Newsgroups: rec.arts.int-fiction
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From: kennedy@kennedy.bridgewater.ne.hcc.com
Subject: GUI window style -- please advise
Message-ID: <1994Oct21.202556.26213@hcc.com>
Summary: How did Infocom do Macintosh?  What should an IF window look like?
Keywords: GUI window resize font
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Organization: Hoechst Celanese, Bridgewater, NJ
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Date: Fri, 21 Oct 1994 20:25:56 GMT

I am thinking of upgrading my OS/2 port of Zip to use PM (OS/2's GUI)
instead of VIO (OS/2's text mode).  I am also working on an original
IF for OS/2.  In respect to both of these, I have questions.

How did Infocom's Macintosh implementations work?  I believe they used
a proportional font -- the Z machine at least allows for it -- but what
about window sizing and resizing, which are not of concern in text
modes?
   Could you resize vertically?
      What happened when you made it shorter?
      What happened when you made it taller?
   Could you resize horizontally?
      What happened when you made it narrower?
      What happened when you made it wider?
   Did typing occur in the same window following a ">" prompt, or otherwise?

Are there Z-machine interpreters for the Macintosh?
   Are they any different?
      How?
      Do you prefer them?
         Why?

Are there Z-machine interpreters for other GUI environments?
   Are they any different?
      How?
      Do you prefer them?
         Why?

Are there any non-Z-machine IF's for GUI?
   Are they any different?
      How?
      Do you prefer them?
         Why?

What do you think is the ideal?
   Why?

Please answer here; the firewall from Hell will eat your EMail to me.

John W. Kennedy - Hoechst Celanese - Team OS/2 - (The OS/2 Hobbit) - TIPA
IBMMAIL: USAHC29S            IBMLink: NAAO3IY     "Compact is becoming contract;
CompuServe: 75136,1413       Prodigy: MTMV04A      Man only earns and pays."
Internet: kennedy@kennedy.bridgewater.ne.hcc.com     -- Charles Williams
X.400: US Telemail Hoechst

