FanCake
Looks like I'm still here.
I'm confused. Where do they say new GUI?
What I'm seeing is they are going to be skinning the GUI (what they call themes).
The only GUI change I'm seeing that is advertised is the add track menu, this appears to be more of an addition rather than a change.
Anderton
GUI = Graphical User Interface. Themes, graphics, functionality, and how the user accesses functions are subsets of the GUI. In this example, the graphics are new however user interface functionality changes frequently - the Help module, tempo detection, start screen, patch points, add track, etc.
OK let me expand...
Actually the
skin (or theme in Cakewalk/MS terminology) is an abstract layer applied on top, or within, a
GUI. When done correctly this allows designers and artists to concentrate on the graphical look and feel, whilst the developer can concentrate on the underlying logic, neither getting in each others way. It may even allow for people like me to design custom skins (or themes) with reasonable ease without getting into too much programmatic logic. Can we make our own skins?
Are you saying the existing layout is going to change? We already know new functionality is going to be bolted on top (the Help module, tempo detection, start screen, patch points, add track, etc.) but that's actually an addition to be more specific. We can also assume the GUI will have to be programmatically changed somewhat to accommodate for the skin.
In effect, we could have skins (themes) that could end up being touch friendly for tablet scenarios. Or it might just be we can't do this, rather we can only change the look and feel, but not the actual GUI itself, in effect it's exactly the same layout just looks different (much like Windows themes).
In summary - just how flexible is the skinning?
Or maybe we just wait and see.