Re: [wxperl-users] embedded web browser

[Eric W. <scr...@gm...>]

# from Peter Theobald
# on Sunday 11 February 2007 07:18 am:

>Are there any suggestions for displaying web pages inside a wxWidgets
> program? Is there a better way to make HtmlWindow work as a browser,
> or a better widget? Is there an easy way to embed IE or Firefox in a
> wxWidgets frame with Javascript disabled (without disabling it for
> the user's "real" browser as well)?

In dotReader (http://dotreader.com) we're using IE, Mozilla, and WebKit 
(depending on the OS) but wxWebCore is right around the corner and will 
hopefully make everything much nicer.

In short, I don't think firefox can embed, Mozilla is a dead-end, IE is 
a nightmare waiting to happen, WebKit has turned into the 
cross-platform WebCore.

A rundown of the pros and cons:

IE:
  + it mostly works (js, plugins, etc)
  - png support anyone?
  - ftp?
  - everything has to be accessed via ActiveX
  - doesn't *really* behave as a proper scrolled window
  - some things don't work as documented (hook right-click?)
  - microsieve's auto-updater breaks things
  - come on, it's internet explorer!  bah
  - black box
  - black box
  - black box
  - black box
  - black box
  - black box (con ad infinitum)

Mozilla:
  + has a wysiwyg editable mode
  + quick and renders CSS correctly
  - cannot be easily packaged in a PAR
  - requires registered protocol handlers (these have no perl binding)
    (I currently use the right-click as a load-url hook (eek!))
  - doesn't behave as a proper scrolled window
  - haven't tried it on win
  - not on mac

WebKit:
  + quick, correct
  + wysiwyg editable mode
  + does everything we need (now -- see below)
  - somewhat limited by ObjC layer
  - is only on mac

WebCore:
  + cross-platform
  + see WebKit pros (ObjC layer is gone)
  - wxWebCore layer is just recently getting to production grade
  - I have to write the perl binding

OSoft (the company behind dotReader) has worked with Kevin Ollivier (one 
of the wxMozilla & wxWebKit developers) to get everything on our 
wishlist addressed.  We're also the folks behind the Wx::WebKit and 
Wx::Mozilla perl bindings (though I need to push some tarballs to 
CPAN.)  Soon, that list will include Wx::WebCore, but I have a long 
todo list, so that's "for some value of 'soon'" :-/

--Eric
-- 
Consumers want choice, consumers want openness.
--Rob Glaser
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