diff --git a/common/utils.py b/common/utils.py
index 17b5ae4..975842b 100644
--- a/common/utils.py
+++ b/common/utils.py
@@ -35,6 +35,22 @@ def deprecated(func):
         return func(*args, **kwargs)
     return new_func
 
+def open_file_browser(directory):
+    if sys.platform=='win32':
+        os.startfile(directory)
+    
+    elif sys.platform=='darwin':
+        subprocess.Popen(['open', directory])
+    
+    else:
+        try:
+            subprocess.Popen(['xdg-open', directory])
+        except OSError:
+            pass
+            # er, think of something else to try
+            # xdg-open *should* be supported by recent Gnome, KDE, Xfce
+
+
 # # Evaluate a bezier curve for the parameter 0<=t<=1 along its length
 # def evaluateBezierPoint(p1, h1, h2, p2, t):
     # return ((1 - t)**3) * p1 + (3 * t * (1 - t)**2) * h1 + (3 * (t**2) * (1 - t)) * h2 + (t**3) * p2