Will SereneScreen Marine Aquarium still be Number One? ...

cjmaddy · 07-03-2006, 06:29 AM

In the aquarium screen saver stakes, due to the continued progress made by Dream Aquarium, it now appears to me that Marine Aquarium can only be considered joint 'Number one!' ... It is still better in some areas, (one example, fish detail), but less so in others, (fish movement and behaviour). When, however, we come to multi-display, about which so much was said when it was first introduced to MA, then, IMO, MA2.6MD is now a very poor second indeed to Dream Aquarium!

I don't understand, when Prolific have made additional tanks for both Goldfish and Sharks, why some variation can not be added for MA. - And more importantly, why the multi-display is restricted to clones, when DA offers independent choices/settings for the second display. - I know that some of you are going to attempt to shout me down with technical reasons, but come on, guys! - the years are passing, and you are being overtaken by one man working on his own! - There is plenty of room for at least two of you at the top, but at this rate of progress, (or lack of), - you are being left way behind, as the weeks, months, and years, go slipping by!

I still have a great affection and loyalty for MA. - But my current first choice for two monitors is definitely DA.

..... There are times when I wish that Jim was still working independently!

drfish · 07-03-2006, 07:26 AM

I'll echo what Cliff has said. DA has been my screensaver of choice for a couple months now, ever since the major update to fish behavior and movement. As someone typing this while in a room with five real aquariums I still find it hard to believe just how realistic DA looks in that regard. MA has some serious catch up work to do and I await the new release that will be able to hold its own for more years to come. Until then though...

loub516 · 07-03-2006, 07:53 AM

MA has been at the top so long it didn't need to do anything but that is not true anymore. It's time, no it's way past time, to do something different. It is still a beautiful program but something needs to happen. Years of promises just don't help keep it number one.

clifdene · 07-03-2006, 10:44 AM

Sorry to say that I have to agree

Jim Sachs · 07-03-2006, 10:52 AM

Regarding multi-monitor displays - MA is written in DX6 (except for the MS Plus Pack version), and DX6 didn't support Multi-monitor displays. Prolific wrote a kludge so that v2.6 sort of supports two displays.

I'm writing V3 in DX9, and the scene will be very wide, so multi-monitor support shouldn't be a problem, at least not with 2 monitors. Any more than two is still an unknown.

feldon34 · 07-03-2006, 02:09 PM

Is there any light at the end of the tunnel?

Any real collision detection in place?

grape_jellyfish · 07-03-2006, 03:21 PM

I had never heard of Dream Aquarium till now and Morgan told me about it, I just bought the full version and it is awesome! But my fish may die soon from over feeding.

Surferminn · 07-03-2006, 03:35 PM

ROFL.....

patscarr · 07-03-2006, 09:46 PM

Sadly, I have to agree that MA is falling by the wayside while DA is rocketing to the top. But our Forum is still better than theirs!

MA, our favorite screen saver, is over 6 years old now, that's 1,000,000 in computer years, while DA is a young pup with lots of potential.

Goldfish and Sharks have not reached their full potential yet, but talk of improvements have tapered off.

Hopefully MA3 will eventually be released and reclaim the top spot for our Prolific family.

Jim Sachs · 07-04-2006, 12:06 AM

Actually, things are moving forward a bit. I finally recieved my hi-def camcorder on the third try. First two companies (Genius Camera and Express Camera) turned out to be PURE EVIL. All I'll say is when buying discounted camera equipment over the Internet, pay close attention to the customer write-ups at epinions.com. I ended up getting the camcorder from B&H - a very reputable dealer.

Now to find just the right coral and invertibrates to photograph.

cjmaddy · 07-04-2006, 10:02 AM

It isn't only about multi-monitor displays or DX6 limitations. - Having lived with DA for some time now it's difficult to deny that watching MA cloned on two screens does emphasize the pacing back and forth feeling of the MA fish movements. (Beautiful though the fish are). - But even on a single monitor, the variety of tanks, and fish behaviour, afforded by the competition (even Goldfish and Sharks, but mainly DA), is now showing our favorite MA in a poor light.

