Schisa Productions
Schisa Productions | ||
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RELEASE NOTES for 2005-2006 | ||||||
Current Release: FTLCtimelines 0.9.5.6.07 Every release of FTLC carries some probability of new bugs born and old bugs left standing. SchisaProductions has limited resources for crawled through every path the program may take through itself, wherein may be unforseen problems for it to stumble on. If you find problems, the only way I may know about them is if you tell me about them. So long as development on this program is active, I will examine and hopefully fix problems reported to me. I have discontinued development of FTLCtimelines for Mac OS 9. It is easier and more efficient to develop for one system only. E-mail me if you've objections
Version 0.9.5.6.07 MARCH 7, 2006 FIX: 1) Long BC dates in database lists not sorted correctly, fixed. 2) Database's trash couldn't be emptied sometimes, fixed. 3) Event and Span Lists were not copying to clipboard correctly when rows selected: fixed. Augmentation: 1) Recent files may be individually removed (global settings > records tab). 2) Secondary sort on some listboxes for some columns: see program help (general) for which and when (i.e. primary sort column entries held fixed while second column sorted). 3) Records' listboxes (events and spans): copy for table (menu item), (i.e. tab delimited column fields, new line for rows): for fit in other programs' tables (fit dependent on other program). 4) Records listboxes (events and spans) and search result list rows have mild coloring by main sort for easier viewing. Change: 1) Database descriptive text window is now a drawer (to better associate it with its parent window). (note: control click window to reposition). New: Search (memory, recent files, database, dragged FTLC file or folder [for FTLC files]) in record names and descriptive text (whole word or not).
Version 0.9.5.6.06 February 5, 2006 Fixes: 1) crash in finding lost media files when operation canceled by user: Fixed. 2) Timeline's show media command key equivalent conflict with mac OS dock's use of said key: fixed (command key equivalent changed). 3) crash in "showing media files", "getting media files" windows' display operation: fixed (Crash due to "get media files" sheet [modal, drop down] window's stopping everything else while it shows, "get media files" window changed to a drawer window).
Version 0.9.5.6.04 January 31, 2006 Note: this version adds a preference file to the user's Home Library > Preferences folder. Note: these lastest versions have undergone minimal testing due to lack of time on my part. New: Open recent file menu item (saved as preference file in home preferences [a binary file, not a .plist]) Optional number of files to remember, option to add merged files or not clear menu item option (menu item: File > Records....) Changed: 1) Event & Span Record windows Name text edit field made wider for longer names. 2) Help menu items moved to FTLCwindows menu to save menubar space. Version 0.9.5.6.03 January 25, 2006 This version is currently only released on SchisaProductions Update page; it has been tested little; feedback welcome if you have problems. Fixes: 1) Set minimum timeline size to avoid problems (crash when circle radius is to small). 2) Sometimes hash mark label chopped into start/end labels, fixed. 3) In some recent version of FTLC, merging files began bombing the program, fixed. changes: Span placement set down a little for two line axis. Updated: Timelines picture windows (view of timelines going up, down, etc.) updated for two line Axis display options. (from timeline window, menu Options > Picture...) New: 1) Allows some modifying of parameters for deciding when to use what Unit of measure on a timeline's axis (Units being Years, months, days, etc). (from timeline window, menu Options > Axis > Axis Parameters). 2) Allow input of Axis marks by giving a start date and the temporal length between the subsequent axis marks (from timeline window, menu Options > Axis > Axis Display [second panel of top portion of sheet window]).
Version 0.9.5.6.02 January 17, 2006
1) Adds option to have record names of up to 45 or 60 characters. 2) AutoScroll enabled on slider for hash mark widths in drop down (sheet) Axis Display window.
Version 0.9.5.6.01 January 12, 2006 Fixes a bug where printing could not take place.
