| abstract |
A file system shell is provided. One aspect of the shell provides virtual folders (651-655) which expose regular files and folders to users in different views based on their metadata instead of the actual physical underlying file system structure on the disk. Users are able to work with the virtual folders through direct manipulation, and filters (620-626) are provided for narrowing down sets of items. Quick links (610-613) allow users to generate useful views of the sets of items. Libraries (640, 641) are provided which consist of large groups of usable types of items (644, 645) that can be associated together, along with functions and tools related to the items (630-633). A virtual address bar is provided which comprises a plurality of segments, each segment corresponding to a filter for selecting content. A shell browser is provided with which users can readily identify an item based on the metadata associated with that item. |