Designed a new system for doing hierarchical displays in the canvas. Adds

2000-03-10  Christopher James Lahey  <clahey@helixcode.com>

        * e-util/e-canvas.c, e-util/e-canvas.h: Designed a new system for
        doing hierarchical displays in the canvas.  Adds an extra idle
        loop to the canvas system.

        * widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard.c,
        widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.c,
        widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.h,
        widgets/e-minicard/e-reflow.c, widgets/e-minicard/test-reflow.c,
        widgets/e-text/e-text.c, widgets/e-text/e-text.h: Adapted to use
        the new e-canvas reflow system.

svn path=/trunk/; revision=2096

25 files changed, 896 insertions, 778 deletions

diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index 0d991f9853..4b1bdb6a3e 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,16 @@
+2000-03-10  Christopher James Lahey  <clahey@helixcode.com>
+
+	* e-util/e-canvas.c, e-util/e-canvas.h: Designed a new system for
+	doing hierarchical displays in the canvas.  Adds an extra idle
+	loop to the canvas system.
+
+	* widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard.c,
+	widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.c,
+	widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.h,
+	widgets/e-minicard/e-reflow.c, widgets/e-minicard/test-reflow.c,
+	widgets/e-text/e-text.c, widgets/e-text/e-text.h: Adapted to use
+	the new e-canvas reflow system.
+
 2000-03-07  bertrand  <bertrand@helixcode.com>
 
 	* shell/e-shell-shortcut.c (shortcut_bar_item_selected): 
diff --git a/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard-label.c b/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard-label.c
index 3f6a80a890..25f7f939fc 100644
--- a/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard-label.c
+++ b/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard-label.c
@@ -33,19 +33,12 @@ static void e_minicard_label_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_
 static gboolean e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event);
 static void e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 static void e_minicard_label_unrealize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
+static void e_minicard_label_reflow(GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags);
 
-static void update_label( EMinicardLabel *minicard_label );
-static void resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data );
+static void e_minicard_label_resize_children( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label );
 
 static GnomeCanvasGroupClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
-enum {
-	E_MINICARD_LABEL_RESIZE,
-	E_MINICARD_LABEL_LAST_SIGNAL
-};
-
-static guint e_minicard_label_signals[E_MINICARD_LABEL_LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
-
 /* The arguments we take */
 enum {
 	ARG_0,
@@ -92,17 +85,6 @@ e_minicard_label_class_init (EMinicardLabelClass *klass)
 
   parent_class = gtk_type_class (gnome_canvas_group_get_type ());
   
-  e_minicard_label_signals[E_MINICARD_LABEL_RESIZE] =
-	  gtk_signal_new ("resize",
-			  GTK_RUN_LAST,
-			  object_class->type,
-			  GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (EMinicardLabelClass, resize),
-			  gtk_marshal_NONE__NONE,
-			  GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
-  
-  
-  gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_minicard_label_signals, E_MINICARD_LABEL_LAST_SIGNAL);
-  
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicardLabel::width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_WIDTH); 
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicardLabel::height", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
@@ -113,8 +95,6 @@ e_minicard_label_class_init (EMinicardLabelClass *klass)
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_FIELD);
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicardLabel::fieldname", GTK_TYPE_STRING, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_FIELDNAME);
-
-  klass->resize = NULL;
  
   object_class->set_arg = e_minicard_label_set_arg;
   object_class->get_arg = e_minicard_label_get_arg;
@@ -136,6 +116,8 @@ e_minicard_label_init (EMinicardLabel *minicard_label)
   minicard_label->field = NULL;
   minicard_label->fieldname_text = NULL;
   minicard_label->field_text = NULL;
+
+  e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(minicard_label), e_minicard_label_reflow);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -150,8 +132,8 @@ e_minicard_label_set_arg (GtkObject *o, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	switch (arg_id){
 	case ARG_WIDTH:
 	  e_minicard_label->width = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-	  update_label( e_minicard_label );
-	  gnome_canvas_item_request_update (item);
+	  e_minicard_label_resize_children(e_minicard_label);
+	  e_canvas_item_request_reflow (item);
 	  break;
 	case ARG_HAS_FOCUS:
 		if (e_minicard_label->field && (GTK_VALUE_ENUM(*arg) != E_FOCUS_NONE))
@@ -241,7 +223,6 @@ e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 				 e_text_get_type(),
 				 "anchor", GTK_ANCHOR_NW,
 				 "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 - 4 ),
-				 "clip_height", (double) 1,
 				 "clip", TRUE,
 				 "use_ellipsis", TRUE,
 				 "font_gdk", font,
@@ -255,17 +236,12 @@ e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 				   NULL );
 	    g_free( e_minicard_label->fieldname_text );
 	  }
-	gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->fieldname),
-			   "resize",
-			   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(resize),
-			   (gpointer) e_minicard_label);
 
 	e_minicard_label->field =
 	  gnome_canvas_item_new( group,
 				 e_text_get_type(),
 				 "anchor", GTK_ANCHOR_NW,
 				 "clip_width", (double) ( ( e_minicard_label->width + 1 ) / 2 - 4 ),
-				 "clip_height", (double) 1,
 				 "clip", TRUE,
 				 "use_ellipsis", TRUE,
 				 "font_gdk", font,
@@ -281,12 +257,7 @@ e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 	    g_free( e_minicard_label->field_text );
 	  }
 
-	gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->field),
-			   "resize",
-			   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(resize),
-			   (gpointer) e_minicard_label);
-
-	update_label (e_minicard_label);
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	
 	if (!item->canvas->aa)
 	  {
@@ -344,10 +315,11 @@ e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
     case GDK_MOTION_NOTIFY:
     case GDK_ENTER_NOTIFY:
     case GDK_LEAVE_NOTIFY: {
+	    gboolean return_val;
+#if 0
 	    GnomeCanvasItem *field;
 	    ArtPoint p;
 	    double inv[6], affine[6];
-	    gboolean return_val;
 	    
 	    field = e_minicard_label->field;
 	    art_affine_identity (affine);
@@ -389,7 +361,7 @@ e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 	    default:
 		    break;
 	    }
-	    
+#endif	    
 	    gtk_signal_emit_by_name(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->field), "event", event, &return_val);
 	    return return_val;
 	    break;
@@ -405,8 +377,22 @@ e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 }
 
 static void
-update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
+e_minicard_label_resize_children(EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label)
 {
+	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard_label ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
+		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->fieldname,
+				       "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 - 4 ),
+				       NULL );
+		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->field,
+				       "clip_width", (double) ( ( e_minicard_label->width + 1 ) / 2 - 4 ),
+				       NULL );
+	}
+}
+
+static void
+e_minicard_label_reflow(GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags)
+{
+	EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label = E_MINICARD_LABEL(item);
   if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard_label ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED )
     {
 	    gint old_height;
@@ -416,9 +402,6 @@ update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
 	    gtk_object_get(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->fieldname), 
 			   "text_height", &text_height,
 			   NULL);
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set(e_minicard_label->fieldname,
-				  "clip_height", (double) text_height,
-				  NULL);
 
 	    e_minicard_label->height = text_height;
 
@@ -426,9 +409,6 @@ update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
 	    gtk_object_get(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->field), 
 			   "text_height", &text_height,
 			   NULL);
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set(e_minicard_label->field,
-				  "clip_height", (double) text_height,
-				  NULL);
 
 	    if (e_minicard_label->height < text_height)
 		    e_minicard_label->height = text_height;
@@ -438,24 +418,10 @@ update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
 				   "x2", (double) e_minicard_label->width - 1,
 				   "y2", (double) e_minicard_label->height - 1,
 				   NULL );
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->fieldname,
-				   "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 - 4 ),
-				   NULL );
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->field,
-				   "clip_width", (double) ( ( e_minicard_label->width + 1 ) / 2 - 4 ),
-				   NULL );
 	    e_canvas_item_move_absolute(e_minicard_label->field, ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 + 2), 1);
 
 	    if (old_height != e_minicard_label->height)
-		    gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (e_minicard_label), "resize");
+		    e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
 	    
     }
 }
-
-
-static void 
-resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data )
-{
-	update_label(E_MINICARD_LABEL(data));
-}
-
diff --git a/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard-label.h b/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard-label.h
index 3311e3c9af..b439c53f9d 100644
--- a/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard-label.h
+++ b/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard-label.h
@@ -69,8 +69,6 @@ struct _EMinicardLabel
 struct _EMinicardLabelClass
 {
 	GnomeCanvasGroupClass parent_class;
-
-	void (* resize) (EMinicardLabel *text);
 };
 
 
diff --git a/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard.c b/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard.c
index b8d25f5dc6..79668b6507 100644
--- a/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard.c
+++ b/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-minicard.c
@@ -34,19 +34,12 @@ static void e_minicard_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id);
 static gboolean e_minicard_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event);
 static void e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 static void e_minicard_unrealize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
+static void e_minicard_reflow ( GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags );
 
-static void _update_card ( EMinicard *minicard );
-static void _resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data );
+static void e_minicard_resize_children( EMinicard *e_minicard );
 
 static GnomeCanvasGroupClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
-enum {
-	E_MINICARD_RESIZE,
-	E_MINICARD_LAST_SIGNAL
-};
-
-static guint e_minicard_signals[E_MINICARD_LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
-
 /* The arguments we take */
 enum {
 	ARG_0,
@@ -92,17 +85,6 @@ e_minicard_class_init (EMinicardClass *klass)
 
   parent_class = gtk_type_class (gnome_canvas_group_get_type ());
   
-  e_minicard_signals[E_MINICARD_RESIZE] =
-	  gtk_signal_new ("resize",
-			  GTK_RUN_LAST,
-			  object_class->type,
-			  GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (EMinicardClass, resize),
-			  gtk_marshal_NONE__NONE,
-			  GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
-  
-  
-  gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_minicard_signals, E_MINICARD_LAST_SIGNAL);
-  
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicard::width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_WIDTH); 
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicard::height", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
@@ -131,6 +113,8 @@ e_minicard_init (EMinicard *minicard)
   minicard->width = 10;
   minicard->height = 10;
   minicard->has_focus = FALSE;
+
+  e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(minicard), e_minicard_reflow);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -146,8 +130,8 @@ e_minicard_set_arg (GtkObject *o, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	case ARG_WIDTH:
 		if (e_minicard->width != GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg)) {
 			e_minicard->width = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-			_update_card(e_minicard);
-			gnome_canvas_item_request_update (item);
+			e_minicard_resize_children(e_minicard);
+			e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 		}
 	  break;
 	case ARG_HAS_FOCUS:
@@ -237,7 +221,7 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 	  gnome_canvas_item_new( group,
 				 e_text_get_type(),
 				 "anchor", GTK_ANCHOR_NW,
-				 "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard->width - 12 ),
+				 "width", (double) ( e_minicard->width - 12 ),
 				 "clip", TRUE,
 				 "use_ellipsis", TRUE,
 				 "font", "lucidasans-bold-10",
@@ -246,10 +230,6 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 				 NULL );
 	e_canvas_item_move_absolute(e_minicard->header_text, 6, 6);
 	
-	gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard->header_text),
-			   "resize",
-			   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-			   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	if ( rand() % 2 ) {
 		new_item = gnome_canvas_item_new( group,
 						  e_minicard_label_get_type(),
@@ -259,11 +239,6 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 						  NULL );
 		e_minicard->fields = g_list_append( e_minicard->fields, new_item);
 		e_canvas_item_move_absolute(new_item, 2, e_minicard->height);
-		
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(new_item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	}
 	
 	if (rand() % 2) {
@@ -275,11 +250,6 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 						  NULL );
 		e_minicard->fields = g_list_append( e_minicard->fields, new_item);
 		e_canvas_item_move_absolute(new_item, 2, e_minicard->height);
-		
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(new_item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	}
        
 	if (rand() % 2) {
@@ -291,13 +261,8 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 						  NULL );
 		e_minicard->fields = g_list_append( e_minicard->fields, new_item);
 		e_canvas_item_move_absolute(new_item, 2, e_minicard->height);
-		
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(new_item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	}
-	_update_card( e_minicard );
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	
 	if (!item->canvas->aa) {
 	}
@@ -402,8 +367,26 @@ e_minicard_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 }
 
 static void
-_update_card( EMinicard *e_minicard )
+e_minicard_resize_children( EMinicard *e_minicard )
+{
+	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
+		GList *list;
+		
+		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_text,
+				       "width", (double) e_minicard->width - 12,
+				       NULL );
+		for ( list = e_minicard->fields; list; list = g_list_next( list ) ) {
+			gnome_canvas_item_set( GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM( list->data ),
+					       "width", (double) e_minicard->width - 4.0,
+					       NULL );
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+static void
+e_minicard_reflow( GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags )
 {
+	EMinicard *e_minicard = E_MINICARD(item);
 	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
 		GList *list;
 		gdouble text_height;
@@ -421,10 +404,6 @@ _update_card( EMinicard *e_minicard )
 				       "y2", text_height + 9.0,
 				       NULL );
 		
-		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_text,
-				       "clip_height", (double)text_height,
-				       NULL );
-		
 		for(list = e_minicard->fields; list; list = g_list_next(list)) {
 			gtk_object_get (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
 					"height", &text_height,
@@ -445,22 +424,8 @@ _update_card( EMinicard *e_minicard )
 		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_rect,
 				       "x2", (double) e_minicard->width - 3.0,
 				       NULL );
-		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_text,
-				       "clip_width", (double) e_minicard->width - 12,
-				       NULL );
-		for ( list = e_minicard->fields; list; list = g_list_next( list ) ) {
-			gnome_canvas_item_set( GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM( list->data ),
-					       "width", (double) e_minicard->width - 4.0,
-					       NULL );
 
 		if (old_height != e_minicard->height)
-			gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (e_minicard), "resize");
-      }
-    }
-}
-
-static void
-_resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data )
-{
-	_update_card(E_MINICARD(data));
+			e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
+	}
 }
diff --git a/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-reflow.c b/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-reflow.c
index 984e972f0c..4af46bd4a4 100644
--- a/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-reflow.c
+++ b/addressbook/gui/minicard/e-reflow.c
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include <math.h>
 #include "e-reflow.h"
 #include "e-canvas-utils.h"
+#include "e-canvas.h"
 #include "e-util.h"
 static void e_reflow_init		(EReflow		 *card);
 static void e_reflow_class_init	(EReflowClass	 *klass);
@@ -36,10 +37,9 @@ static void e_reflow_draw (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkDrawable *drawable,
 				    int x, int y, int width, int height);
 static void e_reflow_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double affine[6], ArtSVP *clip_path, gint flags);
 static double e_reflow_point (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double x, double y, int cx, int cy, GnomeCanvasItem **actual_item);
+static void e_reflow_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags);
 
