C@ELOLJ<I Gnome Commander 8ck\ieXk`m\]`c\dXeX^\i]fi>efd\ ;@M@;<8E; :FEHL<I MXc\ipJ`Yi`bfm#=fkfc`X Twenty years ago, Peter Norton created a simple file manager with a cussed at regular intervals whether to implement a split-view feature for Nauti- split-view display. Can Gnome Commander inherit the veteran’s crown? lus – see the box titled “Split View” – but thus far, no definitive results have BY CHRISTIAN MEYER been forthcoming [2]. The first time Gnome Commander nome Commander integrates structure, this can really clutter up your launches, you will see a clear-cut win- seamlessly with the Gnome desktop with excess windows. Thus, a dow with a toolbar that includes naviga- >desktop, and in contrast to the split-view file manager, such as Gnome tion buttons for fast scrolling, to launch standard Gnome file manager, Nautilus, Commander [1], can be a blessing, espe- file operations (such as copying, mov- it offers a split-view mode – with two di- cially if you frequently copy and move ing, or deleting), and to edit and mail rectories in one window – that simplifies files and folders. copying and moving files. The ability to see Split View the source and target File managers typically display the contents of a single direc- Gf`ekjf]M`\n directories in the tory in each window. In split-view mode, a feature that Gnome One of the most strongly criticized fea- same window (for Commander and other programs offer, the program displays tures of Gnome is the “spatial view” ap- example, see Figure two folders in a single window (Figure 1). Many users think that proach used by the Gnome file manager 3) reduces the num- file operations are much easier in a split-view file manager than Nautilus. ber of windows on in single-view variants. Some programs – including the KDE 3 In the spatial view approach, a new the desktop. file manager, Konqueror – give users the option of displaying window opens to display the content of The Gnome devel- more than two directories in one window, but this can affect a folder. If you dig deep into your file opers also have dis- clarity. 82 ISSUE 95 OCTOBER 2008 082-084_gnomecdr.indd 82 13.08.2008 15:50:05 Uhr HOT SUMMER External appli- cations that the file BOOKS manager uses to display documents FOR THE DISCERNING TECHNOPHILE are entered in the Programs tab. To ac- cess different drives, define them in De- HOW DID THE WEB BEGIN? vices. Meet the innovators who laid the B\pYfXi[ foundations for the Internet and J_fikZlkj the World Wide Web, the man who The developers invented online chat, and the people =`^li\(1<Xj`cpZfee\Zkkf]kgn`k_ mainly based naviga- behind the products we use online >efd\:fddXe[\i% tion on Norton Com- every day. Author Michael Banks mander or the text- files. The buttons also in- based Midnight Commander presents an absorbing chronicle of clude fast access options for [3]. For example, you can the inventive, individualistic, and your home directory and press the Tab key to toggle often cantankerous individuals who Windows networks. between the two directory set the Internet free. Michael Banks panes. 978-1-4302-0869-3 JlY$N`e[fnj The original design is also 200 pages | July 2008 | $22.99 Most of the window is occu- reflected in function key as- pied by two vertically tiled signments such as F3 for the sub-windows, although you file viewer or F5 for copy. can tile horizontally if you If you prefer a mouse-ori- FEAST ON A BRAND NEW batch of Joel’s prefer. To do so, go to the ented approach, Gnome opinions and impressions in his latest book, More View menu and select Joel on Software: Further Thoughts on Diverse Change to horizontal and Occasionally Related Matters That Will Prove layout. In the bottom of the of Interest to Software Developers, Designers, window, you can ac- and Managers, and to Those Who, Whether by cess frequently used Good Fortune or Ill Luck, Work with Them in Some commands such as Capacity. file View, Edit, Copy, Move, and Mkdir. Also, you can enter commands directly, Joel Spolsky just as in a terminal. If Gnome Com- 978-1-4302-0987-4 mander is not set up =`^li\)1PflZXeX[[fi\[`k\o`jk`e^ 320 pages | June 2008 | $24.99 to your liking, you YffbdXibj% can change it by going to Settings | Options | Commander does give you Layout (Figure 4). Here, you this option. Double-clicking configure the program, start- a directory makes changes ing with the font type and to that directory. size, through line height and A Nautilus-style address For more information about Apress titles, icon size, to themes. bar above the directory con- tent is also very useful be- please visit www.apress.com =`ck\i cause it gives users a simple To specify file types that you option for climbing up the Don’t want to wait for the printed book? do not want to view, you can directory tree. You can just Order the eBook now at use the Filter tab. The ability click the required directory http://eBookshop.apress.com! to store Gnome Commander name to do so. passwords in the Gnome keyring (Network tab) takes I\dfk\J\im\ij the pain out of handling con- In a world of global net- fidential data. works, modern file managers 082-084_gnomecdr.indd 83 13.08.2008 15:50:09 Uhr C@ELOLJ<I Gnome Commander menu Add bookmark… sec- tion, or just click the book- mark icon above a directory window. If you select Edit book- marks …, you can easily edit and group your existing bookmarks. Gnome Commander has much more in the line of fea- tures than I can cover in this article. For example, the pro- gram lets you define individ- ual keyboard mappings or add plugins to extend func- tionality. Currently, only two plugins appear to be available, but programmers should feel free to contribute more. :feZclj`fej The roadmap for the next =`^li\*1K_\>efd\:fddXe[\in`e[fn^`m\jlj\ij[`i\ZkXZZ\jjkf\jj\ek`Xc]leZk`fej%@dX^\j major version includes a shift Zflik\jpf]_kkg1&&nnn%efe^el%fi^&^Zd[& to the new virtual filesystem library, Gio/ GVFS, which need to let users access all kinds of re- everything works out, you will see a but- Nautilus uses heavily. This might im- mote resources, such as WebDAV, ftp, ton with an alias below the toolbox; now prove interaction with the virtual folder SSH, and SMB. you will be able to access the resource when writing CDs or DVDs. The version tested for this article, ver- directly. The interface also needs some tender sion 1.2.6 from early June, supported ftp loving care: Display errors with too-nar- and SMB, with SSH and DAV support to 9ffbdXibjXe[Gcl^`ej row windows spoil what is otherwise a follow shortly, according to the develop- As with all current Web browsers and very usable interface. ers. file managers, Gnome Commander can If you are looking for a useful alterna- handle bookmarks (see Figure 2). Either tive to Nautilus and already have some JD9Xe[=kg enter new addresses in the Bookmarks experience with, for example, Midnight By clicking the correspond- Commander, you will have no trouble at ing buttons, you can conve- all moving to Gnome Commander. p niently browse SMB shares – Gnome Commander will INFO then show you the locations [1] Gnome Commander: http:// www. it has discovered. nongnu. org/ gcmd/ index. html For ftp access, go to the [2] Split view in Nautilus: http:// mail. Connections menu, select gnome. org/ archives/ nautilus-list/ New Connection, and type 2008-February/ msg00051. html the server name (such as [3] Midnight Commander: ftp.gnome.org) and, option- http:// www. ibiblio. org/ mc ally, a directory name (Fig- ure 1). For ftp servers that re- Christian Meyer has worked with quire a user login, select Linux for more than a decade and FTP (with Login) in the was on the board of Gnome Service type combobox; in Deutschland e.V. (the Germany-based addition, type your user Gnome NGO) between 2004 and name and password. 2006. Currently revising for his final If you would like to store exams, Christian can be met playing badminton or researching new Linux- an ftp server connection in AUTHOR THE related technologies in his leisure the program, click Remote time. Server in the same menu. If =`^li\+1:_Xe^\j\kk`e^j`ek_\CXpflkd\el% 84 ISSUE 95 OCTOBER 2008 082-084_gnomecdr.indd 84 13.08.2008 15:50:10 Uhr.