Boxed version - Page 2

JohnWho · 01-14-2010, 08:19 AM

"...quality like "Flying Toasters".

Yeah, them were the good ol' days, huh?

One of my favs from the 20th Century:

Johnny Castaway

Dale · 01-14-2010, 10:00 AM

Re: my comment that: ",,,regardless of what it is, they will sell many more copies by calling it a Screensaver, than by just calling it a simulation of an aquarium."

Originally posted by Yodelking:

Interesting! What did you base this fact on?
When I think about the word "Screensaver" I still think of quality like "Flying Toasters". When I think about the word "Simulation" I think more like the quality of a flight simulator. Maybe that's just me...

Just my opinion that if they just call it a simulation, they will sell some number, and if they also refer to it as a Screensaver they will sell more.

Perhaps you're correct that they will sell fewer copies by calling it a Screensaver.

If so, Prolific should be more careful with their press releases for both versions (PC and Mac). http://www.serenescreen.com/news/

JohnWho · 01-14-2010, 08:11 PM

FWIW -

the "boxed version" reports that it is

Version T603.3.0.1933.

Latest "beta" I have shows

Version T928.3.0.1953

Jim Sachs · 01-14-2010, 09:19 PM

Those numbers don't really mean much. They depend on whose computer the program happened to be compiled on, and get updated even if there are no changes.

The only difference between the Nova (U.S.) version and the SereneScreen version is the web link button. Theirs takes you to their site, ours takes you to ours.

There will be various Nova international versions with different languages and fonts, but functionally they are all the same as the current version at SereneScreen.

Dale · 01-14-2010, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by JohnWho:

FWIW -

the "boxed version" reports that it is

Version T603.3.0.1933.

Latest "beta" I have shows

Version T928.3.0.1953

That's interesting. The version that I have installed, which I thought was the most current, reports that it is T603.3.0.1933

Where did T928.3.0.1953 come from?

JohnWho · 01-15-2010, 08:12 AM

Originally posted by Dale:

That's interesting. The version that I have installed, which I thought was the most current, reports that it is T603.3.0.1933

Where did T928.3.0.1953 come from?

Sorry.

The "beta" I have is an unregistered version showing T928.3.0.1953.

The NOVA copy is registered.

Maybe that causes the difference along with what Jim said?

Dale · 01-15-2010, 09:36 AM

OK, now I'm even more confused.

Originally posted by JohnWho:

FWIW -

the "boxed version" reports that it is

Version T603.3.0.1933.

Latest "beta" I have shows

Version T928.3.0.1953

The boxed (Nova) version would be T603.3.0.1933, and Jim said:

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

The only difference between the Nova (U.S.) version and the SereneScreen version is the web link button. Theirs takes you to their site, ours takes you to ours.

However, the version I have says it's T603.3.0.1933, and I'm quite sure I got it by following a link from this forum (and it's registered if that makes a difference" - and when I click on the Website button, it goes to http://www.serenescreen.com/

John, you have "an unregistered version showing T928.3.0.1953". Where does the Website button take you?

Also, when you press the "S" key, what version does it say?

JohnWho · 01-15-2010, 03:03 PM

Booting other system now.

"S" key shows "Beta 10d"

"Website" button takes me to www.serenescreen.com.

Dale · 01-16-2010, 12:53 PM

For the record, I believe I've tracked down some details.

The "latest Beta 10d" downloaded in June in accordance with instructions in this forum identifies as: T603.3.0.1933.

The "latest Beta 10d" downloaded two days ago from SereneScreen identifies as: T928.3.0.1953

And, in summary of other reports:

JohnWho reports that the boxed version identifies as: T603.3.0.1933, but Jim states that it acts slightly differently (Web site) - but I don't quite understand that.

feldon34 · 01-16-2010, 02:16 PM

The international versions go to the distributor's website instead of SereneScreen.com when you click "Homepage".

Dale · 01-16-2010, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by feldon33:

The international versions go to the distributor's website instead of SereneScreen.com when you click "Homepage".

