Marine Aquarium 3 Beta Expired?

Dale · 10-20-2008, 11:36 AM

In the now-locked thread, Jim said:

"I just uploaded Beta 2. From now on, I will probably name all subsequent versions the same: MA3Beta.zip. That way, the latest version will always be at the same link. When you run the program, the actual Beta number will be on the screen."

Procedural problems:

1. When I try to run MA3, it says "The Beta Test has expired". Now, what version of the Beta was that? I can't tell unless I run the program, and I can't run the program. So, not remembering what Beta I was running on that machine....

2. So, cussing a bit, I download from that link, extract, etc. etc. "The Beta Test has expired".

3. Of course, since what I downloaded was MA3Beta.zip, there's no clue what version it was. So, I go to the extracted MABeta.scr file and look at the properties, and behold - it says it's 1.0.0.1 - so no clue there, either.

Assuming that the Betas will continue to expire, we need SOME clue about what's going on, if the message says that "The Beta Test has expired" and not letting us run the .scr. Either "The Beta 2 Test has expired", or whatever.

feldon34 · 10-20-2008, 11:40 AM

Beta 2 is the current version, and it is expired. There is currently no version you can download which will run, which I agree is a major problem.

I really do appreciate the effort people have put into posting bugs and participating in the Beta so that the final version is bug-free and people feel comfortable with it, knowing that it got the testing it deserved. Thanks!

I've unlocked this topic. By the way there is a similar topic here:
https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ead.php?t=4511

Dale · 10-20-2008, 01:10 PM

Originally posted by feldon32:

Beta 2 is the current version, and it is expired. There is currently no version you can download which will run, which I agree is a major problem.

I really do appreciate the effort people have put into posting bugs and participating in the Beta so that the final version is bug-free and people feel comfortable with it, knowing that it got the testing it deserved. Thanks!

I've unlocked this topic. By the way there is a similar topic here:
https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ead.php?t=4511

See the following for previous discussions of "Version Control", file identification, etc. etc.

https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ead.php?t=3013

https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ead.php?t=3440

And other similar threads.

feldon34 · 10-20-2008, 01:14 PM

Ah yes, I remember those threads.

I do agree with you that there have been problems in the past with not knowing which version is which. If there is a specific bug which is fixed by a new version, then that version should be posted with a note indicating the version number and build number and why it was released.

I think what they're trying to do is stop 4 million people downloading a slightly newer version of the Aquarium unless they are experiencing a specific bug which affects them.

Unless there is some critical bug or you are experiencing some specific bug which is resolved in a newer version of the Aquarium, there is no reason to re-download it. Yet people incessantly re-download the Aquarium frequently, hoping for some new feature or fish, costing a fortune in hosting.

P.S. The Beta downloads are being hosted here on this server.

Dreamster · 10-20-2008, 01:27 PM

Not only is the beta expired but now I have to find my CD to get 2.6 running again. Kinda annoying. Whats up with that? I would like to be able to have 2.6 running without having to insert the CD every time I check out MA3.

kcs · 10-27-2008, 03:46 AM

Hello from sunny (at least today) Belgium.

As last week, the beta 3 has expired today. When can we expect beta 4?

Thanks for all your efforts Jim, the aquarium is awsome.

Christian

tshooi · 10-27-2008, 04:31 AM

wish come out the full version as fast as possible , always showing expired very boring

Jav400 · 10-27-2008, 06:04 AM

That is the nature of testing.

So what would you prefer? That a version is released full of problems? Then everyone would complain that Jim should have done a better job of programming.

StuDisney · 10-27-2008, 07:08 AM

I'm sure we will see beta 4 soon. We have to remember the time difference

Jim Sachs · 10-27-2008, 09:06 AM

Beta 4 is up: http://www.fish-byte.com/MA3Beta.zip

Ingogringo · 10-27-2008, 01:36 PM

Awsome!
This saver's a wonderful piece of 3D-art!
Worth waiting for!
Version 4 will last 2 weeks and expires the 10th of November.

Agile · 10-28-2008, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Beta 4 is up: http://www.fish-byte.com/MA3Beta.zip

Hi,When will we have a full version of the lovely screen saver?.

Regards
David

ps any way to stop the end dates on the beta versions?

Jav400 · 10-28-2008, 08:58 AM

Other than resetting your time function on your computer, you cannot stop the time out feature.

Everyone please remember that these are Beta versions, they are not supposed to run forever. When Jim feels that enough bugs have been repaired to warrant a full release then you can get one that will run and run and run.

Ex_Brit · 10-28-2008, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Beta 4 is up: http://www.fish-byte.com/MA3Beta.zip

Thanks Jim, I was wondering why I got expired on my other one. This one seems to work much better than the beta 3 one.

