KDirStat is a disk usage tool that provides graphical representation, similar to Unix. It allows users to visualize disk space and identify large files or directories taking up space.
KDirStat is an exceptional graphical disk usage utility that is modeled after the popular Unix "du" command. The KDirStat project showcases a directory tree in both the classical tree format (similar to Konqueror) and the "treemap" format like SequoiaView. KDirStat presents accumulated tree sizes as MB / GB and as percentage bars. It also provides cleanup facilities to reclaim disk space - both predefined and customizable.
The software's key features are quite impressive. The display features include graphical and numeric display of used disk space, with files kept separate from directories in separate items to prevent cluttering the display. Additionally, all numbers displayed are human-readable - e.g., 34.4 MB instead of 36116381 Bytes. The directory tree display employs different colors to keep different tree levels visually apart. It also displays the latest change time within an entire directory tree - enabling users to see what object was changed last and when.
The treemap display is equally impressive, offering an alternate (auxiliary) view of a directory tree. The treemap tiles are colored by file type and offer many customizable options, including plain treemap, squarified treemap (no thin elongated rectangles), cushion treemap, colored treemap, and all combinations of the above. The implementation is fast, with treemaps built in fractions of a second on average machines (Athlon-550 class).
The software also has excellent directory reading capabilities. It stays on one file system by default and reads mounted file systems only on request. The network transparency is outstanding as well, allowing users to scan FTP or Samba directories, or any other protocols that KDE support.
Cleaning up is also a breeze with KDirStat. The software offers predefined cleanup actions, such as easily deleting a file or directory tree, moving it to the KDE trash bin, compressing it to a .tar.bz2 archive, or simply opening a shell or Konqueror window there. Users can also add their own cleanup commands or edit existing ones. Lastly, users can utilize the "Send mail to owner" report facility, which sends an email requesting the owner of a large directory tree to clean up unused files.
Additional features include a feedback mail facility that allows users to rate the program and give their opinion about it. The latest release, 2.5.2, has significant improvements, such as properly supporting sparse files and hard links, and reading and writing directory contents from cache files generated by Perl scripts.
In summary, KDirStat is an excellent software utility that provides users with an array of impressive features that make navigating and organizing their files and directories a breeze.
The software's key features are quite impressive. The display features include graphical and numeric display of used disk space, with files kept separate from directories in separate items to prevent cluttering the display. Additionally, all numbers displayed are human-readable - e.g., 34.4 MB instead of 36116381 Bytes. The directory tree display employs different colors to keep different tree levels visually apart. It also displays the latest change time within an entire directory tree - enabling users to see what object was changed last and when.
The treemap display is equally impressive, offering an alternate (auxiliary) view of a directory tree. The treemap tiles are colored by file type and offer many customizable options, including plain treemap, squarified treemap (no thin elongated rectangles), cushion treemap, colored treemap, and all combinations of the above. The implementation is fast, with treemaps built in fractions of a second on average machines (Athlon-550 class).
The software also has excellent directory reading capabilities. It stays on one file system by default and reads mounted file systems only on request. The network transparency is outstanding as well, allowing users to scan FTP or Samba directories, or any other protocols that KDE support.
Cleaning up is also a breeze with KDirStat. The software offers predefined cleanup actions, such as easily deleting a file or directory tree, moving it to the KDE trash bin, compressing it to a .tar.bz2 archive, or simply opening a shell or Konqueror window there. Users can also add their own cleanup commands or edit existing ones. Lastly, users can utilize the "Send mail to owner" report facility, which sends an email requesting the owner of a large directory tree to clean up unused files.
Additional features include a feedback mail facility that allows users to rate the program and give their opinion about it. The latest release, 2.5.2, has significant improvements, such as properly supporting sparse files and hard links, and reading and writing directory contents from cache files generated by Perl scripts.
In summary, KDirStat is an excellent software utility that provides users with an array of impressive features that make navigating and organizing their files and directories a breeze.
What's New
Version 2.5.2: N/A