecs;
- Path Finder does not replace the standard system Open file and Save file dialog boxes, so when saving documents, for example, from Microsoft Word, the user will use the standard window and will not see the folders stored in the left Shelf panel. (As a lyrical digression, we can mention a separate utility that provides the ability to customize the Open and Save dialog boxes - Default Folder X).
conclusions
The main target audience of the program seems to be switchers. Despite the fact that the program's interface can be customized according to your preferences, experienced Mac OS X users will find it difficult to change their habits, despite the rather rich functionality of Path Finder. Perhaps developers should set the program's default appearance to be as similar to the Finder as possible, or at least provide the ability to select an "interior" that would help "seasoned" Mac users get started with the program in a familiar way.
All this, however, does not in any way detract from the merits of the developers who have created a functional and interesting product that will certainly appeal to those who are accustomed to the Windows interface and have only recently started working with Mac, as well as users who actively use the file manager and, accordingly, require there are special requirements for it.
