Friday, June 20, 2008

Archimedes saving and opening!

It took a very long time and several complains but it is finally back.
Archimedes' new version (0.56.0) reintroduces open and save feature. We maintained the xml file format with a few minor modifications from the last version. It is not backwards compatible but if you need such support, I can easily write a small translator. Just post a feature request at sourceforge or a comment here.

There are still a few things I would like to improve on that system (such as disabling import/export as well as open/save when there are no importer/exporter or nativeFormat extensions loaded). I've finally (just now) also improved my generate installer script to generate a source zip file. This way anyone can get the source code related to that version whenever they wish. I remind everyone also that our subversion repository is open (as always) at: https://incubadora.fapesp.br/svn/archimedes/. The rcp version (which is the one being released lately) can be found at https://incubadora.fapesp.br/svn/archimedes/mainarchimedes/rcparchimedes/.

I also decided that unstable releases will only be launched at sourceforge while stable ones will be announced at sourceforge, gnomefiles, wikipedia, codeplex and the brazilian portals (incubadora and codigolivre). I also decided most files will be hosted at sourceforge and the other portals will only refer to the online installer or the full installer since those are more generic.

Last, but not least, the next plan is to get the team working on trim and extend to add those backs by July 10th. I will work on improving the open/save system and try to readd export to svg, pdf, jpg, bmp and png. Since I believe most of the code can be reused from older versions, I might be quite quick to implement it.

That's it for now people. Please send us your feedback!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Releasing unstable versions again

I am forcing myself to release unstable versions again to try to automatize the process a bit more.
So far I have managed to improve the sourceforge publication decently. There are yet another 3 sites that are much more painful to update that contain archimedes versions.

I think I will adopt the following rule. Unstable versions go to Sourceforge Only. Stable versions go to the other sites also. This way, maybe I can keep up the habit to release unstable very often (once a week).

This unstable (0.55.0) contain the export feature working nicely, the trim command back but not working and the infinite line intersector. The team is now working on the Trim system and the import one. So next version may be able to load files and trim correctly.

Files can be downloaded at Archimedes' sourceforge site. Enjoy it!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Screencast number 7

Well,
I finally recorded the screencast number 7. It shows how to create Smalltalk classes and tests using SUnit. It also demonstrates the use of class packages and categories as well as the TestRunner tool. It follows a TDD rythm and presents 2 methods from SUnit. Couldn't make it smaller so it is a bit over the last screencasts' length but I think it is still reasonable (around 8 minutes).

As usual, I'll stop here but you can enjoy them:
Download the English version here or see it on Google Video.
Download the Portuguese version here or see it on Google Video.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Archimedes 0.54

After one year, I've finally released Archimedes 0.54.
It counts with the whole intersection features back and, most notably, the intersection grip and the selection by intersection. The next step is to have trim and extend back as well as the save and open features. The current team will be working on save and open and set a deadline to the 16th so, if I don't get too late, I should release it that week end.
By July, they will have another iteration ready that should bring trim, extend and fillet back. If I am not mistaken, this is pretty much all features that were available in the old version. So we are good. Just need to improve upon it later.

I am also late with the podcasts and I don't know when I will manage to recover on that.

See you all later. Enjoy the release!