gnome-volume-manager blank CD defaults

[Bryan Clark]

On Fri, 2004-10-08 at 09:23 +0200, Alexander Larsson wrote:
> I think we should not open it. Not even in spatial mode. I'm off the
> opinion that most "automatically open window that can disturb the users
> workflow" behaviour is wrong, as it often interfers with peoples use of
> the system.
> 
> What i'm saying is: putting an icon on the desktop or in the computer
> location when you insert some media is fine, this actually helps the
> user to easier access the media, and the visible change makes it obvious
> the computer actually recognized that you did something. Poping up a
> window over the current application can break the users current action,
> plus it doesn't educate him on the interaction model we're trying to
> plant in the users mind (that the cd icon on the desktop represents the
> media).
> 
> Currently we don't pop up a filemanager window when you insert any other
> kind of media, why should blank cds be different?

A filemanager no, but when you insert a Camera we ask if you want to
import the photos (this isn't the best thing to do, but close).  The
problem with only putting an icon on the desktop is that you're assuming
that when I insert new media I've cleaned my screen of applications and
can clearly see the desktop.  This isn't really an assumption we can
make.  At the same time, a cluttered desktop could make it harder for
people to see new items appear on it, we can't assume people have clean
desktops and a new icon will be immediately visible.

Popping up the filemanager, especially since burn:// is just a blank
window isn't the best thing to do either.  What we should work on is
improving our CD burning interface so it's not so bare.  

If we don't popup something at all people are like to assume we didn't
realize that you inserted new media.  The persons work flow behavior on
the desktop has already been interrupted by inserting a media device,
giving them the option to begin using the media is probably the best
next step.

Ultimately I think using some kind of bubble up notification [1] might
be the best thing in the short term.  What I'd really like to work on is
to determine a way to figure out the work flow.  What I mean is, if you
have Rhythmbox open and you insert a blank CD, we currently assume that
you're going to want burn:// because that's our default CD burning
system.  However, if Rhythmbox has CD burning facilities and you have
the application open it'd be better to assume (or at least ask) that
you're going to make an audio CD and not a data CD.  Yea, there's lots
of edge cases either way, but I think this work flow idea is the best
method to work towards.

Cheers,
~ Bryan

[1] One of those things from the systray area that doesn't steal focus
and allows you to open up a CD burning app.