Technology/File systems/Gopher, (sdf.org), 03/06/2019
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In a fit of wild thought, I wrote something about a notion
that people couldn't understand gopher because they didn't
understand filesystems[1]. Here are a few additional
thoughts on the matter:
First, I mentioned that I thought PalmOS might have been the
first OS to obfuscate the filesystem. Sean Conner of
conman.org wrote to let me know that the Apple Newton was
possible the first, with it's Soup filesystem setup[2]. I've
never owned or used a Newton, so I didn't know this; thanks
Sean! (consequently, if you haven't checked out conman.org's
gopher hole and the Boston Diaries, you're missing out[3].)
Second, Sean also mentioned the fact that Gopher doesn't
actually *require* an understand of filesystems. This is
absolutely true, especially in 2019 when any user can
download a gopher browser (even by accident while scanning
the app store on their phone), open it, and browse. Modern
gopher holes don't actually respect the notion either; you
can readily find gopher holes that don't adhere to a
filesystem-type layout.
So is happens that I need to publish a retraction. My
original statement, that "Gopher, by its very nature,
requires that you understand the basic principles of a
modern file system" was not accurate. I still have an
inkling that a lack of understanding in this area is a
hinderance to gopher adoption, but it's by no means an
insuperable hurdle.
Thank you again, Sean, for letting me know about the Newton
(anyone else have any older OS that obfuscates the FS??) and
for your thoughts on users and gopher tech!
[1]
gopher://sdf.org:70/0/users/tfurrows/phlog/2019/ama_aFileSystem.txt
[2]
gopher://gopherpedia.com:70/0/Soup (Apple)
[3]
gopher://conman.org:70/1
