4 This development plan sets a specific set of milestones for future
5 versions of glabels. Although subject to change, milestones leading
6 to version 2.0 are fairly well defined.
8 Basically the goal of version 1.90 is to port all current
9 features/capabilities to the GNOME 2.0 platform, clean up the architecture,
10 and create a bonobo shell.
12 The goal for version 1.92 is to improve several user interface capabilities
13 and add drawing capabilities.
15 The goal for version 2.0 is to realize the fully developed template feature
16 set, add tools for creating and downloading new templates, and add inline
17 images to glabels files.
19 The goals for version 2.2 and beyond is to add rich text objects,
20 add sophisticated text effects and support vector images.
26 VERSION 1.89: Development testbed for VERSION 1.90
32 - Port to Gnome 2.0 Platform
34 - Create a new SDI shell based on bonobo (no more MDI!).
36 - Migrate to a more faithful MVC architecture:
37 - Migrate models (labels, label objects, and templates)
39 - Views should track models
41 Label File format changes:
42 - <object type="text" ...> rather than <Text ...>
44 - a label should include a template or "Sheet" tag instead
45 of just the name of the media type, so that obsolete names
46 don't render the label file useless. this should be created
47 and parsed by functions from the template module.
49 - compatibility with old file formats
51 - make sure that the format does not preclude the additions
52 planned in future releases and that these additions do
53 not break labels created with this version. Namely, image
54 filenames from merge data, inline images, object rotation,
55 object flipping, text effects, and rounded rectangles.
58 - Add preferences options:
59 - object defaults (colors, line widths, fonts)
61 - Support all paper sizes that gnome-print knows about
66 VERSION 1.91: Development testbed for VERSION 1.92
71 - Allow multiple layouts per label type. This will support
72 odd labels that are not layed out in a grid. For instance
73 one oddball label, or label laid out in a running-bond:
83 This is not multiple label types per sheet. (see below)
85 - Add invisible markup to templates, e.g. folds or other
92 - mode and parameters (size and origin during creation)
94 - Image filenames from merge fields. When adding inline
95 image date in the next version, this capability must
99 - object rotation and flipping functions.
101 - a "snap-to" capability.
102 - object alignment capabilities.
103 - resizing of barcodes on canvas. (Must keep barcodes
104 within "legal" limits)
106 - edit text in place?
108 - Clean up document merge API.
110 - Per-barccode options:
111 - if checksum optional give checkbox
112 - barcode length: free-form, fixed legal values (zero fill?)
114 - Undo, Redo capability
117 VERSION 1.93: Development testbed for VERSION 2.0
121 Label File format changes:
122 - external images should be put inline somehow so that the
123 label file will not be rendered useless if on a different
124 machine or the original image file is renamed, moved or
128 - Create a druid for creating new label templates.
129 As part of the druid allow test sheets to be printed
130 and the new labels e-mailed to me (at the user's request).
131 Include a mini-preview, as the label is constructed.
133 - Along those same lines, create a druid to download new
134 templates from a central repository, much like in GBonds.
137 VERSION 2.1: Development testbed for VERSION 2.2
141 Template File format:
142 - Allow multiple label styles per template. For instance
143 a sheet may contain a CD label, and cover label. This
144 may cause problems for document merges -- labels could be
145 considered grouped for document merges when their numbers
146 match or they could have document merge applied to them
147 independently but in parallel. Arrange in a tabbed
148 notebook, or as multiple canvases arranged in view?
150 - support for the import of vector graphics formats such as EPS or SVG.
152 - Make text items rich. I.e. allow multiple characteristics to
153 exist within a single object.
155 - Text effects. (follow contour, shadows, ...)
159 Odds and ends WISHLIST for future versions:
161 - Ability to select/unselect individual records during a merge-print.
163 - Add additional "merge" backends. Candidates include:
166 freedb (CDDB) for CD labels
168 - Capability to edit text in-place.
170 - Add facility for tweaking output (origin). This should really be
171 part of the underlying print system but is currently difficult to
172 accomplish, so I may want to add the hack.
174 - Add a mini style preview for barcode properties (possibly text too?).