Newsgroups: comp.archives
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!ox.com!msen.com!emv
From: hultquis@nas.nasa.gov (Jeff P. M. Hultquist)
Subject: [sgi] Re: How do I make a slider in a GL program?
Message-ID: <1991May12.074548.20919@ox.com>
Followup-To: comp.sys.sgi
Sender: emv@msen.com (Edward Vielmetti, MSEN)
Reply-To: panel-request@nas.nasa.gov
Organization: NAS - Applied Research Office, NASA Ames
References: <1991May6.203539.8508@cs.yale.edu> 
Date: Sun, 12 May 1991 07:45:48 GMT
Approved: emv@msen.com (Edward Vielmetti, MSEN)
X-Original-Newsgroups: comp.sys.sgi

Archive-name: sgi/interface-builder/sgi-forms/1991-05-07
Archive-directory: archive.cs.ruu.nl:SGI/FORMS/ [131.211.80.5]
Original-posting-by: hultquis@nas.nasa.gov (Jeff P. M. Hultquist)
Original-subject: Re: How do I make a slider in a GL program?
Reposted-by: emv@msen.com (Edward Vielmetti, MSEN)


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."

-- comp.archives file verification
archive.cs.ruu.nl
total 276
-rw-r--r--  1 markov       2489 May 10 13:41 INDEX
-rw-r--r--  1 markov      10571 May 10 13:38 matedit.tar.Z
-rw-r--r--  1 markov     254603 May 10 11:45 formsdoc1.3.tar.Z
-rw-r--r--  1 markov     206073 May 10 11:45 forms1.3.tar.Z
-rw-r--r--  1 markov      57639 May 10 11:15 itool.tar.Z
drwxr-xr-x  2 markov       1024 May 10 11:06 TEST
found sgi-forms ok
archive.cs.ruu.nl:SGI/FORMS/