GrabFS — Screenshots as File System…

[nontroppo]

In a pinch, GrabFS is a file system that shows you a live view of the window contents of currently running applications. In a GrabFS volume, folders represent running applications and image files represent instant screenshots ("grabs") of the applications' windows. You simply copy a file or just open it in place, and you have a screenshot. Open it again, and you have a new screenshot!

http://osxbook.com/book/bonus/chapter11/grabfs/

Pretty interesting concept based off the FUSE FS wrapper. Amit Singh (OS X's version of Mark Russinovich ), who drove the MacFUSE project and wrote GrabFS also wrote ProcFS, a FS representation of process and includes hardware etc. For example, the iSight camera is available as a file to grab cam shots off by copying that file etc.

[f0dder]

Hm, sounds pretty weird - dunno if I could get used to it. And I'm not sure it has much advantage over a dedicated screensnapping tool?

[crono]

Hmmm... I cant think of one practical use for this Nevertheless a nice proof of concept for the MacFUSE project 

[nontroppo]

The only useful thing I can think of is the fact that tools to handle files and file systems means you can powerfully manage information (this is an example) in a generic way. I can use Ruby to easily handle a whole range of tasks (trigger screenshots based on system parameters), without having to use a screenshot-specific app or need to use specific SDKs, only general file handling). Like Web 2.0 - this approach is remixable in a way custom apps are not. But will I use it? Nah.... 

EDIT: Another remixable "Data as FS": 

http://www.mulle-kybernetik.com/software/iTunesFS/