[ge-talk] Search, Don't Browse

[Naganithin Pramod Vemuri]

The whole issue, is about abstraction actually. While database style
of management does address of file management to a certain extent, its
a bit hard for a person to learn. I'm heavily against tags, cuz you
have to spend time guessing up the right tags - both for naming, and
retrieving the files. As exerted by by Ville, the user becomes
uncertain about the physical identity of the file.

My ideal of managing the files and all is, to only keep a low level of
abstraction but a good interface to address it up. For example, many
users find the mac and be style of apps, where the directories are
directly listed in the programs menu, than the windows style of menu,
where the programs and the content of the 'programs menu' are kept in
seperate directories with equal spatial preference.

It also lies in how the user manages it all too. When i switched to
spatial view of windows explorer (because i was gettin tired of the
excess content in the explorer window), i realised a big prob in
browsing my content - i use too many folders, sometimes excessive
ones. There may be more folders than the files, thus the folders
become a hindrance than a benefit. Same goes to my pics and documents,
where the pics folder is within the documents folder, but we know that
pictures are not documents.

The issue will be addressed if we implement the use of filters and
find utility with good interfacing. My ideal of the interface, is
where the tracker has a "browse: ****" named drop down box, with items
within it named [apps], [pictures], [music], [videos], and the like.
The tracker's address bar should also work as a filter, where it
should have a 'find as you type' kinda functionality, and pressing
escape will quit the search. At the same time, the style of managing
folders and files should be changed. All pictures, files and such
personal data will be saved in ONE folder, no subfolders, and the
filter will be used to find the needed data. The user should also
develop the instinct that he no longer has to create folders to sort
out his content.

The user should able to interact only with the spatial filesystem
[SFS](i wont use the word 'hierarchial' cuz of simple reasons), while
the database system should be interacted with indirectly as shown
above, or an advanced user should be provided with an app that
interfaces with the DBFS

The only prob i know of concerning SFS is interfacing with physical
devices in an intuitive manner, and right now my mind is blank as to
how to address this situation.

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