From mboxrd@z Thu Jan  1 00:00:00 1970
Message-ID: <63330f0266e7f46008a594acba9415ec@proxima.alt.za>
To: 9fans@cse.psu.edu
Subject: Re: [9fans] handling tabs in text frames
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 05:58:41 +0200
From: lucio@proxima.alt.za
In-Reply-To: <8ccc8ba40708261333k4b5c5a38me30920ef188c0f06@mail.gmail.com>
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> I'd like to hear what others think regarding this behaviour before
> actually implementing
> it.

I think you ought to just go for it.  I know that the present
implementation of tabs is inadequate, but enough of a convention for
everyone to have adjusted to it.  A new implementation will either be
easier or more difficult to get tuned into and only time will tell
which one applies.  That's what happens when the object of one's
attention is capable of extraordinary feats of adaptability.

As for the proposal itself, it sounds useful, very much so.  Is it
likely that you'll be able to default the traditional tab expansion
(8-space _equivalent_ I have to partially agree with Erik) for
fixed-width font and the new technique for variable width font, with a
switch to select the alternative?

++L

PS: Personally, I think my next "alphabet" will have no such concept
as "tabs", when last did anyone get a typewriter to work properly with
those in the first place?  So why do we carry the concept where it
belongs even less?