Re: [Usability] Compress Files feature directly from Properties options

[John Keller <jkeller matchbox fr>]

Karim Nassar wrote:
> On Wed, 2005-03-09 at 22:22 +0100, John Keller wrote:
>
> > I think what you're looking for is already available: There's an item 
> > called "Create Archive..." that launches File Roller. From within this 
> > graphical application, you can create all the archive file formats you 
> > listed, and more.
>
>
> When I do right click a file or files (in GNOME 2.8.1) and select
> "Create Archive...", a dialog pops up and offers creation of a tar.gz.
> It doesn't offer a path for me to select (defaults to the current dir),
> nor does it offer me other formats that file roller supports. Perhaps a
> feature request for these things would be useful. (If you don't agree,
> let me know so I can file this one myself :-) 

Serves me right for giving advice out of my dusty memory (I didn't have 
my Linux laptop available when I wrote my reply, and I don't use this 
feature).

From what I understood of Paulo's original request, he'd like for the 
archive to be created in the current directory (fulfilled by the 
dialog). What he wanted was a way to select archive type (multiple 
options in the right-click menu).

You can change the archive type by changing the file extension. 
Unfortunately, I couldn't create .rar or .zip archives, only .tar, 
.tar.gz and .tgz. (I only have GNOME 2.8.3; maybe it changed in 2.10) 
The cool thing is, the dialog remembers your choice across files.

As far as archiving to the current folder, I think that's a good idea. 
We're in a graphical environment, put the file where the user can find 
it and *then* move it to another place if they'd like. Otherwise, it's 
too much like a wizard.

As for archive types, I personally don't like the idea of adding more 
menu items. I *would* like a better, discoverable way to select archive 
format (pull-down menu in the dialog?). And I'd definitely like for it 
to support all archive types that File Roller does (.rar, .zip, ...).

I'd love to make the feature request, but I'm not sure what we should be 
asking for here. If I open a feature request, it would only involve 
better integration with File Roller's archive types (if indeed that's 
what Nautilus is using) and a better way to choose among them. What do 
you think?

> I am also not sure if this dialog is File Roller or Nautilus. Anyone
> know?

... (not me, sorry)

- John