John Fischer wrote:
> So I can 'mv /etc/passwd' and the whole system is messed up.
> Yes, I know an extreme example that is protected by permissions.
> But that said there are lots of files that one could move and
> mess up the system.


This case proposes to remember a user specified filename, and base
the behavior of the system around the fact that the referenced
file exists.  It also allows the user to change that filename
with certain tools while keeping the remembered name synchronized.

Except in certain cases, in which case, it fails to keep the real
filename and the remembered filename in sync, and the consequence
of that failure is misoperation of the desktop system proposed by
this case.

This is an architectural hole - we would now have a system that
layers a hidden interpretation of the files in my $HOME on top
of things, such that what I see and do in my desktop filemanager
is not the same as what I can see and do in my desktop terminal
window.  Braap.  The desktop system is no longer self consistent.

 > Also TCR?  How can we TCR something like this when it is
 > a community thing?

It's OK to jump off this cliff - after all, the other lemmings
are doing it :-)

Importing FOSS isn't simply an excuse to stop doing good engineering.

   -John



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