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Mike
Slocombe reviews Opus for Digital Lifestyles:
Directory Opus File manager For Windows: Review (91%) - Hugely
powerful file manager offering batch renaming and searching, ZIP
support, image browsing, FTP and more.
"If you’re getting frustrated by the limitations of the Windows
Explorer interface and fancy something a bit more geared towards the
power user, it may be worth taking a look at the feature-stuffed
Directory Opus, a commercial file manager that offers more bells and
whistles than Santa’s float at Carnival.
Long time computer users may find the name ringing a long-distant bell
- perhaps bringing back memories of long nights fragging away to
Frontier Elite or beer fuelled Sensible Soccer sessions - and that’ll
be because the program first debuted on the Amiga computer system way
back...Directory Opus Features:-
Basically a super-turbo charged file manager and Windows explorer
replacement, Opus lets you set up your workspace exactly how you want
it, with options galore letting you set up user-definable file display
views, customisable toolbars and menus with tabbed folder views and
file trees.
We felt the love for the tabbed folder views immediately - with a neat
row of tabbed windows reducing a plethora of open windows on our
desktop. The love kept on giving too, with the built in ZIP and RAR
clients immediately impressing us with their ability to seamlessly
open and view the contents of compressed folders. It did such a good
job of it that we immediately made it our default ZIP client. Nice
one....
The verdict: Although there’s no shortage of free and shareware
file managers available for the Windows Platform (including Free
Commander and XPlorer2), once you get used to working with Directory
Opus, it really seems worth the extra outlay.
The program can seem a bit complex at first - a situation not helped
by an exceptionally dry and dour manual - but it’s really worth
persevering - the more you use it, the more you’ll be amazed by what
it can do.
After just a few hours use, we were completely sold on Directory Opus
and it continues to surprise us with unexpected features and useful
shortcuts.
At $85 (Australian Dollars - roughly £40 in good ol’ British pounds),
Directory Opus is not the cheapest file manager, but we think it’s the
best, and with a free download offering a 60 day evaluation period,
you’d have to be as mad as a drunken wallaby not to give it a go."
Read full review here! |
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| Charles Wright
says "A
vote of confidence in Directory Opus, from Melbourne newspaper The Age's
Department of Tidying Things Up."
... "Over the years, we in the DTTU have grown to know
and love many file and directory managers. It started, in the years of
DOS, with XTree, which was followed by XTree Gold and when Windows arrived
ZTree. We've used programs like Norton Commander, and Power Desk.
We have to acknowledge, however, that none of them quite matches the power
of the Australian-developed application, Directory Opus, now in version
9.1. We find ourselves wondering, at times, whether Directory Opus – often
shortened to "DOpus" - isn't so much a file and directory manager as a
cult religion. ...
It's easy to use and extremely powerful out of the box, but it's almost
infinitely configurable to suit a user's personal preferences, which no
doubt is why the Departments of Tidying Things Up at the Max Planck Institute
and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory use it...."
Read full review here!
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A
Video Tutorial and Review of Directory Opus 9
Creative Cow's John David Hutton give Directory Opus
9 their highest
rating!
Article Focus: This bruiser app is so powerful it should be a requirement
for any power user (and every digital content creation user). It offers
outstanding tools and an enhanced workflow at a great price. Its features
are so deep I felt a written review wasn't strong enough to illustrate
why Directory Opus 9 should be standard on every windows computer.
Summary: I give it a frighteningly-solid 5 cows for stability,
feature set, great price and incredibly flexible customization. You'll
never want to use any other explorer or file management app!
Click here to see and hear the full tutorial and
review! |
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“Powerful and functional
alternative to Windows Explorer” by James Thornton
When it comes to managing and organizing the files on your computer,
most of us are perfectly content to use the Windows Explorer. In fact,
many people don't even realise there are alternatives to the built-in
file manager, which is starting to get a little long in the tooth now
(unless you've got Vista, which adds some interesting new tools). Once
you've tried a different file manager, however, it's often difficult to
go back, especially if that file manager is Directory Opus.
... From the outset it's clear to see that Opus is like Windows Explorer
on steroids. The default directory layout is very similar to Explorer
but with one key difference – it shows two folders in separate tree-view
panes (although you can switch to the more conventional single-folder
Flat View). This makes moving files around much easier because you can
instantly drag and drop files into other folders without having to open
and close new windows.
