Dual File Manager XT The Android Market is awash with good file managers, so a newcomer really has to cut the mustard to be worthy of recommendation. In this instance, I think the new Dual XT app slices the Coleman’s to perfection. Dual File Manager XT Dual File Manager XT List view on left side and thumbnail view on right What separates it …
Dual File Manager XT is not unique. "What separates it from the rest of the file manager herd is its rather cunning dual-screen layout."
Ghost Commander has everything that this recommendation has and also the "root:" (su - super user) mode that is essential to work with system files on a rooted phone, change file permissions, attributes, and execute your own shell commands. Plus, its "mount:" mode allows you to browse and remount the file system's partitions. Essential if you need to change a system file, although that could also be done within a terminal emulator if you can remember the Busybox syntax.
Without root access Dual File Manager XT seems a waste of space to me. Two other considerations are relevant.
If you are using Titanium Backup your system and apps files are backed up. Moving other non-system files and folders around seems easy enough to me with Android stock filers, they are designed to work with SD card folders and files. If you accidentally delete eg an mp3, you can restore by using an SD undelete app.
But also on a rooted Android it's simply easier to use a USB connection with a PC to access the SD card and do any major file operations from the PC, bar the system files. Although with the SMB plugin full access to Windows network shared folders is also possible.
Would the reviewer please reconsider this App of the Week - because IMHO Ghost Commander should be the recommended app.
As I understand it, the official HTC Gingerbread ROM just released on their developer site strips out some of the stock HTC apps, one or two others such as Facebook, and removes all operator bloatware and customisations. Although this was only done to make Gingerbread install-able on the Desire in the first place, it might, counter-intuitively, leave you with a little more space?
I'm assuming you already use App2SD, of course. :-)
"What separates it from the rest of the file manager herd is its rather cunning dual-screen layout."
File manager cannot be called file manager if it hasn't got two panels. Therefore, it follows that 99% computing devices in the world are sold (and then operated by lusers) without any file managers at all...
At the time of writing this it is still in Beta 10, but SMB works a treat (something where other Android file managers regularly crap themselves), FTP works, VPN works - and of course you have the dual screen layout. Ghisler even managed to port a lot of stuff that the Total Commander under Windows is famous for to Android, like bookmarks for directories, jump to root and much more.
So, there is basically no need to switch file managers anymore between your Windows machine and your smartphone.
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