Alternative to Win7 Explorer--Yet Again

[Art Todesco]

Paul! Say it ain't so. If such basic functionality was new to you
after all these years, I can't imagine how amazed you'll be to
discover what's hiding behind the Start Orb. ;-)

Also, try right clicking sometime. More good stuff awaits.

You know, in a very complicated system, like Windows, or a good text
editor, or word processing program, there are usually many ways to
accomplish the same thing. I once worked with an engineer who was
probably one of the sharpest engineers that I've met. We were editing
some C source code using a text editor. He was at the keyboard and did
something. I ask, "how did you do that?" And he explained there was
this or that command that did it. The fact that I didn't know those
commands is not surprising as I was never in class of overall knowledge
like him. But, when I was at the keyboard, and I did something, he
asked the same question, "how did you do that?" And he didn't know the
command that I used. So, we all use a subset of the commands in which
we are comfortable. I hate and don't use Windows Explorer. I'd rather
open 2 separate windows and either cut and paste between them or drag
and drop between the 2. I guess this has something to do with my
upbringing in the very early days of UNIX. There was no graphical
interface, so you had to do it from a command line. When graphical
interfaces were first added, there weren't even drag and drop, so you
had to do a move or copy from one window to another. Kind of like DOS
in separate windows.

 

[Art Todesco]

I believe you, but I haven't seen it myself. I can't wait for it to
manifest itself.

I've seen some strange stuff too. When copying/moving files from one
window, ah, I mean panel, to another, either by drag/drop or cut/paste,
Windows (note the cap W) will say that the file already exists in the
destination panel. Well, I don't see it. It's not on the screen.
Apparently, it is there. I think this has something to do with
Libraries, but I'm not sure. It's probably a obscure bug buried in the
Windows code that only shows up when certain people do things in very
specific ways .... maybe not like the majority. I have to admit I know
very little about Libraries. I originally thought they would be like a
virtual directory, but I don't think so. I've tried to figure out how
Libraries are supposed to work, but the stuff I've read so far has only
confused me.

 

[WaIIy]

To expand on that, CTRL+Click actually "toggles" the item under the
cursor, so IF it was selected, it becomes "UNselected", so for instance
"CTRL-A" selects All items, then "CTRL+click" the 3 or 4 you didn't want
and they will become "UNselected"

That's a great tip, I didn't know that one.

Here's another -

If you always want a file or folder to show on top (first), start the
file or folder name with and exclamation mark -- !

 

[WaIIy]

Thanks, WaIIy. I've downloaded Cubicreality and will give it a try. If
it doesn't fill my needs, I'll hope that someone suggests another
freebie. If not, I'll reluctantly give zabkat a try. Onmy list of
favorite words "free" is tied with "chocolate", very near the top.
Allen

Good luck with it. The lack of a decent file manager in any version of
Windows is a crime against computer files.

 

[XS11E]

I hate and don't use Windows Explorer. I'd rather open 2 separate
windows and either cut and paste between them or drag and drop
between the 2.

So why do you hate Windows explorer since it will do exactly what you
describe?

 

[Johnbee]

I think this has not been mentioned in the thread and I am not actually sure
it will help the OP, but anyway it is nice to know things.

Suppose you don't like all that dragging and selecting and control key stuff
and are bothered that it is one slip and sudden death.

So instead, in Control Panel click on folder options, select the View tab,
and find the option where you can select files from lists using a check box.
That way, you don't get all that horrible blue highlighting, you get a nice
list of files with ticks in boxes for the files you have selected.

'Folder Options' is worth a look anyway, there might be something you like.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Allen.

I'm only a kid at 76 (compared to you and Leon). My hands are about as
steady as they ever were, thankfully; wish my ears and eyes were as healthy.

