File Pilot is a new file manager focused on speed and a modern user experience. It boasts instant startup and file browsing, a dual-pane interface for efficient file operations, and extensive customization options like themes and keyboard shortcuts. Built with a robust architecture using Rust and Qt, File Pilot aims to provide a reliable and performant alternative to existing file explorers on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Key features include tabbed browsing, a built-in terminal, seamless file previews, and advanced filtering capabilities. File Pilot is currently available as a free technical preview.
Bzip3, developed as a modern reimagining of Bzip2, aims to deliver significantly improved compression ratios and speed. It leverages a larger block size, an enhanced Burrows-Wheeler transform, and a more efficient entropy coder based on Asymmetric Numeral Systems (ANS). While maintaining compatibility with the Bzip2 file format for compressed data, Bzip3 boasts compression performance competitive with modern algorithms like zstd and LZMA, coupled with significantly faster decompression than Bzip2. The project's primary goal is to offer a compelling alternative for scenarios requiring robust compression and rapid decompression.
Hacker News users discussed bzip3's performance improvements, particularly its speed increases due to parallelization and its competitive compression ratios compared to bzip2 and other algorithms like zstd and LZMA. Some expressed excitement about its potential and the author's rigorous approach. Several commenters questioned its practical value given the dominance of zstd and the maturity of existing compression tools. Others pointed out that specialized use cases, like embedded systems or situations prioritizing decompression speed, could benefit from bzip3. Some skepticism was voiced about its long-term maintenance given it's a one-person project, alongside curiosity about the new Burrows-Wheeler transform implementation. The use of SIMD and the detailed explanation of design choices in the README were also praised.
Git's autocorrect, specifically the help.autocorrect setting, can be frustratingly quick, correcting commands before users finish typing. This blog post explores the speed of this feature, demonstrating that even with deliberately slow, hunt-and-peck typing, Git often corrects commands before a human could realistically finish inputting them. The author argues that this aggressive correction behavior disrupts workflow and can lead to unintended actions, especially for complex or unfamiliar commands. They propose increasing the default autocorrection delay from 50ms to a more human-friendly value, suggesting 200ms as a reasonable starting point to allow users more time to complete their input. This would improve the user experience by striking a better balance between helpful correction and premature interruption.
HN commenters largely discussed the annoyance of Git's aggressive autocorrect, particularly git push becoming git pull, leading to unintended overwrites of local changes. Some suggested the speed of the correction is disorienting, making it hard to interrupt, even for experienced users. Several proposed solutions were mentioned, including increasing the correction delay, disabling autocorrect for certain commands, or using aliases entirely. The behavior of git help was also brought up, with some arguing its prompt should be less aggressive as typos are common when searching documentation. A few questioned the blog post's F1 analogy, finding it weak, and others pointed out alternative shell configurations like zsh and fish which offer improved autocorrection experiences. There was also a thread discussing the implementation of the autocorrection feature itself, suggesting improvements based on Levenshtein distance and context.
Summary of Comments ( 148 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43091466
HN commenters generally praised File Pilot's speed and clean interface, with several noting its responsiveness felt superior even to native file managers. Some appreciated specific features like the tabbed interface, customizable keyboard shortcuts, and the dual-pane view. A few users requested features like the ability to edit text files directly within the application and improved search functionality. Concerns were raised about the developer's choice to use Electron, citing potential performance overhead and resource consumption. There was also discussion around the lack of a Linux version and the developer's plans for future development and monetization. Some commenters expressed skepticism about the long-term viability of the project given its reliance on a single developer.
The Hacker News post discussing File Pilot, a file explorer built for speed, generated a moderate amount of discussion with a variety of viewpoints.
Several commenters praised File Pilot's speed and responsiveness, especially when handling large directories. One user specifically mentioned its superior performance compared to Finder when dealing with network drives containing many files. Another highlighted the perceived speed advantage even over other "fast" file explorers. This speed seems to be a key factor driving interest in the project.
The modern and clean interface was also a point of appreciation for some commenters. One expressed a desire for similar minimalist design in other file explorers, implying that File Pilot's aesthetic is a welcome change.
However, not all feedback was positive. Several comments focused on the lack of features compared to established file explorers. Some considered the current feature set too basic for their needs. Specific missing functionalities mentioned include tabs, dual-pane view, and keyboard shortcuts customization. This suggests a need for further development to cater to users who rely on these features.
A few commenters delved into technical aspects, discussing the choice of using Electron as the underlying framework. One commenter questioned the performance implications of this choice, especially given the emphasis on speed, while also acknowledging the benefits Electron offers for cross-platform development. Another questioned the rationale behind using Electron over native frameworks, suggesting that a native approach might yield even better performance.
The developer of File Pilot actively participated in the discussion, responding to queries and acknowledging the feedback about missing features. They clarified their development roadmap, indicating plans to incorporate features like tabs and improve keyboard shortcut customization. This engagement suggests a responsiveness to user needs and a commitment to further developing the software.
There was also a short discussion on the monetization strategy. The developer clarified that while File Pilot is currently free, they are considering a freemium model in the future, potentially offering advanced features for a paid version.
Overall, the comments paint a picture of a promising file explorer with a focus on speed and a clean interface, but still requiring further development to match the feature set of more mature alternatives. The developer's active engagement and responsiveness to feedback suggest a potential for future growth and improvement.