Didier Verna <verna(a)inf.enst.fr> writes:
But as soon as Custom becomes the de-facto standard for saving
options, it also _forces_ you to use its own setting method (the
customization buffers) if you want your stuff to be saved.
No it doesn't. The saving is fully independent of the UI.
You can for example use the command `customize-save-variable' to set
and save a variable, without ever entering the customize buffer.
Or you can use `customize-set-variable' to set options (without
entering a customize buffer), and then later
`customize-save-customized' to save them later. Both commands can be
called from Lisp to build other user interfaces. I believe the XEmacs
Options menu does exactly that.