Firefox-like incremental search

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jakelundy
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Firefox-like incremental search

Post by jakelundy »

Is there a way change focus to a file or folder that contains a search string?

The current incremental search only matches the beginning of the file.  (Note that I want to navigate to this file, not simply select it.)  I couldn't find any way to do this in the manual.

In cases where there are many files with the same prefix (e.g., "file123", "file456", "file789"), such a feature would avoid the need to type the common prefix.

If this feature doesn't exist, I would suggest an implementation like Firefox's incremental find, where you can also hit a function key to cycle the focus among the files that match the search string.

I'm using xplorer2 pro 1.8.0.13 [Unicode] on Vista Business SP2.
Kilmatead
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Post by Kilmatead »

For partial names, a small 3rd-party utility called Listary (free for personal use) serves this function slightly better than x2's built-in methods, and integrates perfectly with x2 (x64 included) and most windows applications which utilise any sort of list (task manager, win explorer, etc) - so its functionality becomes second-nature.
narayan
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Post by narayan »

Try the quick search feature (see p.83 in UM.

HTH
jakelundy
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Post by jakelundy »

@narayan: Quick search *selects* (multiple) matching files, whereas I want to focus on the first matching file, so it's not quite what I'm looking.

@Kilmatead: Thanks for the pointer to Listary.  It looks like a useful utility, and I'll try it out later.  It would still be nice to have this functionality built-in to xplorer2.

What's the best way to suggest this feature be included in a future release?
narayan
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Post by narayan »

The first match has no special significance. Typically, a user would have to go though all the other matches too.

Quick find with ALT+Enter hides the non-matching entriesw at one stroke.
So you can cycle through all matches.
wperkins99
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Post by wperkins99 »

@jakelundy:  Hopefully you have "tried out" Listary - this utility does exactly what you want, and has the further advantage of doing it *outside* xplorer², too. While your desire to have this functionality in xplorer² makes some sense, I have not found any other program which offers the features that Listary does, and the fact that it also works in other program File Open/Save dialogs and in Windows File Manager in addition to inside xplorer² seals the deal for me. I want the separate utility. You might, too...
jakelundy
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Post by jakelundy »

I just installed Listary, and it's exactly what I was looking for!  Hopefully, I don't come across any quirky behaviour or performance issues.

Honestly, I'd still like to see this feature included with xplorer2.  I'd rather not install an app that embeds itself into the OS and captures keystrokes like Listary does.
Kilmatead
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Post by Kilmatead »

jakelundy wrote:Honestly, I'd still like to see this feature included with xplorer2.  I'd rather not install an app that embeds itself into the OS and captures keystrokes like Listary does.
I've been running Listary for over a year, and never had a single difficulty with it (other than the odd application where it doesn't work - though those are the minority).

Part of x2's simple design could be described as "Figuratively Modular" - its primary task is file management, keeping the bells and whistles at a minimum.  For instance, despite built-in functions (not fully fleshed-out, but more than functional) many users have grown used to having external solutions for Mass-Renaming, File/Folder Comparison, even Thumbnail Caching, as desired.  Many of these applications were designed for the shortcomings (or, rather, downright absence of functionality in Win Explorer) - but are often too specialised for the "common user", who would be happy with the basics.  Thus, such programmes find a useful home, too, within x2's aegis.

One could ask if this is a "bad" thing - true, many people, like yourself, would wish everything they wanted not only built-in, but designed bespoke to their specifications.  A titular "one stop solution".  Take this theory to its logical conclusion and sooner or later you end up with too much bloat, too much make-up, and a prissy attitude - none of which are desirable in a girlfriend, never mind a file-manager. :wink:

For instance, I keep another small tray-app running full time (WizMouse) which does nothing other than scroll un-focused windows on mouse-over.  Its sole use to me in x2 is being able to independently scroll both panes in x2 without having the click-focus on them first.  As you're not a big mouse-person, this probably wouldn't appeal to you, but it's a simple example of what I'm talking about.  Should this be in x2?  Of course! (if you ask me).  But I've learned not to ask for too much minutia, it's a law of diminishing returns as regards upgrade requests.  The benefit of it working ("elsewhere in windows") is just an extra added bonus.  The same thing might apply to Clipboard-extension applets, and so on... the list soon becomes endless, and just as soon stops being about file-management, and more about Desktop playtime.  "Why can't x2 create my music playlists?"  "Why can't x2 set multiple LCD wallpapers?"  "Why doesn't x2 check for viruses?"   Ugh. :evil:  See this as similar humour.

