Simple additions - Page 7

Dale · 03-21-2010, 02:52 PM

OK since we didn't get back on topic...

Originally posted by cjmaddy:

Terry, - IMO, you are neither polite, nor helpful. - If that is what you are attempting, then you are not succeeding.

You're entitled to your opinion, of course. What would constitute being polite and helpful?

Originally posted by cjmaddy:

If you have established that installing Windows Media Centre corrects your lack-of-sound problem, then a logical step would be to determine what has been added/changed to/with your system/s by adding the WMC that then allows the MA3 .sgt files to be heard.

I've often wondered how to do that (install something on a Windows computer and then determine exactly and completely what has been changed). How do you do it?

That's a serious question and not intended to be impolite. I'm asking for practical help. Thanks.

cjmaddy · 03-24-2010, 04:27 AM

Meanwhile, - back on Earth again....

How are things coming along, Jim, - with the eye, the concrete, and the background interface? .... in that order.

Jim Sachs · 03-24-2010, 09:54 AM

The eyelid is a little better, but I'm still not comfortable to be seen in public. It seems that when I look down and try to avoid eye contact, it just makes people all the more prying and curious.

The concrete turned out fine. Maybe I'll set up a link to some pictures and keep it by Invitation-only, to keep out the psychos.

The lighting interface is coming along slowly. Most people would consider it drudgery, but I find this part quite refreshing. I don't have to invent anything, just DO it. But it's a lot more complex than you might imagine. For example, there must be at least one background color-set active. The default is both #1 and #2. Now the user turns on set 3. On the interface, the box around that set, the top color swatch, the bottoms color-swatch, the edit box for the timer, and the word "Sec" must all be set to Active (non-grayed),and a checkmark must be placed in the "On" box. Each of these things have to be done individually, not in a loop, since they are designated by #defined numbers which are set and changed by Dev Studio, and are not necessarily in a particular order.
The reverse scenario is brought into play when the user turns off a color-set. I must make sure that there is always at least one color-set active, so if all of them are turned off, set #1 must pop on. There are a seemingly infinite number of logical threads that have to be accounted for, but it's coming along.

cjmaddy · 03-24-2010, 11:59 AM

Yes, that does sound far more complex than I'd imagined it would be! - But I'm sure it will be well received. Changing the colours can affect the whole look and mood of the aquarium so much.... And having user change Registry files is perhaps not the ideal way to do it!

BTW, Jean, (my wife), recalls having an eyelid cyst a few years back. It too was treated by using just hot compresses, (as-hot-as-possible, is what she was told). - It eventually cleared up without any other treatment.

Jim Sachs · 03-24-2010, 01:08 PM

The problem with changing the numbers for the background colors in the Registry is that you can easily change the "ff" at the beginning of the hexidecimal number, with disastrous visual results on the screen. The new system will eliminate that possibility.

rps · 03-27-2010, 04:14 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

But it's a lot more complex than you might imagine. For example, there must be at least one background color-set active.

Couldn't you solve this by setting the very first one to "on", and then disabling the on/off part of it? That would make it impossible to turn the first one "off". [Alternatively, you could just not have on on/off for the first color set, to reflect the fact that the first one is not "optional".]

~Ralph S.

rps · 03-27-2010, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

I'll consider some enhancements to the clock/logo system.

Would it be possible to make the sweep-second hand optional? (ie: hour & minute hands only)

Thanks,
~Ralph S.

Jim Sachs · 03-27-2010, 06:35 PM

Re: keeping the first color set on - The user might want to disable that color set, and use (or cycle through) some others.

Re: Disabling second hand - OK.

Dale · 03-27-2010, 08:21 PM

If we had a "MA3 Beta Test" forum, you could release stuff for testing and suggestions.

Jim Sachs · 03-27-2010, 10:26 PM

When it's ready.

