Re: multimedia and 2.2

[Jorn Baayen <jorn nl linux org>]

Some clarifications on the lib issue, since people seem to misunderstand
me:

I'm not saying libgstplay should die, because I see it's useful in cases
like embedded systems. My point is though that all gnome core apps
should share the same wrapper lib, in order to achieve maximum
consistency and minimum code duplication. For example, if gst-player
were to be the default player, it should be using the same lib as the
rest, IMHO. Same for totem, if it were ported to gstreamer.

Cheers
Jorn

On Wed, 2002-09-18 at 18:25, Jorn Baayen wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> Seeing the current multimedia mess I think it's not feasible to have
> full multimedia included in 2.2 (1.5 months to the freeze, apaprantly).
> This will just result in hurries, too early API freezes and not well
> thought APIs (BonoboUI for example, sorry Michael...), immature apps
> being shipped, UI inconsistencies, etc etc. IMHO we'd be a lot more safe
> targetting 2.4, we'd have all the time to sort things out properly.
> 
> On a related note, I would also like to stress again and again that we
> *really* need to standardise on a higher level media API.
> 
> Having multiple is *EVIL*. Reasons:
> - Code duplication. Most notably the videowidget will have to be
> duplicated.
> - Two different APIs doing the same thing and being incompatible with
> each other is just frustrating. (This one does this, and the other that
> but i need both. What do I do now?)
> - Consistency for the user. Sure, in theory you can make behave the two
> the same. But this just does not work as practice shows (look at my
> bonoboui/gtk example below). Maintainers will end up disagreeing,
> lagging behind each other, etc etc.
> 
> Look at bonoboui and gtk toolbar/menu stuff - two entirely different
> APIs doing more or less the same job, but not behaving the same to the
> user (different look, and they behave different as well. Bad bad bad!)!
> In theory they should, but it just does not happen because of lack of
> proper communication/too early API freezes/disagreements etc.
> Improvements are very much hampered by the API freeze. It's really
> essential to get stuff good before a freeze, IMHO.
> 
> Flame back! ;)
> 
> Cheers
> Jorn
> 
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