[X3D-Public] Vendor agnostic/neutral icon(s)?

[doug sanden]

Joe,
OK thanks, no neutral. And in win8.1 desktop, if you right-click and change the default opener app, the shell icons change to that app, so it would be like playing whac-a-mole^ to try and keep them neutral.
-Doug
^ ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whac-A-Mole 
- see Colliquial usage "futile task: each time an adversary is "whacked" it only pops up again somewhere else"


>
> This is very old topic that someday will be sorted out, but when you
> install, the best practice I have seen asks the user for permission to
> change default opener for each one of the "standard" X3D file
> extensions, if the extension was previously claimed. If not, put your
> icon on it and be sure it gets on the 'open with' list. I don't think
> imposing some 'neutral' icon would help - better to ask specific
> permission if file extension has already been claimed. It helps the
> user to know which applilcaion will open the type. I if you install
> and handle the file, and it is not already claimed then just claim it
> with your icon, Don't change an icon that your tool doesn't handle.:)
> All Best,
> Joe
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Don Brutzman" <brutzman at nps.edu>
> To: "doug sanden" <highaspirations at hotmail.com>
> Cc: <x3d-public at web3d.org>
> Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2014 1:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [X3D-Public] Vendor agnostic/neutral icon(s)?
>
>
>> We have long needed to provide better support and documentation for
>> this issue. It would be great to sort it all out.
>>
>> Historically we have had problems with vendors "stepping on each
>> others toes" in this area. It would be helpful to define a baseline
>> practice and suggested ways to vary compatibly.
>>
>> You can find some candidate images in
>>
>> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/examples/Basic/images/
>>
>> including
>>
>> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/examples/Basic/images/x3d2-s.gif
>>
>> and
>>
>> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/icons/
>>
>> including
>>
>> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/icons/X3D.ico
>>
>> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/icons/X3DtextIcon16.png
>>
>> http://sourceforge.net/p/x3d/code/HEAD/tree/www.web3d.org/x3d/content/icons/X3DtextIcon.tif
>>
>>
>> On 9/19/2013 9:47 AM, doug sanden wrote:
>>> Q. are there free/open license icons for web3d files that are
>>> vendor neutral, that I can use when installing a web3d application,
>>> to set so called shell file associations in the file
>>> explorer/shell, so as to indicate web3d files regardless of which
>>> application(s) can open them?
>>>
>>> -Doug
>>>
>>> more...
>>>
>>> In MS windows, icons can be associated with file extensions (ie
>>> .x3d) as seen by a so-called shell or file explorer:
>>>
>>> http://dug9.users.sourceforge.net/web3d/ShellScreenshot.jpg
>>> - here .x3z and .x3db are 'unclaimed'
>>> - .wrl, .x3d and .x3dv are claimed by flux
>>> - .wrz is identified as file to be opened by a web browser (vs app)
>>> - Xj3D's icon and freewrl's icon are shown for comparison
>>>
>>> Public / contentious extensions - like all our web3d extensions
>>> .wrl, .wrz .x3d, .x3dv, .x3db - can cause a 'fight' when different
>>> applications install and attempt to claim the extensions for
>>> themselves, including imposing their vendor-specific icon on the
>>> shell. The last one installed wins.
>>> When installing freewrl, rather than imposing freewrl's icon, I'd
>>> like to put a vendor neutral icon, if there is one.
>>>
>>> even more...
>>> I noticed windows Vista and beyond has something called
>>> 'PerceivedType' for the shell ie .png is an 'image'. Probably scene
>>> files could be put as 'model'.
>>> It might be nice to show which filetypes are handled by at least
>>> one app, vs unhandled web3d files. IDEA: same icon except gray if
>>> not handled.
>>>
>>> more...
>>> I'm working over on freewrl.sourceforge.net
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> X3D-Public mailing list
>>> X3D-Public at web3d.org
>>> http://web3d.org/mailman/listinfo/x3d-public_web3d.org
>>
>> all the best, Don
>> --
>> Don Brutzman Naval Postgraduate School, Code USW/Br
>> brutzman at nps.edu
>> Watkins 270, MOVES Institute, Monterey CA 93943-5000 USA
>> +1.831.656.2149
>> X3D graphics, virtual worlds, navy robotics
>> http://faculty.nps.edu/brutzman
>>
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>