Hi, I am an experianced Linux user and software developer. I use Linux as my main OS, and am a strong beliver that allthough much better, it is still not brilliant for all users.

One area which I believe should be changed is the file structure for linux. I fully understand it, and why it is like how it is, however do believe it should be changed.

Has anyone got any ideas or opinions on the matter, both experianced and un-experianced users. I myself have allready had some ideas, but do not want to post them until I have had some feedback from other people (so they can post un-biased posts).

I have allready had many disscussions with experianced linux users as to why the structure should not be changed, so please do not post why it should remain the same unless you beleive it is a particually good argument.

I'm not sure if it necessarily needs to be changed completely but it does need to be made easier to understand. I like the separation of specific file "types" (config files, boot files, etc.) but the different directories should be renamed.

I've used Linux for several years but I still couldn't tell you what the /etc directory is used for without looking it up or what the difference between /usr/bin and /usr/sbin.

Normally I either guess on where a file is or do a search, which is a pain if I have to start the search from the root directory. Additionally, I install apps into my home directory because it's a real pain to think about which directory the files need to be put in to work.

It's also a pain to realize that a program isn't in your path when you try to run it from CLI. This normally happens when I download an app from it's web site rather than use Synaptic or other install tool. The downloaded app will be installed easily but it's not associated with the user path so I have to try and manually link it or move to the directory every time I want to use it. It's also difficult to know where a program is when I want to manually add a link to the KDE menu.

I know most of this is because I haven't thought of learning the file structure. Most of that is because I rely too much on the GUI and I've gotten used to my most common functions to be easily accessed. But it's not a system that you necessarily pick up over time, at least in my experience.

I agree that the structure should not be changed completely. I also beleive better names are needed, however compatibility is still needed for terminal users, so names should not include capitals or spaces. On the other hand, almost every program and distrubution now includes tab completion, so I do not beleive names should be restricted to 3 letters.

users - folders for users on the system

root - have the root user in the user folder instead of /

default - this will be a default user, taking alot of settings out of the old etc folder (like firefox etc)

shared - a shared user where everyone can edit file, this will be for music cd's etc

name - here is a standard user, each user having there own folder, the default useres above will have same sub structure

.settings - this will hold all the settings, not hidden, e.g. gnome, firefox etc

Desktop

Downloads

Documents

Music

Pictures

programs - this will hold all the programs except system programs, it will have a similar structure to old usr folder, except full names

binaries

includes

libraries

manuals

games - folder for holding games, as some people like them on a seperate drive & they are usually self contained folders

name - each game has its own folder, eg ut2004

system - this will contain all the system stuf, like settings, binaries etc

settings - this will hold the settings from etc that arn't in the default user, e.g. network settings

boot - boot files for grub or similar

binaries

libraries

devices