mouse-only selection method for non-contiguous items in List view [$15]

[ClassicalBadger]

Selecting files is a very basic function in a file manager, and it is currently awkward to do with only the mouse when in list view with the default single-click mode. If I want to select multiple files that are not all grouped together, I have to use ctrl+click. If I want to select a single file to, for exmaple, drag it elsewhere, I have to click and drag on the unselected file to bring up the translucent selection box without dragging the mouse cursor beyond the narrow strip of the screen occupied by the file.

Grid view solves this problem nicely with the + and - buttons, and I imagine they would be the simplest way to handle this in list view as well.

[Danielle Foré (danrabbit)]

This could potentially be solved by adding checkboxes to the list view rows.

[ClassicalBadger (idiotjoy)]

If checkboxes are used, I think it would also make sense to include a "deselect all" button above the checkboxes cloumn. People can easily deselect items in grid view by clicking on the empty space that exists between thumbnails and is therefore available at all times. There's no such way to easily deselect all items in list view when the list extends beyond the immediately viewable area of the window.

[ClassicalBadger (idiotjoy)]

Upon further consideration, I think it would be a bad idea to utilize two visually distinct methods for file selection. I think the + and - buttons work well in grid view, and I see no reason they wouldn't make sense in list view.

[Hadi Skeini (hadiskeini)]

How about being able to select the files simply by dragging, like in the list view Windows Explorer.
This means that you'd have to click on the actual file name to open it, and drag over it to select it.

Aside from that, regarding the checkbox solution, I think it would make sense to be able to drag over the check boxes to select several files instead of having to mark them one by one.

[Jeremy Wootten (jeremywootten)]

The linked branch shows the plus/minus emblems in all views when the icons are above a minimum size (so as not to obscure too much of the icon). Rubber-band selection also works in all views.