Re: User notification message handlers (was Re: [RP] ANSI escape sequences)

[Justis Peters]

twb address@hidden wrote:
> 
> Quoth Justis Peters <address@hidden>:
> >
> > Upon further research, I found "xosd".  I think this will do much 
> > of what was originally requested, without requiring ratpoison to 
> > become a catchall for displaying information.  Here's the link:
> >  http://www.ignavus.net/software.html
> 
> I use this a fair bit.  It has two `issues' 
> 
>  * When used over SDL or GL apps, that window's refresh slows to ~0.7Hz
>  
>  * You can only set a fill color, not a path color; White or black colors are 
> unreadable when you switch background colors (e.g. switching apps)
> 
> To be honest libosd seems more suitable for decorative / showy use than a 
> general purpose / spartan notification.  Maybe that's just me.
> 
> -trent

I agree.  Since I've started using it in more detail, I have found the same 
problems you mention above.  The general interface into it, though, is exactly 
what I think we need.  Again, the idea is that ratpoison could delegate to an 
external utility.  By default, the external utility would be a version of the 
existing notification code, factored out into a very small library.

My main motivation for this is so that I can log the events if I am away from 
my system.  I currently have a keybinding in ratpoison that changes a number of 
settings (including "rudeness") when I want to walk away from the system for a 
few minutes.  It would be cool to have control over where those events go and 
if they are displayed.

At the same time, I am just trying to address the original user's idea that he 
wanted to display ANSI color in the notification bar.  Libosd seemed like a 
step in this direction (with color, at least).  I agree, though, that it has 
definite limitations, though, like contrast against background colors.  Perhaps 
if we allow external utilties for handling of messages, he could write his own 
handler, to address the issue.

My two cents...

Justis