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Amiga Magazin: Amiga-CD 1996 March
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Amiga-CD 1996 #3.iso
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pd-software
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mui_3.1
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
MUI - MagicUserInterface
Version 3.1
(c) Copyright 1993-95, Stefan Stuntz
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MUI is an object oriented system to create and maintain graphical user
interfaces. From a programmers point of view, using MUI saves a lot of
time and makes life much easier. Thinking about complicated terms like
window resizing or font sensitivity is simply not neccesary.
On the other hand, users of MUI based applications have the ability to
customize nearly every pixel of a programs interface according to their
personal taste.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Except when otherwise stated in the documentation, redistribution of
this package or parts of this package is prohibited without written
permission from the copyright holder. More information on this topic is
available in the documentation files in drawer "Docs".
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Changes
-------------
To find a compromise between flexibility and resource usage, MUI 3 uses
a completely new memory management concept. A lot of extra features
which are not necessarily needed to run applications have been moved
into external libraries. Most of these libraries are not even loaded if
MUI runs with its default settings. With this new memory management,
users have the the ability to control MUIs memory usage by using
appropriate configurations.
MUI's speed has increased considerably compared with earlier versions.
This speedup depends on the machine MUI is running on: the slower the
Amiga, the more noticeable is the speed increase. Especially drawing of
GUI elements on ECS/AGA machines is a lot faster now due to a new way of
rendering. Even if a 7 MHz computer stil can't be considered as an
optimum MUI platform, applications should perform a lot better now.
The slow and bulky preferences system was completely rewritten, the new
way of handling settings is a lot clearer and more straight forward. An
applications local configuration is no longer adjusted from the global
preferences editor. Instead, all MUI applications offer a way to open
their private MUI settings window. This makes MUI look more like an
integral part of a program. Furthermore, the settings windows are better
structurized and offer easier access to all configuration option.
Public screen handling moved to an external program called "PSI" (Public
Screen Inspector). PSI fixes all known bugs of MUI 2.x screens, is more
easy to use and offers a few new features. Furthermore, PSI can also be
used independantly as screen manager for non-MUI programs.
All accompanying MUI programs make extensive use of brandnew MUI 3
programming features like dynamic object creations, balancing groups,
popup menus, full Drag&Drop support or Help bubbles. All those things
have been available on other operating systems for a long time, its
about time to get them to the Amiga.
Of course, MUI 3 is completely compatible with previous releases, all
old MUI applications will continue to run and automatically benefit from
enhanced speed and from the new preferences system. In near future, most
new MUI applications will require MUI 3 to make use of the new way of
programming.