However, the main difference you'll notice between Directory Opus and
its Windows rival lies at the top of the screen, within the programs toolbar
and menu options. Upon closer inspection you start to realize this is
much more than just a utility for organizing your files into folders.
In terms of sheer power, this is a real brute of a program and makes Explorer
look positively weedy. The sheer scale of options and advanced settings
means that Directory Opus can be a little overwhelming at first, but once
you've learned how to tame the beast by customizing the program to your
needs, you'll be astonished at how much it offers. Since discovering the
app, we haven't gone back to Explorer and have subsequently ditched many
of the apps we used to use on a regular basis such as WinZip and
SmartFTP.
Click here to read full review... |
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User
Feedback on File Forum: Without question Directory Opus 9 is the
best file manager/Windows Explorer replacement that I have looked at;
approximately 30 in all. The people at GPSoft have added a number of new
features to an already stellar product. Oh yes, there are programs that
have a small feature or two that Directory Opus lacks but no program I've
seen has the overall combination of advanced features and polished look
that this piece of software has. ... This program is one complete and
well thought out piece of software, and has a very professional feel to
it.
...To give you an idea of how extensive the program is the makers of this
software give people a 60 day trial period. Who else does that?
There are a number of very good file managers/Windows Explorer replacements
on the market today, but, in my humble opinion, none can hold a candle
to Directory Opus 9. It is the Rolls Royce of its genre. If you can stomach
the cost and find the time to learn the extensive features of this software
I say.... drive the best! :
Click here to read full review and other user feedback... |
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Directory Opus 9 Powerful Windows Explorer alternative: Chris
Wiles, CRN
Quite simply, Directory Opus is one
of those 'must have' tools, that you come across from time to time. Its
general purpose is to replace your existing Windows Explorer and let you
do more, the way you want to do it, more quickly. Highly customizable,
you can choose to work in a single-window mode, dual-pane window, use
Directory Opus as your FTP tool and synchronize files between computers...
With built in support for ZIP files, you can handle your archives as if
they are regular folders. No need for external archive management tools...
This is a major new release of Directory Opus, v9. New features include
full support for Windows Vista (as an Explorer replacement), XML based
configuration, export to external USB stick support, updated interface,
new method of handling program icons and so much more.
Chris Wiles:
Click here to read full review... |
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Martin Anderson takes control of his files with Windows
Explorer’s most successful rival.
Many Windows users consider explorer.exe to be the public face of Windows,
but Microsoft’s file-browser is just another bundled program, like Paint,
and it can be replaced with more capable third-party alternatives.
Directory Opus is the most successful
of the many available freeware and commercial Explorer alternatives. Though
it doesn’t completely replace Explorer (without which you would have no
desktop or taskbar in Windows), Opus effectively takes over the browsing
of folders, substituting the very basic functionality of explorer.exe
with a vast and almost bewilderingly configurable feature-set.
The preferences panel alone is so comprehensive that version 9 institutes
a useful search-bar there to help you find the feature you are looking
to adjust. The panoply of features themselves are not frivolous or bloated,
but represent genuinely useful functionality which can save you hours
of time every week.
...it is one of the most stable programs I have ever seen, and the free
trial may convince you -as it has me and many others- that Windows Explorer
is, by comparison, an unprofessional way to waste your working hours.
Martin Anderson:
Click here to read full review... |
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Productivity Enhancing Software: Directory
Opus by Brian Meidell,
...Last but certainly not least is Directory Opus, or DOpus
for short. DOpus was the file manager on Amiga, but what most people don’t
know is that they also make a PC version, which is currently in version
9. Directory Opus is to files what vim is to text, only without the learning
curve. It does everything you ever wanted plus a thousand times more...
It’s a bit hard to tell people why Directory Opus is so
fantastic, because when you start listing all the cool things it can do,
it sounds like a bunch of “little” things. But these thousands of little
things really come together to give a super sleek, endlessly improving
experience. You quickly start wondering how the hell you ever lived with
the regular Windows Explorer....
It’s the kind of program where I could rant and rave
about it for a month, and I would not be able to convey the true power
and sleekness it possesses. I can only recommend that you download the
trial, knowing that everything about the default settings can be changed
and explore the help file a bit. I have been using DOpus for 6 years consistently,
and I keep finding new things I love about it.
Click here to read full review...
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PC Magazine Incredibly Useful Utilities:
Directory Opus makes Windows
Explorer obsolete... Common tasks such as managing ZIP archives, setting
file attributes, and moving files from one folder to another are all easier
in DOpus. Among its many, many high-end abilities are finding duplicate
files, changing date/time stamps, handling FTP transfers, previewing almost
any type of file, and splitting and rejoining large files - the list is
almost endless!