Some people would love it if x2 controlled their whole desktop interface (out of convenience), but that would rather kill the simple, functional, streamlined approach Nikos has taken in design, and in the end turn x2 into just another Frankenstein App which pretends to be all things to all men, and runs the multitude of superfluous background services to prove it.

(Hell, if that happened, imagine what size the flamin' User Manual would be then? :D)
jakelundy
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Post by jakelundy »

Kilmatead wrote:Part of x2's simple design could be described as "Figuratively Modular" - its primary task is file management, keeping the bells and whistles at a minimum.
That's funny because I've found x2 to be one of the most full-featured file management apps I've used (although I haven't done a thorough survey).

I understand your point about keeping the product lean and not adding every little feature that might scratch someone's itch.  I guess I was just hoping there would be enough people who would like this feature to justify implementing it.

(Incidentally, to support your argument, I tried Directory Opus a few years ago and liked its feature set but gave up on it because it wasn't responsive enough; it would often take a fraction of a second too long to respond to my keystrokes.)

I appreciate the discussion, Kilmatead.
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Post by Tuxman »

Kilmatead wrote:other than the odd application where it doesn't work
There are any (besides XYplorer)?
Kilmatead wrote:but are often too specialised for the "common user", who would be happy with the basics.  Thus, such programmes find a useful home, too, within x2's aegis.
Ironically I came to x² because I wanted something specialized that exceeds the basics.
Kilmatead wrote:For instance, I keep another small tray-app running full time (WizMouse) which does nothing other than scroll un-focused windows on mouse-over.
You could also use the ac'tivAid script collection for that which makes a lot of stuff more easier to handle.

Anyway, you are right indeed. While xplorer² is certainly not designed as a full desktop replacement, it does what it is meant for. FAR Manager and Midnight Commander are file managers, too, and I never heard of anybody writing stuff like "FAR/mc does not include sophisticated search functionality" or something, because file finding is not an essential file managing task. (While x²'s Omnifinder actually rocks, though.)
Tux. ; tuxproject.de
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jakelundy
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Post by jakelundy »

Kilmatead wrote:I've been running Listary for over a year, and never had a single difficulty with it (other than the odd application where it doesn't work - though those are the minority).
Darn it, Listary doesn't work well with x2's menu keyboard accelerators.  For example, if I run the Mass Rename command by hitting "Alt+F, M", Listary captures the "M" keystroke instead of letting x2 select the Mass Rename menu item.

So, Listary is unusable for me, and I'm back to wanting this incremental search feature in x2.

Interestingly, menu keyboard accelerators work fine in Windows Explorer even with Listary installed.  Nikos, is x2's menu implemented in a non-standard way, or at least differently from Windows Explorer?

(I'm using xplorer2 pro 1.8.0.13 [Unicode] on Vista Business SP2.)
Kilmatead
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Post by Kilmatead »

jakelundy wrote:Listary doesn't work well with x2's menu keyboard accelerators.
You're right - very strange that this conflict has escaped attention thus far, as Listary has proven popular with many users.

An odd work-around, if you're willing to alter your approach a bit, is to continue holding down the <Alt> key while you type both F and M.  Apparently this keeps the focus in the menu instead.  Weird.
Mr.Pleasant
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Post by Mr.Pleasant »

jakelundy wrote:For example, if I run the Mass Rename command by hitting "Alt+F, M", Listary captures the "M" keystroke instead of letting x2 select the Mass Rename menu item.
Then hit Alt+F, Alt+M. Edit: You already wrote that, Kilmatead  :oops:
Nice tool, this Listary. I didn't know it, I'm trying it now, and I think I like it.
BRX
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Post by BRX »

I've been using Listary for over a year now and don't want to miss it.

But I've never encountered this conflict since if I want to use mass rename (indicating I've selected more than one file) I just hit F2 and it goes directly to the mass rename.

Really no alt-F-M necessary.
jakelundy
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Post by jakelundy »

Kilmatead wrote:An odd work-around, if you're willing to alter your approach a bit, is to continue holding down the <Alt> key while you type both F and M.
I noticed this too, but it doesn't always work well.  For example, try to select "Go to / Special Folders / Recycle Bin" with Alt+OAB.  For some reason, when the Alt key is held down, x2 navigates to the Recycle bin in the inactive pane.  (Is this by design?  If not, maybe it's a clue to the problem.)

BRX wrote:But I've never encountered this conflict since if I want to use mass rename (indicating I've selected more than one file) I just hit F2 and it goes directly to the mass rename.
Yes, but there are many other menu commands that don't have a keyboard shortcut.
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