To drag-n-drop in Windows Explorer, I use the right button and HOLD IT DOWN
while I point the file to where I want it to go. I watch the Tool Tip until
it says, "Copy to Favorites" (or wherever). Then I release the button.
Then the context menu appears from which I can choose to Copy here or Move
here. Even though the first Tool Tip said "Copy...", the Copy or Move
doesn't happen until I make the choice from the menu. If I choose Move...,
the file/folder gets copied and the original gets deleted automatically. In
other words, I first choose Copy, then change my choice to Move when offered
the menu.

This works for single files or folders, or for groups that I select with the
Control or Shift buttons and the mouse. If I want to move a file into a
subfolder within a collapsed folder, I just hover over that folder name for
a second and Explorer expands it so that I can select the subfolder - or
copy to the parent folder.

We each have our own favorite ways of using Windows, of course. I almost
never use the Cut/Copy and Paste functions in Explorer; I reserve these for
moving text within or between files, not for moving files.

As to your unexpected moves, could those be related to Win7's Libraries
feature? I've never tried to use Libraries because I KNOW where my files
are and seldom need Windows to find them for me - in some unidentified
folder on some unspecified disk or partition. But rarely I forget and then,
like you, realize that some file has moved unexpectedly. I've seen tips in
newsgroups on how to disable Libraries altogether in Win7, but they haven't
bothered me enough to go to that trouble.

For a few years now I've been using the Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000
v.2.0. It uses a little USB thumb-drive-like 2.4 GHz transceiver that works
with both the mouse and keyboard. This desk set works well for me.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP (2002-2010)
Windows Live Mail 2011 (Build 15.4.3538.0513) in Win7 Ultimate x64 SP1


"Allen" wrote in message

I have my own issues with Win 7's Windows Explorer, but I'm not having
a problem like you describe and I don't know of any Explorer
alternatives that require confirmation prior to copying or moving.

While you wait for someone to offer a real solution, examine your work
habits. There must be a reason why files are getting up and moving
around like that. Do you have a flaky mouse? Do you have a shaky hand?
Are you trying to drag& drop versus the separate steps of cut (or
copy) and paste?

I'm 82 and my hands are not the Rocks of Gibraltar they once were. As I
can't turn the clock back, I need a software solution. Also, every M$
wireless mouse that I've used is too slick. and I've never been able to
get the settings just as I want them on any other brand--so you can say
that my problem are software, age and pickiness related. Thanks for the
reply, Char.
Allen

 

[Allen]

Hi, Allen.

I'm only a kid at 76 (compared to you and Leon). My hands are about as
steady as they ever were, thankfully; wish my ears and eyes were as
healthy.

To drag-n-drop in Windows Explorer, I use the right button and HOLD IT
DOWN while I point the file to where I want it to go. I watch the Tool
Tip until it says, "Copy to Favorites" (or wherever). Then I release the
button. Then the context menu appears from which I can choose to Copy
here or Move here. Even though the first Tool Tip said "Copy...", the
Copy or Move doesn't happen until I make the choice from the menu. If I
choose Move..., the file/folder gets copied and the original gets
deleted automatically. In other words, I first choose Copy, then change
my choice to Move when offered the menu.

This works for single files or folders, or for groups that I select with
the Control or Shift buttons and the mouse. If I want to move a file
into a subfolder within a collapsed folder, I just hover over that
folder name for a second and Explorer expands it so that I can select
the subfolder - or copy to the parent folder.

We each have our own favorite ways of using Windows, of course. I almost
never use the Cut/Copy and Paste functions in Explorer; I reserve these
for moving text within or between files, not for moving files.

As to your unexpected moves, could those be related to Win7's Libraries
feature? I've never tried to use Libraries because I KNOW where my files
are and seldom need Windows to find them for me - in some unidentified
folder on some unspecified disk or partition. But rarely I forget and
then, like you, realize that some file has moved unexpectedly. I've seen
tips in newsgroups on how to disable Libraries altogether in Win7, but
they haven't bothered me enough to go to that trouble.

