enhanced column management in file explorer

[johnradams]

I would find it very helpful to be able to manage the columns in the filer explorer window in WeBuilder. It would be nice to be able to:
(a) resize the width of the columns
(b) be able to click on the column heading to choose ascending/descending sort order

In the image below, the cursor points to the area I am referring to.


Please don't give me grief about the ASP files -- I'm maintaining an old application.

In this example, it would be nice to be adjust the width of the filename column, and to sort by date. I realize that you can right-click and choose the sort column, but you can't choose ascending/descending (at least this isn't easy).

[x3po]

+1!

[EvilBMP]

+1

and +1 for the same view in ftp file browser
and +1 for horizontal toolbar, if the panel is not wide enough - i just discovered this possibility, because of reading this thread and expanding the panel to a size i would never use ist

[CaliforniaJerry]

+1

[johnradams]

I'm surprised that more people haven't given this request a thumbs-up.

Am I mostly alone in the fact that I (very) often have "file explorer" windows set up to sort files by modification date? Alphabetical is of course nice at times, but having files sorted by most recent modification date can be very helpful, as it is a MRU list for that folder.

Also, having the ability to adjust the columns would be very nice, and seems like an obvious and fairly simple addition. I really don't need a "description" of the file -- what I need is to be able to see long filenames, date&time, and be able to sort ascending/descending on any column.

To be honest, I expected to see this in the 2010 product.

Anyone care to cast their vote for this feature? If not, I hope that Blumenthal will remember that many are silent

[ringoffire]

+1

However, I understand that even this simple feature may not be easy to implement. This (and all kind of such) feature may need extra controls to be added to the application. Currently, in my opinion, the GUI Controls are very limited and it might be used to the maximum already. Maybe there must be a complete revamp at this level or change programming language/environment (without re-writing the source code ) but it will absolutely worth the efforts...

[notuo]

+1

[Karlis]

I believe this is possible via Open/Save to FTP from file menu (isn't it?). We would not like to clutter filelist sidebar with too much data or options.

[EvilBMP]

We would not like to clutter filelist sidebar with too much data or options.

Why not? What's wrong with an option to view the data as "list" or "details" like in every explorer window? So everybody could decide ... A vertical scrollbar wouldn't hurt that much in "details" view, but the additional information would be really helpful.

PS: sure - customizable columns in details view

[Jay Q]

Another big +1.

I believe this is possible via Open/Save to FTP from file menu (isn't it?).

Yes, though it's a slightly crippled version of Windows Explorer (doesn't allow you to select which columns to show).

This begs the question, if it's available in the FTP Open/Save dialog, why isn't it also in the File Explorer? I occasionally get frustrated by the inability to resize columns and have date/time right next to file names. That's a common usage of a file management GUI.

We would not like to clutter filelist sidebar with too much data or options.

If it actually cluttered anything, I might agree, but we're simply talking about, at least, a duplicate of the FTP dialog functionality, specifically the ability to resize columns and more easily sort them (I use the current sort options, but they're a bit clunky). I'm pretty sure most would not consider that clutter.

You should take a poll to see what percentage of users would consider column names in Combined View to be clutter (I'd be shocked if it were over 3%), and more importantly, you should poll to see how many users would prefer the added functionality, clutter or not, over the current functionality. It's hard to see how this would do anything but help your product. Goodness knows it'd help your users!

[dannykay]

I would find this feature useful, but not vital.

I'm in the process of switching to Webuilder 2010 from other similar software that has enhanced column management, a feature I've found useful.

[MrCleanX]

+2
Sortable/resizeable/selectable column labels in the File Explorer would a HUGE benefit for myself.

[Capricorn]

+1

[danissimo]

plus one