As dp1don said (http://www.dark-mojo.com/todayplus/viewtopic.php?t=1375&start=60), because we've not had any recent communication from srs we should begin developing plans to migrate away from TodayPlus. I'd also suggest that we discuss this on a different forum, just in case this forum dies around the same time.
Can anyone provide any forum space for this discussion?
There are a lot of ideas we can all come up with. We might start contacting OmegaOne, Microsoft, and other such companies, requesting that similar software to TodayPlus be developed, for example. srs is truly talented, but only one person; if he disappears, so does TodayPlus. OmegaOne and other companies typically have much larger programming resource pools available to them, and I for one would be willing to pay for a TodayPlus replacement (I've offered to pay for TodayPlus, even in beta).
Now with the .NET framework gaining traction in the programming community it becomes easier to create programs for Pocket PC. srs has done a great job with TodayPlus, but is not the only programmer out there.
Eitel,
Can you give us an indication how long you plan to keep this forum alive, in case TodayPlus does die and this community would like to continue some form of discussion of Today Plug-in related interests?
Thanks,
pli7
BTW, I've emailed OmegaOne with some suggestions but they've replied that their current products cover similar tasks that TodayPlus does. After looking a bit deeper, I'm inclined to agree. Although not nearly as customizable and skinnable, the necessities are almost all there. Next stop, Microsoft.
Did anybody think that srs was paid to stop preduction of todayplus. I mean todayplus does alot and that would hurt alot of companys sales, thats a fact. and since software companys like to split there products up instead of all in one single program, that way they make a sh*t load of more money. Just a thought. It defintly happens.
Lordtwisted
I was wondering if there might be a conspiracy theory out there. :o
If not, I'm sure we could start one... I bet srs actually works for OmegaOne or some such company. They decided to try an all-in-one solution and instead of beta-testing it through their company they did it this way, so they could "reach" more people. Now that they're all hooked on TodayPlus, OmegaOne will release some updates to their products that will make them the only logical solution, and spring a discount shortly after February 29...
Why switch? Is this software going to die? It works fine for me, does it expire. I remember reading someone says it does, but I see no indications.
I like TodayPlus and im keeping it!
Peace!
At this rate anything is possible. Maybe someone did pay him to stop the project. Maybe also, someone paid him to finish the project and release it as a final version under a new name (no I don't think it was Lordtwisted and TodayAdv). Either way, I am sure srs would have announced that he was ending the project.
I find it more likely that one of two things (or both) happened:
1) SRS got feed up with recent backlash that was caused by the expiration date being included; he then felt his fear of having to "support" TodayPlus was coming true. (Keep in mind, one of the reasons he mentioned repeatedly that he was not going to sell TodayPlus was that he would feel obligated to "support" it.)
2) Something happened to srs that caused him to abandon TodayPlus, maybe not something physically but something else. (Remembering back to the Brighthand thread, srs indicated that he wanted to work on TodayPlus as a summer project before school started up again.)
If you want my opinion, I feel it was mostly point 1 and partly point 2. When the expiration date thing blow-up, he felt he needed to defend his reasoning to include one. Now he was forced to have to "support" TodayPlus beyond the level that he was able to support it, because he was back in school. SRS in the past had shown to sometimes take criticism to much to heart when it came to TodayPlus. Now he was forced to support TodayPlus, study for classes and defend his reasoning to include an expiration date into TodayPlus. This would account for his sudden departure without an announcement of the end of the TodayPlus project.
I saw an end coming to TodayPlus, I am actually shocked it lasted as long as it did. I just wish I had a copy of TodayPlus that would run after February 29. My life with my PPC will never be the same again. Helpfully PPX is as much fun.
Quote from: KevheadWhy switch? Is this software going to die? It works fine for me, does it expire. I remember reading someone says it does, but I see no indications.
I like TodayPlus and im keeping it!
Yes it does expire. To test for yourself do the following:
1) Set your date of your PPC to
March 1, 2004.
2) Do a soft-reset
3) Observe that TodayPlus doesn't load.
4) Set your date back to today
5) Do another soft-reset
6) Watch TodayPlus load this time.
I heard that srs was taken by aliens! Anyone spot any lights in the sky?
Quote from: jhollin11382) Do a soft-reset
You don't have to due a soft reset, just reloading the plugin via Start|Settings|Today| Items or clicking on the "Reload Plugin" button in the Config application will have the same affect. So even performing skin edits that require the skin to be reloaded after the expiration date will cause it to not reload.
Of course, as mentioned before, you could set the PPC date before 3/1/04 before resetting or reloading the plugin as above, then set the date back to normal.
So the future options are:
1) Stop using TP.
