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If you’re a *heavy* Clips user, I’d like to talk to you!

Can you please send me an email? aaron at conceitedsoftware dot com, and make the subject line “Clips Maniac”

In this email, please describe the following… how many clips do you have the application set to save? What kinds of things do you use Clips for?

We have a beta we’d like to get some help testing. That said, it’s going to be a SMALL group – we’re thinking maybe 10 people total.

You have to be willing to run beta software and file detailed bug reports if you run into problems. Things may break. You need to be prepared for that.

Any takers?

Cheers,

Aaron Kulbe

So yesterday Apple introduced the iPhone 4 at their annual developer’s conference, WWDC. Details of the phone have not been a secret, but Apple did have a few hidden gems.

• The back case of the phone is made out of aluminosilicate glass, which is the same type of glass used in the windshields of helicopters and high-speed trains and is comparable in hardness to a Sapphire crystal. Based on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, sapphire is rated at a nine (9); bested only by the diamond at ten (10). This should be very resistant to scratches while providing both signal accessibility and an extreme sense of build quality. One of my major gripes of the 3G(s) iPhones were that they do not pass the creak test, they flex and scratch extremely easily.
• FaceTime: no-setup video chatting while on WiFi. The concept is very simple, if two people have the iPhone 4, they can simply call each other’s cellphone number and press the FaceTime button to convert the call to a video chat. There is no setup required other than the fact that you have iPhone 4 on both ends. Until now, voice chat has yet to really catch on. Requiring a WiFi connection is an unfortunate side effect of slow network providers, however I am looking forward to testing it’s viability over 3G with the My3G application (available in Cydia, removes the WiFi restriction for applications).
• Three-axis gyroscope. This is great news for iPhone gamers. Sony’s PS3 console has similar technology in their Sixaxis controllers, providing six-axis motion sensing . I’ve used it in a few games and it is pretty cool; very Wii-like. As Apple states on their website:
  

  When paired with the accelerometer, it makes iPhone 4 capable of advanced motion sensing such as user acceleration, angular velocity, and rotation rate. Translation: More motion gestures and greater precision for an even better gaming experience.

• The addition of a second microphone on the top of the phone for noise cancelation is a welcome one. The Nexus One from Google features the same configuration and it does help out a ton.
• HD Video Recording and iMovie for iPhone. I can’t say I expected this one. Being able to shoot, edit, and publish 720p HD video directly from your phone is a really compelling feature for a device that you carry with you virtually everywhere.

Overall, I’m very impressed with the offering Apple unleash on June 24th (you can pre-order on June 15th, and I suggest that you do if you are interested in picking one up). I think that the new additions in hardware and the new features in iOS 4 further push Apple ahead of the competition.

Note: This is a repost from my personal blog.

Some of you have expressed concern about a lack of response from Conceited Software for issues with its applications. Bugs were submitted and you wonder why no feedback or response was given. Let me explain some things that I’ve learned.

For our ticketing system, we use activeCollab. We found out that there is a bug with activeCollab. When you submit a bug to us and we make a comment on it, and email you with the comment content… emails are not getting sent. We were responding, but you weren’t getting our responses. We’re working out a fix for the activeCollab issue that should make communication and issue tracking even easier.

Another issue mentioned was forum registration. We were using Google Apps for email and hit the daily limit on emails, and we ended up having to set up our own email server. There were some issues caused during that server migration, that should be fixed now. I myself had this issue with forum registration, so I understand how frustrating it is.

Since I have started working for Conceited Software, I am taking time to go through the emails, and tickets opened, and get back to each of you. I’ve been working on keeping up with your emails (as they come in) since the day that I started, and working backwards through the backlog. This means that there may be some delay for the older emails, but rest assured, there is *no* radio silence going on here at Conceited.

Our priorities are giving you both first-class software and support!

Just wanted to give you a quick update that Linkinus for iPad 1.1 *just* hit the App Store. Update when you get a chance!

This has the much-wanted SSL fixes. There is more detail below:

- SSL support improved

- Added dialog to trust self-signed SSL certificates

- Fixed a crash in the input field

- Improved channel topic display

- Performance improvements when scrolling

There are other fixes and enhancements planned for future releases, and I will update you as I have more information.

Cheers,
Aaron Kulbe
a.k.a. SuperLag

UPDATE: It appears that some users are reporting crashing when clicking on links in 1.1. We found and fixed the issue and submitted 1.1.1 to Apple for approval. Sorry for the inconvenience.

UPDATE: 1.1.1 was approved and released on 6/21 – please update now!

While I am still learning about programming, I like the general idea… that is, developers scratching itches.

A lot of programs start out by doing just that. A developer has a personal need, and then writes an application to meet that need.

It’s how I approach purchasing software, as well. I needed an IRC client for work. We use it to share information about support calls, in real time. Being a Mac user, I wanted something with some *beauty* to it. Something in GUI form. That’s what good Mac apps are made of.

I’d used irssi previously, but as someone said today on IRC, that’s using the terminal in a way it wasn’t intended to be used. Why resort to a hack, when you can use something that builds on the strengths of the Mac?

Linkinus scratches my itches. I like an app with a well-designed interface. As I’ve said before, I think Linkinus is the best-looking IRC client on the market.

I needed an IRC client that had the options that Linkinus provides, and it’s only going to get better from here!

