Hello, I finally contacted Nick Ing-Simmons creator of PERL/TK to answer my questions on the subject ...

I am converting an HTML display to PerlTK but am finding lacking functionality. I asked on several lists (i.e. PerlMonks,etc) but did not get any answers. Specifically:

1. ####LISTBOX/TIEDLISTBOX############################:
DAN: I cannot colorize elements of a list boxes
NICK: This is Correct.
DAN: Instead I have to use a Tk:Text:
NICK: Yes. Text widget seems to have been written as "clone" of HTML's capabilities at the time Tcl/Tk folk started, it has not tracked subsequent enhancements to HTML very well.
DAN: This is not exactly idea for dealing with matrix data.
NICK: Tk does not have a good way of handling matrix data. Things that do it best tend to do it long-hand in a Canvas.
DAN: Cool!

2. ###TREE/HLIST########################################:
DAN: Although I could colorize elements of a tree or hlist, it looked pretty ugly.
NICK: Yes it does.
DAN: 1. The data content and columns will resize but its framing window will not. (I could find no way to sync the two and force both to stay either fixed or flex) 2. The SELECTED row will color to the borders of the fixed window but the NON SELECTED rows will not. So ...... Is there anyway to force it to either: 1. Keep its column sizes fixed. 2. Make NON SELECTED rows color to the border like the selected row.
NICK: No. DAN: I'm getting a little soured on Perl::TK and its lack of data control in HLIST/TREE and LISTBOX/TIEDLISTBOX.
NICK: Patches welcome.
DAN: Are there any other graphical packages with PERL that are more flexible?
NICK: I don't know. Nick Ing-Simmons

edit: chipmunk 2001-03-16