For a few years now I've been using the Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse
6000 v.2.0. It uses a little USB thumb-drive-like 2.4 GHz transceiver
that works with both the mouse and keyboard. This desk set works well
for me.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP (2002-2010)
Windows Live Mail 2011 (Build 15.4.3538.0513) in Win7 Ultimate x64 SP1


in message


I'm 82 and my hands are not the Rocks of Gibraltar they once were. As I
can't turn the clock back, I need a software solution. Also, every M$
wireless mouse that I've used is too slick. and I've never been able to
get the settings just as I want them on any other brand--so you can say
that my problem are software, age and pickiness related. Thanks for the
reply, Char.
Allen

R.C., I haven't intentionally used Libraries, though perhaps some
options were set automatically on installation or accidentally time time
in the course of events. You aren't the first person who has mentioned
Libraries, so it deserves a little digging on my part. And Thanks, Allen

 

[Art Todesco]

So why do you hate Windows explorer since it will do exactly what you
describe?

Don't exactly know. As I said, it's probably my Unix/DOS upbringing.

 

[Char Jackson]

That's a great tip, I didn't know that one.

Here's another -

If you always want a file or folder to show on top (first), start the
file or folder name with and exclamation mark -- !

I use an underscore for files/folders that I want sorted on top. It
seems (to me) to be less obtrusive.

 

[Char Jackson]

I hate and don't use Windows Explorer. I'd rather
open 2 separate windows and either cut and paste between them or drag
and drop between the 2.

Since you hate and don't use Windows Explorer, which program are you
using when you "open 2 separate windows"?

 

[Char Jackson]

I have to admit I know
very little about Libraries. I originally thought they would be like a
virtual directory, but I don't think so.

That's exactly what they are. The concept is simple, really.

I've tried to figure out how
Libraries are supposed to work, but the stuff I've read so far has only
confused me.

You're not the first to say he/she was confused, but I don't see where
the confusion lies.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

We were editing some C source code using a text editor. He was at the
keyboard and did something. I ask, "how did you do that?" And he
explained there was this or that command that did it. The fact that
I didn't know those commands is not surprising as I was never in
class of overall knowledge like him. But, when I was at the
keyboard, and I did something, he asked the same question, "how did
you do that?" And he didn't know the command that I used.

Years ago where I worked at the time, another engineer (who had
management aspirations) gave a lecture on using vi to some of the
non-programming staff. He also used commands that I was unfamiliar with,
and vice versa, much like your tale.

The big difference was when I mentioned that I didn't know his commands,
and that there were also a slew of commands he didn't know, he got very
angry at me

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

You can can do that with WE. Open 2 versions of explorer, snap one
left and one right, change the what folders your looking at in each one
and move or drag files back and forth. Jim

A variant on your idea is to right click the other desired folder in the
Navigation (left) pane and choose Open in a new window, or if the other
folder is visible in the right-hand pane, do it there.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I believe you, but I haven't seen it myself. I can't wait for it to
manifest itself.

Like Allen, I hope the wait is *very* long

So far (knock on wood), I've been able to recover each time, but the
fear persists...

 

[Char Jackson]

Like Allen, I hope the wait is *very* long

So far (knock on wood), I've been able to recover each time, but the
fear persists...

Other than your eyewitness account, I don't see any connection
whatsoever between what you reported and Libraries. Additional
eyewitnesses would be helpful. That's why I'm looking forward to
seeing it myself.

