Re: Proposal, and about icons in the path



>> If the filesystem layout is too confusing, why not simply change it?
>
> but is it? my experience says it's not. it's quite consistent and logical,
> at least as far as any regular user is concerned (/var/lib and /usr/lib
> aren't always handled the same by all programs, but users don't usually
> get involved in that).

I think, looking at what the Hurd does, both arguments are reinforced.  A
restructuring of the file system can significantly increase the elegance.
However, doing that restructuring correctly and efficiently requires
significant OS support.  Gnome has only a moderate influence on Linux, less
on the free BSD's, and an almost negligable influence on the commercial
Unices.  Restructuring things is, unfortunately, not an option.

Creating a pretend file system is possible, but is not really the job of
Gnome -- it's the operating system's job (as is metadata, but that's another
issue).  If Gnome tries to do it the solution will not be robust and the
result will be horrible to maintain.  If it's useful enough, the maintanence
problem might be acceptable.  However, if Gnome wants to be better than the
mainstream then a lack of robustness is not acceptable.


                                     -- Ian



[Date Prev][Date Next]   [Thread Prev][Thread Next]   [Thread Index] [Date Index] [Author Index]