Zabcat xplorer² File Management Software

Manufacturer: ZABKAT
Product Name: xplorer²
Price As Tested: Free Standard Version, $29.99 for Pro (www.zabkat.com)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by ZABKAT.

This is a software review I've been wanting to do for a long time, and since Benchmark Reviews has decided the object of this review may be a nice addition to our readers arsenal of computing tools, that's exactly what I'm doing today. I've wanted to do this review because it's a piece of software that gives Windows users something that has been lacking since Windows 2.0-a good dual pane file manager utility. Good news too--there is also a free version (Image: Side by Side layout with tree and preview pane on left.) In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the Zabcat xplorer² File Management Software suite.

Yes, I know. A “file explorer” but when I loaded Windows Vista for the first time way back when, I just couldn't take it any longer. The Vista file explorer grief (continuing with Win7) led me to xplorer², by ZABKAT. This file manager goes far and beyond simply files, however. Think of it this way: As a browser is to the internet, so is your file manager to your local (and nonlocal) hard drives. So, if you're an enthusiast, and I'll bet you are if you're reading this, then the importance of a file manager is no joke.

Background: xplorer² Dual Pane File Manager

What's the big deal about a File Manager? If you need to ask this question, just go back to Facebook and enjoy your Android tablet. Just a little joke. Really, if you need to ask this question, you're probably not too interested in a file manager. However, for those of us who are interested, the big deal about a robust file manager is that, for one, it's how we interact with our hard drives and two, Windows Explorer is dead clunky. Well, it's actually just dead, as in dead meat, no life, road pizza. Can you tell I really dislike Windows Explorer? (Image: An alternate configuration. The bottom pane is actually a directory with "Thumbnails" view active. You can see the preview image area on the left also. Note both the quick access drive buttons on the top toolbar and two drive tabs open in the top pane.)

The problem is that we've been without a good file explorer for so long, we subconsciously take it for granted that there isn't really a need for a robust file manager. For power users, nothing could be farther from truth. Having the ability to open one window with two panes for file copy and maintenance is something many of us haven't had the pleasure of experiencing, and if we have, can't do without.

Why Microsoft hasn't developed the dual pane browser is simply beyond me. Actually, the reason is most likely that Microsoft has been pushing Windows as the "people's" OS since it's inception, that is, trying to capture the everday person's interest (with the necessary condition of the Windows OS, of course) for all things information and entertainment related, and in doing so got it all wrong with one exception: "The people" will never be interested in dealing with information at the file level. Moreover, "the people" aren't really computer savvy either. (They're app savvy, tablet savvy, and smart phone savvy, but computers might as well be something out of Star Gate's Asgard line of technology; either that, or something old people do for work.) The masses' disinterest in dealing with files at the disk level left Microsoft unmotivated to develop a powerful file manager, and leaves us virtually without choice. (This is all conjecture because I have no idea why MS has never developed a robust file manager.)

In any event, the lack of a robust file manager is why we need xplorer² (from here on out, “X2”): It's the only deal going that's a professionally polished piece of software (unless I've missed an alternative of the same caliber) giving us complete control over our files, all in one package. Many of you don't remember “Norton Commander” of the DOS days. If you do, though, you'll appreciate another comparison: Norton Commander was to DOS what X2 is to Windows. Norton Commander was a keyboard GUI file utility for DOS, and DOS was the precursor to Windows, but without a graphical interface, rather, just a line of text that went, “blink. . .blink. . .blink. . .” waiting for you to type something like “copy autoexec.bat c:\windows." Nope, no Andriod, no iPhone, no “apps.” Sorry kiddies. Those were the days when men walked uphill to work in the snow, and then uphill back home in the snow, while humping a dot matrix printer. (And no, I'm not going to explain what a “dot matrix” printer is.) Anyway, Norton Commander allowed us to copy, move, delete, rename, and everything else in a couple of keyboard clicks, greatly reducing file maintenance time and effort when using DOS. The same thing is true with X2 and Windows. Let's look at some of X2's functions.

Functions: xplorer² Dual Pane File Manager

I'm not going over X2's entire suit of functions because you can go to ZABKAT and read about it yourself. Not only that, but if I were to go over every single aspect of X2 you'd probably be lying face down in your pepperoni pizza fast asleep. The power this thing has is astounding, however. So, let's hit a few of the incredible abilities of xplorer² and then give it up to you for further experimentation.

Dual Pane
X2's main claim to fame, but far from its only function, is that it's a fully integrated dual pane file manager utility. Fully customizable as far as window layout and pane information, including columns, previews, and disk information. When I went looking for a replacement for Windows Explorer, I went looking specifically for a dual pane model. What I didn't realize was the power that came with X2, such as previewing documents, like PDF files, Word and Open Office files, and most image files, including video.

The basic layout of X2 is the three pane layout, which can be vertical or horizontal. So, for instance, you can have the folder tree on the left and then two panes on the right, each with different directory paths open. You can turn it into four panes by opening the “preview” pane to view files, such as image files or doc type files—without opening any other programs. Or, you can simply drag the preview window below the vertical panes, or below the directory tree. Once laid out, you can simply click to close the panes you're not using, such as the preview pane. If you need them again, another click and they're back in their same location. You can save entire layouts and load them in a click, too. X2 also remembers the last directories you were using, and opens to those directories. (Image: (1) Directory tree, (2) File Pane, (3) File Pane set to "thumbnails," (4) Preview Pane.)

