Looking for files on your computer may become a horrible chore especially if you have the data scattered all over the hard disk(s) and in no particular order. And if you add a considerable collection of DVDs then finding the much needed file may take a lot longer than expected.

Luckily, the Internet harbors plenty of practical solutions for the task at hand, such as file indexers or search tools, but our interest is focused on file catalogers. This particular category of software permits you to swiftly scan the contents of storage media and include it in a database accessible via the associated application.

FileCataloger is the example subject to analysis today. The app does not come free and after the evaluation expires (you have 30 uses to test the full-featured software) you have to pay the $29.95 fee in order to continue.

An Explorer-looking interface should make handling the application easier to most users. However, you need some previous experience with this kind of software because FileCataloger could make file cataloging very difficult for a beginner. The main areas of interest are the Group View in the left hand part of the main window, the List View and the Description View. Everything else is a handful of helpful options that make the software more flexible.

Once you create a database to store the catalogs, you can proceed to scanning the desired storage media to add the files. In the process FileCataloger will automatically collect all necessary details for the gathered data, from extension, size, last access/write/create time and complete storage path. If there is a specific application associated with the file, FileCataloger will display the accompanying icon as well.

All files included in FileCataloger can be added a description. The “statement” is limited to 64kb of text, which is more than enough to describe an item, no matter how complex it may be. The comment is available the moment you select the file and can be modified as you like. On the downside, it will store only simple text and no formatting can be applied.

Not only files benefit from sticking descriptions and folders, groups and elements in the Group View can also be added a brief description under the same conditions as the scanned files. A very useful option that also works with both files and user groups is the possibility of adding representative thumbnails for the selected element. The supported image formats are not extensive and include only JPG and GIF types.

The flexibility of FileCataloger extends to creating bookmark groups, which are nothing but regular entries in the Group View, and which can store special items in order for you to find them faster. Populating a bookmark group with elements is as easy as dragging the desired element to a specific bookmark folder.

Scripting is an important feature in FileCataloger as the application supports adding any user-customized scripting. The scripting language is VBScript and any user looking to broaden the functionality of the software and with knowledge of the language can use custom-made scripts.

FileCataloger already comes with a set of 12 scripts designed to expand the practicality of the application. You can run the scripts to automatically copy the file to a different folder on your computer, create folder structure, import/export custom properties, create M3U files, reports, lists, etc. With all of them you will benefit from confirmation once the job is done. Also, the resulting files can be saved wherever you want on the computer. The bad news for users who wish for a predefined folder where the application should store all created files is that there is no option in this sense and they will have to provide the path manually each time a file is saved.

The list of plugins usable in FileCataloger allows deleting items, exploring, opening or renaming them directly from the application without having to navigate with a file manager to its location. The downside of all this is that only these four plugins are present and currently there is no possibility of adding more. Also, the button activating the configuration menu, although present, will not help with tweaking any of them.

Given the multiple choices when it comes to searching the files in a catalog, we can say that this is the power feature of the program. Search options let you hunt down the items you need by caption, comment, file content, by size, last write/creation/access date and even by custom property. If for all other search options user input is not absolutely necessary, for custom property you need to label the folders or files by yourself in order to use this function.

Once you get the hang of it, FileCataloger can turn into a very easy to handle cataloger. But the lack of a proper help file will pose some issues for a new user. Despite the fact that the online indications are plenty and cover every aspect of the application, the options are not thoroughly explained and you have to deduce rather than learn each and every characteristic.

The Good

The application scans the specified folder and adds all items together with their details fast and accurately. You can create groups and bookmark folders in order to find needed entries quickly and with less effort.

It brings extensive search capabilities and the use of scripting dilates the list of options and functions that come with the program by default. All entries support descriptions or comments.

With FileCataloger you can easily scan the contents of a CD/DVD or any other type of storage media.

The Bad

Indications on the use of the functions of the application are not exactly among FileCataloger's strong points. The online help is indeed quite comprehensive but fails to provide proper examples. The greatest downside is the lack of proper English explanations of the images.

If the user interface is indeed user-friendly, we cannot say the same about the options as these require plenty of experience so that you can correctly deduce what they will actually do.

The Truth

The greatest negative aspect of the software is that it targets only a specific type of computer users, who need to have some basic knowledge on how file cataloging works.

Looking on the bright side, we cannot dismiss the fact that it can be customized with the use of VB scripting. Users handling this language can greatly expand the functions and options of FileCataloger.

It is still at a considerable length from becoming a full-fledged file cataloger and it needs plenty of refining in order to suit the great majority of users.

Here are some snapshots of the application in action: