Evolution is the next-generation mail and groupware program for GNOME. The mailer requires many complex displays such as a hierarchical view of mail folders with previews of the first few lines of mail messages; the rest of the PIM-related modules require calendar and business card displays.
Evolution defines an ETable canvas item that implements a model/view/controller abstraction for the display of tabular data. Custom cell renderers can be plugged into this item, turning it into a general-purpose grid display. The canvas allows this complex item to do flicker-free display easily.
Some of the information displays used in Evolution are very complex, as they need to present the user's personal information in a convenient way. The canvas allows Evolution to concentrate on presentation and user interface issues rather than mundane tasks such as redrawing and event handling.