Nautilus mini-browser upload chooser does not allow thumbnail preview

The description is pretty accurate, but for clarity: When an application opens a file-chooser dialog box, the user is presented with a miniaturized version of the file browser. This mini browser displays a "detailed list" only, with tiny icons next to images that are unhelpful. Sometimes, as in Firefox, clicking on a file does display a preview on the right, but the purpose of this bug is to request adjustable-sized thumbnail images for all files - not just the one selected.

This problem is documented in Brainstorm but there is no active bug report. "Idea #1199: Improve the "Save as..." and "Open file" Nautilus mini-browser" See: http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/1199/

This is a common complaint in the forums. See:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=868309
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1457663
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=232734

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: nautilus 1:3.4.2-0ubuntu6
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-37.58-generic 3.2.35
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-37-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu17.1
Architecture: amd64
Date: Thu Feb 14 08:58:27 2013
GsettingsChanges: org.gnome.nautilus.window-state geometry '1202x621+65+54'
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS "Precise Pangolin" - Release amd64 (20120822.4)
MarkForUpload: True
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: nautilus
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)