xPad is Compatible With OS X 10.4 Tiger

3 comments (closed), posted on may 31, 2005, tags: xpad

I've been getting a lot of support email recently asking whether or not xPad is compatible with Tiger. The quick answer is yes—100%. Download it and start working. The long answer is yes, plus Tiger adds new features to xPad:

• Discontinuous selections: You can select some text, then command-drag and select text in another location.
• Column selections: Option-drag to select columns of text.
• Built-in dictionary support: via system services menu, control-click lookup or control-command-d hovering.

These are just a few of the features Tiger users will now get with xPad 1.1. I'm also working on several more additions and features and will have an update soon.

xPad Version 1.1

5 comments (closed), posted on august 23, 2004, tags: xpad

After a few weeks of getting back to work on xPad, I'm finally releasing version 1.1. You can get it right now at the xPad site. Version 1.1 is just the beginning of a new development cycle which will feature lots of regular updates. From the press blurb Shawn wrote:

xPad 1.1 is a maintenance release and is free for registered users. Version 1.1 enhances usability and fixes outstanding bugs. Changes include the addition of true auto-save, drawer transparency, changed next/previous keyboard shortcuts as well as numerous user interfaces enhancements and bug fixes. For more information or to download visit http://www.getxpad.com.

I'm all for the feedback—hit me with it. I'm obviously still taking feature requests and so on as well.

Very Busy Lately

10 comments (closed), posted on august 17, 2004, tags: xpad

Over the past few weeks, I've been slowly recoding this website. The recode is mainly for clean-up and speed improvement, and to take advantage of new features in PHP5. It's nearing completion, but it won't matter to you anyway since you won't see any difference. That is, unless I release the source. I'm still undecided on that part, but I'm willing to listen to arguments.

I wish there was a good way to ask people to pay like $2 US to download the source, but there's no way to track people in that system. I feel like I've put so much work into this site that giving away all the back-end code for nothing would be like giving away my house. It's thousands of lines of hard-earned work and to give it away free and clear might be too much. Is there a good way to require people to pay a tiny amount to get the source? All I keep thinking is that once someone gets it, they can send it to whomever they wish, and I'll be screwed.

The real reason I haven't posted in the past few days is that, well, I've been working on a new build of xPad. That's right, you heard me: a new build of xPad. I have a new, revised, private roadmap that includes several point releases. I'm not going to publicly release my timeline—I'll just say that new versions are coming. Soon.

Other than that, work has been busy, I've been visiting the dentist regularly (only have four more teeth to fix!), and I spent the weekend finding, test-driving and eventually (yesterday) buying and learning how to drive (standard transmission) a car. It's a used Saturn (2002) with virtually no miles that's in near perfect condition, but it's a standard so it was a bit stressful at first. I couldn't even take the car off the lot—my sister had to drive it off for me and then teach me how to drive it in a parking lot (thanks Ash!). After about an hour of practice I felt comfortable enough to drive home and by the time we drove through Manhattan I felt completely fine driving the car. I'll be sure to post a few pictures tonight.

The car should open up some new filmmaking possibilities, since we will no longer be tied to our apartments or mass-transportation. Speaking of films, I know both Shawn and I have mentioned a film coming soon, and it still is. With all our busyness, and Shawn's vacation last week, we're a little behind. Soon enough, though.

What have you been up to lately?

xPad Status

19 comments (closed), posted on march 30, 2004, tags: xpad

It's been a long time since I've posted an update to the xPad timeline, and since people are starting to get antsy and angry about it, I figured I would take a few minutes to clarify what's going on with development.

I'm behind. That's pretty much what it comes down to. Version 2.0 has been planned but not really developed. Version 1.1 and 1.2 are coming, but aren't done yet. To be honest, I haven't been doing much xPad development the last few months. This is mostly due to the fact that the release of 1.0 was 9 months of solid work that burned me out.

It's extremely fun to do, but application development is not my day job. xPad does not make nearly enough money for me to live off of (not even for more than two months) and I'm not entirely thrilled about the idea of spending another 5 months killing myself to put out a 2.0 that will only make a small amount of money. Don't get me wrong—I did enjoy doing it. But it was all I did, all the time, and it was tiring. I have rent to pay and a life to live. For a long time, xPad was my life. Katia didn't really like that, and I didn't either.

