Bitstream Software - January News

Statistics

(updated 7:25 p.m on 14th February 99)

Bitstream Related:

Internal E-mails: 450

Phone Calls: 50

Website Visitors: 5105

EyeBrowse Related:

EyeBrowse 1.5 Downloads: 1669

EyeBrowse 1.0b Downloads: 312

Feedback Received: 21

News

(updated on 22nd February 1999)

21th February: Paul Leaves Bitstream Software

In the last few days Paul Wolfenden has declared his departure from Bitstream software, this is an unfortunate event that we shall have to work around because one of his ongoing projects was to complete a new version of EyeBrowse - version 1.6, but now we have doubts as to whether a new version can be developed for the end of this month. We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused and hope you will continue to support us. Please note: This will NOT effect the development of EyeBrowse 1.75 and 2.

We always do this by the way! Paul hasn't left at this point really, we had an argument and I've thrown him out!

15th February: EyeBrowse 1.6 announced

In the typical style of a Bitstream Software announcement, I am proud to tell you all that we (well, mostly me actually) have decided to release EyeBrowse 1.6. There is good reason for this in my view. I have personally stuggled hard to earn us some recognition since we began in October 1998, by submitting to endless search engines, making a noise in relevant newsgroups and making friends everywhere I can. All of this effort has led to over 5000 website visitors, and over 2100 downloads of our software directly from here. To me this is not nearly enough. We have received very little feedback at all on anything, and this upsets us both. Sorry, losing the point here. Back to the story; EyeBrowse 1.6 is due for release within two weeks, to bridge the gap between 1.5 and 1.75/2.0, and also to update a tired looking program. Another good reason is EB 1.5 still bears the Spark Multimedia Productions name and logo, which is probably confusing quite a few people out there who didn't know about our change a while back. EyeBrowse 1.6 is being designed and programmed mostly by myself, while Kris works hard on getting EyeBrowse 2 finished as soon as possible.

11th February: EyeBrowse Website is born

Decided yesterday at the same time as the renewing of EB 2, a completely new website dedicated to our graphic viewer EyeBrowse has been born. We deemed it necessary due to the growth of this program from simple excercise in programming to full shareware product. The new website has been begun and is already taking excellent shape. It shall be officially released with EyeBrowse 1.75 and 2.0, although there will probably be previews before then.

10th February: EyeBrowse 2 is started again!

Oops, this is the first bit of news for ages. Who cares though I doubt anyone in the world bothers reading this news page anyway. Which makes me wonder why I bother. Oh well. Anyway, EyeBrowse 2 was started again today, after a meeting between the programmer and visual developer. This means it shall be delayed even more than it already is, but also that it shall be a much better product, and worthy of anyones $10. It really is going to be something special. Expect it sometime in March. We hope.

27th January: DigiClock Version 1 released

Totally unanounced and not even in existence a week ago, we are releasing our latest little application, DigiClock. This program is Paul Wolfenden's first proper program, and despite this and only six days programming experience, it is quite good really. Learn more and download it from the new DigiClock page.

24th January: Kristan returns to Bitstream Software

As anticipated last week, Bitstreams lead programmer Kristan Dyson, makes his official return to the company, retaining the exact position as before he quit just over two weeks ago. His departure has actually had a very positive effect on us both, becuase we are now in a far stronger position than before. Firstly, the website redsign went ahead weeks early, and the technical support pages for EyeBrowse finally got completed. Then development started on EyeBrowse 1.75 and 2.0, with a full internal beta only 1 week away from now. As well as all that, Visual Developer Paul Wolfenden has taken up programming himself, to strengthen the company in many obvious ways. After only three days of learning (really!), we can announce that a new program is already on the way! Stay tuned.

17th January: Kristan's return to Bitstream imminent

After much communication between visual developer and current head of Bitstream Software, Paul Wolfenden, and the ex-programmer Kristan Dyson, I now have the privilege of informing you that Kristan's return looks likely. Terms and conditions are currently being drawn up and it is expected that Kristan shall be back as Bitstream's programmer and co-director within the following week.

15th January: New EyeBrowse coming soon

EyeBrowse 1.5 has been out for one and a half months now, and so it is time for something new. So we are pleased to announce that the next EyeBrowse (version number not yet determined) shall be released on Monday 25th January, although this date is subject to change at the current time. So, how can we release EyeBrowse without a programmer? Well, Kristan is currently working for Bitstream as a 'freelance' programmer, but he is likely to be coming back to us shortly. The next EyeBrowse is going to be brilliant. For a screenshot click here. However, a screenshot cannot do justice to what this program shall be like, so join the mailing list to receive the newsletter next week.

12th January: Temperature Converter Version 0.3 released

Yes, in a way this is a joke release. Since Kristan quit SMP/Bitstream, I thought I would try some programming myself, so I am pleased to announce this little utility. OK, so it is basically the sample application that VB teaches you how to program, but I have made it better and am just messing about really. Download by clicking here.

11th January: Kristan's official resignation now available in audio

You can now download ex-programmer Kristan Dyson's resignation from Bitstream speech in RealAudio format. To hear the file, you will need an audio player capable of playing RealAudio files, such as RealPlayer. To download Kristan's resignation speech, click here (116k). If you cannot download it that way, right click on the link and select 'Save as...'.