[Maemo 5] File manager only sees MyDocs. Is there a better file manager? - Page 4 - maemo.org

Laughing Man | # 31 | 2009-11-30, 21:43 | Report

Originally Posted by Tintin View Post

Ok..so to you win file manager sucks because there is an option to switch if you want to see hidden files or not. To each his own........

More reasons then that, for example I prefer dual pane, it doesn't always remember which view you like, no ssh integration last time i tried without another program, and other reasons. But to get back to the main point. Yes the n900's file manager system sucks and I hope there's more options from other file managers.

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zerojay | # 32 | 2009-11-30, 21:43 | Report

Originally Posted by christexaport View Post

It sucks that you have to ask. I'm actually trying to figure why flv videos won't play, but don't want to be told, I wanted to see if I could learn myself. Basically I want access to what I paid for.

Maemo Freak is a community of hackers and modders. Without full system access, we'll always have to beg guys here for help. We'd like to investigate the firmware and do custom boot videos, etc. I get sick of hearing "If you don't know X you shouldn't do Y" like I'm 6. Most of my crew are advanced enough to deal with this stuff.

I know the command line works, but I'm a big boy. I'm more proficient with Windows, and prefer a GUI based file browser. I don't know many computers today without one. Is there a GUI based browser for the N900 with ability to browse all files or no? And if not, how much cash must I gather to have one coded up? Or, ideally, can the defalt browser be modded to show all files?

No one here's saying that you and your community aren't advanced enough to do whatever it is you want to do and deal with the ramifications. We're simply explaining to you why the file manager was made the way it was - it's meant for average use cases.

I know there was a few GUI file browsers for previous tablets. I wouldn't be surprised if they would just run on the N900 as is until a proper port could be done. I just never really used them so I don't remember their names offhand.

Chris, if you try running an OS2008 GUI file browser and it works, post back and let us know.

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DataPath | # 33 | 2009-11-30, 21:48 | Report

Is the source for the built-in file browser open source? Maybe somebody could add a "red-pill mode" for the file browser, as well, allowing you to escape MyDocs and browse the whole filesystem.

Laughing Man | # 34 | 2009-11-30, 21:56 | Report

Originally Posted by zerojay View Post

No one here's saying that you and your community aren't advanced enough to do whatever it is you want to do and deal with the ramifications. We're simply explaining to you why the file manager was made the way it was - it's meant for average use cases.

I know there was a few GUI file browsers for previous tablets. I wouldn't be surprised if they would just run on the N900 as is until a proper port could be done. I just never really used them so I don't remember their names offhand.

Chris, if you try running an OS2008 GUI file browser and it works, post back and let us know.

That's pretty much my dislike of most default file managers. Fine until you need to do something that's not average use.

Anyway there was emelFM2, dual pane and really powerful but teeny tiny interface. GPE file manager which you tried. And Midnight Commander which I heard was good but never tried.

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GeraldKo | # 35 | 2009-11-30, 22:19 | Report

emelFM2 filled a need for those of us who aren't adept at command line, or prefer a sophisticated GUI, but are beyond being "normal" users. I get immense use out of it in Maemo 4. And it has something of a safety switch since you have to launch it from root to access or edit some files.

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msoini | # 36 | 2009-11-30, 22:29 | Report

Originally Posted by christexaport View Post

It sucks that you have to ask. I'm actually trying to figure why flv videos won't play, but don't want to be told, I wanted to see if I could learn myself. Basically I want access to what I paid for.

Maemo Freak is a community of hackers and modders. Without full system access, we'll always have to beg guys here for help. We'd like to investigate the firmware and do custom boot videos, etc. I get sick of hearing "If you don't know X you shouldn't do Y" like I'm 6. Most of my crew are advanced enough to deal with this stuff.

I know the command line works, but I'm a big boy. I'm more proficient with Windows, and prefer a GUI based file browser. I don't know many computers today without one. Is there a GUI based browser for the N900 with ability to browse all files or no? And if not, how much cash must I gather to have one coded up? Or, ideally, can the defalt browser be modded to show all files?

Hey, you really need to make up your mind on what you want to be.

All of the GUI is about easy access to things, which means users can avoid some of the complexity of the whole system.

But if you really want to be a hacker/modder, then you are explicitly going for "outside" the provided-as-preinstalled stuff. You want more. Hey, that's fine. N900 is hackable and you will have the power to do that. But it means you have to deal with the complexity that comes from going over the border.

Even if the file manager would allow you to navigate the folders you want (it doesn't), you'd immediately hit another lack-of-functionality-bump in the GUI land. It just doesn't provide what hackers need. Never was meant to.

...

What you need is already there in plain sight. And that's called "X Terminal". Yes, it has more complexity than GUI. But it also has extreme power. Power that hackers and modders need. So just take a deep breath and dive, you'll be enjoying it immensively afterwards. Command line isn't such an impossible thing to learn, especially for hacker/modder types.

Or if you are not willing to learn, then find a fellow hacker and ask him to write a GUI for you. But I'll tell you already that it's waste of everybody's time.

