Perhaps this exists already, and if not, it should...

[Richard Shaw]

On Fri, Apr 13, 2012 at 4:11 PM, Fernando Cassia <fcassia at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Fri, Apr 13, 2012 at 17:59, Richard Shaw <hobbes1069 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I haven't tried using this directly but I would think it would do what you need:
>> $ xdg-open --help
>>   xdg-open -- opens a file or URL in the user's preferred
>>   application
>
> Worked like a charm. Now, see how linux devs shoot themselves in the
> foot and usability in the process by naming it "xdg-open" instead of
> just "open". What's the harm of using an English language word for a
> command, that states exactly what it does?.
>
> Were the xdg-open devs afraid that some user might type "open" and,
> gee, a file would *OPEN* ? That would be too user friendly, right?. ;)

Well "open" is already taken :)

Try "man open"

Richard