Trojina said:

No one has ever promoted software in such a manner before.
​

Click to expand...

Hm, I wonder why.

hilary said:

It's true, we have only thought about features so far, not about 'look and feel'. Result - software that doesn't look half as sophisticated as it actually is.

Click to expand...

I was another beta tester, and I think this is it in a nutshell (*chops up nut into mouse-sized bits for our little mascot*) - and I am grateful for it.

This program has virtually everything I ever dreamed about over the years of using various other ways of keeping my readings, and quite a lot more . It also currently has a collection of messes. But none of those are fatal, and, as Hilary pointed out in a very kind reply to an angsty email from me, there is a need to actually launch.

Indeed. After however-long of eagerly waiting, we have a program to use, now, rather than at some nebulous point in the future. We can't benefit from software we don't have, and this software is enormously beneficial (watch Hilary's splendid video, if you haven't already). And - both can be done at once. While we are all busy accumulating entries in our databases, and starting to really chew on the features, the tidying-up can continue alongside.

It's not easy to pick, but possibly my favorite feature is the Entry Tree. This is one of three available views of your entries (the other two being a compact chronological list, and an expandable calendar format). Entry Tree allows you to see your entries in a threaded tree structure, by topic, using subentries. So, if you´re getting your car repaired, and ask one question today, another question next week, and yet another one in a month when you have a warranty issue, they will all be collected in one spot. Your tree structure can follow your thought process, recording a story without interruption, as it unfolds.

The tree also enables you to record summary information (background, outcome) in a way which says, "this pertains to all of these." This is a tremendous improvement over having topics scattered in a storage system which lacks a grouping mechanism (paper notebooks, for example). In those, the background might be in one place, the outcome in another, and none of it makes much sense.

If you've watched Hilary's video...have you ever seen a more thoughtful, multi-faceted tagging system? I haven't. I´m still working out how I think tags and subentries might best complement each other - what is splendid and special about this software is that we have all these flexible options to mix and match, according to what works best for each of us.

Another feature I love is Link to Entry. This is yet another option for making connections. Entry links are like hyperlinks, but to other entries rather than webpages. In my former software, I had grown weary of typing things like "See reading 2012-06-23 10:15 a.m." into an entry, and then having to page tediously to the reference in order to follow my own instruction. Now...click! done!

Speaking of separate windows (and panes, for that matter): give yourself a chance to get used to this, and it will be well worth it. This program has a lot of pieces - three panes on the home screen...new windows opening when you do things...multiple Java coffee-cups in your Task Switcher - it might seem a bit much at first. But this is actually a benefit: you can see and interact with it all at once . For example, opening Hexagram Browser doesn't cause you to lose sight of the reading you were working on when you decided you wanted information from Hexagram Browser, as it would if everything was "flat."

I think it says a lot about how packed-full this program is, that one thing I've wished for as long as I've been doing I Ching readings - the simple ability to see a list of my readings while I´m working with one of them, so I can move to another by clicking on it - seems like one of the more minor features of this software.

The program is quite easy to figure out. Justin gave us beta testers a few instructions, most of which I purposely didn't read because I wanted to see how badly I'd need help. I needed almost none. As with a lot of software, you can learn it by playing with it. Pieces of the software appear when you need them - the program is impressively smart and efficient in that way.

This is a complex, detailed program in a lot of ways, and I have a feeling it will all help me think. If it's easy to connect things, then maybe we'll be more likely to connect them, and hopefully get more out of them. There might be less "cast reading - move on to next issue - reading disappears down hole never to be seen again." Last week's (month's, year's) readings are right there, where we can easily revisit them and (!) update them.

I think the program might also help me to slow down and take my time (ahem). Since there is a lot of information at my fingertips, and a lot of helpful (and fun) things to do right there in the program, maybe I'll busy myself with the software rather than rushing to the next question.

I am so grateful to Hilary and Justin that this program exists. Thank you for recognizing the need for excellent I Ching software, and then toiling in the wilderness all this time to create it. This already-fine program will only get better, and I heartily recommend it.

hilary said:

Here it is:

[video=youtube_share;lDZLX7j3pv8]http://youtu.be/lDZLX7j3pv8[/video]

Feel free to share. If anyone needs me, I'll be living under this rock.

