xdg-open tries to open a file with the "preferred" application of a user for that file on Linux (which is usually the application that is used when you double click on a file in your desktop environment). I think the command "open" on Mac does the same thing. I'm guessing there's a similar Windows command?
Adding support for these could be a solution to common questions I see such as: "why does LyX open pdf files with Okular when I want it to open with Evince" and similar complaints. This could also be a solution to some MIME problems (e.g. http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.editors.lyx.devel/142567) I haven't thought about how I would implement this as a (user-controlled) alternative to the current behavior. I'm guessing that it is not a good idea because (1) Different command for each platform. (2) There should be a platform-independent solution to the MIME problems. (3) The users who want Evince instead of Okular can be easily instructed on how to change it in Preferences. It seems the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. But I wanted to ask here for feedback. Thanks, Scott
