Dolphin (software)
Encyclopedia
Dolphin is a free and open source software file manager
for and part of the KDE Software Compilation
. It is the default file manager in the current version, KDE Software Compilation 4, and can be optionally installed on K Desktop Environment 3. Although replaced as the default file manager for KDE SC 4, Konqueror
is still the default web browser
, and can be used as an alternative file manager for power user
s.
Under previous K Desktop Environment versions, Konqueror had served both as the default file manager and web browser. However, for many years users have criticized that Konqueror was too complex for simple file navigation. As a response, the two functions were divided into two separate applications. Under KDE SC 4, Dolphin was streamlined for browsing files, while sharing as much code as possible with Konqueror. Konqueror continues to be developed primarily as a web browser.
File manager
A file manager or file browser is a computer program that provides a user interface to work with file systems. The most common operations performed on files or groups of files are: create, open, edit, view, print, play, rename, move, copy, delete, search/find, and modify file attributes, properties...
for and part of the KDE Software Compilation
KDE Software Compilation
The KDE Software Compilation is a desktop environment and an associated range of KDE Applications produced by KDE. Prior to version 4.4, released in February 2010, the Software Compilation was known as KDE, which used to stand for K Desktop Environment until November 2009...
. It is the default file manager in the current version, KDE Software Compilation 4, and can be optionally installed on K Desktop Environment 3. Although replaced as the default file manager for KDE SC 4, Konqueror
Konqueror
Not to be confused with the Conqueror web browser.Konqueror is a web browser and file manager that provides file-viewer functionality for file systems such as local files, files on a remote ftp server and files in a disk image. It is a core part of the KDE desktop environment...
is still the default web browser
Web browser
A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
, and can be used as an alternative file manager for power user
Power user
A power user is a user of a personal computer who has the ability to use advanced features of programs which are beyond the abilities of "normal" users, but is not necessarily capable of programming and system administration...
s.
Under previous K Desktop Environment versions, Konqueror had served both as the default file manager and web browser. However, for many years users have criticized that Konqueror was too complex for simple file navigation. As a response, the two functions were divided into two separate applications. Under KDE SC 4, Dolphin was streamlined for browsing files, while sharing as much code as possible with Konqueror. Konqueror continues to be developed primarily as a web browser.
Dolphin and K Desktop Environment 3
As development of the KDE SC 4 version was underway, the K Desktop Environment 3 version of Dolphin was discontinued. However, the program continues to be unofficially available for K Desktop Environment 3 under the slightly modified name of "D3lphin". D3lphin contains many bugfixes and a new sidebar, but is no longer maintained.Features
- BreadcrumbBreadcrumb (navigation)Breadcrumbs or breadcrumb trail is a navigation aid used in user interfaces. It allows users to keep track of their locations within programs or documents. The term comes from the trail of breadcrumbs left by Hansel and Gretel in the popular fairytale....
navigation bar – each part of the URL is clickable - 3 view modes (Icons, Details and Columns), remembered for each folder
- File Previews
- Split views (for copying and moving files)
- Network transparency – using KDE’s KIOKIOKIO is part of the KDE architecture. It provides access to files, web sites and other resources through a single consistent API. Applications, such as Konqueror which are written using this framework can operate on files stored on remote servers in exactly the same way as they operate on those...
slaves - Undo/Redo functionality
- Tabbed navigation
- Renaming of a variable number of selected items in one step
- NEPOMUKNEPOMUK (framework)NEPOMUK is an open-source software specification that is concerned with the development of a social semantic desktop that enriches and interconnects data from different desktop applications using semantic metadata stored as RDF...
integration (including search, tagging, rating and commenting files) - Places bar which also integrates with Kickoff's, "Computer" tab
- Sorting and grouping of files by name, size, type and others