Click to expand...

Brilliant! I love it, concept and execution. This even though I'm not a journal keeper, preferring to let each feather flow downstream with each experience being collective or a composite, perhaps moving along somewhere in the oceanic current of consciousness, recall being greatly less precise but present somewhere nonetheless, perhaps a universal journal? Be that as it may, I truly love your under-the-piano resonance demonstration of how the cosmos may play back to us our given tune through its own voice - a universal crane calling from the shade. Bravo!

The Working of a Harpsicord

sooo said:

Brilliant! I love it, concept and execution. This even though I'm not a journal keeper, preferring to let each feather flow downstream with each experience being collective or a composite, perhaps moving along somewhere in the oceanic current of consciousness, recall being greatly less precise but present somewhere nonetheless, perhaps a universal journal? Be that as it may, I truly love your under-the-piano resonance demonstration of how the cosmos may play back to us our given tune through its own voice - a universal crane calling from the shade. Bravo!

Click to expand...

Your post has reminded me of a poem that came to me many years ago. Here it is:


The Workings Of A Harpsichord

The workings of a harpsichord-
Tarnished metal back and strings-
Vibrating, resonating
Echo the player’s feelings.

While ruminating on such truths
I scarcely heard the wind blow
As the secret cause of life
Came sneaking by my window.

It peered in from the darkness,
I could barely make it out.
It’s eyes glowed like burning coals
To keep it warm without.

It whistled a little tune,
A merry march of Troy,
And faded harmoniously
Into the darkness, coy.

I mused on further metaphors
Of personal design,
But only when it reappears and speaks
Will truth be mine.

Neil Bethell Sinclair

Launch Date

I just wanted to apologise for the delay in launching the software. The programming work is close to completion, but I am going to be busy moving house this coming week. This means the release of the software isn't going to happen now until the first week in November at the earliest. Once I'm settled into the new house, I'll be able to give the software the full attention that it deserves.

Click to expand...

I'm in the new house now, and have been able to put more time into finishing off the programming work. There are just some finishing touches that I need to make. All being well everthing should be finished off within the next two weeks. The launch date that I've promised Hilary is the 1st December.

Sorry for the delay, and thanks very much for all your patience.

Justin

Still on schedule for Monday!

Meanwhile... one more video (this time without singing).

[video=youtube_share;s3psOAADHw0]http://youtu.be/s3psOAADHw0[/video]

Yes apparently elephants never forget wrong doing towards themselves or presumably kind acts towards themselves.

62.3 in action

[video=youtube;TOgmqWUAE8I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TOgmqWUAE8I#t=4[/video]



It is still important to process readings, on a deep level, with your own brain, as it can happen that even with sophisticated software and diligent recording habits, people can, still, apparently, forget important readings

Here it is!

(Also you'll see the software has its own user forum.)

Enjoy

Congratulations Hilary and Justin!!! The day has come - what an accomplishement for you both! :claps: :claps:



(If we have the beta version installed - what should we do? Back up our entries, uninstall the beta, download the new version, and import from backup? Something else?)

(Maybe I should have posted that question in the shiny new forum? )

lisa said:

Congratulations Hilary and Justin!!! The day has come - what an accomplishement for you both! :claps: :claps:

Click to expand...

Thanks!

lisa said:

(If we have the beta version installed - what should we do? Back up our entries, uninstall the beta, download the new version, and import from backup? Something else?)

Click to expand...

Keep using your current version for now, until you hear from Justin how to upgrade it to the latest.

I'm a bit confused and have emailed Justin to ask if there is any point in existing journal users buying the new software now if the old journal entries cannot be transported across yet. I mean there is no point having 2 software journals is there ? One brand new and empty of readings and the other full of existing readings. Some people could cope with that...I don't think I could.


So the way I understand it is if you already have the software journal you can't put your entries in to the new software journal...So I'm confused as to why we would buy it now ?


Am I missing something ? I can be dim at times I'll admit.

I've been answered elsewhere so it seems for me yes it is easier to wait until I can export readings from my existing journal. I'm assuming the discount for existing software users goes on for some time.

