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Reviews: FileXaminer 1.0
Posted by: walt0131 on Monday, April 08, 2002 - 07:02 AM
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What is FileXaminer?
True to its name, FileXaminer is a Mac OS X utility that allows you to view, and more importantly, edit file attributes of any file on your system. Think of it as a Get Info on steroids for your Mac. While you can accomplish much of the same functions from the command line, this program has a slick graphical interface, which means you can do a lot of system administration without having to learn any UNIX commands!
First Impression
The good people at Gideon Softworks, Inc have packed a lot of nice features into this handy utitlity. The interface is very similar to that found in the Mac OS X finder. They've even set up Hot Keys and a Contextual Menu item for easy access from the finder. The only way it could get any simpler is if they override the Apple + I command. Good luck!
First Impression
What it does well
Edit Owner/Group, Type/Creator, and ALL permissions settings (It also shows the CHMOD command that is being applied).
Batch Edit - for viewing and editing multiple files at once.
What it doesn't do
You can't view or edit file comments. Not a big deal, but interesting why it isn't available.
Nice Features
Batch
Very nicely done. Way better than what you get in OS X. In Mac OS 9 and earlier, multiple Get Info windows would be opened if you selected Get Info on a group of files. Currently, when you select Get Info in Mac OS X 10.1.3 on a group of files, you get one window that says Multiple Selection Info. What good is that? No problem with FileXaminer, you get a column list view of your selected files.
Super Delete
Just as powerful as the command line! Take care when using this function as you can easily delete important files that would leave your system inoperable.
Force Empty Trash
This command works most of the time for files that just don't want to go away. If this still doesn't work, try to find the pesky file and use Super Delete.
Hex Editor and Icon Editor
While these features are not included in FileXaminer, they have integrated a Helper App function so you can easily access your favorite program for editing in hex or customizing your icons from within the Get Info menu.
Missing Features
Search in Batch Mode
Want to change the permission or owner for all files that end in .jpg? Currently, the only way to do this is via the command line.
A good way to indicate invisible files.
Who Should Use FileXaminer?
OS X Administrators that prefer the finder over the command line. This includes anyone running a web server or ftp site on Mac OS X. If you need a little help figuring out what permissions are for, check out Gideonsoftworks' guide on MacOS X Permissions
Note: Everyone should at least have a copy. For most, it probably won't see a lot of use, but its great for those occasional files that you need to edit and FileXaminer is a great tool for people that avoid the command line whenever possible.
Final Thoughts
FileXaminer is a perfect example of how third-party utilities should be integrated into Mac OS X. The interface is clean and true to the original finder look. If you need to modify file or folder attributes, look no further than FileXaminer. At a price of only $10, it beats the nearest competitor by half.
Rating: 90% - FileXaminer 1.0 is currently the best "Get Info" application for Mac OS X, but there is still room for some UI improvements in Batch mode. Keep up the good work!
Gideon Softworks, Inc:
Review by Simon Walter-Hansen, OSXGuide.com contributing editor.
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