PCMan Lightweight Alternative File Manager
PCMan File Manager (or PCManFM) is a lightweight alternative to GNOME’s Nautilus file manager or Konqueror/Dolphin in KDE. I found it to be an excellent option for more sophisticated GNOME users, as well as those with slower computers.
PCManFM’s main features are tabbed browsing similar to a web browser’s (which Nautilus will be getting soon), a clean interface, and high speed.
PCManFM’s interface looks similar to Nautilus, but more compact with smaller toolbars and icons:
PCManFM integrates well into GNOME, my file templates (File->Create New->) are
used as well as my bookmarked locations. However, it doesn’t use GNOME’s virtual
filesystem, which means no ssh:// or smb:// addresses for browsing the
network. Also, one would expect the tabs to be re-orderable like in Firefox, but
they are not.
My two favorite features in PCManFM are Tool->Open Terminal and Tool->Open
Current Folder as Root, these tools could save a lot of clicks and typing. The
permissions tab of the File Properties window offers finer control over file
permissions for advanced users. I also noticed that PCManFM will display a
warning bar while you are running it as root to remind you to be careful.
Picture thumbnails are supported, but you’ll need to turn up the maximum file
size from 1024 KB in the Preferences dialog to view high resolution photos.
Also, you’ll need to select your preferred terminal from the drop down list to
use the open terminal tool.
Install PCManFM from the package pcmanfm (click the link to install), or by running the command below in your terminal:
sudo apt-get install pcmanfm
Start PCManFM from Applications->System Tools->PCMan File Manager.
Archived Comments
Myke
There’s also some additional instructions here to help you set it up as your default file manager. I tried it out and while I do like it’s snappy response and nifty features that you pointed out…I did miss the overall feel of Nautilus even if it’s slightly slower.
gavintlgold
For anyone who likes it, Nautilus also offers the finer control over permissions if you change a setting in gconf-editor.
Anonymous
Is there any file manager in linux like Directory Opus?
Thanks!
Eike
nice i like it - is there a way to make it the standard filbrowser?
lukeen
open terminal in nautilus with a click is easy with the package ‘nautilus-open-terminal’ and the thing with root with ‘nautilus-gksu’. there should be some other obligatory addons for nautilus like ‘nautilus-image-converter’ in your repos and if you need more get some nautilus scripts.
the permission dialog can be changed at /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_advanced_permissions in gconf-editor.
OndraZX
Your window decoration is nice. Can you send name or link? Thanks
Carlos
PCMan is great if you use Gnome. I never liked Nautilus and although they’re
improving it to become a little more lightweight, I still think it’s bloated.
I don’t use PCMan myself that much, because I’m running XFCE which has the
excellent Thunar (otherwise I would).
Tom
OndraZX:
The theme package is available from this page:
http://www.gnome-look.org/content/show.php/Clearlooks-Colors?content=75417
The controls are “Clearlooks Brave” and the borders are “X-Colors”.
MADrod
Perfect!
Just what a being missing since a decided to use gnome instead of kde.
Thanx!