FileVoyager - file manager

[Midas]

[Moderator note: this is the primary FileVoyager program thread. View database entry]

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FileVoyager (http://www.filevoyager.com/) hasn't been mentioned here at TPFC, although it provides portable downloads (untested!).

FileVoyager is a freeware orthodox file manager for Microsoft Windows. [...] This dual pane layout makes very easy the transfer operations of files or folders between sources and destinations. FileVoyager contains a large collection of tools and functionality.

Download latest FileVoyager 32-bit only portable release (currently v16.1.10.0: http://www.filevoyager.com/download/changelog/) from http://www.filevoyager.com/download/.

[I am Baas]

Tested FileVoyager 16.1.10.0

Launches http://www.filevoyager.com/thank-you-fo ... levoyager/

Settings saved in an Ini sub-folder in the application folder \FileVoyager_Portable_16.1.10.0_Full\Ini

Traces:
Vis.ini file in "Windows" directory
Lots of entries in the registry...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\3D dot cube
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\3D dot sphere
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\3D dot torus
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\3D Scope
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\3D starfield
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\Circle scope
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\Circle spectrum
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\Dot circle
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\Dot fireworks
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\Dot string
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\Rotation scope
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\Simple scope
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects\Spectrum fountain
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotEffects
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotScopeEffects\3D Scope
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotScopeEffects\Circle scope
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotScopeEffects\Circle spectrum
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotScopeEffects\Rotation scope
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotScopeEffects\Simple scope
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotScopeEffects\Spectrum fountain
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\DotScopeEffects
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TextEffects\Char Fader
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TextEffects\Fade in Writer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TextEffects\Random Writer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TextEffects\Simple Scroller
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TextEffects
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\Big Waves
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\CubicZoomer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\Inverse Perspective zoomer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\Log Zoomer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\Perspective rotozoomer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\Perspective twist zoomer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\Perspective zoomer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\Rotozoomer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\Star rotozoomer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\Wave rotozoomer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\Weirdo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects\Wild zoomer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Acidspunk\TransformEffects

[I am Baas]

I could not find a way to disable the automatic check for updates and the links to the author's blog posts

[tactictoe]

Thanks for testing this one Baas.

I had this one for a little while installed on my PC via setup for personal test purpose and I must say I quite like it.
Didn't even know it had a portable version.
I can't use it as portable without creating a 'Trace cleaner' for this one. What I will probably do, and sure share it here when done, as I want to get this one in my portable toolbox.

Something like this in pascal for deleting the key:
...
var
reg : TRegistry;
begin
reg := TRegistry.Create(KEY_WRITE);
reg.RootKey := HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE;
if (reg.KeyExists('Software\\Acidspunk\\') ) = true then
reg.DeleteKey('Software\\Acidspunk');
reg.CloseKey();
reg.free;
...
end;
...

If I make this 'Trace cleaner', would this software be a potential software to be posted here?

Sad that the only way to stop this automatic update is a firewall rule.
On his website there is a link to contact the author via email which also contains a reason dropbox. This drop box with various choice. May be sending an email to the author as Information or Request a feature for :
- automatic update > choice to not automatically update (just a combobox to tick, and add to the routine of update: if combobox.checked then exit)
- registry cleanup in portable mode after program close

I do not have a blog too, old school working with email.

Pfff, I lost myself in the shuffle again, all I wanted to do is to thank you for testing the software I like; also Midas to propose it.

[FileVoyager]

Hi there!
I am the author of FileVoyager. Thank you for your interest.
I didn't knew about the behavior of AcidSpunk (it's a dll that provides audio visualization). Thanks for having notice it.
I will check if I can prevent the writing in the registry, if not, I will drop it from the portable version. And maybe even from the installer, I don't like useless writing in the registry!
It's certainly AcidSpunk that writes the vis.ini. So I definitely think that I will drop it.
About the "Last author's news" and the Auto updater: I prefer to keep them even in a portable version. The Auto Updater just checks for new versions. Then the user can proceed to the update but it is not mandatory.
"Auto check for updates" and "author's news" are 2 important means to tell the user that new features are available, or some bugs or security issues are fixed. Why deny it to the portable users?

Anyway, I will tackle the AcidSplunk case. Because I would be really proud to see my soft in TPFC.

Thank you all!

[SYSTEM]

I can't use it as portable without creating a 'Trace cleaner' for this one. What I will probably do, and sure share it here when done, as I want to get this one in my portable toolbox.

Something like this in pascal for deleting the key:
...
var
reg : TRegistry;
begin
reg := TRegistry.Create(KEY_WRITE);
reg.RootKey := HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE;
if (reg.KeyExists('Software\\Acidspunk\\') ) = true then
reg.DeleteKey('Software\\Acidspunk');
reg.CloseKey();
reg.free;
...
end;
...

Just use yaP, it's optimized for portablization. Something like this (untested) would handle the settings (and do it properly, without making the user lose the settings):

Code: Select all

[GENERAL]
application = App\FileVoyager.exe

[BEFORE]
regkey = HKLM\Software\Acidspunk

[tactictoe]

Cool, thank for this link (yap) will try it.
On the other hand I made this Trace cleaner for 32 and 64 bits OS and carry it inside the portable app folder of FileVoyager when I do a walkabout . If anyone wants it, please PM your email me and I will send it to you by email.

[Midas]

Thanks you FileVoyager for joining our community and sharing your mind with us.

About the "Last author's news" and the Auto updater: I prefer to keep them even in a portable version. The Auto Updater just checks for new versions. Then the user can proceed to the update but it is not mandatory.

"Auto check for updates" and "author's news" are 2 important means to tell the user that new features are available, or some bugs or security issues are fixed. Why deny it to the portable users?

• Personally, I don't mind at all if those functionalities are present, but users should be given the option to disable them -- it's as simple as having a "Never" option in that "Check for updates frequency" drop-down and prompting the user before retrieving the latest news.
  
  In some restrictive environments, for instance, even a program's automated attempt to call home could be reason enough to get the user in trouble with overbearing sysadmins...

[FileVoyager]

Thank you Midas!
I understand the concern. But I consider as highly important those means to tell the user that a new version is available. It's a question of security and avoiding loss of data for the user.
The discussion here asks the question "Is FileVoyager Portable, really portable?". I agree with the AcidSpunk registry edition, and I will work on that.
But I don't consider the update and news checks as a blocking argument in considering it as portable.

[Midas]

But I don't consider the update and news checks as a blocking argument in considering it as portable.

• That settles it, then. FileVoyager will be portable but not stealth.

[joby_toss]

But why not the option? Why not let the advanced user disable the update checking? You can keep it enabled by default for everyone else. This, I don't understand.

[smaragdus]

I too think that the users should be given the option to disable the auto-update check, manual check for updates would be fine.

I rely on Windows shell for many file operations but since FileVoyager is x32 bit only it cannot "see" Windows x64 shell therefore my usage of FileVoyager is very limited.

[FileVoyager]

Ok, you convinced me.
I will release a small update with your suggestions:
- no registry writing (by removing AcidSpunk probably)
- possibility to disable auto updates
- possibility to disable the news feed reader
For the 64 bits shell action I foresee a solution. But it doesn't matter for the "Portable" discussion

[smaragdus]

@FileVoyager

For the 64 bits shell action I foresee a solution.

This would be great.

But it doesn't matter for the "Portable" discussion

Not only portability is discussed here but programs' features as well.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for joining the discussion- it is always nice when a developer chooses to participate.

[FileVoyager]

Hello everybody!
I followed your recommendations and released a new version.
More details at http://www.filevoyager.com/2016/01/file ... table-now/

Thank you so much for your help!