diff --git a/ext/tk/ChangeLog.tkextlib b/ext/tk/ChangeLog.tkextlib
index 8638975e8d..2a8eefac09 100644
--- a/ext/tk/ChangeLog.tkextlib
+++ b/ext/tk/ChangeLog.tkextlib
@@ -1,3 +1,13 @@
+2005-04-07  Hidetoshi NAGAI  <nagai@ai.kyutech.ac.jp>
+
+	* lib/treectrl/tktreectrl.rb: performance tuning. (call tk_send_without_enc
+	  if possible)
+
+2005-04-07  ocean  <ocean@ruby-lang.org>
+
+	* sample/tkextlib/treectrl/*.rb: some speed up... cache the result of
+	  version checking.
+
 2005-04-04  ocean  <ocean@ruby-lang.org>
 
 	* lib/tkextlib/tktable/tktable.rb: added Tk::TkTable#selection_present.
diff --git a/ext/tk/lib/tkextlib/treectrl/tktreectrl.rb b/ext/tk/lib/tkextlib/treectrl/tktreectrl.rb
index d183dc6df8..269711b22f 100644
--- a/ext/tk/lib/tkextlib/treectrl/tktreectrl.rb
+++ b/ext/tk/lib/tkextlib/treectrl/tktreectrl.rb
@@ -554,12 +554,13 @@ class Tk::TreeCtrl
   end
 
   def collapse(*dsc)
-    tk_send('collapse', *dsc)
+    tk_send_without_enc('collapse', *(dsc.map!{|d| _get_eval_string(d, true)}))
     self
   end
 
   def collapse_recurse(*dsc)
-    tk_send('collapse', '-recurse', *dsc)
+    tk_send_without_enc('collapse', '-recurse', 
+                        *(dsc.map!{|d| _get_eval_string(d, true)}))
     self
   end
 
@@ -610,7 +611,7 @@ class Tk::TreeCtrl
   end
 
   def depth(item=None)
-    num_or_str(tk_send('depth', item))
+    num_or_str(tk_send_without_enc('depth', _get_eval_string(item, true)))
   end
 
   def dragimage_add(item, *args)
@@ -750,22 +751,25 @@ class Tk::TreeCtrl
   end
 
   def item_collapse(item)
-    tk_send('item', 'collapse', item)
+    tk_send_without_enc('item', 'collapse', _get_eval_string(item, true))
     self
   end
 
   def item_collapse_recurse(item)
-    tk_send('item', 'collapse', item, '-recurse')
+    tk_send_without_enc('item', 'collapse', 
+                        _get_eval_string(item, true), '-recurse')
     self
   end
 
   def item_complex(item, *args)
-    tk_send('item', 'complex', item, *args)
+    tk_send_without_enc('item', 'complex', 
+                        _get_eval_string(item, true), 
+                        *(args.map!{|arg| _get_eval_string(arg, true)}))
     self
   end
 
   def item_create(keys={})
-    num_or_str(tk_send('item', 'create', keys))
+    num_or_str(tk_send_without_enc('item', 'create', *hash_kv(keys, true)))
   end
 
   def _erase_children(item)
@@ -814,10 +818,13 @@ class Tk::TreeCtrl
 
   def item_firstchild(parent, child=nil)
     if child
-      tk_send('item', 'firstchild', parent, child)
+      tk_send_without_enc('item', 'firstchild', 
+                          _get_eval_string(parent, true), 
+                          _get_eval_string(child, true))
       self
     else
-      id = num_or_str(tk_send('item', 'firstchild', parent))
+      id = num_or_str(tk_send_without_enc('item', 'firstchild', 
+                                          _get_eval_string(parent, true)))
       Tk::TreeCtrl::Item.id2obj(self, id)
     end
   end
@@ -825,9 +832,12 @@ class Tk::TreeCtrl
 
   def item_hasbutton(item, st=None)
     if st == None
-      bool(tk_send('item', 'hasbutton'))
+      bool(tk_send_without_enc('item', 'hasbutton', 
+                               _get_eval_string(item, true)))
     else
-      tk_send('item', 'hasbutton', st)
+      tk_send_without_enc('item', 'hasbutton', 
+                          _get_eval_string(item, true), 
+                          _get_eval_string(st))
       self
     end
   end
@@ -860,10 +870,13 @@ class Tk::TreeCtrl
 