Version 0.9.5.6.00 January 7, 2006 This version alters the database engine. Old FTLC databases will be updated. The manual and database manual are no longer included with the download (they are outdated and I've not yet written new ones. The old manuals may contain useful information if you are unfamiliar with the program, and they may be downloaded from the manual page of this site. Changes: 1) Continues the strategy of different windows' controls being moved to menubar with different windows having different Options Menu items. 2) Database updated to REALBASIC2005 implementation of SQL Lite; any old FTLC database opened will be converted (upon user OK) and the old database will be copied as it stood in the same folder with "(Old Format)" added to its name. Note: new format databases opened in older versions of FTLC will most likely crash the program. 3) Old global settings window broken up, some parts going where they seem to be more appropriately placed. 4) timelines copied to clipboard now clip excess white space below spans 5) default math precision can't be changed anymore (don't think it had much use [e-mail me if i"m wrong])
Augmentation: 1)Control over axis display in timelines: a few new options... a) some control over spacing between hashmarks b) two line hash mark text may be either b1) staggered (most useful for long dates to avoid using abbreviations (e.g. 3,000,000 BC) or to show more date info. b2) (NEW) temporal distance... Text shows temporal distance from user specified date at hash mark. c) hash marks may be centered on the line or start from beginning of line (as used to be only option). These settings may be saved with windowviews of a timeline. 2) iCal import: new checkbox to attempt to parse year from iCal record name to replace iCal's year. Use is when iCal dates are anniversaries of events from past years and those years are mentioned in the record's text: Parser can make mistakes, of course. This was a quick & dirty coding to work with historical iCal calendars I viewed.Send requests for further work on this function. New: A window to show graphics of relative size of spans (two date records) on a timeline: basically bar graphs. Use is, for example, to see relative sizes of people's (or whatever's) life span. Issues: 1) Bugs: I don't have time to test the software too much; I don't hear much from people about finding bugs. If you find bugs, you can let me know. I squash all I find. 2) User interface: Don't know if the move from controls to menu items is good or bad, but it is less crowded in a given window. Again, don't know if "sheets" are the way to go for some input, it obscures the main window, but it is so for much of the program now. 3) Program size: The REALBASIC2005 implementation of REALBASIC increased FTLC's size by a considerable amount; I don't know if there are any benefits to this fact, but it is so. (note: the people at REALBASIC are very responsive to these sorts of issues, and I think they do a pretty good job with their product, but this issue has not resolved nor explained to my knowledge). 4) There is still no accounting for time zones in the program; this makes the software useless or at least a real hassle for certain things. (may be programmed in future) 5) Timeline's auxiliary picture window still doesn't show stamped text, nor is it updated for new axis features. (may be programmed in future)
Version 0.9.5.5.00 July 2, 2005 This version alters the basics of the timeline graphics windows in the following way: before there were two types (classes) of the window (the main and sub timeline) with one window created for each type at start up (nothing more available); now there is one type of timeline window with nine instances of the window available for user creation (the limit is my discretion). The "saved file" structure of FTLCtimeline files have also been modified, so if you have important timelines, you may want to back them up before use though I've seen no problems in my limited testing. There is no OS 9 version for this release. New: 1) timeline views can be saved in file and loaded into any timeline window (menu> FTLCwindows > windowview > submenus (to delete views use option key when pressing menubar [ if there's any window views available]) Saved Views include start-end dates, categories shown, stamped text and a few other attributes. 2) SpanRecord & EventRecord windows can call up a simple calendar (w/digital am/pm clock) for non B.C. dates to record or check dates. changes: 1) Up to 10 timeline windows available (limit based on programmer discretion) 2) Timeline window has a few added options... a) Resizing can show window length (to more accurately set timeline length). b) Copy only spans & axis or events & axis. c) Reset window parameters (edit menu). d) Link span to events in a category of the same name as the span. e) PopUpBox text may be aligned left, right or center and may be edited (some controls placed in Edit Menu). f) Stamped Text: some controls placed in edit menu and stamped text may be selected for limited editing or removal (note: the eraser is gone for stamped text, stamped text is erased on a stamp by stamp basis when stamp is selected). g) Clicking axis shows the axis date estimate differently, more readable. h) Color of axis and its hash marks can be changed. 3) Media Window controls moved to the MenuBar. 4) many dialog boxes belonging to windows are now sheets 5) Global font and "Fill color off sets" saved on file by file basis fix: 1) stamped pop up boxes now stamp visible portion of pop up box (before, apparently always stamped top portion of editfield's text) 2) When a category is deleted, now records retain their proper category (if it's not the deleted one).
