Messages

1

General Software Discussion / SliderDock v1.15 now released

« on: March 23, 2010, 08:52 AM »

The newest version of the application launcher SliderDock is now out.



A lot have been improved.
First the version system have been change to enable update check.
Now there is a new button in the "about SliderDock" window that allow you to check for new versions.

The portable mode has been improved.
When SliderDock is in portable mode and is found on a memory stick with your other portable applications on the same drive, dragging those apps into SliderDock will give them a relative target path.
This will allow SliderDock to launch your portable applications even when the memory stick drive letter changes.

Another new feature is the integration of multi rings feature.
Now it is possible to group the icons anyway you wish.
And selecting a new ring is done with a click on thee middle mouse button on the IconSeeker.

here are all the changes in  SliderDock v1.15 :

• added relative path for icon's target.
• improved installation setup. It will now check if .net is found in the computer and download it if it's missing.
• improved the uninstall setup which now remove the registry entry for starting SliderDock with window.
• improved support for virtual folder even further. Now all virtual folder should work.
• added support for microsoft special shortcut(ex: MS office shortcut).
• added support for shortcut which have a virtual folder as a target.
• improved mouse event so that using the mouse wheel to rotate the icons will not affect other application anymore.
• change versioning system for update support.
• added check update button in the "About SliderDock" window.
• added multiple rings support.
• adding an icon to a ring will now make it appear within the IconSeeker next to the current selected icon.
• improved icon saving method to stop the image quality from degrading each time it's loaded.
• Changed saving path to Data folder(for the SD.ini and when in portable mode for the files config.xml and save.bin)
• ErrorLog will now also appear in the Data folder.
• Remove the dependancy to Interop.IWshRuntimeLibrary.dll and also remove the file from the setup.
• removed support for virtual desktop because SliderDock freeze after launching some specific fullscreen app.
• slightly slow down the rotation with the mouse wheel depending of the icon distance to the IconSeeker to increase the feeling of smooth transition.

For more information and the download link please visit the website at :
http://sliderdock.wikidot.com

Leave some feedback to let me know your opinion of this application.
It will help me know in what direction I should take SliderDock to.

2

Living Room / Re: Watch a game instead of playing it - NextgenWalkthroughs.com and others?

« on: March 09, 2010, 08:15 PM »

games becomes more like movies, but movies wants to add more interaction and soon will become more like games 
Soon with project natal, you'll be moving all over the place like on a wii in order to change movie, select a chapter, and maybe a kick would mean pausing a movie?
The world is really upside down.

3

General Software Discussion / Re: Why the aversion to .NET Frameworks?

« on: March 09, 2010, 06:57 AM »

.net compile to msil, but I'm pretty sure it was written in c++.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Why the aversion to .NET Frameworks?

« on: March 09, 2010, 06:19 AM »

Yeah, the dotNET runtimes are huge, and sometimes I wonder if they have to be that huge. But there's lots and lots and lots of functionality in there.

-f0dder (March 09, 2010, 01:08 AM)

the .net 3.0 include both the 32bit and 64bit version. This is the reason of it's massive size.
I saw .net 4.0 is more like 50MB now. Still big but much smaller than the 300MB .net 3.0.

plus now that new OS include .net, soon there won't be a need to worry about .net being installed.

5

Living Room / Re: You are what you charge

« on: February 27, 2010, 09:03 AM »

a bit depressing reading if you're a 'freelancer':
the message is -
do basic work & charge the minimum ??

-tomos (February 26, 2010, 01:08 AM)

Exactly that's nonsense.
I met a professional game designer who told me one client wanted a video game made.
He was willing to pay 1000$ for it.
The game would have taken at least a year to make and the team have 4 members.
In other words that a salary of 20$ a month.

For a freelancer, it's better to charge what your work is worth. If the client doesn't understand the price, then don't accept the job. Then if you have some prestige, Price upwards accordingly.

6

Finished Programs / Re: C.S.B.A.G.

« on: February 24, 2010, 08:26 AM »

I think it would have been better if you had the mouse moving away from the yes button instead, so that the cursor can never get near the button without the button itself moving at all.
Some kind of magnet repulsion effect.

7

Developer's Corner / Re: The programmer as (starving) artist

« on: February 24, 2010, 08:12 AM »

Unless, of course, somebody has previously obtained a patent for a "round object which rotates on a central axis" in which case you're stuck with the old wheel until the patent holder decides to put a rubber tire on it.
 

-40hz (February 24, 2010, 06:12 AM)

Lol you don't know how true this was for me since my app is actually a round object rotating around a center axis. 

@mouser
That's exactly what I think. If I make a free app, I try to use free tools to help me distribute, advertise or do anything else I need.
And when I want to sell it, obviously it's for me to benefit otherwise what the point of working on it at all in the first place.

But from what I read, most of the time it's not true. I read for games, distributors takes between 60 to 90%. 

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General Software Discussion / Re: Why the aversion to .NET Frameworks?

