Where to add file sort priority support?
Sean Pecor
sean at digitalspinner.com
Wed Jul 10 16:51:35 BST 2002
Hey folks,
I want to experiment with a particular approach to the prioritization of files
within a file manager view. My goal is to create a priority field, but I'm
not sure how best to approach this problem. I'm hoping for some suggestions,
even if your only suggestion is that this isn't currently possible :)
A priority field could be an integer value, perhaps represented to the user as
an index to a customizable list of enumerated strings. So a priority 1 could
be "Not important", priority 2 could be defined as "Important" and priority 3
could be "Very important" etc.
A priority field would open up a path to some important features, including:
1. Ability to hide files from a particular Konqi View profile. A real world
example might be to view a library of MP3s, showing only "Very Important"
songs. You might organize music by style, but when you have 2,000 songs alot
of "okay" music is mixed in with "great" music. Another real world example
would be a document library, where you could categorize documents into one
taxonomy, but differentiate via the Priority field.
2. Backup software could support Priority by recognizing defined priorities.
Backups could be configured to protect more important data by backing up VIP
files with greater frequency, or perhaps to a different backup destination
etc.
3. Editors like Kate could support Priority by being told to load all "Very
Important" files underneath a chosen directory.
4. Context-click on a directory in Konqueror, and an option would appear to
open files via Priority. So, say, I want to play all my VIP files in Noatun,
so I Context-click on "Rock and Roll" directory and select Open Very
Important Files. All the VIP files underneath the directory are MP3s, so
Noatun opens up with all my favorite songs. Another scenario would be to
Context-click on a "Website.com" directory, select Open Very Important Files.
All the VIP files are .html so Kate opens up all those files.
A priority field is an important part of large Intranets, which I develop.
Seeing them in use within a large taxonomy convinces me that this is a
valuable feature for the average PC user. How to support them is the big
question. The argument that each application should support this itself with
its own features (Noatun should have library support etc, Kate should have
project management etc) means more work for the individual programmer and
potentially dozens of different approaches that don't lend themselves to one
another in terms of GUI ease of use. Plus a user gets locked down to one
editor that supports this. If Konqueror can handle it then it can potentially
work with any applications you prefer.
Anyway, its my odd thought for the morning.
Sean.
--
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