This is just a random tip I wanted to drop into the TES mod community: working with mod files & the Oblivion game directory is a lot easier if you have a decent file browser. I highly recommend Directory Opus. It supports tabbed file browsing (ala Firefox) and a dual pane view that lets you see two open directories within a single window.

ANyway, I don't work for them or anything, just a long time 'Dopus' user and thought I better mention it for the sake of the poor souls still using default Windows explorer.

Does it treat archives like directories? That's the big bonus of Total Commander for me as well as tabs, dual-pane etc. No need to open a separate archive manager.

Those would be good suggestions for Bash shortcuts

Yes it does. And yeah, Total Commander is another good one. That said, I've tried them both and prefer Directory Opus.

I googled Directory Opus whilst waiting for your reply and they seem to have a very similar feature set, although I could find no reference to it handing 7z archives

Silly question before I look into this, is it possible to have it open with Windowskey+E like you would with the standard window explorer? That's how I always open it anyway since I'm too lazy, so that would be great for sure! Thanks for the tip anyway, never actually considered a different file browser...

You can open anything you like with win+e - as long as you are comfortable with editing the registry.

edit. actually I think AutoHotkey will do it for you too but I haven't used it for a long time.

Cheers, will look into that. If it's out of my league I'll stick to using Win+O for this program since that was already there, will take some getting used to though when you're stuck in your ways like me.

I'm gonna put in a word for my file-management utility of choice, http://www.freecommander.com/. Here's http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn303/Decrepit_Waste/ESIV%20errors/FreeCommander2.jpg displaying both my Oblivion Bash-installers and Elsweyr-Anequina BAIN-PACKAGE creation sub-folders. Of the file-management tools I've tried, this one had the most useful dual-panel setup for me.

-Decrepit-

I used Total Commander for (cough) a 'few' years as shareware before my conscience got the better of me. Free Commander was one program I looked at and it's pretty good. I was too used to TC though and ended up paying for it. Best €30 I ever spent. As a comparison http://imgur.com/rCyrc.png. (The dated look is due to my windows setup, not the program).

Yes, when you install Directory Opus it gives you the option to completely replace Windows Explorer - so anytime it would normally be used, Directory Opus takes over. In addition, after installed, if you double click anywhere on the desktop Directory Opus will open. Real handy.

Rats! I bought the wrong file manager!

Well Win+E still defaulted to Win Explorer even though I installed it with the option to completely replace it, but changing Win+E to Directory Opus was really easy from the options anyhow. Works like a charm!

The pros use Windows Explorer. I know all the ins and outs of it, I don't need some other file browser to use.

And 7-zip is free, to use for all sorts of archive files including the big 3 - .7z, .rar. and of course .zip.

For a copy handler, I use TeraCopy. Much more robust than even Windows 7's built-in copy handler, and lightyears ahead of anything from XP or earlier.

Lemme just put http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-file-manager.htm out for the freeware junkies out there

I was wondering why that name sounded familiar, I used to use Directory Opus back in my Amiga days. I use Magellan Explorer myself, it's another good file manager along the same lines.



Windows Explorer svcks. You'd be amazed at how much easier it is to manage your files with a dual pane system like the ones being mentioned, rather than the drag and drop method Explorer uses. I doubt very much if the pros use Explorer, it's just too clumsy compared to other programs out there.

This is a very good tip, and I've been using http://www.zabkat.com/x2lite.htm free version since forever. It is highly recommended, and has all the features listed above and more - really good for renaming multiple files in a certain pattern too!