I think it's generally a good idea to try and separate function and GUI as much as possible, inasmuch as it promotes code and/or configs that are cleaner and easier to maintain. fractal's global schemes are a step in that direction, as is the xpaintclass/xmodule development, and perhaps "widgets" are as well. OTOH, in some of the sleekest, most gee-whiz LS themes the two are very tightly intertwined. Can we have the best of both worlds?