The break from xPad has been nice, and I'm not thrilled by the idea of going back to it. So I'm taking it really slow. I know that probably angers some of you. Most of you, even. But that's life. I would feel much worse if xPad 1.0 was bug-ridden and didn't work and was useless and you had bought it in advance thinking eventually it would be usable. But that's not the case. xPad is a functional, useable, almost bug-free application that is worth $10. Even if I never released another version, I would feel confident in the fact that I had given people their money's worth. I can only hope people who bought the application feel the same.

I'm not saying there won't be another version of xPad. No matter what happens, there will definitely at least be a 1.1 to fix a few things that bother me (the most notable being that Command+left/right arrows switches documents and therefore disables basic Cocoa text-editing shortcuts). But 2.0 is not coming in the near future.

My position on this might change. I can't say with certainty how I'll feel about xPad in a few weeks or even tomorrow. I go through development phases and this is one of them. It would be different if I was surviving off the application, but it's still just a hobby.

Feel free to comment with your thoughts. I'm open to hearing how you feel about all of this.

xPad Hint

posted on march 22, 2004, tags: xpad

I was wondering why so many people were referring through from VersionTracker today until Daniel pointed out an article on Mac OS X Hints about xPad, Change the location of saved xPad documents.

Never thought I would be the subject of a Mac OS X hint.

xPad Beta Testers Needed

15 comments (closed), posted on january 9, 2004, tags: xpad

Update: I am no longer accepting applications. Thanks!

Want to help test future xPad versions? Here's how you can apply to be part of the beta testing team:

• If you have not done so already, purchase an xPad license. Only registered users will be accepted as beta testers.
• Send an email to beta at getxpad dot com. Make the subject of your email "beta test" and include the following information in the body:
  • Your first and last name.
  • Processor, RAM, Video Card and resolution info, formatted something like this: Dual 2GHz G5 / 1.5GB RAM / Radeon 9600 Pro / 1680 x 1050. If you do not know which video card you have, that's fine—please still specify your resolution. Please also specify if you are using dual monitors with spanning.
  • OS X version and build, like this: 10.3.2 build 7D24 (if you don't know which build you're using, you can find it by viewing the About This Mac panel and then clicking on the OS X version number).
  • If you have an iPod, please specify which generation it is (1st, 2nd, 3rd or mini).
  • If you have a Palm product, please specify which model you have (examples: Tungsten E, Zire, m505).
  • If you have a .Mac subscription, please note it.
  • If you have a viable server to which you can upload via FTP (or SFTP), please note it.
  • If you have a network on which multiple macs running OS X 10.2 and higher reside (at least two), please note it.

Before submitting your application, please be aware that you must be able to devote at least 4 hours a week to beta testing xPad. Obviously, the more time the better. I'm not asking for you to spend all of your time on this, but I do need to be able to rely on feedback at every point of the beta process.

Your responsibilities as a beta tester will include bug reporting, feature and interface testing, bug hunting (trying to break the application and/or find problems), regular use of beta builds so as to test them in a normal working environment, and, of course, commenting on the application and suggesting new features, tweaks, etcetera.

Please note that not all applicants will be selected. This is more or less first-come, first-serve, but also relies a bit on your setup as well (I need to get a group with many different environments so as to best test the application evenly). I will be accepting applications for the next 10 days.

xPad Roadmap

18 comments (closed), posted on january 8, 2004, tags: xpad

It's not surprising that I receive many emails a day asking questions like, "When will xPad have [this feature]?" or, "When will the next update be?" So I thought I would take a minute to share a tentative xPad roadmap. Please note that this is in no way absolute and could change at any time. But it will at least give you an idea of how I plan to manage the project in the near future.

January

• Fix any open bugs found in version 1.0 (surprisingly, this count is holding at 2—both of which are cosmetic).
• Small feature addition and current feature tweaking.
• Build full beta-test group (see end of entry) and test build.

Early February

• Minor build release (probably 1.2).

Mid-February through Late March

• Develop version 2.0.
  • Addition of several features including global quick search and .Mac/FTP synchronization and many others.
  • Full beta testing.

April

• Release version 2.0.

This will probably change, but it's a good guess. As you can see, I plan to roll-out version 2.0 in early April. I've gotten tons of great feature requests and lots of feedback, and I plan to pack a lot of great new stuff into the next version.

