Ten of the best Linux file managers

Most users take their file manager for granted, but perhaps it is time to look at the range of features offered by Linux utilities, says Jack Wallen.

To Linux users, the file manager is as close to their hearts as their text editor. There is a reason for this: with the Linux operating system, and its various desktops, there are many file managers. Each has standard, as well as individual, features.

In fact, there are so many file managers, and so many specific features, it is worth listing 10 of the best choices. See if one of these file managers meets or surpasses your needs.

1. Command line
Although the command line is not just a file manager, you cannot have a listing of Linux file management tools without including it. Without these tools, working on headless servers would be a challenge, unless you are using remote desktop.

As someone who cut his Linux teeth with the command line, not a day goes by when I do not use it for something. The tools you will use for file management in the command line include cd, mkdir, rm, ls, locate, find, cp and mv.

2. Dolphin
Dolphin, the default file manager for KDE, replaced Konqueror with the arrival of KDE 4. It is a full-featured file manager and includes standard features and then some. You will also find network transparency, undo, batch renaming, split views, dockable panels, built-in encryption, zoom drag bar and much more.

Dolphin will never offer the number of features included with Konqueror, which is precisely why the KDE team made the switch. Instead, it focuses on file management alone. Konqueror focuses on everything — file management, browsing, document viewing.

The KDE developers thought it best to simplify the task of file management. This was a good call on their part, especially for the new user. As a file manager, Konqueror was just too much.

3. Gnome Commander
Gnome Commander is the GTK+ version of the venerable Midnight Commander file manager. Gnome Commander is a split-pane file manager that offers all of the features of Midnight Commander with the added convenience of a graphical user interface.

Along with the graphical interface comes the ease of network transparency. With Gnome Commander, you can connect to a remote server with Samba, FTP, Windows Share, WebDAV, Secure WebDAV and SSH. Gnome Commander also offers Root Mode, keyboard shortcuts, batch renaming, built-in search, help documentation, translations, drag and drop, directory synchronisation and a plug-in system.

If you are a fan of Midnight Commander but want something a little less cumbersome than Ncurses, Gnome Commander could fit the bill.

4. Konqueror
In the right hands, Konqueror is the king of file managers. Even though KDE has gone in a different direction by adopting Dolphin, you can still use Konqueror as your primary file manager. Konqueror features all aspects of file management, and uses KIO plug-ins to extend its feature set to include many types of protocols such as ZIP, tar, smb, ed2k, HTTP and FTP.

With Konqueror, you can browse audio and video CDs, then rip them with drag and drop. Konqueror can act as your local file manager or as a remote file manager. It enjoys a universal viewer, which enables you to view nearly any type of file from within one window.

With KDE 4, you will notice Dolphin is the default file manager and Konqueror is the default web browser. This situation does not mean you are locked into them, though. You can use Konqueror as your file manager and use another browser, such as Firefox.

5. Krusader
Krusader is another KDE file manager. It will be right at home on your desktop if you are familiar with Midnight Commander or Gnome Commander. Of course, that does not mean you need to know those file managers.

Krusader is easy to use, as any good file manager should be. It offers a twin-view, graphical interface with an added command-line entry area at the bottom of the window. And it places the focus on the keyboard, so you can work efficiently without having to use...