Marine Aquarium 3 Beta INSTALLER test - Page 11

Dale · 02-05-2009, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by feldon32:

I would make the Aquarium point to an arbitrary redirect like http://www.serenescreen.com/getdirectx9/
and then have your web person keep that link up-to-date with whatever link is currently at Microsoft's website for DirectX 9.

That would work, of course. But it relies on the "web person" to check frequently.

If the server has enough disk space, and of course if the server and net connection can handle the infrequent bandwidth of downloading for the few people who will need 9.0c, then the redistributable could be on that server, and would always work - although it might not be the most current version.

I'm sure that Jim can sort out the tradeoffs.

Ralph · 02-05-2009, 09:56 PM

Just wondering... does the installer version expire?.. will the beta's continue to expire even though the newest (next?) version will need a key?

R

Jim Sachs · 02-05-2009, 10:10 PM

The installer version on SereneScreen.com does not expire, even without a Key Code.

My "BetaBetas" on Fish-Byte.com (no installer) will have a 14-day lifespan. We don't want these things running loose in the wild too long.

About once a month, the new features and bug fixes which prove stable will be incorporated into an update of the official Beta on SereneScreen.com.

JamesGreystone · 02-06-2009, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

The installer version on SereneScreen.com does not expire, even without a Key Code.

My "BetaBetas" on Fish-Byte.com (no installer) will have a 14-day lifespan. We don't want these things running loose in the wild too long.

About once a month, the new features and bug fixes which prove stable will be incorporated into an update of the official Beta on SereneScreen.com.

Jim just an FYI but the download on Fish-Byte.com loads a 404 error page not found. Just in case folks go to your site for the demo.

feldon34 · 02-06-2009, 07:24 AM

Originally posted by JamesGreystone:

Jim just an FYI but the download on Fish-Byte.com loads a 404 error page not found. Just in case folks go to your site for the demo.

I corrected the 8k Installer link at the start of this thread yesterday.
I just corrected the 8k Installer link in the "BETA RELEASE & DOWNLOAD" thread.

JamesGreystone · 02-06-2009, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by feldon32:

I corrected the 8k Installer link at the start of this thread yesterday.
I just corrected the 8k Installer link in the "BETA RELEASE & DOWNLOAD" thread.

I believe this site is fine but the Fish-Byte site (http://www.fish-byte.com/) the download link which goes to (http://www.serenescreen.com/download/index.asp) is broken.

feldon34 · 02-06-2009, 09:31 AM

Ah

Jim Sachs · 02-06-2009, 01:22 PM

OK, that one's mine. Fixed.

Also added an updated News section to fish-byte.com.
http://www.fish-byte.com/news2.htm

JamesGreystone · 02-06-2009, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

OK, that one's mine. Fixed.

Rainyfly · 02-06-2009, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Also added an updated News section to fish-byte.com.
http://www.fish-byte.com/news2.htm

Looks great Jim. I caught a typo though, "invertabrates" should be invertebrates.

Cheers,
Rainy

Jim Sachs · 02-06-2009, 05:09 PM

Thanks, fixed.

Cobra · 02-07-2009, 02:53 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

1. Finish clocks.
2. Bring clams to life.
3. New fish models.
4. New fish movement.
5 through 2,543,921 - To be determined.

I know this is off topic, but i was just wondering... looking at the SereneScreen logo and remembering a thread back in 2001. Are the Butterfly Garden, Terrarium and Aviary still planed somewhere in the steps 5 through 2,543,921?

Jim Sachs · 02-07-2009, 02:59 PM

No, those are just the steps to finish MA3. Those other programs come after that.

Cobra · 02-07-2009, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

No, those are just the steps to finish MA3. Those other programs come after that.

Nice to hear, thats what i meant. But didn't you say MA3 will never be 'finished'?

Jim Sachs · 02-07-2009, 03:26 PM

That's true, but the curve should eventually start to level off.

Dale · 02-09-2009, 06:27 PM

INSTALLER TEST, Windows 7

I just used the installer version to put MA3 on an absolutely-virgin Windows 7 Ultimate System. The hardware is an Intel D945GNT mainboard, built-in graphics (no add-on card), 1 GB memory. No "upgrade" drivers from Intel were installed - just whatever drivers arrived with the Windows 7 Beta 1 Installation (and whatever updates it installed automatically).

Oh, it's 32-bit Windows 7.

Good news:

Installer apparently ran correctly.

