Author: Perry

CEO of AppleSource Software, Inc.

Master of my Domain 1.7

The new version of Master of my Domain is done! We are putting it through the beta testing phase now. You can expect a release tomorrow. This new version is a huge improvement.

momd-main

For a full list of release notes, scroll down. Now for the highlights:

1. MOMD has gone through a data structure shift. This new structure eliminates all known issues with domain information switching around, the inability to re-order domains and email addresses, and slow loading of extremely large libraries.

2. MOMD now encrypts your data with 256 bit Blowfish encryption. This method of storing Domain Libraries is fast and completely secure.

3. WhoIs information is now received through a local shell command, rather than polling an online source. This resolves many issues with certain top level domains and pretty much guarantees that most domains will be able to use the Auto WhoIs feature.

4. The Scanner now uses a ping method to test if a domain is online or not. This gives a much more reliable reading of whether or not a domain’s server has gone down.

5. Full CSV Import and Export.

6. New refreshed interface and bugs with Scanner and iCal syncing and pretty much everything else reported are now fixed.

7. MOMD Scanner. This cute little menu bar app will scan your Domain Library every set interval and can notify you via SMS or email if a domain goes offline.

8. FTP checker lets you quickly verify that your FTP settings are entered correctly.

9. Blocks! That’s right, we’ve brought back the Tetris-like Blocks game that we used to include in all our software. Check out the credits in the About window for more…

blocks

This new version also comes with a brand spankin’ new 20 page manual. Did we go all out or what?!

Bug Fixes

Running the domain scanner no longer brings the application down if it was closed early or there are zero domains

The possibility for registrar and expiration date information to be switched around between domains has been corrected

WhoIs methods are vastly improved

Domain Scanning methods are vastly improved

When logging in to a locked Domain Library, MOMD no longer shows the list of domains before entering your password

iCal Syncing causing unexpected quit of application corrected

New Features

Completely refreshed UI

Import/Export to CSV

Quickly show/hide all passwords with a menu command

Can now sort domains by expiration

Completely new data structure for Domain Libraries and Settings

Much faster loading/saving of large Domain Libraries

Domain Libraries are now stored in 256 bit blowfish encryption for maximum security and cross-platform independence (PPC or Intel)

WhoIs information is now automatically grabbed for new domains as you add them (you can turn this off in Preferences)

You can now specify how many seconds before a scanner times out and assumes the server is down

You can now specify the name of the iCal calendar MOMD creates

WhoIs data is now accessed using a local shell command – this vastly speeds up polling time and is much much more reliable

Scanning is now using a ping method rather than a socket connect method – this ensures that servers that are down will be notified, even if there is an ISP park page or other form of webgate preventing sockets from seeing the server’s offline status

Test FTP Settings button next to FTP Information fields lets you quickly ensure you’ve entered the correct information

Can now move the day up or down by one in Date fields using Command+Up and Command+Down

Contextual Menus!

Can now dragon drop domains and email addresses for organization

The hidden “Tetris”-like blocks game is back! (See the manual for details)

Brand new 20 page manual

Bonus Freebie – Mini Menubar Application “MOMD Scanner”

Sits in your menubar and uses very little System Resources

Performs periodic scans of all domains in your MOMD Domain Library

Notifications allow you to be emailed or SMS messaged on your cell phone if a domain goes down

Full logs let you come back later and check what happened

Dev Stuff TimeNet Law

TimeNet Law 1.9.9 Released!

Post author By Perry
Post date July 30, 2009

AppleSource has announced the availability of TimeNet Law 1.9.9. This new update is a huge improvement over the last version and is highly recommended to all current TimeNet Law users.

You can download the new update here: http://www.applesource.us/pub/bin/files/timenet_law_1.zip.

TimeNet Law 1.9.9 Release Notes

*note: after the conversion, it’s possible that some cases may appear to have negative or otherwise strange looking balances. to fix this, simply open the case and then save it. the balance will be fixed. do this for each case that appears strange. you will only need to do this once.

