Tray removeable media?

[Gregory Merchan <merchan phys lsu edu>]

I remember there was discussion some time ago about indicating insertion
of removeable media. I'm sorry that I don't remember when or what came of it.
I vaguely recall a problem or complaint about adding icons to the desktop.
It was recently suggested on the HIG list that the desktop be reserved for
users.

With that in mind, I'm wondering if anyone would like this scheme:

 - Have a folder containing drives and the like. This would be like
   "My Computer" on Windows. If there is no disk in a drive, there
   should be some indication on the icon; perhaps dimming or a special
   emblem.

 - When media are inserted place an icon in the system tray. A running
   system tray can be detected, so if there is none the icon might go
   on the desktop; or maybe nowhere, just alter the icon in the drives
   folder.

 - The system tray icon should have a menu with items dependent on the
   kind of media. Two kinds come to mind: music and non-music. Music CD's
   would have additional menu items for Play, Stop, Next, and the like.

 - Double-click on, or more generally activating, the tray icon would
   open a folder view.

I can write a patch for the tray icon code. The additional cost of
supporting it is that of the tray icon, it's menus and the callbacks;
that of checking for a tray when media are mounted; listening for the
message that the tray has started; and watching the tray's window to know
when it stops.

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Greg Merchan