Yes, assuming you meant "Website", that's what Jim said:

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

The only difference between the Nova (U.S.) version and the SereneScreen version is the web link button. Theirs takes you to their site, ours takes you to ours.

That's quite reasonable, as is I18N (Internationalization - i.e. "localization")
But he also said:

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Those numbers ... depend on whose computer the program happened to be compiled on, and get updated even if there are no changes.

Which is why I don't understand how the "boxed version" and the June download version, can both be version T603.3.0.1933, but have different code (Website URL), clearly compiled at different times, perhaps on some other computer, etc.

JohnWho · 01-16-2010, 03:57 PM

OK, now I need to update my update:

On my dual-boot system, on the Vista 64 side, I just uninstalled the MA3 beta and then installed the "boxed version".

On that system, the version shows as:

Version: T928.3.0.1953 through both the "exe" and running "SS".

On the Win 7 64 side, when I installed the "boxed version", I did not uninstal the beta that was there.

When I then checked the version I got T603.3.0.1933 as described.

However, today, I just checked the Win 7 64 MA 3 version and it is showing as:

T928.3.0.1953 when I run the program, but as T603.3.0.1933 when I use "spacebar" from the screen saver (or "settings" from SS settings).

On my second dual-boot system, running just the beta (W7 64) I get the 1953 number either through exe or SS.

I hope this is making sense.

Can't be sure, then, whether this is a Vista/W7 quirk, a "beta" overwrite quirk, or something else.

Dale · 01-16-2010, 04:31 PM

Actually, I believe that you've found another bug. When you said:

"T928.3.0.1953 when I run the program, but as T603.3.0.1933 when I use "spacebar" from the screen saver (or "settings" from SS settings)."

I thought: "Oh, no - Registry". It turns out that the string (VersionStr it's called) is stored in multiple places in the Registry. Apparently, something (perhaps the installer) got some of those different from others -- and then the software apparently gets the VersionStr from different places, depending on whether it's running in SS or Simulation "mode". [That's a great leap in assumption space, of course]

So, either this should be copied to a new thread - or this thread should be labeled "Bug".

==============

By the way, I'm still interested in whether any of your installations actually takes you to the Nova website when you click that button. And if so, what version that is.

==============

For reference, I have two W7-32 systems that I'm looking at, one with each of the two download "versions".

JohnWho · 01-16-2010, 04:36 PM

Yes, I'm taken to:

http://www.novadevelopment.com/

on the W7 64 "boxed" install.

Dale · 01-16-2010, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by JohnWho:

Yes, I'm taken to:

http://www.novadevelopment.com/

on the W7 64 "boxed" install.

That's the installation that shows:

"T928.3.0.1953 when I run the program, but as T603.3.0.1933 when I use "spacebar" from the screen saver (or "settings" from SS settings)."

Looking at the Registry some more, it turns out that the Website URL is changed to do that linkage. Presumably an installer customization. Which explains why the same version number can take people to different Websites.

That's a good technique.

JohnWho · 01-17-2010, 08:52 AM

I'm with you on this general discussion and "bug" problem, Dale.

Any anomaly should be brought to the programmer's attention, especially as long as it is considered a "beta" since a large part of the concept of beta testing is to find these things.

Your "Can't tell what code version is being tested" thread fits the concept of "beta testing" quite nicely. Nowhere on the box of the "MA 3 boxed version" does it mention that enclosed is the "beta10d" version.

"beta10d" it appears, has effectively been released as MA version 3.0. Personally, I'm OK with this, but agree with Dale that it would be helpful if it showed as a "build number" or similar upon which future changes would be built.

feldon34 · 01-17-2010, 11:28 AM

Or just stop calling it a Beta since it gets under people's skin so much.

Dale · 01-17-2010, 06:14 PM

Originally posted by JohnWho:

Nowhere on the box of the "MA 3 boxed version" does it mention that enclosed is the "beta10d" version.

On the boxed version, what does it now say when you press the "S" key?

JohnWho · 01-17-2010, 06:47 PM

Dale -

It shows "beta10d".

JohnWho · 01-17-2010, 09:35 PM

Incidentally, if anyone wants to see Nova's web page, it is here:

http://www.novadevelopment.com/softw...ware-utilities

If the link works, that is.

