Re: Proposed module: tracker

[Jamie McCracken <jamiemcc blueyonder co uk>]

Joe Shaw wrote:
> > THeres no question we need a metadata server to sort out all this mess 
> > so apps can interoperate with it.
>
> You've mentioned two apps which predate any tagging or other metadata
> system in GNOME.  F-Spot uses a standard image metadata format when
> appropriate, and Nautilus uses a straightforward XML format that has
> been around for at least 6 years.  I would hardly call this a mess.
>
> Applications do need to become richer, but Tracker isn't a silver bullet
> for this.

I think a general purpose metadata server is essential (regardless of 
whether its tracker or not). Data stored in text files are not shareable 
without a daemon to do some locking and we dont want umpteen daemons all 
doing the same job?

> > > These are fine ideas, but let's see them prototyped first, so we can
> > > make an informed decision about whether it's practical and works, rather
> > > than accepting it prima facie.
> > thats why I am not asking for "tracker the database" to be considered at 
> > this time. We do need these implemented and I will get round to them.
>
> But you're not offering to separate them.  So what's the difference,
> really?

the difference is we have not integrated it into any apps.

No maintainer is going to use tracker's metadata server without an 
assessment of its benefits and a clear plan - if it gets into Gnome then 
that will not change.

Being in Gnome allows tracker to be considered for such integration but 
it is not automatic and the onus is on me to prove that tracker is right 
for them.

This has nothing to do with the fact that T-S-T which is being proposed 
is a big improvement over G-S-T and that should be a good enough reason 
to include it at some point (most likely in 2.20 as some have suggested 
and after some more polish!)

--
Mr Jamie McCracken
http://jamiemcc.livejournal.com/