   def item_lastchild(parent, child=nil)
     if child
-      tk_send('item', 'lastchild', parent, child)
+      tk_send_without_enc('item', 'lastchild', 
+                          _get_eval_string(parent, true),
+                          _get_eval_string(child, true))
       self
     else
-      id = num_or_str(tk_send('item', 'lastchild', parent))
+      id = num_or_str(tk_send_without_enc('item', 'lastchild', 
+                                          _get_eval_string(parent, true)))
       Tk::TreeCtrl::Item.id2obj(self, id)
     end
   end
@@ -881,7 +894,8 @@ class Tk::TreeCtrl
   alias item_next_sibling item_nextsibling
 
   def item_numchildren(item)
-    number(tk_send('item', 'numchildren', item))
+    number(tk_send_without_enc('item', 'numchildren', 
+                               _get_eval_string(item, true)))
   end
   alias item_num_children  item_numchildren
   alias item_children_size item_numchildren
@@ -1005,15 +1019,23 @@ class Tk::TreeCtrl
   def item_style_set(item, column=nil, *args)
     if args.empty?
       if column
-        id = tk_send('item', 'style', 'set', item, column)
+        id = tk_send_without_enc('item', 'style', 'set', 
+                                 _get_eval_string(item, true), 
+                                 _get_eval_string(column, true))
         Tk::TreeCtrl::Style.id2obj(self, id)
       else
-        list(tk_send('item', 'style', 'set', item)).collect!{|id|
+        list(tk_send_without_enc('item', 'style', 'set', 
+                                 _get_eval_string(item, true))).collect!{|id|
           Tk::TreeCtrl::Style.id2obj(self, id)
         }
       end
     else
-      tk_send('item', 'style', 'set', item, column, *(args.flatten))
+      tk_send_without_enc('item', 'style', 'set', 
+                          _get_eval_string(item, true), 
+                          _get_eval_string(column, true), 
+                          *(args.flatten.map!{|arg|
+                              _get_eval_string(arg, true)
+                            }))
       self
     end
   end
diff --git a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/bitmaps.rb b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/bitmaps.rb
index 5ada13bc60..745e6a2e5b 100644
--- a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/bitmaps.rb
+++ b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/bitmaps.rb
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # Demo: Bitmaps
 #
 def demoBitmaps(t)
-  #if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  #if $Version_1_1_OrLater
   if @has_bgimg
     t.configure(:showroot=>false, :showbuttons=>false, :showlines=>false, 
                 :selectmode=>:browse, :orient=>:horizontal, :wrap=>'5 items', 
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def demoBitmaps(t)
   t.style_layout(s, 'elemTxt',    :expand=>:we)
 
   # Set default item style
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.defaultstyle = [s]
   end
 
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def demoBitmaps(t)
 
   bitmap_names.each{|name|
     i = t.item_create
-    unless (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    unless $Version_1_1_OrLater
       t.item_style_set(i, 0, s)
     end
     t.item_text(i, 0, name)
diff --git a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/demo.rb b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/demo.rb
index aaa6b2612b..ec8698ec5b 100644
--- a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/demo.rb
+++ b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/demo.rb
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ $ScriptDir = File.dirname(File.expand_path(__FILE__))
 
 $HasColumnCreate = Tk::TreeCtrl::HasColumnCreateCommand
 
+$Version_1_1_OrLater = (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+
 if Hash.instance_methods.include?('key')
   # probably ruby 1.9.x --> use Hash#key
   # Because Hash#index show warning "Hash#index is deprecated; use Hash#key".
@@ -53,7 +55,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
     make_menubar()
     make_main_window()
 
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       begin
         @tree2[:backgroundimage]
         @has_bgimg = true
@@ -351,7 +353,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
       [ 'Expand',   [], nil, '', {:menu_config=>{:tearoff=>false}} ]
     ]
 