-static void _update_reflow ( EReflow *reflow );
-static void _resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data );
-static void _queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow);
+static void e_reflow_resize_children (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 
 #define E_REFLOW_DIVIDER_WIDTH 2
 #define E_REFLOW_BORDER_WIDTH 7
@@ -47,13 +47,6 @@ static void _queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow);
 
 static GnomeCanvasGroupClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
-enum {
-	E_REFLOW_RESIZE,
-	E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL
-};
-
-static guint e_reflow_signals[E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
-
 /* The arguments we take */
 enum {
 	ARG_0,
@@ -98,16 +91,6 @@ e_reflow_class_init (EReflowClass *klass)
 
   parent_class = gtk_type_class (gnome_canvas_group_get_type ());
   
-  e_reflow_signals[E_REFLOW_RESIZE] =
-	  gtk_signal_new ("resize",
-			  GTK_RUN_LAST,
-			  object_class->type,
-			  GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (EReflowClass, resize),
-			  gtk_marshal_NONE__NONE,
-			  GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
-
-  gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_reflow_signals, E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL);
-  
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EReflow::minimum_width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_MINIMUM_WIDTH); 
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EReflow::width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
@@ -149,6 +132,8 @@ e_reflow_init (EReflow *reflow)
   reflow->default_cursor_shown = TRUE;
   reflow->arrow_cursor = NULL;
   reflow->default_cursor = NULL;
+
+  e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(reflow), e_reflow_reflow);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -163,11 +148,11 @@ e_reflow_set_arg (GtkObject *o, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	switch (arg_id){
 	case ARG_HEIGHT:
 	  e_reflow->height = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-	  _queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+	  e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	  break;
 	case ARG_MINIMUM_WIDTH:
 		e_reflow->minimum_width = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-		_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 		break;
 	}
 }
@@ -214,17 +199,13 @@ e_reflow_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 
 	for(list = e_reflow->items; list; list = g_list_next(list)) {
 		GnomeCanvasItem *item = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(list->data);
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_reflow);
 		gnome_canvas_item_set(item,
 				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
 				      NULL);
 	}
 
-	_queue_reflow( e_reflow );
-
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
+	
 	adjustment = gtk_layout_get_hadjustment(GTK_LAYOUT(item->canvas));
 	adjustment->step_increment = (e_reflow->column_width + E_REFLOW_FULL_GUTTER) / 2;
 	adjustment->page_increment = adjustment->page_size - adjustment->step_increment;
@@ -365,11 +346,11 @@ e_reflow_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 					adjustment->step_increment = (e_reflow->column_width + E_REFLOW_FULL_GUTTER) / 2;
 					adjustment->page_increment = adjustment->page_size - adjustment->step_increment;
 					gtk_adjustment_changed(adjustment);
-					_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
-				} else {
-					e_reflow->need_column_resize = TRUE;
-					gnome_canvas_item_request_update(item);
+					e_reflow_resize_children(item);
+					e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 				}
+				e_reflow->need_column_resize = TRUE;
+				gnome_canvas_item_request_update(item);
 				gnome_canvas_item_ungrab (item, button->time);
 				return TRUE;
 			}
@@ -452,14 +433,10 @@ e_reflow_add_item(EReflow *e_reflow, GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 {
 	e_reflow->items = g_list_append(e_reflow->items, item);
 	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_reflow ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_reflow);
 		gnome_canvas_item_set(item,
 				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
 				      NULL);
-		_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	}
 
 }
@@ -621,6 +598,21 @@ e_reflow_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double affine[6], ArtSVP *clip_path, gin
 	}
 }
 
+static void
+e_reflow_resize_children (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
+{
+	GList *list;
+	EReflow *e_reflow;
+
+	e_reflow = E_REFLOW (item);
+	for ( list = e_reflow->items; list; list = list->next ) {
+		GnomeCanvasItem *child = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(list->data);
+		gnome_canvas_item_set(child,
+				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
+				      NULL);
+	}
+}
+
 static double
 e_reflow_point (GnomeCanvasItem *item,
 		double x, double y, int cx, int cy,
@@ -696,8 +688,9 @@ _reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 }
 
 static void
-_update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
+e_reflow_reflow( GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags )
 {
+	EReflow *e_reflow = E_REFLOW(item);
 	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_reflow ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
 
 		gdouble old_width;
@@ -719,9 +712,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 			running_height = E_REFLOW_BORDER_WIDTH;
 			
 			list = e_reflow->items;
-			gtk_object_set (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
-					"width", e_reflow->column_width,
-					NULL);
 			gtk_object_get (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
 					"height", &item_height,
 					NULL);
@@ -733,9 +723,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 			list = g_list_next(list);
 			
 			for( ; list; list = g_list_next(list)) {
-				gtk_object_set (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
-						"width", e_reflow->column_width,
-						NULL);
 				gtk_object_get (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
 						"height", &item_height,
 						NULL);
@@ -757,31 +744,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 		if ( e_reflow->width < e_reflow->minimum_width )
 			e_reflow->width = e_reflow->minimum_width;
 		if (old_width != e_reflow->width)
-			gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (e_reflow), "resize");
+			e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
 	}
 }
-
-
-static gboolean
-_idle_reflow(gpointer data)
-{
-	EReflow *e_reflow = E_REFLOW(data);
-	_update_reflow(e_reflow);
-	e_reflow->need_height_update = TRUE;
-	gnome_canvas_item_request_update(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(e_reflow));
-	e_reflow->idle = 0;
-	return FALSE;
-}
-
-static void
-_queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow)
-{
-	if (e_reflow->idle == 0)
-		e_reflow->idle = g_idle_add(_idle_reflow, e_reflow);
-}
-
-static void
-_resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data )
-{
-	_queue_reflow(E_REFLOW(data));
-}
diff --git a/addressbook/gui/minicard/test-reflow.c b/addressbook/gui/minicard/test-reflow.c
index 319a3f5626..8cedbaac28 100644
--- a/addressbook/gui/minicard/test-reflow.c
+++ b/addressbook/gui/minicard/test-reflow.c
@@ -55,14 +55,14 @@ static void allocate_callback(GtkWidget *canvas, GtkAllocation *allocation, gpoi
 			 NULL );
 }
 
-static void resize(GnomeCanvasItem *item, gpointer data)
+static void resize(GnomeCanvas *canvas, gpointer data)
 {
 	double width;
 	gtk_object_get(GTK_OBJECT(reflow),
-		 "width", &width,
+		       "width", &width,
 		       NULL);
 	width = MAX(width, last_alloc.width);
-	gnome_canvas_set_scroll_region(item->canvas , 0, 0, width, last_alloc.height );
+	gnome_canvas_set_scroll_region(canvas , 0, 0, width, last_alloc.height );
 	gnome_canvas_item_set( rect,
 			       "x2", (double) width,
 			       "y2", (double) last_alloc.height,
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
 				  "height", (double) 100,
 				  "minimum_width", (double) 100,
 				  NULL );
-  gtk_signal_connect( GTK_OBJECT( reflow ), "resize",
+  gtk_signal_connect( GTK_OBJECT( canvas ), "reflow",
 		      GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC( resize ),
 		      ( gpointer ) app);
   for ( i = 0; i < 200; i++ )
diff --git a/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard-label.c b/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard-label.c
index 3f6a80a890..25f7f939fc 100644
--- a/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard-label.c
+++ b/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard-label.c
@@ -33,19 +33,12 @@ static void e_minicard_label_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_
 static gboolean e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event);
 static void e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 static void e_minicard_label_unrealize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
+static void e_minicard_label_reflow(GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags);
 
-static void update_label( EMinicardLabel *minicard_label );
-static void resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data );
+static void e_minicard_label_resize_children( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label );
 
 static GnomeCanvasGroupClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
-enum {
-	E_MINICARD_LABEL_RESIZE,
-	E_MINICARD_LABEL_LAST_SIGNAL
-};
-
-static guint e_minicard_label_signals[E_MINICARD_LABEL_LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
-
 /* The arguments we take */
 enum {
 	ARG_0,
@@ -92,17 +85,6 @@ e_minicard_label_class_init (EMinicardLabelClass *klass)
 
   parent_class = gtk_type_class (gnome_canvas_group_get_type ());
   
-  e_minicard_label_signals[E_MINICARD_LABEL_RESIZE] =
-	  gtk_signal_new ("resize",
-			  GTK_RUN_LAST,
-			  object_class->type,
-			  GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (EMinicardLabelClass, resize),
-			  gtk_marshal_NONE__NONE,
-			  GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
-  
-  
-  gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_minicard_label_signals, E_MINICARD_LABEL_LAST_SIGNAL);
-  
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicardLabel::width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_WIDTH); 
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicardLabel::height", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
@@ -113,8 +95,6 @@ e_minicard_label_class_init (EMinicardLabelClass *klass)
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_FIELD);
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicardLabel::fieldname", GTK_TYPE_STRING, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_FIELDNAME);
-
-  klass->resize = NULL;
  
   object_class->set_arg = e_minicard_label_set_arg;
   object_class->get_arg = e_minicard_label_get_arg;
@@ -136,6 +116,8 @@ e_minicard_label_init (EMinicardLabel *minicard_label)
   minicard_label->field = NULL;
   minicard_label->fieldname_text = NULL;
   minicard_label->field_text = NULL;
+
+  e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(minicard_label), e_minicard_label_reflow);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -150,8 +132,8 @@ e_minicard_label_set_arg (GtkObject *o, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	switch (arg_id){
 	case ARG_WIDTH:
 	  e_minicard_label->width = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-	  update_label( e_minicard_label );
-	  gnome_canvas_item_request_update (item);
+	  e_minicard_label_resize_children(e_minicard_label);
+	  e_canvas_item_request_reflow (item);
 	  break;
 	case ARG_HAS_FOCUS:
 		if (e_minicard_label->field && (GTK_VALUE_ENUM(*arg) != E_FOCUS_NONE))
@@ -241,7 +223,6 @@ e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 				 e_text_get_type(),
 				 "anchor", GTK_ANCHOR_NW,
 				 "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 - 4 ),
-				 "clip_height", (double) 1,
 				 "clip", TRUE,
 				 "use_ellipsis", TRUE,
 				 "font_gdk", font,
@@ -255,17 +236,12 @@ e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 				   NULL );
 	    g_free( e_minicard_label->fieldname_text );
 	  }
-	gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->fieldname),
-			   "resize",
-			   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(resize),
-			   (gpointer) e_minicard_label);
 
 	e_minicard_label->field =
 	  gnome_canvas_item_new( group,
 				 e_text_get_type(),
 				 "anchor", GTK_ANCHOR_NW,
 				 "clip_width", (double) ( ( e_minicard_label->width + 1 ) / 2 - 4 ),
-				 "clip_height", (double) 1,
 				 "clip", TRUE,
 				 "use_ellipsis", TRUE,
 				 "font_gdk", font,
@@ -281,12 +257,7 @@ e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 	    g_free( e_minicard_label->field_text );
 	  }
 
-	gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->field),
-			   "resize",
-			   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(resize),
-			   (gpointer) e_minicard_label);
-
-	update_label (e_minicard_label);
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	
 	if (!item->canvas->aa)
 	  {
@@ -344,10 +315,11 @@ e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
     case GDK_MOTION_NOTIFY:
     case GDK_ENTER_NOTIFY:
     case GDK_LEAVE_NOTIFY: {
+	    gboolean return_val;
+#if 0
 	    GnomeCanvasItem *field;
 	    ArtPoint p;
 	    double inv[6], affine[6];
-	    gboolean return_val;
 	    
 	    field = e_minicard_label->field;
 	    art_affine_identity (affine);
@@ -389,7 +361,7 @@ e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 	    default:
 		    break;
 	    }
-	    
+#endif	    
 	    gtk_signal_emit_by_name(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->field), "event", event, &return_val);
 	    return return_val;
 	    break;
@@ -405,8 +377,22 @@ e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 }
 
 static void
-update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
+e_minicard_label_resize_children(EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label)
 {
+	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard_label ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
+		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->fieldname,
+				       "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 - 4 ),
+				       NULL );
+		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->field,
+				       "clip_width", (double) ( ( e_minicard_label->width + 1 ) / 2 - 4 ),
+				       NULL );
+	}
+}
+
+static void
+e_minicard_label_reflow(GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags)
+{
+	EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label = E_MINICARD_LABEL(item);
   if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard_label ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED )
     {
 	    gint old_height;
@@ -416,9 +402,6 @@ update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
 	    gtk_object_get(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->fieldname), 
 			   "text_height", &text_height,
 			   NULL);
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set(e_minicard_label->fieldname,
-				  "clip_height", (double) text_height,
-				  NULL);
 
 	    e_minicard_label->height = text_height;
 
@@ -426,9 +409,6 @@ update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
 	    gtk_object_get(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->field), 
 			   "text_height", &text_height,
 			   NULL);
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set(e_minicard_label->field,
-				  "clip_height", (double) text_height,
-				  NULL);
 
 	    if (e_minicard_label->height < text_height)
 		    e_minicard_label->height = text_height;
@@ -438,24 +418,10 @@ update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
 				   "x2", (double) e_minicard_label->width - 1,
 				   "y2", (double) e_minicard_label->height - 1,
 				   NULL );
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->fieldname,
-				   "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 - 4 ),
-				   NULL );
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->field,
-				   "clip_width", (double) ( ( e_minicard_label->width + 1 ) / 2 - 4 ),
-				   NULL );
 	    e_canvas_item_move_absolute(e_minicard_label->field, ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 + 2), 1);
 
 	    if (old_height != e_minicard_label->height)
-		    gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (e_minicard_label), "resize");
+		    e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
 	    
     }
 }
-
-
-static void 
-resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data )
-{
-	update_label(E_MINICARD_LABEL(data));
-}
-
diff --git a/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard-label.h b/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard-label.h
index 3311e3c9af..b439c53f9d 100644
--- a/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard-label.h
+++ b/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard-label.h
@@ -69,8 +69,6 @@ struct _EMinicardLabel
 struct _EMinicardLabelClass
 {
 	GnomeCanvasGroupClass parent_class;
-
-	void (* resize) (EMinicardLabel *text);
 };
 
 
diff --git a/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard.c b/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard.c
index b8d25f5dc6..79668b6507 100644
--- a/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard.c
+++ b/addressbook/gui/widgets/e-minicard.c
@@ -34,19 +34,12 @@ static void e_minicard_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id);
 static gboolean e_minicard_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event);
 static void e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 static void e_minicard_unrealize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
+static void e_minicard_reflow ( GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags );
 
