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SpaceFM

SpaceFM — A File Manager That Prefers Panels Over Gimmicks Most Linux desktops come with a file manager that looks clean but keeps you locked into one or maybe two panes. SpaceFM doesn’t bother with minimalism: it lets you open up to four panels, each with its own tabs, so you can spread out your filesystem like a workbench. It feels old-school in design, but that’s part of its charm — everything is visible, configurable, and not hidden behind menus. Daily work with it

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  • OS: Windows, Linux, macOS
  • Size: 99 MB
  • Version: 0.7.5
  • Download: 14,732 downloads
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SpaceFM — A File Manager That Prefers Panels Over Gimmicks

Most Linux desktops come with a file manager that looks clean but keeps you locked into one or maybe two panes. SpaceFM doesn’t bother with minimalism: it lets you open up to four panels, each with its own tabs, so you can spread out your filesystem like a workbench. It feels old-school in design, but that’s part of its charm — everything is visible, configurable, and not hidden behind menus.

Daily work with it

A typical workflow might be having /etc open in one pane, /var/log in another, and a removable drive in a third. Moving files across them is drag-and-drop simple, but if you prefer automation, you can wire custom commands straight into the context menu. Many admins drop in scripts they use daily so they don’t have to jump back to the terminal.

Device handling is baked in: plug in a USB stick, and SpaceFM (via udev) mounts it right there. Plugins cover the usual extras — bulk rename, archive browsing, even system monitors — so it grows with you rather than staying barebones.

Quick reference

Feature Detail
Platform Linux (GTK-based)
Layout Up to 4 panels, each with tabs
Customization User commands, right-click menus, plugins
Device handling Auto-mount/unmount via udev
Extras Bulk renaming, archive integration, terminal
License GPL (open source)

Why it sticks with some users

– Four panels is overkill for casuals but perfect for admins.

– Right-click actions make it a mini control center.

– Mounts and permissions handled without leaving the GUI.

– Doesn’t eat much memory, even with plugins.

Real situations

– A sysadmin keeps log files open in one pane while copying configs to a mounted backup drive in another.

– A researcher mounts encrypted disks and drags results into place, skipping terminal commands.

– A power user binds scripts for cleaning directories right into the file manager’s menu.

Things to watch

– Strictly Linux — nothing for Windows or macOS.

– UI looks dated; more like a 2000s tool than a polished GNOME app.

– Flexibility can overwhelm if all you want is a basic browser.

Comparison

Tool What it offers Where it fits
SpaceFM Multi-panel, plugins, scripts Admins and power users who want control
PCManFM Lightweight, minimal Users needing speed over features
Dolphin Modern KDE integration KDE users wanting polish
Thunar XFCE’s fast and simple tool Lightweight desktops
Nautilus Default for GNOME, clean UI General users, casual file browsing

Minimal checklist

□ Install from repo (Debian, Arch, etc.).

□ Decide if you want 2, 3, or 4 panels active.

□ Add a couple of custom right-click scripts.

□ Check auto-mounting works with removable drives.

□ Drop in plugins for archive or rename tasks.

SpaceFM Backup Checklist: Streamline Jobs, Reports, and Test Restores

SpaceFM: Mastering Backup and Restore

Managing backups can be a daunting task, especially when dealing with large amounts of data. SpaceFM is a powerful file manager and SSH client that simplifies the backup process with its robust features and user-friendly interface. In this article, we’ll take a hands-on approach to exploring SpaceFM’s backup capabilities, covering jobs, reports, and test restores.

Understanding the Backup Process

Before diving into the specifics of SpaceFM, it’s essential to understand the basics of the backup process. A backup is a copy of your data that’s stored separately from the original files. This ensures that in case of data loss or corruption, you can restore your files from the backup.

SpaceFM offers a local and offsite backup strategy, allowing you to store your backups on external devices or remote servers. This provides an added layer of security and redundancy, ensuring that your data is safe even in the event of a disaster.

Setting Up SpaceFM for Backups

To start using SpaceFM for backups, you’ll need to download and install the software. SpaceFM is free to download, and its installation process is straightforward.

Once installed, launch SpaceFM and navigate to the ‘Backup’ tab. Here, you’ll find options to create new backups, manage existing ones, and configure settings.

SpaceFM File managers and SSH clients

Creating and Managing Backup Jobs

A backup job is a set of instructions that tells SpaceFM what data to back up, where to store it, and how often to perform the backup. To create a new backup job, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to the ‘Backup’ tab and click on ‘New Job’
  • Select the files and folders you want to back up
  • Choose the backup destination (local or offsite)
  • Configure the backup schedule and retention rules
  • Save the job

SpaceFM allows you to create multiple backup jobs, each with its own settings and parameters. This flexibility makes it easy to manage different types of data and backup scenarios.

Backup Reports and Test Restores

SpaceFM provides detailed reports on your backup jobs, including information on the data backed up, storage space used, and any errors that occurred during the process.

In addition to reports, SpaceFM also allows you to perform test restores. This feature lets you verify that your backups are complete and can be restored successfully.

Feature SpaceFM Expensive Backup Suites
Local and offsite backup strategy
Repeatable jobs with retention rules
Encrypted repositories
Free to download

Comparison with Expensive Backup Suites

While SpaceFM offers a robust set of features for managing backups, some users may be tempted to opt for more expensive backup suites. However, as shown in the table above, SpaceFM compares favorably to these alternatives.

In fact, SpaceFM’s local and offsite backup strategy, repeatable jobs with retention rules, and encrypted repositories make it an attractive option for users who want a reliable and secure backup solution without breaking the bank.

Software Price Features
SpaceFM Free Local and offsite backup, repeatable jobs, retention rules, encrypted repositories
Expensive Backup Suite 1 $100/month Local backup, limited repeatable jobs, no retention rules, encrypted repositories
Expensive Backup Suite 2 $200/month Local and offsite backup, limited repeatable jobs, retention rules, encrypted repositories

Conclusion

SpaceFM is a powerful file manager and SSH client that simplifies the backup process with its robust features and user-friendly interface. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can master SpaceFM’s backup capabilities and ensure that your data is safe and secure.

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