Dolphin Nextcloud/Owncloud Virtual File Support

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1

So I would like to use the Nextcloud/Owncloud desktop clients, which in their latest versions offer Virtual File Support (VFS). VFS instead of downloading the gigabites of data create placeholders for the respective files (with *.nextcloud or *.owncloud extensions), and the idea is that once clicked, the client will download the desired file and open it. This works on Windows and KDE5, but not in KDE6.

Anyone found a fix for VFS support? I know there is a WebDAV solution, but sometimes the network connection may be gone, and then what. VFS support would be great towards usability…

2

Did you try to just mount your Nextcloud folder(s) through WebDAV in Dolphin?

If you click on the Remote: Network (or enter remote:/ in the Dolphin location bar)

Dolphin: click on Network in the side panel
Dolphin: click on Network in the side panel1920×1080 96.9 KB

You will find a button where you can add a new remote mount:

Dolphin: when in remote:/ click on Add Network Folder directly right from the location bar
Dolphin: when in remote:/ click on Add Network Folder directly right from the location bar1920×1080 84.5 KB

There you can simply add a new WebDAV mount:

Dialog: Add Network Folder – follow the wizard
Dialog: Add Network Folder – follow the wizard1920×1080 111 KB

Once you’ve done that, you will be able to navigate your Nextcloud files directly from Dolphin as such:

Dolphin: final result: access the files on your Nextcloud server transparently as if they were always there
Dolphin: final result: access the files on your Nextcloud server transparently as if they were always there1920×1080 113 KB

3

I didn’t this feature how is this implemented in KDE5, where is a package for it, its sources ?
It is unlikely to be only for KDE5, could just be a package/compilation.
Otherwise you can report it to its authors, porting Applications to Qt6/KF6 is simple most of the time.

Or it might be a configuration issue.

And there is the dolphin plugin: desktop/shell_integration/dolphin at master · nextcloud/desktop · GitHub

4

I’ve been using the WebDAV mount for ages – what makes the VFS more desirable than just that? (serious question)

5

The VFS solution has the benefit that only those files are downloaded (on request) that are required, and then erased after pre-defined amount of time from the local machine (while keeping it on the remote one).

With WebDAV once your connection has issues, you cannot access any files anymore

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6

Thanks for the explanation.

Not interesting to me, but I can see why it may be to some.

7

My use-case is that even with selective data download a folder can be easily 10GB extra per folder.

Also, travelling does not always allow me to have the files readily available…

The combination of these 2 brings me here…

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