 

[Tony]

PowerDesk Pro 5.0

This has been brought up several times before,but I have a specific
question:

Win7 Explorer is driving me crazy in several respects, but one in
particular really causes trouble. In trying to move or copy files, when
I am trying to mark those files it will suddenly decide to start moving
files around, even from and to drives that aren't even up on the screen.
One example: I was trying to copy files from M: (logical drive on disk
in second internal bay) to N: (external USB drive). Suddenly it started
moving document files on C: to other places on C: and I could not cancel
it until it had moved several Gbytes. I have to call up FileLocator
quite frequently to try to find kidnapped files. Do any of the
alternative Explorers require a confirmation before moving files?
Allen

--
The Grandmaster of the CyberFROG

Come get your ticket to CyberFROG city

Nay, Art thou decideth playeth ye simpleton games. *Some* of us know proper
manners

Very few. I used to take calls from *rank* noobs but got fired the first day
on the job for potty mouth,

Bur-ring, i'll get this one: WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM JERK!!? We're here to help
you dickweed, ok, ok give the power cord the jiggily piggily wiggily all the
while pushing the power button repeatedly now take everything out of your
computer except the power supply and *one* stick of ram. Ok get the next
sucker on the phone.

Deirdre Straughan (Roxio) is a LIAR (Deirdre McFibber)

There's the employer and the employee and the FROGGER and the FROGEE, which
one are you?

Hamster isn't a newsreader it's a mistake!

El-Gonzo Jackson FROGS both me and Chuckcar (I just got EL-FROG-OED!!)

I hate them both, With useless bogus bullshit you need at least *three*
fulltime jobs to afford either one of them

I'm a fulltime text *only* man on usenet now. The rest of the world
downloads the binary files not me i can't afford thousands of dollars a
month

UBB = User based bullFROGGING

Master Juba was a black man imitating a white man imitating a black man

Using my technical prowess and computer abilities to answer questions beyond
the realm of understandability

Regards Tony... Making usenet better for everyone everyday

This sig file was compiled via my journeys through usenet

 

[XS11E]

I've tried to figure out how Libraries are supposed to work, but
the stuff I've read so far has only confused me.

http://www.askvg.com/how-to-disable-libraries-feature-in-windows-7/

 

[Jeff Layman]

That's exactly what they are. The concept is simple, really.

No, they are NOT virtual. And therein lies their biggest failing. If
you click on a file in a library and delete it, it's gone. It has been
deleted from its original folder, not just the library "folder". And if
you have chosen to bypass the recycle bin, you'll need an undelete
utility to get it back.

I cannot understand why MS chose this rather than use a variation on a
shortcut to link to the file.

You're not the first to say he/she was confused, but I don't see where
the confusion lies.

Well, how about nonsense instructions and poor coding for a start.
Let's say you've included a "My documents" folder called "Things" in a
library. You then decide you no longer want that folder and delete it
in "My documents". You'd expect that the library would automatically
know that "Things" had been deleted. But no, it's still there and if
you click on it you get an error message (X in red circle):

"Location is not available.

C:\Users\....\Things refers to a location that is unavailable. It could
be on a hard drive that is on this computer, or on a network. Check to
make sure that the disk is properly inserted, or that you are connected
to the Internet or your network, and then try again. If it still cannot
be located the information might have been moved to a different location."

You have to tell the library to remove the folder which doesn't exist!

Now if you have the same folder, create a shortcut to it on the desktop,
and then delete the folder and click on the shortcut, you get a
different message (NB not an error message - no X in red circle):

"Problem with shortcut.

The item "Things" that this shortcut refers to has been deleted.
However, it can be restored from the Recycle Bin.

Do you want to restore this file, or delete this shortcut?

[Restore] [Delete it] [Cancel]"

You tell me which makes the most sense and is most helpful.
Libraries... :-(((

 

[Ed Cryer]

Years ago where I worked at the time, another engineer (who had
management aspirations) gave a lecture on using vi to some of the
non-programming staff. He also used commands that I was unfamiliar with,
and vice versa, much like your tale.

The big difference was when I mentioned that I didn't know his commands,
and that there were also a slew of commands he didn't know, he got very
angry at me

You'll get used to self-defensive anger as you get older. It's very
common, especially when dealing with people who don't know much and
carry an ego too large for the job.

Clinical psychologists and therapists spend ages trying to get past the
defensive shields to the trauma below.

Ed