Dolphin is the default Kubuntu file manager application. Blue folder icon, positioned beside launcher button on the panel, run fast, simple by default and powerful when needed, that's Dolphin. Just like what we have discussed at the previous episode, Discover Application Store, we will also explain Dolphin in details with screenshots and further references. We hope this helps every Kubuntu users. Now let's start reading!
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Logo
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Screenshots
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(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
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(d) |
(e) |
(f) |
Where:
(a) Dolphin file manager default view.
(b) Dolphin showing its integrated Konsole (F4) at the bottom.
(c) Dolphin showing its split view (F3) feature. Different view modes (Thumbnails and Details) are also visible.
(d) Dolphin showing files with full preview (logos visible) and in Compact view mode.
(e) Dolphin showing right panel (F11) feature also known as Properties.
(f) Dolphin showing its Show in Groups feature combined with Details view and Properties Panel visible.
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Description
Dolphin is the default file manager of Kubuntu. In the past, this position was held by Konqueror, a web browser with full file manager capabilities. Dolphin is part of KDE Applications and is tightly integrated to the Plasma Desktop and other KDE Apps. It has a blue folder logo, a standard two-panel user interface, and a rich choices of settings and customizations. Standard features include basic file browsing, file manipulations (create, delete, copy, paste, rename ...), disk partitions accessing, fast previewing, Sorting in many modes, Show in Groups, and many more. Unique features include fully customizable user interface and integrated terminal in the window (F4).
(Dolphin in action on Kubuntu)
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Purposes
Kubuntu users use Dolphin to:
1. Manage file and folder. This includes create, delete, copy, paste, cut/move, rename ...
2. Display files in sorted, detailed and grouped ways.
3. Access the Home directory.
4. Access disk partitions.
5. Access USB flash drive and external mass storages.
6. Restore deleted files from Trash or delete them permanently.
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How to run Dolphin application
Kubuntu users can run Dolphin by one of these choices:
1. Clicking Dolphin in the application launcher menu.
2. Clicking Dolphin logo on the bottom panel.
3. Clicking Home logo on the desktop area.
4. Opening a document from inside an application (e.g. LibreOffice)*.
5. Saving a document from within an application*.
*) With the help of its companion program KDE File Dialog which has a very similar user interface.
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Companion Program
Dolphin works as the file manager while other program, KDE File Dialog, works as file chooser. Because of the two are very well integrated, user might think both are the same program. This companion program will show whenever user saves or opens a document from any application to offer a way to pick a file in the filesystem. It is well integrated means that whatever settings applied to Dolphin, for example, saved bookmarks to user's favorite directories, will also available here.
(KDE File Dialog showing the same directory contents, same previews and the same bookmarks as what we saw with Dolphin above)
Features
Fast.
Powerful (e.g. to access folder with thousands of photos).
Easy to use, yet rich of options.
Standard file browsing capabilities with many more features.
Search (Ctrl+F) and filter (Ctrl+I) and combination of both.
Supports GNU/Linux, Windows, macOS filesystem disks.
Standard user interface (with menu & toolbar).
Split view (F3).
Multitabbing (Ctrl+T).
Previews.
Bookmarks.
Tooltips.
Properties (Alt+Enter).
Main panel to left (F9).
Tree panel to left (F7).
Properties panel to right (F11).
Konsole to bottom (F4).
Customizable user interface (e.g. add/remove items on toolbar).
Zoom. Also available in File Chooser Dialog.
View modes (Thumbnails, Compact, Details). Also available in File Chooser Dialog.
Sorting by Name, Size, Type, Date Modified and more options.
Sorting in both ascending and descending way. Also available in File Chooser Dialog.
Show in Groups. Also available in File Chooser Dialog.
Statusbar with zoom, free disk space, and selected file size information.
Shortcut keys and customization of them.
Built-in comprehensive documentation and user manual.
and many more.
(Dolphin Official Webpage)
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Location on the Screen and System
Dolphin is located at bottom of the screen as a blue folder.
Dolphin is located in the application launcher menu.
Dolphin is displayed in every time user opens or saves a file from an application.
(Kubuntu showing its menu and Dolphin is visible as the third from the top)
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Documentation and User Manual for Dolphin
Dolphin includes built-in Help which can be accessed via Help -> Dolphin Handbook (F1).
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Similar Programs
Nautilus - the Ubuntu file manager.
Thunar - the Xubuntu file manager.
PCManFM - the Lubuntu file manager.
Caja - the Ubuntu MATE file manager.
Nemo - the Ubuntu Cinnamon file manager.
Explorer - the Windows file manager.
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Contributing to Dolphin
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See Also
List of File Managers for GNU/Linux (including Dolphin, Nautilus etc.)
Comparison of File Chooser Dialogs on GNU/Linux
How To Use Dolphin File Manager for New Users
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In This Series
List of Kubuntu (KDE) Default Applications and Their Purposes
-> Go next to Elisa
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References
Dolphin (software) on Wikipedia
This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.