Re: [Usability]preferred applications dialog

[Sean Middleditch <elanthis awesomeplay com>]

Hmm, well, are we broken only on the UI side of things with regards to
mime types and apps, or on the whole backend as well?  If we're only
talking UI, things really aren't too dependent on one another.  If we're
talking backend, then ya, *that* needs to be fixed, a file-type
interface designed for fixed backend, and then upper-layer UI elements
like general application selection, if we want to do it technologically
right.  Is the backend that broken?

On Sat, 2003-02-15 at 20:52, Mathew Johnston wrote:
> > Assuming Linux/UNIX stops sucking for home-users and gets easy
> > application installating, I could see users doing this.  Say a distro
> > ships with Mozilla normally, and the user install Galeon or something,
> > they'd want to use it - then when it gets all buggy on them and what
> > not, they need to easily be able to switch back.
> 
> I agree with you that managing a set of mappings between applications
> and combinations of mime and URL scheme is much more complex than what
> we've currently got, but it's much more theoretically 'correct'. A good
> interface can be built ontop of a theoretically correct architecture,
> but it's very difficult to build a good interface on top of a lame
> architecture. 
> 
> > Secondly, it's a *hell* of a lot more convenient to select a "web
> > browser" than 3 or 4 different protocols.  ("OK, change HTTP, now change
> > HTTPS, now change mailto, etc.")
> 
> I agree that it is. I've probably jumped the gun and suggested some
> levels of implementation before allowing us to fully define what we
> need; that always results in arguements that don't go anywhere useful.
> So, sorry :) However, I think that you can agree that the current
> management system of file type, URL scheme and 'preferred applications'
> is broken on even a theoretical level, let alone an interface level.
> 
> I'd like us to improve this, since it is the cornerstone of the desktop.
> 
> Mat.
> 
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