Program Changes January 2009

[Programmer]

In the next couple of weeks I am going to release a new version of the program, which will be numbered 8.6, so I thought I would explain what changes are taking place.

The main idea is to tidy up the online aspects of the program, which for historical reasons have become a bit messy. People who have used the program for a while will know that at one point everything was done through the "OTZ" link on the main menu. There was a welcome page explaining recent changes, the forum was there on the same site, and it was also the place to go to exchange decks and spreads.

For various reasons different parts of this have migrated elsewhere. The forum is now here, hosted by Willowsheart, and exchanging of files is now done through the peer-to-peer Deck Exchange tool. Management of registered machines can also be done through the program, and the tool for finding lost unlock codes has migrated to the "Contact" page on the main website. Some of the feedback I have received from new users has shown me that they are a bit confused by all this, and it is not clear to people why there is an OTZ link on the main menu, or that this can be used to download spread files etc.

So my idea now is to take all the functions that were still part of the OTZ and move them into the program itself. Inside the new version you will find:

- On the spreads menu, a new menu item called "Upload or Download a Spread". This will launch a tool that is a bit like the Deck Exchange, where you can upload spreads and download those which have been uploaded by other users. It will also include a graphical preview window so you can see what the spread looks like on screen.

- On the "Tarot Zone" menu you will find:

1) A link to this Forum.
2) A "My Machines" item, where you can unregister old machines you no longer use.
3) A "My Profile and Preferences" page where you can edit your email address (the main reason for this would be so that I can always find your details easily if you have a registration/unlocking issue), and optionally set up an online profile to introduce yourself, advertise your services etc.
4) A tool for browsing other peoples user profiles, including profile pics and links to their websites etc.

The link to the orphalese.net website itself would disappear because there would no longer be any reason for it to be there.

Because I need to test all these changes and they involve some changes to the website itself you will notices that some things are not available for a couple of weeks while I am working on this. For example the spread upload link has disappeared and you no longer see the welcome page when you go into the OTZ. If you have been confused about that, this is the reason.

This time around I am not planning to release a beta version first, so please don't wait for one to appear before you make any comments. If you have any suggestions, or you can think of something I have overlooked, please leave a post on this thread.

Thanks,
Richard

[Atmi]

I am able to upload spreads, but not download...
Also the e-mail function dont work in the new version.

Atmi

[Atmi]

Also about the "my readings" feature.
When I copy it into rich text format I would love it if I was able to add a picture of the spread. Doing a reading on each card is fun - but for a good conclusion and a real reading, it's (i think) nessesary to see the spread as one, and I feel that an important thing i lacking while there's no picture of the spread.

I did manage to copy it by doing a screen picture and then copying it into word, and the copy it into the rich text format - but it was kind of unessesary work and also, the picture didn't come out very clear.

Atmi

[Programmer]

Hi Atmi,

I am hoping to make some more changes to the program this summer, so I will be taking into account any suggestions I see here.

I noticed you say on another post that you are getting a "503" error when you try to use the P2P, visit the forum etc, and now you say you cannot use the email either. This sounds like a problem that is particular to your set up. I think the P2P is working about 90% of the time, and nothing has changed with the email thing. There were always some users for whom it did not work. Are you saying it used to work for you and now it has stopped?

Thanks,
Richard