Written by l3on the 6 Sep 09 at 20:50.

Insert some function calls at the Properties tab code in the Information sidebar.

Insert some function calls at the Properties tab code in the Information sidebar.

Written by matthewp the 7 Sep 09 at 16:36.

This could easily be too much information, cluttering Nautilus and making it confusing. This goes against Gnome usability principles.

Instead, a few basic fields could be picked (perhaps the "General" section?), and those could be displayed. I.e., Show the title and duration, but not framerate or resolution.

This could easily be too much information, cluttering Nautilus and making it confusing. This goes against Gnome usability principles. Instead, a few basic fields could be picked (perhaps the "General" section?), and those could be displayed. I.e., Show the title and duration, but not framerate or resolution.

Written by vhindriksen the 7 Sep 09 at 17:29.

See for example the side-bar of browsers like Firefox. So just let any code run in the sidebar (in a separate thread, so it can crash on its own). Output can be html or some specific xml, as long as perl-scripts can spit it out.

One serious problem with this solution is security, since the script is auto-run for each file/directory.

See for example the side-bar of browsers like Firefox. So just let any code run in the sidebar (in a separate thread, so it can crash on its own). Output can be html or some specific xml, as long as perl-scripts can spit it out. One serious problem with this solution is security, since the script is auto-run for each file/directory.

Written by Klau3 the 7 Sep 09 at 18:51.

In most cases, the average user doesn't need more information, possibly the framerate, but not much more.

In most cases, the average user doesn't need more information, possibly the framerate, but not much more. <img src="http://justoneidea.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/nautilus-information-sidebar.png" height="440" width="600" />

Written by mahajanudit the 10 Sep 09 at 10:40.

The reason firefox and songbird for that matter have become so popular because they support addons, so any additional functionality can be implemented by users.
I think nautilus is a pretty stable product in itself but it lacks user-friendly aesthetic functinality. So for that addons can be implemented.

The reason firefox and songbird for that matter have become so popular because they support addons, so any additional functionality can be implemented by users. I think nautilus is a pretty stable product in itself but it lacks user-friendly aesthetic functinality. So for that addons can be implemented.

Written by LaMeR the 10 Sep 09 at 20:18.

1. Let the user set which information to show in the sidebar.

Example options:
For one selected file show in sidebar:
- General info - similar for most file types (thumbnail, type, size,...)
- File specific info - different for most file types (for example video files info: duration, resolution, bitrate, codec,...)
- All info = General info + File specific info

For multiple selected files show in sidebar:
- General info - number of files, size of files,...
- File specific info - number of files for each selected type (6 images, 13 videos,...), size of files for each selected type,...
- All info = General info + File specific info

2. Make it possible for user to completely turn this feature off, because some users may have slower computers or want to use the sidebar for bookmarks etc.

1. Let the user set which information to show in the sidebar. Example options: For one selected file show in sidebar: - General info - similar for most file types (thumbnail, type, size,...) - File specific info - different for most file types (for example video files info: duration, resolution, bitrate, codec,...) - All info = General info + File specific info For multiple selected files show in sidebar: - General info - number of files, size of files,... - File specific info - number of files for each selected type (6 images, 13 videos,...), size of files for each selected type,... - All info = General info + File specific info 2. Make it possible for user to completely turn this feature off, because some users may have slower computers or want to use the sidebar for bookmarks etc.

Written by haran_elessar the 14 Sep 09 at 02:37.

I think that extra information is neat but it would be better if the left pane just changed automatically when I click on a file instead of having to choose "information" from the menu to see the details. the way I see it, most people like having the places view and they would have to change it to "information" each time to see the info just by left-clicking.

Now if nautilus would automatically change from places to information whenever you select a file then I think that would be very handy.

Optional extra idea: how about if that sidebar would show some other info automatically. For example, say I'm selecting many files from a folder, wouldn't it be neat if the sidebar would show me small thumbnails of all the items I have currently selected? (similar to Picasa's tray) That way it serves as a double check that I'm actually copying all the files I need. Then after pasting the sidebar would just go back to show the "places"option.

