emelFM2 is an open source file manager that boasts a two-pane graphical user interface (GUI) design, similar to the old-school Norton Commander or Total Commander applications that many of us used at the beginning of their computing journey.

The program provides users with an easy-to-use and straightforward interface that features bookmarks and history lists, an adjustable filetyping scheme, filters for filename, size and date, as well as built-in command line support.

In addition to the above, the application allows users to select multiple actions for each file type, configurable keyboard bindings, configurable toolbars, and support for several plugins that will be loaded when the program starts in order to extend its functionality.

emelFM2 is known to run on numerous Linux and UNIX-like operating systems, including Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE, OpenMandriva, Gentoo, Slackware, Zenwalk, VectorLinux, Arch Linux, dyne:bolic, Slitaz GNU/Linux, Centos, Thinstation, FreeBSD, NetBSD, as well as on Nokia OS2008/Maemo.

It was written in GTK+ so it should be supported on many open source desktop environments, such as GNOME, Xfce, Openbox, Fluxbox or LXDE. The software can be used to replace the default file manager of your Linux distribution.

There are many great two-pane file commander application out there like Krusader or 4Pane, and keeping up with the competition is quite a challenge these days. Because of the fact that emelFM2 is not so popular and because it uses a user interface from a decade ago, we feel obliged to recommend this app to old-school Linux users who dig its design.

You will find the emelFM2 in some minimalistic and obscure Linux distributions, but the truth is that no mainstream operating system will add it, as it confuses novice and modern Linux users who just want a standard file manager like Nautilus, Thunar, PCManFM, SpaceFM or Dolphin.