Click here to read full review... |
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Directory Opus wins PC Magazine (US) Editors
Choice Award!: "With its unique
conveniences, startling speed, and gleaming interface, Directory Opus
is the only file manager we find powerful enough to use as a replacement
for Windows Explorer. Its tabbed interface lets you switch between a traditional
Explorer view and a variety of dual-directory and filmstrip-style views...."
Click here to read full review... |
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Directrory Opus:
Gestionnaire de fichiers à affichage multiple
Les gestionnaires de fichiers évolués sont nombreux et apportent des fonctionnalités
approfondies par rapport à l'explorateur Windows. Dans la lignée de XYplorer
(ex TrackerV3) ou Total Commander, Directory Opus propose une solution
extrèmement complète au niveau de ses fonctions comme de son interface.
Directory Opus se distingue d'emblée par son interface personnalisable
: plusieurs dispositions des fenêtres sont possibles, dont le double affichage
vertical à la Total Commander ou horizontal, avec ou sans arborescence,
ou encore un mode « pellicule ». Les fonctionnalités du logiciel intègrent
notamment un gestionnaire FTP, un outil de compression/décompression et
une prise en charge des principaux formats d'image ou de texte afin de
les prévisualiser directement depuis le gestionnaire |
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PC Authority Australia
: Directory Opus
:
SOFTWARE LABS VERDICT.
"Ever wish Windows would preview a photo when you hover your mouse
on its icon? We do. Do you miss having a proper file browser by default,
such as the one in Windows 3.1? Want to do command-line tasks without
actually using the command line? Join the club. Fortunately, though, now
you can. We last looked at Directory Opus a long time ago and it felt
more like an add-on to Windows Explorer than a worthy replacement. It's
since reached version 8 and things have come on in leaps and bounds. Now
you really can hover over an image and see a preview — complete with all
the attached EXIF data. Better still, you can right-click it and convert
it. This isn't a simple JPEG-to-GIF job; it handles PNG and Windows Bitmap
too, and will also compress JPEGs. Bye-bye Fireworks. So long Adobe Image
Ready....
Image searching and preview is much improved, including the ability to
group disparate images from multiple folders...
If there's one killer feature, though, it's the fact that everything works
the way you think it should....
.. If this all sounds a bit too glowing to be true, then try it for yourself.
We had a few concerns about the last release we reviewed, and came to
the conclusion that its appeal would be 'limited for most users'. With
the arrival of version 8, though, it's an entirely different story. This
is an essential upgrade, and something from which Microsoft could learn
a lot".. |
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CreativeCow reviews Directory Opus :
"CreativeCOW leader John David Hutton shows us why Directory Opus for
Windows "is an outstanding workflow addition at a great price... What
is it? Some would say it's a windows explorer replacement and while this
is technically true it also offers multitudes of capabilities normally
included in many other apps, namely ftp, image conversion, complex file
searches including metadata searches, image and file viewer, zip capabilities,
folder synchronization, slideshows, etc. It also supports easy access
to common utilities like Nero burning software and Google Desktop Search
(GDS) software, freely downloadable from Google."
Click here to read full review
SUMMARY: "This is an outstanding workflow addition at a great price.
At the time of this writing, a single license costs $85 AUD (about $65
USD). Not bad for all of these features. I give it a frighteningly-solid
5 cows for stability, feature set, great price and incredibly flexible
customization."
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ITnews UK- Directory Opus
"Intro: Windows Explorer has never been up
to the mark. Since Windows 3, we have had a vast range of shell replacement
programs to choose from. Well most can pack their bags and head home because,
for the power user at least, Directory Opus beats the lot of them...."
"Verdict: As a file management utility, DOpus
is worth the investment. But this becomes a greater value proposition
when you consider that DOpus can replace your FTP program, image viewing
and conversion utilities, WinZIP, application launcher, even movie player.
There's no doubt about it, this is by far and away the best and most powerful
Windows file manager we have ever seen. At a stroke, it can render all
manner of utilities installed on your system redundant. If you are looking
for a Windows Explorer replacement, then it is probably because you are
looking for something more powerful. Call off the search. We have a winner.
"
Read full review...
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Directory Opus
PC Pro Review by Nik Rawlinson RATING:
Verdict: A major upgrade makes Directory Opus
more than just a handy tool. Packed with time-saving shortcuts, it's a
must for any Windows user.
