Re: proposal: slight extension of gtkrc syntax for per-app settings

[Vlad Harchev <hvv hippo ru>]

On Tue, 1 May 2001, Sander Vesik wrote:

 Hi Sander!

> 
> Hi Vlad!
> 
> I suspect the issue Bill raises is the 'availability of dynamite' issue -
> if you can get an half-decent chemistry book and are willing to
> experiment, you definately can make it. But it's not available in general
> stores so people are at least a bit detered from blowing other people up
> with it.
> 
> Similarily, if one believes that GUI consistency is more important than
> being able to tinker with each and every little piece with abondon, one
> would not put the PowerGUIMorpher tool in the hands reach of most users...

 Exactly!

 The point discussed here is if some poweruser needs to use PowerGUIMorpher
tool, he wouldn't have to download and apply unofficial patches to gtk,
recompile gtk and use PowerGUIMorpher, but that he will just have to install
PowerGUIMorpher. 
 
> On Tue, 1 May 2001, Vlad Harchev wrote:
> 
> >  Hi Bill, 
> > 
> >  First of all, it's also possible to load different gtk theme on 
> > per-application basis by setting environment variable or (for gnome apps) by
> > putting gtkrc in the file under special name. And of course there is a
> > programmatic API for changing the style of a particlar widget. The
> > proposed change just provides much more user-friendly means for selecting
> > themes (and probably shooting themself in the foot) - but it doesn't provide
> > any additional means to app developers (they already have everything at their
> > disposal).
> >   The advantages of the proposed changes will allow theme creators to
> > more elegantly (in single file) provide per-application theme tuning (in 
> > particular, to increase accessibility).
> >   Also, if not at the first hand, Gtk-2.0 allows changing widget properties
> > from gtkrc too! For example, power user will be able to control the default
> > directory for file selection dialog in Gnumeric spreadsheet to one directory
> > (say, ~/files/sheets/) and default directory for file selection dialog in
> > AbiWord to another directory! Or control default font of font selector on
> > per-application basis (or, hopefully, default buttons in various dialogs in
> > various apps or default state of checkboxes on per-dialog and per-app basis) -
> > and all this flexibility comes without any additional efforts from app
> > programmer! Also it won't be very difficult to write GUI configuration tools
> > that will allow to configure resource values interactively (e.g. user will be
> > allowed to point to widget in any dialog, configure properties, and save new
> > dialog defaults).
> > 
> >  So, that flexibility will open another dimension in ease of use and
> > configurability of gtk-2.0 based applications. Just to add, all apps that use
> > Xt-based widget sets already have it.
> > 
> > 
> >  Best regards,
> >   -Vlad
> > 
> 
> 	Sander
> 
> One day a tortoise will learn to fly
> 	-- Terry Pratchett, 'Small Gods'
> 

 Best regards,
  -Vlad