« on: February 17, 2010, 04:56 PM »

easily 90% of .NET app come with some type of installer. (and...) Not all installers are intelligent enough to stop and make sure the runtime package they're holding is necessary. So you install app A and app B explodes (I see this a lot). ...Becaused something got moved/changed/updated/tinkered with (what shouldn't).

-Stoic Joker (February 17, 2010, 03:51 PM)

.net 2.0 doesn't override .net 1, and .net 3 install .net 2.0 automatically because it needs it as it builds on top of it.
So all .net framework can and do coexist without problem on the same machine.

9

General Software Discussion / Re: SliderDock seeking beta testers

« on: February 15, 2010, 07:13 PM »

I have officially released SliderDock's newest version.
The R14 of this dock bring more support for drag and drop of virtual folder.
Now Most control panel icons are working correctly.
The rotation with the keyboard shortcuts and the overall performance have now been improved too .
There is a new tab called "ShaderEffect" which add effects such as making the icons black and white when the mouse enter an icon.
And there's a new option which add different event ability when SliderDock gets unhidden.

I also add skins for the icons background.

The full list of change can be found here : http://sliderdock.wikidot.com/change-log

You can find information about this application and the download link on the main website :
http://sliderdock.wikidot.com/

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Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Mini Review - Zelda Spirit Tracks for Nintendo DS

« on: February 13, 2010, 08:17 AM »

I've never really liked the touch screen and I believe the game would have been better using those instead, and the touch screen used only to control the boomerang and some other items. To me other zelda games are better.
As for other ARPG, you shouldtry Okami on PS2/wii. The only game that can be in the same category as zelda and pretty much as good.
There will also be an Okami game release on DS too.

11

Living Room / Re: Antivirus companies support virus writers?

« on: February 12, 2010, 07:16 PM »

Or home security...do they pay people to rob houses in order to sell more alarm systems?

-app103 (February 12, 2010, 05:54 PM)

Where I live, they don't pay people, they do it themselves. Sad but true.
Well not all of them happily.
Oh and the police get a commission for letting the thieves go to.

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Living Room / Re: Yea, I won't be getting an iPad anytime soon

« on: February 12, 2010, 07:04 PM »

it sure can't.
but I heard the next version will make coffee, though I'm sure they won't include a cup to serve it.

But there's one good thing about the iPad, it's this video :
http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=1ZS8HqOGTbA

 

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General Software Discussion / Re: SliderDock seeking beta testers

« on: February 12, 2010, 06:48 PM »

Round Dock Phenomena

-mouser (February 12, 2010, 06:42 PM)

  a new kind of very contagious sickness passing through the virtual world 

Thanks for the forum feedback, I guess you are right people do need more info before downloading it.
I'm always open for feedback, that's one of the reason I joined this forum.

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Living Room / Re: Yea, I won't be getting an iPad anytime soon

« on: February 12, 2010, 06:29 PM »

"Alternatives to the iPad" ... glue four iPhones together ... 

-Tuxman (February 12, 2010, 06:18 PM)

And what if 4 people call you at the same time?
another alternative is to use a giant lens on an iPhone, it'll be cheaper too. But major headhack, for free at least.

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Living Room / Re: Yea, I won't be getting an iPad anytime soon

« on: February 12, 2010, 03:13 PM »

By the size of it I always think it's made for use in your home.
But it's missing the most important app of all for this :
A house remote control. switch-on light, close doors, tv on.

Only with that the iPad might sell, but that's not going to happen.

And I wonder, a bigger IPhone means a bigger screen explosion too?

16

General Software Discussion / SliderDock R14 released

« on: February 12, 2010, 02:35 PM »

I'm looking for beta tester for the latest version of SliderDock.
the beta is a zip file, and SliderDock will be in portable mode by default.
So no installation and it will work and save within it's own folder.(with the exception of the option "Load SliderDock at startup" which IF checked will write a line in the registry, but once unchecked will remove this line).


edit : the beta has ended now. If you wish to know more about this software or the new version please visit the website : http://sliderdock.wikidot.com/

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Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: SliderDock an application launcher focused on an easier access to your icons

« on: February 11, 2010, 08:14 AM »

thanks mouser, I hope the users will like it.

18

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / SliderDock an application launcher focused on an easier access to your icons

« on: February 10, 2010, 08:04 PM »

SliderDock is a dock that is in the shape of a 3D wheel.
Unlike other dock's the rotation animation isn't just a gimmick but one of the main feature of this application.
By having one main Icon area be the focal point, SliderDock allow you to change easily the icon through the use of the wheel mouse.
This was especially refined to feel very responsive and natural, plus it is fun to use.

Of course SliderDock also include many other features such as :

• simple drag and drop support to add an icon
• the possibility to use custom images to change completely the look so that it fit your preferences.
• low memory usage when not in use
• ability to hide and recall it with the use of a keyboard shortcut

and many more.

Give it a try.


To find more information go to:
http://sliderdock.wikidot.com/