Oh nice!! It is now possible to export a reading from the "Your I Ching Reading" page to the journal!!

:claps:

It will depend on the file formats, won't it? If they're quite different, importing could be quite difficult. However, if there are only small differences, I imagine it would not be beyond the wit of Justin to write a filter? [A filter is a quick and dirty command line program that takes a file in and write another out.]

My first comment on seeing the software was, "I can't read this!" I'm not blind, just sixty . My system and browser fonts are 150%, but that doesn't affect this, of course!

Don't bother about me, as I'm far too lazy to use anything systematically. But the text size is for twenty-somethings. A good rule of thumb is that we need to add a point size for each decade beyond that.

Other than that, it looks very clean. [A good sign, meaning its likely to work properly.]

Sorry about the smallness! You know you can increase the font size of your entries, don't you? But not of the entry listings, menus, translations etc, so I suppose that's of limited use. I will put this in the suggestions box.

Importing... old software = Access database, I believe; new software = Java. I am sure this is not beyond the wit of Justin, however.

I just created thread about new journal software on my forum (only in Croatian and similar languages): http://slobodni.net/t121715/

It looks good, but it's also very complex. All in all, I think it's better to have more options than less.

As feature requests:

a) Please include Richard-Wilhelm's translation out of the box.

For me it's some kind of standard in I Ching. Not that I think your work isn't good or something like that, but I worked with RW translation for so long that it's so familiar.

b) Speaking on translations, please include option that we could have 2, or even better 3 translations at the same time.

It would really boost the way to interpret readings.

c) Also on translations, it would be great if we could translate from program. To have button for adding text in our translation (maybe that we designate one translation as our, so we could easily share later that translation with other users).

d) Drop down list in new entry area, where we define what entry type we want to create could be longer, so that I Ching readings aren't last and we don't need to scroll down to it.

e) In hexagram browser, drop down list is also a bit bad way to access certain hex, it's a long list and we need to scroll a lot to find desired hex. If it could be solved in a different way, with opening list with all hex on same page, or something similar, but something that avoids too much scrolling around.

f) Also in hexagram browser, I could resize window, but not text window, where hex text is shown. It would be excellent if all elements would get resized.

At the moment, this is it.

As an interesting note, when I was testing how casting works, I received this: 14 (4, 6) 11 - it certainly looks like a great answer. Only thing is, I didn't asked any question, just wanted to see what will happen when I try casting. Maybe it's some message in general?

Thanks for the in-depth feedback and suggestions!

alan_sp said:

I just created thread about new journal software on my forum (only in Croatian and similar languages): http://slobodni.net/t121715/

It looks good, but it's also very complex.

Click to expand...

Hm - anything that seems unnecessarily complicated to you?

alan_sp said:

All in all, I think it's better to have more options than less.

Click to expand...

Me, too, especially when it comes to searching and connecting entries.

alan_sp said:

As feature requests:

a) Please include Richard-Wilhelm's translation out of the box.

For me it's some kind of standard in I Ching. Not that I think your work isn't good or something like that, but I worked with RW translation for so long that it's so familiar.

Click to expand...

If you have the Wilhelm translation on your computer, you could paste it in as a 'user translation'. However, the Wilhelm/Baynes is still in copyright, so we would need to get permission (and pay a fee) to include it. I will enquire of the copyright holders and see if it's something we could afford. I agree it is still the familiar standard, the one everyone knows.

alan_sp said:

b) Speaking on translations, please include option that we could have 2, or even better 3 translations at the same time.

It would really boost the way to interpret readings.

Click to expand...

You mean display several translations alongside a reading in the right sidebar at once - something like 'line 1 from Wilhelm
line 1 from Heyboer
line 1 from Barrett'
one after the other down the screen?

alan_sp said:

c) Also on translations, it would be great if we could translate from program. To have button for adding text in our translation (maybe that we designate one translation as our, so we could easily share later that translation with other users).

Click to expand...

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this. Do you mean export from the program? That's on my wishlist, for users to be able to share translations.

alan_sp said:

d) Drop down list in new entry area, where we define what entry type we want to create could be longer, so that I Ching readings aren't last and we don't need to scroll down to it.

