On Tue, 5 Oct 1999, Brian May wrote: [...] > > What I really would like is a filesystem that can store a mime-type for > every file... That way no magic databases are required. In addition, the > kernel could be configured to assign default mime-types for different > file extensions, or something. > > This would mean instead of having lots of different programs trying > to determine file types (each with a very different method - some use > extensions, others use magic databases or a combination of the two). > Programs like Apache wouldn't have to work out the mime type from the > extension, but could just look at the value given by the filesystem. > Changing the mime-type for one file would automatically effect > all programs. > > [ runs for cover... ] >
Apples MacOS does nearly that (not really MIME types, but a proprietary code with the same intention). First I liked the idea, but after some time the whole thing started to suck deadly and when I work on a Mac now, one of the most important utilities I use is named 'Set its type!'. I think file(1) does quite a good job and I believe that specifying what you want to do with a file is much better than 'click it and wait for the magic'. There are far too many useful actions available for some file types. Now that doesn't mean you have to cover. My mailer still doesn't support x-application/flamethrower :)~~ Bj"orn Brill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Frankfurt am Main, Germany