Bug Fixes

Entirely new data structure:

dramatically reduces load times

prevents program lockups in the event of data corruption

can attempt to repair files in the event of data corruption

allows for simplified and fast data backups, virtually eliminating data loss

Improved read and write routines to fix memory leaks and data swap issues

Late Fees are now shown on the bottom of the bill

Bug that could cause hours in time column on invoices to switch around if time display is set to tenths

Subtotal calculation errors on bills with date filters fixed

Hourly tasks are now separated by other tasks on bill via headers

Fixed bug that could cause the program to become unresponsive if the internet connection was lost

The window that would appear on your billing day now opens the Billing Center properly

Bug that could cause payments and fund deposits to jump from client to client now fixed

Bug that could cause Billing Center to give OutOfBoundsException now fixed

Billing Center now properly executes batch billing under all conditions

Bug that could case Flat Fee Items to be removed fixed

The option to save bills in Internet Explorer format has been deprecated and replaced with FireFox format

Fixed bug that could cause crash if the invoice logo that was set is moved or deleted in the Finder

Fixed a bug where opening and closing the Preferences window rapidly 2-3 times could result in loss of data

New Features/Changes

Global Menubar Timer

QuickSearch

Cases are now referred to as Matters

Tasks are now referred to as Slips

Vastly improved invoice design

Billing Matrix option is now deprecated. Timekeepers can now have an unlimited number of rates, custom labels, and each timekeeper may have have a different number of rates
Growl support for gorgeous application feedback and notifications (http://growl.info)

Automatic Bookkeeper now has an overview function to show what was done after it completes

BuzzMe! reminder function

In Case windows, right-clicking now brings up list of timekeepers and other charges to add (like the + button)

In Create Bill window, right-clicking now brings up a contextual menu to quickly select a month to filter

In Create Bill window, keyboard shortcuts have been created for corresponding date filters:

Uses the Option key with the 12 keys between 1 and = on the keyboard

Option+1 is January, Option+0 is October, Option+= is December, etc

Option+L is Last Month, Option+T is This month

In Create Bill Window, new “Draft” option
when checked, bill(s) will be created but the case’s last billed date will not be updated (for verifying bills before finalizing them)

Cmd+Up Arrow and Cmd+Down Arrow now work in date fields to move the day up or down respectively

Files can now be attached to tasks; start a timer with an attached file and the file is opened automatically

Option to only show task notes (and not task description) on bill

Can now select and manually override hourly rates per task

Can now selected billing status for a task: Billable, Non-Billable, No Charge

Backup Scheduler

Backup option in File menu now backs up data instead of just going to the Data Folder

Improved client searching

The timer can now be set to stop timing if the computer goes idle

Late fees are now calculated based on a case’s last billed date rather than a case’s completion date; this is to allow for billing in an ongoing case that may have many billing periods before the case is finished

Cases show when they were last billed

Additional Charges can now be re-ordered with drag-and-drop (dragon drop)

Auto-Complete items can now be re-ordered with drag-and-drop (dragon drop)

New task entry interface with bigger notes field and nicer UI

The Patronage Statement field has been deprecated. You may still create a footer using Preferences-Bill Layout

The Apply Tax checkbox has been deprecated. Taxes are now calculated based on your Automatic Bookkeeper rules

Client’s Taxable attribute has been deprecated. Client tax rules are now calculated based on that client’s Automatic Bookkeeper rules

In order to customize a client’s taxable status, you now customize that client’s tax settings under Automatic Bookkeeper rules for the client

Dev Stuff

In The Works…

Just wanted to drop a little inside info on the blog since we’ve been hard at work on things here, but haven’t made much public “to-do” about it.

TimeNet Law 1.9.9 is done! We’ve seeded betas out to several law firms and are getting very positive reports back. We are now in the process of re-writing the product manual from scratch with brand new screenshots and detailed information about all of the new features. The new manual will be a huge help in getting new firms started with the TimeNet Law software as well as teaching current users how to get the most out of their software.

TimeNet 3.9.22 is in the works. This will be a massive user interface/data/bug fix release much like the TimeNet Law 1.9.9 release. TimeNet 3.9.22 will make many of the long-awaited 4.0 features that people have requested very easy to implement and will be a huge update to current TimeNet users.

