The "dual-pane file manager" is more usually termed an orthodox file manager. Umlauts and suchlike, on the kernel virtual terminals at any rate, are a simple m

The "dual-pane file manager" is more usually termed an orthodox file manager. Umlauts and suchlike, on the kernel virtual terminals at any rate, are a simple matter of picking the right keyboard map and putting it in /etc/rc.conf ; and custom keyboard maps are not particularly hard to create. The GUI is a different kettle of fish, though. Boot environments would help with a couple of the points raised, too.