10-20-2008, 11:36 AM	#1
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Marine Aquarium 3 Beta Expired? In the now-locked thread, Jim said: "I just uploaded Beta 2. From now on, I will probably name all subsequent versions the same: MA3Beta.zip. That way, the latest version will always be at the same link. When you run the program, the actual Beta number will be on the screen." Procedural problems: 1. When I try to run MA3, it says "The Beta Test has expired". Now, what version of the Beta was that? I can't tell unless I run the program, and I can't run the program. So, not remembering what Beta I was running on that machine.... 2. So, cussing a bit, I download from that link, extract, etc. etc. "The Beta Test has expired". 3. Of course, since what I downloaded was MA3Beta.zip, there's no clue what version it was. So, I go to the extracted MABeta.scr file and look at the properties, and behold - it says it's 1.0.0.1 - so no clue there, either. Assuming that the Betas will continue to expire, we need SOME clue about what's going on, if the message says that "The Beta Test has expired" and not letting us run the .scr. Either "The Beta 2 Test has expired", or whatever.

10-20-2008, 11:40 AM	#2
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	Beta 2 is the current version, and it is expired. There is currently no version you can download which will run, which I agree is a major problem. I really do appreciate the effort people have put into posting bugs and participating in the Beta so that the final version is bug-free and people feel comfortable with it, knowing that it got the testing it deserved. Thanks! I've unlocked this topic. By the way there is a similar topic here: https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ead.php?t=4511 "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

10-20-2008, 01:14 PM	#4
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	Ah yes, I remember those threads. I do agree with you that there have been problems in the past with not knowing which version is which. If there is a specific bug which is fixed by a new version, then that version should be posted with a note indicating the version number and build number and why it was released. I think what they're trying to do is stop 4 million people downloading a slightly newer version of the Aquarium unless they are experiencing a specific bug which affects them. Unless there is some critical bug or you are experiencing some specific bug which is resolved in a newer version of the Aquarium, there is no reason to re-download it. Yet people incessantly re-download the Aquarium frequently, hoping for some new feature or fish, costing a fortune in hosting. P.S. The Beta downloads are being hosted here on this server. "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." - George Orwell "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." - Emma Goldman

10-20-2008, 01:27 PM	#5
Dreamster Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 27	Beta Expired and now 2.6 wants key re-entered. Not only is the beta expired but now I have to find my CD to get 2.6 running again. Kinda annoying. Whats up with that? I would like to be able to have 2.6 running without having to insert the CD every time I check out MA3.

10-27-2008, 06:04 AM	#8
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	That is the nature of testing. So what would you prefer? That a version is released full of problems? Then everyone would complain that Jim should have done a better job of programming. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

10-20-2008, 01:10 PM	#3
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by feldon32: Beta 2 is the current version, and it is expired. There is currently no version you can download which will run, which I agree is a major problem. I really do appreciate the effort people have put into posting bugs and participating in the Beta so that the final version is bug-free and people feel comfortable with it, knowing that it got the testing it deserved. Thanks! I've unlocked this topic. By the way there is a similar topic here: https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ead.php?t=4511 See the following for previous discussions of "Version Control", file identification, etc. etc. https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ead.php?t=3013 https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ead.php?t=3440 And other similar threads.

10-27-2008, 03:46 AM	#6
kcs Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Brussels - Belgium Posts: 8	Hello from sunny (at least today) Belgium. As last week, the beta 3 has expired today. When can we expect beta 4? Thanks for all your efforts Jim, the aquarium is awsome. Christian

10-27-2008, 04:31 AM	#7
tshooi Registered Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5	wish come out the full version as fast as possible , always showing expired very boring

10-27-2008, 07:08 AM	#9
StuDisney Registered Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: WDW/Orlando Fl. Posts: 44	I'm sure we will see beta 4 soon. We have to remember the time difference "Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children." “Growing Old is Mandatory - Growing Up Is Optional”

10-27-2008, 09:06 AM	#10
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	Beta 4 is up: http://www.fish-byte.com/MA3Beta.zip Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

10-27-2008, 01:36 PM	#11
Ingogringo Doc Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mariestad Sweden Posts: 13	Awsome! This saver's a wonderful piece of 3D-art! Worth waiting for! Version 4 will last 2 weeks and expires the 10th of November.

10-28-2008, 06:25 AM	#12
Agile Registered Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Beta 4 is up: http://www.fish-byte.com/MA3Beta.zip Hi,When will we have a full version of the lovely screen saver?. Regards David ps any way to stop the end dates on the beta versions?

10-28-2008, 08:58 AM	#13
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	Other than resetting your time function on your computer, you cannot stop the time out feature. Everyone please remember that these are Beta versions, they are not supposed to run forever. When Jim feels that enough bugs have been repaired to warrant a full release then you can get one that will run and run and run. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

10-28-2008, 09:26 AM	#14
Ex_Brit Geordie Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 114	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Beta 4 is up: http://www.fish-byte.com/MA3Beta.zip Thanks Jim, I was wondering why I got expired on my other one. This one seems to work much better than the beta 3 one. Peter Toronto, Canada