"Robert" == Robert O'Connor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

Robert> This is the current relevant function of the configuration.cpp and
Robert> configuration.h, used for loading up the channel names into the listcontrol
Robert> on the main dialog:
Robert> (1) A list of non-channel section names in the ini is declared.

I suggest to put the list in the INI, so it could be updated without
recompiling the plucker-desktop.

Maybe later there will be some other tools that need also some
sections and wan't reserve there name.

Robert> (2) Then we are looking through the remaining sections and if it has a key
Robert> of home_url, then it is a considered to be a channel. The reason for this is
Robert> that there can be "modifier sections" of the .ini which add can be combined
Robert> with an actual channel section at the command line (like the pluck-comics
Robert> examples).

Can you give an example please.

Robert> #define NON_CHANNEL_SECTIONS "DEFAULT", "POSIX", "OS2" "WINDOWS",
Robert> "MACINTOSH", "PLUCKER-DESKTOP", "PLUCKER-DAEMON"

Add CONTEXT_DEFAULT please. And maybe another one if i get the
InstallBuddy plugin i'm working on ready.

Robert> Perhaps an avenue would be make the whole section naming thing
Robert> invisible to the user, ie never allow a rewrite overtop a
Robert> current section of ini from within the GUI. We are just
Robert> generating a section name based on initial selection of a
Robert> channel name (minus spaces and illegal characters [and
Robert> truncated at 31 characters at least on Mac]). If they want to
Robert> give their channel of Macintosh news, a channel name of
Robert> 'Macintosh', there wouldn't be a prompt come up saying they
Robert> can't/ or warning them not to call it Maci ntosh. Instead it
Robert> just generates the section name of MACINTOSH_1 or something.
Robert> Ditto for a new channel name named 'Comics' when they already
Robert> have a modifier section named 'Comics'. Or if they want to
Robert> maintain two copies of a distributable database, one in color
Robert> and one not in color, but still have the same channel name of
Robert> 'My Distributed Document' on both versions, the second added
Robert> copy shouldn't force them to pick another channel name, it
Robert> should silently just make a relevant section name that doesn't
Robert> co nflict with an existing one.

Yes, the user of the GUI should not need take care of section names or
filenames.

Robert> Note there is no UI element for changing the section name from
Robert> within the Desktop program, but this was by design--didn't
Robert> seem that section names of config files are something end
Robert> users should be dealing with. Whether there should be or not
Robert> is perhaps a matter for discussion.

I vote for NO. The most of the end user even do not know what a
Section name is. So no reason to ask for it. :-)

Robert> I was plan
Robert> ning on when pressing the 'Add Channel' on main dialog, it goes directly to
Robert> channel name dialog, the 'Channel Name' field is given the focus, and the
Robert> 'Unnamed channel' text within the textbox is highlighted ready to be
Robert> replaced. On clicking 'OK' button, a legal, non-conflicting section name is
Robert> generated based on the value of channel name filed, and its subdirectory is
Robert> made and its section is added to the .ini file.

Agree, that's the way an GUI should work.

Robert> A more advanced way for expert users would be to ask in a
Robert> popup-dialog what they want the section/subdir to be called.
Robert> Perhaps a 2 fielded dialog with fields for channel name, and
Robert> the section name. As type in the channel name field, a legal
Robert> section name gets added to that field letter by letter, then
Robert> can modify the section field before hitting OK. Then would
Robert> have to prevent naming of a protected section (or existing?),
Robert> and prompt.

Maybe an "Advanced setting" dialog in the Channel Config where the
user could specify this special thinks?

Robert> Any other further modification needed? Easier if plan is
Robert> sorted before the add channel functionality is added.

No, its seams all fine (if we find an solution for the current
discussion).

cu,
 Dirk
-- 
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