01-14-2010, 09:19 PM	#24
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	Those numbers don't really mean much. They depend on whose computer the program happened to be compiled on, and get updated even if there are no changes. The only difference between the Nova (U.S.) version and the SereneScreen version is the web link button. Theirs takes you to their site, ours takes you to ours. There will be various Nova international versions with different languages and fonts, but functionally they are all the same as the current version at SereneScreen. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

01-16-2010, 02:16 PM	#30
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	The international versions go to the distributor's website instead of SereneScreen.com when you click "Homepage". "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

01-17-2010, 11:28 AM	#37
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	Or just stop calling it a Beta since it gets under people's skin so much. "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

01-14-2010, 08:19 AM	#21
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	"...quality like "Flying Toasters". Yeah, them were the good ol' days, huh? One of my favs from the 20th Century: Johnny Castaway

01-14-2010, 10:00 AM	#22
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Re: my comment that: ",,,regardless of what it is, they will sell many more copies by calling it a Screensaver, than by just calling it a simulation of an aquarium." Originally posted by Yodelking: Interesting! What did you base this fact on? When I think about the word "Screensaver" I still think of quality like "Flying Toasters". When I think about the word "Simulation" I think more like the quality of a flight simulator. Maybe that's just me... Just my opinion that if they *just* call it a simulation, they will sell some number, and if they *also* refer to it as a Screensaver they will sell more. Perhaps you're correct that they will sell fewer copies by calling it a Screensaver. If so, Prolific should be more careful with their press releases for both versions (PC and Mac). http://www.serenescreen.com/news/

01-14-2010, 08:11 PM	#23
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	FWIW - the "boxed version" reports that it is Version T603.3.0.1933. Latest "beta" I have shows Version T928.3.0.1953

01-14-2010, 09:23 PM	#25
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by JohnWho: FWIW - the "boxed version" reports that it is Version T603.3.0.1933. Latest "beta" I have shows Version T928.3.0.1953 That's interesting. The version that I have installed, which I thought was the most current, reports that it is T603.3.0.1933 Where did T928.3.0.1953 come from?

01-15-2010, 08:12 AM	#26
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	Originally posted by Dale: That's interesting. The version that I have installed, which I thought was the most current, reports that it is T603.3.0.1933 Where did T928.3.0.1953 come from? Sorry. The "beta" I have is an unregistered version showing T928.3.0.1953. The NOVA copy is registered. Maybe that causes the difference along with what Jim said?

01-15-2010, 09:36 AM	#27
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	OK, now I'm even more confused. Originally posted by JohnWho: FWIW - the "boxed version" reports that it is Version T603.3.0.1933. Latest "beta" I have shows Version T928.3.0.1953 The boxed (Nova) version would be T603.3.0.1933, and Jim said: Originally posted by Jim Sachs: The only difference between the Nova (U.S.) version and the SereneScreen version is the web link button. Theirs takes you to their site, ours takes you to ours. However, the version I have says it's T603.3.0.1933, and I'm quite sure I got it by following a link from this forum (and it's registered if that makes a difference" - and when I click on the Website button, it goes to http://www.serenescreen.com/ John, you have "an unregistered version showing T928.3.0.1953". Where does the Website button take you? Also, when you press the "S" key, what version does it say?

01-15-2010, 03:03 PM	#28
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	Booting other system now. "S" key shows "Beta 10d" "Website" button takes me to www.serenescreen.com.

01-16-2010, 12:53 PM	#29
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	For the record, I believe I've tracked down some details. The "latest Beta 10d" downloaded in June in accordance with instructions in this forum identifies as: T603.3.0.1933. The "latest Beta 10d" downloaded two days ago from SereneScreen identifies as: T928.3.0.1953 And, in summary of other reports: JohnWho reports that the boxed version identifies as: T603.3.0.1933, but Jim states that it acts slightly differently (Web site) - but I don't quite understand that.