If I have got my estimations right, it is now over 4 years since what will be V3 (ie the 3D background), was first mooted. I know it is pointless asking for even the vaguest of ETAs, - but the natives are getting restless, - And from the above comments, it isn't just me!

In some ways I think I would prefer to be told that what we have now is it! And that MA will receive no further development, - rather than prolong this discussion through more years of promises and waiting! .... Life is too short! - We're getting old!

... However, if that is not going to happen, (at least not yet!), and I don't see Prolific getting their finger out and doing anything to improve the MD implementation, (they're still advertising the DVD !!! - the same one that was a discontinued item when I bought it on the 16th December 2003 !!!), - then perhaps all we can look forward to is something in an after life!

... At least this forum does have its moments, on occasions!

clifdene · 07-04-2006, 10:13 AM

We have been very patient over the past years but for some of us time is running out. Will we ever see V3?

feldon34 · 07-04-2006, 10:52 AM

I wish Jim had mentioned the companies he was considering buying cameras from FIRST so I could look them up on the New York scam electronics company HALL OF SHAME website. At the very least, I would hope before buying electronics online that people would check epinions.com first.

Racer-X · 07-04-2006, 04:37 PM

Or resellerratings.com. That is a good site as well for finding out how sites treat people.

I can only think of three camera stores in New York that have a good reputation - B&H (where I buy most of my stuff), Adorama, and 17th Street Photo.

Glenn

Jav400 · 07-04-2006, 08:06 PM

Cliff: Finger out of where?

I know that if Jim can get his head wrapped around the new things he is trying to learn we could see something just as innovative as MA was in the beginning. I must agree on the time frames though, it has been quite awhile.

Jim Sachs · 07-05-2006, 12:36 AM

No, I've given up trying to learn the new stuff, and will be doing the new version "Old School".

Yellow Tang · 07-05-2006, 01:36 AM

That sounds not too bad to me, go ahead Jim!
It would be a shame if all the work done so far was wasted time (there are some things from the freshwater aquarium, wich you can recycle!?).

Jim Sachs · 07-05-2006, 07:59 AM

Nope, but I still plan to do the Freshwater tank after MA 3.0.

SunKing · 07-05-2006, 01:52 PM

It makes me a bit sad to admit - but I also must agree with cjmaddy. I've almost completely given up hope for a new version of SS (MA). I enjoy visiting these forums, and will continue to do so, but IMHO DreamAquarium has eclipsed SS(MA) - especially if you are running dual monitors. Jim, I know you have been working VERY hard over the years and it must be frustrating to put in so much effort and have so little to show for it. I also appreciate how available you are through these forums - so please don't take any of this as a personal 'slam' - I'm just expressing my opinions as an impartial observer and simulated acquarium enthusiast.

peachyza · 07-06-2006, 09:24 AM

I have a little bit different perspective.

I love both DA and MA. I have them setup under the Carousel program so that they are constantly rotating. When we just had Jim's aquarium, it seemed at times that there were long periods of waiting for an update, but when the updates came, they usually beat expectations. Now we have two aquariums that are both very high quality. Alan's aquarium is quickly growing and developing which gives me something to look forward to each day, and at the same time, it keeps me occupied while I wait for Jim's masterpiece to be completed. In short, I am happy waiting on Jim's work because I know it will be excellent when it is done, and to help alleviate the pain of waiting, I have Alan's screensaver to keep me inspired with the ever-changing fish aquarium genre of screensavers.

Great work Jim and keep pushing forward!

