Preview of Resolution Independent Control library for RevMobile

[Chipp Walters]

First off, I would like to say there are a few things which are paramount
for me in any resizer library I would use. Please know these are only my
observations and requirements.

1. Needs to be unlocked and editable my me. If not, then I won't even look
at it. We all know the problems with MobGUI and the subsequent lack of
support and stranded users. Simple fact is I just can't provide my clients
with code I can't maintain.

2. It needs to be as simple and easy to maintain as possible. And in
keeping with the simplicity theme, it needs to execute as fast as possible
in the least amount of readable code. I'm not a fan of frontscripts and
find they can get in the way in all sorts of ways, so I'd prefer staying
with libraries and passing messages.

3. It should be easy to implement and without much fanfare. Most of my
mobile projects need to be completed in weeks, not months, so trying to
work with a complex framework just doesn't fit my projects. I certainly
understand others have different timescales and may be more interested in
more elaborate frameworks.

4. It needs to fit within my workflow. I use a Harness app for both Android
and iOS phones and tablets which acts as a "player" for stacks, which are
then downloaded via a Dropbox URL. So, it's more difficult to add lots of
other files, like interface images in the bundle. I would rather bring
files down from the Internet, or SpitOut them on the first run.

5. I think I can make a case that it's pretty much impossible in LC at this
stage to identify dpi vs resolution needs if you're trying to go cross
platform-- Android-iOS. Furthermore, as a designer, I can only imagine the
possible nightmare involved in not having the exact right resolution images
for different Android Layouts. I would suspect the carefully set margins
and padding of one's design would get fairly screwed up. LC just doesn't
work well with complex architectures and frameworks. Geometry Manager?
Animation Manager? Ring any bells?

6. Lastly, if you tend to like to create skeuomorphic interface designs, as
I do, then you pretty much know you have to work all your graphics out in
Photoshop. So, for the most part there's no needing to worry about scalable
*everything* in LC, as the images themselves scale quite well. So having a
heavyweight library which tries to match each and every control attribute
with the proper scaling algorithms, seems a bit overkill for me. Keeping
things simpler, and lighter-- is better. For me.


-- 
Chipp Walters
CEO, Altuit, Inc.