how to tweak measure padding (global setting)

[Kieren Richard MacMillan]

[ Lilypond 2.8.1 ]

Hello, all --

Just trying once again...  =)

I am dissatisfied (as, apparently, are some others) by the default  
padding at the beginning (particularly) and the end (somewhat) of  
measures in 2.8.1 -- see previous posts for examples/screenshots:
    <http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/lilypond-user/2006-04/ 
msg00582.html>
    <http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/lilypond-user/2006-04/ 
msg00552.html>
    <http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/lilypond-user/2006-04/ 
msg00315.html>

I can't seem to find a global setting to fix this -- can anyone  
suggest something?

I've tried messing around with BarLine.space-alist, and although it  
technically "works", the workaround seems way too fussy (i.e.,  
requires per-measure, multi-attempt tweaking) for how elegant the  
Lilypond backend usually seems to be. In other words, I figure I must  
have missed something simple(r)!  =)

Thanks,
Kieren.