Now's still a great time to buy xPad, however. As I said before, all updates will be free for registered users. That means if you buy xPad now, the 2.0 update will be free. I can't promise, however, that when version 2.0 comes out xPad licenses will still be only $9.99. Depending on how much I cram into the next major release, I might have to tweak the price-point. Get in the on the ground floor now and you'll get it all for $9.99.

Want to get xPad news first? Join the xPad announcement list. Just visit the xPad page and subscribe at the bottom—you'll get xPad information via email. Don't worry, I won't bombard you with email, and I promise not to use your address for anything else.

I'll Admit

1 comment (closed), posted on december 29, 2003, tags: xpad

In the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter but, none the less, certain things made me feel really great during the flurry of xPad press. In no particular order, the following were especially appreciated:

• xPad in "The Coolest Things of 2003" list at The Foreign Embassy
• "...Garrett Murray, one of the nicest developers around." Quote from Airbag
• "That is so nice. I can't believe I got excited about a notepad application." Quote from Mac Forums
• "This is a gorgeous application." Quote from MacUpdate

There are plenty more, but those are just a few that I've remembered today.

xPad Version 1.0

16 comments (closed), posted on december 17, 2003, tags: xpad

I have spent the last nine months working on my first OS X application. Countless hours, frustration, elation and work. I can't tell you how this feels. It feels like nothing I've ever felt before. I created something, from beginning to end, and now I get to share all of my hard work with you.

It is with great pride and immense pleasure that I announce the immediate availability of xPad Version 1.0.

xPad Makes Garrett Crazy

1 comment (closed), posted on december 13, 2003, tags: xpad

Well, my host has been having CGI problems since last night, so if you tried to comment on any entries you got an error. Sorry about that. It also meant that I couldn't post an entry at 5:30AM last night, when I deliriously created some documents in xPad and then took this screenshot*:

Click the image for a larger version.

Last night I sent my closest beta testers release candidate one. The app is is final testing and almost ready to go. Of course, I'm slowly going crazy, but it's okay. It's all worth it.

* Note that the smudgy looking spots in that document were not done in Photoshop. xPad can use Panther's shadow property for text!

xPad Release Information Soon

posted on december 12, 2003, tags: xpad

Just a reminder: if you haven't yet signed up for the xPad announcement list, you should head over to the xPad page and sign up. That way you'll hear from me before xPad is released. You'll also be the first people to know when the new xPad page goes live, which will be very soon.

The application is feature-complete for the first release. There are a few miscellaneous things to finish up tonight, and then I should be done. I don't want to make any promises, but I foresee releasing xPad within the next 4 days. Look for some fun new screenshots and information in the next day or two, and be sure to sign up for announcements.

xPad Announcement List

posted on december 8, 2003, tags: xpad

In preparation for the impending xPad release, I've made a few slight changes to the structure of this site. The xPad page has been changed from /xpad.php to just plain /xpad. You'll be automatically forwarded there if you still have the old address bookmarked, and the subdomain xpad.maniacalrage.net will now forward there as well. And, just because Apple doesn't do it (try typing apple.com/iTunes), I redirect if you type maniacalrage.net/xPad as well.

I've also added an announcement list, so now you can head over to the xPad page and sign up. That way you'll hear about it the moment xPad is released. You'll also be the first people to know when the new xPad page goes live, which will be very soon.

xPad, xPad, xPad

3 comments (closed), posted on december 4, 2003, tags: xpad

All of my free time is xPad. That's what I do, that's what I think, that's what I sleep, eat and work on. All xPad, all the time. So very, very, very close now. xPad is waiting, around the corner, like that bully from kindergarten—waiting to jump out just as you walk by. It's coming. And until it does, I'm forever working on it. So close now. So close.

xPad Delay

1 comment (closed), posted on december 1, 2003, tags: xpad

UPDATE: After not paying attention and recording that xPad movie on my Cinema Display, I realized that it's far, far too big for most screens. I've re-shot the movie (it's now only 892px across instead of nearly 1200), and updated the links. Sorry about that.

Today was supposed to be xPad release day. But, like with most things in my life, I've fallen a bit behind and it isn't ready yet. I'm not entirely certain when I'll release it, but it will happen this month. Preferably as soon as is possible. I'm anxious to get the first release out there, and I already have plenty of ideas for the next release.

It's been a long 9 months, but everything is really coming together nicely. If you haven't noticed, I've put up a few screenshots on the xPad information page. More are coming very, very soon.

