Call for software testers

Subject: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 09:21 AM

Hi, I am looking for volunteers to test the latest version of my HARMONY software. I have uploaded the test version to a private page on my web site. Anyone wishing to participate (which includes free registration) should PM me amd I will send instructions

The new version has many improvements, including full support for abc lyrics, 'style files' for notes, (almost) full onscreen edit, and a page layout style score view.

Thanks in advance
Pavane

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 09:23 AM

Sorry, I forgot to mention that as it is written in Visual Basic 5, it is only available for Windows.

(If anyone would like to spend a few years rewriting it in C, I could make it available to everyone! I would really like it to run on Linux)

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 10:24 AM

I could do that if you like (Test that is. I could re-write it in C as well but haven't the time just now!). You can e-mail me at the address below.

Mick (MCPearce0ATaolDOTcom with obvious substitutions, and that's a zero at the end of my name)

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: Mark Clark
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 11:57 AM

Pavane, I'd love to be a tester. I might also be interested in helping with a transmogrification but I wonder if you wouldn't address a wider market if it was transmogrified into Java. That way you'd hit Windows, Macintosh, Linux, commercial UNIX systems and even a few handhelds. Just a thought.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 01:21 PM

JAVA sounds fine to me. I just don't have time to learn it myself.
And HARMONY does use some Windows API calls which may not be available on other platforms.

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 01:23 PM

By the way, did I mention that there are about 30k lines of code in 150 modules?

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: Mark Clark
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 01:31 PM

That's a lot of code. So then you think there may not be a single regular expression that will translate the whole appliation with a single sed command? <g>

The Windows API calls would be a in a Linux implementation as well. Are they GUI-related or multimedia? Is similar functionality available in the Java Foundation Classes? They are available on every platform.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: Mark Clark
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 01:42 PM

I'm obviously asleep at the keyboard. I meant to say the Windows API calls would not be available in a Linux implementation. Sorry.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 01:48 PM

Mark,
The code has grown over a number of years, starting in 1995 as a Dos-based QuickBasic program, converted to VB3 and VB5 and most recently in a halfway stage of conversion to object code from the old array-based stuff.

Because of its history, the MIDI and graphics are generated in code instead of using libraries or fonts. So that takes quite a few lines.

There is also some redundant and obsolete code which I haven't yet idendified and removed.

I will have to check on the API calls, because I have been able to eliminate some recently (These were graphics ones like BitBLt)

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 02:44 PM

Please post your e-mail. I'd like to give it a go.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 04:38 PM

You can reach me at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 04:50 PM

A few extra notes for the volunteers.

The ZIP file contains a few examples of 'note styles'. There is a brief explanation on the Help menu.

You apply a style to a note by selecting Edit note on the mouse menu
(click the right button on a note), then Apply Style.

You can make the selected style the default, but this is usually overkill!

Don't overlook the 'Delay'option on the play menu. If you create two IDENTICAL voices, and delay one of then, you will get a useful echo effect.

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: Ed.
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 04:54 PM

Hi Pavane,

At the risk of appearing dim, what are we looking for? What is the software supposed to do?

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 05:42 PM

I would be happy to try it, though I don't have lots of time to spend playing with it. What I would most like to have is a program that will let me play a relatively straightforward melody line on a keyboard through a MIDI connection, and give me printable music. I've tried Noteworthy Composer and Finale PrintMusic, and neither really works for me--which, of course, may say more about me than about the programs. I use NWC by laboriously entering notes on the (computer) keyboard using numbers, arrow keys, keyboard commands, mouse, etc.....AAAUUGGGH! Most of what I would want it for would be songs with single melody lines with attached lyrics (I do like the way NWC matches lyrics to notes). A bonus would be if I could type in chord names and have the program play a simple bass-chord accompaniment.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 16 Dec 02 - 01:49 PM

Wouldn't abc be easier?
Harmony can do most of what you want, but you would have to save the MIDI to a file first, as it cannot import directly from a keyboard.
Harmony can easily add a bass/chord accompaniment, either generating the chords itself, or using chords you specify.
Lyrics can be added from a text file (or from abc W: lines). By clicking on the appropriate notes, a word at a time can be imported from the file, and they will be displayed aligned to the notes.

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 16 Dec 02 - 01:54 PM

Mark Clark:

Your unlock code is (or should be - I hope!) 1383202
(I don't seem to be able to send email at the moment)

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 16 Dec 02 - 02:02 PM

Just to clarify - during the week I am away from home, and my time online is limited to a slot at the Internet Cafe at work. The machine is well locked down, and allows very little to be done. Only IE and hotmail are possible!

The good news is that I have plenty of development time in the evenings on my laptop.

Ed:
HARMONY is a 'Tune Processor' which is mainly intended to take a melody and add value to it.

For example, add chords, add harmony voices, turn a tune into a round, turn a reel into a hornpipe, add effects, add lyrics, make it into a Karaoke file, and so on.

(There are plenty of other programs which just let you type a tune in and then print or play it.)

The import and export are obviously needed to get tunes in and out. The score display is needed to see and edit the tune. Printing is an extra, but not the main purpose.

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: Grab
Date: 17 Dec 02 - 08:41 AM

If I get some free time, I'll have a go with it.

Regarding portability, have you looked at Qt, wxWindows, or any other cross-platform environment? These give you a consistent API so you can port stuff between platforms without changing the source code (obviously you still need to recompile). Most of these are free if you're releasing your program under an open-source license. If you're writing something to sell though, you'll need to pay for them.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 17 Dec 02 - 08:59 AM

That would have been fine if I had started writing it today, but it is now 140 modules and 150k lines of code to rewrite!

Since I have only had a handful of registrations for 7 years' work, I would be better turning my attention to something more lucrative to fill my evenings!

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: GUEST,pavane
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 08:08 AM

Just a quick note. Some pillock / Jobsworth at the company Internet Cafe admin has managed to disallow access to almost
every web site, including Mudcat and Hotmail. I am using my laptop and mobile to post this, but I won't be able to get online
properly until the weekend.

Sorry for the delay!

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 07:18 AM

Just a note to all volunteer testers. I have put a progress page on my site, with details of bugs reported and enhancements requested.

It is in the same place, with password progress.

For those few who have been unable to get the new software to load, I hope to have a new version available soon, as a complete install.

Thanks for your help and Christmas Greetings to all.

Subject: RE: Call for software testers
From: pavane
Date: 26 Dec 02 - 12:55 PM

I have now uploaded a new version which I hope will solve the Unexpected Error problems, as it has a proper SETUP. It also has fixes to some of the problems already reported.