As it is right now, not many people are using that drop down menu. It's sad since now that I tried it I see it can be useful and even more if the feature you are requesting is implemented. Still, I don't think I would be using "information" as my default sidebar BUT if it was automatic as I mentioned above I think everyone will benefit from it.

what do you think? can that be done?

I think that extra information is neat but it would be better if the left pane just changed automatically when I click on a file instead of having to choose "information" from the menu to see the details. the way I see it, most people like having the places view and they would have to change it to "information" each time to see the info just by left-clicking. Now if nautilus would automatically change from places to information whenever you select a file then I think that would be very handy. Optional extra idea: how about if that sidebar would show some other info automatically. For example, say I'm selecting many files from a folder, wouldn't it be neat if the sidebar would show me small thumbnails of all the items I have currently selected? (similar to Picasa's tray) That way it serves as a double check that I'm actually copying all the files I need. Then after pasting the sidebar would just go back to show the "places"option. As it is right now, not many people are using that drop down menu. It's sad since now that I tried it I see it can be useful and even more if the feature you are requesting is implemented. Still, I don't think I would be using "information" as my default sidebar BUT if it was automatic as I mentioned above I think everyone will benefit from it. what do you think? can that be done? edit: As some users have suggested this feature should be configurable, allowing users to turn it off completely, showing only certain kind of information and generally behaving like users want it to behave.

Written by daashali the 14 Sep 09 at 05:55.

I think its better if nautilus can have the second pane like Krusader.This can increase productivity significantly. But implementing the second pane without proper shortcut keys like Dolphin is terrible.

I think its better if nautilus can have the second pane like Krusader.This can increase productivity significantly. But implementing the second pane without proper shortcut keys like Dolphin is terrible.

Written by daashali the 14 Sep 09 at 06:02.

I think its better to implement a second side bar on the left side for the purpose of showing information an previews. changing the sidebar functionality every time you want to view the information or traverse through file system is not such a good idea in my opinion.

I think its better to implement a second side bar on the left side for the purpose of showing information an previews. changing the sidebar functionality every time you want to view the information or traverse through file system is not such a good idea in my opinion.

Written by daas88 the 14 Sep 09 at 20:16.

When using the places view it would be nice to have a small area for basic information in the lower part of the side pane. For example: file size, format, resolution, duration, framerate. Of course, it would depend on the file format.
And in my opinion no thumbnails or icons are needed, because nautilus already shows them.

When using the places view it would be nice to have a small area for basic information in the lower part of the side pane. For example: file size, format, resolution, duration, framerate. Of course, it would depend on the file format. And in my opinion no thumbnails or icons are needed, because nautilus already shows them.

Written by alx321 the 4 Oct 09 at 08:50.

Many ubuntu users don't even know that it is possible to change the content of the sidebar. The dropdown menu is very unhandy.
I propose to replace it by tabs with small icons and make it dynamic. That is, you can drag the tabs to another position, so that, for example, 'information' is shown beneath 'places' or in a second sidebar at the right or lower border.

Many ubuntu users don't even know that it is possible to change the content of the sidebar. The dropdown menu is very unhandy. I propose to replace it by tabs with small icons and make it dynamic. That is, you can drag the tabs to another position, so that, for example, 'information' is shown beneath 'places' or in a second sidebar at the right or lower border.

Written by billdotson the 4 Oct 09 at 17:15.

Combine "Use the Code" solution with the option to configure it.

Combine "Use the Code" solution with the option to configure it.

Written by oliver-joos the 5 Oct 09 at 14:23.

I propose to add a Nautilus option to pop up a light yellow bubble with basic file info when the mouse rests on an icon for a second or so.
The option should be very simple: on/off or none/brief/verbose. The file-type decides what info is shown.

Advantages:
* no mouse click needed
* no second/dynamic/changing pane needed
* plays well together with the audio preview feature
* the mouse is on one icon at a time => the info is clearly related

I propose to add a Nautilus option to pop up a light yellow bubble with basic file info when the mouse rests on an icon for a second or so. The option should be very simple: on/off or none/brief/verbose. The file-type decides what info is shown. Advantages: * no mouse click needed * no second/dynamic/changing pane needed * plays well together with the audio preview feature * the mouse is on one icon at a time => the info is clearly related