Mount/Unmount External drives and partitions
A lightweight file manager for X
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Several similar requests have been asked since 2004 ???
Normally, your Linux distribution (Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora and their many derivatives) takes care of that.
However, if you have an exotic distro, you can add a line in your /etc/fstab for your external drive and you will be able to mount / unmount using Xfe.
If you use FreeBSD or OpenBSD, there should be some way to do the same as in Linux.
Thank you for the reply
I have xfe on MX Linux which is a Debian derivative, installed from the MX reppo
The fact is fstab only handles static file system information. Pluggable devices are handled by uDev, they are not in fstab, and neither of them have anything to do with network shares.
Having clarified that, xfe also fails to detect already mounted devices and network shares.
The requested feature are not exotic, esoteric, or rare in any way. They are standard features in any half decent file manger. Without these basic features, xfe is almost useless to me.
What baffles me is the fact that these requests have been repeated since 2004, yet you have not tried to do anything about it, only the same response about fstab
It's a shame because what is already their is quit good, and if completed xfe could be a great file manager
You're right, it's a shame...
Thank you
Is there any way I can help?
I am not a programmer but maybe I can give some useful ideas about interface design, usability , functionality, action steps, or anything you ask.
Kindly let me explain my position: I have been using computers since the mid 80s, and a windows user since windows 4. My favorite (and only) file manager on windows was q-Dir http://www.q-dir.com/
I recently migrated to Linux and I could not find a file manager that met all my needs (and I tried dozens). XFE is the nearest to thing to q-Dir in what id does, but it is lacking a couple of major functions and a bit of refinement.
I liked it to the extent that I asked my son in low (he has a software development company) to find me a C++ programmer for Linux to fork XFE and help complete the development, unfortunately he doesn't have anyone, but I am still looking because for me, (and I believe for most users), the file manager and internet browser are the most used 2 applications in everyday life.
So, please let me know if I can help.
I hope I have not overstepd my bounds
Thank you again
Cheers
Last edit: Hassanein Makhlouf 2024-11-09
I'm surprised you didn't find a file manager that suits your needs. There are many very good ones: Thunar (used in XFCE desktop), Nemo (used in Cinnamon desktop), Dolphin used in KDE desktop), and of course Xfe (desktop independent). Krusader has a lot of advances features too.
What feature are you missing in these file managers?
For what concerns the lack of automounting in Xfe, it should not be a problem. When you insert a removable media, your Linux distribution automounts it and you'll find it in your /media/<username> directory, where Xfe shows it. So what's the point with this?</username>
Thanks for the reply
I have Thunar, Nemo, and Caja installed, each has its own merits, but not one of them completely satisfies my needs, Thunar can open pans horizontally, but it does not show folder sizes, and you can not rename files inline, drag and drop is not what is expected, and the context menu lacks some features
Caja, does not open 2 pans by default, and only vertical pans, it displays object count in folders, but not size
Nemo opens 2 pans by default but only vertically, also displays object count for folders but not size
If you have access to a windows machine, try Q-Dir, may be it will give you an idea of the features, functions, simplicity, ease of use and customization,
As for XFE, yes Linux can auto-mount external drives, but the design of the tree panel is not very intuitive, and you have to navigate all the way to find them.
Browsing the network and mounting shares is something that I do all the time, surely, I can mount the shares from another file manager and then go back to XFE and navigate all the way to find them, but what is the point of that !!!
Nemo probably has the best side panel of all three, you can easily toggle the view between places and tree, or show/hide the panel easily.
What I am looking for is a file manager that strives to be best in class through elegant simplicity, functionality, usability, and speed.
I haven't found one yet
OK, thanks for these explanations. I understand that what you need is not really automounting in Xfe but more a Places list like in Thunar, pcmanfm, Nautilus, Nemo, etc. Am I right?
BTW, from which file manager come these screenshots from?
[EDIT] I tried q-dir but I'm not convinced at all. Too many panes for me. Too much information at the same time...
Last edit: Roland Baudin 2024-11-13
Auto mounting of usb drives can be done globally in xfce using udiskie, but it can also be done per individual file manager preferences (see attachment)
Browsing the network, mounting and unmounting shares is another matter
Also mounting shares from the address bar directly should be considered; ie, smb://server/share
the screenshots are from Nemo, switch view from buttons (see attachment)
Caja also has a switch view via a drop down menu (see attachment)
There are many little things that make a difference in ease of use, like what columns to show in list view and in what order, and many others
If you can, have a go at Q-Dir
In Q-Dir you can have as many pans as you like from 1 to 4, with or without tree pan, you are free to choose what pan arrangement to use depending on your work requirements and habits , and as for information, you can turn on/off features as you need.
Keep in mind that when you develop an application and put it in the public domain, you are no longer developing for yourself, rather for other users who have different needs, requirements, and work habits. The users become your customers and stake holders
I am speaking as someone with more than 30 years experience of managing service industry, and I hope I understand one or two things about customer needs and expectations
[Edit] The proof of the pudding. Q-Dir is one of the most widely used file mangers on windows; and XFE is hardly known on Linux
[EDIT] If you care at all about user experience, perhaps you can have a look at:
https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/search.php?searchid=13178757
many more like it if you search
Last edit: Hassanein Makhlouf 2024-11-14
I have a question
Do you have any intention of working on XFE again to add the missing features and improve the existing features???
No, network browsing is not a planned feature, for now.
Do you mind if I fork XFE and try to develop it?
No, it's open source, do what you want. However, Xfe is GPL licensed so you need to publish your source code.
In Xfe 2.0, USB drives and MTP devices are shown in the Places view, provided automount and gvfs are installed and working in the system.
Brilliant, Thank you
Hopefully the next step is browsing the network and mounting shares
Thank you again