EXP Systems Forum: Next update

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   Is there a beta program for the next version?  Is there a, hoped for, release date?

Using PDF reDirect
EXP Systems Forum : PDF reDirect : Using PDF reDirect

Topic: Next update( Topic Closed)

Author	Message
henryg Newbie Joined: 27 Jan 06 Posts: 18	Topic: Next update Posted: 07 Jan 09 at 5:05AM
	Is there a beta program for the next version? Is there a, hoped for, release date?
	Regards Henry
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 08 Jan 09 at 1:31AM
	Hello Henry, There will definitely be a beta trial period. The next version has been "very close" for nearly (I hate to say this) three months now, but has not progressed for a simple reason. I use a PDF library to perform some of the manipulation of the PDF files as part of PDF reDirect. The company that created this (very good) tool has gone bankrupt three years ago, which was affecting my ability to provide new features and/or introduce bug fixes. I have joined a group of other programmers, and we have created a new library called "PDF Squad" which PDF reDirect will use in the future. This library has exiting features such as the ability to apply "digital signatures" as well as a whole multitude of other things. This project is pretty much finished. PDF Squad is being released in a few days (I would guess about a week's time), and this will finally allow me to dedicate myself to releasing the next version of PDF reDirect. The web site for the new "PDF Squad" library will be [here]. Obviously, nothing can be downloaded or published yet, but that is irrelevant to PDF reDirect, but you can at least satisfy yourself that this part of my life is nearly over. Next: the new version of PDF reDirect is nearly ready as a "beta" version. I received a request to cleanup the header portion of the program (that is the graphics at the top of the window). The complaint was that the header was excessively large. This was made worse in the "Pro" version by the mode bar which allows the user to switch between "Desktop", "FTP" and "E-Mail" mode. I have just completed cleaning all of that up: the header is less than 1/2 the original height, and I removed the mode bar in favour of buttons to FTP and E-mail PDF files from the "Files" box. A pictue is worth a thousand words, so you can compare the two here: BEFORE AFTER So, to summarize. As of today, everything "seems" to be working OK except for the "FTP upload" feature which needs to be re-worked for the new user interface. I plan to finish that off starting in about a week, and it will take probably 1-2 weeks to complete that work, and do an initial set of testing to make sure that there are no surprises. After, we'll enter the "beta" phase. Actually, it will be more of an Alpha in that I still have a 1/2 dozen features to add. mostly specific customer requests which I still owe. Finally, I also need to cleanup the documentation before the final release. This release will also make use of the new PDF Squad - which is working very well, and is allowing me to do things like support Asian languages (may not help you, but a few Japanese and Chinese customers who purchased PDF reDirect Pro have patiently been waiting for this new feature). So, that's where I am today. I hope that helps, even though it is probably not the answer you were looking for. I appreciate everyone's patience, and I am hopeful that you will be happy with the end result. Cheers! Michel. P.S. Here is a larger screenshot of the upcoming beta. It shows in particular the new "thumbnail view" in the Files listbox.
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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henryg Newbie Joined: 27 Jan 06 Posts: 18	Posted: 08 Jan 09 at 2:58AM
	Michel Thank you for the detailed updated - I shall wait patiently for further news. Especially as I (was one of those who?) requested a the reduced header It looks good. Happy New Year
	Regards Henry
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 03 Jun 09 at 12:34AM
	Sigh... Sorry, no progress. Unfortunately I got sidetracked on a project which started as a simple custom request, and grown into a fullblown new product called "Meeting Timer" which allows businesses and corporations to conduct more effective meetings by having meeting attendees being more aware of how much time is elapsing. Sounds simple, and there are other timers out there, but the interface here is optimized for meetings making use of projectors and/or Powerpoint. This is what I am currently "active" on right now, but it's working, and I'm just wrapping up some of the options. Then (finally), I'll be back to completing PDF reDirect v2.3.
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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henryg Newbie Joined: 27 Jan 06 Posts: 18	Posted: 03 Jun 09 at 3:13AM
	Patience mode re-enabled :)
	Regards Henry
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jude Newbie Joined: 20 Jun 09 Posts: 3	Posted: 21 Jun 09 at 12:09AM
	It's really great that you have other projects keeping you "sidetracked," but as a paying customer such sidetracking projects have zero benefit for me. It's been nearly a year since the last update. How long are you going to continue jerking our chains, or have you abandoned THIS project? Gotta love those take-your-money-and-run software developers
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henryg Newbie Joined: 27 Jan 06 Posts: 18	Posted: 21 Jun 09 at 9:44AM
	I think that comment is unwarranted for and unreasonable. As far as I know, and much as I would like an update, none were guaranteed when I paid for the Pro version.
	Regards Henry
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 21 Jun 09 at 11:47AM
	Thanks Henry. ------------------------ Hi Jude, Thank you for your feedback. Yes, it has been a long time. I have definitely not abandoned PDF reDirect. In fact, the majority of last year was spent recovering from QuickPDF "issue" (see above). That is fully completed, and QuickPDF has been fully relaunched by a new company called Debenu (which I am not part of). See here for more info: (www.quickpdflibrary.com). With the new improved QuickPDF library now available, the new version of PDF reDirect can be completed, although there is one feature in QuickPDF that I still need which is not yet available. Making matters worse: a large portion (50%) of my time is spent answering e-mails from PDF reDirect users, many of which use the Freeware version. No money being made there. The Meeting Timer is complete, and being launched this week. After that, it's back to the PDF reDirect upgrade. Cheers!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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