Re: NeXTStep port preferences

[Justin Bogner <mail@justinbogner.com>]

Adrian Robert wrote:
> Some users differ.  There are many use cases calling for frequent
> font and/or modifier key changes.  We'd need a poll to get better
> data.
> 

It would probably be quite difficult, but if we're going to provide a preference 
pane for frequently changed settings, wouldn't it make sense to put something in 
the customize panes to set what options showed up in the dialog?

>> - The options to change the cursor are probably not important enough
>>   to have here.
> 
> Again, see above.  I use different types of cursors for editing
> different files (coding, text, etc.), and it's nice to switch
> quickly.
> 

This looks like a job for a hook, it would surely be more convenient if the 
cursor changed automatically when you wanted it to.

>>> Otherwise, at least in this case, there's no real reason not to just
>>> use the X11 version on OS X
>> The inconvenience of having to start X11 to edit files or to read mail
>> and probably missing features (e.g. does DnD work from Finder to
>> Emacs?).
> 
> It would be far easier to add these features to Apple's X11 impl
> than to port and maintain a separate interface to GNU Emacs.  And
> they would provide wider benefit.
> 

It is far more convenient and pleasant to use a native application than one 
nested under another window system, no matter how well integrated that other 
window system is. The behaviour of a window in X11 is inherently different 
(though perhaps subtly) from that of a cocoa window.

For example, consider the copy and paste by highlighting text semantics of X11.
  When working purely in X11 this is a nice feature, when working purely outside 
of X11 the lack of this feature isn't too much of an annoyance, but when working 
between an X window and a non-X window, the difference in behaviour is quite 
annoying.

However much fixing the deficiencies in Apple's X11 might improve the 
experience, it could not be as smooth an experience as a native interface.