GNOME VFS is a core component of the upcoming GNOME 2.0 platform. When GNOME 2.0 is released, GNOME VFS will be available for all applications (GUI or non-GUI) to use. GNOME VFS is also a central component of the new GNOME file manager and shell, which is called Nautilus [Nautilus] and is currently being developed by Eazel, Inc. [Eazel]. Nautilus makes extensive use of asynchronous operations and file system abstractions to improve the usability of the GNOME desktop. The first public release of Nautilus is expected in Summer 2000.