Type=Webapp

Genghis Khan genghiskhan at gmx.ca
Sat Jan 23 03:45:52 PST 2016 


> Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 8:43 PM
> From: "Giles Atkinson" <Giles.Atkinson at citrix.com>
> To: "'Genghis Khan'" <genghiskhan at gmx.ca>
> Cc: "xdg at lists.freedesktop.org" <xdg at lists.freedesktop.org>
> Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Type=Webapp
>
> Genghis,
> 
> I think it is not completely defined yet, as the handling of
> parameters may be more complex than it looks.  Since the desktop file
> will be claiming one or more URI schemes, it must be able to handle
> complete URIs of those schemes.  But your original proposal was to
> handle URI fragments, and format them into a template URI.  The
> template for complete URIs may need to be different to that for
> fragments.  I think that could be handled by allowing multiple Link
> lines with different substitution keys:
> 
>  [Desktop Entry]
> Version=1.1
> Type=Link
> NoDisplay=false
> Name=KiwiIRC
> Comment=Chat over the Internet Relay Chat network
> Link=https://irc.freedesktop.org/server/%u
> Link=https://irc.freedesktop.org/handle/%s
> Icon=kiwiirc
> MimeType=x-scheme-handler/irc;
> Actions=Nickname;Register;MOTD; #actions might be useful
> 
> Here '%s' is a fragment substitution.  The desktop software must
> parse the string it is given to see if it is a valid URI for a scheme
> that the Desktop File claims.  If so, it looks for a Link line with
> %u substitution.  Othersise it looks for one with %s.
> 
> It would also be good to handle ordinary MIME types and file data.
> But I think that will require a new spec for a method to pass a URI
> and file(s) to a browser, with the files becoming default uploads if
> the page requests them.
> 
> Does this make sense?
> 

I don't know.

I suggest to open a bug report for enhancement, and discuss everything
on the bug tracker.

