Looking for OS 3.9 equivalent to OS X's "open" command

[yorgle]

So on my Mac, i'm always using the 'open' command. here's the man page for it:

http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/DOCUMENTATION/Darwin/Reference/ManPages/man1/open.1.html

TL;DR
- type 'open dirname' to open the directory as an intuition window,
- type 'open filename.txt' to open that file with its default app
- type 'open -a myEditor.app filename.txt' to open that file in myEditor application

Now, I've got the directory side of things figured out.  I found 'openwin' which does the directory side;  it opens a spefied directory or the current directory:

http://aminet.net/package/util/cli/openwin

As for the file side of things, I'm having some trouble finding the right thing.

I'm pretty certain that whatis.library will play an important part, to determine file type.  I tried 'exa' which seemed to pop up a window where i could configure it to allow me to create a list of things to open it with, and i've tried Action as well.  None of them quite fit the bill.  I'd like to not have to click in any windows once i type 'open'.  perhaps this is not an option without me writing something...

but I figured I'd see if anyone has any suggestions...