Click to expand...

What's your screen resolution? There is no scrolling for me. ('Yijing reading' is last just because the list is in alphabetical order.)

alan_sp said:

e) In hexagram browser, drop down list is also a bit bad way to access certain hex, it's a long list and we need to scroll a lot to find desired hex. If it could be solved in a different way, with opening list with all hex on same page, or something similar, but something that avoids too much scrolling around.

f) Also in hexagram browser, I could resize window, but not text window, where hex text is shown. It would be excellent if all elements would get resized.

Click to expand...

Good points - added to the suggestion list, thank you.

alan_sp said:

At the moment, this is it.

As an interesting note, when I was testing how casting works, I received this: 14 (4, 6) 11 - it certainly looks like a great answer. Only thing is, I didn't asked any question, just wanted to see what will happen when I try casting. Maybe it's some message in general?

Click to expand...

Of course it is.

alan_sp said:

d) Drop down list in new entry area, where we define what entry type we want to create could be longer, so that I Ching readings aren't last and we don't need to scroll down to it.

Click to expand...

hilary said:

There is no scrolling for me.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

No scrolling for me, either.

alan_sp said:

e) In hexagram browser, drop down list is also a bit bad way to access certain hex, it's a long list and we need to scroll a lot to find desired hex. If it could be solved in a different way, with opening list with all hex on same page, or something similar, but something that avoids too much scrolling around.

Click to expand...

One alternative might be to make the dropdown list the kind you can type in, so, for instance, you could quickly jump to the 50-series hexagrams by typing a 5.

Just to answer without too many quoting, it could be confusing, at least to me.

So, to get from the start.

1) I don't think that's unnecessarily complicated, or something like that, but that first look at the software can "scare" people off, it has many useful option, it actually is more than one software in one package, there's diary (entry records), there's I Ching casting, dream diary...

All in all, I know that I always need to work with some new software to get "feeling" how it works and where to do what. It was just my first impression that there's a lot of option, things to do and that it would take some time to find out how to do that.

2) I didn't know that there's still copyright on RW translation. I think it lasts 50 years, but you know better than me about that. It really would be great if it could be included. Please, see if you can obtain translation for Journal.

3) When speaking on multiple translations, now we can choose one translation we want to use at the moment, and all text of that translation is used in all instances where applicable in that moment.

If we could select two or three (or even as many as we have) translations, than we would have something similar you mention:

Text (or Judgment) of hex would include:
a) Translation one
b) Translation two
... (as many as we select translations)

Then it would go to Image of hex, with same model:
a) Translation one
b) Translation two
...

Then lines, etc.

In this way we could quickly and easily compare translations, maybe enter our own views what line or hex means (this is related to feature request for button to easily access certain translation, i.e. create translator My comments, or something like this).

Looking at this, order of translations is important, so there should be a way to sort them and way we sort them needs to be reflected in the way they are shown.

It would be really great, having different translations, our own comments, ability to quickly and easily enter them, it can help us very much. And of course, ability to export our translations (comments) and share them with community, for example here on onlineclarity.

4) To explain a bit more about button for translating. I just realized how to translate hex text (OK, still didn't get all nuances about this), that this is special type of entry, first need to select translator (my self), then select hex...

If there also would be button for quick access, some kind of shortcut to that text (entry). As an option (I'm developing idea just now in my head and in this post ), we could have option in menu to have this button visible, for easy access, or hidden, not to clutter our experience for every day use. In that option we also could "link" this button and translator, so we know on what translation we work.

And, when we click on that button, let's say it's line 6 of hex 43, which is linked with certain translation, we are taken there immediately and can start working on translation quickly and easily. After we are done, we just click save button.

Of course, ability to import and export translations is great and very welcome.

5) My screen resolution is 1920x1080 (FullHD). It's strange you see all and I'm missing last part. Maybe it's something with Java version, or something else? Definitely something for Justin to tell, as I'm not sure.

6) Speaking on hex browser, maybe to create special window designed just for this purpose, which shows hexes similar like vBulletin shows smiles when we click more (just click on this link) and which remembers screen position we used last time.

