Gnomebaker next-generation


This is a placeholder for specification that is to be used when implementing next generation of Gnomebaker.

The next generation of Gnomebaker should be implemented in a way to use the most cutting-edge features that we have today. While in the past Gnomebaker decided to use older technologies (like older GTK+) for sake of the users who still didn't update, due to dropping cdrtools, and adopting hot from the oven technologies like libburn and libisofs, this makes that strive kind of obsolete. So we are to track here what is to be implemented as a part of Gnomebaker-ng along with some surprises which probably won't be written here.

    1)Simple, yet highly effective UI (think Diva - Gnome Video Editor)
  
    2)Employ latest technologies (gstreamer, gtk+, gnome-vfs, etc.)

    3)Drop cdrtools in favor of libburnia tandem (libburn & libisofs)

    4)Zero-step configuration

Above will be explained, each on it's own why I believe the 4 points written above are important for us, and for the users. Later on will be written and explained things from developers perspective.


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'''1)Simple, yet highly effective UI (think Diva - Gnome Video Editor)'''


One of the points which user is most likely to notice, or the work that has gone into once he starts the application for the first time. Diva Video Editor can be an example for us how a solid, fully functional and yet very simple user interface can be built, allowing even first-time users to employ applications full potential giving it more pleasure in his first-time experience with cd-recording on Linux. For icons, we should employ th e tango project which really does awesome work.


'''2)Employ latest technologies (gstreamer, gtk+, gnome-vfs, etc.)'''


A lot of things are happening, a lot of new fresh development is around us, and we shouldn't ignore that. GTK in it's newest incarnation offers a lot of new things that can help us build a richer user experience. Also major development is happening in gstreamer with every, even micro release step. Gnome-vfs should be exploited for a lot of cool features.


'''3)Drop cdrtools in favor of libburnia tandem (libburn & libisofs)'''

Cdrtools project has been a subject of controverse in the FOSS world for a long time now, and it is showing signs of weaknesses on lot of users. The libburnia project offers very good solution called libburn and libisofs, libraries for solving most of our problems. They are still in development, so additional features (patches should be submitted) need to be implemented along the way.


'''4)Zero-step configuration'''


A user should not be bothered unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, the application should have built-in smart algorithms to choose the best possible way to deal with the situation. For example, we don't want user to worry about is he copying a CD or DVD. He's copying a optical medium, and that's all that's needed. Clicking "Clone" leads him to simple options he may choose, and burning starts. Ofcourse, advanced mode should still be offered for advanced users. 

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From a developers point of view, the new generation of Gnomebaker also brings us a lot of advantages. One of them is that we can finally get rid of that ugly and error-prone parsing that we did so far. Others include an opportunity to start cleaning the code, or perhaps even do a complete rewrite which will allow us to concentrate on making application better, and not fix old bugs. Auto-magic stuff that shall be introduced should handle most of the problems users had so far for not looking closely what they are doing. 
    
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'''Outstanding issues'''
   

     Lack of team members - currently, we have a serious shortage in people power.
     We need interface designers, we need skilled developers, we need someone to
     write help documents, we need community to test, help around and promote.
                
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