The dedicated file manager focusing on usability</translate>'''
|}
<translate>
==Feature Overview== <!--T:2-->
I'll show how to use dolphin for common file managing tasks, and how to customize it to your needs.
<!--T:38-->
'''Dolphin''' is a lightweight file manager. It has been designed with ease of use and simplicity in mind, while still allowing flexibility and customization. This means that you can do your file management exactly the way you want to do it. You will find more information on how to handle '''Dolphin''' in this [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin/File Management | tutorial]] or in the official [http://docs.kde.org/stable/en/applications/dolphin/index.html Handbook].
[[Image:Dolphin default.png|thumb|240px|center]]
<!--T:3-->
:* Simple to use and dedicated file manager
:* Focus on usability
:* ''Breadcrumb'' navigation bar
:* Optional panels for convenient navigation and information display
:* Remote and pseudo-filesystem file management through [[Special:myLanguage/Glossary#KIO|KIO]]
:* Tag files and folders, and find files by content, using [[Special:myLanguage/Glossary#Baloo|Baloo]]
When we open the dolphin from [[Glossary#Kickoff|Kickoff menu]] it shows starting directory - by default it is your [[Glossary#Home_Directory|Home directory]].
<!--T:4-->
At first look, this is a simple file manager, but it has many talents. Some features include:
To open file, or go to folder just click on it. You don't have to double-click. It's KDE, not windows - you can click only once :).
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:* Split windows - view and use two directories at the same time
:* Viewing attributes can be set (and remembered) independently for each window
:* Tabbed browsing
:* Use the optional informational panel on the right
:* Or elect to have essential attribute information displayed in the window
:* Use 'breadcrumb' navigation for speed
:* One-click change to editable navigation bar
:* Add Folders panel for traditional navigation
:* Add a terminal in the directory you are currently browsing
:* Many functions controlled by keyboard shortcuts
Selecting files - in KDE, by default when you click once on something, it activates. In Windows you have to couble-click for that effect. So, there is problem, what to do in KDE if you don't want to open folder or file, only select it ? Answer is simple - over any icon in dolphin, when you hover your mose over it, there will be small "+" sign. Like that:
:* [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin/File_Management#Archive_Management_in_Dolphin|Archive Management in Dolphin]]
:* [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin/Customize Folder Icon|Customize the icon of a folder]]
:* [[Special:myLanguage/Dolphin/Batch_Rename|Rename multiple files at the same time]]
When you click that sign, this file/folder will be added to selection. You can easily select many files in that way (selecting by draging rectangle also works).
== Hints, Tips and Troubleshooting == <!--T:13-->
Many selected files looks like this:
<!--T:16-->
'''Problem:''' When I choose the application to open a specific filetype with, it seems to affect other filetypes too. It’s like '''Dolphin''' cannot tell the difference between the ''two different filetypes''.
:'''Solution:''' Probably the KDE platform does not know about one of the two filetypes, so it associates the filetype to a different, known filetype. This is common with XML-based filetypes; even if they use a file extension of their own (e.g. <tt>.xliff</tt> or <tt>.graphml</tt>), if they are not a filetype known by the KDE platform, they will be treated as any other XML file, and opened with the default application to open XML files.
We also see here, how we can deselect files - when file is selected, and you place your mouse cursor over it, in place of "+" sign there will be "-". If you click it, file will be deselected.
<!--T:18-->
:To solve this issue, you can use [[Special:myLanguage/System Settings/File Associations|File Associations]] to [[Special:myLanguage/System Settings/File Associations#Adding new file types|create an entry for the unrecognized filetype]].
<!--T:34-->
'''Problem:''' Dolphin's Find File service doesn't find files you know are on your computer.
{{KDE3}}
<!--T:35-->
D3lphin is a fork of Dolphin for KDE 3. It lacks some features of Dolphin from KDE 4. It is also less known, because for KDE 3 default file manager was Konqueror. This fork is not supported by KDE and is no longer maintained by its author.
:'''Solution:''' Reindex [[Special:myLanguage/Baloo|Baloo]]. Baloo is a file indexing and search service that Dolphin uses to search for files. It needs to be indexed to work. To solve this problem, in a terminal type, <tt>balooctl check</tt>
{{KDE4}}
<!--T:36-->
In KDE 4 Dolphin opens by default, when we click on any folder, it can also be started from [[Glossary#Kickoff|Kickoff menu]].
'''Problem:''' There is no file transfer dialog.
== Navigation Bar ==
<!--T:37-->
Dolphin integrates a new concept to use the navigation bar in a faster and more precise way. Therefore a breadcrumb navigation bar is used. Instead of displaying the complete path only the navigation points starting from one of the places are displayed as buttons. By clicking one of these buttons you navigate directly to this folder. So you can reach a parent folder from a sub folder in a very quick way.