2) Manually adjust the date whenever the TP needs to be reload
3) Find someone to write a small app that automates the manual steps (backs out the date, reloads the plugin, then resets the date). Maybe even add a soft reset option.
4) Find someone to hack TP so it does not expire.
I feel like an expectant father, just waiting for the day to come. I wish srs would just give us an answer. There is a lot of hours devoted to this program that will be a waste. It would be nice to see a full working version by the end of the month. I have spent countless hours in here, but I have to admit that it was fun, so not a total waste. Plus the fact that I have meet some very talented people.
I am dissappointed as well. I had a new Skin Reference and my first full blown skin ready to be release for version 0.12.0, that may never see their debut.
Quote from: fishboyQuote from: jhollin11382) Do a soft-reset
So the future options are:
1) Stop using TP.
2) Manually adjust the date whenever the TP needs to be reload
3) Find someone to write a small app that automates the manual steps (backs out the date, reloads the plugin, then resets the date). Maybe even add a soft reset option.
4) Find someone to hack TP so it does not expire.
I'm going to employ option #2 until I fully migrate to other applications. I rarely soft-reset even though I use a lot of apps, so that's a minor annoyance compared to getting rid of TP right away.
Quote from: fishboyYou don't have to due a soft reset, just reloading the plugin via Start|Settings|Today| Items or clicking on the "Reload Plugin" button in the Config application will have the same affect...
You are right. Since I have an e740, soft-resets are daily occurrences almost. They come to me like second nature as the easiest thing to do all the time. :D
No big deal... I will pass along the code and see if we can kill the date check. Normally pretty easy crack. :) Yeah right...
Oh well.
Anyone have an older version that doesnt expire? That may help...
Quote from: jhollin1138soft-resets are daily occurrences almost
Bummer :shock: . Had the same problem with my Jornada and Pocket PC 2000. Ever since I got my Axim I reboot like once every couple of weeks. :D
Quote from: KevheadAnyone have an older version that doesnt expire? That may help...
As far as I know, all versions of TodayPlus that srs released have and expiration date. Lordtiswted says his copy of v0.12.0 doesn't expire. My copy of v0.12.0, and everyone else's does have an expiration date.
Quote from: fishboyBummer :shock: . Had the same problem with my Jornada and Pocket PC 2000. Ever since I got my Axim I reboot like once every couple of weeks. :D
I can't wait until I can send my e740 out to pasture. I am trying to be a good boy this year so "Santa Claus" brings me a new PPC for Christmas. :lol:
Quote from: jhollin1138Lordtiswted says his copy of v0.12.0 doesn't expire.
FYI, after further testing, LT has confirmed that his expires as well. Oh, and good luck on that new PPC. To bad you may not have cool app like TodayPlus to display on its Today screen.
Quote from: fishboyQuote from: jhollin1138Lordtiswted says his copy of v0.12.0 doesn't expire.
FYI, after further testing, LT has confirmed that his expires as well. Oh, and good luck on that new PPC. To bad you may not have cool app like TodayPlus to display on its Today screen.
My copy of 0.12.0 doesn't expire, and is the one from the beta forum. At least it was working fine in Feb 2006. :)
QuoteMy copy of 0.12.0 doesn't expire, and is the one from the beta forum. At least it was working fine in Feb 2006.
OK, Eitel, a question:
If SRS has apparantly abandoned the project, would you release the v0.12.0 beta at that time, so others would have a useful/workign copy? Or would you be the only TP user left?
dp1don
Quote from: dp1donQuoteMy copy of 0.12.0 doesn't expire, and is the one from the beta forum. At least it was working fine in Feb 2006.
OK, Eitel, a question:
If SRS has apparantly abandoned the project, would you release the v0.12.0 beta at that time, so others would have a useful/workign copy? Or would you be the only TP user left?
dp1don
agree! and if you look on the index of this site you'll see:
TodayPlus is still in beta, so it can only get better. And the best part, is FREE!!
Free = Freeware. Means can be freely distributed! Eitel, please post the non expiring 0.12.0, all skinners can to their great jobs on this and everybody would be VERY HAPPY! and I'm sure this will bring SRS back :D (if SRS is reading this he'll shoot me on the moon - but that suggestion comes in mind if you're desperate :oops: )
As far as I know all versions work in January and February 2005 etc. Try to set the date to March 2005.
Just to clarify, the closed-beta version 0.12.0 does expire at the end of this month, as with other versions. All versions will function from January 1, 2005, I believe. So, you only have to wait 10 months and you can use TodayPlus again :wink:
Quote from: arbitrajeuJust to clarify, the closed-beta version 0.12.0 does expire at the end of this month, as with other versions. All versions will function from January 1, 2005, I believe. So, you only have to wait 10 months and you can use TodayPlus again :wink:
Yes, but only for two month! In March 2005 it will stop again for the next 10 month. I am speaking for version 11. I don't have the Beta 12.
