Re: sensible-x-terminal and x-terminal-emulator
Hi,
From: Anthony Towns <aj@azure.humbug.org.au>
Subject: Re: sensible-x-terminal and x-terminal-emulator
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 11:40:53 +1000
> Well, that's lame. What's the hold up with n-m these days anyway, isn't it
> meant to be working now?
I strongly hope to be processed soon, of course. I am waiting
for years.
> Would it help if I sponsored the package and uploaded for you?
Great! I am happy to hear that. Please!
> If so, just a couple of questions. I was under the impression that
> one of the main problems with the existing situation was that programs
> just defaulted to calling xterm, which doesn't work because xterm isn't
> perfect. This package doesn't seem to fix that at all: programs still
At first, my goal is that sensible-x-terminal-emulator will be
written in Debian Policy and be integrated into 'debianutils'
package as well as sensible-{pager,editor} till the freeze of
Woody. IMHO, other too technical ways such as using alternatives
with high priority, using divert mechanism, and so on should be avoided.
This is because usage of both alternatives (this is already done)
and divert for the same categories of softwares may confuse the
system.
For example, if sensible-x-terminal-emulator diverts xterm,
sensible-x-terminal-emulator may call x-terminal-emulator and
it may be a link to xterm. It makes an infinite loop.
I understand it is the easiest and quickest way to divert xterm,
since xterm is the de-facto standard of X terminal emulators and
many softwares calls xterm via hard-coding. And more, in the early
stage of developement of sensible-x-terminal-emulator, I had better
divert xterm to appeal many users. However, it may confuse many
users who wanted to invoke the very xterm and who don't know about
sensible-x-terminal-emulator mechanism. Since sensible-x-terminal-
emulator aims to be the essential part of Debian ('debianutils'
package has 'Essential: yes' term), any confusing behaviour should
be avoided.
I am writing how to use sensible-x-terminal-emulator in the document
(README.Debian).
> Until Debian Policy is modified, you can use this package as following:
> (1) copy example files of configuration
> (/usr/share/doc/sensible-xtermemu/examples/*) into
> /etc/X11/sensible-x-terminal-emulator/*.
>
> (2) rewrite some programs or configuration file which calls X terminal
> emulator to call /usr/bin/sensible-x-terminal-emulator. For
> example, /etc/menu-methods/menu.h has 'xterm'.
>
> (3) properly set your LANG (, LC_ALL, or LC_CTYPE) variable, though
> I think you have already done.
>
> (4) then you can play with this package.
>
> These labor will be unnecessary when Debian Policy will be changed.
> (Though you will still have to set LANG, of course!)
This is instead of diverting xterm...
However, if you insist you won't be the sponsor unless this package
diverts xterm, I may change my mind... :-p
---
Tomohiro KUBOTA <kubota@debian.or.jp>
http://surfchem0.riken.go.jp/~kubota/
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