"If this all sounds a bit too glowing to be true,
then try it for yourself. We had a few concerns about the last release
we reviewed, and came to the conclusion that its appeal would be 'limited
for most users'. With the arrival of version 8, though, it's an entirely
different story. This is an essential upgrade, and something from which
Microsoft could learn a lot... "
Read full Review ...
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Directory Opus wins prestigious
PC Plus
Editor's Choice Award, awarded to GP Software for its Directory
Opus, featured as a standalone review in issue no. 228 of PC Plus,
Productivity: Directory Opus PC
Plus Review Davey Winter.
"To call Directory Opus, yet another Explorer Replacement'
would be like calling Las Vegas much the same as Blackpool'. This is productivity
software pure and simple...
Why install dozens of unstable freebie utilities to bridge the Windows
Explorer gap when Directory Opus 8 offers a single, integrated, multi-threaded,
multi-tasking solution? It has zip archiving, FTP, advanced image-handing
and a fully customizable UI to die for ... This product specializes in
power, flexibility and stable file management....
Believe us we've been there and seen the light.".
Full Review available in the magazine..
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| Directory
Opus - A review by Shane
Monroe: A very comprehensive 18 page review
of the new version of Directory Opus covering many many aspects of the
program and the new features explained in detail. "DOpus
is like finding Christmas presents in the closet all year long ... "
Read full review...
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| Dr File
Finder writes - "Directory Opus is a truly powerful file manager,
but it's so much more... The new features in this release could take a
full page to tell you about, but to name a few it has enhanced FTP capability,
a variety of view modes, image conversion functions, folder options, and
lots, lots more! This is the most powerful "file manager" of all time,
in my opinion. Take a look for yourself."
Read Dr File Finder Quick Pick...
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| Directory
Opus in PC Magazine (USA).
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Raymond Domp Frank from Amsterdam
writes: "I have been using PowerDesk (initially version 4, later
upgraded to 5) for several years now. At the time, it was a lot better
than any competing product that I knew. About a year ago, I downloaded
an evaluation copy of Total Commander (Ghisler), which didn't make me
any happier than I already was with Power Desk. After reading the article
on "File managers" in the recent June issue of PC Magazine, I decided
to download evaluation copies of ExplorerPlus and Directory Opus. I must
say I like ExplorerPlus, even though it's in fact only a face lifted PowerDesk.
However, as soon as I started trying Directory Opus, it was immediately
obvious that it really has something else - and a lot more - to offer.
It's one of those products that I could relate to instantly:
it gave me the feeling that its designer had been looking for - and found
- the kind of features and user interface that I was looking for."
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FoxPop review by Elisabeth
Liddell: - "Recently I've been exploring
Explorer – Windows Explorer that is – and looking for a really good replacement.
It wasn't something I'd ever thought about – indeed I was only faintly
aware that such 3rd party replacement programs existed. This state of
blissful (or not so blissful) ignorance might have continued had not the
inbuilt Windows Explorer ceased to function twice. Now once might be viewed
as an unfortunate accident - but twice? As the failure of the Explorer
function effectively cripples a machine, I had to rebuild both the affected
laptops … and that left me very wary of the app.,.. when by happy coincidence
an email arrived from a reader suggesting that I try out Directory Opus.
I did – and the results are described here ...Read
full Review..
Conclusion:
Well I guess that you have gathered that I really like this program!
It has opened my eyes
to many new ways of working with my laptop/PC. It has taken the central
idea of the file explorer to a whole new level. Indeed using DOpus
solely as a replacement for the Windows File Explorer
is to vastly underestimate its power and potential - those functions maybe
utilize 25% of the program's functionality. But the delight of the program
is that it can be used in any way you want - as a replacement for the
inbuilt file explorer it works excellently, and out-performs the default
with ease. And if that is what you want - there is no pressure to use
the advanced functions at all. Don't feel guilty - just pick and mix the
features that you need and want. It won't disappoint on any level!
It has changed the way
I work, and speeded up a whole raft of tasks I regularly need to perform.
And now I find myself thinking about other features that I would like
to see developed. ..
In the User manual it
says … “There have been
file managers, now there is Directory Opus! Ignorance was bliss.”
I'd take issue with this – looking
back, I think of pre-DOpus days as the dark ages. Bliss is knowing about
DOpus, and having it available on my laptop!"
