Re: [Tracker] PATCH: Allow specifying the ontology directory in DConf

[Martyn Russell <martyn lanedo com>]

On 12/08/13 07:53, Jonatan Pålsson wrote:
> Hi!

Hi :)

> > Can I ask what is wrong with using the TRACKER_DB_ONTOLOGIES_DIR environment
> > variable?
>
> The idea here is the same as with the previous patch. Ideally I would
> like all configuration to be placed in dconf. I'm looking forward to
> be convinced in using environment variables instead ;)

My arguments aren't too convincing sadly :)

I think it's more of a preference (no pun intended) than anything. Some 
like command line arguments, some like env vars, some like other 
configurations.

Generally speaking, I like env variables because they work everywhere 
and have been used since the beginning of (unix?) time :) They also are 
widely accepted in most languages, portable, etc. Even the spawn APIs 
allow you to set these things up easily.

Using a config does limit you to some extent, because each time you run 
your binary, you're using that config and would have to change that 
config otherwise. Whereas, here I can comfortably run separate instances 
of Tracker (at the same time) with different environment variables and 
have them talking to different databases. There's just more freedom and 
flexibility IMO.

And as said, I think user config should be for things *users* may want 
to change and unfortunately, I don't consider the location of the DBs 
something a user would be interested in :)

> > Perhaps if you can explain why you need such radical changes to the
> > locations outside of are standardised areas, that could help us understand
> > the situation a little better :)
> The reason for modifying the ontologies path is basically that I have
> different sets of ontologies (the original Tracker ones, and a more
> light-weight set of ontologies). I would like a non-root user to be
> able to modify her ontologies, and configure Tracker to use these.

So are you using system-wide instance of Tracker and expecting a 
non-root user to use a different Tracker set up if they prefer?

Interesting :) can you elaborate?

--
Regards,
Martyn

Founder & Director @ Lanedo GmbH.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/martynrussell