That is strange... Im not used to freeware expiring.
Thats to bad... TodayPlus could live on as a testament to great programing. instead it may die a mournful death.
It was nice while it lasted. All i wanted was a nice weather on my today screen.
Peace... i will be watching for an update. I wouldnt count it out.
somebody must be able to crack this, it's not unheard of, surely somebody out there has already patched/cracked it, why would you want a beautiful piece of software to die like this, this is a darn shame to T+ itself, if the software could cry I'm sure it would .. hell I'm sure most folk here would pay for it if offered the chance
Quote from: homerjpbodysomebody must be able to crack this, it's not unheard of, surely somebody out there has already patched/cracked it, why would you want a beautiful piece of software to die like this, this is a darn shame to T+ itself, if the software could cry I'm sure it would .. hell I'm sure most folk here would pay for it if offered the chance
Find a decompile program for ARM, that is a program that can take an executable and turn it into ARM assembly language. I will take a look at it. So far I havnt had any luck finding one of these utilities.
Quote from: CratosQuote from: homerjpbodysomebody must be able to crack this, it's not unheard of, surely somebody out there has already patched/cracked it, why would you want a beautiful piece of software to die like this, this is a darn shame to T+ itself, if the software could cry I'm sure it would .. hell I'm sure most folk here would pay for it if offered the chance
Find a decompile program for ARM, that is a program that can take an executable and turn it into ARM assembly language. I will take a look at it. So far I havnt had any luck finding one of these utilities.
Shouldn't we talk about this after expiring, at least a week before or so...?
Quote from: Nielsracing
Shouldn't we talk about this after expiring, at least a week before or so...?
I dont see why we cant talk about it now. It definitly doesnt look like SRS is comming back and if you want my opinion it is very irresponsible for someone to just abandon a project like that and keep all these testers hanging. We all did him a favor and it looks like it probably went to his head. I mean who just leaves like that becauase of a little critisism? If a couple of my users started complaining about something I did to my freeware (not that I would ever make mine expire) I would take their comments to heart. .... I dont think we should write a replacement program. We have a perfectly good one right here.
BTW, after a couple of minutes of playing, I have narrowed the problem down to the TodayPlus.dll file. This is where it looks for the date and decides wether or not to load the plugin. This is why the program still works when you open the TodayPlus.exe file no matter the date. I wish I knew more about Today Plugins, I might have fixed it already. I guess Ill have to learn first...
Quote from: CratosQuote from: Nielsracing
Shouldn't we talk about this after expiring, at least a week before or so...?
I dont see why we cant talk about it now. It definitly doesnt look like SRS is comming back and if you want my opinion it is very irresponsible for someone to just abandon a project like that and keep all these testers hanging. We all did him a favor and it looks like it probably went to his head. I mean who just leaves like that becauase of a little critisism? If a couple of my users started complaining about something I did to my freeware (not that I would ever make mine expire) I would take their comments to heart. .... I dont think we should write a replacement program. We have a perfectly good one right here.
BTW, after a couple of minutes of playing, I have narrowed the problem down to the TodayPlus.dll file. This is where it looks for the date and decides wether or not to load the plugin. This is why the program still works when you open the TodayPlus.exe file no matter the date. I wish I knew more about Today Plugins, I might have fixed it already. I guess Ill have to learn first...
Ok you are right, srs seems to be inactive on this forum so we should consider a replacement :wink:
Cratos
You might be right but decompiling the code shows nothing that looks like a date check in the dll. On the other hand there are two calls to the system time in the exe, one which I suspect is comparing the system time with a file time, maybe the date of the dll file. Of course my knowledge is limited and I might be completely wrong. :) I played around a little out of curiosity but I don't feel right about hacking something that srs created. As I've stated in another thread, it seems to me it is his to let die if that's what he wants to do.
ya1950
ya1950,
What did you use to decompile it?
Cratos
I've sent you a pm.
ya1950
ya1950,
If you have a decompiler,
do you have a freeware assembler?
If you have, I like both.
I have a thing with assembly.
I like to learn ARM assembly.
Can you make me happy with a PM.
Eitel...
hem... :oops:
Can You, kindly, distribute this 0.12.0 not expiring copy? :D
Tnx...
Roberto.
Quote from: YerakonEitel...
hem... :oops:
Can You, kindly, distribute this 0.12.0 not expiring copy? :D
From what I've tested, all betas expire from March to December of any year. They only work in January or February of any year.
I've posted a reply in a different place but it covers this as well...
http://www.dark-mojo.com/todayplus/viewtopic.php?p=8511#8511
....let me know if I can help...