07-03-2006, 06:29 AM	#1
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	Will SereneScreen Marine Aquarium still be Number One? ... In the aquarium screen saver stakes, due to the continued progress made by Dream Aquarium, it now appears to me that Marine Aquarium can only be considered joint 'Number one!' ... It is still better in some areas, (one example, fish detail), but less so in others, (fish movement and behaviour). When, however, we come to multi-display, about which so much was said when it was first introduced to MA, then, IMO, MA2.6MD is now a very poor second indeed to Dream Aquarium! I don't understand, when Prolific have made additional tanks for both Goldfish and Sharks, why some variation can not be added for MA. - And more importantly, why the multi-display is restricted to clones, when DA offers independent choices/settings for the second display. - I know that some of you are going to attempt to shout me down with technical reasons, but come on, guys! - the years are passing, and you are being overtaken by one man working on his own! - There is plenty of room for at least two of you at the top, but at this rate of progress, (or lack of), - you are being left way behind, as the weeks, months, and years, go slipping by! I still have a great affection and loyalty for MA. - But my current first choice for two monitors is definitely DA. ..... There are times when I wish that Jim was still working independently!

07-03-2006, 07:26 AM	#2
drfish the Doc Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Zeeland, MI Posts: 5,357	I'll echo what Cliff has said. DA has been my screensaver of choice for a couple months now, ever since the major update to fish behavior and movement. As someone typing this while in a room with five real aquariums I still find it hard to believe just how realistic DA looks in that regard. MA has some serious catch up work to do and I await the new release that will be able to hold its own for more years to come. Until then though... I don't watch commercials.

07-03-2006, 07:53 AM	#3
loub516 Registered Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Savannah, Ga. Posts: 421	MA has been at the top so long it didn't need to do anything but that is not true anymore. It's time, no it's way past time, to do something different. It is still a beautiful program but something needs to happen. Years of promises just don't help keep it number one. LB

07-03-2006, 10:52 AM	#5
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	Regarding multi-monitor displays - MA is written in DX6 (except for the MS Plus Pack version), and DX6 didn't support Multi-monitor displays. Prolific wrote a kludge so that v2.6 sort of supports two displays. I'm writing V3 in DX9, and the scene will be very wide, so multi-monitor support shouldn't be a problem, at least not with 2 monitors. Any more than two is still an unknown. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

07-03-2006, 02:09 PM	#6
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? Any real collision detection in place? "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

07-03-2006, 10:44 AM	#4
clifdene Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: UK Posts: 168	Sorry to say that I have to agree

07-03-2006, 03:21 PM	#7
grape_jellyfish Registered Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Arkansas Posts: 2,235	I had never heard of Dream Aquarium till now and Morgan told me about it, I just bought the full version and it is awesome! But my fish may die soon from over feeding. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass....It's learning to Dance in the Rain.

07-03-2006, 03:35 PM	#8
Surferminn Senior Puddle Jumper Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: California Posts: 6,017	ROFL..... Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes.

07-03-2006, 09:46 PM	#9
patscarr Pet Shark Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Back in Buffalo Posts: 5,455	Sadly, I have to agree that MA is falling by the wayside while DA is rocketing to the top. But our Forum is still better than theirs! MA, our favorite screen saver, is over 6 years old now, that's 1,000,000 in computer years, while DA is a young pup with lots of potential. Goldfish and Sharks have not reached their full potential yet, but talk of improvements have tapered off. Hopefully MA3 will eventually be released and reclaim the top spot for our Prolific family. Patrick

07-04-2006, 12:06 AM	#10
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	Actually, things are moving forward a bit. I finally recieved my hi-def camcorder on the third try. First two companies (Genius Camera and Express Camera) turned out to be PURE EVIL. All I'll say is when buying discounted camera equipment over the Internet, pay close attention to the customer write-ups at epinions.com. I ended up getting the camcorder from B&H - a very reputable dealer. Now to find just the right coral and invertibrates to photograph. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