:'''Solution:''' As of KDE 5 jobs like file transfers are handled by default in centralized notification system; file transfer is also shown in task manager. To enable separate file transfer dialog disable file transfer tracking on both the System Tray notification area and the task manager plasmoid and re-login.
Between the buttons which represent a folder there is a small arrow which is a button as well. By clicking this arrow a list of all sub folders of the folder in front of the arrow is shown. So you can change very fast the selected and displayed sub folder.
<!--T:8-->
If your problem is not in this list, you may also look into the [https://discuss.kde.org/tag/dolphin forums] or ask your question there.
There is also a classical navigation bar which displayes the complete path. To use this style you can select ''"View -> Navigation Bar -> Show Full Location''" or trigger the keyboard shortcut '''Ctrl+L'''. By clicking on the free space next to the last displayed folder in the breadcrumb style you can change to the classical style as well. If the classical style is selected an arrow is displayed at the end of the navigation bar. This arrow is a button which can be used to change back to the breadcrumb style. Of course menu and keyboard shortcut can be used, too.
== Keywords == <!--T:9-->
== Split View ==
<!--T:10-->
Dolphin offers the possibility to split the current folder view so that two folder views are displayed next to each other as known from [[:wikipedia:Midnight Commander|Midnight Commander]]. This is a very comfortable view to copy or move files from one folder to another.
You can split the view with ''"View -> Split"'' (keyboard shortcut '''F3'''). To change back to only one folder view you can use ''"View -> Close"''. The symbol will show you which view will be closed. Depending on the currently active view the minus sign will be shown in the left or right part of the symbol. In general always the inactive view will be closed. This is important to know if you want to use the keyboard shortcut. There is also a button for splitting and closing the view situated in the toolbar. This button displays the minus symbol as well, so it is easy to know which view would be closed.
<!--T:11-->
[[Category:Dolphin]]
Of course each view has its own navigation bar and each view can use a different view mode.
[[Category:Desktop]]
[[Category:File Management]]
== View mode ==
[[Category:System]]
Dolphin supports three different view modes: ''"Icons"'', ''"Details"'' and ''"Columns"''. These can be changed via the menu ''"View -> View mode"'' or via the keyboard shortcuts '''Ctrl+1''' (Icons), '''Ctrl+2''' (Details) and '''Ctrl+3''' (Columns). There is also a button for each view mode in the toolbar and the context menu of the folder view offers a submenu ''"View mode"'' to change the view mode.
</translate>
=== Icons ===
Each file and each folder is represented by an icon in the view mode ''"Icons"''. Instead of displaying an icon a preview of the file can be shown. This behaviour can be turned on/off via the menu ''"View -> Preview"'' or via a toolbar button. There exists a size limit for the file previews. This size limitation can be configured via ''"Settings -> Configure Dolphin -> View Modes -> General"'' option ''"File Previews -> Maximum file size"''. There is also an option to use thumbnails embedded in files.
The files in the currently selected folder are sorted in alphabetical order by default. The way of sorting can be changed via menu ''"View -> Sort by"''. The following sort criteria are available:
* Name
* Size
* Date
* Permissions
* Owner
* Group
* Type
Additionally the sorting sequence can be defined by ''"View -> Sort by -> Descending"''.
There is the possibility to display additional information below the icons. These can be turned on/off via ''"View -> Additional Information"''. In principal the same criteria which are available as search criteria can be selected.
You can group the icons to achieve a better overview. This is turned on via ''"View -> Show in Groups"''. Now the icons are grouped and the groups are divided by a horizontal line containing the name of the group as caption. The grouping is related to the selected search criterium.
[[Image:Dolphin show in groups effect.png|thumb|240px|center]]
=== Details ===
In view mode ''"Details"'' additional information are displayed by default in contrast to view mode ''"Icons"''. All files are listed in a tabular. The context menu of the table header offers the possibility to add additional columns. The following columns are available:
* Size
* Date
* Permissions
* Owner
* Group
* Type
Column ''"Name''" is always displayed. By clicking on the header of one of the columns the table will be sorted by this column. By clicking on the same column header the sorting sequence is reverted.
Since KDE 4.1 it is possible to display the folders as a tree. In this mode a plus sign is shown next to the folder. By clicking on this sign the folder is expanded and all containing sub folders and files are also shown in the table but they are itenuated. By clicking the sign, which display a minus now, again the expansion is closed again. Of course the tree structure can be used for as many folders as wished. The tree view is disabled by default, but can be activated via ''"Settings -> Configure Dolphin -> View Modes -> Details"'' with option ''"Expandable Folders"''.
=== Columns ===
View mode ''"Columns"'' is inspired by the file manager Finder of Mac OS X. Entering a sub folder does not replace the current folder view but the content of the sub folder is listed in an additional column next to the column of the parent folder. This can be used for several hierarchies, so that you can navigate in an easy and fast way in the file system.
