A few thoughts on Gnome.

[Leareth <leareth geocities com>]

Well, I've been meaning to do this for quite some time, since Gnome
was conceived actually. Ahh well, I tend to get distracted.

I'd like to apologize for any hurt feelings, and or
misunderstandings before hand. I have a way of writing that makes
what I'm writing sound more like an order, then the suggestion it is.
I will end up stating some things in here as fact, when in all
reality, I am just stating my beliefs. But please go on, I would not
be writing if not for the real fact that I believe I may be bringing
new light to some, perhaps new issues. I hope this helps someone out
there, as this is a complete rewrite, damn netscape crashed just
before I was about to press send in hotmail.

Ok, well first off I'll start with the file manager, as IMHO it's not
only a central point of a desktop, it's THE center point.

	A: Simple interface, low on area, high on functionality. Example,
OS/2 & dfm. Simply windows filled with icons, and hotmenu's
(right-click-hold) attached to all icons & top_back(The background
window).

	B: 100% metadata support, for all apps, not just Gnome apps,
metadata should not be lost through shell actions, such as "mv" & "cp",
as if you give most Linux/*nix users the choise between loseing there
shell, or loseing the most important aspect of there gui, they'll keep there
shell. I know I would. I belive we can do this with the use of LD_PRELOAD,
or libc patches on systems that do not support LD_PRELOAD. On system's
were neither is an option, we should simply let users know that shell operations
and non-Gnome aweare apps will break metadata, and they should be carefull.
We should of course support a way to regain broken links in all cases, as
crashes &(in non preload, orm patched systems) mistakes do happen.

	C: File individuality. Each file is it's own boss, if you decide
that out of all other .tex files, you want once single one to have
it's own icon & wish to associate it with another editor by default,
you not only can, it should be easily configurable via a options
menu tied to each file.

	D: Neatness. No leavening lots of "." files lying around in
directory's, just keep it in a database, thats why they exist.

	E: Memory, mobility & brains. Each file should not only be mobile
between other directory, but mobile within it's own window as well.
And when you move it within it's own window, it stays where you put
it, and remembers that place as well, even if you close the window.
And when you go putting files in other places, it does not ask you
every time what it's design should be, it has a default set of
(configurable) decisions. and is it makes a mistake, you have a undo
last option, and if it's a long operation, you'll have a cancel
button to instantly revere your decision. And thats not to say that
the default will always be right, so if you drag with the right mouse
button, it goes back to letting you decide. It has brains, and the
ultimate proof of that being, it knows when to shutup & take orders :)

	F: Open new windows by default. Though I do feel that this option
should be configurable, I also feel that it should fallow the by
large default of opening a new window on directory open, as opposed to
changing to sed directory within the originating window.

	G: Name change by by left_singleclick_hold(1)sec on name.

	H: Instant highlight  t when rubberbanding files, not highlight 
after release.

Next, the all important Panel. Weeee!!!

	A: First off, the Panel it self should have it's own
directory, for storage of config files, droped files on panel, auto
applet init, and startup folder.

	B: As to the file drop thing, yes, the panel should in fact be
able to except actual files, not just fake links. This is for several
reasons, first off, no more (cut|copy & paste dest) ala w95, and also
no more copy to desktop and hunt through billions of windows to get
back to the right place on your desktop. As the Panel has a tendency
to float above or to the side of other windows, it is less vulnerable
to such problems.

	C: The Panel should be able to be attached to any side of the
screen or float at the users option.

	D: Directory's placed (True link or actual placement) on the panel
auto gain an extension arrow & map out as menus when clicked.

	E: The default menu should be actual directories with real sym
links contained within, ".<appname> files only created when they
become necessary.

	F: All options configure able from menus. You wish to have
ASclock running on your Panel, drag it were you want it, select
link(though copy would work, why waste space on your system?) and
goto the options menu & ask for "swallow on" instead of "Normal
view".

	G: The Panel should have a nice clock/cal running, not just text
date/time. Like ASclock, hell even ASclock it self. I don't mind
ripping things off.

	H: A mount applet should be included with the panel, as should
several other applets, but mount should usable by non root personal,
though you would need a settings area, so that root could give
managed access if desired. But the point being, it would NEED to be
secure, so it couldn't be taken advantage of. For one thing, it
should only run on a local display.

	I: Ok, Sense the Panel also has control of the taskmanager, heres
that. I believe we should go with something akin to kde's, but with
submenu's according to creator, eg not all netscapes are on the root
list, only the ones with different pid's are. Windows with the same
pid's are listed under a submenu. Other then that, the kde
taskmanager was just about perfect. For me any way.

Ok, I think that covers the panel, now onto bigger & better things
:)
	
	Ok, with themes, comes the need for a comprehensive theme
manager & some default themes. I'm thinking (Next, Mac, SGI, CDE,
Gnome(Yes, we need our own), Gtk-std, & w95 if we really have to...)

On the whole making entire prog's out of scripting languages, I
realize it's an option, but why would you want to? Trying to shoot
yourself in the foot? Trust me, it's an easy target, and this is a
good way...


--
Leareth <leareth@geocities.com>
-- You've got to lose, to know how to win.