Command Line Access
You can start DOS commands by typing “$” right from X2's path bar. Below we see the information that the command “$ ipconfig” generates. You can copy text from the returned information and paste command line arguments into the command line, too, unlike a normal CMD window. Typing ">" is the symbol for "run” and is the same thing as using "run" or typing in the search box in the Win7 menu. X2 also saves a history of your commands. Try that with a CMD window and see what you get. (Image: DOS command from X2's path bar and its output.)

Tabbed Directories and Directory Bookmarks
Tabbing often used directories can be a real time saver, and works just like a browser. If you want to stay on "pane 1" and open another directory in that pane, just hit “tab” and you now have a tab ready for more input. So, you can have two panes with tabs in each one, and each tab can represent different locations. This way you can have infinite directories open simultaneously in each pane. Next, if you have directories you use often, bookmark them. This is just like web browser tabs, except X2's bookmarks are for directory locations. If you find yourself drilling down into specific directories often, this is going to make your day. (Image: (1) Directory pane with tabs, (2) Second directory pane with tabs. This is a Side by Side layout without a preview or tree window.)

Mass Renamer
For file junkies needing to rename large batches of files, you can do it with X2's mass renamer. It's not as robust as programs specifically created for renaming, but it gets the job done for fast mass renames. For instance, let's say you dumped a load of vacation pictures into a directory. If you want to rename them “vacation_2011_001.jpg” then the mass renamer will do that for you quite easily.

File Shredder
There really isn't any need for a picture of this. You simply select your file or files and choose “Actions>shred.” It's a nice touch, but the shredder only overwrites with zeros, and only overwrites once, without any options. So, if you need to make sure your files are really, really gone, it's better to go with a high powered shredder (or a blow torch). For most of us, the overwrite with zeros method will suffice. If a future drive necromancer ever finds my hard drive, for example, they're going to think the early 21st century was pretty boring. I mean, they'll find this document, right? (I do, however, use a high powered shredder to shred old bluprints for my antigravity, perpetual motion vehicles the government and corporations have been trying to steal from me.)

Heavy Duty Search Utility (Not available in the free edition.)
A really powerful search tool that replaces the Window's search utility completely, complete with Boolean search options. You can search inside files, outside of files, behind files, text in files, filter your searches, and anything else file search related. (It even found a decaying salami sandwich behind my refridgerator.) I've compared X2's file search to the venerable Agent Ransack, and it works, at the very least, as well.

Synchronize Directories or Checking a Build
This isn't like synchronizing a backup, as it doesn't delete files or back them up. There are two options. The first one is a quick link to synchronize what you have already setup with the second option, which allows you to choose what type of synchronization you want. The output highlights files that you specify in the options panel. Perform the sync, and then do what you want with the results. Then we have a build checker. This option is for programmers, allowing them to check the builds of compiled files.

Find Duplicates
Select a directory or drive, and simply click “Find Duplicates.” This finds any duplicate files on your system. This is great for those multi-terabyte mp3 collections.

Scrap Container
The scrap container is a window that keeps files you want to work on, without having to go find them again every time you need them. So let’s say I'm going to install some programs, then later work on a review, like this one, and I have a couple of RAW photos I need to get out to a client. I can pull those files into a “scrap container” and they sit there in their little container until I need them. The scrap container is simply a temporary box of file shortcuts, but with all the options that X2 supports.

Access to FTP and Webdav
Pretty much any directory you can open with another program, you can open it with xplorer².

Portable
A portable version is also available for the paid and free versions.

There are more features in X2, such as a fully customizable layouts and toolbars, but you should check those out yourself, if interested. For now, we need to wrap this up, so check out the conclusion.

Zabcat xplorer² File Management Conclusion

If you've never worked with a dual pane file manager, you'll never go back once you do. (It's a little like going with a dual monitor set up. Once you incorporate it into your workflow, there's no going back.) After using a dual pane file manager, it feels like you're literally tied down when you have to use a single pane file manager. You also have the benefit of X2 anywhere you need it because X2 has a portable option. (Image: with the directory tree (1) on the left and two (2,3) directory locations open on the right.)

xplorer² is not simply a file "explorer” as much as it is a nearly complete file "manager." We've touched on some of the major functions of X2, but that's just a start. xplorer² is a fully customizable dual pane file manger, incorporating most everything a power user needs. For instance, besides having two panes with different directories open in each pane, you can search using a built in very, very powerful Boolean search engine that completely replaces the Windows' search engine. But that's just for starters.

With X2, you can synchronize directories; find duplicate files; preview almost any file type (with plugins), including text, docs, pdfs, RAW digital camera RAW files, and of course jpgs, gif, and png's; bookmark your most used directories; mass rename files; shred files; add tabs to each pane for even more directory locations (similar to internet browser tabs); access webdav and ftp files; and run DOS commands right from xplorer²'s interface. There's also a hex viewer and a portable version. You even get top notch documentation, and almost immediate support from the developer, including the free version downloaded from www.zabkat.com.

There isn't much to dislike about a high caliber tool like xplorer² and a tool that can do so much for file management tasks. For these reasons, and the fact there is a free version, xplorer² from ZABKAT gets the prestigious Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer award!

Pros:

+ Stable
+ 64bit
+ Free Version
+ Dual Pane
+ Customizable
+ Lifetime Buy Option
+ Excellent Search Engine
+ Excellent support
+ Excellent documentation
+ Portable version

Cons:

- Plugins for maximum file preview
- Shredder could use DOD specifications
- Mass Renamer could be beefed-up

Ratings:

• Performance: 9.90
• Layout: 9.90
• Functionality: 9.00
• Value: 8.50

Final Score: 9.3 out of 10.

Excellence Achievement: Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer Award.

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