ArsClip is not forgotten

I've had an idea for a little bit for a nice addition to ArsClip, but the more popular Rename Master has stolen my attention lately.

The idea is simple, a Recent submenu item (or Recently Clicked). Unlike the Recently Removed items list, this list will be a collection of items that were clicked recently, not recently removed from the main list. Sometimes there's an item that you seem to be clicking often but keeps getting pushed down the list. Before, you would have to use "Undelete item" to move it from the recently removed list onto the main list again.

A copy of the clicked items will be placed onto the Recently Clicked list. The list will be ordered with the most recently clicked items on top. Clicking an item in this list move it to the top and clicking on an item in any other list will place a copy on top of this list.

This is the only idea I have for change for the next version of ArsClip, so I'm still looking for other ideas. I've had some feedback for some ideas recently, but most would require a large rewrite for sections of the program and aren't high on my todo list.

Rename Master - finishing touches

I'm making the final preparations for release. Since a significant rework was done to support columns and the scripting view, I'm going to wait a little bit more for feedback and bug reports on the current beta upload. I'll probably wait about 2 weeks before making an official release - depending on how many bugs are found between then and now.

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I already have some more idea for additions to the Scripting View, but I think it wise to wait until after an official release (followed by a possible quick bugfix release) before working on them.

The first idea is to create a ?temp? meta-variable. Some of the Remove Steps would have an option to place the removed text into this variable. This way, you can put it in an Add step to basically move it anywhere. This would also simulate the full regular expression option of items in parenthesis into "$1" variables - but be much simpler.

I was thinking about adding a Move catagory of steps, but a ?temp? variable would do the same thing and reuse all the already powerful Add Steps that you'll be familiar with. The temp variable could be used with the Replace or Remove, but I don't currently see those options doing anything meaningful with the new variable.

A second change I was thinking of was a way to temporarily disable a Step. Currently, the only way to stop a step from executing during a preview is to remove it. While creating a new script, it might be easier to see the effects if you can turn off some options without having the re-create them from scratch to turn them back on.

A third change idea I was thinking of was an update to the expanded Step control. Currently, the controls in the expanded view are static and don't stretch when the main for is resized. I'm not quite sure that it's needed, but it might be more asthetically pleasing to do so.
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Anyways, using Mini Rename Buttons and the new Scripting View, I'm very happy with the smaller and simpler interface. If I was really smart, I would have done this from the very beginning, but this never entered my mind as a good and simple way for the user to define the renaming options.

Rename Master - Custom Columns

The latest beta upload contains Saving and Deleting functionality for Custom Columns. This should be the last of the needed functionality to support Custom Columns.

There are likely some quirks left with the Columns that need fixing. I've run into quit a few on my own, but I'm sure I'll miss something. Re-ordering columns broke the saving of column positions and order between loads. The wrong columns were made hidden, and a few other problems should be fixed now.

Rename Master 'real' scripting testing (part 5)

Rename Master scripting leaves the prototype stage and enters beta [a 'beta' is fully functionional, but not fully tested]. The hunt for bugs begins.

In this version, a new Preview routine was created to support the Scripting View. Even though most of this routine was copied and should act as before, any of the operations may not work.

The loading and saving of the .rmscr scripts is also new and may also not function as expected.

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Also, in this version, a new Custom Column feature has been added [View -> Custom Columns]. This allows you to add the results of meta-variables directly into the Filelist and even sort by the results. Newly created items are added to the Custom Columns menu bar for editing later.

A major revision was made to the column management to support Custom Columns, so this may not function as expected. The order, size, column view, and loading of previous settings may be broken.

Currently, the Custom Columns are not saved or loaded.

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No more major features are planned for the next version. Future updates for this verison should include only minor tweaks and bug fixes. Please report any bugs you may encounter, no matter how small.

Rename Master 'real' scripting testing (part 4)

This new beta upload contains a working version of the scripting. 23 renaming options have been condensed and simplified into 9 options that perform the same range of operations.

Preview and Rename now work like they should. This will give you a good idea of how much more power there is in the scripting view compared to the old renaming options. Also, the auto-preview is working for the most part in this new beta.