-    # if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    # if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     if @has_bgimg
       menuspec << \
       [ 'Background Image', 
@@ -503,7 +505,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
 
     m = @mTree[w].entrycget('Collapse', :menu)
     m.delete(0, :end)
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       m.add_command(:label=>'All', :command=>proc{w.item_collapse(:all)})
     else
       m.add_command(:label=>'All', :command=>proc{w.collapse(:all)})
@@ -511,7 +513,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
     unless id.empty?
       if id[0] == 'item'
         item = id[1]
-        if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+        if $Version_1_1_OrLater
           m.add_command(:label=>"Item #{item}", 
                         :command=>proc{w.item_collapse(item)})
           m.add_command(:label=>"Item #{item} (recurse)", 
@@ -527,7 +529,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
 
     m = @mTree[w].entrycget('Expand', :menu)
     m.delete(0, :end)
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       m.add_command(:label=>'All', :command=>proc{w.item_expand(:all)})
     else
       m.add_command(:label=>'All', :command=>proc{w.expand(:all)})
@@ -535,7 +537,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
     unless id.empty?
       if id[0] == 'item'
         item = id[1]
-        if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+        if $Version_1_1_OrLater
           m.add_command(:label=>"Item #{item}", 
                         :command=>proc{w.item_expand(item)})
           m.add_command(:label=>"Item #{item} (recurse)", 
@@ -552,7 +554,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
     [:data, :display, :enable].each{|k|
       @popup[:debug][k].value = w.debug_cget(k)
     }
-    # if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    # if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     if @has_bgimg
       @popup[:bgimg].value = @images.key(w[:backgroundimage])
     end
@@ -803,7 +805,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
     @tree1.style_layout('s1', 'e2', :union=>['e1'], 
                         :ipadx=>2, :ipady=>[0, 1], :iexpand=>:e)
 
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       @tree1.defaultstyle = 's1'
     end
 
@@ -826,7 +828,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
     ].each{|label, cmd, file|
       item = @tree1.item_create
       @tree1.item_lastchild(:root, item)
-      unless (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      unless $Version_1_1_OrLater
         @tree1.item_style_set(item, 0, 's1')
       end
       @tree1.item_text(item, 0, label)
@@ -883,7 +885,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
     
     # One item for each element in the demo list
     @tree2.element_names.sort.each{|elem|
-      if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      if $Version_1_1_OrLater
         item = @tree4.item_create(:button=>true)
         @tree4.item_collapse(item)
       else
@@ -920,7 +922,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
 
     # One item for each style in the demo list
     @tree2.style_names.sort.each{|sty|
-      if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      if $Version_1_1_OrLater
         item = @tree4.item_create(:button=>true)
         @tree4.item_collapse(item)
       else
@@ -933,7 +935,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
 
       # One item for each element in the style
       @tree2.style_elements(sty).each{|elem|
-        if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+        if $Version_1_1_OrLater
           item2 = @tree4.item_create(:button=>true)
           @tree4.item_collapse(item2)
         else
@@ -948,7 +950,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
         # One item for each layout option for this element in this style
         @tree2.style_layout(sty, elem).each{|k, v|
           item3 = @tree4.item_create
-          unless (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+          unless $Version_1_1_OrLater
             @tree4.item_hasbutton(item3, false)
           end
           @tree4.item_style_set(item3, 0, 's1')
@@ -1002,7 +1004,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
     column = 0
     @tree2.item_style_set(item).each{|sty|
       item2 = @tree3.item_create
-      if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      if $Version_1_1_OrLater
         @tree3.item_collapse(item2)
       else
         @tree3.collapse(item2)
@@ -1017,13 +1019,13 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
       unless sty.to_s.empty?
         @tree2.item_style_elements(item, column).each{|elem|
           button = true
-          if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+          if $Version_1_1_OrLater
             item3 = @tree3.item_create(:button=>true)
           else
             item3 = @tree3.item_create
             @tree3.item_hasbutton(item3, true)
           end
-          if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+          if $Version_1_1_OrLater
             @tree3.item_collapse(item3)
           else
             @tree3.collapse(item3)
@@ -1060,7 +1062,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
           }
           @tree3.item_lastchild(item2, item3)
         }
-        if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+        if $Version_1_1_OrLater
           @tree3.item_configure(item2, :button=>true) if button
         else
           @tree3.item_hasbutton(item2, true) if button
@@ -1101,7 +1103,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
     # Delete all elements in demo list
     @tree2.element_delete(*(@tree2.element_names))
 
