Gym Beat Development

2007-01-30T08:36:00.000Z

Didn't really do much work yesterday as I ended up helping a friend fill in a job application form.

2007-01-29T09:08:00.000Z

Didn't do much work over the weekend due to 'family issues'. I will attempt to get some more work done over this coming week.

Change of Direction

2007-01-28T11:45:00.000Z

Gym Beat is now going to have a web based version aswell.

The desktop and the web based version will sync with each other when the user is online.

Keeping things moving

2006-06-10T09:22:00.000+01:00

Ok I finally bought some webspace and I'm going to start splitting the software into more manageable chuncks...you can take a look at my new site at http://www.jktsoftware.co.uk

Life got in the way

2006-05-25T22:43:00.000+01:00

I intend to get back to doing some development soon. I've just had a crazy workload lately and unfortunately some things took a back seat.

Releases

2006-04-16T00:05:00.000+01:00

I have decided to start making 'alpha' releases of my software so that any interested parties can see how the software is progressing.

If you are an inexperienced user, please do not install 'alpha' releases, please wait until I get it to at least a 'beta' or 'release candidate' stage before attempting an installation.

Stay tuned ;)

db4o

2006-04-08T23:29:00.000+01:00

Well I have been experimenting with database's and I have decided to use db4o as the default embedded database for my product. Its easy to use, easy to integrate, and generally does what it says on the tin without complaint.

While investigating possible databases I had a disastrous experience with SQL Server Express where it kept on complaining about sqlncli.msi being corrupted, which I fixed (long story), but I would never want a potential user to go through the same pain I did.

In saying that, I will probably find some way of supporting SQL Server Express, Oracle Express, and DB2 at a later date so that more advanced users can use a database of there choice.

Lots of work

2006-03-29T00:13:00.000+01:00

Well I did a lot of work today and to be honest, this is the first time I have actually thought that I might actually complete a first version of this thing.

The codebase does have a few overkill things in it, but, what seems like overkill will save me a lot of work in the future I think.

Test Driven Development

2006-03-26T23:18:00.000+01:00

I have decided to include unit testing as part of my project as this will enhance the quality of the product I intend to distribute.

Unfortunately this is mainly 'backend' development so this means that I haven't been working on any cool 'whiz bang' type stuff.

The product I'm using is called NUnit

Thinking

2006-03-21T22:40:00.000Z

Thinking about my next move.

I haven't written much code since the last update, but I expect to be writing alot of code in the next few days and weeks ahead :)

Overengineering

2006-03-17T18:33:00.000Z

Ok, I got a little side tracked this time, started overengineering and then realised that perhaps it doesnt actually need to control the space shuttle just yet ;)

I do have a few good ideas, but I will add them at a later time instead of trying to do it all at once :)

Thankfully I didn't go to far down the overengineering route, and I'm now back on track :)

Simplifying the Interface

2006-03-16T21:55:00.000Z

I'm currently simplifying the interface between the business logic and the presentation layer as simple communication between the presentation layer (the GUI) and the business layer (the application logic) will make it easier to use other GUI technologies such as GTK#, Python or Open Laszlo.

Added a few forms

2006-03-14T21:01:00.000Z

No screenshot this time ;)

I've been working on the back end business and data logic and so I don't have any 'Wizz Bang' eye candy to show you just quite yet ;) That's going to take time ;) Besides it looks like I might need some assistance with the Icons as lets face it, I'm about as artistically talented as a brick :)

'Eye candy' isn't my first priority at the moment, but it is certainly a consideration, after all, I want the user to find the program useful, and I also want him/her to have a positive user experience when using it ;)

Started work on analysis

2006-03-11T15:05:00.000Z

Well I have started adding the graphing/analysis features, although there isn't anything much behind it yet with regards to analysis :)

Added a little bit more

2006-03-10T18:53:00.000Z

Ok I've started fleshing out the business layer a bit and adding bits to the first two 'logging' forms.

I figure if I just add a little bit at a time as and when I can I will eventually have a simple tool that will be of use to people (or at least of use to me) :)

It starts with the first lines of code

2006-03-09T10:29:00.000Z

Well they say it starts with the first lines of code, so here is a screen shot of version 0.00001. No functionality at all added yet :)

Starting Development

2006-03-09T09:52:00.000Z

I started this blog to document the creation of a new open source tool I've started to create. Hopefully through creating this blog, it will provide a way for people to provide feedback on the design decisions I make, and also provide a way of maintaining momentum until it is completed :)