winscape 2336

XML is a lousy format for that sort of thing. It solves the easy problems and on the strength of that it butterts that the hard ones are also solved.

OTOH given a config space as complicated as Gnome's maybe hand-editing config files is going to be a pain no matter what. But at least its bounded a bit, unlike the registry in Windows. I don't have a good feel for how well organized the config space is though... if its a mess then all bets are off.

Windowmaker here, and Afterstep previously. Java Desktop on Solaris is pretty good, better than the usual Gnome at least and its mostly not annoying, which is impressive. I was very happy when Windowmaker started working right on Solaris- it got me out of CDE which was a very happy day let me tell you. I think the only thing good about CDE is that its kind of small.

But I think your idea of the role of a window manager is about right. Maybe add in a webrowser and a few emacs windows and thats about it. top is the only taskbar I need- though I'll admit that Expose is pretty darn cool. If the Windowmaker people implemented that...

I suppose its because Gnome and KDE are more interested in following Windows and fighting over gui widgets, themes and eyecandy rather than figuring out how people really want computer interfaces to work... takes all kinds I guess. Just as long as they leave me out of it. :)

Gregm