There is a problem with the scripting view that one operation can interfere or undo another operation if you don't use Removes first, followed by Replaces, with Additions last. For example, if you add numbers to the start of the name and then remove all numbers from the name, these actions cancel each other out unless the Remove is first. I'll likely need to add some mention of that in the program.

As a side note, each of the v2.8.3 betas had been download about a dozen times, but I've only had one user give me feedback. I really could use any information you could give me about the new scripting view - likes, dislikes, ideas for improvments, and bug reports.

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My quick todo list for the next and future Public Beta releases:

- make the Clear Renaming Options button work with the scripting view

- make the Load Script button backwords compatible with old scripts

- create a new script file format for the new scripting view

- make the Load Script button compatible with the new script format

- save the 'Mini Rename Buttons' state on exit

- create new icons for the Scipting, Case, and Counting tab and the Move Up, Move Down scripting step buttons

- add support for new Custom Columns for the file list and possibly include examples using meta-variables

Rename Master 'real' scripting testing (part 3)

I've uploaded a new beta containing the next scripting prototype. In this version, the Scripting Steps have been specialized and use much less space to display.

The next update will make the Preview and Renaming functional for scripting. After that, scripts will need to be saved and be made backwards compatible with "scripts" from previous versions.

Rename Master 'real' scripting testing (part 2)

I've uploaded a new beta containing the scripting prototype. This is probably the 3rd or 4th rewrite for the idea, but it's the closest to being a usable. It is not a fully functional feature, but a working idea to generate feedback. I wanted to provide you something to play with before investing too much time in the wrong direction.

Here are some quick thoughts I've already had for needs and changes (feel free to send me your own ideas):

[New Action button rename]
- The "New Action" button should be called "New Step" for clarity. The scripting view is an ordered list of step, and the wording should reflect this.

[Delete Button ]
- There's no way to remove a step once added and a Delete button is needed.

[Step sizes / More "New Action" options]
- Even though each step control can be collapsed, the panel takes a lot of room on the interface.
- The "Add to","Replace","Remove" popup menu for the "New Action" button could be expanded to contain more options so that each Step could be smaller in size.

-- "Add to" could be split up into 3 different items
.. Add to Begginning/Ending
.. Add at Position
.. Add Before/After

-- "Replace" could be split up into 3 different items
.. Replace Entire Name/Extension
.. Replace Phrase
.. Replace Single Characters

-- "Remove" could be split up into 3 different items
.. Remove Words/Phrase
.. Remove from Beginning/Ending
.. Remove Substring

[Collapsed Step items]
- The underlined and bold items in the english summary of the step could be clicked on to perform actions. For example, clicking on a bold or underlined item could expand the Step and set focus to the control that changes that clicked item.

[Empty Fields]
- Empty fields appear as '' in the english summary of a collapsed step. The item could be made italic and use the word 'Empty' to show that field is currently blank.
- This change might be needed if fields can be clicked on.

[Expanded and Focus]
- Expanded steps should be moved into view so that the item is mostly visible. Currently, an item at the bottom of the scrollbox can't be expanded and edited without scrolling down.

- It may be better if only 1 step can be shown expaned at a time. Other items would be auto-collapsed when expaning a new item.

[Icons]
- The temporary icons/text need to be replaced with graphics that are meaningful to the operation.

-The Collapse/Expand button is using the "Insert Meta-Variable" chevron, which is confusing. Possibly use a "+/-" graphic for Collapse/Expand or something similar to the Minimize/Maximize window buttons.

-The "New Action" button should be using a chevron because it displays a popup menu. It should be similar to the "Insert Meta-Variable" chevron (like the Load Script button) but distinct.

[Step Spacing]
- The step panels are too close together and need some padding between the items.

[New Steps Expanded]
- Newly created steps might be shown expanded by default. This may be distracting, but every step will have to be expanded before editing. With more step types, smaller step controls won't be as distracting when expanded.

Rename Master 'real' scripting testing

The above shows a prototype I'm working on where the user defines a series of steps instead of checking items. The depressed button allows the user to toggle between the previous renaming options and the new script builder view, so the change won't be so drastic for current users.

