Re: Feature Request

[Patrick Kellaher <kalmite cox net>]

On Wed, 2004-06-09 at 08:53, Christian Schneider wrote:
> Patrick Kellaher wrote:
> 
> >On Wed, 2004-06-09 at 07:14, Christian Schneider wrote:
> >  
> >
> >>>>>3) In the Spatial file browser make it easy to change if you want sub
> >>>>>directories to open in a new window or the same window.
> >>>>>          
> >>>>>
> >>>>I don�t think you have understood the spatial idea. The thing that makes 
> >>>>spatial browsing special
> >>>>is that each folder on the disk is associated to a certain window. The 
> >>>>window placement and size is stored to make it easier for a human to 
> >>>>remember this association. If you open all folders in the same window 
> >>>>you don�t do spatial browsing. In this case you better use the browse 
> >>>>mode with the tree in the left part of the window.
> >>>>        
> >>>>
> >
> >I didn't know that about the spatial mode... however it is pretty
> >annoying having multiple windows open, esp because I use a deep rooted
> >directory structure.  I can remember where things are without needing
> >the use of window placement.
> >  
> >
> Spatial mode is not very useful when you have a deep rooted strucutre. A 
> normal user should
> be able to store his documents in a quite flat hierarchy of about 2 or 3 
> levels.
> 
> If you do admin stuff you will of course have deep structures. In this 
> case you should use the browse mode.
> Spatial mode is only suitable for non root users that mainly work with 
> their own files and it is very useful for this purpose.

I log in with a user account but all my directories (home and nfs
shares) are very well organized and can get well past 8 levels deep.  I
can see the advantages with only having at most 2 or 3 directories deep
of a file structure, but that is unrealistic if you have lots of files
(at least for me that is true... with over 130,000 files in my home
directory alone, not including . files).

> >>>Spatial Coherency is the one unique view per folder.
> >>>Spatial Stability is loading/saving properties of that folder.
> >>>
> >>>If you open folders in the same window you can still get spatial
> >>>coherence though some of the properties like window size/position would
> >>>not apply of course. I think there should be an option for opening in
> >>>same window if the user wishes to sacrifice some of the spatial
> >>>properties and thats what I hope to add in a future patch.
> >>> 
> >>>      
> >>>
> >
> >You can still have window views (the look of the window), but position
> >is out of the question.  Now what would be nice is if a middle click
> >could open that directory with the last window placement, so if you
> >really wanted to have some directories placed in a certain spot you
> >could still do it.
> >  
> >
> That is exactly what the middle click does with standard settings ;-)

ok, with all the clicking talk, I never actually tried to double click
(it was set on single click, to make single work I had to change it to
double click and then back to single click)... middle double clicking
works like a champ.  Amusing... if you left click on that little drop up
menu on the bottom and then middle click on the selection it closes the
previous window... too bad you can't middle click on that menu. 
Interesting... now if I can only change it so the middle click action
happens with the left button.  

> >>If you open the new folder in the same window, what is then left of the 
> >>spatial idea?
> >>The mind can only remember the folder if the size and position are the 
> >>same as before.
> >>    
> >>
> >
> >I don't know about you but my mind is a little more advanced than that,
> >no offense.  I've lasted for the last 20+ years not needing to remember
> >stuff based on window location or size.
> >  
> >
> We all are accustomed to browsing with a tree like the windows explorer 
> does it. But if you try the spatial mode with the 2 or 3 levels of 
> directory structure a normal user needs you will learn to love it. The 
> question is not how advanced your mind is but how you are used to work 
> and what kind of problem you try to solve.

I agree with the 2 or 3 levels deep part completely.  Spatial browser
seems completely designed for that type of easy structure.


> >>So my suggestion would be to have three options for left and middle button:
> >>
> >>- open in new window
> >>- open in new window and close old window
> >>- open in browse mode in same window
> >>    
> >I like the option to open the new window and close the old window...
> >however this must also work in reverse.  If I want to go back to the
> >previous directory with that little drop up menu on the bottom of the
> >window then I would want the old window to close again instead of
> >remaining open.
> >  
> >
> As far as I can remember this will be implemented in the next version.

I am extremely happy to hear that.


Well this has been quite a productive thread as I now can use the
spatial browser as I want it (almost, just need to change some mouse
buttons around)... It is going to take awhile to get used to going to
the bottom of the window to go up in directories as well as having the
windows move on me when I am clicking through them... that is probably
the most annoying part right now.

However, for some odd reason Nautilus stopped being able to display
directories with the "Image collection" view (even on a local file
system).

Pat
-- 
The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity; the
heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship.
Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power
of the body is always limited.	--Morihei Ueshiba