MX-14: Files

Note: RC=right click
Introduction
File management in MX-14 is carried out through Thunar, a fast and powerful tool. Much of its basic use is self-evident, but here are good things to know:
- Hidden files are out of sight by default, but can be made visible via the menu" (View > Show Hidden Files) or by pressing Ctrl-H
- The Side Pane can be hidden, and directory (folder) shortcuts can be placed there by RC > Send To
- The context menu has been populated with common actions that vary by what is present or under focus.
- Root action is available via the context menu to open a terminal, edit as root, or open an instance of Thunar with root privileges.
- Thunar easily handles FTP transfers, see below.
Tips and Tricks
- When working in a directory that requires superuser privileges, you can RC > Open root Thunar here.
- You can set up tabs with File > New Tab (or Ctrl-T), then move items from one location to another by dragging them to a tab and releasing it.
- Actions listed in the context menu can be edited/deleted, and new ones added, by clicking Edit > Configure custom actions...
- Various options and hidden commands are also visible, see Help below.
- Compressed files can be managed by RC on the file. The archiver working in the background is file-roller (Start menu > Accessories > Archive Manager).
- To find files, RC in a blank space > Find files here. A dialog box will pop up to give you options. Running in the background is catfish (Start menu > Accessories > Catfish).
- To set up a soft link (AKA symlink), RC the target (file or folder you want the link to point to) > Create symlink. Then RC the new symlink, cut it and paste it to where you want it.
- To enable image thumbnails, see this helpful video.
FTP
The File Sharing Protocol (FTP) is used to transfer files from one host to another host over a network.
- Open Thunar and click on the Browse Network icon in the left pane
- In the address field, type
ftp://NameOrAddressoOfServer
, for example mepiscommunity.org - Up pops an authorization dialog box, fill in username and pwd and let it save password if you are comfortable with that
- That's it. Once you have navigated to the folder you are always going to use, you can RC the folder > Send to > Side Pane to create a very simple way to connect.
For a discussion of how FTP works, see this page.
Connecting to Shares
Thunar can connect to shared folders (AKA Samba Shares) on Windows, Mac, Linux computers and NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices if Samba is installed.
- Select Browse Network in the left pane to show various networks, including Windows Network
- Click the Network you want to see available Workgroups (often called WORKGROUP by default). Now drill down to find what you are looking for.
- Select a Workgroup for available Samba Servers
- Select a Server for available Samba Shares
- Select a Samba Share to see all the available folders
- A shortcut for the selected Share will be created in the Network sidebar section
For other actions with Samba, see this document.
Help
For a detailed discussion of Thunar and its use, consult Xfce Docs: Thunar