File Handling...

Explorer can be one of the most off-putting utilities on your computer.  Sooner or later every newcomer is faced with tasks such as finding a file, renaming a file, copying or moving a file.  And the only method you're given is Explorer.  It even disguises itself sometimes, such as clicking on "My Documents" - this is still an Explorer window but displays differently.

And now you try to work within it.  Having eventually mastered the navigation of folders, you decide to try and drag a file to a new location, even if you can find the new location!  Ever seen what happens if you accidentally let go of the mouse while dragging?  The file moves instantly but you don't know where its gone.  Ever tried selecting several files at once?  Eventually you discover how to do it, but then discover that as soon as you click elsewhere the selection is lost and you have to start again.

What we need is an alternative - that does it properly...

TurboNavigator.  One of the best "Explorer alternatives".  Features 2 window panes which can display different directories.  To move/copy files you simply drag from one to the other.  Also the default action is "copy" rather than Explorer's default of "move", so if you blunder, the original is still there.  TurboNavigator also allows you to select multiple files by marking them with the spacebar.  The selection is not lost if you click elsewhere.  There are many other useful facilities included, making it an excellent workhorse for nearly all your file handling.  As an added novelty it includes a very good media player that copes well with sound, music and video files.
http://www.woundedmoon.org/win32/turbonavigator.html

MeeSoft Commander.  Not as powerful or complete as TurboNavigator, but it has several aspects that make it a useful extra...
It is a standalone program so can be run from anywhere.
It can select multiple files safely by ticking them (but oddly doesn't have the facility to untick all at once - you have to 'refresh' to do that).  You also have to turn on the ticking method in the settings, otherwise its just the same as Explorer.
It features an easy-to-use ftp function, which can be set up as multiple shortcuts.  If you want a quick and flexible ftp program this is well worth having.
http://meesoft.logicnet.dk/

A43.  Quite a chunky program and can run a bit slow.  In fact it inherits all the clumsy problems of Explorer, but is mentioned here because unlike Explorer it has dual panes, is standalone, and features built-in previews and editors.
http://www.primitus.us/a43/

FolderGuide.  One annoying problem in file dialogs is that they often default to locations such as 'my documents' every time, even though you save your files elsewhere.  FolderGuide adds the ability to right-click in a dialog and pick another location of your choice without having to do all that navigating.
http://www.freeware365.com/desktop/folderguide.htm

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