01-16-2010, 02:46 PM	#31
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by feldon33: The international versions go to the distributor's website instead of SereneScreen.com when you click "Homepage". Yes, assuming you meant "Website", that's what Jim said: Originally posted by Jim Sachs: The only difference between the Nova (U.S.) version and the SereneScreen version is the web link button. Theirs takes you to their site, ours takes you to ours. That's quite reasonable, as is I18N (Internationalization - i.e. "localization") But he also said: Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Those numbers ... depend on whose computer the program happened to be compiled on, and get updated even if there are no changes. Which is why I don't understand how the "boxed version" and the June download version, can both be version T603.3.0.1933, but have different code (Website URL), clearly compiled at different times, perhaps on some other computer, etc.

01-16-2010, 03:57 PM	#32
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	OK, now I need to update my update: On my dual-boot system, on the Vista 64 side, I just uninstalled the MA3 beta and then installed the "boxed version". On that system, the version shows as: Version: T928.3.0.1953 through both the "exe" and running "SS". On the Win 7 64 side, when I installed the "boxed version", I did not uninstal the beta that was there. When I then checked the version I got T603.3.0.1933 as described. However, today, I just checked the Win 7 64 MA 3 version and it is showing as: T928.3.0.1953 when I run the program, but as T603.3.0.1933 when I use "spacebar" from the screen saver (or "settings" from SS settings). On my second dual-boot system, running just the beta (W7 64) I get the 1953 number either through exe or SS. I hope this is making sense. Can't be sure, then, whether this is a Vista/W7 quirk, a "beta" overwrite quirk, or something else.

01-16-2010, 04:31 PM	#33
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Actually, I believe that you've found another bug. When you said: "T928.3.0.1953 when I run the program, but as T603.3.0.1933 when I use "spacebar" from the screen saver (or "settings" from SS settings)." I thought: "Oh, no - Registry". It turns out that the string (VersionStr it's called) is stored in multiple places in the Registry. Apparently, something (perhaps the installer) got some of those different from others -- and then the software apparently gets the VersionStr from different places, depending on whether it's running in SS or Simulation "mode". [That's a great leap in assumption space, of course] So, either this should be copied to a new thread - or this thread should be labeled "Bug". ============== By the way, I'm still interested in whether *any of your installations* actually takes you to the Nova website when you click that button. And if so, what version that is. ============== For reference, I have two W7-32 systems that I'm looking at, one with each of the two download "versions".

01-16-2010, 04:36 PM	#34
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	Yes, I'm taken to: http://www.novadevelopment.com/ on the W7 64 "boxed" install.

01-16-2010, 07:20 PM	#35
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by JohnWho: Yes, I'm taken to: http://www.novadevelopment.com/ on the W7 64 "boxed" install. That's the installation that shows: "T928.3.0.1953 when I run the program, but as T603.3.0.1933 when I use "spacebar" from the screen saver (or "settings" from SS settings)." Looking at the Registry some more, it turns out that the Website URL is changed to do that linkage. Presumably an installer customization. Which explains why the same version number can take people to different Websites. That's a good technique.

01-17-2010, 08:52 AM	#36
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	I'm with you on this general discussion and "bug" problem, Dale. Any anomaly should be brought to the programmer's attention, especially as long as it is considered a "beta" since a large part of the concept of beta testing is to find these things. Your "Can't tell what code version is being tested" thread fits the concept of "beta testing" quite nicely. Nowhere on the box of the "MA 3 boxed version" does it mention that enclosed is the "beta10d" version. "beta10d" it appears, has effectively been released as MA version 3.0. Personally, I'm OK with this, but agree with Dale that it would be helpful if it showed as a "build number" or similar upon which future changes would be built.

01-17-2010, 06:14 PM	#38
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by JohnWho: Nowhere on the box of the "MA 3 boxed version" does it mention that enclosed is the "beta10d" version. On the boxed version, what does it now say when you press the "S" key?

01-17-2010, 06:47 PM	#39
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	Dale - It shows "beta10d".

01-17-2010, 09:35 PM	#40
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	Incidentally, if anyone wants to see Nova's web page, it is here: http://www.novadevelopment.com/softw...ware-utilities If the link works, that is.