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1. 
   Review - XYplorer

   7.90.0100 (Feb 5, 2009)

   I’d really want to use this software. I download the demo from time to time, and I’m usually amazed by the developer’s imagination in adding such useful and unique features.
   One of the newer features, the scripting language, is really great and flexible. I find the syntax a little weird, and not always consistent (I think it got altered at least once).
   This brings me to the reasons I still haven’t bought the program. Though it looks great, I find that the interface is not always consistent, and there’s some redundancy in features. For example, for bookmarking a directory or file, you can user “Favorite Folders” (with no sublevels), “Favorite Files”, and the “Catalog”. If you open the Favorites menu, you’ll see that “Toggle Favorite Folder” is on the first level, while “Toggle Favorite File” is inside the “Favorite Files” submenu. Little things.
   Now you have the “Minitree”, which basically lets you build your own tree. That’s how the catalog was promoted initially: “Build your own tree”. I know there are differences here and there, but in my opinion, not enough to justify the addition of yet another way for doing the same thing.
   I asked in the forum why don’t just leave the catalog (that covers all the functions), and the developer asked the users what they though, stating that he’d personally be happy using just the catalog. He noticed and admitted that “Favorite Folders” and “Favorite Files” are the same thing (folders are treated as files) and suggested to unify them, but some users got touchy at the very idea that something could be changed, so he left it as it was.
   I though that many users were proud about this program “lightness”, to the point of rejecting basic ftp functions as “bloat”. Mhh… Speaking of which, I’ve found that the user base (a central part of this software) is usually capable and smart, as you can appreciate especially in the Scripts area of the forum, but there are a few who are almost extremist fanatics, for some reason less experienced but very vocal. I saw their influence in action with the case I mentioned. They managed to affect the developer’s view, even if he agreed that there was redundancy (especially between Favorite Folder and Favorite Files). Too much democracy :-)
   Going back to the UI, here’s another example: What’s the criteria used to include a function on the info panel, or on a window of it’s own? For example, why is the “Report” option (to generate lists of files) in it? Or the Find Files parameters? I think that things are mixed up. The first 4 tabs are “Properties”, “Version”, “Preview” and “Raw View”, are all related to the current file. “Report” and “Find Files” are separate functions that are included inside the same “object”, for some reason unknown to me.
   I know that all of this doesn’t affect functionality, and I admit that I’m rather obsessive. I’m not saying that the software is “bad”, actually it’s excellent, but for me, and not for others, those things are important.
   Regarding the VB issue. I still maintain/develop some projects in VB, but the truth is that Microsoft no longer supports it, no longer produces Service Packs, no longer expands it, and no longer fixes bugs. I don’t have a problem with software developed in VB just because it’s not “fashionable” or something, but the fact is that VB is and will be what it is now, with it’s limitations, and at some point, I believe that this issue will become more relevant. Many companies are converting big systems to other platforms and for good reason.
   All in all, I’ll still check the new versions, because it’s a program full of useful and unique features. I might be buying it in the end, despite the few things that annoy me. I’ll wait for V8 to see how things shape up. I’m curious about the dual panel implementation.
   Even if my post could be perceived as negative, it is not. XYplorer does some things in a way not found anywhere else, and is highly usable.

2. 
   Review - Altap Salamander Full

   2.5 (Sep 19, 2007)

   Hi,
   I'm testing many file managers. I use ZTree which is great, but it doesn't support Hebrew, and that's a problem.
   
   Many posted that SS is better than TC.
   There were some features in TC that I couldn't find in SS, and that are VERY important for me.
   
   - File synchronize (not just compare)
   
   - File compare by content. I realize there's a plugin, but it requires to select two files, instead of defaulting from those select in the two panels. I'm not sure if I'm right about this.
   Anyway, it doesn't seem to allow me to compare a local file against an FTP file, which is a priority for me.
   
   - Couldn't find an option for "Flat View", meaning a list of all the files on the current folder and it's subfolders.
   
   - Does it only allow ten favorite locations? No favorite for *both* panels at the same time?
   
   - How can I display a directory tree?? For one panel, two panels or none.
   
   At this point, TC seems much more powerful on a complete different league, but since many of you state that SS is better, maybe I'm missing something.
   I don't own any file manager other than ZTree, so I'm impartial.
   
   I'd appreciate if you clarify.
   Thanks,
   Walter

3. 
   Review - ZTreeWin

   1.51 (Jul 9, 2006)

   Ztree, like it or not, and having used many graphical programs, is the most powerful file manager around. If I wasn't sure about this, I wouldn't write that without hesitation.
   