What do *you* use IRC for? How does Linkinus meet your needs?

Come on in to #linkinus on the Conceited network. Share your stories with us!

Aaron Kulbe a.k.a. SuperLag

Yes. It seems so quiet at Conceited, it makes you wonder what is going on… are we still making new products, updating things?

I had this same question before I came to work here. Honestly, I thought there weren’t going to be any more updates, and that only new products would come out. The reality is, there’s a lot being worked on…

Both Clips and Linkinus are being worked on. In that order.

Clips – the update is significant, with abbreviations, better RAM usage, and a new editing GUI, and documentation updates.

Linkinus – is going to see some major things happening…

NEW – an iPhone version. This is still being worked on, and isn’t ready for primetime yet.

UPDATE – iPad version with some SSL fixes (which has already been submitted to the App Store, and is pending approval!)U

UPDATE – Linkinus Mac… with several fixes, including memory usage, and filter persistence.

Are you ready? I’m ready!

I really like quality software, written by indie Mac developers, and Linkinus is no exception. When I saw it, I bought it. I loved it. There is no better IRC client for the Mac, in my opinion.

That said, I ran into some issues with Linkinus… my response to said issues was to submit bugs, and wait. I had no idea how many things the Conceited Software dudes were up to, and already had on their plate.

I spoke with drudge about it in #linkinus, and he was refreshingly candid with me. I asked him how I could help…. so here I am.

My name is Aaron. On IRC, I go by SuperLag. I currently hail from the Portland, OR area.

My goal is to be the face of support for Conceited Software, and talk about their products. My goal is to educate users about the quality software that we’re making, and help make it even better.

This will include handling support requests on IRC, and working through bug submissions and feature requests, as well as writing posts about ways to make your work easier by using our products.

I will be available for support in the various product channels on Conceited’s IRC network, as well as via email.

Feel free to help me earn my keep!

Aaron Kulbe
aaron@conceitedsoftware.com

As promised, Linkinus 1.0.1 has passed Apple’s approval process and is available in the App Store.

What’s new?

• Added interface for adding custom networks
• Added support for extended /server syntax: ‘/server hostname:port password’ (standard server) and ‘/server hostname:+port password’ (SSL server)
• Fixed an issue with the ‘/whois nickname’ command
• Fixed a bug where channels/connections wouldn’t be deleted appropriately
• Redesigned app icon

Screenshots

Here is a screenshot of the new custom server screen:


We also made some slight modifications to the interface to make things a little easier to use. For example, you no longer have to go into Edit mode to connect or disconnect to servers. Simply click on the blue disclosure button and you’re off to the races.

The navigation bar button layout has changed a bit, so that the + and Edit buttons are aligned more closely with Apple’s built-in applications and now the Channels tab is the default, allowing you to start chatting immediately after opening the app.

This should address our two most requested features: Custom servers and SSL. We’re already hard at work on version 1.1, subscribe to our RSS feed to stay up to date on the latest and greatest.

Hey guys!

Some of our new customers are reporting that there is no way to connect to custom servers or IRC networks not provided on the list. It is true that there is not currently any user interface for doing so, however it is possible to join custom servers using the /server standard IRC command. Simply click in the input bar, type /server followed by your host and port and you are off to the races.

An Update is on the way

We have an update, which includes a user interface for adding your own servers, specifying an optional server password if so desired, as well as some additional bug fixes. We will be finishing our testing and submitting the update for Apple’s approval tomorrow.

Linkinus for iPad is at a very early stage and will continue to improve. If you have any suggestions or bugs to report, please let us know!

Update: If there are any IRC networks out there that aren’t on our list and would like to be, please contact us and we’ll add it ASAP.

Linkinus for iPad has arrived.

With the US iPad launch in just a few hours, we are extremely pleased to announce Linkinus for iPad. Linkinus, the most powerful and flexible internet relay chat (IRC) software is now available on your brand new iPad. It’s easy to use and newcomers will instantly feel right at home thanks to its elegant design and over 330 built-in networks. We are launching with the introductory price of $7.99.

While Linkinus for iPad is at a very early stage, it provides many great features provided in the Mac version, including:

• Network selector helps you pick servers from the most popular chat networks
• Connect to an unlimited number of networks and channels
• Highlights: IRC can be overwhelming, but with Linkinus you’ll never miss an important message. When someone mentions your nickname, that line will be highlighted so you don’t miss it.
• Identities: it’s you, on IRC. Save your preferred and alternate nicknames in a reusable fashion. And if you provide password credentials, Linkinus will automatically authenticate to NickServ, NickOP, Q, X, G, SrvAuth and AuthServ.
• Displays IRC colors
• Autoconnect/autojoin features
• All standard IRC commands supported from the input field, such as: /me, /all, /away, /ban, /bankick, /clear, /nick, /join, /query, /notice, /quit, /part, /topic, /server, …)
• Blowfish support in channels & queries (/setkey sets the key, /delkey removes it, /key shows it). Automatic key exchange is also support via /keyx
• Channel op commands (/op, /deop, /voice, /devoice, /halfop, /dehalfop, …)
• OPER commands (/oper, /kill, /gline, …)
• Exploding emoticons (tap to cause them to explode)

Linkinus for iPad costs $7.99 for a limited amount of time, and is available now in the App Store.