I'm learning the CoreImage in recent days. It is a very powerful, great framework. And I used the Quartz Composer for the first time relating to the learning it though belated. Definitely I've known the Quartz Composer but I'm rejecting it without even having tried. I was enjoying the Quartz Composer on this occasion, and I just liked it very much.

I learn an additional information, I learned the composition file (.qtz file) can be used by own application. Then a nice idea just popped up in my mind. This functionality can be used for image processing for the AutoViewer plug-in. That way the power user who can operate the Quartz Composer can customize image processing.

I changed the design of the AutoViewer plug-in to this way. But also I have to learn a lot of things about Quartz Composer.

tag : cocoa , quartz composer , autoviewer

I'm using the Xcode after a long time since having developed the Postcard plug-in in October, 2006. It's been 2 years or more. Therefore I lost my touch about Xcode operation and Objective-C after a long absence. The Xcode was upgraded to version 3.1.2.

I'm using the book which is "Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X 1st Edition (by Hillegass Aaron)" for my programming reference. This book was published on 2002.
Of course, I am using this book to bring back a knowledge of Mac OS X programming. So, I have a hard time because operation of the Xcode have changed considerably. However I don't like to buy a lot of programming technique book, because it brings of mistaking to have understood by itself.

Newest version of the Xcode is so modern and cool development environment. It makes the enjoyable to program.
Anyway, I will go ahead with plan bit by bit.

tag : xcode , cocoa

There are a lot of requests of plug-in of AutoViewer and TiltViewer for RapidWeaver recently. Of course, I also think that TiltViewer is cool and good-looking, and also the AutoViewer too.
To tell the truth, development is not so difficult if I reuse the source code of the PostcardViewer and the SimpleViwer plug-in.

I want to have improved the function of the resize. Because, current resize method is an old-fashioned technology. therefor resizing speed is slow. To solve this problem, I'm thinking the Core Image technology is good approach. But, I have not so enough skill of the Mac OS X programming. Also English based documentation is another hurdle for me.

There is such a thing, the motivation was withering. However, I've started the learning of the CoreImage technology since last week end, because I can find the good sample I want to do. I've battled of the Core Image since then.
If I can clear this issue, my motivation will be improved. Because even I want the plug-in for AutoViewer and TiltViewer !

On the other hand, I have to exercise for my drum. I need much more free time !

tag : autoviewer , tiltviewer , core image

Today, the installation work of the Leopard has been almost completed.
However I have a small problem on the .Mac mail system.
Also I have version problem on the GIMP and the LilyPond. But it seems that time will be solved to these problems.
Of course, the Xcode and the RapidWeaver v3.6.5 has been already installed. And today the remaking of my Web site ( this Web site ) had been completed. Therefore, I could publish this article. ( However I have to remake more than 2 Web sites I'm managing... )

After installing the Leopard and the RapidWeaver v3.6.5, I checked the PostcardViewer plug-in first because some users reported to me that the PostcardViewer plug-in did not work correctly under this environment.
However the PostcardViewer plug-in was working on my environment without any problems.
To the user who uses the PostcardViewer plug-in, will you report to me how the PostcardViewer plug-in is working on your Leopard and RapidWeaver v3.6.5 ?

tag : postcardviewer , leopard , rapidweaver

One of the purpose of this site is to improve my English skill as written on top page, so I have to update this blog more often. At first, my blog was originally planned to publish for at least every month. and also the plug-in project was scheduled to restart from end of this July. However, an unexpected situation - death march - frustrated all plans.

My big project that was started from last autumn has been finished on end of July as reported in blog. Coincidentally another project that subordinate managed has been in death march.
I had to do a project management for my subordinate involuntarily. It was not so easy job because I had no idea about his project. Also I had to learn from specification about his project. This project was in the on-site stage, so I had to work on the customer site. I secured an apartment for this job. I secured an apartment for this job. However I had no chance to internet connection, so I could not update my blog. Also I had no time to develop the plug-in project, I was forced to stop this personal project.