Instead smiles, of course, we would have hexes, maybe with image, number and name, to find it more easily.

Also, I worked a bit more with Journal and I like it more and more. It's really great way to work with I Ching readings and other things.

I have one bug. When I go to casting screen, which is on right side of screen, it messes with this "tab" or portion of screen, not sure how to call it. It changes resolution in a way that's bigger than actually is, so scrollbar (horizontal) appears. To reset it to actual size, I need to play with small "arrows" for controlling these three screen elements (there's entry list, than entry on which we work, and on the right is part with many functions, including casting, tag list, tag cloud etc..).

If it could that screen be fixed to actual size, as I see it resizes with no problem, even changes text window (not like hex browser) just fine, but if it thinks that window (tab) is bigger, there's that scrollbar which annoys me.

Anyway, great software with a lot of potential.

[Er - this post is actually from Hilary, not Justin. User error. Sorry!]

I've got Justin reading the thread, so all your ideas will go into the melting pot, thank you! We do know about the fiddly pane-resizing thing - that is on the list of things to sort out for version 1.2.

Under #4 - where would you put your 'button for translating'? In the hexagram browser? I don't have a clear idea yet of what you mean by this.

Wilhelm... the German original is out of copyright, but the famous English translation by Cary Baynes is not. I know it is freely available all over the internet, but I had a slightly intimidating encounter with the copyright holder a few years ago, which led to my removing it from my site rather than trying to pay for usage. I will enquire! (It's that or write a new English translation from the German and give it a Creative Commons licence...)

I've got Justin reading the thread, so all your ideas will go into the melting pot, thank you!

Click to expand...

but you are signed in as Justin....so unless you are Justin talking about himself as Justin, which seems unlikely, I presume you are Hilary in disguise ?

I don't see the need to include Wilhelm.

justin farrell said:

Wilhelm...

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Depending on how licensing works (I have no clue), maybe a paid add-on to Resonance Journal? That might make sense if you could pay as you go for licenses, a copy at a time, so you're not paying up front for something few people end up wanting to buy. (Also depending on how much work all that would be.) As you say, though, it's widely available. It may be that only those averse to copy/pasting would pay you for it.

Under #4 - where would you put your 'button for translating'? In the hexagram browser? I don't have a clear idea yet of what you mean by this.

Click to expand...

It could be that the procedure for entering translations could bear a bit of streamlining. When we've all had some good experience using it (er...see above), it might become more clear what changes might help.

alan_sp said:

If we could select two or three (or even as many as we have) translations...

Click to expand...

Seeing multiple translations at one time would be a terrific addition - maybe in Hexagram Browser rather than the sidebar? Hexagram Browser has much more space for it. And since Hexagram Browser opens in a separate window , it's easy to keep it open and visible all the time.

lisa said:

Seeing multiple translations at one time would be a terrific addition - maybe in Hexagram Browser...

Click to expand...

For that option, maybe some thought could be given to something like a "Current Reading" button in Hexagram Browser? By default, H.B. doesn't follow along with the selected casting like the sidebar does, and it displays all six line texts. That's exactly what you want if you're using it as a separate reference, but maybe it could be made to do both?

Argh. Sorry to everyone, especially Justin, for the masquerading. I signed in as him to add his Paypal address to his profile so I can pay him, and then forgot to sign out again before answering here.

:bag:

I admire what Brian Arnold's done with his Iphone app: gives you some translations included, some you can pay for as extras - presumably depending on the cost to him.

Agreed, a streamlined way to enter translations wouldn't hurt, though it's a lot easier for me to say that than actually think of a way to do it.

I love it just as it is! Thank you thank you! Still exploring all the goodies that are packed into this!

To answer on questions and comment on suggestions so far.
_______________

First, button for translation:

I made an image to try to explain what I mean:



Button is in red, it's casting part of the screen, I made it bigger, then resized image so it's not too big, but I hope it's clear where I'd like to put buttons.

Also, remember that each part of the translation text has it's own text described in xml type of document, so when software puts text out, it just looks in certain parts of translations from this document and creates output.

I think it's not too difficult to put button in text output which is linked to each part of shown translation.