In the older interface, there was only one "Add to the name" option and it could only be set one way. In the new script builder view, you can define as many as you want of every Add, Replace and Remove option. You, also, can order the actions as you want. In the old interface, Removes were always first, Replaces second, and Adds where always last.

Currently, the prototype doesn't do anything, so there's no beta to upload at this point. To integrate the functionality, quite a bit of work is needed.

Just a reminder

No matter how small, please feel free to report bugs. There has been a long standing bug in Rename Master that prevented users from typing paths into the filepath field. I wouldn't have even seen it without a user leaving me a quick comment. I rarely actually type paths, so this part isn't used much by me.

Current Goals 2

Roles have reversed. I'm now working only on Bug Reports for ArsClip until the official release of v3.1.0 and I'm now working on new ideas and features for Rename Master.

I've added some quick insert options for JPEG, MP3, and Renumbering operations. I'm trying to compile a list of commonly inserted meta-variables (or "taggs") and some examples using multiple variables. This is meant to be less confusing and quicker than using the full blow "Advanced Insert" window. Let me know if you think there's something missing from the lists or if there needs to be a new catagory also.

I'm also thinking about adding the same popup menu to the Renaming Options wizard, if it will make thinks easier to understand and convenient.

Note: The JPEG and MP3 popup menu options are only enabled if JPEGs or MP3s are detected in the current file list.

Current Goals

Here's my current plan for updates.

Since the official release of Rename Master v2.8.0, minor bug fixes will be provided as Public Beta releases and major bug fixes will be official releases. After a small period of time, I'll begin work again on new features. Improving the Insert Meta-Variables dialog to be much easier is the first task. Common JPEG and MP3 operations will be supported with quick select options.

ArsClip is currently going through a similar process that RM just went through. First of all, I'm trying to make it a better looking program. Second, I'm fixing reported bugs and adding new functionality - using all the user feedback I can get for new ideas. In the current betas, I've added a text scrubbing (remove formatting) option and a new "Edit Selected" popup menu item that will copy any selected items in the current program and open a window for edit. You can highlight text on a webpage or even selected files in Explorer and edit the text to save onto the clipboard or save directly onto the popup. I plan on going through the Configuration window and making the option's meanings clearer and easier to understand.

Rename Master Facelift

Rename Master is showing it's age and it's purely utilitarian design. A user and review from Softpedia pointed out the "plain and simple, with no bells and whistles" interface. I'm in the middle of updating the interface to look more modern and hopefully attractive too.



In this first draft,

- the important buttons are grouped together

- less important buttons are "flat" and show as normal buttons when hovered

- the icon have be tweaked a little (though you can't tell from the above thumbnail)

- the browse panel button is more obvious

- the "folder properties" button will change to show the icon of the current file

- "Counting" is now shown as a regular section of the renaming options

The interface is still simple in this attempt, but it seems to be more clean and straight forward with better logical associations for the "Clear" and the "Configure" buttons. It doesn't have that "attractive" feature yet, but it's still on the drawing board.

Rename Master addon

The latest test uploads of Rename Master include an optional installable Explorer addon. It is shown when more than one file is selected on the main right-click menu and is always shown in the Send To - as shown in the image below.

Both commands will open Rename Master with the selected files checked. One major difference is that the Send To option will show the files in the order you selected the files, instead of the order shown in the window.

ArsClip and Vista - update

The latest public beta of ArsClip implements Vista's new clipboard monitoring API. This means that there will be no more chain breaks, notifications and all that jazz. The chain configuration options are automatically updated an locked for Vista users.

The latest ArsClip public beta works as expected in Vista.

Rename Master and Vista

I've found only one small issue with Rename Master and Vista and one big one. The Folder browser shows the Documents icons for all folders. The "Send To" option for running Rename Master works fine, but the Right Click on a folder option does not display any filenames.

So, for a temporary workaround, use the Send To option instead for opening a folder in Explorer with RM.

UPDATE: Open the Configuration window and ensure at least one [Folder Selection] and one [File List] option is checked.

StartRight beta and Vista

StartRight beta with the new service does not work at all in Vista. The service is an interactive service which is disabled by default in Vista. I've not tested if it would work with this enabled, yet.