MA3 version 8k seems to run nicely, There was no sign of the "can't find compatible Direct3D device" message.

Strange news:

A. After installing MA3, the "screen saver" panel shows TWO apparently-equivalent entries: "SereneScreen Marine Aquarium 3" and "PSereneScreen Marine Aquarium 3" - the only difference being the leading "P". This situation survived selection of another screensaver, and survived a reboot. Brief testing - either one worked, apparently identical.

B. The Fish Settings after installation had 14 fish selected, but all of them were on the top row. Quantities in order: 3,3,2,2,2,2. All other fish seemed to have the "disable this fixh" box checked. I don't recall that being the situation in any other "virgin installation", but perhaps I just didn't notice? Is that setting by design? Does it happen with Vista and XP?

There are a few other things that I haven't checked, but that's the initial report.

Jim Sachs · 02-09-2009, 08:56 PM

The "PSereneScreen" business sounds vaguely familiar, but I could be wrong. I have no idea what could cause it.

The fish settings are normal for an unregistered copy.

craigy1012000 · 02-10-2009, 05:23 AM

Sorry if this is in the wrong place.
I have just purchased the upgrade and it is fantastic but i just wanted to know (in simple terms) how i can put a logo on the crystal?
Craig

Jav400 · 02-10-2009, 06:53 AM

Unfortunately, right now there is no simple answer to that. It can of course be done, but for simple, you might need to wait a bit until Jim gets a few more features added.

You have two choices.

1. Tell us what you want and someone here can make it for you.
2. Wait patiently for the simple to be added.

feldon34 · 02-10-2009, 09:38 AM

If you are comfortable with Photoshop, you can use my Logo Creation Guide here to make a PNG-24 file at 256 x 256 pixels.

Name the file AltLogo.png and put it in the Aquarium's data folder. On XP this is c:\documents and settings\(yourusername)\Application Data\Marine Aquarium 3\

The next time you start the Aquarium (by double-clicking, not as a screen saver), press L to toggle the logo.

Note that the Beta is strictly a test, so you cannot set your logo to appear all the time, only by running the Aquarium manually and pressing L.

02-05-2009, 10:10 PM	#203
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	The installer version on SereneScreen.com does not expire, even without a Key Code. My "BetaBetas" on Fish-Byte.com (no installer) will have a 14-day lifespan. We don't want these things running loose in the wild too long. About once a month, the new features and bug fixes which prove stable will be incorporated into an update of the official Beta on SereneScreen.com. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-06-2009, 07:24 AM	#205
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	Originally posted by JamesGreystone: Jim just an FYI but the download on Fish-Byte.com loads a 404 error page not found. Just in case folks go to your site for the demo. I corrected the 8k Installer link at the start of this thread yesterday. I just corrected the 8k Installer link in the "BETA RELEASE & DOWNLOAD" thread. "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

02-06-2009, 09:31 AM	#207
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	Ah "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

02-06-2009, 01:22 PM	#208
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	OK, that one's mine. Fixed. Also added an updated News section to fish-byte.com. http://www.fish-byte.com/news2.htm Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-06-2009, 05:09 PM	#211
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	Thanks, fixed. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-05-2009, 04:29 PM	#201
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by feldon32: I would make the Aquarium point to an arbitrary redirect like http://www.serenescreen.com/getdirectx9/ and then have your web person keep that link up-to-date with whatever link is currently at Microsoft's website for DirectX 9. That would work, of course. But it relies on the "web person" to check frequently. If the server has enough disk space, and of course if the server and net connection can handle the infrequent bandwidth of downloading for the few people who will need 9.0c, then the redistributable could be on that server, and would always work - although it might not be the most current version. I'm sure that Jim can sort out the tradeoffs.

02-05-2009, 09:56 PM	#202
Ralph Retired Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Edmonton Alberta Ca Posts: 2,441	Just wondering... does the installer version expire?.. will the beta's continue to expire even though the newest (next?) version will need a key? R

02-06-2009, 06:54 AM	#204
JamesGreystone Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada brrrrrr Posts: 29	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: The installer version on SereneScreen.com does not expire, even without a Key Code. My "BetaBetas" on Fish-Byte.com (no installer) will have a 14-day lifespan. We don't want these things running loose in the wild too long. About once a month, the new features and bug fixes which prove stable will be incorporated into an update of the official Beta on SereneScreen.com. Jim just an FYI but the download on Fish-Byte.com loads a 404 error page not found. Just in case folks go to your site for the demo.

