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Idea #25735: Nautilus Hidden File Toggle Annoyance

Written by connermcd the 31 Aug 10 at 01:17. Related project: Nautilus. Status: New
Rationale
The idea is simple... the whole reason I use nautilus is because I'm being too lazy to pull out a terminal because I don't want to move my hands over to my keyboard. So instead of moving over to the keyboard to press control H, I generally go to view and show hidden files when I want to see hidden files. This works fine, but the Show Hidden Files is like midway down and takes some effort to make sure you're clicking the right thing. Call me lazy, but any increase in efficiency is a bonus on a project.

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Solution #1: Double-click Nautilus whitespace to toggle hidden file display
Written by connermcd the 31 Aug 10 at 01:17.
I think it would be neat to be able to double click in the whitespace between folders in nautilus to toggle showing hidden files. It's quick, it's easy, and it's not that hard to implement. I think it would be a simple, crisp feature that would add to the overall appeal of the project.
-2
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Solution #2: A quick button on the toolbar to toggle hidden file visibilty
Written by crephoto the 31 Aug 10 at 04:11.
Just click the button to show/hide the files. it would be on the Main Toolbar
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Solution #3: an option to permanantly show hidden files/folders
Written by rockachu2 the 1 Sep 10 at 02:20.
Hidden files are hidden to keep N00Bs and non-techies from messing with them and breaking their system accidentally. However I have not found a permanent 'show hidden files/folders', so this would be appreciated for those who KNOW what they can break by messing with them.
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Solution #4: An option for double-click in behaviors tab of preferences
Written by connermcd the 1 Sep 10 at 05:59.
Hidden files on double-clicking could confuse new users, so why not have an option on the behavior tab of preferences for this or for adding a toolbar button to toggle show/hide hidden files.

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crephoto wrote on the 31 Aug 10 at 04:13
not to be too negative, but i think solution #1 could confuse many newbie users... They try click a file, accidentally click the whitespace, and BAM! tons of confusing files come out of seemingly nowhere. this should instead be a option for the user, preferably disabled by default

rockachu2 wrote on the 1 Sep 10 at 02:18
Hidden files are 'hidden' for a reason.

Newbies and or lazy people should spend EFFORT to enable the hidden view so that N00Bs accidentaly activate the 'show hidden files' and break something important.

However, a permanent 'show hidden files' would be appreciated.

(please tell me where it is if there is one.)

connermcd wrote on the 1 Sep 10 at 06:00
@rockachu2 and Solution #3 - This already exists under preferences -> Show hidden and backup files.

Akerbos wrote on the 1 Sep 10 at 15:59
I know my way around hidden files. However, they are a pain in file dialogs...

stone1343 wrote on the 8 Sep 10 at 15:54
I think by far the best solution is #2, a toolbar button.
1) Toggling hidden files Ctrl+H or View->Show Hidden Files is good, but there should also be visual feedback of the current state.
2) A simple toolbar button that can display as "selected" when hidden files are being shown is just the visual alternative to the other two ways.

stone1343 wrote on the 8 Sep 10 at 16:21
Put another way, the other visual cues are great: You can use a menu item, a keyboard shortcut or the toolbar for zoom or for Icon/List/Compact view. All I'm suggesting is the same for hidden files.


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