   The problem is that whatever I write here, I will sound like a Linux elitist type. So for starters, I've been an XTree user since ... 1989? (Hey, I was a kid back then). Get that in account. ZTree is derived from XTree, so I'm not a regular user.
   
   It's weakness is, that for a person that never used a keyboard based program, the effort (if any) will intimidate him/her at first. I can understand that, but...
   
   It's a shame that things are that way.
   
   Ztree has a simple philosophy, and everything makes sense. Like "c" for copying a file, and "ctrl-c" for copying many tagged ones. That, for every feature in the program.
   But that's just the easy part. Everything gets together beautifully. The proper word is elegance.
   
   There are so many graphical file managers that are so cluttered with icons that you can't even understand what their functions are, that thinking about ZTree as difficult is just funny.
   
   About features, it's just unmatched. Say you want to rename a group of files. No only you can do that, but it will offer you a set of possibilities taylored to your taste (First letter uppercase, or whatever)
   
   It's "history" feature is so rich. It remembers everything you do. Say you browse to a directory using the (properly assigned) "\" shortcut, that is SO comfortable, you can jump to any dir. with a couple of keystrokes. I automatically use it instead of the arrows. Well, that directory will be remembered. As most operations that you can do. Next time, you'll press "\" again, then the up arrow, and you'll see where you've been before. And before. And before.
   
   Do you work with many directories at the same time, and the dual pannel is not enough? Pressing [ and ] you'll quickly travel between them.
   
   It lets you create batch files from tagged files, with the most flexible "masking" you can think about.
   
   It will show you the most complete information about directories, that you won't find elsewhere.
   
   It has a "compare" function on every parameter you can imagine.
   
   This is ZTree, it's just *rich*. Every little thing will work exactly the wey you need it to.
   
   Then there's a macro and a menu system that are so powerful that I usually use them as a launcher.
   
   You can tag (select) the files you want, and perform a text-search on them. Not based on a wildcard, but the ones you like.
   
   You can select files from different directories and zip them together with extreme ease.
   
   And then, ZTree is the most stable program I've ever used. I don't even *think* about it crashing. The developer seems to be not only an excellent programmer, but very dependable.
   
   Don't get fooled by the "beta" tag. Each beta fixes little bugs that you probably didn't even notice, and adds many little (or not so little) features that can make your experience with the program much better.
   
   BUT
   
   There is one thing that I miss *greatly*:
   Since the philosophy of the program is to work with volume letters, it doesn't have a direct way to access your "network neighborhood".
   You have to map a drive letter to get into a network resource.
   For someone like me, who travels from client to client, with different configurations, mapping a letter is not nearly ideal.
   Which is a pity, since this program suits especially network managers.
   I often jump to freeCommander to do some operations (great program. Looks simple but it's rich as well, though not nearly as ZTree).
   
   I didn't mention 1% of the richness of this program. If you are used to DOS programs, it's for you. If you are not, but are in need of the most flexible file manager, you have to try it. When you'll see that having your hands on the keyboard is indeed an advantage, you'll get hooked.
   
   I can understand why graphic UI people could get frustated. Take it as an adventure, until you realize that there's nothing like it.
   If you are a power user that needs to deal with files, not only to copy from one place to another, then you just need it.
   
   Sorry if I sound like a fanatic. It's just software as it should be. You are just in control of everything, the way you need it.
   
   Worth every dollar, and more. The moment the author adds easy network support, I'll register again. It's rich, coherent, resource aware, no messing with the operating system, and the most powerful way to deal with files.
   
   I *am* a fan, but I have a reason to be one.
   
   Try it.
   
   Walter
   
   (Sorry about the typos, I'm not a native english speaker)

4. 
   Review - FreeCommander

   2006.06 (Jul 9, 2006)

   What's great about it:
   
   - A very clean UI
   
   - "My Network Places" is now supported as an additional drive
   
   - It lets you save "Layouts", which are "snapshots" of the program. Say you split the windows horizontally and select two folders. Then you save a layout, and go back to your regular view. You reselect the layout and everything is rearranged
   
   - It has a *powerful* synchronize tool
   
   - "Favorites Tools" is greatly implemented. You can easily send parameters like current folder or file to the utility (Winmerge in my case)
   
   - Very well mapped shortcuts (customizable)
   
   In time,I started finding little things here and there:
   - Select files with same extension (than the one that's selected)
   - Clicking the path bar, brings a history list. Clicking on a section of the path, it takes you to the selected parent folder (GREAT)
   - "View only selected files"
   
   A very usable, very useful program. Get it.
   
   I use it alongside with the powerful ZTree (Get it too)