FlexTK Passed Beyond Version 2.0

Since our last review of the FlexTk Professional software, this program got a few new versions, and now its latest version is 2.0.20. While reviewing it from the ground up once again isn't quite an interesting as I would like to, I will try to look at this new version, and compare it with 1.6.44, the one we have seen back in December. These being said, prepare to meet an interesting and handy Windows software for the first time...or simply "prepare for a new encounter with Flexense's capital ship, FlexTk Professional"!

Setup

Compared to the previous release I played with, the price remained the same - $25, and the setup package is just as large as before, having about 4MB in size. FlexTk Professional 2.0.20 is (still) available for free, as a 30 days trial version, so everything's just fine, so far.

If you have an earlier version installed, as I do, all you have to do is update the program by using the Update link in the lower right of the main window or, if you want, go to the Help menu and choose Check for updates first.

The other way is, obviously, to download the setup package and install the program for the first time, and since compatibility is no problem, you can run FlexTk Professional without problems on Windows XP or Vista, since these are basically the systems used by those that may need FlexTk Professional (don't tell me that someone still hanging with Windows 98 has a huge hard drive and needs to use this program!).

Interface

Compared to the other version I played with, FlexTK Professional 2.0.20 looks just as good, but a few new buttons appeared on the toolbar, together with two panels, Bookmarks and Filters. If you're wondering about those new buttons - we're talking about new features here, or features that have been made easier to access than before - that's what we need to discuss in the "Features" section, so let's move on...

Features

While version 2.0.20 added the hihg-end product, FlexTk Ultimate, I will stay aside for now. In the not-so-far future, be sure we'll check it out too, but now, let's see what's new in FlexTk 2.0.20...

Since last time, file copy performance has been optimized, and the file system bookmarks and filters views have been added(those that I mentioned in the "Interface"section).

Other than the above, we have a new rule-based file organizing tool, accessible via the Organize icon, but best new feature - in my opinion - is the almighty Search tool. "OK, so we have a Search feature, what about it?", you may ask.
Total Commander also has a great Search feature, but this time we're talking about a few levels of accuracy higher. To prove this, I will give you only a few names of the advanced search criterias available - "Search Files Containing HEX Pattern", "Search Files Categorized As", or "Search Files Last Accessed".

Just as a hint, by using this program's classification feature, combined with the Search feature and the other goodies available here, you could easily grab some huge hard drives, forget about burning data to DVD or CD discs, and fully enjoy advanced file management, instant data retrieval, lightning-fast data backup, all for $25!

I know the above may sound like advertising, but it's not...just grab FlexTk Professional and see this for yourselves!

The Good

FlexTk Professional 2.0.20 can handle huge amounts of data even faster than before, but the new features added to it are exactly what I was missing, although not quite everything I was missing... but it's good to leave room for even better future versions, don't you think?

The Bad

The Help file is still only available online, and the View features still need a lot of work. Maybe we'll have a multimedia viewer embedded in a future version? Just dreaming...

Conclusion

While FlexTk Professional 2.0.20 isn't quite where it should be to become my favorite file management tool, the road to that point is shorter now, and I am really glad to see that. These being said, I guess we'll talk about Flexense's products again in the not-so-distant future, so be sure to check this one for yourselves, until then...

Developer: Flexense Systems Ltd.
Price: $25
Trial Link: Download