== Panels ==
Dolphin contains several panels, which can be activated via menu ''"View -> Panels''". Each panel can be placed in the left or right docking area. To move a panel you have to click on the header and Drag&Drop the panel. The area where the panel will be placed on mouse released is highlighted. It is possible to stack panels on top of each other. In this case the panels are placed into tabs.
In the header of each panel there are two buttons. The button near to the caption undocks the panel. This makes the panel an independent window which "floats" above Dolphin. The window is still combined with Dolphin and cannot be displayed withoud Dolphin and cannot for example be minimized like normal windows. By clicking the button again the panel is docked again. The second button will close the panel.
=== Places ===
Dolphin contains a kind of bookmarks which are called ''"Places"''. These are displayed in a panel which can be activated via ''"View -> Panels -> Places"'' (keyboard shortcut '''F9'''). The Places are identical to the one shown in the categorie ''"System"'' of the K-Menü [[Glossary#Kickoff|Kickoff]].
By clicking one of these places it will be opened in the current folder view. The context menu offers the possibility to edit the places or to remove them again. It is also possible to hide entries temporarily.
The context menu of a folder can be used to add this folder an another entry to the Places panel. Therefore there is a menu item ''"Add to Places"''. You can also Drag&Drop a folder to the Places panel.
The places panel also contains entries to connected removable devices like USB-keys or CDs. A small plug icon indicates if the device is mounted. The context menu offers the possibility to unmount the device.
The places are used as the basis in the breadcrumb navigation bar. Each address is shown in relation to the nearest parent folder which is one of the places.
=== Information ===
The information panel can be activated via ''"View -> Panels -> Information"'' (keyboard shortcut '''F11'''). This panel displays a preview or an icon of the currently selected file/folder or of the file/folder below the mouse cursor. Some additional information like change date or size to the file/folder are displayed as well.
The information panel offers the possibility to rate files, add a comment or tag a file. This is one of the interfaces to the semantic Desktop [[Nepomuk]] which provides the advantages of the semantic web for the desktop. Starting with KDE 4.2 it will be possible to search for the semantic links given by the tags. Currently tagging only offers an outlook to future versions.
[[Image:dolphin_panel.png|thumb|240px|center|The Information Panel]]
=== Folders ===
A panel providing a tree structure for the file system can be displayed via ''"View -> Panels -> Folders"'' (keyboard shortcut '''F7'''). The tree structur offers the possibility by clicking the + and - signs to expand/collaps sub folders. By clicking on one of the folders the content will be displayed in the current view.
=== Terminal ===
The terminal emulator [[Konsole]] can be displayed directly in Dolphin via ''"View -> Panels -> Terminal"'' (keyboard shortcut '''F4'''). So it is possible to use shell commands directly in Dolphin. The terminal is opened in the folder which is displayed in the current view.
[[Image:dolphin_terminal.png|thumb|240px|center|Dolphin with a Terminal]]
Dolphin is a lightweight file manager. It has been designed with ease of use and simplicity in mind, while still allowing flexibility and customization. This means that you can do your file management exactly the way you want to do it. You will find more information on how to handle Dolphin in this tutorial or in the official Handbook.
Simple to use and dedicated file manager
Focus on usability
Breadcrumb navigation bar
Optional panels for convenient navigation and information display
Remote and pseudo-filesystem file management through KIO
Tag files and folders, and find files by content, using Baloo
At first look, this is a simple file manager, but it has many talents. Some features include:
Split windows - view and use two directories at the same time
Viewing attributes can be set (and remembered) independently for each window
Tabbed browsing
Use the optional informational panel on the right
Or elect to have essential attribute information displayed in the window
Use 'breadcrumb' navigation for speed
One-click change to editable navigation bar
Add Folders panel for traditional navigation
Add a terminal in the directory you are currently browsing
Problem: When I choose the application to open a specific filetype with, it seems to affect other filetypes too. It’s like Dolphin cannot tell the difference between the two different filetypes.
Solution: Probably the KDE platform does not know about one of the two filetypes, so it associates the filetype to a different, known filetype. This is common with XML-based filetypes; even if they use a file extension of their own (e.g. .xliff or .graphml), if they are not a filetype known by the KDE platform, they will be treated as any other XML file, and opened with the default application to open XML files.
Problem: Dolphin's Find File service doesn't find files you know are on your computer.
Solution: Reindex Baloo. Baloo is a file indexing and search service that Dolphin uses to search for files. It needs to be indexed to work. To solve this problem, in a terminal type, balooctl check
Problem: There is no file transfer dialog.
Solution: As of KDE 5 jobs like file transfers are handled by default in centralized notification system; file transfer is also shown in task manager. To enable separate file transfer dialog disable file transfer tracking on both the System Tray notification area and the task manager plasmoid and re-login.
If your problem is not in this list, you may also look into the forums or ask your question there.
