Re: Mode-line customization.

[David Kastrup <dak@gnu.org>]

Miles Bader <miles@lsi.nec.co.jp> writes:

> David Kastrup <dak@gnu.org> writes:
> > Which is an advantage.  It took me several weeks to months to notice
> > and figure out the subtle difference between CVS-1.21 and CVS:1.21.
> > It is something that escapes the casual user completely.  CVS*1.21 not
> > only uses the same meme as the buffer modification flag, it is also
> > much more apparent.
> 
> The problem is that it makes it harder to read the version number,

Not really.

> which is important, and just generally, stuffing it in there seems
> bit ... kludgey.

The original behavior was just as kludgy.  My proposal apparently
triggers your "kludginess" sensor simply because it is visible.  That
means that the original was ok with you because it completely escaped
notice.  It was sort of an insider joke.

An indicator that is not noticeable is useless.

> It may also be less nice with other version-numbering schemes, e.g.,
> in arch the modeline-version looks something like:
> `Arch-468[devo--0]'.

So where is the problem?  We still have an initial dash that is not
part of the version itself.

> If this is actually important (I'm not convinced really), I'd much
> prefer something like a variation on what Kim suggestion, e.g.:
> 
>    **CVS:1.21
> 
> (changing the - to : as well, to clue in traditionalists).

It has the disadvantage that it takes up two additional characters in
a modeline that is already too short for many purposes.  That most
certainly was the reason for the original kludge.

> Putting it _before_ the VC name make it even easier to see than an
> embedded `*' or one which follows, and interfere less with the actual
> contents of the VC version string.  Doubling it makes it even _more_
> obvious, and as you pointed out, reinforces the analogy with the
> buffer-modified indicator.

Too much so, actually: it makes it appear the _same_, so people will
get confused into thinking the buffer has been modified.  If the * is
part of the CVS string, it at least becomes apparent that it has
something to do with CVS.

I am not saying that CVS*1.18 might be the hottest thing on Earth,
but I can't see it as bad as you seem to.

-- 
David Kastrup, Kriemhildstr. 15, 44793 Bochum