The ICommander General Utilities includes several options for using the
ICommander File Manager to explore various directories and files. This includes
the user's Home Directory; the Linux side of the My_Trfrs private share as seen
by the user's PC in Network Places and as a Mapped Drive; the Linux side of the
public Shared directory also available on the LAN, the Current Company Archives
Directory and Data Directory; Graphs Management Directories; and the user's
personal ICommander Print and Working Directories. It also has an option for
management of publishing reports to the Intranet.
There is also an option to explore other directories. These are made available as needed for specific users and with access controls based on the user's privileges.
There are various file manager programs available on Linux. ICommander elected to build its own in order to utilize ICommander's Security Features to control what areas each user may access and with what privileges. It also provides consistency with general navigation in ICommander instead of users needing to learn a different approach. It further allows us to integrate use of the ICommander File Manager into various other ICommander functions to optimize its benefits for ICommander users.
ICommander File Manager has many uses with some of them described under other topics. Its base use for exploring standard directories made available to all users is discussed here.
The base use via ICommander General Utilities is to avoid giving users access to the operating system for security reasons but at the same time let them tap into the powerful Linux command line utilities via simple File Manager options. This includes options to search for filenames including recursively through directories with very simple entries. Some very complex use of the Linux find and other commands occurs behind the scenes but it seems very simple to the users. Searches may also be for patterns in the contents of files.
ICommander File Manager includes several file transfer options. These are especially useful for users working remotely (accessing ICommander via a tunnel through the Internet). It makes it very simple to grab a file, such as a spreadsheet, to transfer to the remote PC, make changes needed, and then securely transfer it back. Multiple files may be automatically combined into a zip file and automatically unzipped on the user's PC.
Exploring a directory that is also shared out to the LAN enables opening any file from File Manager with the appropriate Windows program and when working remotely will automatically download a selected file to the remote PC and then open it. HTML files (web pages) may be opened via the user's browser or the source text may instead be viewed or printed.
Since ICommander System Control is also controlling File Manager, we can restrict access to read only for those directories where a novice user could cause problems by deleting or moving files around.
We have also started to use ICommander File Manager for users who need to transfer P/R Direct Deposit or 401K Deferral Magnetic Media files for upload. Previously, we needed to give such users the ability to get to the command prompt from ICommander in order to execute scripts to make such transfers.
We are also using File Manager for authorizing printing signatures on P/R and
other checks. This includes setting up File Manager Only access for staff
members who have no other need to access ICommander to make it very simple
for whomever needs to authorize check printing.