to use Ruby / Tk (on Win XP) needs to install ActiveState?

[SpringFlowers AutumnMoon]

it seems the usual way to use Ruby / Tk on Win XP is to install
ActiveState's ActiveTcl?

it is quite a huge installation.

is the other way is to download the Tk source code and compile it
yourself using Visual Studio or cygwin?

 

[Jayson Williams]

I don't think there is a practical alternative unfortunately. It is
quite large, but well worth it. I have tried several of the available
GUI toolkits for Ruby, and I always return to Tk. Well worth the large
install.