Essential App #5: FileZ Or FileProg Or Other File Managers
Published December 11th, 2005 in essentialapp, palm, reviews, software-review(Last edited March 2, 2008)
The Palm, without a file manager utility application is very similar to having Microsoft Windows installed without Windows Explorer. Without a file manager, you are limited in your capabilities to manipulate, access and view files. Most Palm applications consist not only of the main application file in .prc format, but other files like database files .pdb, preferences files, or other files linked to it. If you wanted to move a file over from RAM over to the card, most times, by using the Copy feature in the Launcher application will most likely only move the main program .prc file over and not all other files linked to the program. Or, if you wanted to better organize programs and files on the expansion Secure Digital card, you are limited by what the program specifies. With a file manager utility program, you can have greater flexibility over what folders you have on the card, the name of the files and folder and other features. You can store files in their own folders or directories.
I will now mention a few of the popular file manager programs available.
FileProg is one of the popular freeware file manager utility applications available. It’s popular because it has been known to be stable, works well, and provides a very easy to navigate and user friendly interface. Simply launch or run the program and it will immediately take you to a screen that displays a particular directory and its contents. To select a specific file, simply tap on the check box located at the left column and tap on the menu options at the top left hand corner and select your action. It is very straightforward and most Windows users who know how to use Windows Explorer should easily be able to navigate around FileProg.
Simulation of FileProg
Macromedia image
Alternative Flash links: Image Shack, MyFileHut
The simulation will play through to the end unless I’ve inserted a pop up note to explain specific points.
To continue playing the simulation, press the 
button.
To go back to a previous paused segment, click on the 
button.
To pause the simulation at any time, press the 
button. To continue after it’s paused, press the button again.
To scroll forward or backward in the simulation, click anywhere on the left (to go back earlier in the simulation), or right (to go forward in the simulation) on 
the progress bar.
FileZ is another popular freeware file manager utility application. It also does a great job at allowing the user to manipulate files in various ways. But unlike FileProg, FileZ offers more features and capabilities beyond just file management listing. FileZ offers the capability to view saved and unsaved preferences files, something that FileProg doesn’t offer. You can view the list of these files, delete them. Also, you have the ability to view the actual file in its coded form. For some Palm newbies, it may take a slight bit more time to figure out how to navigate around it. You may want to spend some time reading the manual included in the zipped download for explanation of many features that users may not stumble upon.
One thing that many users aren’t aware of is that you need to tap on the arrow and not “Internal” or the expansion card name. If you do so, the arrow will turn black and you will have mistakenly selected the entire directory and won’t be able to select a specific file. Many users (including myself) tend to make that mistake. So only tap on the arrow to expand the directory so that you can select the file.
Simulation of FileZ
Alternative Flash links: Image Shack, MyFileHut
UniCMD (Uni Commander) is another file manager utility application (recently changed to freeware) that offers much more features than both FileProg and FileZ as well as providing a much nicer looking interface. But, the file is much larger in size as it does have back up capabilities. This is one application where reading the manual is essential to unlock many of its features as it’s not that easy to figure out and how to use it. Being free, you really can’t complain for all the features it offers.
Simulation of UniCMD
Alternative links: Image Shack, MyFileHut
Freeware File Manager utility programs
Here are some more file manager freewares:
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| Palm Commander | Z’Catalog | 3X Commander |
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|
| GentleMan 09B6 | File Caddy |
Other File Manager utiliy programs
Aside from these very popular freeware file manager programs, there are many others, but most of them are not freeware. Most of these offer a lot more features than just file management, including back up utility, zipping, launching capabilities. Here’s a list of file managers that you may be interested in trying out:
Regardless of the file manager utility program that you end up using on your Palm device, I’m sure that you’ll agree that having at least one is very important, especially when it comes to deleting files that is causing problems, renaming files, re-arranging them to a different directory or to the SD card, etc. Especially with a program like Card Export II, where its preference file does tend to get corrupted, being able to access and delete that file and get the program working again is well worth having a file manager utility like FileZ. For more info on how to get rid of the ‘Cannot send USB description. Host Failure? message, check out my Card Export II posting. I personally have both FileProg and FileZ installed. The reasons for having at least one file manager utility is without question.
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: archives categories filemanager fileprog filez unicmd 3xcommander gentleman09b6 palminsiderpro fileman palmcommander myworkbench cardxplorer tealmover piutilitysuite pimoverii megacom botzamexplorer essentialapp palm zcatalog filecaddy filepoint fileinfo xmgrexpansionmanager megalauncher(shark)
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i haven’t read all your post yet but from what i’ve seen, it’s very good. keep up the good blog.
i am an owner of a zire 72s with wifi. i haven’t use it to the fullest capacity yet but with your site, i’m getting up to speed.
- aragingbull
# posted by Anonymous : 12/12/2005 12:11:34 PM
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog and for the compliments. My goal is to hopefully help those who may not know many of the features and capabilities of their Palm (there’s so much and I’m sure I haven’t figured out yet either) and to help anyone who is interested in what a Palm does and possibly benefit from the best gift of all: organization.
Feel free to check out the older postings and give me a DIGG vote (off to the right hand side) so I’d get better web exposure. Glad you found it helpful.
Also, won’t you take a moment to add yourself to the Frappr map (also on the side)?
Thanks.
# posted by maceyr : 12/12/2005 01:18:58 PM
FYI, Palm Commander is now freeware. You still need to register for it, but the registration process itself is free.
# posted by ackmondual : 2/02/2006 03:43:31 PM
Thanks for leaving the note. I mentioned it in another posting that it’s freeware but obviously I didn’t update this posting. I will update it to reflect that. Thanks for the heads up. It’s much appreciated.
# posted by maceyr : 2/04/2006 11:04:27 PM