On last week, we could surmount a lot of problems. The "death march" was gone!
However I found out other problem when I struggle back to my office on last weekend. My own workload had been increased, while I was fighting the "death march"! Needless to say, RapidWeaver and Mac OS X had been increased too!

tag : work

The big project that had continued since last autumn was completed last week. I can restart the development of the plug-in without the inner stress.
So, I started the development of the new plugin this weekend. However the technology for the Cocoa and the Plug-in nearly went out of my mind. I think it's an inevitable result, because I was using other development environment (the ladder logic programing, yacc, lex, C++, MFC etc.) for 10 month. And also, I don't have much experience about Cocoa programing intrinsically.
I should restart from "How to use of Xcode". However I want to have a great time creating plug-in, because it's not a job.

With this thing and that I'm developing new plug-in.
Which kind of plug-in is this? The top-left image is shown the hint of the new plug-in
(Version up of the existing plug-in will be after that)

tag : autoviewer

I have to say that I'm sorry for writing down same topic over and over again but my work is still as very hectic as ever.
However, the situation has been better than last month. So I restarted to develop the SimpleViewer plug-in for release version. But, Sure enough I forgot a usage of the Xcode and the Cocoa. So it takes long time to recall these things. The release version shall support new features as follows...

• Blocks support
  Isaiah has been supported to make my plug-in correspond to the Blocks since last September. (Thanks Isaiah) But I had no time to make plug-in.
  On release version, the SimplerViewer plug-in will support the Blocks.
• No-resize mode
  On bete version, resize function is implemented with NSImage and it's very simple and rudimentary method.
  This method is good enough for generating thumbnail images but is poor to resize main photo image.
  I had a lot of opinions about this matter from the blog comments, the RealMac forum comments and my friend who is professional photographer.
  So I will add the "No-resize mode" on release version.
  If this mode will be enabled, the plug-in will generate thumbnail image only. The main photo image file will be uploaded to the host directly.
  So you have to resize the photo image manually for upload. Conversely you can use more excellent imaging software such as Adobe Photoshop for resizing the photo image. It's good for the person who has a discriminating taste in photograph.
  Also if you disable this mode, you can upload the image file as quickly and painlessly as possible.
• CoreImage support
  Anyway, the resizing method which is used in beta version is poor and slow. So I will re-write this functionality to the CoreImage. That way, I think that it can speed up thumbnail image generating and resizing.

So I has been recently learning the CoreImage technology. "Core" and "Image" are popular foreign words in Japan. And I feel the feeling for language "CoreImage" is very cool.
Also the technology itself is more cool. However, it's not so easy for "Xcoder on Sunday".

tag : simpleviewer

I 'm sorry for I'm always writing down same log recently... But, my work is really hectic lately !
Now I'm making endurance test system for some kind of transmission. I have to complete it until middle of March. This system is combination of PLC and PCs. Also not so easy.
After that, I'm scheduled to develop another system which controls organic semiconductor to make LEDs. It's generically called MOCVD system.
This system is not only more complex than the current development system, but also it's required high reliability and safety because the MOCVD system should control toxic gasses. I have to complete it until end of May. End of May ? It's really murderous schedule without relation to toxic gasses !
In the meantime however, I'm interested in the development of the MOCVD system. It will become somewhat easy because my project will be only this since middle of March basically. I wonder if I have time to develop the plug-in... Otherwise, the awaited knowledge about the Cocoa and Plug-in goes to waste.

By the way, loghound released great RapidBlog plug-in. It seems working with PHP. Unfortunately, I can not use the RapidBlog because my rental host does not support PHP. However the RapidBlog is great plug-in anyway.
When I visited sample site of the RapidBlog, I found that the RapidBlog overcomes a hurdle which I could not overcome.
I wonder if it might be possible for him to advise me how to overcome my technical hurdle of the RapidWeaver BBS plug-in. If it's possible, it will be breakthrough for my RapidWeaver BBS.
However everything is after the work quiets down.

tag : rapidweaver bbs

As you may know, people in the RealMac support forum revealed incompatibility of PostcardViewer plugin under Firefox (Mac OS X) and Camino. For more detail please refer known problem part of PostcardView plugin page. I postpone the improvement of the SimpleViewer plugin (including Blocks support), and am researching problem of the Overlay and Launcher style on Firefox (Mac OS X) and Camino.
According to my researching until now it has been discovered that Firefox (Mac OS X) cannot display the Flash by transparent style.
I think it's specification of Flash player (or plugin) for Firefox (Mac OS X) and Camino, because Firefox for Windows can display Flash with transparent style. Simultaneously, this means I have no chance to implement HTML of Overlay style and Launcher style for Firefox (Mac OS X) and Camino.

