Before anything else, for any given app – especially those with columnar output – you have to know what kind of geography you have with which to work. That is, what screen area are you going to design. I simplify tkinter GUI programming by keeping on hand code for a couple of “standard” test setups of about 20 lines each that claims the whole screen of any display and puts a simple exit button (“Egress” – thank you P.T. Barnum) in the top left hand corner. Now my playground is ready and it took 30 seconds to be able to start programming.

A little internet research turned up that over 99% of all computers can display at least 1024×768. If its on the internet it has to be true – right? So those are my self imposed limits. Whatever I do, it has to fit in 1024×768. The less than 1% of users who are not included need to upgrade. Call it tough love.

Under the GUI section, under ARTICLES RANTS ETC., you will find an article called “2 Standard GUI Test Setups” with more explanation.