MC IDE 2.6 - next steps

[Richard Gaskin]

Robert Brenstein has posted MC IDE v2.6b5 -- thank you, Robert.  Good work.

I've gone through the new build addressing some bug fixes reported 
recently and all issues reported to date have now been addressed, along 
with these minor changes to be included in b6:

- Moved the mcPluginsFolder function back into MC's backscript as it was 
in b4 so that it's accessible to other stacks. I appreciate Robert's 
decision to move all other plugin code into the Plugin Manager itself 
for the reasons he mentioned, but this one may be useful for other 
tools.  If no one else thinks that will be useful I don't mind moving it 
  back into the Plugins Manager.

- Replaced the mcOpenStandaloneBuilder handler with a function named 
mcStandaloneBuilderStackName which now only returns the name of the SB 
stack appropriate for the version of the engine you're running, and 
modified the relevant portion of the Tools menu script accordingly. This 
change was done to address a bug reported in the Windows Info dialog in 
which it was setting info in the wrong SB stack; this has also been 
corrected.

- Added IDE version to the About box (stack "MetaCard Version").

- Updated the "Licensing" script in the Help Directory to open the new 
licensing info stack added in v2.5.1 which describes the open source 
terms that now govern the IDE.


Before B6 is posted, we have a few outstanding issues we need to decide on:

1. Mode for stacks opened with File->Open
-----------------------------------------
Currently, all stacks opened with File->Open are opened as toplevel, 
regardless of the style property of the stack itself.  In recent 
discussion here a majority of those who expressed opinions suggested 
that the style property be honored and not overridden by the IDE.

While there were few dissenting voices on this issue, this is a change 
from 14 years of previous behavior of 14 years.

Should I proceed with a change from opening as toplevel to simply 
opening in the stack's native mode?

Should we leave it as it is for v2.6b6 and decide later?


2. HyperCard-style script access
--------------------------------
Tariel Gogoberidze suggested a modification to allow quick script access 
in browse mode (see 
<http://www.mail-archive.com/metacard@lists.runrev.com/msg10588.html>). 
  Jacque uses a similar method, and while I haven't I see the value of 
it and would probably use it if it were available.

Please review Tariel's suggestion and post whether you feel it should be 
added or not.


3. Help->Support...
-------------------
The Help->Support item currently opens a form that sends a message to 
Scott Raney, but of course now that the IDE is open source Scott doesn't 
provide support for it.

We can either remove the menu item (my lazy preference), or one of you 
can write a replacement stack explaining that support is available 
through this mailing list.

What do you think is most appropriate option for an IDE with 28 users?


4. Plugins Manager -- multiple "modes"
--------------------------------------
Please review the new options in B5 and speak up if you have any issues 
with the changes there.  I have no doubts about the quality of Robert's 
excellent scripting, but there were some questions here earlier about 
the necessity of the multiple modes/types now supported.  My own opinion 
is that as long as they do no harm I see no problem with letting those 
modifications stand, and they may be useful to others as well. So while 
I'm in favor of them, I think we'd all like to see v2.6 go final soon so 
this is the time to speak up or forever hold your peace. :)


Thanks again to everyone who has contributed to the IDE thus far, esp. 
Robert Brenstein for his substantial efforts with b5.

PS: If you haven't yet voted in the MC IDE poll, please do so as it will 
help determine appropriate levels of effort for the IDE going forward:
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MC_IDE/surveys?id=11737473>

-- 
  Richard Gaskin
  Fourth World Media Corporation
  ___________________________________________________________
  Ambassador at FourthWorld.com       http://www.FourthWorld.com