nerdica.net
Norton Commander (NC) was a pioneering orthodox file manager developed by Peter Norton Computing. Its design featured a dual-panel interface
that made file manipulation straightforward and efficient. Users could configure each panel to display various information such as
directory trees or file lists. The interface also included a list of commands at the bottom of the screen, which could be extended
using the CTRL and ALT keys, minimizing the need for mouse use. Norton Commander included a built-in text file viewer (F3) and editor (F4).
During the DOS era, Norton Commander was immensely popular and inspired many clones. Here are several notable ones:
Midnight Commander
Midnight Commander is a clone for Unix-like systems, including macOS, and is a console-based application.
It offers many useful features, including viewing RPM files and mass file renaming.
Furthermore, it has theming options and can load the Norton color theme, making it highly recommended.
License: FOSS
Dos Navigator
Dos Navigator is a clone for DOS with many features based on the original Norton Commander.
There are two versions: the original developed by RIT Labs, which has not been updated for some time,
and the second version, called Necromancer's DOS Navigator, which adds additional features and ports
to many other operating systems such as Windows, Linux, KolibriOS, Haiku, MenuetOS, Sigma OS, OS/2, Solaris, and FreeBSD (experimental).
Both versions support theming and can load the Norton color theme, and I personally use Dos Navigator with Dosbox.
License: FOSS
Far Manager
Far Manager is a modern clone available for Windows, BSD, macOS, and Linux.
Although there used to be an Android version, it appears to have been discontinued.
The manager can be extended with Lua scripts and plugins, though I don't have much experience with it.
License: FOSS
Ghost Commander
Ghost Commander is designed for Android devices and is a customizable,
GUI-based app. It can display two panels side by side or just one panel,
allowing users to swap between panels with the touch of a button.
The colors can be customized, and I recommend it for Android users.
License: FOSS
Gnome Commander
Gnome Commander is a GUI-based file manager for Linux that uses the Gnome desktop environment,
though it can also run on other desktops. It features folder bookmarks, Python scripting, plugin support,
keyboard shortcuts, an integrated command line, and many more functionalities.
License: FOSS
Double Commander
Double Commander is another GUI-based clone for Linux and Windows.
Each panel can have multiple tabs open. Additionally, it supports archives, file search,
background operations, an HTML file viewer, plugin support, a portable version, and many more features.
Panel colors can also be customized. If you need a GUI-based dual-panel file manager, I highly recommend it.
License: FOSS
Altap Salamander
Altap Salamander is another clone for Windows. Unlike several other file managers,
it features a context-aware user interface that hides complexity—for instance, the bottom function list
changes with the press of modifier keys, showing only the currently available hotkey function set.
License: Freeware, with an FOSS fork called Open Salamander
Commander One
Commander One is a dual-panel file manager for macOS with multi-tab browsing.
It includes a terminal emulator, and its interface can be customized.
Additionally, it offers advanced file search and integration with cloud storage. This manager is proprietary.
License: Proprietary
Directory Opus
Directory Opus is a file manager for the Amiga computer system and Windows.
It includes the usual features of a dual-panel file manager and is proprietary.
License: Proprietary
Krusader
Krusader is a GUI-based clone for Linux and other Unix-like systems that use the KDE desktop,
though it also supports other desktops. Windows support is currently in beta.
License: FOSS
muCommander
muCommander is a GUI-based clone that runs on the Java platform.
License: FOSS
Total Commander
Total Commander is another GUI-based file manager for Windows and Android,
featuring the ability to search for files and synchronize folders.
License: Shareware (Windows), Freeware (Android)
