php.net just says that because the default php.ini file they ship with the distribution has that feature turned off.
That's not true... when working with XML, the XML start string is similar to PHP "" so short tags can become an issue. Most servers I work with have been secured and PHP.ini uncustomizable. Reason for this is their security. Using custom php.ini's opens yourself up to more issues of stupid people turning register_globals on and what not.
While this isn't on topic, it should be discussed here because you brought up a more unacceptable code technique. Specifically, with Roundcube, I don't see short-tags, and thus when developing mods/skins/plug-ins for it, you should follow the coding standards and not use short tags as well. This will ensure that any customization you make will work, not matter what, on any PHP enabled server without any chance of XML interference.
Anywho... glad to hear you got the variable addition sorted... But there is an easier way
Just thought of it too
Gonna submit it as a Patch.
[tutorial=Inserting Variables]
[step=1]Open /program/includes/main.inc[/step]
[step=2]Inside the function
rcube_xml_command look for the large
switch() statement.[/step]
[step=3]After the
case 'object': statement, add the following:
case 'variable':
global ${$attrib['name']};
return ${$attrib['name']};
break;[/step]
[step=4]Open /index.php[/step]
[step=5]Add your variables...[/step]
[step=6]Open /skins/default/*.html
Whatever files you want the vars in[/step]
[step=7]Add it in the following manner:
<roundcube:variable name="myVariableName" />
[/step]
[step=8]Save all files and upload[/step][/tutorial]
Hope that helps you.... and it's much cleaner than hacking away