-static void _update_card ( EMinicard *minicard );
-static void _resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data );
+static void e_minicard_resize_children( EMinicard *e_minicard );
 
 static GnomeCanvasGroupClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
-enum {
-	E_MINICARD_RESIZE,
-	E_MINICARD_LAST_SIGNAL
-};
-
-static guint e_minicard_signals[E_MINICARD_LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
-
 /* The arguments we take */
 enum {
 	ARG_0,
@@ -92,17 +85,6 @@ e_minicard_class_init (EMinicardClass *klass)
 
   parent_class = gtk_type_class (gnome_canvas_group_get_type ());
   
-  e_minicard_signals[E_MINICARD_RESIZE] =
-	  gtk_signal_new ("resize",
-			  GTK_RUN_LAST,
-			  object_class->type,
-			  GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (EMinicardClass, resize),
-			  gtk_marshal_NONE__NONE,
-			  GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
-  
-  
-  gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_minicard_signals, E_MINICARD_LAST_SIGNAL);
-  
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicard::width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_WIDTH); 
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicard::height", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
@@ -131,6 +113,8 @@ e_minicard_init (EMinicard *minicard)
   minicard->width = 10;
   minicard->height = 10;
   minicard->has_focus = FALSE;
+
+  e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(minicard), e_minicard_reflow);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -146,8 +130,8 @@ e_minicard_set_arg (GtkObject *o, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	case ARG_WIDTH:
 		if (e_minicard->width != GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg)) {
 			e_minicard->width = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-			_update_card(e_minicard);
-			gnome_canvas_item_request_update (item);
+			e_minicard_resize_children(e_minicard);
+			e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 		}
 	  break;
 	case ARG_HAS_FOCUS:
@@ -237,7 +221,7 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 	  gnome_canvas_item_new( group,
 				 e_text_get_type(),
 				 "anchor", GTK_ANCHOR_NW,
-				 "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard->width - 12 ),
+				 "width", (double) ( e_minicard->width - 12 ),
 				 "clip", TRUE,
 				 "use_ellipsis", TRUE,
 				 "font", "lucidasans-bold-10",
@@ -246,10 +230,6 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 				 NULL );
 	e_canvas_item_move_absolute(e_minicard->header_text, 6, 6);
 	
-	gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard->header_text),
-			   "resize",
-			   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-			   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	if ( rand() % 2 ) {
 		new_item = gnome_canvas_item_new( group,
 						  e_minicard_label_get_type(),
@@ -259,11 +239,6 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 						  NULL );
 		e_minicard->fields = g_list_append( e_minicard->fields, new_item);
 		e_canvas_item_move_absolute(new_item, 2, e_minicard->height);
-		
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(new_item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	}
 	
 	if (rand() % 2) {
@@ -275,11 +250,6 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 						  NULL );
 		e_minicard->fields = g_list_append( e_minicard->fields, new_item);
 		e_canvas_item_move_absolute(new_item, 2, e_minicard->height);
-		
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(new_item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	}
        
 	if (rand() % 2) {
@@ -291,13 +261,8 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 						  NULL );
 		e_minicard->fields = g_list_append( e_minicard->fields, new_item);
 		e_canvas_item_move_absolute(new_item, 2, e_minicard->height);
-		
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(new_item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	}
-	_update_card( e_minicard );
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	
 	if (!item->canvas->aa) {
 	}
@@ -402,8 +367,26 @@ e_minicard_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 }
 
 static void
-_update_card( EMinicard *e_minicard )
+e_minicard_resize_children( EMinicard *e_minicard )
+{
+	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
+		GList *list;
+		
+		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_text,
+				       "width", (double) e_minicard->width - 12,
+				       NULL );
+		for ( list = e_minicard->fields; list; list = g_list_next( list ) ) {
+			gnome_canvas_item_set( GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM( list->data ),
+					       "width", (double) e_minicard->width - 4.0,
+					       NULL );
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+static void
+e_minicard_reflow( GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags )
 {
+	EMinicard *e_minicard = E_MINICARD(item);
 	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
 		GList *list;
 		gdouble text_height;
@@ -421,10 +404,6 @@ _update_card( EMinicard *e_minicard )
 				       "y2", text_height + 9.0,
 				       NULL );
 		
-		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_text,
-				       "clip_height", (double)text_height,
-				       NULL );
-		
 		for(list = e_minicard->fields; list; list = g_list_next(list)) {
 			gtk_object_get (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
 					"height", &text_height,
@@ -445,22 +424,8 @@ _update_card( EMinicard *e_minicard )
 		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_rect,
 				       "x2", (double) e_minicard->width - 3.0,
 				       NULL );
-		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_text,
-				       "clip_width", (double) e_minicard->width - 12,
-				       NULL );
-		for ( list = e_minicard->fields; list; list = g_list_next( list ) ) {
-			gnome_canvas_item_set( GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM( list->data ),
-					       "width", (double) e_minicard->width - 4.0,
-					       NULL );
 
 		if (old_height != e_minicard->height)
-			gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (e_minicard), "resize");
-      }
-    }
-}
-
-static void
-_resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data )
-{
-	_update_card(E_MINICARD(data));
+			e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
+	}
 }
diff --git a/addressbook/gui/widgets/test-reflow.c b/addressbook/gui/widgets/test-reflow.c
index 319a3f5626..8cedbaac28 100644
--- a/addressbook/gui/widgets/test-reflow.c
+++ b/addressbook/gui/widgets/test-reflow.c
@@ -55,14 +55,14 @@ static void allocate_callback(GtkWidget *canvas, GtkAllocation *allocation, gpoi
 			 NULL );
 }
 
-static void resize(GnomeCanvasItem *item, gpointer data)
+static void resize(GnomeCanvas *canvas, gpointer data)
 {
 	double width;
 	gtk_object_get(GTK_OBJECT(reflow),
-		 "width", &width,
+		       "width", &width,
 		       NULL);
 	width = MAX(width, last_alloc.width);
-	gnome_canvas_set_scroll_region(item->canvas , 0, 0, width, last_alloc.height );
+	gnome_canvas_set_scroll_region(canvas , 0, 0, width, last_alloc.height );
 	gnome_canvas_item_set( rect,
 			       "x2", (double) width,
 			       "y2", (double) last_alloc.height,
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
 				  "height", (double) 100,
 				  "minimum_width", (double) 100,
 				  NULL );
-  gtk_signal_connect( GTK_OBJECT( reflow ), "resize",
+  gtk_signal_connect( GTK_OBJECT( canvas ), "reflow",
 		      GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC( resize ),
 		      ( gpointer ) app);
   for ( i = 0; i < 200; i++ )
diff --git a/e-util/e-canvas.c b/e-util/e-canvas.c
index 850e438386..68f1b0f9f3 100644
--- a/e-util/e-canvas.c
+++ b/e-util/e-canvas.c
@@ -36,6 +36,13 @@ static int emit_event (GnomeCanvas *canvas, GdkEvent *event);
 
 static GnomeCanvasClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
+enum {
+	REFLOW,
+	LAST_SIGNAL
+};
+
+static guint e_canvas_signals [LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0, };
+
 GtkType
 e_canvas_get_type (void)
 {
@@ -78,6 +85,18 @@ e_canvas_class_init (ECanvasClass *klass)
 	widget_class->key_release_event = e_canvas_key;
 	widget_class->focus_in_event = e_canvas_focus_in;
 	widget_class->focus_out_event = e_canvas_focus_out;
+
+	klass->reflow = NULL;
+
+	e_canvas_signals [REFLOW] =
+		gtk_signal_new ("reflow",
+				GTK_RUN_LAST,
+				object_class->type,
+				GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (ECanvasClass, reflow),
+				gtk_marshal_NONE__INT_INT,
+				GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
+
+	gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_canvas_signals, LAST_SIGNAL);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -299,3 +318,101 @@ e_canvas_focus_out (GtkWidget *widget, GdkEventFocus *event)
 	else
 		return FALSE;
 }
+
+
+static void
+e_canvas_item_invoke_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags)
+{
+	GnomeCanvasGroup *group;
+	GList *list;
+	GnomeCanvasItem *child;
+	if ( ! gtk_object_get_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::descendent_needs_reflow") )
+		return;
+
+	if ( GNOME_IS_CANVAS_GROUP( item ) ) {
+		group = GNOME_CANVAS_GROUP( item );
+		for ( list = group->item_list; list; list = list->next ) {
+			child = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(list->data);
+			e_canvas_item_invoke_update(child, flags);
+		}
+	}
+
+	if ( gtk_object_get_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::needs_reflow") ) {
+		ECanvasItemReflowFunc func = gtk_object_get_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::reflow_callback");
+		if ( func )
+			func(item, flags);
+	}
+
+	gtk_object_set_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::needs_reflow", (gpointer) 0);
+	gtk_object_set_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::descendent_needs_reflow", (gpointer) 0);
+}
+
+static void
+do_update (ECanvas *canvas)
+{
+	e_canvas_item_invoke_update (GNOME_CANVAS(canvas)->root, 0);
+}
+
+/* Idle handler for the canvas.  It deals with pending updates and redraws. */
+static gint
+idle_handler (gpointer data)
+{
+	ECanvas *canvas;
+
+	GDK_THREADS_ENTER ();
+
+	canvas = E_CANVAS (data);
+	do_update (canvas);
+
+	/* Reset idle id */
+	canvas->idle_id = 0;
+
+	gtk_signal_emit (GTK_OBJECT (canvas),
+			 e_canvas_signals [REFLOW]);
+
+	GDK_THREADS_LEAVE ();
+
+	return FALSE;
+}
+
+/* Convenience function to add an idle handler to a canvas */
+static void
+add_idle (ECanvas *canvas)
+{
+	if (canvas->idle_id != 0)
+		return;
+
+	canvas->idle_id = g_idle_add_full (G_PRIORITY_HIGH_IDLE, idle_handler, (gpointer) canvas, NULL);
+}
+
+static void
+e_canvas_item_descendent_needs_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
+{
+	if ( gtk_object_get_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::descendent_needs_reflow") )
+		return;
+	gtk_object_set_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::descendent_needs_reflow", (gpointer) 1);
+	if ( item->parent )
+		e_canvas_item_descendent_needs_reflow(item->parent);
+}
+
+void
+e_canvas_item_request_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
+{
+	gtk_object_set_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::needs_reflow", (gpointer) 1);
+	e_canvas_item_descendent_needs_reflow(item);
+	add_idle(E_CANVAS(item->canvas));
+}
+
+void
+e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
+{
+	g_return_if_fail(item != NULL);
+	g_return_if_fail(GNOME_IS_CANVAS_ITEM(item));
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item->parent);
+}
+
+void
+e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback (GnomeCanvasItem *item, ECanvasItemReflowFunc func)
+{
+	gtk_object_set_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::reflow_callback", (gpointer) func);
+}
diff --git a/e-util/e-canvas.h b/e-util/e-canvas.h
index 0ece5ae3b4..e70957b6d7 100644
--- a/e-util/e-canvas.h
+++ b/e-util/e-canvas.h
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ extern "C" {
 #define E_IS_CANVAS(obj)		(GTK_CHECK_TYPE ((obj), E_CANVAS_TYPE))
 #define E_IS_CANVAS_CLASS(klass)	(GTK_CHECK_CLASS_TYPE ((obj), E_CANVAS_TYPE))
 
+typedef void		(*ECanvasItemReflowFunc)		(GnomeCanvasItem *item,
+								 gint   	  flags);
 
 typedef struct _ECanvas       ECanvas;
 typedef struct _ECanvasClass  ECanvasClass;
@@ -46,12 +48,13 @@ struct _ECanvas
 {
 	GnomeCanvas parent;
 	
-	/* item specific fields */
+	int         idle_id;	
 };
 
 struct _ECanvasClass
 {
 	GnomeCanvasClass parent_class;
+	void (* reflow) (ECanvas *canvas);
 };
 
 
@@ -63,6 +66,10 @@ GtkWidget *e_canvas_new      (void);
  */
 void e_canvas_item_grab_focus (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 
+void e_canvas_item_request_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
+void e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
+void e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback (GnomeCanvasItem *item, ECanvasItemReflowFunc func);
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif /* __cplusplus */
diff --git a/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.c b/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.c
index 3f6a80a890..25f7f939fc 100644
--- a/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.c
+++ b/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.c
@@ -33,19 +33,12 @@ static void e_minicard_label_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_
 static gboolean e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event);
 static void e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 static void e_minicard_label_unrealize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
+static void e_minicard_label_reflow(GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags);
 
-static void update_label( EMinicardLabel *minicard_label );
-static void resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data );
+static void e_minicard_label_resize_children( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label );
 
 static GnomeCanvasGroupClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
-enum {
-	E_MINICARD_LABEL_RESIZE,
-	E_MINICARD_LABEL_LAST_SIGNAL
-};
-
-static guint e_minicard_label_signals[E_MINICARD_LABEL_LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
-
 /* The arguments we take */
 enum {
 	ARG_0,
@@ -92,17 +85,6 @@ e_minicard_label_class_init (EMinicardLabelClass *klass)
 
   parent_class = gtk_type_class (gnome_canvas_group_get_type ());
   
