>Andy Fragen said: > >>Concrete folders displays >>messages that have been "physically" put in them, whereas smart folders >>display messages based upon some search algorithm. > >That's what different about them, yes (though I'd be tempted to say >"logically"). Would you really say that search results windows are the >same thing like a folder?
Only if they are persistent. >Following your logic, why then not put these search results of today in >the browser, putting the real concrete folders down. As you already said >'smart folders' are search results, only with the search criteria retained. >This is what you want? What I want is something that is flexible enough to work in a manner that will make your workflow and mine easier. This would include intermingling of smart and concrete folders, possibly tabs, etc. Not sure what you mean by 'putting the real concrete folders down.' >Following this logic even further: It could also be argued that Mail >filters belong next to the folders they affect so we could keep them in >the browser as well. You can easily see that it could be really crowded, >which is why I feel it shouldn't be default. I think filters should remain in a separate interface, as they are. If you really want to see how filtering is done well look to Mailsmith's distributed filters. >I can think of a number of reasons why it's bad UI-design to put 'smart' >folders next to real ones and I'm sure if that is case in Mail, it has >been discussed already. Actually, I think the mailbox-oriented ways of >Mail is pretty stupid and is one reason why I didn't pick it up. I don't >want PowerMail to become more "Mail-like" just because 'smart folders' is >a cool concept. > >But for now, I don't see there is much more point to discuss placement of >imaginary folders, unless can be further detailed in any useful fashion. >It should be noted my expressed opinions on the subject are not >necessarily based on my personal preference. > >I think the parts of this discussion on how people work with their email >was most interesting. Thanks! I'd like to see more sharing their ways of >interacting with their email, please. Agreed, because that's really what it's all about. I have several nested folders as well as "temporary" folders whose content older than xx days is deleted on a cron job. In reality, we all adapt out methods of using and processing email to fit the capabilities of the program that we have chosen. Personally, smart folders, as I have described would help me minimally, but if I was using a different email program that answer would be different. It might also change the way I worked. I could see having fewer concrete folders and making up some of the difference with smart folders when needed. -- Andy Fragen