> Giles
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Genghis Khan [mailto:genghiskhan at gmx.ca] 
> Sent: 11 January 2016 6:21 AM
> To: Giles Atkinson
> Cc: xdg at lists.freedesktop.org
> Subject: Re: RE: RE: RE: Type=Webapp
> 
> Please ignore my last post.
> This is what Type=Link already provides.
> 
> Giles, would you like to send an enhancement request to the
> bug tracker?
> 
> > Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2016 at 2:08 PM
> > From: "Genghis Khan" <genghiskhan at gmx.ca>
> > To: "Giles Atkinson" <Giles.Atkinson at citrix.com>
> > Cc: "xdg at lists.freedesktop.org" <xdg at lists.freedesktop.org>
> > Subject: Re: RE: RE: RE: Type=Webapp
> >
> > Giles,
> > 
> > Below is a note I forgot to add in my last message.
> > 
> > > Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2016 at 7:57 PM
> > > From: "Giles Atkinson" <Giles.Atkinson at citrix.com>
> > > To: "'Genghis Khan'" <genghiskhan at gmx.ca>
> > > Cc: "xdg at lists.freedesktop.org" <xdg at lists.freedesktop.org>
> > > Subject: RE: RE: RE: Type=Webapp
> > >
> > > Genghis,
> > >
> > > >> That seems a good idea, but it is not clear that it needs a
> > > >> new sub-type. Have you considered the alternative of
> > > >> extending the Link format?
> > >
> > > > No, I don't think we need to extend the link format, because
> > > > it is almost identical to Application type, they are both a
> > > >Desktop Entry, but I could be wrong.
> > >
> > > What I mean is that I think the "Type=Webapp" is not needed,
> > > and your example could look like this.
> > >
> > > [Desktop Entry]
> > > Version=1.1
> > > Type=Link
> > > NoDisplay=true
> > > Name=KiwiIRC
> > > Comment=Chat over the Internet Relay Chat network
> > > Link=https://irc.freedesktop.org/%u
> > > Icon=kiwiirc
> > > MimeType=x-scheme-handler/irc;
> > > Actions=Nickname;Register;MOTD; #actions might be useful
> > >
> > > So what would be added is the new key "Link" that defines a
> > > URI with substitution(s).The Desktop file could also contain
> > > the "URL" key, to specify a separate URI to be used when no
> > > parameter is passed. And Link type Desktop files can now
> > > have Actions, with their own Link and URL keys.
> > >
> > 
> > I do not know how to realize it in the est way, but please take
> > into consideration, if you did not, that one might want to use
> > a Webapp to handle a protocol (e.g. feed: for RSS feeds) where
> > we use NoDisplay=true, and also to use a Webapp as is, which is
> > a case where we *would not* use NoDisplay=true.
> > 
> > Examples: Chat clients and Feed Readers (TinyTinyRSS).
> > 
> > Sometimes, I would want to subscribe to a feed with TinyTinyRSS,
> > and sometimes, I would want to check for news updates.
> > 
> 
> Type=Link already does it.
> 
> > > >> I notice that the current spec does not describe the expected
> > > >> behaviour of Link and Directory files at all!
> > >
> > > > This is not directly related to our issue, am I correct?
> > >
> > > Yes, I think so.
> > >
> > > > What is Directory file?
> > >
> > > A special type of Desktop file. I think it is used only with the
> > > XDG Menu spec.
> > >
> > > Giles
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Genghis Khan [mailto:genghiskhan at gmx.ca]
> > > Sent: 07 January 2016 3:55 PM
> > > To: Giles Atkinson
> > > Cc: xdg at lists.freedesktop.org
> > > Subject: Re: RE: RE: Type=Webapp
> > >
> > > Hallo,
> > >
> > > > Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2016 at 12:47 PM
> > > > From: "Giles Atkinson" <Giles.Atkinson at citrix.com>
> > > > To: "'Genghis Khan'" <genghiskhan at gmx.ca>
> > > > Cc: "xdg at lists.freedesktop.org" <xdg at lists.freedesktop.org>
> > > > Subject: RE: RE: Type=Webapp
> > > >
> > > > Genghis,
> > > >
> > > > > Please pardon me for being unclear.
> > > >
> > > > I did not think your posting unclear, but the details need
> > > > to be worked out and described unambiguously before a new
> > > > file sub-type can be added to the spec. The existing
> > > > specification could use some improvements in this area (see
> > > > below).
> > > >
> > >
> > > Thank you. It was a note to myself ;-)
> > >
> > > > > I have answered to your queries, but, if you may, please
> > > > > elaborate on the following part of your message:
> > > >
> > > > >> so is it intended purely for the "application" argument of
> > > > >> "xdg-mime default"? If not, what does it do?
> > > >
> > > > In my (limited) experience adding a desktop file with a MimeType
> > > > line does not register a new MIME data handler with the Desktop
> > > > system. In fact it seems to have no effect at all. I have
> > > > tested KDE, Unity and (IIRC) GNOME. To add a handler, the
> > > > "xdg-mime default" must be used to associate the MIME type with
> > > > the desktop file.
> > > >
> > >
> > > Yes, indeed so. Now, I understand what you meant by "xdg-mime".
> > >
> > > Webapp launchers are to be included, by user demand, in:
> > > defaults.list
> > > mimeapps.list
> > >
> > > > The spec says this about the MimeType key:
> > > >
> > > > The MimeType key is used to indicate the MIME Types that an
> > > > application knows how to handle. It is expected that for some
> > > > applications this list could become long. An application is
> > > > expected to be able to reasonably open files of these types
> > > > using the command listed in the Exec key.
> > > >
> > > > There should be no priority for MIME Types in this field, or any
> > > > form of priority in the desktop file. Priority for applications
> > > > is handled external to the .desktop files.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > That suggests that there is no requirement for the key to do
> > > > anything by itself.
> > > >
> > >
> > > Desktop Entry of type Webapp, which is, eventually, a hybrid of
> > > types Application and Link would certainly use "xdg-mime" as it
> > > is with Application type and would behave as a Desktop Entry of
> > > type Application.
> > >
> > > > > Indeed, there is no Exec key, only Link key, and such
> > > > > launchers would be activated with a default web browser,
> > > > > similarly to entries of Type=Link.
> > > >
> > > > >> The meaning of the Link item is unclear. The spec
> > > > >> defines the %u substitution as handling a URL, but yours
> > > > >> is already in the tail of a URL.
> > > >
