bzr-Explorer could be a better learning tool.

[Algis Kabaila]

On Thursday 05 November 2009 20:01:23 Philippe Lhoste wrote:
> On 05/11/2009 08:16, Algis Kabaila wrote:
> > bzr-Explorer is the *kill-application* for Bazaar.
>
> I agree! :-)
>
> > Whilst I consider that GUI
> > has disadvantages, mainly in difficulty to document it, it is used much
> > more widely than CLI.
>
> Not sure about this, particularly in the Unix world, and certainly not in
> the VCS world (I first though you wrote about BE but I see now it is a
> generic statement) but GUIs are sure a good way to attract casual users. A
> good GUI is often what people first look at (hence the popularity of
> screenshots as first contact with a software!).

Alas, we do not live in a 'unix world', and, I hope, not in MS world either.  
There is no need to defend GUI - there is no battle.  GUI has won.  So it is 
good to remember that all good things have some drawbacks, too.
> > OTH, there will invariably be occasions when CLI will be required.  This
> > is the case with most programs, but particularly with versioning tools.
>
> Sure. That's why some GUI tools, like FTP clients, often offer a direct
> access to CLI too. It lets at least access to more specialized commands
> (and plugins!).
>
> > I would think that it would not be too difficult to add one icon on the
> > tool bar, called perhaps "debug" that would toggle a small panel/window

Rubout the "debug" and put there "show/hide details."
> > that would show the bzr command being executed (including the switches).
> > It would not stand in the way of normal operation and give an option to
> > use the bzr- Explorer as a learning tool.
>
> We discussed that recently, I mentioned that Perforce, for example, which
> has an excellent Qt-based GUI, has an option to display the P4 commands
> that are generated. I mention that to show this is a good idea shared by
> others! :-)

I don't know Perforce - one rare occasion when ignorance is a bliss  :)

Philippe, we had some friendly disagreements and I kind of miss it, because I 
would like to "floor" the French language with Lithuanian dimunitives. Ma 
(mon?) petite (petit?) maison?  Mažas namas, namelis, nameliukas, 
nameliūkšytis etc. - you know how many forms it has?  Most accurate answer is 
.. indefinite  :).   

I gnore my light hearted continuation of the argument. I really do appreciate 
your comments and read it as supporting a 'feature' request (!/?).

OldAl.

-- 
Algis Kabaila, MEngSc, PhD(Eng)
http://akabaila.pcug.org.au/StructuralAnalysis.pdf