In special menu we already defined on which translation we are working, and have option to show or not this button. This last option is important as in everyday work having that button always visible could clutter interface, get in the way of understanding answer we just received.

But, on the other hand, we could decide to enter our comment, or we could start work on our translation and then we certainly would like to have easy and quick access with this button to exact part of hex translation.

This option for showing or hiding buttons in text could even be button outside text area, clicking on it would change visibility state of buttons in text area.

I hope I explained good enough what I'm thinking here? If not, just ask what's not clear enough.
____________

Then, about this thing with casting I Ching readings, I noticed that there's F2, which restores windows, so it could be used till the bug is solved.
___________

About translation, it certainly would be great to ask copyright holders for the price. Even if it would cost as an additional payed module, some of the people (i.e. myself) would buy it.

I know I could enter all things manually, but why not buy if it (although I already bought book) is available? I use that translation and it really is very useful for I Ching readings.

People like @Trojina, who don't need it, they wouldn't buy and that's it.

Also, after talking with copyright holders, we all would know how much that would cost per translation and we can decide if it's too expensive, or how that would work and discuss this question later.
_______________

About multiple translations and what @Lisa is saying, now software works that it shows chosen translation everywhere. I wouldn't mind that it shows all chosen translation everywhere, in reading, in hex browser...

Of course, if we could choose more than one translation, then it would be really good thing that we can sort which translation is first, which second, etc.

__________

@Lisa mentions current reading button in hex browser and I think it excellent idea, it would be really great that we can see also other lines that are not part of casting. The other lines maybe could be grayed out, or cast lines made in red, or something to differentiate them more easily.
___________

Also, about suggestions, bug reports, etc.

Maybe it would be good that we all see what's on each list? For example, Google offers it's Google drive and we can create there excell sheet that could be made public, or viewable by public (in which case Justin or other trusted people could enter entries).

In that way we all could see what's suggested, what bugs are known etc. I made sample just so you can see what I mean with this: This is the link.

Now everyone who knows link can edit document and I think all fields are clear enough to understand for what it is for. Some of the fields would Justin fill, some are for all of us.

I made sample request for translation, just to show how it could be used.

Thanks for going to this trouble!

So when I click the button in the translation, it brings up a window for me to type in... and what is the text I type added to? The translation I am viewing now? Or my own user-added translation/notes?

I think... come to think of it... I would quite like your button if it appeared in all translations and always let me edit my own notes. So if I click the button next to 14.1 - whether I am viewing 14.1 in Barrett, Heyboer, Wilhelm or whatever - I will always be editing my personal notes on 14.1.

But whether there are more than two of us in the world who would like this, I don't know...

Justin actually already made a 'bugs and suggestions' spreadsheet for the beta testers - and it is in Google docs and looks a lot like your suggestion. There is an English saying, 'Great minds think alike'! I don't know whether it would work well for him to have a suggestions spreadsheet open to all users, though... will ask...

hilary said:

So when I click the button in the translation, it brings up a window for me to type in... and what is the text I type added to? The translation I am viewing now? Or my own user-added translation/notes?

Click to expand...

As I mentioned, there would be special option for linking desired translation with this button. So you could change translation on which you're working at certain moment.

One use would be if you want to make comments on things related to love. Or business, or whatever type of question.

In this way you could create more than one type of own comments or notes, as you can now create more than one translation.

In program I used so far, Change7's I Ching, you could create comments on each element (judgment, image, lines...), but only one comment.

I too don't know if there's more people who would like and use ability to quickly and easily work on more than one type of comment (translation), but now (v1.1), it's not very easy to enter ones own comments on hex elements. And it's very complicated to change them (translations and own comments).

Combining this button with ability to see more than one translation, working with I Ching readings for someone who's really serious about it would be much more pleasant and efficient.

On second note, just to mention it, when I mentioned Change7's I Ching, there you see your own comments in different color. If we would be able to see two translations, ability to sort them and also to give them certain color would be very welcome.

And, all of this wouldn't be, in my opinion, but Justin has here final saying, too hard to be programed. Software already works somewhat like browser and text resembles a bit web page.