Preferences.app vs Configure.app; was Re: ANN: GNUtooth, Bluetooth 'support' for GNUstep

[Björn Giesler]

Hi,

first of all, to make my statement from the GNUtooth perspective: Bluetooth 
device configuration, as I see it, is sort of in the middle between 
per-system and per-user configuration. Note: By "device" I don't mean the 
little Bluetooth dongle but rather the other Bluetooth devices that the 
system talks to. 

There are a couple of Bluetooth device classes, the most important for me 
personally right now are PDAs and mobile phones, which I'd like to be able 
to synchronize with my Linux box. Settings such as "every time this device 
is discovered, run the synchronize application with my calendar" or "let 
this device transfer files to that folder in my home without asking" are 
of a kind that I'd like to do as a user; I don't want to bother my 
sysadmin about that. These clearly belong into Preferences.app the way it 
is now.

Stuff like "allow this device to print / fax with that printer / fax 
connected to my machine" is more in the sysadmin category, I agree. Still, 
Configure.app as it used to be on NeXTStep is not the right place for that 
configuration either. I think I'd prefer a GNUtoothServer running as root 
that handles all requests. About the configuration frontends I'm still 
thinking.

Now, about the basic discussion, I have two points to make. First, when 
using MacOS X, I find it extremely refreshing from a 
user-and-parttime-sysadmin perspective to be able to change to root *right 
in Preferences.app*; I hate logging out and on again or doing the "xterm; 
xhost +localhost; sudo openapp whatever.app" orgy. I think Apple is right 
on track there.

Second, I do think that GNUstep is and should be keeping with the Unix 
spirit of things, but for me, the Unix spirit is the KISS approach of 
having several small tools that do one job well. For me, the Unix spirit 
is not "you can't do that, su to root".

So in a nutshell, yes, I'm in favor of the MacOS X approach where some 
settings can only be changed by root, but you can change them by just 
clicking that little lock on the bottom and entering the root password.

Just my .04 Deutschmarks. ;-)

Regards,
                --Björn