Jim, where do we go from here! (Redux)

[cjmaddy]

Harvey's looking good! - I like it! .... (Sorry, I mean I like HIM.) ...

[spetro]

yeah buddy!!!!!

[nicksteel]

Isn't there some simple way to revise MA3 to "MA4" (additions) and force updates from the website similiar to the way DA works? It would seem possible to verify serial numbers and email addresses. In other words, start over with a new updated version that could avoid piracy and afford income to the developer?

[patscarr]

Originally posted by nicksteel:

force updates from the website similiar to the way DA works  

We've been debating this here for some time now. Yes, there is a way, but Jim doesn't want to use it.

[nicksteel]

With the decline of stores running demos, I would think it better to change from a sole mass market scenerio. I think there would be an initial surge with die hard users paying for an upgrade and it appears to be working for DA. If it comes down to a choice between limited upgrades due to reduced sales of an already mass pirated program vs paying a bit more for an evolving product with secured updates, I feel many would opt into it.

Many people, myself included, get as much enjoyment in the evolution of these aquariums as the actual display itself. I always capture the latest versions to DVD for my HDTV's. They get a lot of interest from visitors.

[ESHIREY]

But DA is being Pirated. I don't know if a change would really help. If a pirate wants your software he will get it.

[nicksteel]

I use Fraps to capture the screensaver. When Fraps has an upgrade, I get an email. I go to the members only area and enter my email address and password and download the update file. During the update, it appears Fraps compares my email address to the one in my registered version of Fraps. Many programs I use are confined to specific machines and will not update otherwise. I know this is a potential minor hassle, but what's the alternative to registering the legal computers? I realize that most pirates would never purchase software anyway, but there should be some method for the rest of us to support a toy we all like so much.

[cjmaddy]

Jim, I'm not sure how much notice people might take of this site, (probably not very much?). But have you considered putting MA3 in for a review?

Aquarium Screensavers TopTenREVIEWS

ps, Don't read the review for MA2.6.

[Jim Sachs]

Not quite sure what their game is. AquaReal, their #1 choice, looked ridiculous in the video review.

[Nicki]

They don't seem to have updated that site at all since I first saw it in 2007. The review for Dream Aquarium is quite inaccurate.

[henemly]

That review site is a joke.

[Nicki]

Umm, I should say I didn't agree with their review of MA2.6 either.

[Jim Sachs]

Well, I don't think they were too far off-base regarding MA2.6. I mean, 1024x768 was leading-edge 3D in 1999 when 640x480 was the standard, but it looks pretty pixellated on today's high-def monitors. That's why I created MA3.

[philosopher]

Jim,

I think it's wonderful that you're working on the eel. I've followed the various posts about how your aren't making as much with the screensaver and while I don't have any good ideas for free or no risk marketing I do have one idea that couldn't hurt for raising a little money:

Set up a PayPal account and take donations here on the forums and/or on your own site. I have always thought that I paid way to little for such a wonderful work of art. While I can't donate a whole lot to the cause I can certainly come up with $5 - $10 dollars and would be happy to send it to you via PayPal. This way you'd get a bit extra to continue your incredible work and it would go directly to you.

[Jim Sachs]

No, it wouldn't be right to take donations when there are real ongoing crises happening all over the world.

[cjmaddy]

That's a good attitude to take.... If only more people reasoned that way.

[spetro]

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

No, it wouldn't be right to take donations when there are real ongoing crises happening all over the world.  

A good judge of character is someone who has instinctual perception about human nature. He can speak to a person for 5 minutes and decide what kind of a person s/he is. S/he can tell if the person is kind, mean, of a lower or higher educational background, whether that person would make a good friend. A good judge of character is intuitive.

I captured this quote from wordreference.com/ Its seems to fit ya Jim!

[philosopher]

Jim,

That's a wonderful point. And I commend you for your world view. I'll make sure to donate more than I was planning to some of those crises.

I'll also make sure to tell about/show your screensaver to as many people as I can. I know that quite a few people I've shown it to have ended up purchasing. I'll renew my efforts though. It's been a while since I've shown it to anyone new.

[Jav400]

Jim,

Just a quick check to see how Harvey is going. IS he getting any closer?

[Jim Sachs]

Yes - getting closer. The animation is trickier than I thought it would be. It's not too hard to make the mouth and gills move, but the head movement is giving me trouble. In watching your video, the mouth/gills seem to work opposite each other - when the mouth is open, the gills are closed, and vice-versa. This makes for a simple 2-position morph. But then I have to take the output of that algorithm and apply a progressive bend to each section of the neck vertices, and that's proving to be difficult.