known issue: When FTLC windows menu items are selected by their command key equivalents, the menu bar does not deselect (do not know for sure if this is my problem or the compiler's problem) Version 0.9.5.4.03 April 6, 2005 Fixes: 1) Cancelled "Open file..." menu selection now leaves any previously loaded file intact in memory (used to erase it anyway). 2) Now, if a span is selected in timelines windows, if the "set sub timeline window" is then chosen, sub_timeline settings set to the selected span. Changes: 1) Can toggle printer to set for 72 dots per inch (screen resolution) printing or printer's higher resolution setting (via page setup MenuItem options). 2) Option to toggle (on or off) display of time in dates for lists and printing. 3) New option to print two columns. New: 1) Use menuitem: Timeline > Picture... A picture window to display timelines going up, down or Flat with events Left or Righ (above or below)t. Takes properties from its source timeline window (e.g. font & font size, graph length and end dates, shown records). Along with this window is a window to view descriptive text for records on Picture window's timeline; descriptive text has a simple search function. Window may be printed as original timeline window, text and pic may be copied, pic may be saved to picture file. These windows' placements are saved on a file by file basis. The interactivity of the main timeline windows is not present. Purpose of these windows are only to give display options if, for instance, one wants a vertical timeline pointing downward to follow text (going from earlier to later) along side of it.
Note: if a record in a file is changed or deleted, these two windows do not update automatically in this version: a message to that effect will show itself (one should close and reopen the window [it's a clumsy situation, but I've gone no further with it]).
Also Note: in a more perfect program there would be one timeline window capable of all functions, but an overhaul of the original timeline windows is more trouble than I can manage at this time.
Further Note: This program was never intended to replace things like page layout software even though it attempts to provide a few page layout options; it was intended as a tool to draw timelines which may be incorporated into more sophisticated document handling programs.
Version 0.9.5.4.00, March 11, 2005 Bug Fixes: 1) program crash at addition of 51st span record fixed. 2) year date bad copy when shifting from edit lists to record edit window stopped (no more keyboard equivalents for push buttons). 3) issue with large magnified timelines becoming garbage graphics addressed (i.e. bug not killed, but captured [at least on my machine]) (magnifications greater than the threshold for graphics garbage [a distinct number on my machine] are not allowed).
Changes: 1) Option to not draw timeCircles, is faster, but of course there's no timeCircles (window: global settings, computer tab panel) (saved on a file by file basis). 2) Clicking on point before any timeline magnification will center magnified timeline around the clicked point. 3) Slightly rearranged New (and Edit) Record window to allow more room for descriptive text. 4) On timeline windows, three window based controls changed to menu items (timeline: box spans and magnify, circle: cycle spans). 5) No more paper size for printing. 6) All stamped descriptive text printed for any window. 7) Printing can be done at higher resolution (depending on printer). 8) Options to scale printed timeline(Circle) and position it at (top or middle or bottom) and (left or middle or right) of paper; 8a) for scale at less than 76% option to start printing text on same page, and 8b) for (top or bottom) and (left or right) positions, at less than 76% scale, option to wrap text square around timeline(Circle). 9) All notes can now be viewed (at new note window) and printed (with timeline(Circle)) at beginning or end of printed text. 10) Under hood alteration for slight increase in speed, hopefully.
