Proto

0.6.9.7

Software information

License:

Freeware (Free)


Updated:

01 Jun 2012


Publisher:

Mieszko Lassota

Website:

http://miechu.pl

Software Screenshots

Size: 0 Bytes


Downloads: 3463


Platform: Windows (All Versions)

Review by George Norman (Cybersecurity Editor)

on 01 Jun 2012

The Microsoft-developed file manager Windows Explorer puts the focus on the mouse more than the keyboard. Proto, on the other hand, the Mieszko Lassota-developed file manager for Windows, puts the focus on the keyboard. This is a free tool you can use to manage all your files, a tool that you could use exclusively with the keyboard.

To start using Proto, you need to get a 3.5MB archive off the web and onto your computer; this won’t take long, not even if you’re on a lousy internet connection. Then you have to extract the contents of the archive and run the Proto executable inside; you won’t have to do anything else, you won’t have to go through an installation process. Right now, Proto works with Windows; the developer after version 1.0 is out, the application will be ported to Linux and Mac OS X.

If I were to pick two words to describe how the Proto interface looks like, I would go with: command line. When you launch the application, it will display a text list of all your drives. You can navigate through them using the keyboard. Press F1 to view a list of all available shortcuts. The nice thing about the interface is that you can change its looks. Press Ctrl + F10 and you will move to a new theme; press the key combo again, and you will move to another skin. Do so until you find one that suits your tastes.

Developer Mieszko Lassota, when coming up with Proto, aimed to come up with a fast file manager that is mouse independent. It isn’t hard to use Proto to explore your drives and manage your files – but you will have to get familiar with all the supported keyboard shortcuts. To open a new tab, close a tab, and move from one tab to another, for example, press Ctrl + T, Ctrl + W, and Ctrl + Alt + left or right arrow respectively. There are many other keyboard shortcuts and, as mentioned above, you can check them all out by pressing F1. It will take a bit of time to memorize them all, but once you do, you will be able to efficiently manage your files and rapidly use all Proto’s functions.

Proto is freeware, so using it won’t cost you a thing. Please note though that at the time of writing this, Proto is still a Beta, and Betas can be fidgety at times. If you like what the application can do and you want to support it, you can make a donation. The money will go towards Proto graduating out of Beta.

Proto takes a keyboard-only, mouse independent approach to managing files. It is a free file manager you can use exclusively with the keyboard.

Pros

Proto does not have to be installed, and that makes it portable. There are several themes to choose from. Press F1 to view the long list of keyboard shortcuts. Proto is freeware. The application displays tips.

Cons

It’s still in Beta at the time of writing this. It will take some time to familiarize yourself with all the shortcuts.

Proto
0.6.9.7

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Proto Awards


Proto Editor’s Review Rating

Proto has been reviewed by George Norman on 01 Jun 2012. Based on the user interface, features and complexity, Findmysoft has rated Proto 3 out of 5 stars, naming it Very Good

3

out of 5