Where to add file sort priority support?

[Sean Pecor]

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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