HOT NEWS 
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This page contains news relating to the software, and other things relating
to me in some way. Enjoy.
SLang version 2.3.1 released (21.1.09)
A new version of SLang has been released. For more details see the
Release Notes.
ScriptMaker version 2.03 released (20.1.09)
A new version of ScriptMaker has been released. For more details see the
Release Notes.
Storyboard Tools version 1.7.4 released (19.1.09)
A new version of Storyboard Tools has been released. For more details see the
Relase Notes.
Change of Email address (19.1.09)
My Email address has changed. The buttons on the
Contact page have been updated to reflect this. I will
be releasing new versions of the software to reflect this important
change in due course.
Registration fees increase (24.08.08)
Unfortunately, owing to the increases I've endured in various charges including
domain and hosting fees and bank charges, not to mention the decline in the value
of the dollar and the depressed state of things generally, I've had to increase
the initial registration fee for ScriptMaker and Storyboard Tools by $5. Sorry.
The cost of additional licenses remains the same.
ScriptMaker 2.02 released (11.5.07)
A few minor fixes have been made, mainly relating to the RTF export.
For more details please see the
Release Notes.
Website back to normal (11.5.07)
This website went down for a couple of days earlier this week
but has now thankfully been restored. I have taken steps to try
to prevent this from happening again. However, the increasing
popularity of the software is still putting a strain on the bandwidth.
Back to normal...ish (2.2.07)
Normal service has been resumed. The downloads work again, BUT...
Recently someone posted a very favourable review of SLang on a popular
download site called
DownloadSquad.com.
This was enough to practically double my website traffic over night and after
a couple of days I exceeded my monthly bandwidth allowance on ianpegler.co.uk
which is where I store the ZIP files of my software.
My bandwidth was restored on February 1st. but inital indications are that
the volume of traffic is still a bit higher than normal. So long as it doesn't
tip over the edge again I'm quite happy.
Bandwidth exceeded!! 26.1.07
So many of you have been downloading my software that this month (Jan. '07)
I exceeded my monthly bandwidth limit on ianpegler.co.uk. This means that until
February the 1st, it will not be possible to download any more of the ZIP files.
The last time this happened I forked out more money to pay for extra bandwidth
so that you lucky people could continue downloading. However, of late I have not
received enough money from shareware registration fees to justify forking out
any more cash.
On the one hand it's very heartening to know that my software continues to be
popular. On the other hand, it's disheartening that so few people opt for
the shareware, and just continue to download the freeware. I really don't
think $20 is a lot of money, even for a hard up student.
If this situation continues, I will have to look at my options. Please
support this website, so that it can continue for the benefit of all.
Ian.
Changes to technical support (27.11.06)
I have decided to drop fees for technical support and donations
towards freeware. Henceforth, until further notice, technical support
will be free of charge but you will be
requested to make a
donation for technical support instead.
Those who can afford the $20 registration fee for the shareware version
are urged to upgrade.
SLang version 2.3 released (30.10.06)
One minor bug fix, affecting countries where the decimal point is
not a '.' . See the
Release Notes
for further details.
ScriptMaker version 2.01 released (31.3.06)
The latest release of ScriptMaker 2 fixes several small bugs and
enables you to configure the spell-checker to use different dictionaries.
A new example script is included which replaces the old one.
See the
Release Notes
for more information on the changes.
ScriptMaker version 2.0 has arrived!!! (9.03.06)
A new trialware version is now available which has many new features
including a spelling-checker and thesaurus!
See the
Release Notes
for more information on the changes.
As with Storyboard Tools, the new trialware version may be used free of
charge for the first 30 days, and costs $20 for a single user/machine
license.
Good news for MacIntosh users! (15.12.05)
I've had a report back from one of my ST users that
Storyboard Tools
MAY work on a MacIntosh via a PC emulator called Virtual PC.
The details of his setup were as follows:
MAC: Dual 2G with 2 G of RAM
OS: 10.3.9
Virtual PC: v7.0.2 running Windows XP HOME
I would like further feedback from users to know how well Storyboard Tools
(and the other software) performs under Virtual PC. I have been asking for
feedback on this matter since 1999! Hopefully it won't take another six years
before one of you e-mails me again!
ScriptMaker 1.18 released (6.10.05)
Minor changes to the XML import & paste routines. Zero values are allowed
in storyboard references. See the
Release Notes
for more information.
ScriptMaker 1.17 released (21.9.05)
Some minor changes, see the
Release Notes
for more information.
ScriptMaker 1.16 released (3.9.05)
Just one bug fix in this one, but quite important if you are in a country
where the decimal separator is a "," rather than a ".". This bug was in the
code introduced in 1.15, and results in an error message something like
"1.5 is not a valid floating-point value". Hopefully this has now been fixed
for good.
Yes, it does work under NT
I am always grateful for feedback. I have finally received an e-mail from an NT
user confirming that ScriptMaker works under NT, in which case the other two
programs might work under NT as well. Please keep me informed.
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ScriptMaker version 1.15 released (24.8.05)
The latest version of ScriptMaker has a few minor changes to address
issues with margin settings, and a few other changes.
Storyboard Tools now only $20!!! (11.8.05)
As some of you may have noticed, Storyboard Tools has had its price SLASHED
from $55 (or 30 UKP) to $20.
In addition, to simplify things, I am now only charging in one currency,
i.e. dollars.
I have made this decision because I have noticed that Storyboard Tools
has not been selling as well as I hoped, and a poll conducted on this site
seemed to suggest that $20 was a more realistic fee.
It is still my belief that Storyboard Tools is a good quality piece
of software. It has been developed since 1996 and I have spent a great
deal of effort writing and maintaining it. I hope you think that it
is worth $20 (that's about ten pounds in the U.K.). Personally I think
$20 is a fantastic deal.
