New AfterStep version 2.00.beta1 released
Sasha Vasko (sasha@aftercode.net)
Tue, 12 Aug 2003 12:34:10 -0500
Hi all
I'm happy to announce the end-result of 3 year old effort -
first beta of the AfterStep 2.0
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/afterstep/AfterStep-2.00.beta1.tar.bz2?download
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/afterstep/AfterStep-2.00.beta1.tar.gz?download
In this version AfterStep has been reimplemented from scratch. All the
changes and new features are outlined in short list below. For a long
list please read NEW file in the distro.
For those who decide to install this version, I advise the following
process :
1) backup your present configuration.
2) remove old version of afterstep, as well as your old configuration
3) Install new AfterStep and run it with default configuration.
4) Try 3 supplied look files to get a demo of the new capabilities.
5) Alter default configuration to suit your needs
AfterStep should support your old configuration just fine, except for
few exceptions outlined in NEW file. But you may not want to go back to
your old config, once you tried what the new stuff can do.
Please note that distro now includes alot more image files, some of
which are xml files. I shall be compiling the list of those with
previews shortly, and posting it on wao for your perusal.
Also it includes 9 TTF fonts. 1 of them ( Fancy ) is just an eye candy
font, while the rest are rather complete UNICODE, which should allow you
to display most non-english language window titles just fine.
Be sure to try different colorschemes with default looks ( found in
menu/Desktop/Colorscheme ). Again I shall be documenting this new great
feature shortly ( unless somebody helps me out with that ).
man pages has not been updated yet, so refer to NEW file for all your
configuration needs.
And now as promised - the list of new features and enhancements :
# New high performance and high quality image handling engine.
# Support for TrueType fonts.
# Text antialiasing.
# Support for UTF-8, UNICODE and numerous locales.
# XML image scripting.
# Improved Window hints handling supporting new Extended WM specs.
# Rewritten and consolidated GUI rendering engine with support for
shaped windows and complex layouts.
# Better theme support.
# More background image types with support for scaling, shaped images,
alpha-blending, and other blending algorithms.
# More powerfull pattern matching algorithm in database.
# Shaped titlebars and frame decorations.
# More options to frame decorations.
# Arbitrary layout of the titlebar buttons.
# Built in screenshot command :).
# Designer quality colorschemes.
# Configuration reading-writing library, allowing for easier
implementation of GUI contral panel.
# Menus are treated as regular windows, allowing for moving, resizing,
shading, iconification of menus.
# Used options from submenus could optionally be displayed in parent
menus for faster menu selection.
# Thumbnail icons could be shown in menus.
# WinList menu shows application icons.
# Shaped Pager and WinList.
# 2D WinList with more flexible layout options.
# Pager's desks could be shaded.
# Wharf allows labels in buttons.
# Numerous layout options in Wharf.
# Wharf performs checks for application availability.
# Additional options in database settings for comprehensive windows
configurations.
# AvoidCover are able to move other windows away as they move/resize
themselves.
# Optional snapping to edges while moving/resizing windows.
# Proper window switching (alt-tabbing).
# Powerfull initial window placement policies using window boxes.
# Tiled and cascaded initial window placement.
# Shaped balloons.
# Self diagnostic code allowing to properly report segfaults in
AfterStep, and gracefully recover from most failures.
Cheers
Sasha
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