[GT] exp branch

["Weigert, Thomas" <weigert AT mst.edu>]

You may have noticed that I have created a branch in the repository
named "exp". The intention is to check new features into this branch.
This way, users can experiment with these features without having to
merge them into their own (maybe modified) systems while still having
the benefit of being able to see the full code for the changed files,
rather than having to maintain a complex set of patches themselves. (Of
course, the patches can always be generated from the branch using the
features of svn.)

Please feel free to check your own new features into this branch.

Hopefully we can arrive at a discipline where we periodically merge the
enhancements (or an agreed-upon subset thereof) from the exp branch into
the trunk. This way, we can achieve the dual goals of stability on the
trunk and easier maintenance and availability of enhancements.

Please treat this branch with similar care as the trunk. Everything that
is checked into this branch should be operational and tested.

Cheers, Th.