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       @tree2.item_configure(:root, :button=>false)
       @tree2.item_expand(:root)
     else
@@ -1110,7 +1112,7 @@ class TkTreeCtrl_demo
     end
 
     # Restore some happy defaults to the demo list
-    # if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    # if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     if @has_bgimg
       @tree2.configure(:orient=>:vertical, :wrap=>'', 
                        :xscrollincrement=>0, :yscrollincrement=>0, 
diff --git a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/help.rb b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/help.rb
index 01e075bdf8..7962a384cc 100644
--- a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/help.rb
+++ b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/help.rb
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ def demoHelpContents(t)
 
   init_pics('help-*')
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.column_create(:text=>'Help Contents')
   else # TreeCtrl 1.0
     t.column_configure(0, :text=>'Help Contents')
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ def demoHelpContents(t)
     item = t.item_create
     t.item_style_set(item, 0, style)
     t.item_element_configure(item, 0, 'e3', :text=>text)
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       t.item_collapse(item)
     else # TreeCtrl 1.0
       t.collapse(item)
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ def demoHelpContents2(t)
 
   init_pics('help-*')
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.column_create(:text=>'Help Contents')
   else # TreeCtrl 1.0
     t.column_configure(0, :text=>'Help Contents')
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ def demoHelpContents2(t)
     item = t.item_create
     t.item_style_set(item, 0, style)
     t.item_element_configure(item, 0, 'e3', :text=>text)
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       t.item_collapse(item)
     else # TreeCtrl 1.0
       t.collapse(item)
@@ -301,13 +301,13 @@ def helpButton1(w, x, y)
     end
     if w.selection_get.length > 0
       item2 = w.selection_get[0]
-      if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      if $Version_1_1_OrLater
         w.item_collapse(item2)
       else # TreeCtrl 1.0
         w.collapse(item2)
       end
       w.item_ancestors(item2).each{|i|
-        if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+        if $Version_1_1_OrLater
           w.item_collapse(i) if w.compare(item, '!=', i)
         else # TreeCtrl 1.0
           w.collapse(i) if w.compare(item, '!=', i)
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ def helpButton1(w, x, y)
       }
     end
     w.activate(item)
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       w.item_ancestors(item).each{|i|
         w.item_expand(i)
       }
diff --git a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/imovie.rb b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/imovie.rb
index 3c394fa125..45d30060df 100644
--- a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/imovie.rb
+++ b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/imovie.rb
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def demoIMovie(t)
                  :ipadx=>6, :padx=>[0,3], :pady=>[0,3])
 
   # Set default item style
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.defaultstyle([s])
   end
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def demoIMovie(t)
       ['07:20', 'Clip 7', @images['imovie-07']]
     ].each{|time, name, image|
       item = t.item_create
-      unless (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      unless $Version_1_1_OrLater
         t.item_style_set(item, 0, s)
       end
       t.item_element_configure(item, 0, 'elemTime', :text=>time)
diff --git a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/layout.rb b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/layout.rb
index 0ab65ac243..745ac86f36 100644
--- a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/layout.rb
+++ b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/layout.rb
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def demoLayout(t)
   t.style_layout(s, 'e7', :detach=>true, :expand=>:wn, 
                  :padx=>[0,2], :pady=>[0,2])
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     i = t.item_create(:button=>true)
   else
     i = t.item_create
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def demoLayout(t)
   parent = i
 
   i = t.item_create()
-  unless (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  unless $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.item_hasbutton(i, false)
   end
   t.item_style_set(i, 0, s)
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ def demoLayout(t)
   t.style_layout(s, 'e3', :union=>['e1'], :ipadx=>[20,4], :ipady=>[4,12])
   t.style_layout(s, 'e4', :detach=>true, :iexpand=>:es)
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     i = t.item_create(:button=>true)
   else
     i = t.item_create
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ def demoLayout(t)
   t.item_lastchild(:root, i)
 
