Extensible object previewer in a shell browser

摘要

A shell browser (file system browser) is configured to display a plurality of items representing multiple item types and comprises a default previewer which provides a standard level of functionality for multiple item types; and an extensibility mechanism which enables functionality beyond the standard level provided by the default previewer for one or more of the multiple item types. The default previewer is a preview control or a preview pane. The multiple item types include multiple file types. The shell browser can further comprise an installed application program which provides the functionality beyond the standard level for at least one item type. The extensibility mechanism includes a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) which enable third party software developers to extend the functionality beyond the standard level. The extended functionality provided by a shell browser can include: a preview control which can provide the user with an image or other visual display of the item being previewed and also may also present the user with controls such as iterator buttons which allow the user to shift the focus from one item to the next by clicking a mouse button; an edit or metadata control which can include a display of key properties of the previewed item and also presents the user with a control for making edits to the metadata and/or a task control contains tasks relevant to the namespace and/or the selection. A shell browser is configured to display a plurality of items representing multiple item types and comprises a first previewer which provides a standard level of functionality for the multiple item types and a second previewer which provides an alternative level of functionality for one or more of the multiple item types. The shell browser is configured to selectively deploy one of the first and second previewers for the one or more item types. The first and second previewers are preview controls or preview panes. The multiple item types include multiple file types. The shell browser can selectively deploys the one previewer in response to an indication from the user or automatically. The second previewer can be an installed application. The shell browser can further comprise a third previewer which provides another alternative level of functionality for one or more of the multiple item types wherein the shell browser is configured to selectively deploy one of the first, second and third previewers for a particular item type.