New features in Zip Explorer 3.0
Zip Explorer 3.0 is a significant upgrade compared to the previous official release
(version 2.1). Emphasis has been put on creating an even more complete catalog &
browser program, without compromising simplicity, speed and the overall no-nonsense
approach that has made Zip Explorer popular.
Most of the new features reflect requests from real users. This ranges from features
to support limited memory resources to the ability of handling large hard disks and CD-ROMs.
Also important is the new disk eject facilities. Zip Explorer has now a built-in capability
to eject any removable disk that supports software eject. Before ejecting a disk,
Zip Explorer always flushes the file buffers on the disk, to eliminate the
potentially damaging problems people experience when using the physical eject button.
Note that on Windows NT, the use of this facility requires administrator privileges.
Highlights
- Launch programs with a double-click
Launching of programs and documents from within Zip Explorer is now supported
just like in Windows Explorer. You simply double-click on the program/document
file you want to launch. If the file resides on an offline disk, you will be
asked to insert the disk. The program/document is launched once the right disk
is detected. You can also use the "open" alternative on the right-click pop-up menu.
If the file you launch is actually contained in a zip file, the zip file will be
launched (assuming you have WinZip or similar installed).
- Eject removable disks
Removable disks may be automatically ejected after cataloging. The file buffers
of the cataloged disk are always flushed before the disk is ejected. This solves
the problem of "lazy file buffer caching" that can be annoying on Windows NT.
Disk eject is also available in the Tools menu, so you don't have to catalog a
disk to eject it. Note that on Windows NT, ejecting removable disks require
administrator privileges.
- Find the most significant duplicates using a file size threshold
The Find Duplicate Files dialog now has a file size threshold option. This means
that you can choose to ignore duplicates smaller than a user-specified size. This
saves a lot of processing time, and may be essential on computers with limited
resources, as a full duplicates list may be quite demanding.
- Pop-up menus everywhere
Pop-up menus are now available on all items, both in the left and the right pane.
As in Windows Explorer, you activate the pop up menu with a right-click on a cataloged disk,
folder or file. See also the "Properties" dialog described below.
- Get file counts and accumulated size via the "Properties" dialog
A new "Properties" entry in the pop-up menu provides a dialog similar to the
"Properties" dialog in Windows Explorer. Total size, file count, folder count
and zip folder count is provided. All file and folder counts include files
within zip folders, if any.
- Improved hard disk and CD-ROM support
Hard disks and CD-ROMs are presented with the familiar icons. The size of
large hard disks is now presented properly. For example, a hard disk containing
several gigabytes can easily be cataloged.
- Automatic presentation of accumulated folder size
Folders now display their size in the right pane. The size presented is the sum
of all file sizes below the given folder. This is extremely useful when trying to
identify where space might be wasted.
- Online Help
Last, but not least, online help is now available. You are using it right now!