[Vm-dev] Request: VM support for opening browser

[Torsten Bergmann]

In the days of web based applications and Smalltalk web
frameworks etc. it is often very usefull to open a browser/URL
from within Smalltalk.
Currently one has to load FFI and ExternalWebBrowser
package.

Why not add support into the VM for that. This would
allow us:

 - provide a link to the homepage of Squeak and Pharo
   in the about box so people can easy access it
   right from the image

 - to give Seaside/Pier/Iliad/Aida served images
   a button that opens the browser to the served
   sites

 - server an html based "Help system" from the image
   and by choosing "Help" from the menu open it

 - ...

On Windows it is just a ShellExecute API call - dont
know about the other platforms. Is it possible that
VM developers agree on a common protocol and provide 
it in the next VM release cycle?

Any comments?

Thx
T.