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PCPhoto Magazine: "Once in a while,
you come across something that truly makes working in the computer easier.
Directory Opus 6 is a Windows-specific program designed to replace Windows
Explorer. This Australian-originated program (it’s easily ordered from
the Web) does a great job of letting you quickly see and organize files
on your hard drive; it’s like Windows Explorer to a new power...
I like to put my digital camera images
into folders based on particular shoots, then sort them there. Next, I
copy selected items to new, more specific folders, such as “Flower Close-Ups
2003.” Directory Opus makes this easy to do..."
Read full review...
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Australian Developer: "Desktop Explorer for the power-hungry:
Once you’ve used Directory Opus for just
five minutes, you’ll wonder how you ever managed to get by
for so long without
it.
Conclusion: Every now and then something comes along that is truly
worthy of all the praise it earns – Directory Opus is one of these. Until
you've spent some time working with it, you do not understand what you're
missing from your file management duties... With all of its good
points, it's difficult to find any flaws. Although it does have a familiar
interface to Explorer, it can take time to get used to the 'Lister' methodology...
... a trial version. Unlike most trial software, this version is exactly
what you receive when you purchase it, its only restriction is it will
expire after 60 days of installation. I strongly suggest giving it a go
– even if you don’t like it, what has it cost you in the end?
IN BRIEF: Directory Opus is so fast, easy to use and amazingly configurable
that you’ll wonder how you ever did without it. ... its sheer depth of
options will truly change the way you view your desktop forever."
Andrew Miller,
AUSTRALIAN DEVELOPER
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Dr. File Finder's Pick on Simtel:
"Directory Opus, by GPSoftware, is
a powerful tool for working with all the files on your computer. This
is no simple file manager and the program is loaded with features. So
many features, in fact, that I'm just going to try to hit the high-points
for you...
.. Another feature I really liked was the programs support for digital
images, like the ones from your digital camera. Directory Opus gives you
all the information about each photo -- things like shutter speed, time,
aperture, and more. And if all this weren't enough it has very powerful
search capabilities, an internal command set, and even activity associated
sounds -- something I haven't seen in any similar programs. Excellent!
... So, this is, in many ways, much more than just a file manager.
If you've been looking for a replacement for Windows Explorer and you
want something with lot of power under the hood, take a good look at Directory
Opus. One of the very best programs I've seen this year. Try it!"
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PC ANSWERS: "Say goodbye to the antiquated
Windows Explorer and welcome Directory Opus, the ultimate file manager
for power users.. Essentially, Directory Opus acts as a complete
replacement for the traditional Windows Explorer interface. That’s the
same Explorer that you interact with when opening My Computer, My Network
Places or just about any window used to display files and folders.
However, Directory Opus does much more
than act as a newer version of Windows Explorer. It also integrates a
whole series of advanced capabilities into the file management experience,
including the ability to customise layouts, build custom toolbars, and
switch between a variety of window views. If that weren’t enough, it also
provides integrated utilities to create Zip files, manage FTP sessions
and view common graphics files. If you’re still not happy, not to worry.
We’ve barely scratched the surface."
Full
Text...
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PC World November: (Reviews) "If you’ve ever wondered
if there was a better way of doing things when using Windows Explorer,
this is the program for you. Directory Opus, built from the ground
up for the Windows OS (and now supporting XP), offers an Explorer replacement
and much more."
Full Review...
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Directory
Opus wins PowerTools Award "The Power Tools Forum Award winners
have been picked for their class leading abilities. Each is what we have
determined to be a true Power Tool used in concert they'll change your
world. Our continued support and praise go to those companies continuing
to lift the bar for everyone else."
The Power
Tool Award Winner: "Directory Opus- the true powertooler's
tool of choice for file management. Multi-threading of tasks is
just one of it's many innovations."
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Australian PC Authority
"Explorer has some major problems, particularly when copying or moving
files. You've accepted for years that your system slows down when you
move or copy files, but there's no good reason for it. Directory Opus
actually multitasks, so you can have multiple copy, deletion and file
moving threads running simultaneously. It also has much better file indexing
and search functions, and is entirely configurable.
This is a handy bit of software that
summarized in one sentence, could be described as a Windows Explorer replacement.
This obviously begs the question ‘why bother?’ as Explorer is pretty good
at what it does in the first place. Not only that, but it comes free as
part of every Windows installation. So why buy a program that does what
your existing free software already does? Because Directory Opus does
it better. Much better"
Full Review...
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