-  e_minicard_label_signals[E_MINICARD_LABEL_RESIZE] =
-	  gtk_signal_new ("resize",
-			  GTK_RUN_LAST,
-			  object_class->type,
-			  GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (EMinicardLabelClass, resize),
-			  gtk_marshal_NONE__NONE,
-			  GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
-  
-  
-  gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_minicard_label_signals, E_MINICARD_LABEL_LAST_SIGNAL);
-  
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicardLabel::width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_WIDTH); 
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicardLabel::height", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
@@ -113,8 +95,6 @@ e_minicard_label_class_init (EMinicardLabelClass *klass)
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_FIELD);
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicardLabel::fieldname", GTK_TYPE_STRING, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_FIELDNAME);
-
-  klass->resize = NULL;
  
   object_class->set_arg = e_minicard_label_set_arg;
   object_class->get_arg = e_minicard_label_get_arg;
@@ -136,6 +116,8 @@ e_minicard_label_init (EMinicardLabel *minicard_label)
   minicard_label->field = NULL;
   minicard_label->fieldname_text = NULL;
   minicard_label->field_text = NULL;
+
+  e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(minicard_label), e_minicard_label_reflow);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -150,8 +132,8 @@ e_minicard_label_set_arg (GtkObject *o, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	switch (arg_id){
 	case ARG_WIDTH:
 	  e_minicard_label->width = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-	  update_label( e_minicard_label );
-	  gnome_canvas_item_request_update (item);
+	  e_minicard_label_resize_children(e_minicard_label);
+	  e_canvas_item_request_reflow (item);
 	  break;
 	case ARG_HAS_FOCUS:
 		if (e_minicard_label->field && (GTK_VALUE_ENUM(*arg) != E_FOCUS_NONE))
@@ -241,7 +223,6 @@ e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 				 e_text_get_type(),
 				 "anchor", GTK_ANCHOR_NW,
 				 "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 - 4 ),
-				 "clip_height", (double) 1,
 				 "clip", TRUE,
 				 "use_ellipsis", TRUE,
 				 "font_gdk", font,
@@ -255,17 +236,12 @@ e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 				   NULL );
 	    g_free( e_minicard_label->fieldname_text );
 	  }
-	gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->fieldname),
-			   "resize",
-			   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(resize),
-			   (gpointer) e_minicard_label);
 
 	e_minicard_label->field =
 	  gnome_canvas_item_new( group,
 				 e_text_get_type(),
 				 "anchor", GTK_ANCHOR_NW,
 				 "clip_width", (double) ( ( e_minicard_label->width + 1 ) / 2 - 4 ),
-				 "clip_height", (double) 1,
 				 "clip", TRUE,
 				 "use_ellipsis", TRUE,
 				 "font_gdk", font,
@@ -281,12 +257,7 @@ e_minicard_label_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 	    g_free( e_minicard_label->field_text );
 	  }
 
-	gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->field),
-			   "resize",
-			   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(resize),
-			   (gpointer) e_minicard_label);
-
-	update_label (e_minicard_label);
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	
 	if (!item->canvas->aa)
 	  {
@@ -344,10 +315,11 @@ e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
     case GDK_MOTION_NOTIFY:
     case GDK_ENTER_NOTIFY:
     case GDK_LEAVE_NOTIFY: {
+	    gboolean return_val;
+#if 0
 	    GnomeCanvasItem *field;
 	    ArtPoint p;
 	    double inv[6], affine[6];
-	    gboolean return_val;
 	    
 	    field = e_minicard_label->field;
 	    art_affine_identity (affine);
@@ -389,7 +361,7 @@ e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 	    default:
 		    break;
 	    }
-	    
+#endif	    
 	    gtk_signal_emit_by_name(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->field), "event", event, &return_val);
 	    return return_val;
 	    break;
@@ -405,8 +377,22 @@ e_minicard_label_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 }
 
 static void
-update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
+e_minicard_label_resize_children(EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label)
 {
+	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard_label ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
+		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->fieldname,
+				       "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 - 4 ),
+				       NULL );
+		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->field,
+				       "clip_width", (double) ( ( e_minicard_label->width + 1 ) / 2 - 4 ),
+				       NULL );
+	}
+}
+
+static void
+e_minicard_label_reflow(GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags)
+{
+	EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label = E_MINICARD_LABEL(item);
   if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard_label ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED )
     {
 	    gint old_height;
@@ -416,9 +402,6 @@ update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
 	    gtk_object_get(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->fieldname), 
 			   "text_height", &text_height,
 			   NULL);
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set(e_minicard_label->fieldname,
-				  "clip_height", (double) text_height,
-				  NULL);
 
 	    e_minicard_label->height = text_height;
 
@@ -426,9 +409,6 @@ update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
 	    gtk_object_get(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard_label->field), 
 			   "text_height", &text_height,
 			   NULL);
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set(e_minicard_label->field,
-				  "clip_height", (double) text_height,
-				  NULL);
 
 	    if (e_minicard_label->height < text_height)
 		    e_minicard_label->height = text_height;
@@ -438,24 +418,10 @@ update_label( EMinicardLabel *e_minicard_label )
 				   "x2", (double) e_minicard_label->width - 1,
 				   "y2", (double) e_minicard_label->height - 1,
 				   NULL );
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->fieldname,
-				   "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 - 4 ),
-				   NULL );
-	    gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard_label->field,
-				   "clip_width", (double) ( ( e_minicard_label->width + 1 ) / 2 - 4 ),
-				   NULL );
 	    e_canvas_item_move_absolute(e_minicard_label->field, ( e_minicard_label->width / 2 + 2), 1);
 
 	    if (old_height != e_minicard_label->height)
-		    gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (e_minicard_label), "resize");
+		    e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
 	    
     }
 }
-
-
-static void 
-resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data )
-{
-	update_label(E_MINICARD_LABEL(data));
-}
-
diff --git a/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.h b/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.h
index 3311e3c9af..b439c53f9d 100644
--- a/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.h
+++ b/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard-label.h
@@ -69,8 +69,6 @@ struct _EMinicardLabel
 struct _EMinicardLabelClass
 {
 	GnomeCanvasGroupClass parent_class;
-
-	void (* resize) (EMinicardLabel *text);
 };
 
 
diff --git a/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard.c b/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard.c
index b8d25f5dc6..79668b6507 100644
--- a/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard.c
+++ b/widgets/e-minicard/e-minicard.c
@@ -34,19 +34,12 @@ static void e_minicard_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id);
 static gboolean e_minicard_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event);
 static void e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 static void e_minicard_unrealize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
+static void e_minicard_reflow ( GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags );
 
-static void _update_card ( EMinicard *minicard );
-static void _resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data );
+static void e_minicard_resize_children( EMinicard *e_minicard );
 
 static GnomeCanvasGroupClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
-enum {
-	E_MINICARD_RESIZE,
-	E_MINICARD_LAST_SIGNAL
-};
-
-static guint e_minicard_signals[E_MINICARD_LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
-
 /* The arguments we take */
 enum {
 	ARG_0,
@@ -92,17 +85,6 @@ e_minicard_class_init (EMinicardClass *klass)
 
   parent_class = gtk_type_class (gnome_canvas_group_get_type ());
   
-  e_minicard_signals[E_MINICARD_RESIZE] =
-	  gtk_signal_new ("resize",
-			  GTK_RUN_LAST,
-			  object_class->type,
-			  GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (EMinicardClass, resize),
-			  gtk_marshal_NONE__NONE,
-			  GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
-  
-  
-  gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_minicard_signals, E_MINICARD_LAST_SIGNAL);
-  
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicard::width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_WIDTH); 
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EMinicard::height", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
@@ -131,6 +113,8 @@ e_minicard_init (EMinicard *minicard)
   minicard->width = 10;
   minicard->height = 10;
   minicard->has_focus = FALSE;
+
+  e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(minicard), e_minicard_reflow);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -146,8 +130,8 @@ e_minicard_set_arg (GtkObject *o, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	case ARG_WIDTH:
 		if (e_minicard->width != GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg)) {
 			e_minicard->width = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-			_update_card(e_minicard);
-			gnome_canvas_item_request_update (item);
+			e_minicard_resize_children(e_minicard);
+			e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 		}
 	  break;
 	case ARG_HAS_FOCUS:
@@ -237,7 +221,7 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 	  gnome_canvas_item_new( group,
 				 e_text_get_type(),
 				 "anchor", GTK_ANCHOR_NW,
-				 "clip_width", (double) ( e_minicard->width - 12 ),
+				 "width", (double) ( e_minicard->width - 12 ),
 				 "clip", TRUE,
 				 "use_ellipsis", TRUE,
 				 "font", "lucidasans-bold-10",
@@ -246,10 +230,6 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 				 NULL );
 	e_canvas_item_move_absolute(e_minicard->header_text, 6, 6);
 	
-	gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(e_minicard->header_text),
-			   "resize",
-			   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-			   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	if ( rand() % 2 ) {
 		new_item = gnome_canvas_item_new( group,
 						  e_minicard_label_get_type(),
@@ -259,11 +239,6 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 						  NULL );
 		e_minicard->fields = g_list_append( e_minicard->fields, new_item);
 		e_canvas_item_move_absolute(new_item, 2, e_minicard->height);
-		
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(new_item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	}
 	
 	if (rand() % 2) {
@@ -275,11 +250,6 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 						  NULL );
 		e_minicard->fields = g_list_append( e_minicard->fields, new_item);
 		e_canvas_item_move_absolute(new_item, 2, e_minicard->height);
-		
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(new_item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	}
        
 	if (rand() % 2) {
@@ -291,13 +261,8 @@ e_minicard_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 						  NULL );
 		e_minicard->fields = g_list_append( e_minicard->fields, new_item);
 		e_canvas_item_move_absolute(new_item, 2, e_minicard->height);
-		
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(new_item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_minicard);
 	}
-	_update_card( e_minicard );
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	
 	if (!item->canvas->aa) {
 	}
@@ -402,8 +367,26 @@ e_minicard_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 }
 
 static void
-_update_card( EMinicard *e_minicard )
+e_minicard_resize_children( EMinicard *e_minicard )
+{
+	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
+		GList *list;
+		
+		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_text,
+				       "width", (double) e_minicard->width - 12,
+				       NULL );
+		for ( list = e_minicard->fields; list; list = g_list_next( list ) ) {
+			gnome_canvas_item_set( GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM( list->data ),
+					       "width", (double) e_minicard->width - 4.0,
+					       NULL );
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+static void
+e_minicard_reflow( GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags )
 {
+	EMinicard *e_minicard = E_MINICARD(item);
 	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_minicard ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
 		GList *list;
 		gdouble text_height;
@@ -421,10 +404,6 @@ _update_card( EMinicard *e_minicard )
 				       "y2", text_height + 9.0,
 				       NULL );
 		
-		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_text,
-				       "clip_height", (double)text_height,
-				       NULL );
-		
 		for(list = e_minicard->fields; list; list = g_list_next(list)) {
 			gtk_object_get (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
 					"height", &text_height,
@@ -445,22 +424,8 @@ _update_card( EMinicard *e_minicard )
 		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_rect,
 				       "x2", (double) e_minicard->width - 3.0,
 				       NULL );
-		gnome_canvas_item_set( e_minicard->header_text,
-				       "clip_width", (double) e_minicard->width - 12,
-				       NULL );
-		for ( list = e_minicard->fields; list; list = g_list_next( list ) ) {
-			gnome_canvas_item_set( GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM( list->data ),
-					       "width", (double) e_minicard->width - 4.0,
-					       NULL );
 
 		if (old_height != e_minicard->height)
-			gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (e_minicard), "resize");
-      }
-    }
-}
-
-static void
-_resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data )
-{
-	_update_card(E_MINICARD(data));
+			e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
+	}
 }
diff --git a/widgets/e-minicard/e-reflow.c b/widgets/e-minicard/e-reflow.c
index 984e972f0c..4af46bd4a4 100644
--- a/widgets/e-minicard/e-reflow.c
+++ b/widgets/e-minicard/e-reflow.c
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include <math.h>
 #include "e-reflow.h"
 #include "e-canvas-utils.h"
+#include "e-canvas.h"
 #include "e-util.h"
 static void e_reflow_init		(EReflow		 *card);
 static void e_reflow_class_init	(EReflowClass	 *klass);
@@ -36,10 +37,9 @@ static void e_reflow_draw (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkDrawable *drawable,
 				    int x, int y, int width, int height);
 static void e_reflow_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double affine[6], ArtSVP *clip_path, gint flags);
 static double e_reflow_point (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double x, double y, int cx, int cy, GnomeCanvasItem **actual_item);
+static void e_reflow_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags);
 
-static void _update_reflow ( EReflow *reflow );
-static void _resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data );
-static void _queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow);
+static void e_reflow_resize_children (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 
 #define E_REFLOW_DIVIDER_WIDTH 2
 #define E_REFLOW_BORDER_WIDTH 7
@@ -47,13 +47,6 @@ static void _queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow);
 
 static GnomeCanvasGroupClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
-enum {
-	E_REFLOW_RESIZE,
-	E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL
-};
-
-static guint e_reflow_signals[E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
-
 /* The arguments we take */
 enum {
 	ARG_0,
@@ -98,16 +91,6 @@ e_reflow_class_init (EReflowClass *klass)
 
   parent_class = gtk_type_class (gnome_canvas_group_get_type ());
   
-  e_reflow_signals[E_REFLOW_RESIZE] =
-	  gtk_signal_new ("resize",
-			  GTK_RUN_LAST,
-			  object_class->type,
-			  GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (EReflowClass, resize),
-			  gtk_marshal_NONE__NONE,
-			  GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
-
-  gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_reflow_signals, E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL);
-  
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EReflow::minimum_width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_MINIMUM_WIDTH); 
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EReflow::width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
@@ -149,6 +132,8 @@ e_reflow_init (EReflow *reflow)
   reflow->default_cursor_shown = TRUE;
   reflow->arrow_cursor = NULL;
   reflow->default_cursor = NULL;
+
+  e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(reflow), e_reflow_reflow);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -163,11 +148,11 @@ e_reflow_set_arg (GtkObject *o, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	switch (arg_id){
 	case ARG_HEIGHT:
 	  e_reflow->height = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-	  _queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+	  e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	  break;
 	case ARG_MINIMUM_WIDTH:
 		e_reflow->minimum_width = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-		_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 		break;
 	}
 }
@@ -214,17 +199,13 @@ e_reflow_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 
 	for(list = e_reflow->items; list; list = g_list_next(list)) {
 		GnomeCanvasItem *item = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(list->data);
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_reflow);
 		gnome_canvas_item_set(item,
 				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
 				      NULL);
 	}
 
-	_queue_reflow( e_reflow );
-
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
+	
 	adjustment = gtk_layout_get_hadjustment(GTK_LAYOUT(item->canvas));
 	adjustment->step_increment = (e_reflow->column_width + E_REFLOW_FULL_GUTTER) / 2;
 	adjustment->page_increment = adjustment->page_size - adjustment->step_increment;
@@ -365,11 +346,11 @@ e_reflow_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 					adjustment->step_increment = (e_reflow->column_width + E_REFLOW_FULL_GUTTER) / 2;
 					adjustment->page_increment = adjustment->page_size - adjustment->step_increment;
 					gtk_adjustment_changed(adjustment);
-					_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
-				} else {
-					e_reflow->need_column_resize = TRUE;
-					gnome_canvas_item_request_update(item);
+					e_reflow_resize_children(item);
+					e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 				}
+				e_reflow->need_column_resize = TRUE;
+				gnome_canvas_item_request_update(item);
 				gnome_canvas_item_ungrab (item, button->time);
 				return TRUE;
 			}
@@ -452,14 +433,10 @@ e_reflow_add_item(EReflow *e_reflow, GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 {
 	e_reflow->items = g_list_append(e_reflow->items, item);
 	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_reflow ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_reflow);
 		gnome_canvas_item_set(item,
 				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
 				      NULL);
-		_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	}
 
