twander 3.231

Cross-Platform File Browser

What Is 'twander'?
------------------

'twander' is a macro-programmable Filesystem Browser that runs on
both Unix-like systems as well as Win32 systems. It embraces the best
ideas of both similar GUI-driven programs (Konqueror, Windows
Explorer) as well as text-based interfaces (Midnight Commander, List,
Sweep).


Or, If You Prefer The "Elevator Pitch"
--------------------------------------

'twander' is:

- A better file browser for Unix and Win32. (Developed on FreeBSD.)
- A way to make browsing the same on all the OSs you use.
- A macro-programmable tool that lets *you* define the features.
- A GUI navigation front-end for your shell.
- A way to "can" workflows for your technically-challenged colleagues.
- A way to free yourself from the shackles of the mouse.
- A way to significantly speed up your day-to-day workflow.
- A Python/Tkinter application - over 5000 lines of code/comments
- A RCT (Really Cool Tool) that will have you addicted in a day or two.


Why Is 'twander' Different?
---------------------------

While the 'twander' interface is graphical, all the major navigation,
selection, and execution commands can be entered from the keyboard,
not just the mouse. This means Power Users who are strong typists can
minimize dependency on the mouse and materially speed up their
interactions with the system.

Moreover, unlike the other programs, 'twander' does not have a
built-in set of commands (which typically cannot be changed).
Instead, 'twander' supports a rich macro configuration language for
virtually limitless user-definition of commands. The configuration
language provides a simple mechanism for communicating the list of
items currently selected in the GUI to the user-defined commands.

Each user is thus free to configure a command set unique and
appropriate to their needs. As with the navigation commands,
user-defined commands can be invoked with either the keyboard (a
single keystroke) or the mouse (a menu selection).


Who Might Like 'twander'?
------------------------

1) People who type well and find the mouse a distraction when working.

2) People who want to customize the commands available in their file
browser to do things *their* way instead of the way the browser
wants to do things.

3) People who wish to provide their less technical colleagues with a
tool that has a limited set of "canned" features. For instance, it
would be trivial to use 'twander' to automate ftp transfers for use
by non-technical administrative staff.

4) People interested in the inner workings of a Python/Tkinter
program. The entire program is written in Python using the Tkinter
GUI modules and is extensively commented throughout. Additional
program documentation is provided in Unix 'man' format, PostScript,
pdf, html, and plain text.

5) Oddly, and as an unintended side-effect of the original design,
'twander' will serve the visually-impaired very well. Colors, font
type, size, & weight, and window size can all be trivially set in
the 'twander' Configuration File. Additionally, font size can be
increased or decreased with a single keystroke while the program is
running. So, for instance, it is quite easy to run the program
with very large fonts, thus improving readability.


Program Requirements
--------------------

'twander' runs on Unix-like systems (FreeBSD, Linux) as well as a
variety of Win32 systems. It requires the presence of Python 2.2 (or
later) and the associated Tkinter support for the target system.
Additional features for Win32 users are enabled if you also install
the 'win32all' Python extensions from Mark Hammond. All of these are
freely available from:

http://www.python.org


Additionally, *you* should be technically proficient - either as a
Power User or Programmer. A good benchmark here is that you are
currently comfortable with the command line (shell) environment of
your chosen OS, and are knowlegeable about scripting in that
environment (shell scripts or batch files). ('twander' does not
require such scripts, but this level of technical knowledge is about
right for creating 'twander' command macros.)


Mailing List
------------

TundraWare Inc. runs an email list for 'twander' users. Instructions
on how to subscribe can be found in the documentation.