Suggestions for Jim for Marine Aquarium 3.0

[feldon34]

If only there was some way to get an RSS feed of the Beta Test forum. Oh wait...

https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ss1&forumid=46
https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...ss2&forumid=46

[rctneil]

yeh, I know you can do that. You have been able to do that for a long time. It's not quite what I was after. Maybe something along these lines:

The author of Paint.NET has set up this small blog where he writes small details on how Paint.NET is developed and how new versions and features are progressing. Stuff like that and they also have a communiy forum much like this one along with the blog. I subscribe to the blogs RSS feeds to get updates from the developer.

Here is the blog:

http://blog.getpaint.net/

and here is the RSS feed for it:

http://blog.getpaint.net/feed/


Maybe it could be called soemthing like "Jim's MA3 Development Feed"

Thanks

Regards,
Neil

[cjmaddy]

You can not be serious! ........ What's wrong with going here ... https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/

..... and checking the latest posts!

[Jav400]

Nothing as far as I am concerned.

But what I think they are looking for is details on exactly how Jim does what he does. I wouldn't hold my breath, that's what makes Jim's work so much better than others, and he won't give you those details.

[Dale]

It is demonstrably not important to Prolific/SereneScreen, that "normal purchasers" be able to easily find out about updates to the "production" version.

Why, then, should Jim bother with a blog - much less reveal his trade secrets?

[cjmaddy]

Any purchaser, normal or otherwise, can easily find out about updates to any version, by going to one of these sites....

http://www.fish-byte.com/news2.htm
http://www.serenescreen.com/
https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/

[feldon34]

It is not possible to tell on SereneScreen.com which version is made available for download.

[cjmaddy]

But by going to one of those sites, you can easily find out.

[Dale]

Originally posted by cjmaddy:

Any purchaser, normal or otherwise, can easily find out about updates to any version, by going to one of these sites....

http://www.fish-byte.com/news2.htm
http://www.serenescreen.com/
https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/  

OK, I really didn't want to belabor the point. However:

I was talking about updates (e.g., the version number) of the current production version available on SereneScreen to purchasers.

Please describe how, on the second and third of those, someone can easily find out about the latest production update.

Please describe how, on the second and third of those, someone can easily find out about the first of those sites.

You used the words "easily find out", so your description should be easy to follow, please. And easy to find out about.

[harris]

Originally posted by Dale:

It is demonstrably not important to Prolific/SereneScreen, that "normal purchasers" be able to easily find out about updates to the "production" version.

Why, then, should Jim bother with a blog - much less reveal his trade secrets?  

Originally posted by cjmaddy:

Any purchaser, normal or otherwise, can easily find out about updates to any version, by going to one of these sites....

http://www.fish-byte.com/news2.htm
http://www.serenescreen.com/
https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/  

Originally posted by Dale:

OK, I really didn't want to belabor the point. However:

I was talking about updates (e.g., the version number) of the current production version available on SereneScreen to purchasers.

Please describe how, on the second and third of those, someone can easily find out about the latest production update.

Please describe how, on the second and third of those, someone can easily find out about the first of those sites.

You used the words "easily find out", so your description should be easy to follow, please. And easy to find out about.  

It's always amusing when the Dale/cjmaddy tit-for-tat, point/counterpoint saga is in high gear.

In my humble opinion, I would rather Jim spend his valuable time working on the aquarium rather than maintaining a RSS feed! This website is expertly maintained, gives great information, and has the most intelligent and civil participants I have seen on the web.

[cjmaddy]

No comment. ... And I agree! ... (In that order!).

[feldon34]

I personally think the Aquarium should check for updates once every 30 days (toggleable with a checkbox) and display a message on the crystal that a new version is available.

But I know it's never gonna happen.

[Rick Simon]

Originally posted by feldon33:

I personally think the Aquarium should check for updates once every 30 days (toggleable with a checkbox) and display a message on the crystal that a new version is available.

But I know it's never gonna happen.  

Sounds good to me, so long as there is a checkbox in the Settings to turn off the automatic checking alongside a button to manually check for updates.

Like you though, I get the feeling it won't happen any time soon, if ever.

[iMark]

I have to wonder, at what point, personal responsibility comes into play...sure, we're all here and we want the latest update...as for folks who don't frequent this forum, SereneScreen does describe the program and says "This is a Beta-Test version, but your MA3 Key Code will not expire, and entitles you to download all updates through the final version."......not that difficult to understand at all...this whole going on seems much ado about nothing...folks who are concerned will check frequently, folks who aren't will check less often and not complain because they missed some feature on opening day...

[feldon34]

I know of few product websites that don't advertise what version is available and promote new features.

[The Old Man]

Originally posted by cjmaddy:

You can not be serious! ........ What's wrong with going here ... https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/

..... and checking the latest posts!  

No offence, but you seem to be missing the point. The forums are excellent at what they do, but some people don't always want to sift through dozens of topics and 100's of posts from other customers when they are after official updates from the development team.

An official blog is not a must have, and if Jim is updating 14 odd other sites something is wrong and there should just be one place and a blog is ideal. Nobody is asking for trade secrets, just a nice, fun and handy place to keep track on a variety of subjects.

Well, that's sort of what I've always done with the News section of my website: http://www.fish-byte.com/news2.htm

Jim Sachs

This is my point chaps. If Jim's already able and willing to post updates on that page (which are most welcome!), isn't it better and more desirable to post them into a dedicated blog, which is designed for the job at hand and just as quick?

Its 2009 and sometimes you have to embrace good ideas, if only to give them a try!

Again, no offence or criticism, not wanting to stir up trouble, I'm just making a suggestion. It does no harm to keep an open mind to new ideas. If anyone is offended, I apologise.

I personally think the Aquarium should check for updates once every 30 days (toggleable with a checkbox) and display a message on the crystal that a new version is available.

But I know it's never gonna happen.

I still understand that one! Software like CCleaner checks occasionally for updates too, its free and you can turn of the automatic check in the settings. I've no idea how it works but it does. But I digress!

If only there was some way to get an RSS feed of the Beta Test forum. Oh wait...

https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/...ss1&forumid=46
https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/...ss2&forumid=46

Thank you! I just subscribed to the RSS2.0 feed, very much appreciated!

Regards,
The Old Man

[Overlord]

I purchased MA3 a while back but I was just wondering, Jim, if the expiration date on the 10b beta will be extended since the new fish models and movements are understandably going to take a while. Or will the new beta be implemented into the installer soon?

[cjmaddy]

Originally posted by The Old Man:

No offence, but you seem to be missing the point. The forums are excellent at what they do, but some people don't always want to sift through dozens of topics and 100's of posts from other customers when they are after official updates from the development team.

An official blog is not a must have, and if Jim is updating 14 odd other sites something is wrong and there should just be one place and a blog is ideal. Nobody is asking for trade secrets, just a nice, fun and handy place to keep track on a variety of subjects.  

No offence taken! - I just don't see the point of creating yet another place that will need keeping up-to-date and looking at.
In addition to Jim's own site, Fish-byte, there is SereneScreen, and then this fan site that Morgan created, for the very purpose you require.

If every new fad that comes along is adopted we could finish up with, a blog a Facebook a Twitter a MySpace, etc.etc.

I agree that there should be just one place, - but I think that this forum should remain that place.

[Jim Sachs]

Overlord - I'm working on a fix for a minor logo problem at the moment. That will be tested for a couple of days as Beta10D. If no problems are found, that one will become the official download at SerenScreen. Then I'll be able to devote the necessary time to the new fish models/movements.

[Overlord]

Thanks Jim! While you are working on the fish models, I'll be erecting a statue in your honor.