Marine Aquarium 3 Rumors and Speculation - Page 86

Marian Nichols · 06-14-2008, 04:07 PM

no words needed

patscarr · 06-14-2008, 05:53 PM

So, Jim, how much do you anticipate MA3 will cost when it comes out as a beta, and what will the the price go up to after beta testing is finished?

Jim Sachs · 06-14-2008, 06:14 PM

Prolific and I have different ideas about the roll-out. I was hoping for a "soft" rollout, with a free download of the Beta for any 2.6 owner, and a $5 upgrade fee from MA2.6 when it's ready for prime-time, but it looks like the price will be more like $9.

enigma63941 · 06-14-2008, 06:44 PM

Don't go for a "soft" roll out Jim. Go for a multimedia blitz "SUPER HARD" roll out. With print ads, radio, and even television spots. The NBA finals are on on fathers day. Maybe Prolific could shell out some money for a movie like trailer announcing to the world the upcoming 3.0 screen saver with special effects and everything. Theirs a lot of fish screen savers out there and their hasn't been any major updates released on any of them. Like I said before I think EVERYBODY is waiting for yours to come out so they can see the REAL competition and then try to emulate it. Their waiting to see how high a benchmark your going to set. Don't set it to high though Jim. Save a little something for..you know..MA 4.0. Shall we say 2015

Ralph · 06-14-2008, 09:58 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Prolific and I have different ideas about the roll-out. I was hoping for a "soft" rollout, with a free download of the Beta for any 2.6 owner, and a $5 upgrade fee from MA2.6 when it's ready for prime-time, but it looks like the price will be more like $9.

I expect that Prolific will have paid some programmer at least a few hours to develop the fish interface.... seems reasonable that they would want a return on their investment.

Jim Sachs · 06-14-2008, 10:45 PM

enigma - Somehow, I doubt if there will be TV ads for the Aquarium during the NBA finals. (Considering in the past 8 years, we have had no advertising at all.)

Ralph - There are at least 4 people at Prolific working fairly hard on various aspects of the Aquarium. Fish-picker interfaces, music interfaces, playlist programming, multimonitor code, and an installer all need to be done. So yes - Prolific is entitled to a return on their investment of programmer time, especially since it is cutting into their vital Qtask development time.

The jobs I've chosen for myself are the collision-avoidance code and search for MIDI instruments. Hopefully, it won't be long before all these threads are joined and we can start testing a real Beta version.

pseudografx · 06-23-2008, 11:43 AM

Hi Jim,
I really like what you do and I am eager to see the new version. How far do you think you are from having the aquarium ready for some screenshots? :-)

Jim Sachs · 06-23-2008, 10:50 PM

I think I put some screenshots in this thread about 25 pages ago.

Highlander · 06-25-2008, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

I think I put some screenshots in this thread about 25 pages ago.

yeah be sure to have the Hubble telescope handy

Jim Sachs · 06-25-2008, 10:54 AM

There were some larger-scale ones earlier, but just part of the screen.

cjmaddy · 06-25-2008, 11:08 AM

Here you go...
https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...postcount=1083
https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...postcount=1211

iMark · 06-25-2008, 11:16 AM

oh wow..I saw a very tiny pic a while ago, but guess I missed the larger ones....it looks awesome...can't wait to see it in actuality...thanks for the links, Cliff....

Tiny Turtle · 06-25-2008, 02:41 PM

..also note that the actual fish in that shot aren't improved at all – that will follow after the tank itself looks (and works) alright.

Vish · 06-25-2008, 04:51 PM

I had to say something. Have been a quite reader for a while....!

I hope the beta comes out by this Christmas...!

dboyd420 · 06-25-2008, 05:33 PM

Wow, you can really see the difference in those sample pics. It looks like fake fish in a real reef. Can't wait to see the fish update too. Nice work!

How are the beta testers chosen?

Jim Sachs · 06-25-2008, 06:16 PM

Actually, the deadline for the release version was yesterday. We're late, but it's not entirely my fault this time. Prolific still has some items to finish up, too.

I've had to rethink my whole collision-avoidance scheme. The better the fish got at avoiding the background, the less realistic their movement was becoming. So, fo the last few nights, I've been walking around my cluttered house with my eyes closed, trying to figure out what mental algorithm I need to use to avoid objects.

