Is This the Right Master?

good
key review info
application features
  • Copying, moving, renaming and deleting files and folders.
  • (3 more, see all...)

The data on your computer is the heart and soul of your activity. Without it, there would be nothing but an empty machine. Along with the data, the user will also need a file manager to administrate the files. The better and more comprehensive the file manager, the less time it's going to take for you to complete your tasks.

The new generation of such softwares includes all sorts of additional options, designed to ease your work and save more time. The calibrator in such a method is none other than Total Commander and, in some cases, the default tool from MS Windows, Windows Explorer.

There are lots of developers that strive to reduce the distance between their software and the no.1 on the market. AltarSoft is a producer that has just entered this race with File Master. Let's see what are the chances for this rookie to set its place near the best in the business. The price of the newbie (it has reached v.1.0) is $19.95, and its size is just 391KB.

The interface of File Master is not at all breathtaking, and it has the looks of a software that is still in construction, not ready to survive on its own. But putting that aside, the developer brings the user a familiar interface (in some cases too familiar), you will catch my drift once you open the main window. The application comes, as it was only natural, with a two paned view for the files.

The menu bar has only three buttons that are not too functional in my opinion and I will make out my case by saying that the File menu's options are limited to quitting the program. The View menu is a whole lot more expanded than its predecessor in the sense that here you can customize the view of the files (icon, list and report) and the user can select the type of files to view in the window.

Thus, the user can view all the files, only the files that are not hidden or belong to the system, only the selected folder/file and only the custom files (view by extension). The third bulk of viewing options comprises the additional buttons of the software. Extra Buttons, for instance is a collection of shortcuts to Windows tools like Explorer, NotePad, WordPad, Task Manager, Calculator, etc. In win Options there are some more cutoffs to Windows' utilities, generally from the Control Panel (Add/Remove Program, Network Connections, Internet, Language and Region, Mouse, User Accounts etc.).

The Other Tools folder gives you access to another set of Windows borrowed applications like Backup, Clean Drive, Screen Keyboard or Paint.

The Hotkeys Buttons are in fact the shortcuts for the most used actions in a file manager: View, Edit, Copy, Move, New Folder, Delete, and Exit. The assigned keyboard shortcuts for these are the same as in Total Commander, which is actually a good thing, as most computer users are accustomed to the keys.

The Drive Buttons, as expected, display the letters of the drives you have on your computer. If you strip the software of these three viewing options all that remains is a window that only has a drop-down menu for each pane where you can select the drive you want to work on and the file path bar.

The software does not support right-clicking on the file. At the bottom of the application window there is a bar that puzzled me a little. At first, I thought it was some sort of command line, but it didn?t serve for such a thing. It is actually a folder opening bar. Just type in the name of the folder and click enter (the drive the folder is in must be active). The typed folder will be opened by windows Explorer.

The Good

The software is easy to use and preserves the looks of a younger Total Commander. The main shortcuts are identical with those used by Ghisler's software.

There couldn't have been a better choice as a role model.

The Bad

The software seems a little pale and a color shot would have made it more appealing. I wish there was a menu at right-clicking. Backspace for up one level does not work and Alt+Enter opens the folder.

The Truth

The resemblance with Total Commander is uncanny. The developer?s choice for a role-model is obvious. The application looks like an offspring of Christian Ghisler's software. The price seems to me a bit unfair. There are softwares on the market that have more to offer for the same price.

Other than that, the rating speaks for itself.

Here are some snapshots of the application in action:

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user interface 3
features 2
ease of use 5
pricing / value 1


final rating 3
Editor's review
good
 
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