Of those, which would you recommend and why?
We've moved this thread to the "Off-topic" section since it's not really about Opus 
2 Likes
I don't have enough experience with them to give a creditable suggestion plus I don't know your use case - heavy Miller column user or every so often. Some are free: some cost. You can try then at no cost and get your own sense of the relative value. HTH.
Fair enough. Although I don't currently have a use case requiring Miller columns, I'm interested in file managers, in general.
As far as a general interest in file managers, xplorer2 is the best of the lot but overpriced. Total Commander has more features, is rock solid and costs about the same. Of the others, they are interesting eye candy but not serious contenders on features. Of course, these are just my opinions, YMMV.
1 Like
Agree with the features and eye candy comments.
1 Like
I've extensively used all of those alternative tools except for ThatView, and none of them can replace Dopus. xplorer2 Has issues with Google drive desktop app and mediocre UI, Files is extremely slow, One commander has a great column view but UI is off-standard and keyboard shortcuts are hit or miss. I've also tried Q-Dir, Midnight commander, Total commander and some other obscure apps.
Dopus is stable, fast, reliable and a huge productivity boost for creative professionals like me. There really isn't any other app that ticks all the right boxes.
What I'm saying below is not directed at the devs, but the others who are being a bit exclusivist.
To have an open ended and valuable discussion, we should consider the request and gauge the viability, usefulness and execution methods instead of instantly shooting it down and directing people elsewhere. No one is making useless noise here. All of us here are people who love Dopus and are just asking to see if it's possible for this feature to be implemented, as it'll elevate the usage of the program to the next level and will sure make it another USP in Dopus's alreadly long list.
I'm just surprised to see that its normal users that are trying to shoot this topic down- one would expect resistance to come from developers instead, and that's not the case here. A developer convinced of the usefulness of the feature, but informing us that implementation might be difficult due to any technical reason would've been a different scenario.
Just because you have no experience with using said feature and have no understanding of what it means to certain people, and you can't fathom getting out of your comfort zone, doesn't mean there isn't an option to do something another way. A potentially better way.
Thank you, whoever, for derailing this thread, condescending this discussion calling it a rant, and helping it get moved to the off topic section.
Yeah, I'm disappointed the way this has turned out. I was really excited to see this feature being requested.
1 Like
Changing the discussion thread's category has no effect on the feature request's validity and does not inhibit the developers' ability to track said request.
A few users, myself included, have expressed an interest in Miller columns. In my estimation, the request is neither high on users' overall requested feature lists, in general (registered users in particular), nor high on the developers' to do list.
That said, unless I missed something, users are free to post new threads with requests and information to bolster their case for said requests.
1 Like
Thanks but this didn't really help. What command can I write to get the first item in the folder just opened with the right arrow key to be selected? I can't figure that out.
I couldn't agree more with @aNameMeansNothing and @Chuck .
@lxp , the guy in question solved his own necessities. It's wrong to assume his solution would be everyone's solution.
@Jon , I disagree with moving this topic to Off-topic. It's REALLY about Opus.
Some users are even considering your competitors in your own forum. Your posture giving them freedom is excelent, but I think you should consider it at least alarming.
Well, I shouldn't kick rocks anymore. When a considerable amount of clients/possible clients complain about something and the company doesn't listen, it's only natural to search for other services.
1 Like
I'm new to the forum, but don't really understand why the request for a column view in Opus is not about Opus. I think it is a highly useful view that can give you a view of your folder structure/content in a way that no other view can come close to. I was surprised to hear that it would require so much work to implement, but I'm not an Opus developer.
1 Like
Please ask in the other thread, and include detail of what's happening now and where it's going wrong. (Is the first folder not being selected? Or is it selected but the right-arrow isn't going into it?)
Because the thread has drifted into people talking about other file managers, among various other things.
I apologize for my contribution to getting this thread off topic. That was not my intention.
That said, there IS value in continuing the discussion about the requested feature itself. The feature discussion is definitely NOT off topic.
Proposal: split the thread into two threads -
- maintain the clearly Opus-centric discussion involving a valid feature request and its pros/cons in one thread back in its original category.
- alternative file manager discussion into another thread in the Off Topic category.
2 Likes
This thread got my curiosity enough to download the free version of OneCommander.
I even thought of making a screen shot of Dopus toolbars and a couple of panes around it.
I'm sorry, it really isn't funny.
But really, given the power that Directory Opus has, is it so much of a sacrifice to use a series of linked tabs and/or some kind of tab shuffling to accomplish these tasks ? It seems to me at least that requesting expanded features of tab linking may be more prudent than pursuing this.
I can think of other things that would require much work in Dopus that I would rather see.
What would increase sales more, these columns, or a built in AI ability to recognize general and specific features in photos for instance ? That isn't far from science fiction these days.
Continue as you wish.
This is just one humble person's late night thoughts.
Good Luck !
I, too, apologize for my contribution to getting this thread off topic. My intention was to give those wanting Miller columns now programs with that feature.
I think a request for a feature, such as Miller columns, is appropriate.
Respectfully, I would ask the devs in the future to give a fact based response to a feature request, such as, "This request is low on our priority list based on user demand, prevalence in the market market and the difficulty of implementation relative to other projects to improve the product."
Thanks for your attention.
1 Like
The feature being requested is another method for easy navigation- similar to how the folder tree, flat view, breadcrumbs, lists / thumbnails etc all exist to serve very different purposes in the broader context of file management. Column / Miller view (CV) is another option that helps in specific use cases- it is not meant to replace everything else. Remember that we've still been using Dopus without CV for years, so that tells you something.
And yes, it is quite a sacrifice to use linked tabs and any other such setup if your is goal to make it an alternative for CV. I guess the usefulness has to be experienced in appropriate contexts for it to make true sense (no amount of explaining has been working, as you can see)- or maybe your usage does not even need CV, and you'd be fine with the normal method. So CV probably isn't for you. Just like your tab linking isn't for me and a bunch of others. It would be helpful, of course, just not in the scenarios we'd like it for.
We did, ten years and about 75 posts ago in this very thread.
1 Like
For what it's worth.. I'm not a fan of this type of file choosing or browsing for a single file, especially when it is forced on you on the Mac or software being related to Mac versions on Windows, BUT..
I can imagine some benefits when sorting files from or to specific folder structure(s). I would have to try this out if it works better than moving up/down various paths by "double clicking file display background" and multiple (locked) tabs to get easy access to specific "base" locations.
Maybe "Miller" columns (as you guys name it), is a thing for Mac experienced users, because there does not seem to be a text input to easily copy and paste any paths, which is why they need to navigate a lot?! No easily accessible or no "path" text field at all is a pain on Linux as well.
1 Like
But how long does there remain value when it's been pretty well established that the requested feature is not going to happen for better or worse?
That's a matter of perspective. To those current and prospective customers interested in the feature, one would think there's continued value in adding to the dialog. From the developers' perspective, it's clear they're no fans of the particular request from both a personal preference and professional bandwidth perspective. That said, never say never...