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christexaport | # 37 | 2009-11-30, 22:34 | Report

Originally Posted by zerojay View Post

No one here's saying that you and your community aren't advanced enough to do whatever it is you want to do and deal with the ramifications. We're simply explaining to you why the file manager was made the way it was - it's meant for average use cases.

I know there was a few GUI file browsers for previous tablets. I wouldn't be surprised if they would just run on the N900 as is until a proper port could be done. I just never really used them so I don't remember their names offhand.

Chris, if you try running an OS2008 GUI file browser and it works, post back and let us know.

I wasn't implying anyone's opinion of MF's technical advancement. It was a direct reply to GA only. And I don't even agree that all Linux file browsers lock you out of the system. My distro doesn't, and its a pretty common one, as is Nautilus, from what I hear.

I really haven't heard any realistic reason from anyone. Exactly how can a device be meant for geeks and hackers but have training wheels. I'm actually pretty offended, to be honest. This is Symbian S60 3rd Edition Unhacked BS all over again. We'll stomp over this roadblock in due time, but it sucks, and I just want anyone listening to know.

A simple setting to allow full access with a disclaimer would've sufficed. Calling this a file browser is misleading, and should be called a Personal File Browser. LCG XPlore is a file browser. ActiveFile is a file browser. YBrowser if a file browser. This is utter s**t, and I mean that. Don't make excuses for that mess. Maemo should've had a real file browser out of the box, period.

Putting the N900 down and allowing myself to vent. NOKIA, quit messing stuff up all of the time! GOD DA**IT! If you want to make computers, use Apple, Microsoft, and Canonical as models, not VTech, Fisher Price, and Mattell. I'm grown, and want a grown up's device, not an idiot box.

mrojas | # 38 | 2009-11-30, 22:55 | Report

The more I see threads like this, the more I think that we were right back in the day when the SDK's got dissected and there were people that said that things like this would be an issue...

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christexaport | # 39 | 2009-11-30, 22:55 | Report

Originally Posted by msoini View Post

Hey, you really need to make up your mind on what you want to be.

I don't need your help making choices or decisions. I've made one already, and have asked for an alternative to the default. What gives you the idea I have trouble making up my mind?

Originally Posted by

All of the GUI is about easy access to things, which means users can avoid some of the complexity of the whole system.

But if you really want to be a hacker/modder, then you are explicitly going for "outside" the provided-as-preinstalled stuff. You want more. Hey, that's fine. N900 is hackable and you will have the power to do that. But it means you have to deal with the complexity that comes from going over the border.

Look, I've been doing mobile hacking on two systems for years now. This is my third. I don't expect everything to be handed to me. I'm just shocked that Nokia still sees fit to have tethers, walls, and limits on a Linux system, unlike most Linux systems. And I asked for an alternative, ie a third party browser or default file browser hack, not the preinstalled one.

Originally Posted by

Even if the file manager would allow you to navigate the folders you want (it doesn't), you'd immediately hit another lack-of-functionality-bump in the GUI land. It just doesn't provide what hackers need. Never was meant to.

A GUI file manager with full access isn't some new invention, nor something only hackers and modders enjoy. It is a basic feature enjoyed by most mainstream computers.

And what unexpected "functionality bump" would I encounter with a GUI-based file browser? How do you even know what functionality I seek? I only want to look without using the CLI. I'm not asking for a hacker toolkit, but a common computer feature. Simple as that.

Can you provide one? If not, could you please provide a useful response to the thread title? That's all I'm concerned with. No offense. I'm experienced enough to know I'm not the only one wanting something like this. The fact previous builds had similar apps is testament to that, so I'm on another road altogether. I'm passed whatever you're talking about.

I hope I don't seem rude. I'm not trying to be. I'm just wanting the same experience OS 2008 users had for the N900, and am a bit frustrated that Nokia doesn't get what we need. Linux is made for modifying and adjusting. Why is Maemo breaking rank?

Originally Posted by

What you need is already there in plain sight. And that's called "X Terminal". Yes, it has more complexity than GUI. But it also has extreme power. Power that hackers and modders need. So just take a deep breath and dive, you'll be enjoying it immensively afterwards. Command line isn't such an impossible thing to learn, especially for hacker/modder types.

Or if you are not willing to learn, then find a fellow hacker and ask him to write a GUI for you. But I'll tell you already that it's waste of everybody's time.

I'm well familiar with CLI and Xterm,and keep a quick guide site of common commands on the N900 and my desktop. But this isn't how previous builds of Maemo have had to operate. We have developers everywhere, and a GUI based full access file browser has existed for previous builds. Just because I'm a geek doesn't mean I can't want an easier way of working. This is 2009, not 1999.

If Xterm suits you, then fine. But with today's technology, I don't have to.

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qole | # 40 | 2009-11-30, 22:58 | Report

Someone definitely needs to make an Advanced File Manager app. Better than the default FM, but much more simple than EmelFM.

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