P.S. There is no such thing as "naked profit". In fact I am
still making a loss.
Storyboard Tools 1.7 arrives (31.3.05)
There are not that many changes in this release BUT there are
some very important bug-fixes. In particular, there was a wierd problem
with the save-routine in the old 1.6 version which meant that some projects
were not saving properly.
This bug has now been fixed.
Most importantly, I have asked my beta-testers to try it out under XP and
the good news is that they have told me that
the new version 1.7 works under Windows XP now that the bug
has been fixed (so it wasn't a platform issue after all!). It has
also been beta-tested sucessfully under Windows 2000.
Those who have payed for the old version 1.6 will be able to
download and install the new version 1.7 without having to register.
New website launched (31.3.05)
I have set up a new website dealing with my music and
writing business. Why not take a peek?
Virus alert (30.10.04)
If you want a reason for NOT using illegal software I've got one for you
RIGHT HERE.
I came across a "warez" site based in the States and decided to investigate.
Sure enough they were hosting an illegal copy of my software,
Storyboard Tools. In the course of visiting the web-page, several pop-ups
appeared on the screen and attempts were made to install software on
my PC. Although I clicked on "no" when asked if I wanted to install the
software, I still felt it necessary to scan my PC afterwards with Norton
Antivirus
TM. Doing so revealed that the adware known as "SynchroAd" had been
installed without my permission.
Although this adware doesn't do any harm, it causes pop-ups advertisements
to appear when you surf the web, which I'm sure most people will agree is
a pain. Although Norton detected the file, it failed to remove it. Doing so
manually proved difficult and involved editing the system registry which is
always a risky business.
I would urge all of you reading this not to use "warez" or "cracked" software.
It may seem like you're getting a bargain, but these sites are just in it
for money. They will sometimes try to install call-back dialers surreptitiously
on your computer, which will send your phone-bill through the roof.
Storyboard Tools users should be aware that
I will not be giving any e-mail
support to unregistered users. If you need any more reason to register,
consider the fact that I am just one guy with a PC, I'm a real person
with a name and a face. If you use a warez copy of ST, you are ripping me
off personally, just as suredly as if I was to steal money from your own
wallet. Storyboard Tools is only £30. Come on, it's hardly going to
break the bank.
Support charges to be introduced (27.10.04)
Charges will shortly be introduced for e-mail support for ScriptMaker,
SLang and Storyboard Tools. This is partly in response to the appearance
of illegal pirate versions of Storyboard Tools v1.6. I will henceforth e-mail
you a quote, and if you accept it I will send you a PayPal e-invoice which
I will expect you to pay before I give any advice. In addition, unregistered
users of Storyboard Tools will not receive any support until they have
registered.
The minimum charge will be £5 GBP. I would like to point out that
the this website is currently my
only source of income. Attempts to
undermine it will damage me personally and may result in the software and
this site being withdrawn. This site dissappeared for six months last year.
If it happens again it will be FOR GOOD. This will deprive not only me, but
other film-makers. So for goodness' sake, please behave responsibly
and professionally - don't use illegal copies of my software. Before you
moan at me please bear in mind that these charges have come about because
of the actions of selfish individuals who are encouraging others to
commit criminal offences which could see them face massive fines and
possibly even a jail sentence.
It goes without saying that I won't take kindly to anyone who e-mails
me for support if it becomes clear that they are using an illegal copy
of Storyboard Tools. I may even report you to the police, and/or sue
you. Similarly, pirates can also expect to be reported, for the simple
reason that I can't afford not to.
Storyboard Tools 1.6 Trialware arrives (16.8.04)
The long awaited Trialware version of Storyboard Tools has finally arrived and
may be downloaded from the download page.
The file format has not changed at all so you should be
able to upgrade seamlessly without needing to re-input any of your old
work. I promise you it'll be worth every penny.
SLang 2.2 arrives (16.8.04)
SLang 2.2 is now available for download. New features include an extended
help menu with functions for going to the online forum and, for e-mailing
the author (i.e. me) as well as one bug fix.
ScriptMaker 1.14 (Version one, revision fourteen) is here (21.7.04)
Another release of ScriptMaker has just arrived. This one fixes three bugs
including the bizarre '1.5 is not a valid float value.' message which used to
occur on PCs which didn't use a period "." as the decimal separator in the
Regional Settings. Hopefully this has now been fixed. Also, more functions
have been added to the Help menu to enable you to access the ScriptMaker
forum (hosted by Digital Matrix), send me an e-mail (don't all rush at
once!) or to access this website. See the
release notes for more details.
Next version of Storyboard Tools to be TRIALWARE (18.6.04)
The next version of Storyboard Tools (i.e. version 1.6) will be
TRIALWARE. This means that it will no longer be free. You will
be able to try it out free of charge for free for 30 days, but
if you want to use it after that you will have to pay. This change
has come about because of my present circumstances together with
the fact that banner advertising has not raised enough revenue.
Also I haven't had any donations or funding from elsewhere
whatsoever. The current version (v1.5) is still completely free
so get it while you still can.
Storyboard Tools on TechTV (30.4.04)
Storyboard Tools really was on TechTV recently, just on a different
day from what I was told. You can still see the video clip from the
show by clicking on
this link,
and then clicking on the link in the "Video Highlight" box near the top.
Storyboard Tools to feature on Tech TV! (15.4.04 Source: TechTV)
Storyboard Tools will be featured on TechTV's
'Call for Help'
on the 23rd of April 2004. The show premieres at 3 p.m. Eastern
and repeats the following day at 9 a.m. Eastern.
It goes without saying that I'm very grateful for the publicity.
Somebody out there please watch and let me know how it goes!