 }
@@ -621,6 +598,21 @@ e_reflow_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double affine[6], ArtSVP *clip_path, gin
 	}
 }
 
+static void
+e_reflow_resize_children (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
+{
+	GList *list;
+	EReflow *e_reflow;
+
+	e_reflow = E_REFLOW (item);
+	for ( list = e_reflow->items; list; list = list->next ) {
+		GnomeCanvasItem *child = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(list->data);
+		gnome_canvas_item_set(child,
+				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
+				      NULL);
+	}
+}
+
 static double
 e_reflow_point (GnomeCanvasItem *item,
 		double x, double y, int cx, int cy,
@@ -696,8 +688,9 @@ _reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 }
 
 static void
-_update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
+e_reflow_reflow( GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags )
 {
+	EReflow *e_reflow = E_REFLOW(item);
 	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_reflow ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
 
 		gdouble old_width;
@@ -719,9 +712,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 			running_height = E_REFLOW_BORDER_WIDTH;
 			
 			list = e_reflow->items;
-			gtk_object_set (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
-					"width", e_reflow->column_width,
-					NULL);
 			gtk_object_get (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
 					"height", &item_height,
 					NULL);
@@ -733,9 +723,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 			list = g_list_next(list);
 			
 			for( ; list; list = g_list_next(list)) {
-				gtk_object_set (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
-						"width", e_reflow->column_width,
-						NULL);
 				gtk_object_get (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
 						"height", &item_height,
 						NULL);
@@ -757,31 +744,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 		if ( e_reflow->width < e_reflow->minimum_width )
 			e_reflow->width = e_reflow->minimum_width;
 		if (old_width != e_reflow->width)
-			gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (e_reflow), "resize");
+			e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
 	}
 }
-
-
-static gboolean
-_idle_reflow(gpointer data)
-{
-	EReflow *e_reflow = E_REFLOW(data);
-	_update_reflow(e_reflow);
-	e_reflow->need_height_update = TRUE;
-	gnome_canvas_item_request_update(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(e_reflow));
-	e_reflow->idle = 0;
-	return FALSE;
-}
-
-static void
-_queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow)
-{
-	if (e_reflow->idle == 0)
-		e_reflow->idle = g_idle_add(_idle_reflow, e_reflow);
-}
-
-static void
-_resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data )
-{
-	_queue_reflow(E_REFLOW(data));
-}
diff --git a/widgets/e-minicard/test-reflow.c b/widgets/e-minicard/test-reflow.c
index 319a3f5626..8cedbaac28 100644
--- a/widgets/e-minicard/test-reflow.c
+++ b/widgets/e-minicard/test-reflow.c
@@ -55,14 +55,14 @@ static void allocate_callback(GtkWidget *canvas, GtkAllocation *allocation, gpoi
 			 NULL );
 }
 
-static void resize(GnomeCanvasItem *item, gpointer data)
+static void resize(GnomeCanvas *canvas, gpointer data)
 {
 	double width;
 	gtk_object_get(GTK_OBJECT(reflow),
-		 "width", &width,
+		       "width", &width,
 		       NULL);
 	width = MAX(width, last_alloc.width);
-	gnome_canvas_set_scroll_region(item->canvas , 0, 0, width, last_alloc.height );
+	gnome_canvas_set_scroll_region(canvas , 0, 0, width, last_alloc.height );
 	gnome_canvas_item_set( rect,
 			       "x2", (double) width,
 			       "y2", (double) last_alloc.height,
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ int main( int argc, char *argv[] )
 				  "height", (double) 100,
 				  "minimum_width", (double) 100,
 				  NULL );
-  gtk_signal_connect( GTK_OBJECT( reflow ), "resize",
+  gtk_signal_connect( GTK_OBJECT( canvas ), "reflow",
 		      GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC( resize ),
 		      ( gpointer ) app);
   for ( i = 0; i < 200; i++ )
diff --git a/widgets/e-reflow/e-reflow.c b/widgets/e-reflow/e-reflow.c
index 984e972f0c..4af46bd4a4 100644
--- a/widgets/e-reflow/e-reflow.c
+++ b/widgets/e-reflow/e-reflow.c
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include <math.h>
 #include "e-reflow.h"
 #include "e-canvas-utils.h"
+#include "e-canvas.h"
 #include "e-util.h"
 static void e_reflow_init		(EReflow		 *card);
 static void e_reflow_class_init	(EReflowClass	 *klass);
@@ -36,10 +37,9 @@ static void e_reflow_draw (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkDrawable *drawable,
 				    int x, int y, int width, int height);
 static void e_reflow_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double affine[6], ArtSVP *clip_path, gint flags);
 static double e_reflow_point (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double x, double y, int cx, int cy, GnomeCanvasItem **actual_item);
+static void e_reflow_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags);
 
-static void _update_reflow ( EReflow *reflow );
-static void _resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data );
-static void _queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow);
+static void e_reflow_resize_children (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 
 #define E_REFLOW_DIVIDER_WIDTH 2
 #define E_REFLOW_BORDER_WIDTH 7
@@ -47,13 +47,6 @@ static void _queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow);
 
 static GnomeCanvasGroupClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
-enum {
-	E_REFLOW_RESIZE,
-	E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL
-};
-
-static guint e_reflow_signals[E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
-
 /* The arguments we take */
 enum {
 	ARG_0,
@@ -98,16 +91,6 @@ e_reflow_class_init (EReflowClass *klass)
 
   parent_class = gtk_type_class (gnome_canvas_group_get_type ());
   
-  e_reflow_signals[E_REFLOW_RESIZE] =
-	  gtk_signal_new ("resize",
-			  GTK_RUN_LAST,
-			  object_class->type,
-			  GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (EReflowClass, resize),
-			  gtk_marshal_NONE__NONE,
-			  GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
-
-  gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_reflow_signals, E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL);
-  
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EReflow::minimum_width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_MINIMUM_WIDTH); 
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EReflow::width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
@@ -149,6 +132,8 @@ e_reflow_init (EReflow *reflow)
   reflow->default_cursor_shown = TRUE;
   reflow->arrow_cursor = NULL;
   reflow->default_cursor = NULL;
+
+  e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(reflow), e_reflow_reflow);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -163,11 +148,11 @@ e_reflow_set_arg (GtkObject *o, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	switch (arg_id){
 	case ARG_HEIGHT:
 	  e_reflow->height = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-	  _queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+	  e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	  break;
 	case ARG_MINIMUM_WIDTH:
 		e_reflow->minimum_width = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-		_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 		break;
 	}
 }
@@ -214,17 +199,13 @@ e_reflow_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 
 	for(list = e_reflow->items; list; list = g_list_next(list)) {
 		GnomeCanvasItem *item = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(list->data);
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_reflow);
 		gnome_canvas_item_set(item,
 				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
 				      NULL);
 	}
 
-	_queue_reflow( e_reflow );
-
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
+	
 	adjustment = gtk_layout_get_hadjustment(GTK_LAYOUT(item->canvas));
 	adjustment->step_increment = (e_reflow->column_width + E_REFLOW_FULL_GUTTER) / 2;
 	adjustment->page_increment = adjustment->page_size - adjustment->step_increment;
@@ -365,11 +346,11 @@ e_reflow_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 					adjustment->step_increment = (e_reflow->column_width + E_REFLOW_FULL_GUTTER) / 2;
 					adjustment->page_increment = adjustment->page_size - adjustment->step_increment;
 					gtk_adjustment_changed(adjustment);
-					_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
-				} else {
-					e_reflow->need_column_resize = TRUE;
-					gnome_canvas_item_request_update(item);
+					e_reflow_resize_children(item);
+					e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 				}
+				e_reflow->need_column_resize = TRUE;
+				gnome_canvas_item_request_update(item);
 				gnome_canvas_item_ungrab (item, button->time);
 				return TRUE;
 			}
@@ -452,14 +433,10 @@ e_reflow_add_item(EReflow *e_reflow, GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 {
 	e_reflow->items = g_list_append(e_reflow->items, item);
 	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_reflow ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_reflow);
 		gnome_canvas_item_set(item,
 				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
 				      NULL);
-		_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	}
 
 }
@@ -621,6 +598,21 @@ e_reflow_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double affine[6], ArtSVP *clip_path, gin
 	}
 }
 
+static void
+e_reflow_resize_children (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
+{
+	GList *list;
+	EReflow *e_reflow;
+
+	e_reflow = E_REFLOW (item);
+	for ( list = e_reflow->items; list; list = list->next ) {
+		GnomeCanvasItem *child = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(list->data);
+		gnome_canvas_item_set(child,
+				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
+				      NULL);
+	}
+}
+
 static double
 e_reflow_point (GnomeCanvasItem *item,
 		double x, double y, int cx, int cy,
@@ -696,8 +688,9 @@ _reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 }
 
 static void
-_update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
+e_reflow_reflow( GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags )
 {
+	EReflow *e_reflow = E_REFLOW(item);
 	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_reflow ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
 
 		gdouble old_width;
@@ -719,9 +712,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 			running_height = E_REFLOW_BORDER_WIDTH;
 			
 			list = e_reflow->items;
-			gtk_object_set (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
-					"width", e_reflow->column_width,
-					NULL);
 			gtk_object_get (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
 					"height", &item_height,
 					NULL);
@@ -733,9 +723,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 			list = g_list_next(list);
 			
 			for( ; list; list = g_list_next(list)) {
-				gtk_object_set (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
-						"width", e_reflow->column_width,
-						NULL);
 				gtk_object_get (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
 						"height", &item_height,
 						NULL);
@@ -757,31 +744,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 		if ( e_reflow->width < e_reflow->minimum_width )
 			e_reflow->width = e_reflow->minimum_width;
 		if (old_width != e_reflow->width)
-			gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (e_reflow), "resize");
+			e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
 	}
 }
-
-
-static gboolean
-_idle_reflow(gpointer data)
-{
-	EReflow *e_reflow = E_REFLOW(data);
-	_update_reflow(e_reflow);
-	e_reflow->need_height_update = TRUE;
-	gnome_canvas_item_request_update(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(e_reflow));
-	e_reflow->idle = 0;
-	return FALSE;
-}
-
-static void
-_queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow)
-{
-	if (e_reflow->idle == 0)
-		e_reflow->idle = g_idle_add(_idle_reflow, e_reflow);
-}
-
-static void
-_resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data )
-{
-	_queue_reflow(E_REFLOW(data));
-}
diff --git a/widgets/e-text/e-text.c b/widgets/e-text/e-text.c
index d9448fe783..ca41dc1d96 100644
--- a/widgets/e-text/e-text.c
+++ b/widgets/e-text/e-text.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <libart_lgpl/art_rgb.h>
 #include <libart_lgpl/art_rgb_bitmap_affine.h>
 #include <gtk/gtkinvisible.h>
+#include "e-util/e-canvas.h"
 
 #include "e-text-event-processor-emacs-like.h"
 
@@ -75,7 +76,9 @@ enum {
 	ARG_ELLIPSIS,
 	ARG_LINE_WRAP,
 	ARG_BREAK_CHARACTERS,
-	ARG_MAX_LINES
+	ARG_MAX_LINES,
+	ARG_WIDTH,
+	ARG_HEIGHT
 };
 
 
@@ -95,6 +98,7 @@ static void e_text_destroy (GtkObject *object);
 static void e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id);
 static void e_text_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id);
 
+static void e_text_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags);
 static void e_text_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *affine,
 				      ArtSVP *clip_path, int flags);
 static void e_text_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
@@ -250,6 +254,10 @@ e_text_class_init (ETextClass *klass)
 				 GTK_TYPE_STRING, GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_BREAK_CHARACTERS);
 	gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EText::max_lines",
 				 GTK_TYPE_INT, GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_MAX_LINES);
+	gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EText::width",
+				 GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_WIDTH);
+	gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EText::height",
+				 GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, GTK_ARG_READABLE, ARG_HEIGHT);
 
 	if (!clipboard_atom)
 		clipboard_atom = gdk_atom_intern ("CLIPBOARD", FALSE);
@@ -325,6 +333,8 @@ e_text_init (EText *text)
 	text->line_wrap = FALSE;
 	text->break_characters = NULL;
 	text->max_lines = -1;
+
+	e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text), e_text_reflow);
 }
 
 /* Destroy handler for the text item */
@@ -460,43 +470,14 @@ get_bounds_item_relative (EText *text, double *px1, double *py1, double *px2, do
 	}
 }
 
-
-static gboolean
-idle_resize(gpointer data)
-{
-	EText *text = E_TEXT(data);
-	gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (text), "resize");
-	return FALSE;
-}
-
-static void
-queue_resize_signal(EText *text)
-{
-	if (text->idle == 0)
-		text->idle = g_idle_add(idle_resize, text);
-}
-
 static void
 get_bounds (EText *text, double *px1, double *py1, double *px2, double *py2)
 {
 	GnomeCanvasItem *item;
 	double wx, wy;
-	int old_height;
 
 	item = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM (text);
 
-	/* Calculate text dimensions */
-
-	old_height = text->height;
-
-	if (text->text && text->font)
-		text->height = (text->font->ascent + text->font->descent) * text->num_lines;
-	else
-		text->height = 0;
-
-	if (old_height != text->height)
-		queue_resize_signal(text);
-
 	/* Get canvas pixel coordinates for text position */
 
 	wx = text->x;
@@ -573,6 +554,27 @@ get_bounds (EText *text, double *px1, double *py1, double *px2, double *py2)
 }
 
 static void
+calc_height (EText *text)
+{
+	GnomeCanvasItem *item;
+	int old_height;
+
+	item = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM (text);
+
+	/* Calculate text dimensions */
+
+	old_height = text->height;
+
+	if (text->text && text->font)
+		text->height = (text->font->ascent + text->font->descent) * text->num_lines;
+	else
+		text->height = 0;
+
+	if (old_height != text->height)
+		e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
+}
+
+static void
 calc_ellipsis (EText *text)
 {
 	if (text->font)
@@ -635,6 +637,16 @@ calc_line_widths (EText *text)
 	}
 }
 