As a tentative measure, I will add a new parameter that sets the overlay block transparency. (In current version, this parameter is fixed to 0.6) If you set this parameter to over than 1.0, the overlay block will be solid black. You will obtain compatibility in Firefox (Mac OS X) and Camino instead of losing a cool transparent background.

I think Firefox (Mac OS X) and Camino's share of browser market is very few... I don't like this kind of rotten excuse (moreover, I'm Mac user). However please accept my plugin specification for some time to come.

tag : postcardviewer

Today I release the PostcardViewer plugin v1.0u.
This version include new style which is named Launcher style as already webloged.
The Launcher style is required to be used with the Page Block of the Blocks plugin which developed by YearHead.
I'm heavy user of Blocks. So I like the Launcher style in the styles.

Therefore, The use of the Launcher style might be a little difficult because you have to know function of Blocks.
Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to make the manual for this. However I release this for the meantime. The manual will be added all in good time.
Also this version includes some bug fixes.
Please download and enjoy !

tag : postcardviewer

I'm working to make the PostcardViewer plugin support the Blocks now. (The Overlay mode of current version doesn't work in Blocks) Also it's including cool new feature too.
Therefore, I'm exchanging about it with Isaiah who is a developer of the Blocks via mail several times.
I exchange mail with an overseas engineer on business occasionally. However, it's the first time in such a personal case. It's very happy to exchange not only a technical topic but also personal topics.

Almost Japanese people make "Japanese only" website. (Of course, I'm managing "Japanese only" websites like other people) Inevitably, almost people who access a Japanese website are Japanese.
However, English is a de-facto international language in internet. I feel internet is really connected to international as I made this English based website after all. And it's really exciting to make a plugin with collaboration with overseas people.

Also I thank Felix (the web creator who allowed the bundle of his cool Flash application), Charlie (the theme developer who cooperated for testing under his theme) and the RealMac forum people for positive cooperation !

tag : postcardviewer

I seem the weblog reader who knows the AIRTIGHT INTERACTIVE guessed it will be released when I released the SimpleViewer plugin.
Yes ! I release the second round of the AIRTIGHT INTERACTIVE Flash viewer plugin series today.
Introducing the PostcardViewer plugin.
The PostcardViewer is one of the favorite flash application for me. However this flash application is really cool when it's running on full screen on the browser. Also the operation condition of free version of the PostcardViewer is a little troublesome for the plugin architecture. Of course, IE is a selfish personality against such a situation.

Actually, it's not still displayed correct in some theme by IE. However almost functionality is working well. So I decided to release first beta today. If you found out some wrong html code which was generated by this plugin, please make comment this weblog.
I hope you like it.

tag : postcardviewer

"TOO COOL FOR IE" ... It's hackneyed expression.
Now I'm developing new plugin. In this moment, basic function has been completed. However it's not displayed correctly only by Internet Explorer as usual. I have iBook G3, iMacG4 and iMacG5. But what is worse is that I don't have Windows PC in my home. So I have to check a result of html generated by new plugin at my office. It's a very inefficient work.
The browser except Internet Explorer displays correctly the html. That means a basic html and css settings are very standard. Always Internet Explorer requests some tricky technique. At least that's the way I look at it.

My main job is computer-related work. However it's not the Internet market. I seem that person who is doing this kind of work is always frustrating.
I think I'm lucky my job is not the Internet market.
There you have it, will you allow me some more time to release new plugin ?

tag : postcardviewer

I am really glad to be pleased more than the expectation with you in the support forum.
However there was a fatal problem in the public beta 1 as wrote in the support forum. I could not notice at home while developing because I did not use PC (Windows) at all. Therefore, I was disappointed when I saw the sample site in my company. (I'm a windows user in my company)

So I fixed major problems and released the public beta 2 today. Please check it out if you are interested in it.
If you have some problems on public beta 2 please contribute this entry's comment.

tag : simpleviewer

Today, I release my first plugin for RapidWeaver, because it has been completed as first beta earlier than originally planned. It's not only my first plugin but also my first Macintosh application. This really simple plugin was named SimpleViewer plugin. Yes, It's SimpleViewer page builder for RapidWeaver.
I seem that I'm a long way from being able to completely understand the architecture of the plug-in and Cocoa , and program it freely. However, being able to achieve this "Completed Something" was a huge gain of self-confidence for me. Also this experience will make good advantageous effect for my future projects.
You can download SimpleViewer plugin from here. Please test if you like it.