> > > > > Yes, this is because I did not figure of a better way to
> > > > > realize it, so I did it in a similar manner to how it is
> > > > > done within web browsers with what is known as "smart
> > > > > bookmarks". See http://ptaff.ca/smart/
> > > >
> > > > My French is not great, but if I interpreted that correctly,
> > > > you are proposing nothing more than a parameterised variant
> > > > of a Link desktop file.
> > >
> > > I think so, yes.
> > >
> > > > That seems a good idea, but it is not clear that it needs a
> > > > new sub-type. Have you considered the alternative of
> > > > extending the Link format?
> > > >
> > >
> > > No, I don't think we need to extend the link format, because
> > > it is almost identical to Application type, they are both a
> > > Desktop Entry, but I could be wrong.
> > >
> > > > I notice that the current spec does not describe the expected
> > > > behaviour of Link and Directory files at all!
> > > >
> > >
> > > This is not directly related to our issue, am I correct?
> > > What is Directory file?
> > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Giles
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: Genghis Khan [mailto:genghiskhan at gmx.ca]
> > > > Sent: 07 January 2016 8:39 AM
> > > > To: Giles Atkinson
> > > > Cc: xdg at lists.freedesktop.org
> > > > Subject: Re: RE: Type=Webapp
> > > >
> > > > Hello Giles,
> > > >
> > > > Please pardon me for being unclear.
> > > >
> > > > I have answered to your queries, but, if you may, please
> > > > elaborate on the following part of your message:
> > > >
> > > > > so is it intended purely for the "application" argument of
> > > > > "xdg-mime default"? If not, what does it do?
> > > >
> > > > See rest of message below.
> > > >
> > > > > Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2016 at 5:34 PM
> > > > > From: "Giles Atkinson" <Giles.Atkinson at citrix.com>
> > > > > To: "'Genghis Khan'" <genghiskhan at gmx.ca>,
> > > > > "xdg at lists.freedesktop.org" <xdg at lists.freedesktop.org>
> > > > > Subject: RE: Type=Webapp
> > > > >
> > > > > Genghis,
> > > > >
> > > > > I think this needs additional explanation. My guess is that
> > > > > such entries are not expected to be visible (NoDisplay=true),
> > > > > so is it intended purely for the "application" argument of
> > > > > "xdg-mime default"? If not, what does it do?
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > Yes, mostly, but not exclusively.
> > > >
> > > > Such entries are mostly to be used with invoking protocols such
> > > > as irc://, sip:, tox:, xmpp: or files such as ODT, TXT etc.
> > > >
> > > > Yet these entries may also be used as standalone launchers and,
> > > > as such, are to be visible (NoDisplay=false).
> > > >
> > > > > How do you expect a Desktop File of this type to be activated?
> > > > > What do you expect to happen when such an entry is activated
> > > > > (there is no Exec key)?
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > Indeed, there is no Exec key, only Link key, and such launchers
> > > > would be activated with a default web browser, similarly to
> > > > entries of Type=Link.
> > > >
> > > > > The meaning of the Link item is unclear. The spec defines the
> > > > > %u substitution as handling a URL, but yours is already in the
> > > > > tail of a URL.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > Yes, this is because I did not figure of a better way to
> > > > realize it, so I did it in a similar manner to how it is done
> > > > within web browsers with what is known as "smart bookmarks".
> > > > See http://ptaff.ca/smart/
> > > >
> > > > > Thanks,
> > > > >
> > > > > Giles
> > > > >
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > From: xdg [mailto:xdg-bounces at lists.freedesktop.org] On
> > > > > Behalf Of Genghis Khan Sent: 06 January 2016 11:47 AM
> > > > > To: xdg at lists.freedesktop.org
> > > > > Subject: Re: Type=Webapp
> > > > >
> > > > > This might also be used for editing documents with online
> > > > > word processors or spreadsheet editors etc.
> > > > >
> > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2016 at 6:43 AM
> > > > > > From: "Genghis Khan" <genghiskhan at gmx.ca>
> > > > > > To: xdg at lists.freedesktop.org
> > > > > > Subject: Type=Webapp
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hallo,
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I would like to propose a new type of Desktop shortcut.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Type=Webapp
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Instead of having to repeat a Register Protocol Handler
> > > > > > procedure to add a "webapp", I suggest to create a .desktop
> > > > > > file to directory .local/share/applications/ instead of or
> > > > > > in addition to this procedure for two reasons:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 1. Not to have to repeat this procedure with every web
> > > > > > browser.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 2. The ability to access a "webapp" with a click on a
> > > > > > hyperlink in applications that are not web browsers.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Referring to API:
> > > > > > window.navigator.registerProtocolHandler(protocol, uri,
> > > > > > title);
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Type=Webapp is mostly, if not solely, intended for
> > > > > > associating web browsers with protocol MIME types.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Example Desktop Entry File (KiwiIRC as an example)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > [Desktop Entry]
> > > > > > Version=2.0
> > > > > > Type=Webapp
> > > > > > NoDisplay=true
> > > > > > Name=KiwiIRC
> > > > > > Comment=Chat over the Internet Relay Chat network
> > > > > > Link=https://irc.freedesktop.org/%u
> > > > > > Icon=kiwiirc
> > > > > > MimeType=x-scheme-handler/irc;
> > > > > > Actions=Nickname;Register;MOTD; #actions might be useful
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Please post your opinions and thoughts.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > With regards,
> > > > > > --GK
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > xdg mailing list
> > xdg at lists.freedesktop.org
> > http://lists.freedesktop.org/mailman/listinfo/xdg
> > 
>

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