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IMPEDIMENT: Program settings are inconsistently named.

Posted: 04 Jul 2018 19:44
by markfilipak
Informed users can help developers, but there are unfortunate impediments...

BACKGROUND: I have discovered that program settings are stored in 'c:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\vlc\vlcrc'

IMPEDIMENT: Program settings are inconsistently named.

In Show settings == Simple //utilizes "Simple Preferences" dialog
"Simple Preferences" > "Interface" > "Look and feel" > "Show controls in full screen mode" [checked]
...or
"Simple Preferences" > "Interface" > "Look and feel" > "Show controls in full screen mode" [unchecked]
In Show settings == All //utilizes "Advanced Preferences" dialog
"Advanced Preferences" > ????? //...I have not been able to locate the equivalent setting!
Here is the matching setting in 'vlcrc':
"# Show a controller in fullscreen mode (boolean)/nqt-fs-controller=1"
or
"# Show a controller in fullscreen mode (boolean)/nqt-fs-controller=0"
Therein lies the impediment. This would be better...
...in "Simple Preferences" dialog:
"Simple Preferences" > "Interface" > "Look and feel" > "Show controls in full screen mode" = 'Yes' / 'No'
...in 'vlcrc':
"Interface - Look and feel - Show controls in full screen mode" = 'Yes' / 'No'
...or:
[Interface]
[Look and feel]
"Show controls in full screen mode" = 'Yes' / 'No'

DISCUSSION: I could map the setting names between the 2 schemes, but that would be very tedious and would benefit only me.
However, if the names and formats of settings were consistent, then all users would be better able to set up VLC and replicate (and report) bugs.
I cannot sufficiently emphasize how important this issue is.
I cannot sufficiently emphasize how removing inconsistencies would benefit developers.

I'm willing to make the effort to resolve these inconsistencies, but I need to know in advance,
1, How to get my recommendations to developers - IRC is not an option,
2, That developers recognize the seriousness of this issue and will make consistency a priority,
3, That developers will provide whatever's needed (header files, for example), plus guidance to assist me, and
4, That I be put in contact with a single individual who will act as liason.

Warm Regards,
Mark Filipak.

ABOUT ME: I'm a retired electronics design (hardware) engineer and computer system architect who codes in many languages and who ran 29 projects during my 25 year career in California's Silicon Valley.