# File lib/preferences.rb, line 291
  def set_connect(obj, state)
    md = metadata[obj.object_id]
    if block_given?
      begin
        old_state = md.connected
        md.connected = state
        yield
      ensure
        md.connected = old_state
      end
    else
      return if md == nil and state == true
        # connect called before pref registered, ok if and only if state true
      
      md.connected = state
    end
  end