Re: [Boa Constr] [wxPython-users] Question on opinions...

[Chris S. <csp...@ci...>]

On Sat, 27 Nov 2010 10:33:36 +0100, werner <wb...@fr...> wrote:
>Chris,
>
>On 26/11/2010 20:43, Chris Spencer wrote:
>> On Fri, 26 Nov 2010 10:46:55 +0100, werner<wb...@fr...>  wrote:
>>> Adding new widgets can be done in two ways, either via the plug-in
>>> support, see e.g. FlatNotebook-plug-in.py which I think I started and
>>> Riaan fixed it up so it really worked;-) or via the "companions" support
>>> see the sub-folder with the same name in Boa.
>>>
>>> Werner
>> And I have used this technique from time to time.  I know how to add
>> widgets for myself.  But why should everyone replicate my work to get
>> the additional controls added to wxPython in the past 5 years or so?
>Totally agree.
>
>If you done any as plug-in's can you please post them to the Boa list as 
>those anyone can just drop into the plug-in folder and they would be 
>usable - o.k. they still won't make it into the next release until ....

I'll have to dig into it and see what I can contribute immediately.  I
run a somewhat heavily modded Boa Constructor, so my code won't be
plug-n-play.

>> Would you not agree that it's better for a small group of people to
>> add these controls and then release a Boa Constructor version with
>> them integrated in?
>>
>> Frankly, I don't use Boa as a code editor or debugger.  I have other
>> much more evolved code editors for that.
>What are you using?  Wing IDE or?

I use Textpad. :)  Every Python editor/debugger I've tried doesn't
give me the one capability that I crave most of all...splitting the
same source code into different windows seamlessly.  Also, I like
coding on a black background with white text (easier on the eyes), and
you'd be surprised how many code editors don't allow you to change the
color scheme...

For debugging, I've never run across a debugger that is more flexible
than a print statement.

>>    What I do use Boa for is
>> it's (as far as I am concerned) unmatched GUI creation ability.
>>
>> But it is showing its age.  Rust is creeping in.  And it's not keeping
>> up with the increasing control density of wxPython.  And I don't think
>> Riann (for WHATEVER reason) is willing/able to keep maintaining it.
>I won't speak for Riaan (I am pretty sure he is old enough for that:-) ) 
>but I am sure he cares but real live is just getting too much in the way 
>for our liking - i.e. he is very very busy on protects which pay his 
>food and roof etc and just doesn't have enough time to spend on Boa.
>
>I don't see anyone beside Riaan who is totally familiar with Boa and so 
>a "restart" without him does not make much sense.  I hope he will react 
>to my post in reaction to this thread on the Boa list.

And he shouldn't have to maintain it for the rest of his life.  That
is what Open Source is for, so that the community can maintain code as
necessary when the creator can't.

However, forking the code to another site might be the only option if
we don't obtain CVS write access to the code on sourceforge.  And my
favorite source control is Mercurial, because it's in Python. :)  It
also seems to be gaining a lot of traction in the Open Source world.

>> I've often thought of making my own GUI creation tool, like Visual
>> Studio's.  The amount of effort to get from zero to useful is beyond
>> my ability to devote time to it.  However, BOA is 90% there already. I
>> can spend the time helping to polish it up and bring it current with
>> wxPython 2.9.
>We really should take this Boa discussion onto the Boa list before 
>others here get feed up with us.

Done and done.

>> It's sad to see such a fantastic tool become, essentially,
>> abandonware.
>I would very much regret if Boa would be totally abandoned.

Me too...especially since it's the best GUI designer out there.

I'm going to re-download the latest CVS and do a little less haphazard
modding of it so that I can do a proof-of-concept patch for the list.

I would love to have Riann's blessing on this.  Boa is under the GPL
license, so we could fork without him, but I consider this to be
extremely rude (which is why I've gritted my teeth for five years).
However, I'd rather be rude than to see Boa wither on the vine.

I'm going to brush up on my Boa internals and see if I can integrate
the new wx.Button ability to contain an image.  Sort of a "hello
world" of modding Boa.  I'd also like to add all of the new AGW
controls.  One of the mods I've done with my hacked-up version of Boa
is the AquaButton control.  I'd like to do it in a more controlled
manner this time.

I'd like to know, if I start doing this stuff, will others pick up the
torch as well and help me.  Due to my own busy life (running a
business, going to school, and making indie films...yes, you heard
that right :) ) this effort to revitalize Boa will quickly fall apart
if it's just me doing it.

>Werner

Chris.