Preferences dialog

[David Barnard]

I'm trying to work out the best way to present the preferences. The
override is gone, we don't need or want it. I want all preferences
available in a single dialog, using the familiar tree/preferences
model. Currently, most preferences are presented as

This preference should be [nnn] units
or
[x] Enable this preference

My first draft uses this method, but I think it will cause problems
for localisation, and I think it looks ugly. Another possibility I'm
considering is a grid:

Boolean preference......[Yes]
Numerical preference......[nnn]

Using a Yes/No dropdown for the boolean options, instead of a
checkbox. Everything lines up neatly.

The other benefit of this is that context sensitive help can be
provided when the preference has focus - the whole line can be
selected.

Some preferences require more complicated controls. I think I have
solved the custom time controls.

A single preferences dialog means that the local manager preferences
such as language and proxy will be in the same dialog, possibly under
a "Manager" node in the tree. I noticed that currently the proxy
settings are duplicated in the options dialog and one of the wizards.
We need to clean that up.

I've published some mockups here:
http://groups.google.com/group/synecdoche-dev/web/preference-dialog-mockups

Please let me know what you think.

David Barnard