Re: Killing views [Was: Dealing with files in Gnome]

[Martin Sevior <msevior physics unimelb edu au>]

On Tue, 1 Apr 2003, Shahms E. King wrote:

> On Tue, 2003-04-01 at 16:29, Jeff Waugh wrote:
> > <quote who="Wesley Leggette">
> > 
> > > So are you saying that we should eliminate the simple text and image
> > > viewer in nautilus? If so, which applications do you want to replace them
> > > with?
> > 
> > I strongly agree that in-window per-file views [1] are confusing and largely
> > silly.
> > 
> > An good alternative is to build the preview application, discussed
> > previously in regards to gpdf/ggv/eog, and use it for all Nautilus per-file
> > view use. The Abiword preview component could sit nicely it, etc. This app
> > could also provide a plug-in to the next-gen file selector to show previews
> > for every file type it knows about.
> <snip>
> > - Jeff
> 
> I tend to agree about the "in-window per-file views being confusing and
> silly" (unless we want the entire desktop experience to be through
> nautilus, which I doubt),

I disagree. Provided the file opens "instantly" in the main window I think 
it provides useful functionality. My wife, who has not used GUI's much, is 
confused when a new application jumps up and obscurs her view of the 
files.

I think openning files within Nautilus makes sense intuitively. After all 
it's the idea of descending into directories until you reach the file you 
want, then it opens in Nautilus and you can see it's contents. Same idea 
really.

Anyway, I think there is a case for doing some genuine research with real 
users, rather than have a bunch of hackers spout off what they think.

Martin