*** Result of Beta testing of SSA Version 1.1.2.319 wide ***

[James]

I just receive the SereneScreen Aquarium Version 1.1.2.319 widescreen version and then prompt to test it

the first thing I tested was to see if it can display in extended window(dual monitor)
I first install it without no problem
then I turn on the extended window mode under nView setting page as following (bote the split SSA on it is just an example)


after that my desktop resolution become 1600 x 600
of coz it's distored now, then I execute the SSA wide to see,
hopefully it'll extended the rest part of SSA to another monitor
but I doubt it,becoz the resolution isn't supported in SSA (1600 x 600)
so anyway, I tried...
the following snapshoot was the result
when SSA kicked in
this pops up

after clicking OK button this pops up

after clicking the OK button again this pops up

the above is the pop up which ask me to report the problem to MSFT

this is the pop up when I clicking the "detail" link on it


too bad it's surely cannot display in dual monitor.
maybe the method of my setting of dual monitor was totally wrong,if someone knows the correct, feel free to correct me

I'll test after functions of this wide beta version
if I found any problem........I'll report on this thread again

comments from anyone is welcome

[feldon34]

I guess this is why I need to keep the Betas under NDA.

It's one thing to have an off-hand comment about the widescreen beta (I did say in the e-mail that you can MENTION here that you have the beta) it's quite another to create a whole separate thread about it, mention the version number and the date of release, and start talking about what features it does or doesn't have.

*sigh*

You didn't do anything wrong, but you didn't do anything right either.

I left the Widescreen beta somewhat open because I recruited people from the AVS HDTV forum and other places and there was so much talk about what the widescreen would and would not have (Explained by me and Jim).

In contrast, the main Beta group has been selected from long-time members of the forum who have a good testbed system and there is a whole separate forum for them. They are under NDA not to talk about what does and does not work in successive betas.

Since version 1.2 or whichever version will have the 3D background will also be widescreen compatible, the point is moot. There won't ever be a widescreen beta forum. Just ranting.


James, I am glad that you are testing the Aquarium in all possible configurations, but at the least, e-mail me and Matt about it first, or put it under the other Widescreen/Double topic.

[feldon34]

And um, the beta test group is already selected.

E-mails and private messages asking to be a beta tester cheerfully ignored.

[James]

I'm sorry Morgan
I'll email u my later find out about the beta(if any)
SORRY!!

[feldon34]

I did not set a policy, so I have to take responsibility.

[James]

Morgan

They are under NDA not to talk about what does and does not work in successive betas.

or put it under the other Widescreen/Double topic

what's the link of those places/forums?

and u also said

Since version 1.2 or whichever version will have the 3D background will also be widescreen compatible, the point is moot. There won't ever be a widescreen beta forum. Just ranting.

a bit contradictory to me.....
and this might be stupid question
what do u mean by NDA anyway?

[feldon34]

I said: They are under NDA not to talk about what does and does not work in successive betas.

You said: what's the link of those places/forums?

A NDA is a Non-Disclosure Agreement. The beta testers have a separate forum to talk about a beta version of the Aquarium especially about bugs and how to reproduce them. I don't think a public beta is a good idea because we would experience these 3 problems:

#1 People think the Aquarium is "almost ready to be released" when it's not.
#2 People e-mail me and Jim to be in on the beta and Jim gets hate-mail from people who have "been with Jim since the beginning and demand an update that you promised" or some other bit of entitlement.
#3 If we open up the beta to a large group, then different people will somehow end up with older versions and keep reporting bugs that have been fixed already.

It has been proven time and time again in the development world that instead of just having a free-for-all with the beta, a private beta with periodic public status reports is the best approach for us to all keep our sanity.


We opened the widescreen beta up to another ~30 people on top of our beta group because they have widescreen displays such as HDTVs. They can provide useful feedback about performance on a widescreen display. Which brings us to...

I said: Since version 1.2 or whichever version will have the 3D background will also be widescreen compatible, the point is moot. There won't ever be a widescreen beta forum. Just ranting.

You said: a bit contradictory to me

Current situation:

Version 1.1 Regular
- Background is 4:3 ratio picture
- Fish avoiding each other and coral is hard-coded to only work with 4:3 mode

Version 1.1 Widescreen
- Background is 16:9 ratio picture
- Fish avoiding each other and coral is hard-coded to only work with 16:9 mode

Future situation:

3D Background Version
- Background is 24:9 (8:3) ratio or DOUBLE-WIDE
- Fish avoiding each other and coral is a totally new collision detection method
- supports both 4:3 (regular) and 16:9 (widescreen) by showing a portion of the entire 24:9 image and panning left and right
- we MAY get dual monitor support, in which case all 24:9 of the Aquarium can be seen.

[James]

Thank you very much for your detail explanation Morgan
I'm crystal clear right now
I'm very appreciated that I'm one of the selected beta tester
I'll do the best of I can to feedback to you.

so do u need more info about my dual monitor test result?
such as specifications of my computer and other driver's version number?
if u need it I'll email u with my complete report about this dual monitor testing..........

and so far I didn't find any problem of this beta version.....
which is a good sign