Seems like you could achieve much the same thing by having command (let's call it "o" for open so it's nice and short) that checks the mime-type of it's argument and opens it according to user preferences.
OK, it's 2 extra characters to type each time but on the upside, everyone gets the feature _and_ gets to keep using their favourite shell, F On 27/01/2008, Pysco <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello Fellow Ubuntu Users: > > I hope these are the correct lists to post to, for this type of information. > I posed to; ubuntu-desktop, ubuntu-server, ubuntu-users, ubuntu-devel, > ubuntu-devel-discuss, and ubuntu-universe-sponsors. In addition I posted > the very same information on the Ubutu Fourms, which can be found at - > http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=4212284, in case > you would like to continue the discussions there as well. I am posting to > this lists as well, as they seem a bit more active amongst the developers, > and used far more in discussion making, if this is an incorrect assumption, > or any of the mention listed the incorrect place to post, please let me > know. The important part, after the jump. > > I found this project, "metashell" on Freshmeat/Source Forge. I wanted to > share it with the Ubuntu community. > > Directly from the metashell website: > > metashell is a lightweight, heavy punch, interactive, intelligent > command-line shell. The amazing difference with metashell lies in its > ability to determine a file's datatype, and automatically run your desired > applications. > > metashell uses file datatypes (mime types) to determine a files type, and > then using user defined applications automatically opens the files. Making > the user experience in a shell easier and more user-friendly, while adding > robust power to the CLI gurus of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. > > STATUS: Beta (Beta has been released) As you can see the project is still > only is Beta, but development seems to be active (at least since the initial > beta release). I've also been using the shell for the past few days, and am > currently using the latest version (0.03b). Minus a minor installation bug, > and a dependency not included in the Ubuntu repository, everything seems to > work great. And it does seem like it could be (albeit with a bit of work) a > replacement as mine (and hopefully) your shell. > > The shell is honestly extremely user-friendly, but still contains the > normal *nix power. It just makes execution and file management a breeze. You > can still pipe commands, redirect output, background and union commands, > etc. The ground-breaking feature is really the way you work with files. > > You simply type in a filename, and based on its mimetype (and your > configuration) the file is automatically open/executed through the default > application (based on your ~/.msh_apps setting). No more do you have to cat > a file, or look through its contents. The shell makes this an easy and > seamless process. It even will change directory, without you typing 'cd' > (although you can still use 'cd' if desired). > > All of your normal commands/applications will function, (ls, cd, nano, cat, > rm, mv, ln, cp, etc). But you can now move around, and manage files a bit > easier. > > I feel this will make the shell a far less "scary" place for new Linux > users. (I'll refrain from using the term noob, as I too am new to Linux). It > will allow them to use it to open and edit files, without learning an absurd > amount of information before hand. Allowing them to get the task done, and > learn at a later time. And although I feel learning is important, and they > will eventually need to know the "hard way" this should be a good start. > > This seems to also be the direction Ubuntu is traveling, thus the reason I > am posting this here. Ubuntu is "Linux for human beings" and metashell seems > to be "The Linux Shell for human beings". Things "Just Work (tm?)". Just > like double-clicking, you enter a filename and things happen, no questions > asked. > > The other cool part, is the default settings shipped, are for Ubuntu > (Gnome), therefore Gnome GUI applications are opened for each filetype. I > really think Ubuntu users will benefit from this project. > > All that being said, beyond just telling you about the project, I have a > question. What are the chances of something like this shell or another > user-friend shell making it into the Ubuntu distribution? Even if not as a > default? > > Please take a look, and give your feedback. The Project Owner, is rather > responsive, via email. Plus let me know what you think, and the possibility > of inclusion into Ubuntu. > > Information: > Website: http://www.themetashell.com > Source Forge: http://metashell.sf.net > > Thanks, > Pysco > > (As a side note, I have CC'd the project developer and the project's mailing > lists -- as mentioned the project owner is quick to respond to emails, etc). > > -- > Ubuntu-devel-discuss mailing list > Ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com > Modify settings or unsubscribe at: > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-devel-discuss > > -- Ubuntu-devel-discuss mailing list Ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-devel-discuss
