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spacefm: Customizable file manager

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SpaceFM: A Highly Customizable File Manager for Linux

For Linux enthusiasts, finding the perfect file manager that fits all personal preferences can often be a daunting task. Whether it's the need for more customization options or control over file managing methods, SpaceFM is an outstanding choice for users who want to tailor their file manager to fit their specific needs. SpaceFM is renowned for its modularity, customizability, and multi-panel layouts, making it a versatile tool for managing files across various Linux distributions. In this blog post, we’ll explore the features of SpaceFM and provide detailed installation instructions for several popular package managers including apt, dnf, and zypper.

Features of SpaceFM

SpaceFM is designed with flexibility in mind, equipped with the following features:

  • Customizable Interface: Users can configure toolbars, menus, and keybindings according to their requirements.

  • Built-in VFS, HAL-based device management: SpaceFM ensures smooth handling of devices without depending on udisks.

  • Multi-panel layouts: This feature allows for efficient management and organization of files and folders across multiple panels simultaneously.

  • Plugin support: Enhancing functionality through custom scripts and plugins tailored to individual workflow needs.

  • Tabbed browsing: Navigate multiple directories within the same window, reducing clutter and increasing efficiency.

Installation Guide

Installing SpaceFM on Debian/Ubuntu Systems (Using apt)

For users running a Debian-based distribution such as Debian itself or Ubuntu, the apt package manager is the easiest method for installing SpaceFM. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open a Terminal Window: You can do this by searching for it in your application menu or pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.

  2. Update Package Lists: Before installing any new software, it's a good practice to update your package list:

    sudo apt update
    
  3. Install SpaceFM: sudo apt install spacefm

This should complete the installation, and you can launch SpaceFM from your application menu or by entering spacefm in your terminal.

Installing SpaceFM on Fedora/RHEL Systems (Using dnf)

For users of Fedora or other similar RPM-based distributions (like RHEL and CentOS), the dnf package manager can be used to install SpaceFM easily:

  1. Open a Terminal Window.

  2. Update Software Repositories:

    sudo dnf check-update
    
  3. Install SpaceFM: sudo dnf install spacefm

After the installation, SpaceFM can be accessed from the application menu or via the terminal.

Installing SpaceFM on OpenSUSE (Using zypper)

For those on OpenSUSE or other SUSE derivatives, zypper is the default package manager, and installing SpaceFM is straightforward:

  1. Open a Terminal Window.

  2. Refresh Software Repositories:

    sudo zypper refresh
    
  3. Install SpaceFM: sudo zypper install spacefm

Now you can start using SpaceFM either from your desktop environment’s application launcher or directly from the command line.

Conclusion

SpaceFM is a stellar choice for users looking for a robust, highly customizable file manager in the Linux environment. Its support for numerous plugins and custom scripts allows significantly advanced functionality tailored perfectly to your needs. With the installation instructions provided for apt, dnf, and zypper, you can set up SpaceFM on your favorite Linux distribution and start customizing your file management experience right away. Whether you are a casual user, power user, or system administrator, SpaceFM provides a flexible and powerful interface to enhance your productivity and file handling efficiencies.