[TextMate] Why there is no preferences window (was: Preferences window)

[Sune Foldager]

[The following is not refering to the current version of TM; it's just 
a general discussion.]

To break it down, you could say that there are four levels on which to 
change settings:
1. Globally.
2. Per language.
3. Per project.
4. Per file or document.

...and two modes:
A. Permanent changes.
B. Temporary changes.

The_most flexible_ system would then be the ability to change on all 
levels, in both modes. In pratice, this is probably not desirable as it 
would bloat the interface almost no matter how it is done. I do agree 
(but this is not necessarily the view of the TM author) that more 
things should be changable on level 2 for instance, while I have less 
use for levels 3 and 4 (but this is also a matter of taste). I think in 
the future, some thought needs to go into this in this with respect to 
future TM development.  It's always a balance of keeping it 
simple/non-bloated but also giving you the possibilities you want.

Like Allan mentioned, I think in the long run a preferences system of 
some kind (and maybe integrated with an editor for language 
stuff/syntax highlight) is unavoidable. But that said, I really like 
the ability to quickly change behaviour settings around like now :-).

-- 
Sune.
"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn"
http://cyanite.org  --  Content follows ;-).