File Manager Beta Gallery
As EllisLab announced late yesterday (and we reported this morning), a beta release of EE 2.1.4 is out for those already owning an EE 2 license. I downloaded, installed and quickly ran through the File Manager to capture and try out the changes. In his blog post Greg Aker said that they have stripped down the File Manager and built it back up but that they are “in no way done with the ‘building back up’ process and wanted to make that clear by designating this release as a ‘beta’ release.” Fair enough. There are definitely still some rough edges here, as expected with a beta release. The File Manager is simpler and feels much more like a throwback to the simple look of the EE1 File Manager.
I snapped some screenshots as I was checking out the new beta. The first two screenshots of the File Manager itself, the remaining are of the overlay when you’re uploading or selecting a file from the Publish form. The last image is the old upload overlay vs. the new.
Has anyone else tried the beta? What are your thoughts on this first pass at improving the File Manager?
Posted on Feb 02, 2011 by Ryan Irelan
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Seth — 12:09 on 02.02.2011
Thank you. Not sure when I can setup the beta myself so finding this post really helpful.
Christopher Beckwith — 13:42 on 02.02.2011
Jim — 14:10 on 02.02.2011
I really, reeeally want them to figure out subdirectories. I can’t believe I have to install a 3rd-party gui to enable something like this.
I tend to build sites for magazines and newspapers and I *always* need a structure like this:
2011 > (12 folders for month) > (4-5 folders for weeks)
A monthly pain otherwise. EE should be able to browse this, if not make these subfolders.
Ben Seigel — 15:08 on 02.02.2011
Jim,
I’m curious, which 3rd party GUI do you use for subdirectories? I used to use Moxiecode FileManager, but no one’s built an add-on for it yet.
julz — 15:15 on 02.02.2011
This is great to see. I
Izrada web stranica — 00:36 on 02.03.2011
not big shange.
1. There must be option to select how many files you want to see per page ,now is 10
2. That window need to resizeable
Ira Salsberg — 11:28 on 02.03.2011
Agree with Jim completely.
In ALL of my client sites, because of the sheer volume of image/file uploads, combined with the number of different departments managing content on the site, it’s imperative to allow for subfolder creation and browsing.
I am really surprised that this much time/effort went into the File Manager, only to have a flat list of files like that.
Really needs a jQuery expanding folder structure, and the ability to add sub-folders on the fly. It can even be ‘virtual’ folders (as opposed to physical subfolders on the server), like Amazon S3.
For sure it looks like there are some improvements over the current version, but not really a workable solution (for our Clients needs anyway).
Fortunately, the WYGWAM file / image plugins (CKFinder) are filling this gap for now.
Joel — 01:33 on 02.04.2011
Second me or third me or fourth me for the on-the-fly subfolders. An absolute must!
Ryan Masuga — 09:38 on 02.04.2011
Subdirectories. Subfolders. Folders in folders. Whatever you want to call it, there is a need to segment and browse large numbers of images using subdirectories. Until this file manager can do that, I can’t use it on some sites and will look at 3rd-party alternatives.
I’m curious why they don’t spring for the $1400 OEM license for CKFinder, include that with EE, and call it a day (or spend the time they’re currently spending to re-create the wheel with their own File Manager on things like fixing the various bugs in 2.1.3 that have slightly eroded my confidence in the overall product).
That said, as long as they’re going to re-receate the wheel, I hope it rolls well.
Jim — 04:55 on 02.07.2011
Hey,
For the most part the smaller users don’t use a gui, but for a few of the bigger ones we use WYGWAM, and now we’re looking at CKFinder for the real cheapskates. I hate having to come back to a client and renegotiate because of something like this.
Sammi — 13:16 on 02.07.2011
Hi,
Filemanagement in EE has always bothered me a bit. I understand some of the reasons for it being like it is - but still it bothers me.
I have had plans for years now to create an advanced file management module for EE. I’ve never started because something has told me that eventually EE would provide one. They have a great team and I think they will eventually nail it.
But from these screenshots it looks like another miss. I can’t say until I’ve tried it but I think a super flexible system like EE deserves a super flexible file management.
I am seriously thinking about going for my plan.
Ben — 13:29 on 02.07.2011
@Sammi,
I think you’d sell quite a few. The new add-on “Zenbu” (see it on Devotee) adds functionality I’ve been seriously missing, and is worth the $40.
@Jim,
If clients balk at $35 for an add-on, you need better clients. One way around this, though, is to just put a few hundred $ in the contract for “ExpressionEngine and add-ons selected by designer”. Don’t specific them, just get the $ to cover what you think you’ll need.