Jim Sachs · 04-01-2010, 08:59 AM

Progress Report: I got bogged down for several days with a detail that I had considered trivial, but turned out to be nearly impossible. The new interface uses buttons which show the color you have chosen. Sounds simple, but nooooo... Windows REALLY doesn't like you to change the color of a button. Anyway, the problem is solved, and I'm back to forward progress.

Surferminn · 04-01-2010, 09:36 AM

Yay! 2 steps forward, 1 step back, cha-cha-cha!! keep going.

cjmaddy · 04-01-2010, 10:29 AM

You are being serious aren't you? .... It is April 1st, you know.

Jim Sachs · 04-01-2010, 11:11 AM

Sorry, I pay no attention to dates, days of the week, birthdays, holidays, etc. One day is just like any other to me.

Jav400 · 04-01-2010, 11:17 AM

If you forget anniversaries as well maybe now we know how your eye got messed up.

Sleep on the couch much do you?

Jim Sachs · 04-01-2010, 12:00 PM

Thanks for reminding me, I think it's coming up.

spetro · 04-04-2010, 05:26 AM

Very interesting stuff indeed. Its a blast learning the way the "nuts and bolts" go together!

Jim Sachs · 04-04-2010, 10:02 AM

The new Background Color interface is in testing.

Jim Sachs · 04-09-2010, 02:07 PM

Progress Report:

The new background color interface has met with approval by the Alpha Testing team. Right now, I'm working on some additions to the Logo/Clock section, and the fading in-and-out of logos. It's proving to be a bit more of a challenge than I thought, but is under control now. A couple more days, and Beta 11 should be ready for testing by the general Forum members.

Dale · 04-09-2010, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Progress Report:

The new background color interface has met with approval by the Alpha Testing team. Right now, I'm working on some additions to the Logo/Clock section, and the fading in-and-out of logos. It's proving to be a bit more of a challenge than I thought, but is under control now. A couple more days, and Beta 11 should be ready for testing by the general Forum members.

Will there be any bug fixes in Beta 11? Or just new features?

03-24-2010, 09:54 AM	#123
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	The eyelid is a little better, but I'm still not comfortable to be seen in public. It seems that when I look down and try to avoid eye contact, it just makes people all the more prying and curious. The concrete turned out fine. Maybe I'll set up a link to some pictures and keep it by Invitation-only, to keep out the psychos. The lighting interface is coming along slowly. Most people would consider it drudgery, but I find this part quite refreshing. I don't have to invent anything, just DO it. But it's a lot more complex than you might imagine. For example, there must be at least one background color-set active. The default is both #1 and #2. Now the user turns on set 3. On the interface, the box around that set, the top color swatch, the bottoms color-swatch, the edit box for the timer, and the word "Sec" must all be set to Active (non-grayed),and a checkmark must be placed in the "On" box. Each of these things have to be done individually, not in a loop, since they are designated by #defined numbers which are set and changed by Dev Studio, and are not necessarily in a particular order. The reverse scenario is brought into play when the user turns off a color-set. I must make sure that there is always at least one color-set active, so if all of them are turned off, set #1 must pop on. There are a seemingly infinite number of logical threads that have to be accounted for, but it's coming along. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

03-24-2010, 01:08 PM	#125
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	The problem with changing the numbers for the background colors in the Registry is that you can easily change the "ff" at the beginning of the hexidecimal number, with disastrous visual results on the screen. The new system will eliminate that possibility. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

03-27-2010, 06:35 PM	#128
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	Re: keeping the first color set on - The user might want to disable that color set, and use (or cycle through) some others. Re: Disabling second hand - OK. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

03-27-2010, 10:26 PM	#130
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	When it's ready. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

04-01-2010, 08:59 AM	#131
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	Progress Report: I got bogged down for several days with a detail that I had considered trivial, but turned out to be nearly impossible. The new interface uses buttons which show the color you have chosen. Sounds simple, but nooooo... Windows REALLY doesn't like you to change the color of a button. Anyway, the problem is solved, and I'm back to forward progress. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