07-04-2006, 10:02 AM	#11
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	It isn't only about multi-monitor displays or DX6 limitations. - Having lived with DA for some time now it's difficult to deny that watching MA cloned on two screens does emphasize the pacing back and forth feeling of the MA fish movements. (Beautiful though the fish are). - But even on a single monitor, the variety of tanks, and fish behaviour, afforded by the competition (even Goldfish and Sharks, but mainly DA), is now showing our favorite MA in a poor light. If I have got my estimations right, it is now over 4 years since what will be V3 (ie the 3D background), was first mooted. I know it is pointless asking for even the vaguest of ETAs, - but the natives are getting restless, - And from the above comments, it isn't just me! In some ways I think I would prefer to be told that what we have now is it! And that MA will receive no further development, - rather than prolong this discussion through more years of promises and waiting! .... Life is too short! - We're getting old! ... However, if that is not going to happen, (at least not yet!), and I don't see Prolific getting their finger out and doing anything to improve the MD implementation, (they're still advertising the DVD !!! - the same one that was a discontinued item when I bought it on the 16th December 2003 !!!), - then perhaps all we can look forward to is something in an after life! ... At least this forum does have its moments, on occasions!

07-04-2006, 10:13 AM	#12
clifdene Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: UK Posts: 168	We have been very patient over the past years but for some of us time is running out. Will we ever see V3?

07-04-2006, 10:52 AM	#13
feldon34 Forum Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 10,939	I wish Jim had mentioned the companies he was considering buying cameras from FIRST so I could look them up on the New York scam electronics company HALL OF SHAME website. At the very least, I would hope before buying electronics online that people would check epinions.com first. "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

07-04-2006, 04:37 PM	#14
Racer-X Out for a spin Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: SF bay area Posts: 382	Or resellerratings.com. That is a good site as well for finding out how sites treat people. I can only think of three camera stores in New York that have a good reputation - B&H (where I buy most of my stuff), Adorama, and 17th Street Photo. Glenn

07-04-2006, 08:06 PM	#15
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	Cliff: Finger out of where? I know that if Jim can get his head wrapped around the new things he is trying to learn we could see something just as innovative as MA was in the beginning. I must agree on the time frames though, it has been quite awhile. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

07-05-2006, 12:36 AM	#16
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	No, I've given up trying to learn the new stuff, and will be doing the new version "Old School". Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

07-05-2006, 01:36 AM	#17
Yellow Tang YT Join Date: Jan 2002 Tournaments Won: 1 Location: Germany Posts: 729	That sounds not too bad to me, go ahead Jim! It would be a shame if all the work done so far was wasted time (there are some things from the freshwater aquarium, wich you can recycle!?).

07-05-2006, 07:59 AM	#18
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	Nope, but I still plan to do the Freshwater tank after MA 3.0. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

07-05-2006, 01:52 PM	#19
SunKing Registered Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 238	It makes me a bit sad to admit - but I also must agree with cjmaddy. I've almost completely given up hope for a new version of SS (MA). I enjoy visiting these forums, and will continue to do so, but IMHO DreamAquarium has eclipsed SS(MA) - especially if you are running dual monitors. Jim, I know you have been working VERY hard over the years and it must be frustrating to put in so much effort and have so little to show for it. I also appreciate how available you are through these forums - so please don't take any of this as a personal 'slam' - I'm just expressing my opinions as an impartial observer and simulated acquarium enthusiast. My humble Homepage

07-06-2006, 09:24 AM	#20
peachyza Registered Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 9	I have a little bit different perspective. I love both DA and MA. I have them setup under the Carousel program so that they are constantly rotating. When we just had Jim's aquarium, it seemed at times that there were long periods of waiting for an update, but when the updates came, they usually beat expectations. Now we have two aquariums that are both very high quality. Alan's aquarium is quickly growing and developing which gives me something to look forward to each day, and at the same time, it keeps me occupied while I wait for Jim's masterpiece to be completed. In short, I am happy waiting on Jim's work because I know it will be excellent when it is done, and to help alleviate the pain of waiting, I have Alan's screensaver to keep me inspired with the ever-changing fish aquarium genre of screensavers. Great work Jim and keep pushing forward!