On May 19, 2014, at 10:12 PM, scl <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> I'm developing in the GIMP project and am currently
> improving its integration into the OS X look and
> feel. As we are using GTK 2 I don't think we can use
> GTK's built-in OS X integration (in GTK+ 3.4).
> With respect to
> https://wiki.gnome.org/Projects/GTK+/OSX/Integration
> I'm improving an existing GTK+ 2 theme.
> 
> While the natural goal is the tight integration into
> the OS X look and feel I'm on the other hand hesitating
> how close to the original such a theme can be to not
> infringe Apple's interests (see the Apple-vs.-Microsoft
> lawsuit years ago and the related PearOS story lately).
> From my point of view using the GTK-Quartz-Engine
> could solve it if it used the Cocoa framework instead
> of the outdated Carbon framework.
> Are there any experiences, best practices or guidelines
> to solve this integration problem?
> John, have you planned to update the GTK Quartz Engine
> soon?

No, because I don't think it's feasible. If there's any theming API exposed 
other than the HIToolbox that Richard used to write gtk-quartz-engine I haven't 
been able to find it. On the other hand, 5 major OS versions after Apple said 
Carbon is going away, HIToolbox is still there and still seems to be used by 
some Cocoa code.

I don't think we need to worry too much about Apple suing, or even sending 
lawyer letters to, Gnome over "look and feel". The Apple v. Microsoft case was 
over a whole OS (Windows 3.1), not an application running on Macs. They never 
went after M$ because Word and Excel on Macs had the Mac look and feel. 
Besides, Apple is now pretty thoroughly integrated into the Open Source 
Community and I think they probably understand and support our desire to get a 
better mac look and feel.

All that said, I'm not at all sure that gtk-quartz-engine is the right way to 
go. The API that HIToolbox exposes is quite limited and not really designed for 
theming. There are several clearlooks themes that look quite macish and the 
clearlooks engine works a whole lot better than gtk-quartz-engine ever did.

Regards,
John Ralls

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