Why is Konfabulator "Pretty?"

[Chipp Walters]

Bill and Thomas,

I'm sure I'm missing something here. I do understand about the problems 
with rotate image (though we have an external in house which works in 
Rev and does just fine).

But, as one who has played around with widgets for Konfabulator, I'm not 
sure I quite get what you all are after? To create slick GUI's, both 
Konfab and RunRev have to use Photoshop to create transparent PNG's. 
Both have the ability to use the PNG's as window shapes on the desktop. 
While admittedly Rev's IDE may be somewhat older (check out 
Constellation lately?), Konfab doesn't even have an IDE. All Konfab does 
is use the XML and embedded javascript to render the widget when it's 
launched.

If the issue is why don't more apps appear like Konfab then you might 
ask that of *every* development language around, not just RunRev. I can 
tell you-- it's because it takes a lot of skill to make a 'gorgeous' 
interface and early on, that's what Arlo and the founders of Konfab 
focussed on. Skill which can be learned. There are a few tools for Rev 
which help- Interface Designer for instance:

www.gadgetplugins.com/InterfaceDesign/preview/interface_design_preview.html

Here's a web page of a bunch of interfaces done with Rev. While they're 
not Konfabulator, some of them are (IMO) pretty nice.

http://www.altuit.com/webs/altuit2/RunRevCaseStudies/Screenshots.htm

Also, I've built a number of 'skinnable' apps which is pretty easy in 
Rev as well (Konfab is 'skinnable' too).

I've made a number of 'widgets' for my family and friends, some nicer 
than others:

HemTools (PC screen capture)
http://www.altuit.com/webs/hemingway/HemTools/HemTools.htm

ImageGadget (simple PC image editor)
http://www.altuit.com/webs/hemingway/HemTools/ImageGadget.htm

SetVolume (PC volume widget)
http://www.altuit.com/webs/hemingway/HemTools/SetVolume.htm

If I really wanted to, I don't think I'd have a problem giving any of 
them the Konfabulator 'look'
see tutorial at:
http://www.altuit.com/webs/altuit/GlossyTutorial/default.htm

HTH,

Chipp

Thomas McGrath III wrote:
> Bill,
> 
> I am with you on this. I am a graphics guy from way back and all of  my 
> stacks have a heavy graphics UI. But, some on this list are just  not 
> that interested in that aspect when programming an app. They are  into 
> the inner guts and they do it very well. When they need a  stylish face 
> then I'm sure they are then interested but probably not  for a large 
> percentage of their work. But they are the ones whom I  turn too after 
> my graphics are done and I need to solve some lower  level coding issues.