Master of my Domain 1.7 is in the works. This will, again, be a gigantic stability & reliability release with an all new data structure, fiercely strong encryption, and huge speed increases throughout. The interface is being polished and and as an added bonus, MOMD 1.7 will come with a mini-app that takes very little CPU/Memory resources and sits quietly in your Menubar at all times. This tiny app will perform automatic scans of all domains in MOMD and can notify you in many different ways (including SMS and iPhone-formatted text messages) if one of your sites/servers goes down.

In addition to these updates, we are designing iPhone versions of all three software products. More details on those as they become available.

Dev Stuff TimeNet Law

TimeNet Law 1.9.9 Beta

Post author By Perry
Post date July 17, 2009

TimeNet Law 1.9.9 has reached beta. This is a sneak peak of the 1.9.9 release due out early next week. This update is massive and truly shows TimeNet Law as a shining, grown-up app.

For a full list of release notes, scroll down. Now for the highlights:

1. An entirely new data structure tremendously reduces read/write times for data and virtually eliminates program freezups and data corruption.

2. Tons and tons and tons of small improvements, bug fixes, tweaks and fixes. If you were annoyed with a bug in TimeNet Law, chances are it’s probably gone now!

3. All new invoices. We’re also paving the way towards fully customizable invoice templates in version 2.0. In addition to the new design, we’ve verified that ALL reported invoice generation bugs are now fixed! See release notes for full details.

4. Global Timer menubar. Now you can view time and case information from any application, and even start/pause timers without switching back to TimeNet Law. It also flashes red when timing so you always know when the timer is running.

global timer

5. Contextual Menus. Right-click in a case window to quickly add a charge or hourly item. Right-click in the invoice generation window to quickly set a date filter.

6. Backup Scheduler. Always ensure that your data is safe with the new Backup Scheduler.

picture-1

7. New Task entry interface. Easier to attach files to tasks. Also notice that you can now change the rate and billing status. Billing status has three options: Billable, For My Eyes Only, and No Charge. And as an added bonus, the notes field got bigger too. Hooray for change!

8. Buzz Me! Create a Buzz Me! in seconds and TimeNet Law will let you get back to work with the peace of mind of knowing that you will be reminded exactly when you’re supposed to do that certain task. Buzz Me! reminders can also be sent across the network. Set a reminder on one machine and see it popup on all networked machines when it is time.

If you’d like to download the beta, please click here. Several functions still don’t work, but the final release should be out by Monday morning.

Full Release Notes

*note: after the conversion, it’s possible that some cases may appear to have negative or otherwise strange looking balances. to fix this, simply open the case and the save it. the balance will be fixed. do this for each case that appears strange. you will only need to do this once.

Bug Fixes

Entirely new data structure:

dramatically reduces load times

prevents program lockups in the event of data corruption

can attempt to repair files in the event of data corruption

allows for simplified and fast data backups, virtually eliminating data loss

Improved read and write routines to fix memory leaks and data swap issues

Late Fees are now shown on the bottom of the bill

Bug that could cause hours in time column on invoices to switch around if time display is set to tenths

Subtotal calculation errors on bills with date filters fixed

Hourly tasks are now separated by other tasks on bill via headers

The window that would appear on your billing day now opens the Billing Center properly

Bug that could cause payments and fund deposits to jump from client to client now fixed

Bug that could cause Billing Center to give OutOfBoundsException now fixed

Billing Center now properly executes batch billing under all conditions

Bug that could case Flat Fee Items to be removed fixed

The option to save bills in Internet Explorer format has been deprecated and replaced with FireFox format

Fixed bug that could cause crash if the invoice logo that was set is moved or deleted in the Finder

New Features/Changes

Global Menubar Timer

QuickSearch

Vastly improved invoice design

Creating open architecture for invoice templates in 2.0

BuzzMe! reminder function

In Case windows, right-clicking now brings up list of timekeepers and other charges to add (like the + button)

In Create Bill window, right-clicking now brings up a contextual menu to quickly select a month to filter

In Create Bill window, keyboard shortcuts have been created for corresponding date filters:

Uses the Option key with the 12 keys between 1 and = on the keyboard

Option+1 is January, Option+0 is October, Option+= is December, etc

Option+L is Last Month, Option+T is This month

In Create Bill Window, new “Draft” option

when checked, bill(s) will be created but the case’s last billed date will not be updated (for verifying bills before finalizing them)

