Browser application & local file system access

Question

I want to enhance my browser-based web application with functionality that enables management of local files and folders. E.g. folder tree structures should be synchronized

Answer 1

Both Gears and Adobe Air require the user to manually select a local file before you get any programmatic access. Very limited because of security considerations when it comes to local filesystem access, so no chance for any web based file sync type functionality there as far as I can see. Maybe I'm wrong about Adobe Air but this is definitely the case with gears. But If I'm wrong let me know!