[Bug 42645] New: File dialog usability

[wine-bugs at winehq.org]

https://bugs.winehq.org/show_bug.cgi?id=42645

            Bug ID: 42645
           Summary: File dialog usability
           Product: Wine
           Version: 1.9.20
          Hardware: x86-64
                OS: Linux
            Status: UNCONFIRMED
          Severity: normal
          Priority: P2
         Component: shell32
          Assignee: wine-bugs at winehq.org
          Reporter: freddi34 at yahoo.de
      Distribution: ---

When working with project files across different programs (e.g. Linux/OS X
program and Windows program through Wine), users usually have to access the
same locations and files. Quick file access and navigation is essential for
productivity. If Wine's goal is not to be a bottom-of-the-drawer academic
project, but actually useful, it must sufficiently integrate with the
non-Windows desktop that its users are using.

Example workflow:

A 1. Native file manager (e.g. Nautilus) is opened at /home/username/folder1
  2. User wants to open file1.ext from this folder in a Wine program through
     the file open dialog.

B 1. User creates a file2.ext in a Wine program, opens the file save dialog 
     and wants to save it in the same location (folder1).
  2. File save dialog is opened at a path deep in the virtual C: drive 
     (C:/Programs/Manufacturer/ProgramName/client/assets/.../...). 
     The file save dialog's location may be controlled by the Windows 
     application or where it was opened the last time.

Wine's file open/save dialog has significantly worse usability than any
GTK/KDE/OS X file dialog or even Windows' own.

- It is more likely not opened where the user needs it (since working
cross-system)
- Navigation is only possible by one step up (green up arrow button) or by
going multiple steps up towards the file system root (scrollable dropdown) and
then navigating step by step down in the native system's file tree.
- Double-click is cumbersome and leads repeatedly to accidental renamings or
wrong selections.



Wine's open/save dialogs should allow faster changing between commonly used
locations. This should be supported through:

- editable address (would allow to paste a complete path and press enter)
- droppable for native paths (drag&drop a folder from a native file manager,
this is commonly supported in e.g. GTK)
- persistent list of recently openend locations in this WINEPREFIX

While these are platform-agnostic, more comfort can be achieved by further
integrating with the desktop (Gnome/KDE/OS X):

- integrate with the desktop's bookmarks through Free Desktop Standard
- integrate with the desktop's recent locations
- (native file dialogs)

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