Open file in vertical split in Vim / netrw

Question

If I open vim with vim . netrw provides me with a nice list of the files and directories in the current directory.

If I open a file using v the file opens in a very narrow split down the left hand side of the screen and the directory listing remains open in a wide split on the right hand side of the screen.

Ideally I'd like it to have the opposite effect. ie. Show the directory listing in a narrow split on the left hand side of the screen and show the file in a wide split on the right hand side of the screen.

Any help much appreciated.

Answer 1

Netrw v153 and later (May 28, 2014) gives you the :Lexplore command, which, by default, opens a directory listing on the left hand side and opens files to the right (by pressing <cr>).