Project Snowfox : Initial Thoughts

Snowfox is to your computer what Firefox is to the web. It's the accumulation of multiple productivity tools built into one useful package.

In its barebones Snowfox is a file manager like the one you get for free with Windows. But this application goes further and brings modern browsing features like tabs, bookmarks, tags, plugins, etc to your file manager.

Here are some of the ideas I have in mind:

Note: For something shorter jump to the Quick Review section.

• Why open multiple windows to copy or move files. Wouldn't it be nice to have multiple tabs where you can just drag and drop stuff?
• Why do I have to browse through the whole file system everytime I need to access my common folders? Sure I can make shortcuts, but that adds 10 more icons to my desktop. Can't I just type in the name of the folder in the address bar and go there without any of this hassle. Firefox seems to does this very well with websites.
• Okay, I can't keep all my recent files in "My Recent Files". It sure will be very useful if I can tag my files and open them up when I type in their names.
• My start menu is cluttered with zillions of programs. I need something like Launchy where I can type in the first few letters of the program I'm thinking and I can select what I want to open.
• Hey, why is the search engine in Windows Explorer so complicated ? Can't it be like a google search box that just does the right thing? I wouldn't mind firefox style search boxes where you could search for Documents, Music, Moves by simply changing the engine from the combobox.
• Removing programs in windows is a pain. Add/Remove in the control panel is SLOW ! Can't I just type:                   remove Program_Name.. and that should bring up the proper uninstaller. Hey, maybe I should also be able to bring up any control panel item just by typing a few letters of its name.

 

Quick Review

1. A firefox-like file manager with multiple tabs, drag-drop support etc etc.
2. A firefox 3 like smart location bar which can autocomplete file/folder names and browse/launch them.
3. A location bar is also like a mini command prompt that lets you type in copy,move,rename, uninstall etc.
4. A firefox like search box. Opening the combobox lets you choose different kinds of searches (documents, music, videos)
5. Okay, One click bookmarking like firefox, along with the ability to tag files and folders.
6. Extensible through plugins

 

I'm hoping to hear comments on the project idea...