The Beta testers are chosen by Morgan from Forum members who have been around for about 8 years.

Ralph · 06-25-2008, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

I've had to rethink my whole collision-avoidance scheme. The better the fish got at avoiding the background, the less realistic their movement was becoming. So, fo the last few nights, I've been walking around my cluttered house with my eyes closed, trying to figure out what mental algorithm I need to use to avoid objects.

Stubbed toes... bruised shins... Taking programing to a new level..

I seem to recall at some point you mentioned your wife works in a hospital.. that may come in handy.
Hope you come up with an inspiration before you take the next step of beating your head against a wall.

Jim Sachs · 06-26-2008, 12:04 AM

She's in Labor and Delivery, so unless I crack my head open and a baby pops out, she's useless.

Marian Nichols · 06-26-2008, 04:02 AM

Only to you Jim, LOL!

I often get my best inspirations at night. Sometimes in dreams, other times right after I awake and lay in bed a moment thinking. This can be anywhere from 2AM to 5AM.

Something I learned is, after lying down and before going to sleep. I will concentrate on my stumbling blocks, that sets the stage for night time wanderings/wondering. Often I will awake with a solution. But if you are one who does not remember your dreams or can not decipher them then this excise may not work for you. It does takes practice.

Don't let the pressure get to you, if need be, take a few hours or even a day away from your tasks, step back and observe it with a different eye.

And good luck, I have you in my thoughts.

Jav400 · 06-26-2008, 04:26 AM

Useless huh? I hope she doesn't read the forum much or we will never see the finished version.

06-14-2008, 04:07 PM	#1701
Marian Nichols ~Author~ Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rocky Mount, NC Posts: 7,429	no words needed Write paranormal mysteries. Six books so far.

06-14-2008, 05:53 PM	#1702
patscarr Pet Shark Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Back in Buffalo Posts: 5,460	So, Jim, how much do you anticipate MA3 will cost when it comes out as a beta, and what will the the price go up to after beta testing is finished? Patrick

06-14-2008, 06:14 PM	#1703
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,816	Prolific and I have different ideas about the roll-out. I was hoping for a "soft" rollout, with a free download of the Beta for any 2.6 owner, and a $5 upgrade fee from MA2.6 when it's ready for prime-time, but it looks like the price will be more like $9. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

06-14-2008, 10:45 PM	#1706
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,816	enigma - Somehow, I doubt if there will be TV ads for the Aquarium during the NBA finals. (Considering in the past 8 years, we have had no advertising at all.) Ralph - There are at least 4 people at Prolific working fairly hard on various aspects of the Aquarium. Fish-picker interfaces, music interfaces, playlist programming, multimonitor code, and an installer all need to be done. So yes - Prolific is entitled to a return on their investment of programmer time, especially since it is cutting into their vital Qtask development time. The jobs I've chosen for myself are the collision-avoidance code and search for MIDI instruments. Hopefully, it won't be long before all these threads are joined and we can start testing a real Beta version. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

06-23-2008, 11:43 AM	#1707
pseudografx Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 4	Any screenshots of the upcomming version to look forward to? Hi Jim, I really like what you do and I am eager to see the new version. How far do you think you are from having the aquarium ready for some screenshots? :-)

06-14-2008, 06:44 PM	#1704
enigma63941 Registered Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 247	Don't go for a "soft" roll out Jim. Go for a multimedia blitz "SUPER HARD" roll out. With print ads, radio, and even television spots. The NBA finals are on on fathers day. Maybe Prolific could shell out some money for a movie like trailer announcing to the world the upcoming 3.0 screen saver with special effects and everything. Theirs a lot of fish screen savers out there and their hasn't been any major updates released on any of them. Like I said before I think EVERYBODY is waiting for yours to come out so they can see the REAL competition and then try to emulate it. Their waiting to see how high a benchmark your going to set. Don't set it to high though Jim. Save a little something for..you know..MA 4.0. Shall we say 2015

06-14-2008, 09:58 PM	#1705
Ralph Retired Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Edmonton Alberta Ca Posts: 2,454	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Prolific and I have different ideas about the roll-out. I was hoping for a "soft" rollout, with a free download of the Beta for any 2.6 owner, and a $5 upgrade fee from MA2.6 when it's ready for prime-time, but it looks like the price will be more like $9. I expect that Prolific will have paid some programmer at least a few hours to develop the fish interface.... seems reasonable that they would want a return on their investment.

