RE: SWT - The LATEST great thing...

["Joe Pluta" <joepluta@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: James H. H. Lampert
>
> Joe Pluta wrote:
>
> > The cool thing, though, is that a Java program written with SWT
> looks JUST
> > LIKE a native Windows app.
>
> Let me get this straight: this is supposed to be a GOOD thing?!?!???

Actually, yes it is.  It helps acceptance of Java within the mainstream
Windows community, many of whom consider the different look and feel of Java
applications to be a hindrance when integrating Java applications with their
existing desktop environments.  Whether you like Windows or not, this is a
valid argument, because it comes from the end user, and they are the client.


> I'd be much happier with something that looked like MacOS, GEM, GEOS, or
> even good old Tandy DeskMate. In fact, now that I think about it, I'd
> say that even the look and feel of DOSSHELL would be an improvement over
> that of Win-Doze.

Personally, I prefer the browser interface.  I think it simplifies things to
a great extent.  Second, I like many things about Macs, especially tear-away
toolbars.  When I see such toolbars in a Windows application, I consider
them to be a huge plus functionally.

And you know what?  What I prefer means DIDDLY.  It's what the end users
prefer, and by and large they seem to prefer Windows - Windows look and
feel, and Windows responsiveness.

You may not have noticed this, but on a small PC, Java-based GUIs run
like... well, they run like crap, James.  There's really no other way to say
it.  And the SWT architecture tends to run a little more smoothly than
Swing.

I don't know which will win out.  I'm saying, though, that anybody serious
about Java, and especially anybody who plans to use Eclipse, should look
into SWT and at least familiarize yourself with both the pros and the cons.

Joe