Changes in version 0.9.5.3.00 June 22, 2004 Bug Fixes: 1) Interior timeline now sizes image correctly without having to resize the window. 2) on timecircles: when certain graphics erased, "ghost images" remained: fixed. 3) on timelines (when magnified), the graph no longer gets messed up under certain circumstances (e.g. drag pic to desktop). 4) on timelines, clicking the windows close box erased memory of the timeline (fixed). Under the hood modifications: 1) Program now creates a temporary invisible file in the "Temporary Items folder" for certain variables; file is erased as program quits. 2) reduction in (a) number of variables used in program and (b) number of non showing windows left open (i.e. housecleaning). Changes: timelines: 1) If a record is selected on a graph, pressing return key now jumps to Edit the Record window (used to jump to records' list, option-return now jumps to the list). 2) More control over (a) size of event portion of timeline and (b) size of circle in timecircle (menuitem: timeline > margins). 3) Clicking just above timeline axis gives better view & full representation of the date & time for the clicked pixel. 4) PopUp descriptive text box's position and size are saved with file. Records: 1) option (in Global Settings window's Records tabPanel) to allow record name lengths of 30 characters max (before only 18 characters max allowed). 2) Descriptive text edit field now accepts return key (creating a new line). Database: 1) Database records can now record and show media file references (Before only records loaded into memory could access media windows). 2) Database records' data entry windows for (a) descriptive text and (b) file name now accessed by a pushbutton (before they were triggered by an editfield focus event which wasn't proving to be very reliable). Span & Event Lists: These two windows have been somewhat cleaned up. Also added option to show months as 3 letter abbreviations (as opposed to numbers). Application Opening: The opening window which used to provide three choices is no longer there. It had allowed one to choose to either(a) open a file, (b) enter a new event, or (c) enter a new span; but since these choices simply mirror their respective menu items, the window seems superflous. Perhaps this may cause confusion, since the only indication FTLC is running may be its menu headers, but on the plus side, the lack of an opening window leaves one's view of one's desktop unobstructed. The example file has been changed (is "Rock n' Roll"): as usual, the example file is claimed to be nothing more than that. Old example file "A Slim Earth History" can be downloaded from this web site. Note: After version 0.9.5.2 (below) I began work on a version which implemented timezones and maps. The algorithms were work through, there was an implementation close to being finished, but I was not happy with it for a number of reasons. However, there were a number of improvements and fixes in said attempt, so I stripped out the code for timezones and maps, cleaned up what was left, and, with some further changes, the above version (0.9.5.3) is the result. Can not predict the future of timezones and maps in this program at the moment.
Changes in version 0.9.5.2.00 March 05, 2004 fixes: 1) Fixed Span & Event Record Windows so data isn't cleared when window activated/deactivated (as when a new category is created). 2) media count is now correct in getmedia window. 3) media list could crash when finding media files fixed.
additions: 1) Edit lists can now delete 1 or multiple records 2) FTLCwindows menu items additions: (1) hide all, (2) bring all to front, (3) database
changes: 1) the beep removed from edit field for years in all windows (used to beep if invalid character entered, also beeped when one tabbed out of the year field (a bug: removed). 2) If length(import name > 17), the "..." placed at end of name abbreviation rather than in the middle (for ical import and text database import). 3) options for a selected span (make sub timeline or edit) are now an option on the Span list rather than options in a separate window. 4) Owing mostly to REALbasic version 5.5 compiler (which now compiles "conditionally") , FTLC application is smaller. new: 1) database (db): If the user wishes, FTLC now creates a database which may store any FTLC record for use on any FTLC timeline(circle). The database can export or import tab delimited text files in various formats which formats the user must choose from. A default db, if created, is connected to automatically by FTLC. Demo program db (1) any given db file can't open after 25 days (2) can't take records from FTLC files with more than 100 records (these limitations may change). See manual "Manual addendum: Database" (in the download) or FTLC help windows for info. FTLC properties not copied to database: category color, AutoUpdate (for spans updating to current date). 2) TZ pushbutton in "About..." menu item: Expands on known issue (1) Which anyone should regard if they have serious business to attend to with FTLC. ************End of Release notes for 2004************ Known issues 1) FTLC takes no account of time zones, imported iCal files do not either. In general,situations can occur where the sequence of events is wrong. For example: Two people on opposite sides of the earth have events at the same time (by their locally set watches); entered into FTLC as such, the events will be considered at the same time by FTLC whereas one event actually occurs before the other (by half a day). A future version of FTLC might take into account time zones and other factors concerning space, time and regularities of the Earth amidst its solar system. 2) Memory management and performance has not been tested for relatively large databases (say over a few thousand records). Nor has it been tested for large FTLC files. I consider the second consideration is not so important since I don't know how one would cope with such a cluttered timeline (unless it's physical media size was longer than FTLC now supports [a page height]). The first consideration will perhaps be studied as time goes on. The database is intended to reduce the need for large timeline files, as it is my opinion that they are not as useful for study (too much clutter on the graph).
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