Re: how to open links etc

On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 07:34:33PM -0800, Roger wrote

> >Easy solution: ask the user whether to open the file, or just save it to  
> >disk.
> 
> So, the prompt saves my butt 5% of the time, the other 95% of the time I'm
> harassed by a prompt like in Windows.
> 
> IMO, configuring for the fewest clicks possible is best.  And like
> you said, provide a file with an option to to link in external apps if
> the user so wishes.  (ie mutt's $HOME/.mutt/mailcap is a good example)
> 
> Keeping a file type pointing to null or commented, gets default
> (download) action?

  Can we have 3 options?
1) The "out-of-the-box" default is to ask what to do
2) Save to disk
3) Specify a helper application.  Allow to specify parameters as required.

  And for number 3; puhleeeese don't "pull a Firefox" by de-referencing
symlinks.  For instance...

$ ll /usr/bin/abiword
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 11 Sep  3 02:53 /usr/bin/abiword -> abiword-2.8

  When you tell Firefox to use abiword for *.doc files, it de-references
the symlink and uses /usr/bin/abiword-2.8.  So a few weeks from now, an
update upgrades me to abiword-2.9 and Firefox whines about not being
able to find /usr/bin/abiword-2.8 when I click on a link to a *.doc
file.  See also https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=176486
Warning, some strong language from annoyed users.  See especially
comments 46, 47, and 48.

-- 
Walter Dnes <waltdnes-SLHPyeZ9y/[email protected]>