   i2 = t.item_create()
-  unless (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  unless $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.item_hasbutton(i2, false)
   end
   t.item_style_set(i2, 0, s)
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def demoLayout(t)
   t.style_layout(s, 'e3', :union=>['e1', 'e5'], :ipadx=>4, :ipady=>4)
   t.style_layout(s, 'e5', :ipady=>[0,20])
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     i = t.item_create(:button=>true)
   else
     i = t.item_create
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ def demoLayout(t)
   t.item_lastchild(:root, i)
 
   i2 = t.item_create()
-  unless (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  unless $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.item_hasbutton(i2, false)
   end
   t.item_style_set(i2, 0, s)
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def demoLayout(t)
   t.style_layout(s, 'eb', :union=>['et'], :ipadx=>2, :ipady=>2)
   t.style_layout(s, 'et', :squeeze=>:x)
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     i = t.item_create(:button=>true)
   else
     i = t.item_create
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ def demoLayout(t)
   parent = i
 
   i = t.item_create()
-  unless (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  unless $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.item_hasbutton(i, false)
   end
   t.item_style_set(i, 0, s)
diff --git a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/mailwasher.rb b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/mailwasher.rb
index b695db5104..c10d7e2162 100644
--- a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/mailwasher.rb
+++ b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/mailwasher.rb
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ def demoMailWasher(t)
 
   pad = 4
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.column_create(:text=>'Delete', :textpadx=>pad, :tag=>'delete')
     t.column_create(:text=>'Bounce', :textpadx=>pad, :tag=>'bounce')
     t.column_create(:text=>'Status', :width=>80, :textpadx=>pad, 
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def demoMailWasher(t)
   t.element_create('txtBlacklist', :text, :text=>'Blacklisted', :lines=>1, 
                    :fill=>[@SystemHighlightText, ['selected'], '#FF5800', []])
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     s = t.style_create('styCheck')
     t.style_elements(s, ['border', 'imgCheck'])
     t.style_layout(s, 'border', :detach=>true, :iexpand=>:es)
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ def demoMailWasher(t)
     status = ['styNormal','styPossSpam','styProbSpam','styBlacklist'][rand(4)]
     attachments = ['styNone','styYes'][rand(2)]
 
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       delete = [false, true][rand(2)]
       bounce = [false, true][rand(2)]
       t.item_style_set(item, 
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ def demoMailWasher(t)
 
   mailWasher = TkBindTag.new
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     mailWasher.bind('ButtonPress-1', 
                     proc{|w, x, y|
                       id = w.identify(x, y)
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ def demoMailWasher(t)
   t.bindtags = [t, mailWasher, Tk::TreeCtrl, t.winfo_toplevel, TkBindTag::ALL]
 end
 
-if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+if $Version_1_1_OrLater
   def compareOnOff(w, c, item1, item2)
     s1 = w.item_state_forcolumn(item1, c)
     s2 = w.item_state_forcolumn(item2, c)
diff --git a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/outlook-folders.rb b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/outlook-folders.rb
index e56ba3f889..c3af86868e 100644
--- a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/outlook-folders.rb
+++ b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/outlook-folders.rb
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def demoOutlookFolders(t)
      [0, :server, "news.gmane.org", true, 0], 
         [1, :group, "gmane.comp.lang.lua.general", false, 498]
   ].each{|depth, img, text, button, unread|
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       item = t.item_create(:button=>button)
     else
       item = t.item_create
diff --git a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/outlook-newgroup.rb b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/outlook-newgroup.rb
index 26fb84a765..615c9b2b36 100644
--- a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/outlook-newgroup.rb
+++ b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/outlook-newgroup.rb
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ def demoOutlookNewsgroup(t)
   t.configure(:itemheight=>height, :selectmode=>:browse, :showlines=>false, 
               :showroot=>false, :showrootbutton=>false, :showbuttons=>true)
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.column_create(:image=>@images['outlook-clip'], :tag=>'clip')
     t.column_create(:image=>@images['outlook-arrow'], :tag=>'arrow')
     t.column_create(:image=>@images['outlook-watch'], :tag=>'watch')
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ def demoOutlookNewsgroup(t)
   t.style_layout(s, 'sel.w', :detach=>true, :iexpand=>:es)
 
