>Another idea you might consider would be to allow the user to set a preference as to how they want your app to handle the situation.

Yes, that's on the table...we have, after more discussion,

1) Exit/revert automatically
2) Exit/save automatically
3) Exit with message to save edits
4) Allow user to set an option

Probably 3 is most likely choice, since we have some vocal opponents of 4 - they want a really fixed standard. Different people like 1 or 2, but they're so opposite that we'll have a little war if one of those choices is made :)