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List:       kfm-devel
Subject:    copy/move strategy and the reincarnation of the kfm tree
From:       Michael Reiher <michael.reiher () gmx ! de>
Date:       1999-03-31 22:53:59
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Hi all,

In the past days, during my various train rides, I did some thinking how
to elegantly solve the copying issue. Many people (including me) want to
be able to do copying/moving with the F5/F6 keys like in nc/mc. The
problem is how to do that with a undefined number of views and views
that may not want to accept files e.g. kview. Those who want to do
copying/moving with F5/F6 probably have an always present(saved with SM)
two view konqueror window most of the time. 
I came to the conclusion that it would be best to add, in addition to
the obligatory source and target drop down lists, a not editable drop
down list containing the possible, in the current konqy window visible,
target URLs to the copy/move dialog. If you select one URL in there it
will replace the current one in the real, editable target field. The
order of the URL entries follows the order in which the related views
are added. And on dialog exec it always shows the next from the current
view. So if you have only two views it would always be the opposite one
and you won't have to do an additional click. We probably need to add a
method acceptDropFiles() in KonqBaseView(Or maybe somewhere in kio?) so
that we only get a list of valid target URLs.  Otherwise, if there are
more than two views, you have to do an manual selection anyway. 

But there is one special situation. Many (like me:) may want an
additional tree view(like in old kfm). But that would mean that you
always(or at least in many cases) have to choose an URL from the list,
as you have three possible target URLs now. So I thought it would be
good to resuscitate the kfm main tree as a specially treated tree. So we
could just ignore that and would remain with again only two possible
target views. If it is special it probably also needs a special name
instead tree view, but that are details. BTW: I don't mean to remove the
current tree view. 
That thing has an IMO some big other advantages. That tree would
initially contain all top level URLs, such as /, /home/*
/home/*/Desktop, several FTP servers and others added by plug ins (maybe
for mail and news or whatever). It should also only display folders, and
no files. Than we should place a button in the toolbar to
activate/deactivate it. This way all top level URLs are always,
instantly and in all Konqy windows available. Currently it's quite
awkward if you have a konqy window with only an icon view in it. You
have to hit the "up" button several times until you reach the top level
and can go somewhere else. 
It is this way also possible to do the tree follows view thing because
it's now clear what tree a view follows. We could add an checkable
option to the view options in the View menu and context menu to make a
view follow the tree(the current one following it will be of course
deactivated then) and display an indicator in the views title bar. By
default the first view inserted follows the tree.
I feel that I forgot some point ... but don't know what?!? I will tell
you if I remember:)

IMHO we almost have to bring the kfm tree back as it solves serveral
problems at once:) 
And if you don't like it you're free to switch it off:)

What do you think about these things? Please, flames/comments?

Michael

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