Re: Add Network Neighborhood to Nautilus

[Darryl Rees <rees netnam vn>]

David Moles wrote:

> On Fri, 2002-07-26 at 08:32, snickell stanford edu wrote:
>
> > I'm not sure of the implementation feasibility (do all interesting
> > protocols allow us to determine a unique identifier, say IP address, for
> > the machine sharing resources, so we don't get computers showing up
> > twice?), but I generally like the idea of making protocol less visible
> > here. You're right, the user wants to access a particular resource not
> > "use SMB" or "use AppleTalk". There might also be some interface
> > conflicts, e.g. in how the various services allow heirarchy and such,
> > but if the implementation was feasible and the interface conflicts could
> > be overcome this would be a pretty slick system.
>
> What about the scenario of one machine having different shares
> with different protocols? We might need an extra layer of abstraction
> in that case (clicking on the machine gets you a virtual folder with
> that machine's different shared resources), at least.
You really need another layer of api abstraction here, a 'resource 
discovery' subsystem. With plugins for each protocol, and a management 
function to aggregate and export all the info. However, because it'd 
cover things other than files (eg. printers), it should be outside of 
gnome-vfs.

Blue sky stuff, kind of related... it'd also be cool to be able to do 
stuff when certain resources become available. eg. Different default 
printer for your laptop at home and at work. Or, unison or something 
similar automatically firing up and backing up your documents directory 
on to the fileserver when you get to work.

Darryl Rees.