[comp.sys.mac.system] How SFGetFile should work

thomas@duteca (Thomas Okken) (01/24/91)

On the subject of suggested System 7 improvements, I have the following:

It has often been remarked that the SFGetFile/SFPutFile dialogs (that's
the "Open..." and "Save As..." dialogs, for non-programmers) could be
a lot better. Andy Hertzfeld's SFScrollInit fixes the annoyance of having
to scroll down the same long file lists again and again, and Boomerang
speeds op moving through the filesystem.
Both of these should be integrated into the system. Something like
Boomerang should be integrated, only it should not offer a limited-size
list of often or frequently used directories: it should allow you to
move through all filesystems on all mounted volumes using a single
hierarchical menu.
I guess that would be a non-trivial hack, as the submenus must be loaded
as the user moves through the filesystem. (Usually, the entire submenu
structure is know to the menu manager in advance.)
I anyone has ideas on how to accomplish this, and on how to install a
patch like Boomerang's to add a pop-up menu to SF[Get|Put]File, I'd like
to hear about them. Please reply by e-mail, or post if you feel it should
be heard by all.
[ Actually, I was intending to start work on a print-preview driver in
  a few weeks, but I'm told that that is *very tough*, so I guess I could
  use a second project in case I get stuck. ]

 - Thomas (thomas@duteca.et.tudelft.nl)