+static void
+e_text_free_lines(EText *text)
+{
+	if (text->lines)
+		g_free (text->lines);
+
+	text->lines = NULL;
+	text->num_lines = 0;
+}
+
 #define IS_BREAKCHAR(text,c) ((text)->break_characters && strchr ((text)->break_characters, (c)))
 /* Splits the text of the text item into lines */
 static void
@@ -649,11 +661,8 @@ split_into_lines (EText *text)
 	char *linestart;
 
 	/* Free old array of lines */
+	e_text_free_lines(text);
 
-	if (text->lines)
-		g_free (text->lines);
-
-	text->lines = NULL;
 	text->num_lines = 0;
 
 	if (!text->text)
@@ -850,6 +859,9 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	GdkColor *pcolor;
 	gboolean color_changed;
 	int have_pixel;
+	
+	gboolean needs_update = 0;
+	gboolean needs_reflow = 0;
 
 	item = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM (object);
 	text = E_TEXT (object);
@@ -863,17 +875,21 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			g_free (text->text);
 
 		text->text = g_strdup (GTK_VALUE_STRING (*arg));
+		e_text_free_lines(text);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_X:
 		text->x = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_Y:
 		text->y = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_FONT:
@@ -894,6 +910,7 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 		else
 			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_FONTSET:
@@ -914,6 +931,7 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 		else
 			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_FONT_GDK:
@@ -934,16 +952,19 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 		else
 			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_ANCHOR:
 		text->anchor = GTK_VALUE_ENUM (*arg);
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_JUSTIFICATION:
 		text->justification = GTK_VALUE_ENUM (*arg);
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_CLIP_WIDTH:
@@ -953,11 +974,13 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 		else
 			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_CLIP_HEIGHT:
 		text->clip_height = fabs (GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg));
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_CLIP:
@@ -967,16 +990,19 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 		else
 			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_X_OFFSET:
 		text->xofs = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_Y_OFFSET:
 		text->yofs = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
         case ARG_FILL_COLOR:
@@ -989,6 +1015,7 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			      0xff);
 		color_changed = TRUE;
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_FILL_COLOR_GDK:
@@ -1005,27 +1032,32 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			      0xff);
 		color_changed = TRUE;
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
         case ARG_FILL_COLOR_RGBA:
 		text->rgba = GTK_VALUE_UINT (*arg);
 		color_changed = TRUE;
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_FILL_STIPPLE:
 		set_stipple (text, GTK_VALUE_BOXED (*arg), FALSE);
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_EDITABLE:
 		text->editable = GTK_VALUE_BOOL (*arg);
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_USE_ELLIPSIS:
 		text->use_ellipsis = GTK_VALUE_BOOL (*arg);
 		text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_ELLIPSIS:
@@ -1035,11 +1067,13 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 		text->ellipsis = g_strdup (GTK_VALUE_STRING (*arg));
 		calc_ellipsis (text);
 		text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_LINE_WRAP:
 		text->line_wrap = GTK_VALUE_BOOL (*arg);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 		
 	case ARG_BREAK_CHARACTERS:
@@ -1050,11 +1084,23 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 		if ( GTK_VALUE_STRING (*arg) )
 			text->break_characters = g_strdup( GTK_VALUE_STRING (*arg) );
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_MAX_LINES:
 		text->max_lines = GTK_VALUE_INT (*arg);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
+		break;
+
+	case ARG_WIDTH:
+		text->clip_width = fabs (GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg));
+		calc_ellipsis (text);
+		if ( text->line_wrap )
+			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
+		else
+			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	default:
@@ -1072,7 +1118,10 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 
 	}
 
-	gnome_canvas_item_request_update (item);
+	if ( needs_reflow )
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow (item);
+	if ( needs_update )
+		gnome_canvas_item_request_update (item);
 }
 
 /* Get_arg handler for the text item */
@@ -1176,6 +1225,14 @@ e_text_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 		GTK_VALUE_INT (*arg) = text->max_lines;
 		break;
 
+	case ARG_WIDTH:
+		GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg) = text->clip_width;
+		break;
+
+	case ARG_HEIGHT:
+		GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg) = text->max_width / text->item.canvas->pixels_per_unit;
+		break;
+
 	default:
 		arg->type = GTK_TYPE_INVALID;
 		break;
@@ -1184,18 +1241,12 @@ e_text_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 
 /* Update handler for the text item */
 static void
-e_text_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *affine, ArtSVP *clip_path, int flags)
+e_text_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags)
 {
 	EText *text;
-	double x1, y1, x2, y2;
-	ArtDRect i_bbox, c_bbox;
-	int i;
 
 	text = E_TEXT (item);
 
-	if (parent_class->update)
-		(* parent_class->update) (item, affine, clip_path, flags);
-
 	if ( text->needs_split_into_lines ) {
 		split_into_lines(text);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 0;
@@ -1204,9 +1255,30 @@ e_text_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *affine, ArtSVP *clip_path, int fla
 	if ( text->needs_calc_line_widths ) {
 		calc_line_widths(text);
 		text->needs_calc_line_widths = 0;
-		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		text->needs_calc_height = 1;
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
 	}
+	if ( text->needs_calc_height ) {
+		calc_height (text);
+		gnome_canvas_item_request_update(item);
+		text->needs_calc_height = 0;
+	}
+}
+
+/* Update handler for the text item */
+static void
+e_text_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *affine, ArtSVP *clip_path, int flags)
+{
+	EText *text;
+	double x1, y1, x2, y2;
+	ArtDRect i_bbox, c_bbox;
+	int i;
+
+	text = E_TEXT (item);
+
+	if (parent_class->update)
+		(* parent_class->update) (item, affine, clip_path, flags);
+
 	if ( text->needs_recalc_bounds
 	     || (flags & GNOME_CANVAS_UPDATE_AFFINE)) {
 		if (!item->canvas->aa) {
@@ -1232,6 +1304,7 @@ e_text_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *affine, ArtSVP *clip_path, int fla
 			art_drect_affine_transform (&c_bbox, &i_bbox, affine);
 		}
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 0;
+		get_bounds (text, &x1, &y1, &x2, &y2);
 	}
 	if ( text->needs_redraw ) {
 		gnome_canvas_request_redraw (item->canvas, item->x1, item->y1, item->x2, item->y2);
@@ -1415,6 +1488,10 @@ e_text_draw (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkDrawable *drawable,
 	if (!text->text || !text->font)
 		return;
 
+	lines = text->lines;
+	if ( !lines )
+		return;
+
 	clip_rect = NULL;
 	if (text->clip) {
 		rect.x = text->clip_cx - x;
@@ -1426,7 +1503,6 @@ e_text_draw (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkDrawable *drawable,
 		gdk_gc_set_clip_rectangle (fg_gc, &rect);
 		clip_rect = &rect;
 	}
-	lines = text->lines;
 	ypos = text->cy + text->font->ascent;
 
 	if (text->stipple)
@@ -1583,6 +1659,9 @@ e_text_render (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GnomeCanvasBuf *buf)
         gnome_canvas_buf_ensure_buf (buf);
 
 	lines = text->lines;
+	if ( !lines )
+		return;
+
 	start_i.y = get_line_ypos_item_relative (text);
 
 	art_affine_scale (affine, item->canvas->pixels_per_unit, item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
@@ -1660,6 +1739,8 @@ e_text_point (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double x, double y,
 	best = 1.0e36;
 
 	lines = text->lines;
+	if ( lines )
+		return 1;
 
 	for (i = 0; i < text->num_lines; i++) {
 		/* Compute the coordinates of rectangle for the current line,
@@ -1790,12 +1871,15 @@ e_text_bounds (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *x1, double *y1, double *x2, double
 static void
 _get_xy_from_position (EText *text, gint position, gint *xp, gint *yp)
 {
+	if ( !text->lines )
+		return;
 	if (xp || yp) {
 		struct line *lines = NULL;
 		int x, y;
+		double xd, yd;
 		int j;
-		x = get_line_xpos (text, lines);
-		y = text->cy;
+		x = get_line_xpos_item_relative (text, lines);
+		y = text->y + text->yofs;
 		for (j = 0, lines = text->lines; j < text->num_lines; lines++, j++) {
 			if (lines->text > text->text + position)
 				break;
@@ -1808,6 +1892,11 @@ _get_xy_from_position (EText *text, gint position, gint *xp, gint *yp)
 				     lines->text,
 				     position - (lines->text - text->text));
 		x -= text->xofs_edit;
+
+		xd = x;  yd = y;
+		gnome_canvas_item_i2w (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text), &xd, &yd);
+		gnome_canvas_w2c (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text)->canvas, xd, yd, &x, &y);
+
 		if (xp)
 			*xp = x;
 		if (yp)
@@ -1819,9 +1908,17 @@ static gint
 _get_position_from_xy (EText *text, gint x, gint y)
 {
 	int i, j;
-	int ypos = text->cy;
+	int ypos = text->y + text->yofs;
 	int xpos;
+	double xd, yd;
+	
 	struct line *lines;
+
+	xd = x;  yd = y;
+	gnome_canvas_c2w (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text)->canvas, xd, yd, &xd, &yd);
+	gnome_canvas_item_w2i (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text), &xd, &yd);
+	x = xd;  y = yd;
+
 	j = 0;
 	while (y > ypos) {
 		ypos += text->font->ascent + text->font->descent;
@@ -1834,9 +1931,13 @@ _get_position_from_xy (EText *text, gint x, gint y)
 		j = 0;
 	i = 0;
 	lines = text->lines;
+	
+	if ( !lines )
+		return 0;
+
 	lines += j;
 	x += text->xofs_edit;
-	xpos = get_line_xpos (text, lines);
+	xpos = get_line_xpos_item_relative (text, lines);
 	for(i = 0; i < lines->length; i++) {
 		int charwidth = gdk_text_width(text->font,
 					       lines->text + i,
@@ -1929,6 +2030,9 @@ _do_tooltip (gpointer data)
 		return FALSE;
 
 	lines = text->lines;
+
+	if ( !lines )
+		return FALSE;
 	
 	cut_off = FALSE;
 	for ( lines = text->lines, i = 0; i < text->num_lines; lines++, i++ ) {
@@ -2025,7 +2129,7 @@ e_text_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 				text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 			else
 				text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
-			gnome_canvas_item_request_update (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
+			e_canvas_item_request_reflow (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
 		}
 		return_val = 0;
 		break;
@@ -2302,8 +2406,9 @@ e_text_command(ETextEventProcessor *tep, ETextEventProcessorCommand *command, gp
 			text->selection_end = _get_position(text, command);
 		}
 		_delete_selection(text);
+		e_text_free_lines(text);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
-		gnome_canvas_item_request_update (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
 		if (text->timer) {
 			g_timer_reset(text->timer);
 		}
@@ -2314,8 +2419,9 @@ e_text_command(ETextEventProcessor *tep, ETextEventProcessorCommand *command, gp
 			_delete_selection(text);
 		}
 		_insert(text, command->string, command->value);
+		e_text_free_lines(text);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
-		gnome_canvas_item_request_update (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
 		if (text->timer) {
 			g_timer_reset(text->timer);
 		}
@@ -2364,6 +2470,9 @@ e_text_command(ETextEventProcessor *tep, ETextEventProcessorCommand *command, gp
 		int x;
 		int i;
 		struct line *lines = text->lines;
+		if ( !lines )
+			return;
+
 		for (lines = text->lines, i = 0; i < text->num_lines ; i++, lines ++) {
 			if (lines->text - text->text > text->selection_end) {
 				break;
diff --git a/widgets/e-text/e-text.h b/widgets/e-text/e-text.h
index 3e1dcb5f0e..52fb951bc2 100644
--- a/widgets/e-text/e-text.h
+++ b/widgets/e-text/e-text.h
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ BEGIN_GNOME_DECLS
  * y_offset		double			RW		Vertical offset distance from anchor position
  * text_width		double			R		Used to query the width of the rendered text
  * text_height		double			R		Used to query the rendered height of the text
+ * width                double                  RW              A synonym for clip_width
+ * height               double                  R               A synonym for text_height
  *
  * These are currently ignored in the AA version:
  * editable             boolean                 RW              Can this item be edited
@@ -122,6 +124,7 @@ struct _EText {
 	int clip_cx, clip_cy;		/* Top-left canvas coordinates for clip rectangle */
 	int clip_cwidth, clip_cheight;	/* Size of clip rectangle in pixels */
 	int max_width;			/* Maximum width of text lines */
+	int width;                      /* Rendered text width in pixels */
 	int height;			/* Rendered text height in pixels */
 
 	guint clip : 1;			/* Use clip rectangle? */
@@ -182,10 +185,9 @@ struct _EText {
 
 	guint needs_redraw : 1;         /* Needs redraw */
 	guint needs_recalc_bounds : 1;  /* Need recalc_bounds */
+	guint needs_calc_height : 1;    /* Need calc_height */
 	guint needs_calc_line_widths : 1; /* Needs calc_line_widths */
 	guint needs_split_into_lines : 1; /* Needs split_into_lines */
-
-	gint idle;
 };
 
 struct _ETextClass {
diff --git a/widgets/misc/e-canvas.c b/widgets/misc/e-canvas.c
index 850e438386..68f1b0f9f3 100644
--- a/widgets/misc/e-canvas.c
+++ b/widgets/misc/e-canvas.c
@@ -36,6 +36,13 @@ static int emit_event (GnomeCanvas *canvas, GdkEvent *event);
 
