Also sprach GSR: > How would you handle compilation, btw? There is no binaries provided, > and the compilation is not unified at all (some work with gimptool, > others use auto* tools, some do not compile with version x.y, etc). If > you can convince everyone to use the same methods, it would be > easier. > > Hint: all those people that complain cos do not know how to compile, > could use their social skills to politely make requests to coders, and > also make a status list (who coded what, who is in charge now, what > mail address is valid now, what webpage...). A problem I see with gimptool is its requirement that everything fit in one file. While this may not usually be a problem for plugins, there are some where it makes sense to break things up a little farther, with header files, etc. But YMMV. The real issue is easing the installation process for newbies and non-programmers. To my mind, that suggests at least a set of README and INSTALL files in the plugin tarball, with instructions to run either ./config or gimptool as necessary. This puts the onus of usability back on the plugin writer, where it belongs. Is there an autoconf tutorial out there anywhere? > The bottlenecks will be compilation and network, not the logic glue, > IMO. Also, some plataforms do not include / have easy access to Perl > or compiler (more things to add to "you need this list of devel > packages to get this filter running"). I haven't tried installing any plugins from packages (RPMs, DEBs etc.), mostly 'coz I prefer to build everyting from source. The plug-in registry is immediately available from the <Tools> /Xtns/Web Browser menu, of course, but this doesn't address the newbies' problems. > A global solution is hard (binaries for everyone or enough logic to > cope with most problems in a heterogenous environment), and the half > solution is already there (you can install, you just need to know what > you are doing or pay / bribe / abuse someone to do the maintenance job > for you). And I'm not even sure where to start to approach a "solution". Suggestions, anyone? > Yeah, it looks bad... but many times the topic has appeared, and many > times the things have followed more or less in the same state. :[ > > GSR -- --Jeff Jeff Trefftzs <trefftzs@xxxxxxxx> http://www.tcsn.net/trefftzs Home Page http://gug.sunsite.dk/gallery.php?artist=68 Gimp Gallery http://trefftzs.topcities.com/home.html Photo galleries