02-06-2009, 09:07 AM	#206
JamesGreystone Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada brrrrrr Posts: 29	Originally posted by feldon32: I corrected the 8k Installer link at the start of this thread yesterday. I just corrected the 8k Installer link in the "BETA RELEASE & DOWNLOAD" thread. I believe this site is fine but the Fish-Byte site (http://www.fish-byte.com/) the download link which goes to (http://www.serenescreen.com/download/index.asp) is broken.

02-06-2009, 01:54 PM	#209
JamesGreystone Registered Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada brrrrrr Posts: 29	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: OK, that one's mine. Fixed.

02-06-2009, 04:29 PM	#210
Rainyfly Registered Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 31	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Also added an updated News section to fish-byte.com. http://www.fish-byte.com/news2.htm Looks great Jim. I caught a typo though, "invertabrates" should be invertebrates. Cheers, Rainy

02-07-2009, 02:53 PM	#212
Cobra Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Germany, Bamberg Posts: 13	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: 1. Finish clocks. 2. Bring clams to life. 3. New fish models. 4. New fish movement. 5 through 2,543,921 - To be determined. I know this is off topic, but i was just wondering... looking at the SereneScreen logo and remembering a thread back in 2001. Are the Butterfly Garden, Terrarium and Aviary still planed somewhere in the steps 5 through 2,543,921?

02-07-2009, 02:59 PM	#213
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	No, those are just the steps to finish MA3. Those other programs come after that. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-07-2009, 03:12 PM	#214
Cobra Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Germany, Bamberg Posts: 13	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: No, those are just the steps to finish MA3. Those other programs come after that. Nice to hear, thats what i meant. But didn't you say MA3 will never be 'finished'?

02-07-2009, 03:26 PM	#215
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	That's true, but the curve should eventually start to level off. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-09-2009, 06:27 PM	#216
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Windows 7 - Installer 8k *INSTALLER TEST, Windows 7* I just used the installer version to put MA3 on an absolutely-virgin Windows 7 Ultimate System. The hardware is an Intel D945GNT mainboard, built-in graphics (no add-on card), 1 GB memory. No "upgrade" drivers from Intel were installed - just whatever drivers arrived with the Windows 7 Beta 1 Installation (and whatever updates it installed automatically). Oh, it's 32-bit Windows 7. Good news: Installer apparently ran correctly. MA3 version 8k seems to run nicely, There was no sign of the "can't find compatible Direct3D device" message. Strange news: A. After installing MA3, the "screen saver" panel shows TWO apparently-equivalent entries: "SereneScreen Marine Aquarium 3" and "PSereneScreen Marine Aquarium 3" - the only difference being the leading "P". This situation survived selection of another screensaver, and survived a reboot. Brief testing - either one worked, apparently identical. B. The Fish Settings after installation had 14 fish selected, but all of them were on the top row. Quantities in order: 3,3,2,2,2,2. All other fish seemed to have the "disable this fixh" box checked. I don't recall that being the situation in any other "virgin installation", but perhaps I just didn't notice? Is that setting by design? Does it happen with Vista and XP? There are a few other things that I haven't checked, but that's the initial report.

02-09-2009, 08:56 PM	#217
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	The "PSereneScreen" business sounds vaguely familiar, but I could be wrong. I have no idea what could cause it. The fish settings are normal for an unregistered copy. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

02-10-2009, 05:23 AM	#218
craigy1012000 Registered Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2	Sorry if this is in the wrong place. I have just purchased the upgrade and it is fantastic but i just wanted to know (in simple terms) how i can put a logo on the crystal? Craig

02-10-2009, 06:53 AM	#219
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	Unfortunately, right now there is no simple answer to that. It can of course be done, but for simple, you might need to wait a bit until Jim gets a few more features added. You have two choices. 1. Tell us what you want and someone here can make it for you. 2. Wait patiently for the simple to be added. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

02-10-2009, 09:38 AM	#220
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	If you are comfortable with Photoshop, you can use my Logo Creation Guide here to make a PNG-24 file at 256 x 256 pixels. Name the file AltLogo.png and put it in the Aquarium's data folder. On XP this is c:\documents and settings\(yourusername)\Application Data\Marine Aquarium 3\ The next time you start the Aquarium (by double-clicking, not as a screen saver), press L to toggle the logo. Note that the Beta is strictly a test, so you cannot set your logo to appear all the time, only by running the Aquarium manually and pressing L. "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