   # Set default item style
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.defaultstyle = ['', '', '', 's1', 's2.we', 's2.we', 's2.w']
   end
 
@@ -147,21 +147,21 @@ def demoOutlookNewsgroup(t)
     t.item_state_set(item_i, 'unread')  if anyUnreadDescendants(t, item_i)
 
     if t.item_numchildren(item_i) > 0
-      if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      if $Version_1_1_OrLater
         t.item_configure(item_i, :button=>true)
       else # TreeCtrl 1.0
         t.item_hasbutton(item_i, true)
       end
 
       # Collapse some messages
-      if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      if $Version_1_1_OrLater
         t.item_collapse(item_i) if rand(2) == 0
       else # TreeCtrl 1.0
         t.collapse(item_i) if rand(2) == 0
       end
     end
 
-    unless (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    unless $Version_1_1_OrLater
       t.item_style_set(item_i, 3, 's1', 4, 's2.we', 5, 's2.we', 6, 's2.w')
     end
     t.item_text(item_i, 3, subject, 4, from, 5, sent, 6, size)
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ def demoOutlookNewsgroup2(t)
   t.configure(:itemheight=>height, :selectmode=>:browse, :showlines=>false, 
               :showroot=>false, :showrootbutton=>false, :showbuttons=>true)
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.column_create(:image=>@images['outlook-clip'], :tag=>'clip')
     t.column_create(:image=>@images['outlook-arrow'], :tag=>'arrow')
     t.column_create(:image=>@images['outlook-watch'], :tag=>'watch')
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ def demoOutlookNewsgroup2(t)
   (1...(msgCnt)).each{|i|
     if rand(2) == 0
       if t.item_numchildren(i) > 0
-        if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+        if $Version_1_1_OrLater
           t.item_collapse(i)
         else # TreeCtrl 1.0
           t.collapse(i)
diff --git a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/random.rb b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/random.rb
index 96cf31277d..d952d476b2 100644
--- a/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/random.rb
+++ b/ext/tk/sample/tkextlib/treectrl/random.rb
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ def demoRandom(t)
               :showlines=>true, :scrollmargin=>16, 
               :xscrolldelay=>[500, 50], :yscrolldelay=>[500, 50])
 
-  if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+  if $Version_1_1_OrLater
     t.column_create(:expand=>true, :text=>'Item', 
                     :itembackground=>['#e0e8f0', []], :tag=>'item')
     t.column_create(:text=>'Parent', :justify=>:center, 
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ def demoRandom(t)
       item_j = items[j]
       break if t.depth(item_j) < 5
     }
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       t.item_collapse(item_i) if rand(2) == 0
     else # TreeCtrl 1.0
       t.collapse(item_i) if rand(2) == 0
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ def demoRandom(t)
     item_j = nil
     numChildren = t.item_numchildren(item_i)
     if numChildren > 0
-      if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      if $Version_1_1_OrLater
         t.item_configure(item_i, :button=>true)
       else # TreeCtrl 1.0
         t.item_hasbutton(item_i, true)
@@ -191,14 +191,14 @@ def randomButton1(t, x, y)
     where, item, arg1, arg2, arg3, arg4 = id
     case arg1
     when 'button'
-      if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      if $Version_1_1_OrLater
         t.item_toggle(item)
       else # TreeCtrl 1.0
         t.toggle(item)
       end
 
     when 'line'
-      if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      if $Version_1_1_OrLater
         t.item_toggle(arg2)
       else # TreeCtrl 1.0
         t.toggle(arg2)
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ def randomDrop(t, target, src, pos)
   parentList.each{|item|
     numChildren = t.item_numchildren(item)
     if numChildren == 0
-      if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+      if $Version_1_1_OrLater
         t.item_configure(item, :button=>false)
       else # TreeCtrl 1.0
         t.item_hasbutton(item, false)
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ def randomDrop(t, target, src, pos)
 
   # Update the target that gained some children
   if t.item_style_set(parent, 0) != 's1'
-    if (TkPackage.vcompare(Tk::TreeCtrl.package_version, '1.1') >= 0)
+    if $Version_1_1_OrLater
       t.item_configure(parent, :button=>true)
     else # TreeCtrl 1.0
       t.item_hasbutton(parent, true)