Welcome! Have a look at the latest news about the projects I've been working on. Realistically, though, you may find more insight into what I'm up to on my Bit Stampede blog, which is where I do most of my blogging.
OK-Writer 1.4 released
I've released OK-Writer 1.4! This is the latest version of my fairly successful word processor designed for kids. It's also popular with people with vision difficulties, thanks to its unique speech features.
This new version adds support for full-screen mode, improves the look-and-feel of the application by adding support for retina displays and improved layout of document window features. I've also replaced the steel grey background in the editor windows with a friendly periwinkle blue, added modernized user interface elements such as the integrated find bar (for more advanced kids), and other improvements.
It's worth noting that OK-Writer 1.4 requires at least Mac OS X 10.6, and as such no longer supports older PowerPC-based Macs, so you should stick with version 1.3 if you have one of those. However, it's now a universal 32-bit/64-bit Intel application.
SideClick version number note
I'd just like to point out that although the released version of SideClick 2.0 displays "2.0b2" in the Get Info window in the Finder, it's really the release version of SideClick 2.0. I just accidentally forgot to fix the version number before releasing it.
So don't panic!
SideClick 2.0 really posted
Turns out the archive I previously posted for SideClick 2.0 was a weird mish-mash of bits of SideClick 2.0 and SideClick 1.0; in fact, the extension itself was, unfortunately, SideClick 1.0. So if you've previously downloaded SideClick 2.0, you should try again to get the real thing. Sorry about that!
Trasher 1.0 released
I've released my first all-new project in years! Trasher is a new extension for the Apple IIgs that adds support for using Command-Delete on your keyboard to delete the selected icons in the Finder.
In addition, if you have SideClick installed, you get "Move to Trash" and "Empty Trash" contextual menu items as appropriate!
The funny story behind Trasher is that I actually started working on this project back in 1994, but was unable at that time to figure out a way to make it work. I finally had the grand epiphany this summer during KansasFest and spend the last few weeks working out the kinks and making it work.
Sweet16 2.3.1 released
I've posted Sweet16 2.3.1, the latest version of the Apple IIgs emulator for Mac OS X.
This version fixes the cosmetic bug in 2.3 that caused the speed display overlay not to stay in the corner of the video window where it belongs when you resized the video window.
Also, support for mouse wheels is improved; the vertical wheel is more reliable, and support for the horizontal wheel has been added. Be sure to install the updated SweetPrinter extension on your emulated IIgs to get the improved wheel support.
Sweet16 2.3 known issues
During KansasFest, it's been discovered that there's a little cosmetic problem where the system speed overlay doesn't stay in the right place if you resize the Sweet16 video window. I've got a fix for this bug, and expect to release Sweet16 2.3.1 sometime in the next handful of days.
That version will also add support for the horizontal mouse wheel axis, which was intentionally but temporarily left out of Sweet16 2.3.
Also, I will be making available pre-built hard disk images again sometime soon. I used to have these on the site, but they need to be updated somewhat.
SideClick 2.0 released
SideClick, the contextual menu manager for the Apple IIgs, has been updated to version 2.0. It now supports the right mouse button in addition to control-click for opening the contextual menu. In addition, if the right-click was in the Finder, and on a selection of icons, information about the selected icons is provided to the contextual menu plug-ins.
That means plug-ins can now offer special Finder-specific options. In fact, a sample plug-in is provided that offers a number of handy Finder commands right in the contextual menu, based on the type or types of icons you've selected.
Sweet16 2.3 released
Today I realeased Sweet16 2.3. The new version offers a number of nice improvements, as well as bug fixes and a rewritten and more accurate sound emulation system. Among the interesting new features are support for the right mouse button and support for using the scroll wheel in desktop applications.
A number of minor user interface improvements have also been made. Sweet16 continues to be freeware, and now requires Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" or newer (and has been tested on OS X 10.7 "Lion"). It continues to work on both Intel and PowerPC Macs.
Another site revamp...
As you may have noticed, I'm working on an updated web site. Now that I've handed over ownership of Syndicomm to Tony Diaz, I can finally re-focus my attention on my own software projects and this web site. Keep your eyes on this space!