Today a new version of the nice freeware file explorer Total Commander from Christian Ghisler is released. Both the versions for touchscreen devices as well as the non touchscreen version are upgraded. Those of you who were favourites of Norton Commander in the past probably know the Total Commander desktop software, with its two window style. However Christian Ghisel also developed different other versions, like the one to run from a USB stick or the sp-called U3 platform and ofcourse versions for Windows Mobile.

Both the pocketpc version and the smartphone version are upgraded with the following features:

Support for ZIP encryption, both ZIP 2.0 and AES (advanced encryption standard [ref01]

Personally I’m a huge fan of Resco File Explorer, and I’m willing to pay for the look, feel and features of that product. However Total Commander for Windows Mobile is a thouroughly developed application, with a build-in ftp explorer, registry editor, and virtual 2 window style like its bigger brother. If you just want to use freeware, Total Commander is an excellent choice.

Also the Windows Desktop versions (16bit and 32bit) are upgraded to version 7.04. As I already described I’m a huge fan of the 2 window style and many helpful modules like the build-in ftp explorer, build-in packers, and many other usefull build-in commands. On the website Christian Ghisler provides the following changelog:

New: Updated unterface + icons, compare editor, cursor in lister, separate trees, logging, enhanced overwrite dialoge, and many more new features.

Conclusive:

It’s praiseworthy that Christian Ghisler has developed versions for many different platforms (Windows Desktop / Windows Mobile / U3 USB version) with a comperable look and feel. Although the number of features on the mobile versions is a little more limitted it still is a great choice in comparison with competitive software. The desktop version can be used as shareware, and can be extended with a large number of add-ons. If you are a Norton Commander fan in the past, this simply is the File Manager to use on all platforms !!

Reference list:

1. GHISLER:  Total Commander Pocket Version

The first program to install on an pocketpc phone edition or smartphone edition is a good file explorer. For years I’ve been using Resco File Explorer on both operating systems.

The combination of a good userinterface and loads of features, like the build-in registry editor and build-in ftp client, makes it a really nice piece of software, which is worth every penny. Like the development of the 2007 version, Resco has put a public beta on their forums for the 2008-version. [ref03]

With this approach I personally like the fact the Resco uses large ammounts of customer feedback for the further development of the software. As a customer it’s cool to contribute to the enhancement of the software you already like.

Resco already provides a list of new features and bug-fixes: [ref03]

• Popup menu: added missing commands
• Navigation bar fixed
• Favorites list fixed + new “Add To Favorites” button
• RAR Highlighting
• separate Toolbar settings for portrait/landscape
• Double-tap activation bug fix
• Multi-selection fixed
• saving Touch-mode settings fixed

Features not in the list, but available in the beta are: [ref02]

• Touch control support
• Side letter navigation bar
• File search filter
• Find content-related files in the virtual folders
• Customizable toolbar
• AS Zip encryption, Secure FTP

With al the user input I think there are even more nice options possible. So don’t waste your time and grab your download here, and provide the developers with useful feedback. Personally I would like to see support for the apptodate utility of Modaco. What would you like to see ??

Reference list:

1. Pocketinfo article (in Dutch)
2. MoDaCo article
3. Resco Forums
4. Download Resco Explorer 2008 beta