Icon Stretch Idea (Possible? Maybe not. Awesome, YEA!)

[Eion]

So, here's the idea. Have folder icon size on the desktop increase with data size. I have no idea how this could happen, but wouldn't it be cool to have a graphical representation of a folders size on the disk?

[kamitsukai]

So, here's the idea. Have folder icon size on the desktop increase with data size. I have no idea how this could happen, but wouldn't it be cool to have a graphical representation of a folders size on the disk?

In theory, until you get someone who has gigs and gigs of movies and music how big would the folder be

[Eion]

Well, it would have to max out, I think the icon stretch already has a max size. I was just wondering if this was possible from a coding aspect

[sayakb]

Well, wouldn't it be bit of a mess?
Have you posted this idea on http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com ?

[Linux&Gsus]

... wouldn't it be cool to have a graphical representation of a folders size on the disk?

Only if it is an optional feature. Preferably disabled by default.
What would be the benefit? I know that my movies and music folder is bigger than documents or temp or downloads or... Images is my 3rd largest folder.
Besides, in my file browser I prefer list view, so no real space for different icon sizes, anyways. In that file browser it shows me how many item are in every folder. To have the size displayed here would be more beneficial for me than represent it through icon size.

So, I would only see it on the desktop, which probably would look terrible. Besides the fact that I try to keep the desktop clean of stuff.
It's not to discourage you, just I personally think this isn't practical. For me that is. Others might have a different opinion.

Cheers.

[Mr_Knuckles]

Maybe instead of "stretching" the icon, you could dynamically define another folder icon the same size that visually shows an increase in size by adding "stuff". An empty folder would be visually empty and depending on what content is in the folder, say .mp3 and .txt, it would represent that by adding a music note or document inside the folder as an icon. This doesn't seem like it would be too hard to code, but then I'm not a coder. =P

For physical disk size representation you could have a dynamic emblem that tells the exact size in Bytes or even how many documents are contained in the folder.

[DarkDancer]

The only folder that I could see that really being useful for would be the Home Folder and really only if you have it in a seperate partition. So then you could know at a glance if you were close to your partition size....

[jrharvey]

I think a better idea instead of it getting bigger maybe it could just get thicker and fatter. If you have gigs and gigs then it would look like a really fat guy

[Mr_Knuckles]

By the way, I really like this idea.

I like to have my folders HIGHLY organized. I usually make "organize this" folders to dump data in, then structure it how I wish. It would be great to see visually if these folders are empty without the need for opening before I delete them. I can see other potential uses as well.

I don't really like the list view, as it isn't too visually appealing. This would enable a user to have the same data available in icon view.

[Eion]

I'm not saying we make this default or anything, and I also LOVE the idea of the "fat" folder. I just did a "dump all the crap on my desktop into one folder" thing and was like "wouldn't it be neat, if this folder got bigger?" I guess this is sorta an idea for more visual representation of a folders contents. We have all these amazing desktop effects so why not expand into this area with that amazing-ness as well?