[rlpb]

I think we already have an abstraction: it's "My Documents" (or the equivalent). "Normal" user applications just need to simplify their interfaces so that users actually end up keeping their files in there. File managers should have a simple interface so that users can work with files in there (and the interface should be simple enough that they actually do). File managers still need the current ("advanced") interface for power users who need to mess with the system.

The Preferences argument made by the author is the same in my opinion. ~/Library/Preferences should be hidden by default. The user should be able to clear preferences from within Photoshop itself, or some sort of general preferences manager.

None of this needs a new abstraction layer, just some incremental UX work within individual applications.

[meric]

My "Documents" folder is so full I've started a new folder at ~/<user>/Work/<year> to store my stuff. I go into my Documents folder and I feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of old files. I'd like an iTunes-like interface to control my documents.