Review updated: File-Ex added to best-in-class list (and discount avail.)

[mouser]

I've updated the review and moved File-Ex to the best-in-class list to tie with the other three already there.

https://www.donation...Extenders/index.html

File-Ex makers showed me how to get it to work with MS Office, and though it requires an extra step, it does work well, and combined with the unique and very nice file finder, and good price, i felt it warranted being awarded best-in-class.

[patteo]

Really great to see File-Ex added to best-in-class list.

I wrote to the author Stan last night that the Mouser was having problems with MS Office Dialogs and he immediately responded which I thought was nice of him.

Personally I have had no problems configuring File-Ex to work with the MS-Office Non standard dialog boxes because File-Ex provide pre-trained files (that you need to import) and there’s even a section on their website explaining how this is done.

http://www.cottonwoo...x3prob.html#programs

That was why I wrote to Stan (the author)

But here's another few long-time user thoughts on File-Ex that might help others appreciate this gem of a software.

1. I have used File-Ex for more than 4 years now and find that it is extremely stable – never had a crash.

2. The picture in the review https://www.donation...Extenders/index.html is the default size but you can easily set it to automatically go full screen which is what I do so you see a much bigger screen real estate. In fact you can set it to any size you like.

There are some great screen shots to help you appreciate File-Ex at :

http://www.cottonwoodsw.com/fx3pics.html

3. Customizing of Favourite Folder and Favourite Files by Application or Across all applications is indeed very easy from the bottom part of  File-Ex dialog boxes.

4. If you want to go further and track the different documents history automatically, it works side by side with X2RecentDocuments

http://www.x2net.com...tdocuments/index.htm

which maintain a historical record of all documents you open and save automatically.

But frankly File-Ex will do just fine unless you are an absolute packrat who wants to track the history of all files opened.

5. It will also accept Tweakui.exe (Microsoft free powertoy) changes made to the Places Bar you see on the left side of File-Ex enhanced Dialog Box.

6. But just a word of caution for those using Corel products.
Corel also use Non Standard Dialogs Boxes and you may experience some problems configuring it to work seamlessly although it can be done but I have never taken the trouble to completely figure it out. No pre-trained files for Corel is provided.

http://www.cottonwoo...x3prob.html#programs


You will find that the last revision was in v 3.0.0.24 November 14th, 2002 see
http://www.cottonwoodsw.com/fx3rev.html

But don’t be fooled by the fact that the last revision was in Nov 2002. It is still very capable.

All in, it’s one of those programs I would install first when I reinstall my computer apart from the Microsoft Windows of course !

[vidbits]

Yes, there is no question about it, FIle-Ex is one of my most useful utility programs. I have saved HOURS and HOURS of time using it with desktop publishing.

I just wish "Stan" would "jazz up" his website. It really doesn't do JUSTICE to his superb program!!!!

[mouser]

i talked to stan about the possibilty of a discount for dc member - he's thinking about it.  if anyone feels like mailing stan and encouraging him to offer it to bring it more inline with the other dialog extender discounts we're making available this month it would be nice.

[rjbull]

Mouser,

Nothing against File-Ex,  but aren't there rather a lot of "best-in-class" given that it's a pretty small class?

[mouser]

yes there are, but when you have 3 apps that tie for first place you don't just throw out some in order to keep the list small
the apps that won best-in-class are of comparable quality so they all won.

[mouser]

a 25% discount on file-ex is now available in the members-only section.

a big thanks to stan for making this available to our members!

[rjbull]

Mouser,

Just to add to the spreading haze, I think the "response to Nudone's blog" thread mentions several more programs in this category that weren't included in the review;  e.g.  Nutty's post https://www.donation...=506.msg3333#msg3333
which mentions Folder View (freeware)

[mouser]

looks like i forgot to include folderview; going to add it now.  its missing all dialog sizing stuff but its free and worth a mention.

[patteo]

There was a mention in an earlier post that Folderview may be crash prone.

https://www.donation...87.msg10683#msg10683

I experienced some instability a while back when I had Folderview on an Windows XP Pro system. After reading the forum post above, I decided to uninstall Folderview.

The instability seems to have disappeared. But I cannot say definitively that it was due to Folderview. It's just a hunch as it may be due to something else. Someday I may re-install Folderview again as it is quite useful.

Has anyone else experienced any instability problem in this regard ?

[mouser]

i've updated the review; stable or not i don't think it can compare to the shareware tools.  and since the shareware tools are now (with the dc discounts) running $10-$20 i think it's an easy purchase.