Fedora :: Feature - Transparent Local Version Control System For Documents

I think a version control system should be integrated by default into the user's documents directory. Any time a file is saved, the app would check to see if there is another file by the same name, and if there is, make a hidden copy of the previous version with name such as ".filename.[datestamp]" . This would be similar to what gEdit already does, but at a broader level.

A more robust system would include controls for watching more directories. It would also show comparisons with previous versions of the document. Being file based, it wouldn't care if unneeded backup files are destroyed.

If file space is an issue, backup files would only contain the differences between the next and previous versions. This would mean, however, that back-up files would be useless if a few are irretrievable.

Obviously, users would be able to turn this app on or off, if they don't need/desire this feature.