In addition, The composition of the tools page has been changed with the release of this plugin. Please change the book mark if you had a book mark to directly link to the tools pages.

In case you didn't know, I'm NOT discontinuing the development of RapidWeaverBBS. This is something like a etude for my goal.

tag : simpleviewer

I seem that the roadmap of Isaiah who is great RW plugin developer was best way.
I would say, at a guess, He developed "Columns" first. Afterwards, it would be the order of "Collage", "Accordion", and "Blocks". Also each plugins are great but I guess it's in ascending order of difficulty of programing.

The development of RapidWeaverBBS plugin has various hurdles for "Sunday Xcode programmer" like me as weblogged before. It may seem like a hassle, but I thought I ought to go back to the basics and review my roadmap. Haste makes waste, they say.

For such a reason, I have started developing another plugin for practice of plugin architecture since few weeks ago. Don't worry ! It doesn't mean I give up developing the RapidWeaverBBS. It's one step of the development roadmap of the RapidWeaverBBS.

Actually I scheduled to make this "Practice Plugin" at first. However I thought that it was more difficult until I learnt SDK, so I left it on a back burner.

The "Practice Plugin" is still under developing. However main function has been completed. My remainder jobs are parameter setting function such as a background color etc. Also these jobs are not so complex and it's good practice exercise for me to understand the Cocoa architecture.

So, I will release the first beta version within two weeks. I will inform in this weblog and the support forum.
Which kind of plugin are you going to release ?
Just wait until you see it ! (I think that this "Practice Plugin" is a little bit attractive for you)

tag : simpleviewer

I'd like to describe the development situation of the RapidWeaver BBS plug-in because I had not updated my weblog for a long time.
I spent time as much as possible for the development of the RapidWeaver BBS. However there are a lot of hurdles in the development of the plug-in for me.
1) Language
I seem that there are not a lot of documents concerning development of the Mac OS X. (Xcode, Cocoa-framework, Objective-C, Interface Builder, etc...) Also documents written in Japanese is especially fewer. Technically-useful information are almost described in English inevitably.
It's not a good situation for me - who is pure Japanese. (So I'm writing English based weblog for improving my English skill...)

2) Technical intuition
I've been using the Microsoft Visual C++ since version 1.0. More before I'd been using Microsoft C Compiler under MS-DOS generation. (I would venture to say I'm "guru of MFC")
On another front, I'm switcher (4 years ago). Moreover, I'm using iMacG5 only at home for hobby. So I don't have enough experience for the Xcode. This means the "technical intuition" to analyze plug-in architecture is insufficient.
(However,I came to be able to make an easy plug-in at long last)

3) Time restriction
I'm managing own company which produce electrical devices and software for FA and LA. Fortunately the company is busy. Of course it's a good situation for me and my company.
However, it's not a good situation for the plug-in development because I can not make the enough time to develop the plug-in.

4) Immediate hurdle
The RapidWeaver BBS plug-in should over-ride the URL which located at side bar menu and breadcrumb trail to special URL. This functionality is similar to the Offsite page style.
I've been trying to find out this method for weeks. However, I cannot jump over the hurdle yet. (Someone who is RW-plugin guru, give the hint to me !)

I continue to try without quitting and I'm researching today...

tag : mac os x

As you know, the RapidWeaver 3.5 public beta 1 had been released on 2nd June. At the same time, the plugin SDK had been released too. OK! The time to start the development of RapidWeaver BBS plugin has come !
But before I start the development, I have to do something...
1) Upgrade of websites.
I have three websites which managed by RapidWeaver. Also each theme of websites are customized, so I have to upgrade my websites for new RapidWeaver 3.5. (I completed the upgrade of all my sites today)

2) X-fade function issue.
I realized that I have to modify the X-fade function in accordance with the new feature of RapidWeaver3.5 (permalink). Also RapidWeaver 3.5 PB1 has some problem with the custom JavaScript function - All custom JavaScript will be comment outed.