Cmd+Up Arrow and Cmd+Down Arrow now work in date fields to move the day up or down respectively

Files can now be attached to tasks; start a timer with an attached file and the file is opened automatically

Option to only show task notes (and not task description) on bill

Can now select and manually override hourly rates per task

Can now selected billing status for a task: Billable, Non-Billable, No Charge

Backup Scheduler

Backup option in File menu now backs up data instead of just going to the Data Folder

Improved client searching

The timer can now be set to stop timing if the computer goes idle

Late fees are now calculated based on a case’s last billed date rather than a case’s completion date; this is to allow for billing in an ongoing case that may have many billing periods before the case is finished

Cases show when they were last billed

Additional Charges can now be re-ordered with drag-and-drop (dragon drop)

Auto-Complete items can now be re-ordered with drag-and-drop (dragon drop)

New task entry interface with bigger notes field and nicer UI

The Patronage Statement field has been deprecated. You may still create a footer using Preferences-Bill Layout

The Apply Tax checkbox has been deprecated. Taxes are now calculated based on your Automatic Bookkeeper rules

Clients no longer have the Taxable attribute. Client tax rules are now calculated based on that client’s Automatic Bookkeeper rules

In order to customize a client’s taxable status, you must customize that client’s tax settings under Automatic Bookkeeper rules for the client

Dev Stuff TimeNet Law

TimeNet Law 1.9.8

Post author By Perry
Post date May 8, 2009

TimeNet Law 1.9.8 is now available. This update fixes a few issues and ensures proper functionality of the software.

Release Notes

fixed bug that would show incorrect dollar values on invoices filtered with a date range
fixed bug that would show incorrect hourly values on invoices filtered with a date range

To download this update, visit the TimeNet Law product page here.

Dev Stuff TimeNet Law

TimeNet Law 1.9.7 Update

Post author By Perry
Post date February 9, 2009

Today we are releasing TimeNet Law 1.9.7. This small update fixes a few critical issues and ensures proper functionality of the software.

Release Notes

created checks to prevent abbreviation and client name conflicts

improved billing center routines to speed up billing functions

improved data handling for complex cases

To download this update, visit the TimeNet Law product page here.

Fun Stuff Technolust Tuesday

MinoHD Review (Part One)

5/5 stars – you’ll want one!

Well, I’ve had the MinoHD for about 2 weeks now. Unfortunately the first week I had it I was terribly sick with strep throat. However I have had quite a few days to play with this nifty little device and I must say I’m pretty impressed.

The footage isn’t *amazing*, however it is incredibly impressive given the size and weight of the device. I must say I’ve become quite attached to it. I bring it everywhere.

I went to our local Circuit City and got a carrying case, a tripod, the extension cables, and an action mount. All four accessories were $15 each but thanks to Circuit City’s store-wide going out of business sale, I picked them all up for a cool $25. Three days later I went back and all of the Mino accessories were gone. Perfect timing!

I’m going to break this review down into three sections.

1. The Footage

The footage is really pretty great. The colors are a tad washed out at times and in low light there is some grain, but that’s to be expected. In well-lit environments (such as outside on a sunny day) the video quality is really amazing though.

Keep in mind that HD footage takes up a lot of space! In the 2 weeks I’ve had the device I’ve recorded almost 40GB of video. I would recommend picking up a 750GB external Western Digital drive ($109 from NewEgg) or, you can go my route and buy 200 blank DVD+Rs and a DVD storage system (I got a locking CD File Vault). This way I can archive all of my footage onto DVDs and have them safely stored away from my computer.

The downside to using DVDs as a backup solution is when you want to find your footage or do some editing, you will have to copy the video files you wish to work with back to your computer and work with the footage off of a hard drive. Looking back on it, I wish now I’d just bought another external drive instead of spending almost the same amount of money on blank DVDs and the CD Vault storage locker. Oh well, no use crying over spilt milk, right?

