Re: File menu changes (suggestions)

[Stefan Monnier]

> People pointed out that "New File" might be confusing
> since it does not in fact make a new file.  I think the name
> "Visit New File" will help show that this isn't the same as the usual
> "New File" operation.

Rather than change menu entries's names to less "standard" ones, we should
change their behavior to better match what users expect.

E.g. find-file might require confirmation before opening
a non-existent file.  I'll love such a new feature, seeing how often I do
"C-x C-f emacs/src/rege TAB RET" only to find myself in "regexp." rather
than in the "regexp.c" that I intended to open.

As for the "New File" entry, there are several options.  One is to just
create a new buffer called "New Document" and not attached to any file.
This mimicks many "CUA-style" systems.  It sucks because it does give us
a chance to choose a good minor mode, and because we won't be able to
autosave the file [this latter point could be fixed, of course].

Another option is to prompt for a file name and require confirmation if the
file already exists.  It's a slightly different behavior than those other
"CUA-style" systems, but unsuspecting users should hopefully not find
it confusing, which is all we really care about.

I guess I'm just repeating what Miles and Eli have said.


        Stefan