06-23-2008, 10:50 PM	#1708
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,816	I think I put some screenshots in this thread about 25 pages ago. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

06-25-2008, 10:28 AM	#1709
Highlander Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Antwerp - Belgium Posts: 87	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: I think I put some screenshots in this thread about 25 pages ago. yeah be sure to have the Hubble telescope handy Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups !

06-25-2008, 10:54 AM	#1710
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,816	There were some larger-scale ones earlier, but just part of the screen. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

06-25-2008, 11:08 AM	#1711
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	Here you go... https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...postcount=1083 https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums...postcount=1211

06-25-2008, 11:16 AM	#1712
iMark Registered Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: MIssouri Posts: 105	oh wow..I saw a very tiny pic a while ago, but guess I missed the larger ones....it looks awesome...can't wait to see it in actuality...thanks for the links, Cliff....

06-25-2008, 02:41 PM	#1713
Tiny Turtle is pleased Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 7,365	..also note that the actual fish in that shot aren't improved at all – that will follow after the tank itself looks (and works) alright. Thanks to Morgan, Tiny Snapshots is up and running again with "Tiny Järvafält" as the latest addition – Go have a look and tell me what you think. "We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita. Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and to impress him takes on his multi-armed form and says, 'Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.' I suppose we all thought that, one way or another." /Robert Oppenheimer on witnessing the first thermonuclear detonation in history.

06-25-2008, 04:51 PM	#1714
Vish Registered Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: California Posts: 103	I had to say something. Have been a quite reader for a while....! I hope the beta comes out by this Christmas...! --Vish

06-25-2008, 05:33 PM	#1715
dboyd420 Registered Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 25	Wow, you can really see the difference in those sample pics. It looks like fake fish in a real reef. Can't wait to see the fish update too. Nice work! How are the beta testers chosen?

06-25-2008, 06:16 PM	#1716
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,816	Actually, the deadline for the release version was yesterday. We're late, but it's not entirely my fault this time. Prolific still has some items to finish up, too. I've had to rethink my whole collision-avoidance scheme. The better the fish got at avoiding the background, the less realistic their movement was becoming. So, fo the last few nights, I've been walking around my cluttered house with my eyes closed, trying to figure out what mental algorithm I need to use to avoid objects. The Beta testers are chosen by Morgan from Forum members who have been around for about 8 years. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium Last edited by Jim Sachs; 06-25-2008 at 08:16 PM.

06-25-2008, 08:34 PM	#1717
Ralph Retired Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Edmonton Alberta Ca Posts: 2,454	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: I've had to rethink my whole collision-avoidance scheme. The better the fish got at avoiding the background, the less realistic their movement was becoming. So, fo the last few nights, I've been walking around my cluttered house with my eyes closed, trying to figure out what mental algorithm I need to use to avoid objects. Stubbed toes... bruised shins... Taking programing to a new level.. I seem to recall at some point you mentioned your wife works in a hospital.. that may come in handy. Hope you come up with an inspiration before you take the next step of beating your head against a wall.

06-26-2008, 12:04 AM	#1718
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,816	She's in Labor and Delivery, so unless I crack my head open and a baby pops out, she's useless. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

06-26-2008, 04:02 AM	#1719
Marian Nichols ~Author~ Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rocky Mount, NC Posts: 7,429	Only to you Jim, LOL! I often get my best inspirations at night. Sometimes in dreams, other times right after I awake and lay in bed a moment thinking. This can be anywhere from 2AM to 5AM. Something I learned is, after lying down and before going to sleep. I will concentrate on my stumbling blocks, that sets the stage for night time wanderings/wondering. Often I will awake with a solution. But if you are one who does not remember your dreams or can not decipher them then this excise may not work for you. It does takes practice. Don't let the pressure get to you, if need be, take a few hours or even a day away from your tasks, step back and observe it with a different eye. And good luck, I have you in my thoughts. Write paranormal mysteries. Six books so far.

06-26-2008, 04:26 AM	#1720
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	Useless huh? I hope she doesn't read the forum much or we will never see the finished version. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection