Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

Hi

This is such a stupid question but I have struggled ever since I have used Puppy and now I am on BionicPup!

How do I search a drive for a file using the GUI?

K

Look for the program named "PFind" in the File System menu, that should be what you are
looking for!
Wiz

Like Wiz57 points out, Menu -> Filesystem -> pFind is what you seek

You'll notice when you start pfind that on the right panel there's a radio button with the name "Current Directory". This can be very useful if you know generally where a file may be. However, AFAIK, you can only use it if you start pfind via a terminal:
File-browse into the folder you want to search, remembering that Linux sees a partition as a folder. Right-Click an empty space and from the pop-up Menu select Window>Terminal Here. Enter 'pfind' --without the quotes--in the terminal. pfinds search will then be restricted to that folder and its sub-folders.

mikeslr wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 12:23 am

You'll notice when you start pfind that on the right panel there's a radio button with the name "Current Directory". This can be very useful if you know generally where a file may be. However, AFAIK, you can only use it if you start pfind via a terminal:
File-browse into the folder you want to search, remembering that Linux sees a partition as a folder. Right-Click an empty space and from the pop-up Menu select Window>Terminal Here. Enter 'pfind' --without the quotes--in the terminal. pfinds search will then be restricted to that folder and its sub-folders.

One can narrow down one's search clicking the "advanced" button of pfind. There one can specify a specific location. I also quite often use the "Search only current filesystem" option.

Thank you all!

I think I was getting confused by opening folders and directories in Rox-Filer and wondering why I couldn't just search in a directory that way but I get it now - and it was so much quicker so thank you!

@kylerickards There is another trick! While you have a Rox window open in a directory you want to search simply press the / key (forward slash) and start typing the file name. The Rox filer will highlight the match as it goes.

and will turn red if no match:

Using the Esc (escape) key will turn off the GOTO function.

Thank you! These are great things to know!

XFE file manager, available in the ppm, also has a search function built in Tools>Search files or the shortcut ctrl f.

I believe PCmanfm file manager also has a built in search, although I don't use it.

wizard

pfind is one of my most used applications, you may find it useful to have it as the first icon on the jwm taskbar right next to the menu button.
To add it:
- click menu>desktop>JWMDesk Manager>Launch.
- Locate pfind in the Avaiable Application section, when you click it, it will appear in the Panel Buttons section.
- Use the up/down arrows to put it in the location you prefer.
- Click Apply.

wizard

I find psearch reasonable, but slow. CAJA has a very good file finder.

But if you want something REALLY fast, Fsearch is the go once it is setup. Its in the Bionic64 PPM and in Quickpet.

Geek3579 wrote: Tue Jun 08, 2021 6:23 am

I find psearch reasonable, but slow.

VERY slow.

But if you want something REALLY fast, Fsearch is the go once it is setup

No need to setup anything: ROX-Filers Find function (Ctrl+F).
Hardly passes as a GUI and a bit odd but it's very powerful and REALLY fast.

Depends how you setup your advanced settings in pfind, could be quite fast. First thing you need to do is to select either system or personal files, then select the only search the current filesystem (if you know the file(s) are there). If the files are on a partition where Puppy is not located, set the correct partition and use the personal files setting.

Thank you. I think I am sorted now, interestingly, I just deleted some audio files from my Downloads folder but they still seemed to appear in various other places on my Puppy install?