Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!jarthur!nntp-server.caltech.edu!mustang!data.nas.nasa.gov!sun499.nas.nasa.gov!hultquis From: hultquis@nas.nasa.gov (Jeff P. M. Hultquist) Newsgroups: comp.sys.sgi Subject: Re: How do I make a slider in a GL program? Message-ID: Date: 7 May 91 16:35:17 GMT References: <1991May6.203539.8508@cs.yale.edu> <8512@fs2.cam.nist.gov> Sender: news@nas.nasa.gov Reply-To: panel-request@nas.nasa.gov Organization: NAS - Applied Research Office, NASA Ames Lines: 59 In-Reply-To: blue@cam.nist.gov's message of 7 May 91 12:25:42 GMT In article <8512@fs2.cam.nist.gov> blue@cam.nist.gov (Jim_Blue_x3809) writes: jh> 1) Try Dave Tristram's panel library, which is available free from jh> NASA Ames. Unfortunately, to please the bean counters, it isn't jh> available by FTP. You'll need to write for a copy. jh> panel-request@nas.nasa.gov jh> jh> 2) FORMS is another package. It's available by anonymous FTP to jh> archive.cs.ruu.nl and perelandra.cms.udel.edu, but I haven't tried it. jh> I've heard it has less variety than the panel library, but is simpler. JB> I've tried both the Panel library and the Forms library. I prefer the JB> Forms library; in addition, it doesn't have any restrictions on JB> re-distributing. panel-request> I agree. :-) Seriously though, either package is fine if all you want is buttons and sliders. Here is a run-down of the PROS and the CONS of the two packages: DISTRIBUTION: the Panel-Lib must be obtained by signing a release form which prohibits redistribution of either source or binary. (Arg! Too many lawyers!) FORMS is directly available and fully redistributable for non-commercial use (:-) No lawyers!) SUPPORT: Both packages are free; and so neither package comes with support. The FORMS library is still being extended and enhanced; ALL WORK ON THE PANEL LIB HAS CEASED. POWER: The panel library is somewhat more flexible; it has multiply-handled sliders, strip-charts, meters, dials, and other what-not. CLEANLINESS: The code in the Panel-Lib is messy in places; if you are interested in hacking up new sorts of widgets, I would recommend the FORMS package. DOCUMENTATION: Both packages have fairly large programmers manuals. Neither package has much prose in the source. WHAT I RECOMMEND: Use the FORMS package until IRIX4.0 is available, then bite the bullet and switch to X. -- panel-request@nas.nasa.gov (Jeff Hultquist) -- -- Jeff Hultquist hultquis@nas.nasa.gov NASA - Ames Research Center (415) 604-4970 Disclaimer: "I am not a rocket scientist."