[RP] Re: compile-time bindable

[Joe Corneli]

> Yeah, we can make them remappable at runtime if we want, but it seems to
> me like a waste of dev time.  Ratpoison is a tiny program that any user
> who wants it can obtain and install locally using his own compile-time
> options and/or patches.  Implementing compile-time-selectable options is
> nearly always easier than implementing run-time-selectable options, and

These points are all fine.  And I know that if I want to have new run-time
options I should write the code.  But for various reasons, I won't be able
to write such code until mid-summer at the earliest, hence I thought it
would be good just to put the idea out there.

> I fail to see the need for run-time-selectable options - especially for
> something like this (although it goes without saying that I'll welcome
> a run-time-selectable option for this with as much enthusiasm as anybody).

Let me note I've found remappable keybindings an extremely good way to get
started with the hacking business.  Its fun and compared to writing any
kind of real code, very easy, though you still have to think a little bit.
And in fact, the ability to remap keys "on the fly" can be very, very
useful (take a look at my Xmodmap file if you don't beleive me -- it has
been hacked practically to pieces and as a result the keyboard on my
laptop is _useful_ as opposed to being _painful_ and ridiculous).

Of course freedom means there is no "need" for runtime-selectable options
in any (free) program.  But they are still well worth having around for
numerous reasons.  I'd even go so far as to say that the idea of "user
friendliness" does not extend to options that are available only at
compile time, no matter how simple the code for the program in question
is.  Ratpoison is in general very, very "user friendly", which is one of
its great advantages over practially every other window manager or user
interface that I've ever used previously.

Since you say you'd welcome a run-time option here then I guess that in
the end you see this issue in approxmately the same way I do...

Joe