Re: Theming API Hackfest

[Brian Cameron <Brian Cameron Sun COM>]

Alberto:

I give a +1, but I think there should be another goal.  To invest some
attention to the accessibility themes, like HighContrast and perhaps
helping to develop an effort to resolve the issues there.  How can we
take things to the next level for a11y?

Also the ability to run the computer in black/white (or other two color
combinations for people with color blindness issues - I think KDE is
working on something like this).  It would be good to make sure we don't
forget to include ways to improve desktop usability for people with
disabilities when we consider how to rewrite theming engines.

I'm sure there are other examples.

Brian


> during last GUADEC we had a theming API hackfest and we came up to the
> conclusion that there's need for some serious work regarding how Gtk+
> handles themes to make the theming code more flexible and maintenable.
> However, any changes would require a breakage in the current ABI/API
> and consequently most engines would need some rework so we want to
> come up with something before Gtk+ 2.90/3.0 that can be discussed for
> inclusion.
>
> Benjaming Berg and myself were really interested in this (plus Cody
> Russel has expressed his interest to join the effort as well) and we
> discussed the idea of having a dedicated hackfest soon so that we can
> come up with a proposal.
>
> The goals would be:
>
> 1) Allow widgets to pass on more contextual information to theme
> engines so that engines don't have to mess with widget implementation
> details
> 2) Improve the theming api so that engines for native platforms
> (Windows, Mac) are easier to write and maintain
> 3) Came up with a proper API for better third party toolkit
> integration (XUL, Java, Qt)
> 4) Evaluate if an API backwards compatibility layer is possible to not
> break engines
>
> I would like to propose a hackfest on late January/2009 hosted at
> Dublin in the Sun offices. Sun can provide the venue which has plenty
> of materials to host the hackfest (projectors, whiteboards, printers a
> canteen) and the local organization as long as we keep it a small
> hackfest (around 5 people). The expenses for people needed for
> sponsorship would be covered by the foundation though since we don't
> have budget for that.
>
> I would like to request feedback from the board and the Gtk+ team
> regarding the idea. I can be present on the next Gtk+ IRC meeting if
> you would like to discuss it in the next agenda.