In the meantime, here's a video showing a few of xPad's features—you'll see me drag and drop a rich text file into xPad, rename it, create a new category and assign that category to the document. Then I'll create a new document just for fun. Enjoy!

Requires QuickTime 6 (24.3MB)
If you don’t want to stream it, you can download this SIT file at 13.3MB.

It's Coming...

3 comments (closed), posted on november 1, 2003, tags: xpad

After almost 9 months, my first OS X application, xPad, is almost ready for release. I plan to launch the app on December 1, 2003. I'll be working like crazy until then to get all the details in order, but I will say this—xPad will quickly become a part of your daily routine. User response has been great so far, and I can't wait to get it out there.

xPad (click to enlarge)

Stay tuned for more information. Later in the month I'm going to start posting a series of entries about specific xPad features. Until then, hopefully the screenshot will do.

First Public Beta, Finally!

1 comment (closed), posted on august 6, 2003, tags: xpad

So I've been running myself ragged over the past few weeks, but I finally released the first public build of xPad to a group of beta testers last night. It was nerve-wracking. I'm always extremely obsessed with detail and with making sure things work before I send them, and it's a big step going from me and Shawn to a handful of, well, strangers. Who knows what kinds of bugs they might find? Will they hate it? Will they love it?

I don't know yet. If anything, this experience has been a ton of learning and work. I've been working on xPad since March 28 of this year, and I went from my first line of Cocoa code (copied directly from a tutorial in a book), to my 2,000th line. In the beginning, fixing major bugs was crazy. I remember the first real bug I encountered, about 2 weeks into development, almost made me quit. I couldn't figure out how to fix it, I just didn't understand enough. Now I'm finally to the point where bug-fixing is second nature. I'm getting much better at all of this.

And it's been fun. Now it's all about getting this sucker to 1.0. I'm damned close, and with the help of these beta testers I should get enough feedback to finally get to a release. If I'm nervous now, I can't imagine how I'll feel when I really release. Scary.

Last Chance to Join xPad Beta

posted on august 5, 2003, tags: xpad

Update: I've decided to keep the beta open even after it started. If you're still interested, contact me.

Okay, if you've got an Apple machine running OS X (build 10.2.x and later), and you've not yet signed up to beta test my application, xPad—this is your last chance. I'm beginning the beta program tonight. If you want to get in on this action and help me out (as well as receive thanks and a free copy), please send me an email with your system details (example: 867 G4, 640MB RAM, 10.2.6).

Last chance!

My Brain Hurts

1 comment (closed), posted on july 22, 2003, tags: xpad

Right, so I've been working quite a lot on xPad, my OS X application since I started up again a few weeks ago. I've managed to get a lot of work done, but I'm still at least a month from release (unless I suddenly get smarter, which isn't likely). I've got a few beta testers lined up now, and they can expect to see some news in about a week (I know I keep putting this off, but only another week, I swear).

The other night I (for some random reason) read the entire xPad changelog from build 2 to current (build 76). It's about 240 lines long, and pretty much lists every single change I've made since the beginning. It's nice to see what I've accomplished in the last few months, and that I'm close to my first release. Most people (my girlfriend included) could care less about this stuff, but I'm extremely excited about finishing up version 1.0 of xPad and releasing it.

Postscript: I still need icons! Badly!

I Need Help

posted on july 11, 2003, tags: xpad

So I've finally, after about 2 months off, started working on my OS X application xPad again. I'm not really sure why I stopped (I think it had to do with busyness at work and the recode/redesign of ManiacalRage), and now I'm going to try to finish my to-do list and hit 1.0 within the next few weeks. This brings me, however, to a few requests.

One: I need beta testers. Badly. So far, it's been me and Shawn, and while we're intelligent guys, I need more people to test this thing for me. Obviously, you have to have an Apple computer. You also need to be using OS X 10.2.3 or later. If you have these specs (even if you sent me an email before about this), and would be interested in beta testing xPad, please email me.

Two: I need someone to design icons. Someone who can design OS X-like application icons that range from the app icon itself to the toolbar icons and more. I'm looking for someone who has a really great design sense, as I want these icons to fit into the OS as perfectly as they can. I am willing to trade meaningful items for this work (money, links, etcetera). If you know someone who can do this, or you yourself can, please email me.

That's all for now. In the near future I'll go a little more in-depth as to what xPad is and does, as well as provide some visuals of the application.