[gnotepad-users] Future version(s) of gnotepad+

[Andy K. <ac...@ne...>]

I've been thinking about what else there is to be done for future
versions of gnotepad+, and a number of things come to mind.  I'd like
to openly share my list and get input on what you (the user) would
like most.

- By far, the most requested feature is syntax highlighting.  I've
  refrained from adding such a feature because of a couple of reasons:

	1. gnotepad+ is supposed to be a *simple* text editor, for
	   editing everyday text and HTML.  Providing syntax
	   highlighting will make it a not-so-simple editor.

	2. Current solutions for syntax highlighting are terrible
	   hacks.  See the gnotepad+ FAQ about this.

  To get syntax highlighting, leveraging the capabilities of the new
  GTK text widget (which is a port of the TkText widget) will be done.
  This means that gnotepad+ will *require* GTK+ 1.4, when it's
  available.

  Be aware that syntax highlighting is NOT a small task, and there are
  lots of issues involving user interface.

- Dropping gtk+-1.0.x code.  1.4 is right on the horizon, and I've
  supported 1.0.x long enough.

- Dropping gtk-only code altogether.  This means that you MUST have
  GNOME to run and compile gnotepad+.  I'm not sure how many people
  would object to this, which is why I'd to get input on it.

- Support for the gnome-print libraries, so that printing a document
  from gnotepad+ will be better than just specifying "lpr filename".
  This will allow print previews, page settings, etc.


Beyond those features (or non-features), anything else would be
expanding gnotepad+'s intended scope of usage.  For example, gnotepad+
could be made more towards a programmer's editor, or an even better
HTML editor.  Possibly both.

In any event, those are some preliminary ideas.  Comments and
suggestions are extremely welcome.
--andy