 static GnomeCanvasClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
+enum {
+	REFLOW,
+	LAST_SIGNAL
+};
+
+static guint e_canvas_signals [LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0, };
+
 GtkType
 e_canvas_get_type (void)
 {
@@ -78,6 +85,18 @@ e_canvas_class_init (ECanvasClass *klass)
 	widget_class->key_release_event = e_canvas_key;
 	widget_class->focus_in_event = e_canvas_focus_in;
 	widget_class->focus_out_event = e_canvas_focus_out;
+
+	klass->reflow = NULL;
+
+	e_canvas_signals [REFLOW] =
+		gtk_signal_new ("reflow",
+				GTK_RUN_LAST,
+				object_class->type,
+				GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (ECanvasClass, reflow),
+				gtk_marshal_NONE__INT_INT,
+				GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
+
+	gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_canvas_signals, LAST_SIGNAL);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -299,3 +318,101 @@ e_canvas_focus_out (GtkWidget *widget, GdkEventFocus *event)
 	else
 		return FALSE;
 }
+
+
+static void
+e_canvas_item_invoke_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags)
+{
+	GnomeCanvasGroup *group;
+	GList *list;
+	GnomeCanvasItem *child;
+	if ( ! gtk_object_get_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::descendent_needs_reflow") )
+		return;
+
+	if ( GNOME_IS_CANVAS_GROUP( item ) ) {
+		group = GNOME_CANVAS_GROUP( item );
+		for ( list = group->item_list; list; list = list->next ) {
+			child = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(list->data);
+			e_canvas_item_invoke_update(child, flags);
+		}
+	}
+
+	if ( gtk_object_get_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::needs_reflow") ) {
+		ECanvasItemReflowFunc func = gtk_object_get_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::reflow_callback");
+		if ( func )
+			func(item, flags);
+	}
+
+	gtk_object_set_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::needs_reflow", (gpointer) 0);
+	gtk_object_set_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::descendent_needs_reflow", (gpointer) 0);
+}
+
+static void
+do_update (ECanvas *canvas)
+{
+	e_canvas_item_invoke_update (GNOME_CANVAS(canvas)->root, 0);
+}
+
+/* Idle handler for the canvas.  It deals with pending updates and redraws. */
+static gint
+idle_handler (gpointer data)
+{
+	ECanvas *canvas;
+
+	GDK_THREADS_ENTER ();
+
+	canvas = E_CANVAS (data);
+	do_update (canvas);
+
+	/* Reset idle id */
+	canvas->idle_id = 0;
+
+	gtk_signal_emit (GTK_OBJECT (canvas),
+			 e_canvas_signals [REFLOW]);
+
+	GDK_THREADS_LEAVE ();
+
+	return FALSE;
+}
+
+/* Convenience function to add an idle handler to a canvas */
+static void
+add_idle (ECanvas *canvas)
+{
+	if (canvas->idle_id != 0)
+		return;
+
+	canvas->idle_id = g_idle_add_full (G_PRIORITY_HIGH_IDLE, idle_handler, (gpointer) canvas, NULL);
+}
+
+static void
+e_canvas_item_descendent_needs_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
+{
+	if ( gtk_object_get_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::descendent_needs_reflow") )
+		return;
+	gtk_object_set_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::descendent_needs_reflow", (gpointer) 1);
+	if ( item->parent )
+		e_canvas_item_descendent_needs_reflow(item->parent);
+}
+
+void
+e_canvas_item_request_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
+{
+	gtk_object_set_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::needs_reflow", (gpointer) 1);
+	e_canvas_item_descendent_needs_reflow(item);
+	add_idle(E_CANVAS(item->canvas));
+}
+
+void
+e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
+{
+	g_return_if_fail(item != NULL);
+	g_return_if_fail(GNOME_IS_CANVAS_ITEM(item));
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item->parent);
+}
+
+void
+e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback (GnomeCanvasItem *item, ECanvasItemReflowFunc func)
+{
+	gtk_object_set_data(GTK_OBJECT(item), "ECanvasItem::reflow_callback", (gpointer) func);
+}
diff --git a/widgets/misc/e-canvas.h b/widgets/misc/e-canvas.h
index 0ece5ae3b4..e70957b6d7 100644
--- a/widgets/misc/e-canvas.h
+++ b/widgets/misc/e-canvas.h
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ extern "C" {
 #define E_IS_CANVAS(obj)		(GTK_CHECK_TYPE ((obj), E_CANVAS_TYPE))
 #define E_IS_CANVAS_CLASS(klass)	(GTK_CHECK_CLASS_TYPE ((obj), E_CANVAS_TYPE))
 
+typedef void		(*ECanvasItemReflowFunc)		(GnomeCanvasItem *item,
+								 gint   	  flags);
 
 typedef struct _ECanvas       ECanvas;
 typedef struct _ECanvasClass  ECanvasClass;
@@ -46,12 +48,13 @@ struct _ECanvas
 {
 	GnomeCanvas parent;
 	
-	/* item specific fields */
+	int         idle_id;	
 };
 
 struct _ECanvasClass
 {
 	GnomeCanvasClass parent_class;
+	void (* reflow) (ECanvas *canvas);
 };
 
 
@@ -63,6 +66,10 @@ GtkWidget *e_canvas_new      (void);
  */
 void e_canvas_item_grab_focus (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 
+void e_canvas_item_request_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
+void e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
+void e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback (GnomeCanvasItem *item, ECanvasItemReflowFunc func);
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif /* __cplusplus */
diff --git a/widgets/misc/e-reflow.c b/widgets/misc/e-reflow.c
index 984e972f0c..4af46bd4a4 100644
--- a/widgets/misc/e-reflow.c
+++ b/widgets/misc/e-reflow.c
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include <math.h>
 #include "e-reflow.h"
 #include "e-canvas-utils.h"
+#include "e-canvas.h"
 #include "e-util.h"
 static void e_reflow_init		(EReflow		 *card);
 static void e_reflow_class_init	(EReflowClass	 *klass);
@@ -36,10 +37,9 @@ static void e_reflow_draw (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkDrawable *drawable,
 				    int x, int y, int width, int height);
 static void e_reflow_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double affine[6], ArtSVP *clip_path, gint flags);
 static double e_reflow_point (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double x, double y, int cx, int cy, GnomeCanvasItem **actual_item);
+static void e_reflow_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags);
 
-static void _update_reflow ( EReflow *reflow );
-static void _resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data );
-static void _queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow);
+static void e_reflow_resize_children (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
 
 #define E_REFLOW_DIVIDER_WIDTH 2
 #define E_REFLOW_BORDER_WIDTH 7
@@ -47,13 +47,6 @@ static void _queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow);
 
 static GnomeCanvasGroupClass *parent_class = NULL;
 
-enum {
-	E_REFLOW_RESIZE,
-	E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL
-};
-
-static guint e_reflow_signals[E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL] = { 0 };
-
 /* The arguments we take */
 enum {
 	ARG_0,
@@ -98,16 +91,6 @@ e_reflow_class_init (EReflowClass *klass)
 
   parent_class = gtk_type_class (gnome_canvas_group_get_type ());
   
-  e_reflow_signals[E_REFLOW_RESIZE] =
-	  gtk_signal_new ("resize",
-			  GTK_RUN_LAST,
-			  object_class->type,
-			  GTK_SIGNAL_OFFSET (EReflowClass, resize),
-			  gtk_marshal_NONE__NONE,
-			  GTK_TYPE_NONE, 0);
-
-  gtk_object_class_add_signals (object_class, e_reflow_signals, E_REFLOW_LAST_SIGNAL);
-  
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EReflow::minimum_width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
 			   GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_MINIMUM_WIDTH); 
   gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EReflow::width", GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, 
@@ -149,6 +132,8 @@ e_reflow_init (EReflow *reflow)
   reflow->default_cursor_shown = TRUE;
   reflow->arrow_cursor = NULL;
   reflow->default_cursor = NULL;
+
+  e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(reflow), e_reflow_reflow);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -163,11 +148,11 @@ e_reflow_set_arg (GtkObject *o, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	switch (arg_id){
 	case ARG_HEIGHT:
 	  e_reflow->height = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-	  _queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+	  e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	  break;
 	case ARG_MINIMUM_WIDTH:
 		e_reflow->minimum_width = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
-		_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 		break;
 	}
 }
@@ -214,17 +199,13 @@ e_reflow_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 
 	for(list = e_reflow->items; list; list = g_list_next(list)) {
 		GnomeCanvasItem *item = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(list->data);
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_reflow);
 		gnome_canvas_item_set(item,
 				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
 				      NULL);
 	}
 
-	_queue_reflow( e_reflow );
-
+	e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
+	
 	adjustment = gtk_layout_get_hadjustment(GTK_LAYOUT(item->canvas));
 	adjustment->step_increment = (e_reflow->column_width + E_REFLOW_FULL_GUTTER) / 2;
 	adjustment->page_increment = adjustment->page_size - adjustment->step_increment;
@@ -365,11 +346,11 @@ e_reflow_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 					adjustment->step_increment = (e_reflow->column_width + E_REFLOW_FULL_GUTTER) / 2;
 					adjustment->page_increment = adjustment->page_size - adjustment->step_increment;
 					gtk_adjustment_changed(adjustment);
-					_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
-				} else {
-					e_reflow->need_column_resize = TRUE;
-					gnome_canvas_item_request_update(item);
+					e_reflow_resize_children(item);
+					e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 				}
+				e_reflow->need_column_resize = TRUE;
+				gnome_canvas_item_request_update(item);
 				gnome_canvas_item_ungrab (item, button->time);
 				return TRUE;
 			}
@@ -452,14 +433,10 @@ e_reflow_add_item(EReflow *e_reflow, GnomeCanvasItem *item)
 {
 	e_reflow->items = g_list_append(e_reflow->items, item);
 	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_reflow ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
-		gtk_signal_connect(GTK_OBJECT(item),
-				   "resize",
-				   GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(_resize),
-				   (gpointer) e_reflow);
 		gnome_canvas_item_set(item,
 				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
 				      NULL);
-		_queue_reflow(e_reflow);
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow(item);
 	}
 
 }
@@ -621,6 +598,21 @@ e_reflow_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double affine[6], ArtSVP *clip_path, gin
 	}
 }
 
+static void
+e_reflow_resize_children (GnomeCanvasItem *item)
+{
+	GList *list;
+	EReflow *e_reflow;
+
+	e_reflow = E_REFLOW (item);
+	for ( list = e_reflow->items; list; list = list->next ) {
+		GnomeCanvasItem *child = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(list->data);
+		gnome_canvas_item_set(child,
+				      "width", (double) e_reflow->column_width,
+				      NULL);
+	}
+}
+
 static double
 e_reflow_point (GnomeCanvasItem *item,
 		double x, double y, int cx, int cy,
@@ -696,8 +688,9 @@ _reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 }
 
 static void
-_update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
+e_reflow_reflow( GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags )
 {
+	EReflow *e_reflow = E_REFLOW(item);
 	if ( GTK_OBJECT_FLAGS( e_reflow ) & GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM_REALIZED ) {
 
 		gdouble old_width;
@@ -719,9 +712,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 			running_height = E_REFLOW_BORDER_WIDTH;
 			
 			list = e_reflow->items;
-			gtk_object_set (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
-					"width", e_reflow->column_width,
-					NULL);
 			gtk_object_get (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
 					"height", &item_height,
 					NULL);
@@ -733,9 +723,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 			list = g_list_next(list);
 			
 			for( ; list; list = g_list_next(list)) {
-				gtk_object_set (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
-						"width", e_reflow->column_width,
-						NULL);
 				gtk_object_get (GTK_OBJECT(list->data),
 						"height", &item_height,
 						NULL);
@@ -757,31 +744,6 @@ _update_reflow( EReflow *e_reflow )
 		if ( e_reflow->width < e_reflow->minimum_width )
 			e_reflow->width = e_reflow->minimum_width;
 		if (old_width != e_reflow->width)
-			gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (e_reflow), "resize");
+			e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
 	}
 }
-
-
-static gboolean
-_idle_reflow(gpointer data)
-{
-	EReflow *e_reflow = E_REFLOW(data);
-	_update_reflow(e_reflow);
-	e_reflow->need_height_update = TRUE;
-	gnome_canvas_item_request_update(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(e_reflow));
-	e_reflow->idle = 0;
-	return FALSE;
-}
-
-static void
-_queue_reflow(EReflow *e_reflow)
-{
-	if (e_reflow->idle == 0)
-		e_reflow->idle = g_idle_add(_idle_reflow, e_reflow);
-}
-
-static void
-_resize( GtkObject *object, gpointer data )
-{
-	_queue_reflow(E_REFLOW(data));
-}
diff --git a/widgets/text/e-text.c b/widgets/text/e-text.c
index d9448fe783..ca41dc1d96 100644
--- a/widgets/text/e-text.c
+++ b/widgets/text/e-text.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <libart_lgpl/art_rgb.h>
 #include <libart_lgpl/art_rgb_bitmap_affine.h>
 #include <gtk/gtkinvisible.h>
+#include "e-util/e-canvas.h"
 
 #include "e-text-event-processor-emacs-like.h"
 
@@ -75,7 +76,9 @@ enum {
 	ARG_ELLIPSIS,
 	ARG_LINE_WRAP,
 	ARG_BREAK_CHARACTERS,
-	ARG_MAX_LINES
+	ARG_MAX_LINES,
+	ARG_WIDTH,
+	ARG_HEIGHT
 };
 
 
@@ -95,6 +98,7 @@ static void e_text_destroy (GtkObject *object);
 static void e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id);
 static void e_text_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id);
 
+static void e_text_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags);
 static void e_text_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *affine,
 				      ArtSVP *clip_path, int flags);
 static void e_text_realize (GnomeCanvasItem *item);
@@ -250,6 +254,10 @@ e_text_class_init (ETextClass *klass)
 				 GTK_TYPE_STRING, GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_BREAK_CHARACTERS);
 	gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EText::max_lines",
 				 GTK_TYPE_INT, GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_MAX_LINES);
+	gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EText::width",
+				 GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, GTK_ARG_READWRITE, ARG_WIDTH);
+	gtk_object_add_arg_type ("EText::height",
+				 GTK_TYPE_DOUBLE, GTK_ARG_READABLE, ARG_HEIGHT);
 
 	if (!clipboard_atom)
 		clipboard_atom = gdk_atom_intern ("CLIPBOARD", FALSE);
@@ -325,6 +333,8 @@ e_text_init (EText *text)
 	text->line_wrap = FALSE;
 	text->break_characters = NULL;
 	text->max_lines = -1;
+
+	e_canvas_item_set_reflow_callback(GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text), e_text_reflow);
 }
 
 /* Destroy handler for the text item */
@@ -460,43 +470,14 @@ get_bounds_item_relative (EText *text, double *px1, double *py1, double *px2, do
 	}
 }
 
-
-static gboolean
-idle_resize(gpointer data)
-{
-	EText *text = E_TEXT(data);
-	gtk_signal_emit_by_name (GTK_OBJECT (text), "resize");
-	return FALSE;
-}
-
-static void
-queue_resize_signal(EText *text)
-{
-	if (text->idle == 0)
-		text->idle = g_idle_add(idle_resize, text);
-}
-
 static void
 get_bounds (EText *text, double *px1, double *py1, double *px2, double *py2)
 {
 	GnomeCanvasItem *item;
 	double wx, wy;
-	int old_height;
 
 	item = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM (text);
 
