transition between full-length and shortened stems - please discuss

[Janek Warchoł]

Hi,

This is the first part of a series of changes to the stems and flags.
The suggested change is small, but in my opinion important.
Look at the attached "transition testing.pdf" - it illustrates the problem: the 'b' stem is definately too short (it should not end at the same level as the stem of the 'a' note), similarly the d stem is too short, and overall impression is "uneven" (the ends of the stems do not flow with the melody).

Actually, the problem was already noticed and mentioned in our Essay: 
  http://lilypond.org/doc/v2.13/Documentation/essay/automated-engraving#getting-things-right 

reads 
  "LilyPond (...) appears
a bit too aggressive in shortening some of the stems"
This is very easily fixed. We only have to discuss what output we want.
I've prepared two possible solutions.
Please download this archive: http://www.sendspace.com/file/ckg6md (300KB) and compare pdfs inside.

The archive contains a very simple proof-sheet and two real-life examples, both from our essay. I've also included Baerenreiter engravings (also from our essay) for reference.
Which option do you prefer?
First one has the advantage of being very simple, while the second may be more smooth to the eye (but the difference isn't really that big).

I attach appropriate patches (they are really straightforward so i didn't upload them for review).

cheers,
Janek

transition testing.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document

0001-improving-the-transition-between-full-length-and-sho.patch
Description: Text Data

0001-Second-variation-of-improving-transition-between-ful.patch
Description: Text Data