Hi Lynn,
Yes, I've been using it since Windows Commander version 4.51 (
is currently at version 6.54). That was so long ago that I forgot where I first heard of it - I think it was on the
Web Developers Virtual List (WDVL). I liked it from the beginning because it reminded me of some of my favorite DOS file managers (Norton Commander for which it was named after, and LIST.COM by, I believe, Vern Berg - or something like that.) Those were extremely functional for their times, but could never hold a candle to what Total Commander can do!
I use quite a few of the plugins, too (and there are a ton of them - most are free.) One for reading and modifying old DB2 files, one for editing the Registry, one for managing WinXP, Server 2003, and Win2K Services, one for burning CDs and DVDs (that one, I bought) - the list of available plugins just boggles the mind!
Yet, even without the plugins, the builtin functions make it the
Swiss Army Knife of file managers - directory synchronization, multi-file renaming, viewing all types of files such as graphics and MP3 files (did you know you can immediately play MP3 files with 'view lister' instead of waiting for over-bloated players to load?)
It treats ZIP (and most other archive type files,) Network Drives (mapped or not,) FTP sites, Services and Registry (with plugins,) CDs, DVDs, Digital Cameras - every kind of 'storage' imaginable - the same as if they were all just local drives. I even found that the FTP functions work with "Secure" FTP sites! With two side-by-side windows and custom tabs for frequently used folders or tasks, it's faster and easier than Explorer or any other file manipulation utility, IMO. I even have my Services in a tab for instant access.
Then, there's the file comparison, splitting, joining, encrypting, decrypting, archiving and extracting (it even looks inside CAB files and CD Image files,) and CRC creation and verification. It's integration with Irfanview lets you view a directory in Thumbnails regardless of the graphic format (even PSDs). It works seemlessly with NoteTab Pro for editing files. It's better at zipping than Winzip and better at FTPing than most of the more popular programs.
There're so many ways of customizing it and adding to it that I have yet to discover any type of file management task I can't do with it. And I haven't even tried all the builtin capabilities!
I'm a "Utility Junkie", having collected gigabytes of utility programs over the years. Total Commander has virtually replaced nearly every utility I have ever downloaded - I probably use it more than any other program I own. The small cost for the registered version is unbelievable for its usefulness. As I said in a prior post - it's worth its weight in gold!
BTW, I saved a copy of the tutorial you did on using FTP with Windows Commander. I though it was exceptionally well done and saved it more as a guide for designing tutorials (since I had pretty much mastered the FTP side of it myself.) Did you ever upgrade it to reflect Total Commander? Is it still online? It should be made a "Sticky" in the "HTML, Web Design & Programming" forum, or maybe here in this forum.
Cheers,
Tom Fosson