Re: Not OK computer:/// [was Re: Should Desktop = Home?]

[Alan Horkan <horkana maths tcd ie>]

On Tue, 5 Oct 2004, James Henstridge wrote:

> Date: Tue, 05 Oct 2004 10:52:21 +0800
> From: James Henstridge <james jamesh id au>
> To: Alan Horkan <horkana maths tcd ie>
> Cc: Desktop Devel <desktop-devel-list gnome org>
> Subject: Re: Not OK computer:///   [was Re: Should Desktop = Home?]
>
> On 05/10/04 05:48, Alan Horkan wrote:
>
> >It breaks things.  file:/// is a perfectly good protocol, computer:/// is
> >compatible only with Nautilus (and disturbingly like the c:/ drive from
> >Microsoft, I'm not just being anti-Microsoft it really is a bad idea).
> >
> In a default Gnome install, I don't see the term "computer:///" used
> anywhere.  To see it, I'd have to do one of two things:
>
>    1. type ctrl+L and type "computer:///"

>    2. use the browser mode, show the location bar and choose "Computer"
>       from the places menu.

I right clicked on the Computer icon and choose browse.

Spatial Mode is better than I expected and I use it occassionally but I
have enough folders that I would prefer not to use it most of the time.

> It is just an implementation detail,

You are right of course it is an implementation detail but I'm
dissappointed that developers are creating new protocols and eschewing the
"everything is a file" philosophy.

> and isn't obviously exposed to the user.

It was not hard to find.

The important point is that creating new protocols instead of files and
folders means traditional tools cannot be used.  This is only a minor
example of it but it worries me that it continues to happen.

I will get try and find the counter arguements and I am very interested to
find out more.


Sincerely

Alan Horkan

http://advogato.org/person/AlanHorkan/
Inkscape, Draw Freely http://inkscape.org
Free SVG Clip Art http://OpenClipArt.org