Idea for helpful symlink

Obadobo · 2016-03-21 16:41:00

I have watched members of my family struggle in vain when they are prompted to "open with..." For example opening a file from Firefox or Thunderbird. They simply don't know where to look for programs even after being repeatedly told.

My solution has been to create a symlink called "Programs" which is links to /usr/bin. This eliminates a lot of confusion in the less technical user. The simplest thing is to have it in /home/each_user where the normal user could see it. Is there any reason for Debian derivatives not to implement this practice? I can't see any security implications as the permissions need not be any different from normal.

damo · 2016-03-21 16:53:53

Another approach would be to set the applications in the browser Preferences -> Applications. Change "Always ask" to whichever executable you want for the filetype.

Double-clicking a saved file in Thunar should open it with the default application. You can also set Custom Actions for the r-click context menu if the "Open with" options aren't what you want.

ohnonot · 2016-03-25 07:17:56

Obadobo wrote:

I can't see any security implications as the permissions need not be any different from normal.

neither can i.
i'd say just go ahead and do it.

but, depending on your family's level of computer-illiteracy, damo's solution might be better.

Obadobo · 2016-04-11 17:41:27

I like damo's solution, but it means you need to set it up for every filetype, whereas I am looking for a solution where the user is taken to the place where all the programs are to be found. I would be interested in a broader default solution, as opposed to one which only helps my family!

damo · 2016-04-11 19:47:07

Obadobo wrote:

I like damo's solution, but it means you need to set it up for every filetype, whereas I am looking for a solution where the user is taken to the place where all the programs are to be found.

That sounds even more complex for non-technical users. How would they know what to pick from /bin, /usr/bin, /usr/local/bin etc etc? Do they want to open a textfile with a lightweight text editor or a full-featured word processor; an image with GIMP or a simple image viewer; etc?

Maybe this will help...https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/de … plications.

Obadobo · 2016-04-12 05:54:14

My solution was just to link to /usr/bin. Thanks for the link.

ohnonot · 2016-04-12 05:57:57

That sounds even more complex for non-technical users.

every standard linux install has so many files in /usr/bin, it takes quite a while to just open the folder with a graphical app or save-as or open-with dialog...

Last edited by ohnonot (2021-07-03 10:55:19)

#1 2016-03-21 16:41:00

Idea for helpful symlink

#2 2016-03-21 16:53:53

Re: Idea for helpful symlink

#3 2016-03-25 07:17:56

Re: Idea for helpful symlink

#4 2016-04-11 17:41:27

Re: Idea for helpful symlink

#5 2016-04-11 19:47:07

Re: Idea for helpful symlink

#6 2016-04-12 05:54:14

Re: Idea for helpful symlink

#7 2016-04-12 05:57:57

Re: Idea for helpful symlink

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