nanogui@linuxhacker.org

: I have re-done the NanoWM window buttons in a more familiar
: style.

Cool


: Alex: do you still maintain NanoWM? If not, I would like to take over
: and improve it for general usage (add click-to-focus policy, use the
: window's WM properties, do something when minimize, maximize are pressed)
: and for our (VTech Electronics') embedded Linux project (something
: *a-like*
: the MacIntosh desktop).

I have a number of items that I'd like to talk to you about
in regards to the WM.  It would be great for you to fix
it up, it's got a few bugs.  I have a couple of concerns
on the top of my list:

1. For a variety of reasons it isn't a good idea to use
separate windows for each area of the window borders.
These cause problems with running my new handwriting
recognizer when the mouse moves over them, various
enter/exit events get generated, and a pile of server
memory is used. I would like a new design that uses
a rectangle list for identifcation of the areas, and only
a single window, if any at all (I would prefer none)
for the window dressing area.  I am willing to change the
way Nano-X server works so that no additional windows
are required.

2. I would like a separate API for all the window dressing
draw code, that is also in a separate file in the WM source
tree.  In this way, the WM can be used to handle PDA
full-screen only applications without hacking too much.
Alex's ideas for skins and themes is nice, but only if very
little memory is used for the draw/management code.  However,
I very much do like the idea of allowing colors and whatnot
for dressing up the areas significantly.

3. Bugs: the WM currently dresses up all child windows, rather
than just top level windows; there needs to be a bit set or
something for this.  I'm somewhat concerned about alot
of window properties taking up alot of server memory, perhaps
a bitfield would also be a good idea.

The WM move code needs help, I have fixed the blinking
when dragging, this involves a server change with not
drawing the background color every change.

There are also issues related to processes coming up
and going away quickly with the WM.

I've got more on my list but can't remember them all.

I have some more radical ideas about just what the WM
could become in a PDA-like environment.  I'm thinking
that it could be involved in being a screentop launcher
as well.


:
: Greg: the image is the "Software Keyboard" application.

Are you going to release this under Microwindows' MPL?
It looks nice.  I've got the handwriting recognition working
from the scribble/CMU/Sun project.

Regards,

Greg






:
: Best Regards,
:
: Vlaimir
:
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