From: Brian S Hall (moseshll@umich.edu)
Subject: 'Blugs' (List Manager replacement) public beta

All Mac OS developers are invited to participate in beta testing a new Mac
OS List Manager replacement called 'Blugs'. Blugs goes far beyond List
Manager functionality, as should be apparent from this partial feature list:

* The amount of data that can be stored in a Blugs list is limited only by
available memory. The Mac OS List Manager is limited to 32KB of data.
* Many library variants: PowerPC Carbon and pre-Carbon, 68k A5 and A4,
Pascal and debug. All libraries do extensive parameter checking; the debug
libraries additionally report errors and warnings.
* Blugs only requires 32-bit GWorld support (System 7 and later). It uses
advanced OS features like the Appearance Manager and the Allegro (OS 8.5)
Control Manager only when available.
* Built-in support for vertical and horizontal title bars.
* You can load lists entirely from resources. This includes cell and title
data.
* Up to 65535 rows and columns.
* Inline text editing. Your application can begin an inline edit itself, or
allow Blugs to detect a click in editable text, or both.
* Fast built-in sorting and searching. In many cases, sorting is automatic,
requiring no intervention from your application. Blugs can draw a sort
button to display and modify sort status.
* Blugs calls upon the Appearance Manager to draw needed user interface
primitives (bevel buttons) and to set up an appropriate drawing state (when
drawing colored or patterned items like cell borders and backgrounds). When
Appearance is not available, Blugs' graphics routines mimic Apple's
Platinum appearance. Additional Appearance-savvy drawing routines are
provided in source form.
* Blugs never allocates temporary memory.
* Drag Manager support (in progress). Rows and columns can be rearranged by
dragging. Drag-selection by marquee is handled automatically.
* No reliance on code resources (like the List Manager's 'LDEF' resources).
All cell content handling is done via application-supplied callbacks.
Blugs' content handler architecture is richer and more flexible than the
List Manager's 'LDEF' interface. The Blugs SDK includes a variety of
content handlers with source code.
* Support for disclosure (hierarchical) lists.
* Support for title rows that occupy the entire list width, regardless of
how many columns exist.
* Individual rows and columns are always resizable, either by user
manipulation or by the host application; your application can allow or
disallow user changes.
* Live scrolling option with or without Appearance.
* Blugs always uses GWorlds for smooth drawing and scrolling.
* You can create an Appearance Manager user item from a list with one
function call.
* No reliance on other large static libraries.
* Blugs is ToolsPlus-savvy. (Specifically, Blugs sets the high bit in the
refCon field of any control it creates.)
* Blugs is theme-savvy. It can accommodate Mac OS 8.5 themes that contain
patterns as well as colors.

Blugs is available for immediate download from
http://MosesHall.tripod.com/Blugs.html. No online forms to fill out. Just
grab it and give it a try. Sample code and extensive PDF documentation are
included.

Please see my separate release on the Stockpile Manager, a free open-source
Collection Manager replacement.

Thanks for your attention.

Brian 'Moses' Hall
Blugs lead programmer
moseshll@umich.edu
http://MosesHall.tripod.com/