03-21-2010, 02:52 PM	#121
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	OK since we didn't get back on topic... Originally posted by cjmaddy: Terry, - IMO, you are neither polite, nor helpful. - If that is what you are attempting, then you are not succeeding. You're entitled to your opinion, of course. What would constitute being polite and helpful? Originally posted by cjmaddy: If you have established that installing Windows Media Centre corrects your lack-of-sound problem, then a logical step would be to determine what has been added/changed to/with your system/s by adding the WMC that then allows the MA3 .sgt files to be heard. I've often wondered how to do that (install something on a Windows computer and then determine exactly and completely what has been changed). How do you do it? That's a serious question and not intended to be impolite. I'm asking for practical help. Thanks.

03-24-2010, 04:27 AM	#122
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	Meanwhile, - back on Earth again.... How are things coming along, Jim, - with the eye, the concrete, and the background interface? .... in that order.

03-24-2010, 11:59 AM	#124
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	Yes, that does sound far more complex than I'd imagined it would be! - But I'm sure it will be well received. Changing the colours can affect the whole look and mood of the aquarium so much.... And having user change Registry files is perhaps not the ideal way to do it! BTW, Jean, (my wife), recalls having an eyelid cyst a few years back. It too was treated by using just hot compresses, (as-hot-as-possible, is what she was told). - It eventually cleared up without any other treatment.

03-27-2010, 04:14 PM	#126
rps Registered Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 57	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: But it's a lot more complex than you might imagine. For example, there must be at least one background color-set active. Couldn't you solve this by setting the very first one to "on", and then disabling the on/off part of it? That would make it impossible to turn the first one "off". [Alternatively, you could just not have on on/off for the first color set, to reflect the fact that the first one is not "optional".] ~Ralph S.

03-27-2010, 04:15 PM	#127
rps Registered Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 57	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: I'll consider some enhancements to the clock/logo system. Would it be possible to make the sweep-second hand optional? (ie: hour & minute hands only) Thanks, ~Ralph S.

03-27-2010, 08:21 PM	#129
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	If we had a "MA3 Beta Test" forum, you could release stuff for testing and suggestions.

04-01-2010, 09:36 AM	#132
Surferminn Senior Puddle Jumper Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: California Posts: 6,017	Yay! 2 steps forward, 1 step back, cha-cha-cha!! keep going. Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes.

04-01-2010, 10:29 AM	#133
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	You are being serious aren't you? .... It is April 1st, you know.

04-01-2010, 11:11 AM	#134
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	Sorry, I pay no attention to dates, days of the week, birthdays, holidays, etc. One day is just like any other to me. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

04-01-2010, 11:17 AM	#135
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	If you forget anniversaries as well maybe now we know how your eye got messed up. Sleep on the couch much do you? Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

04-01-2010, 12:00 PM	#136
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	Thanks for reminding me, I think it's coming up. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

04-04-2010, 05:26 AM	#137
spetro Semper Paratus Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia Mountains and Florida, USA Posts: 133	Very interesting stuff indeed. Its a blast learning the way the "nuts and bolts" go together!

04-04-2010, 10:02 AM	#138
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	The new Background Color interface is in testing. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

04-09-2010, 02:07 PM	#139
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,789	Progress Report: The new background color interface has met with approval by the Alpha Testing team. Right now, I'm working on some additions to the Logo/Clock section, and the fading in-and-out of logos. It's proving to be a bit more of a challenge than I thought, but is under control now. A couple more days, and Beta 11 should be ready for testing by the general Forum members. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

04-09-2010, 08:08 PM	#140
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Progress Report: The new background color interface has met with approval by the Alpha Testing team. Right now, I'm working on some additions to the Logo/Clock section, and the fading in-and-out of logos. It's proving to be a bit more of a challenge than I thought, but is under control now. A couple more days, and Beta 11 should be ready for testing by the general Forum members. Will there be any bug fixes in Beta 11? Or just new features?