3) Study of the Cocoa programing is not completed.
When I saw the source code of Objective-C for the first time, I had strange feeling. However, I became to be able to read and write the source code of Objective-C without strange feeling recently. And I'm guru of C++ and MFC (the class library of Microsoft Visual C++) if I do say so myself, so I seem that the plug-in can be developed while studying the Cocoa.

4) Perl BBS engine is not completed.
My work always becomes busy when I want to do something. Moreover, I had to take measures for the comment-spam block function.
I don't know it's the best way of dealing with it but I seem that my comment-spam block function is passable for normal use. (But I receive comment-spam once in a long while. It's too difficult to block perfectly.)
However basic function of the BBS engine has been completed.
I will do the function addition by the further version improvement.

With this thing and that... I started to develop the RapidWeaver BBS plugin. I will report the intermediate step by this weblog. Only your comment (or trackback) gives me an incentive to greater effort.

tag : rapidweaver bbs

The comment spam was found on the site that is a test site of Perl script of the RapidWeaver BBS. It's NOT the RapidWeaver BBS demonstration site but part of our amateur rock band site for my Japanese friends. This comment spam is automatically contributed again even if I delete it. That means, I seem this comment spam is contributed by some spam-robot.
Yes. I have understood that I should block comment spam.
But, basically I'm control and measurement engineer, so I'm not good at this kind of security issue.
Anyway it's difficult to control spam perfectly. However, the test site cannot be used in the current state. So I began to make an improvement for blocking the spam reluctantly.

I won't tolerate spam !

tag : rapidweaver bbs

Today I described and updated the x-fade site logo page. Also I made the sample sites for showing new features.
Please check it out if you are interested in it.
Almost the work is translation. It took a lot of time ! However, I think that it's very good experience for my English language skill. (may be...)
The x-site logo feature (v1.0.2) has been completed for the time being. ... Next. I'm going to develop the BBS engine (Perl) of RapidWeaver BBS again. Next features will be simple search and RSS support.
Anyway, I can not start to develop the Plugin till RapidWeaver 3.5 SDK is released. And I will debug BBS engine until that time. I can't wait RapidWeaver 3.5 !

tag : ajax

Today alpha version of a BBS engine for "RapidWeaver BBS" has been completed.

I set it up on tools page. Please evaluate it if you are interested in it.
I hope you like it !

tag : rapidweaver bbs

I'm into Web technology recently. Especially, the Ajax technology is very interesting.

So I made the X-fade site logo function as study of Ajax.
I used famous prototype and script.aculo.us as a library. This can be very improved !

I had liked it so I used this function for this Web site.

If I have free time, I will describe how to use this function on my tools page for RapidWeaver user. Please wait if you like this !

tag : ajax

The initial test of BBS for RapidWeaver basically succeeded. It looks very naturally. Also this method only requires basic HTML knowledge for design (Almost HTML knowledge is wrapped by StyledText plugin)

At the same time, I recognized that I had to make exclusive plugin. Of course Perl CGI is incomplete, too.
I think RealMac guys are building up the RapidWeaver 3.5 now. so I'm going to make the plugin after it has been released. Until then I'm going to complete Perl CGI (BBS engine).

But, the biggest problem is .. I'm swamped with work now !

tag : rapidweaver bbs

I used "iFrame page" for implementing BBS of my class reunion site of my junior high school.
However, in case of this method is ...

• The design of the appearance of the BBS can not be modified by RapidWeaver.
• So it's too hard to unify the design of BBS and RapidWeaver theme.
• The scroll bar operation is not appropriate because Web page and iFrame has own scroll bar.

I had thought about other solution of this coarse approach since then.
And, I hit on another method that is ...

• Generate BBS appearance template ( Web page ) by RapidWeaver.
• A Perl BBS engine loads the appearance template for display BBS.

In case of this architecture, the appearance of BBS will be designed by RapidWeaver, so it's easy to unify between BBS and RapidWeaver theme.
Also the Peal BBS engine solves the internal process, so it's required no skill of any script language for making BBS.

Fortunately, I can use Perl in my rental server (PHP is not supported).
And I learned Perl script when I build BBS of my class reunion site, so I should write BBS engine.
I hope to make this for RapidWeaver plug-in...

tag : rapidweaver bbs