/** initializes the parameters */
  protected void initializeParameters() {

    // getting the parameters from the preference store
    rulersEnabled =
        Boolean.parseBoolean(PreferencesStore.getPreference(null, RULERS_ENABLED_PREF_ID));

    alignWithRulers =
        Boolean.parseBoolean(PreferencesStore.getPreference(null, ALIGN_WITH_RULERS_PREF_ID));
  }
  /** updates the preferences values */
  protected void updatePreferences() {

    PreferencesStore.setPreference(null, RULERS_ENABLED_PREF_ID, Boolean.toString(rulersEnabled));
    PreferencesStore.setPreference(
        null, ALIGN_WITH_RULERS_PREF_ID, Boolean.toString(alignWithRulers));
  }