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Afterstep 2.0 Beta Includes XML Graphics System

Posted by Hemos on from the from-the-wayback-machine dept.

vaevictus writes "Afterstep just released its 2.0 Beta 1, after a long merge from its development branch. One of the most interesting new features is an XML-based graphics system, where any picture for any part of the WM can be a simple chunk of XML, which can do transformations, scaling, gradients and some other nice graphics mods. I've personally used this to cut my 1600x1200 image size from a 2.4mb PNG to a total of about 37kb. This leads to some very compact themes. If you're not familiar, AfterStep is one of the older WMs out there still in active development; all of you WindowMaker fans should check out the WM your WM branched off of, so long ago."

3 of 214 comments (clear)

  1. Not being familiar with this... by I'm+a+racist. · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I've got a few questions.
    • Does the typical "XML bloat" become an issue?
    • And, is there much gained by using XML over some/any other scheme?
    • Is it very sensitive to errors, like most XML applications? If one XML file/tag gets corrupted, is the whole windowing system fucked until someone goes in on the command-line to fix it?
    • Overall, is it a good thing or a bad thing?
    --


    Down with Saudi Arabia!!!
  2. SVG? by SynKKnyS · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why don't they use SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)? It would be neat to use a SVG editor to produce a theme.

  3. wait, this sounds familiar... by CoughDropAddict · · Score: 4, Insightful

    One of the most interesting new features is an XML-based graphics system, where any picture for any part of the WM can be a simple chunk of XML, which can do transformations, scaling, gradients and some other nice graphics mods.

    Oh, you mean like SVG?

    I guess this could be justified if it were significantly lighter-weight than SVG. Otherwise, why not reuse?