2. Editing

I have been testing my MinoHD on a 2GHz Intel Core Duo iMac with 1.5GB of RAM. Unfortunately, when trying to edit my raw HD footage in Final Cut Pro, I get constant frame drops and errors and the edited video does not play through. I can export the footage to a .mov file and it plays just fine. I went online and did some research and it turns out Apple recommends 2-4GB of RAM when working with HD footage in Final Cut. So, I ordered another 1GB RAM chip to replace my 512MB chip bringing my total RAM to 2GB. The new RAM hasn’t arrived yet, but it should be here by Friday. I will update everyone then and let you know if this solved the problem. This is not a fault of the MinoHD.

Currently, my editing abilities are pretty limited, but I will be posting footage in an amended review as soon as the new RAM gets here and I can actually work in Final Cut Pro.

3. Overall Impressions

So far I have not been irritated by the 2 hour battery life and 1 hour recording time limitations. I’ve been able to plug into an iMac or a MacBook Pro and download the footage (which simultaneously charges the MinoHD as well) when I need to, even on the go thanks to my MacBook Pro.

The camera is super light weight and the screen, while admittedly very small, is bright and viewable even outside on a bright sunny Oregon spring day. The interface is very simple, and surprisingly enough, when the MinoHD is held steady or placed on a tripod the image is very stable and useable. You won’t be able to get much pro footage, but really the MinoHD is designed to be a pocket cam that works good enough. I’ve taken it everywhere and it fits quite nicely in my pocket alongside my iPhone. The thin and lightweight casing makes it very easy to bring along just in case, allowing you to capture impressive HD footage of just about anything on the fly.

The camera goes from completely powered off in your pocket to on and recording in about 4 seconds, so you won’t miss much of the action. Just make sure it’s fully charged and the internal drive is cleared before you take off somewhere with it. HD footage eats up space quickly so be sure the device is completely empty each time you want to use it.

I ordered a black standard case design MinoHD. My friend Kelly ordered a customized MinoHD with her personal photo, and that should arrive this week sometime. She saw how cool mine was and had to get her own. I will let you all know how the custom designed case looks when hers arrives in my amended review. Stay tuned for the answer to these questions and more:

Will Final Cut Pro work with the extra RAM?
Do the custom case designs actually look good?
How easy is it to take a Final Cut edited video and burn it to a useable DVD disc to view on your TV?
How will the MinoHD handle being action-mounted to my Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike and taken off the beaten path?

Dev Stuff

Master of my Domain version 1.6

Post author By Perry
Post date January 23, 2009
No Comments on Master of my Domain version 1.6

Today we announce the first update to Master of my Domain in a long time: version 1.6

Release Notes

fixed export to include email username/password data

updated WHOIS to latest sources for improved lookups of TLDs

all new data core decreases likelihood of errors in database

all iCal syncing bugs fixed

iCal syncing is much faster and much smoother, no longer requires iCal to be open

Please note that the new iCal features require MacOS X 10.5 Leopard or later.

To download this update, visit the Master of my Domain product info page here.

Dev Stuff TimeNet Law

TimeNet Law 1.9.6 Released

Post author By Perry
Post date January 22, 2009

Today we are releasing a free TimeNet Law maintenance release: version 1.9.6.

Release Notes

fixed issues with certain characters in Timekeeper and Charge names causing errors

fixed issues with extra carriage returns causing errors

fixed issue where logo wouldn’t appear on bills

added minimize function back to windows

fixed issue with overdue bill notifications hanging the application

improvements to the automatic bookkeeper interface

Download it now on our TimeNet Law Product Page: http://www.applesource.biz/software/timenet-law

Dev Stuff

TimeNet – Big Maintenance Update!

Post author By Perry
Post date January 20, 2009
No Comments on TimeNet – Big Maintenance Update!

Today we are releasing TimeNet 3.9.21. This will probably be the last free update before TimeNet 4.

Release Notes

Fixed issues with freezing, crashing, incorrectly reading data from specific versions

Fixed all bugs with rounding calculations

Legacy invoice template fixes

header graphics appear normally again

rare calculation errors fixed

Date fixes

all UK/EU date format issues fixed

smart date fields are back! you can type “today” “yesterday” or “tomorrow”

improved selection and display of dates

Numeric format fixes

all UK/EU numeric format issues fixed

all calculation and formatting errors fixed (coma/decimal issues)

Calculating discounts and quick charges now works perfectly under foreign settings

Various interface enhancements and fixes

Download the update from our product page here!