Linux - Software This forum is for Software issues.
Having a problem installing a new program? Want to know which application is best for the job? Post your question in this forum. |
Notices |
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
Are you new to LinuxQuestions.org? Visit the following links:
Site Howto |
Site FAQ |
Sitemap |
Register Now
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
|
 |
08-07-2005, 11:13 AM
|
#1
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Aug 2005
Posts: 9
Rep:
|
Good Newbie File Manager?
Hi, I'm very new to linux (less than a week). I'm interested to know a good file manager to use (eg like a Windows Explorer for debian). I'm currently running XFE which I heard had enough features for the average user, but doesn't seem capable of searching for a file. Or maybe I just haven't found it, it's not in the help file or the "edit" menu. I've read about Nautilus, Konquorer etc, but I'm not running KDE or Gnome and would rather keep it that way. I'm running that GUI you get when you type "startx" in console, not sure what the name is - but it's got a very basic (ugly) grey/black pixel background (it's fast and simple so I like it)
I'd like GUI but the main thing is to be able to search for files and fragments of filenames (eg like you search for "abc*.*" in windows). Oh, one more question, how come when you type "ls -laF" in console, it doesn't show all the directories (like /etc/)? Isnt the "-a" supposed to show all (normal and hidden) files?
I'm running woody, with all the files updated.
Oh wait, just thought of another question, about repositories for "apt-get". I understand that we edit the "sources.list" file in /etc/apt/ to add repositories, but how do I know what to write in there? The usual problem for me is this, I find a program I want to install on google, and theres an option to download a tarball, but I'd much rather add that address into my sources.list and let apt-get navigate the installation minefield. I've tried just putting the the web address which starts the download into "sources.list", but no dice. Also, are the two words that flank the address in "sources.list" necessary? I mean the ones which are usually "main stable" or "non-contrib unstable" etc... How do I know which ones are needed?
Thanks
nobody.
|
|
|
08-07-2005, 11:33 AM
|
#2
|
Member
Registered: Apr 2005
Distribution: LFS 5.0 and 6.1
Posts: 705
Rep:
|
Re: Good Newbie File Manager?
Quote:
Originally posted by nobodyhere
Good Newbie File Manager?
|
midnite commander
|
|
|
08-07-2005, 11:53 AM
|
#3
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Sep 2004
Location: UK
Distribution: gentoo
Posts: 22
Rep:
|
Re: Good Newbie File Manager?
Quote:
Originally posted by nobodyhere
Oh, one more question, how come when you type "ls -laF" in console, it doesn't show all the directories (like /etc/)? Isnt the "-a" supposed to show all (normal and hidden) files?
|
ls shows files in the current directory when you login to a console the current directory is set to your home directory (/home/username or /root), to see the other directories you mention use "ls -laF /" to show files in /
|
|
|
08-07-2005, 01:05 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Registered: Apr 2005
Location: Heaven
Distribution: Debian Sid/RPIOS
Posts: 4,917
|
|
|
|
08-08-2005, 04:32 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Denmark
Distribution: Ubuntu, Debian
Posts: 1,524
Rep:
|
Re: Good Newbie File Manager?
Quote:
Originally posted by nobodyhere
I'm running woody, with all the files updated.
|
meaning that in effect you run sarge?
Quote:
Oh wait, just thought of another question
|
I suggest putting unrelated questions in different threads--then each question can get a descriptive title.
Also, read ESR's `Smart Questions' FAQ (google it).
Quote:
I understand that we edit the "sources.list" file in /etc/apt/ to add repositories, but how do I know what to write in there?
|
If you have apt-setup installed (# apt-get install base-config), it will provide an ergonomic UI to configure sources.list; see below about main/... and stable/....
Quote:
The usual problem for me is this, I find a program I want to install on google, and theres an option to download a tarball, but I'd much rather add that address into my sources.list and let apt-get navigate the installation minefield. I've tried just putting the the web address which starts the download into "sources.list", but no dice.
|
First off: I'm glad you want to let apt do the dirty work.
But (the|a) proper way to do that is the following:
1) Find the package with your favorite package manager (apt-cache search NAME | less; synaptic -> find -> name = `NAME').
2) install it w. your favorite package manager (apt-get install NAME; ... synaptic should be intuitive).
The reason for this is that the tarball you find on the project homepage isn't `fitted' for debian; it'll probably work, but you'll have to do a lot of stuff manually (config, uninstall).
Quote:
Also, are the two words that flank the address in "sources.list" necessary? I mean the ones which are usually "main stable" or "non-contrib unstable" etc... How do I know which ones are needed?
|
main and unstable are all you need
seriously: read http://www.debian.org/distrib/packages/ for a short description of main/contrib/non-free and stable/testing/unstable
I recommend what I use: main and testing. I've encountered around three errors that made one or more programs completely unusable (until the next upgrade of the faulty package), but none of them made me unable to Get The Job Done, due to the fact that there are several `instances' of the same `class' of programs (i.e. four video players, six mail clients, twenty wms  ).
I hope this answers your question. Otherwise, read the debian documentation, ask in #debian@irc.freenode.net:6667 or reply (or start a new thread) here.
btw, chapter 6 of the Debian GNU/Linux faq explains a bit about the package management system--maybe you'll understand *why* just pointer apt to a tarball won't work. Otherwise, google "debian package format", ".deb format" or similar.
hth --Jonas
|
|
|
08-08-2005, 04:50 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Registered: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,272
Rep: 
|
My particular file manager of choice is Xfe so I can't help you there I'm afraid.
To find files you can use the locate command; though you may need to update/initialise locate's database first -> `updatedb` or you could use find -> `man find` for more details
|
|
|
08-08-2005, 09:07 AM
|
#7
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Aug 2005
Posts: 9
Original Poster
Rep:
|
See, that's whats so great about debian, so many people willing to help out.
Thanks for all the replies, they've all been very useful so far.
Btw, if any more linux newbies (like me) are reading this thread, I recommend
cmm.uklinux.net/steve/ntt.html (Newbie's Top Ten Commands) - actually puts you in the mood to learn some console commands 
|
|
|
08-08-2005, 09:30 AM
|
#8
|
Member
Registered: Nov 2003
Location: Zwolle
Distribution: Arch
Posts: 651
Rep:
|
As for the filemanager I can recomend Krusader. It's a twin panel file manager for KDE, no problem running it in XFE (it will install some extra libs)
see it here:
Krusader
Remember, this is not a x window manager but a file manager to be use within a x window manager
|
|
|
08-08-2005, 09:51 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Registered: Jul 2005
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 2,012
Rep: 
|
I personally like EmelFM when it comes to the 2-pane approach. To search for files, the best option is really to open up a console and use the find command. Never really learned how to use it right.
|
|
|
08-08-2005, 10:37 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Registered: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,272
Rep: 
|
Quote:
Originally posted by powadha
no problem running it in XFE (it will install some extra libs)
|
ermm.. Xfe is a file manager not a window manger. 
|
|
|
08-09-2005, 09:01 AM
|
#11
|
Member
Registered: Nov 2003
Location: Zwolle
Distribution: Arch
Posts: 651
Rep:
|
haha, true, I meant to say X or iceWM of whatever light window manager. Guess XFE got stuck in my mind somewhere 
|
|
|
08-09-2005, 12:29 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Registered: Apr 2005
Location: Heaven
Distribution: Debian Sid/RPIOS
Posts: 4,917
|
Rox, it works great with Icewm. The file manager with Xfce xffm works well also.
|
|
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:24 PM.
|
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.
|
Latest Threads
LQ News
|
|