Hello,
It's been a while since the last time I posted to this list, but I
would like to point out my thoughts here. One of the reasons I loved pivot from
the first time was that it was developed using java 2d instead of SWT. At home,
I have a computer running opensolaris, and that OS has many problems to run SWT
apps (I think the only implementation that exists is outdated). Also, I don't
use eclipse for developing, and I guess I'm not the only one. Anyway, it's up
to you to do this, but I believe you will get rid of those problems you
mentioned but will gain new ones inherited from SWT.
I just wouldn't like to see pivot running on SWT, I personally dislike
JavaFX and Pivot is a nice alternative to it. I really hope many more will
disagree on this and continue to have this excellent framework running on
Java2D.
Edgar Merino
On Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 02:09:07PM -0500, Greg Brown wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Todd and I have recently been discussing the possibility of migrating Pivot
> to run on SWT rather than Java2D. There are a number of reasons this might be
> worthwhile:
>
> - It would allow Pivot developers to reach a broader audience by building
> Eclipse plugins or RCP applications using Pivot.
>
> - It would make it considerably easier to build Pivot development tools (e.g.
> a GUI builder) in Eclipse (we already build the platform itself in Eclipse).
>
> - Technical advantages of SWT over AWT (for example, SWT uses native font
> rendering - inconsistent text antialiasing is a common complaint about Pivot
> apps, and Java2D in general).
>
> - It may allow us to generate some additional corporate interest in the
> platform. Sun/Oracle seem intent on pursuing Swing and JavaFX, which tends to
> make Pivot appear as an also-ran in the Java2D camp. By shifting to SWT,
> Pivot could become more appealing to IBM and others in the Eclipse ecosystem.
>
> Pivot is architected in such a way that the impact of migrating to SWT would
> be minimal to most applications. However, the level of effort to port Pivot's
> skins to SWT would be non-trivial, so this is not something we would look to
> undertake without sufficient interest from the Pivot (and Eclipse) community.
>
> One potential hurdle is the lack of an "SWT plugin" that would allow SWT
> applications to run in a web browser (similar to an applet). While such a
> plugin could undoubtedly be created, it would require a lot of effort and
> support from the SWT community, support which they don't currently seem
> likely to provide.
>
> However, the association with "applets" has, to date, been a bit of a
> hinderance to Pivot's adoption. While an SWT plugin wouldn't actually be an
> applet, it may be perceived that way. I am wondering if it might be in the
> best interest of the platform to simply move away from browser-based
> deployment and focus on desktop delivery. Most Pivot applications I am aware
> of seem to target the desktop already. Perhaps we should simply focus on
> defining Pivot as a tool for building rich, cross-platform desktop
> applications rather than trying to directly compete with the big guns in the
> RIA space (as well as HTML 5, which will most likely draw attention away from
> all RIA platforms)?
>
> This would be a significant change, so I would very much like your input on
> this possible direction. Please let me know what you think.
>
> Thanks,
> Greg
>