-	/* Calculate text dimensions */
-
-	old_height = text->height;
-
-	if (text->text && text->font)
-		text->height = (text->font->ascent + text->font->descent) * text->num_lines;
-	else
-		text->height = 0;
-
-	if (old_height != text->height)
-		queue_resize_signal(text);
-
 	/* Get canvas pixel coordinates for text position */
 
 	wx = text->x;
@@ -573,6 +554,27 @@ get_bounds (EText *text, double *px1, double *py1, double *px2, double *py2)
 }
 
 static void
+calc_height (EText *text)
+{
+	GnomeCanvasItem *item;
+	int old_height;
+
+	item = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM (text);
+
+	/* Calculate text dimensions */
+
+	old_height = text->height;
+
+	if (text->text && text->font)
+		text->height = (text->font->ascent + text->font->descent) * text->num_lines;
+	else
+		text->height = 0;
+
+	if (old_height != text->height)
+		e_canvas_item_request_parent_reflow(item);
+}
+
+static void
 calc_ellipsis (EText *text)
 {
 	if (text->font)
@@ -635,6 +637,16 @@ calc_line_widths (EText *text)
 	}
 }
 
+static void
+e_text_free_lines(EText *text)
+{
+	if (text->lines)
+		g_free (text->lines);
+
+	text->lines = NULL;
+	text->num_lines = 0;
+}
+
 #define IS_BREAKCHAR(text,c) ((text)->break_characters && strchr ((text)->break_characters, (c)))
 /* Splits the text of the text item into lines */
 static void
@@ -649,11 +661,8 @@ split_into_lines (EText *text)
 	char *linestart;
 
 	/* Free old array of lines */
+	e_text_free_lines(text);
 
-	if (text->lines)
-		g_free (text->lines);
-
-	text->lines = NULL;
 	text->num_lines = 0;
 
 	if (!text->text)
@@ -850,6 +859,9 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 	GdkColor *pcolor;
 	gboolean color_changed;
 	int have_pixel;
+	
+	gboolean needs_update = 0;
+	gboolean needs_reflow = 0;
 
 	item = GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM (object);
 	text = E_TEXT (object);
@@ -863,17 +875,21 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			g_free (text->text);
 
 		text->text = g_strdup (GTK_VALUE_STRING (*arg));
+		e_text_free_lines(text);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_X:
 		text->x = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_Y:
 		text->y = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_FONT:
@@ -894,6 +910,7 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 		else
 			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_FONTSET:
@@ -914,6 +931,7 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 		else
 			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_FONT_GDK:
@@ -934,16 +952,19 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 		else
 			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_ANCHOR:
 		text->anchor = GTK_VALUE_ENUM (*arg);
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_JUSTIFICATION:
 		text->justification = GTK_VALUE_ENUM (*arg);
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_CLIP_WIDTH:
@@ -953,11 +974,13 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 		else
 			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_CLIP_HEIGHT:
 		text->clip_height = fabs (GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg));
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_CLIP:
@@ -967,16 +990,19 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 		else
 			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_X_OFFSET:
 		text->xofs = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_Y_OFFSET:
 		text->yofs = GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg);
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
         case ARG_FILL_COLOR:
@@ -989,6 +1015,7 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			      0xff);
 		color_changed = TRUE;
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_FILL_COLOR_GDK:
@@ -1005,27 +1032,32 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 			      0xff);
 		color_changed = TRUE;
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
         case ARG_FILL_COLOR_RGBA:
 		text->rgba = GTK_VALUE_UINT (*arg);
 		color_changed = TRUE;
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_FILL_STIPPLE:
 		set_stipple (text, GTK_VALUE_BOXED (*arg), FALSE);
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_EDITABLE:
 		text->editable = GTK_VALUE_BOOL (*arg);
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
+		needs_update = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_USE_ELLIPSIS:
 		text->use_ellipsis = GTK_VALUE_BOOL (*arg);
 		text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_ELLIPSIS:
@@ -1035,11 +1067,13 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 		text->ellipsis = g_strdup (GTK_VALUE_STRING (*arg));
 		calc_ellipsis (text);
 		text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_LINE_WRAP:
 		text->line_wrap = GTK_VALUE_BOOL (*arg);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 		
 	case ARG_BREAK_CHARACTERS:
@@ -1050,11 +1084,23 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 		if ( GTK_VALUE_STRING (*arg) )
 			text->break_characters = g_strdup( GTK_VALUE_STRING (*arg) );
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	case ARG_MAX_LINES:
 		text->max_lines = GTK_VALUE_INT (*arg);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
+		break;
+
+	case ARG_WIDTH:
+		text->clip_width = fabs (GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg));
+		calc_ellipsis (text);
+		if ( text->line_wrap )
+			text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
+		else
+			text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
+		needs_reflow = 1;
 		break;
 
 	default:
@@ -1072,7 +1118,10 @@ e_text_set_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 
 	}
 
-	gnome_canvas_item_request_update (item);
+	if ( needs_reflow )
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow (item);
+	if ( needs_update )
+		gnome_canvas_item_request_update (item);
 }
 
 /* Get_arg handler for the text item */
@@ -1176,6 +1225,14 @@ e_text_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 		GTK_VALUE_INT (*arg) = text->max_lines;
 		break;
 
+	case ARG_WIDTH:
+		GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg) = text->clip_width;
+		break;
+
+	case ARG_HEIGHT:
+		GTK_VALUE_DOUBLE (*arg) = text->max_width / text->item.canvas->pixels_per_unit;
+		break;
+
 	default:
 		arg->type = GTK_TYPE_INVALID;
 		break;
@@ -1184,18 +1241,12 @@ e_text_get_arg (GtkObject *object, GtkArg *arg, guint arg_id)
 
 /* Update handler for the text item */
 static void
-e_text_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *affine, ArtSVP *clip_path, int flags)
+e_text_reflow (GnomeCanvasItem *item, int flags)
 {
 	EText *text;
-	double x1, y1, x2, y2;
-	ArtDRect i_bbox, c_bbox;
-	int i;
 
 	text = E_TEXT (item);
 
-	if (parent_class->update)
-		(* parent_class->update) (item, affine, clip_path, flags);
-
 	if ( text->needs_split_into_lines ) {
 		split_into_lines(text);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 0;
@@ -1204,9 +1255,30 @@ e_text_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *affine, ArtSVP *clip_path, int fla
 	if ( text->needs_calc_line_widths ) {
 		calc_line_widths(text);
 		text->needs_calc_line_widths = 0;
-		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 1;
+		text->needs_calc_height = 1;
 		text->needs_redraw = 1;
 	}
+	if ( text->needs_calc_height ) {
+		calc_height (text);
+		gnome_canvas_item_request_update(item);
+		text->needs_calc_height = 0;
+	}
+}
+
+/* Update handler for the text item */
+static void
+e_text_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *affine, ArtSVP *clip_path, int flags)
+{
+	EText *text;
+	double x1, y1, x2, y2;
+	ArtDRect i_bbox, c_bbox;
+	int i;
+
+	text = E_TEXT (item);
+
+	if (parent_class->update)
+		(* parent_class->update) (item, affine, clip_path, flags);
+
 	if ( text->needs_recalc_bounds
 	     || (flags & GNOME_CANVAS_UPDATE_AFFINE)) {
 		if (!item->canvas->aa) {
@@ -1232,6 +1304,7 @@ e_text_update (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *affine, ArtSVP *clip_path, int fla
 			art_drect_affine_transform (&c_bbox, &i_bbox, affine);
 		}
 		text->needs_recalc_bounds = 0;
+		get_bounds (text, &x1, &y1, &x2, &y2);
 	}
 	if ( text->needs_redraw ) {
 		gnome_canvas_request_redraw (item->canvas, item->x1, item->y1, item->x2, item->y2);
@@ -1415,6 +1488,10 @@ e_text_draw (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkDrawable *drawable,
 	if (!text->text || !text->font)
 		return;
 
+	lines = text->lines;
+	if ( !lines )
+		return;
+
 	clip_rect = NULL;
 	if (text->clip) {
 		rect.x = text->clip_cx - x;
@@ -1426,7 +1503,6 @@ e_text_draw (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkDrawable *drawable,
 		gdk_gc_set_clip_rectangle (fg_gc, &rect);
 		clip_rect = &rect;
 	}
-	lines = text->lines;
 	ypos = text->cy + text->font->ascent;
 
 	if (text->stipple)
@@ -1583,6 +1659,9 @@ e_text_render (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GnomeCanvasBuf *buf)
         gnome_canvas_buf_ensure_buf (buf);
 
 	lines = text->lines;
+	if ( !lines )
+		return;
+
 	start_i.y = get_line_ypos_item_relative (text);
 
 	art_affine_scale (affine, item->canvas->pixels_per_unit, item->canvas->pixels_per_unit);
@@ -1660,6 +1739,8 @@ e_text_point (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double x, double y,
 	best = 1.0e36;
 
 	lines = text->lines;
+	if ( lines )
+		return 1;
 
 	for (i = 0; i < text->num_lines; i++) {
 		/* Compute the coordinates of rectangle for the current line,
@@ -1790,12 +1871,15 @@ e_text_bounds (GnomeCanvasItem *item, double *x1, double *y1, double *x2, double
 static void
 _get_xy_from_position (EText *text, gint position, gint *xp, gint *yp)
 {
+	if ( !text->lines )
+		return;
 	if (xp || yp) {
 		struct line *lines = NULL;
 		int x, y;
+		double xd, yd;
 		int j;
-		x = get_line_xpos (text, lines);
-		y = text->cy;
+		x = get_line_xpos_item_relative (text, lines);
+		y = text->y + text->yofs;
 		for (j = 0, lines = text->lines; j < text->num_lines; lines++, j++) {
 			if (lines->text > text->text + position)
 				break;
@@ -1808,6 +1892,11 @@ _get_xy_from_position (EText *text, gint position, gint *xp, gint *yp)
 				     lines->text,
 				     position - (lines->text - text->text));
 		x -= text->xofs_edit;
+
+		xd = x;  yd = y;
+		gnome_canvas_item_i2w (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text), &xd, &yd);
+		gnome_canvas_w2c (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text)->canvas, xd, yd, &x, &y);
+
 		if (xp)
 			*xp = x;
 		if (yp)
@@ -1819,9 +1908,17 @@ static gint
 _get_position_from_xy (EText *text, gint x, gint y)
 {
 	int i, j;
-	int ypos = text->cy;
+	int ypos = text->y + text->yofs;
 	int xpos;
+	double xd, yd;
+	
 	struct line *lines;
+
+	xd = x;  yd = y;
+	gnome_canvas_c2w (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text)->canvas, xd, yd, &xd, &yd);
+	gnome_canvas_item_w2i (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text), &xd, &yd);
+	x = xd;  y = yd;
+
 	j = 0;
 	while (y > ypos) {
 		ypos += text->font->ascent + text->font->descent;
@@ -1834,9 +1931,13 @@ _get_position_from_xy (EText *text, gint x, gint y)
 		j = 0;
 	i = 0;
 	lines = text->lines;
+	
+	if ( !lines )
+		return 0;
+
 	lines += j;
 	x += text->xofs_edit;
-	xpos = get_line_xpos (text, lines);
+	xpos = get_line_xpos_item_relative (text, lines);
 	for(i = 0; i < lines->length; i++) {
 		int charwidth = gdk_text_width(text->font,
 					       lines->text + i,
@@ -1929,6 +2030,9 @@ _do_tooltip (gpointer data)
 		return FALSE;
 
 	lines = text->lines;
+
+	if ( !lines )
+		return FALSE;
 	
 	cut_off = FALSE;
 	for ( lines = text->lines, i = 0; i < text->num_lines; lines++, i++ ) {
@@ -2025,7 +2129,7 @@ e_text_event (GnomeCanvasItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
 				text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
 			else
 				text->needs_calc_line_widths = 1;
-			gnome_canvas_item_request_update (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
+			e_canvas_item_request_reflow (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
 		}
 		return_val = 0;
 		break;
@@ -2302,8 +2406,9 @@ e_text_command(ETextEventProcessor *tep, ETextEventProcessorCommand *command, gp
 			text->selection_end = _get_position(text, command);
 		}
 		_delete_selection(text);
+		e_text_free_lines(text);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
-		gnome_canvas_item_request_update (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
 		if (text->timer) {
 			g_timer_reset(text->timer);
 		}
@@ -2314,8 +2419,9 @@ e_text_command(ETextEventProcessor *tep, ETextEventProcessorCommand *command, gp
 			_delete_selection(text);
 		}
 		_insert(text, command->string, command->value);
+		e_text_free_lines(text);
 		text->needs_split_into_lines = 1;
-		gnome_canvas_item_request_update (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
+		e_canvas_item_request_reflow (GNOME_CANVAS_ITEM(text));
 		if (text->timer) {
 			g_timer_reset(text->timer);
 		}
@@ -2364,6 +2470,9 @@ e_text_command(ETextEventProcessor *tep, ETextEventProcessorCommand *command, gp
 		int x;
 		int i;
 		struct line *lines = text->lines;
+		if ( !lines )
+			return;
+
 		for (lines = text->lines, i = 0; i < text->num_lines ; i++, lines ++) {
 			if (lines->text - text->text > text->selection_end) {
 				break;
diff --git a/widgets/text/e-text.h b/widgets/text/e-text.h
index 3e1dcb5f0e..52fb951bc2 100644
--- a/widgets/text/e-text.h
+++ b/widgets/text/e-text.h
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ BEGIN_GNOME_DECLS
  * y_offset		double			RW		Vertical offset distance from anchor position
  * text_width		double			R		Used to query the width of the rendered text
  * text_height		double			R		Used to query the rendered height of the text
+ * width                double                  RW              A synonym for clip_width
+ * height               double                  R               A synonym for text_height
  *
  * These are currently ignored in the AA version:
  * editable             boolean                 RW              Can this item be edited
@@ -122,6 +124,7 @@ struct _EText {
 	int clip_cx, clip_cy;		/* Top-left canvas coordinates for clip rectangle */
 	int clip_cwidth, clip_cheight;	/* Size of clip rectangle in pixels */
 	int max_width;			/* Maximum width of text lines */
+	int width;                      /* Rendered text width in pixels */
 	int height;			/* Rendered text height in pixels */
 
 	guint clip : 1;			/* Use clip rectangle? */
@@ -182,10 +185,9 @@ struct _EText {
 
 	guint needs_redraw : 1;         /* Needs redraw */
 	guint needs_recalc_bounds : 1;  /* Need recalc_bounds */
+	guint needs_calc_height : 1;    /* Need calc_height */
 	guint needs_calc_line_widths : 1; /* Needs calc_line_widths */
 	guint needs_split_into_lines : 1; /* Needs split_into_lines */
-
-	gint idle;
 };
 
 struct _ETextClass {