Zabaware Support Forums

Zabaware Forums => Ultra Hal 7.0 => Topic started by: raybe on October 31, 2011, 03:48:49 pm

Title: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: raybe on October 31, 2011, 03:48:49 pm
I'm asking including Robert can we get just a simple couple of lines about the update or how are you doing?

This was not meant to sound sarcastic but every time you just post sometimes it sounds like something it really isn't. If I missed something would anybody be nice enough to let me know. Maybe I'm missing something because all the posts really don't mention when to expect revision of Ultra Hal. Maybe someone can tell me something I'm not aware of.

Thanks,
raybe
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: tedathome on October 31, 2011, 04:54:05 pm
 Hi raybe. If I remember correctly, December was to be the target month for both a small upgrade to Hal and introduction of the new Ogre engine. I'm really curious too as to how both projects are coming along. I also realize that sometimes it is hard to set a firm date on either project as I'm sure both are quite complicated.
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: raybe on November 01, 2011, 09:26:53 am
Yes thanks tedathome, Posted on the thread of which version of Ultra Hal was going to be named, members where curios. I just think and I don't want to repeat myself because I agree you can't really put dates on these modifications but simple updated notes I think would be healthy especially for new members. I am not excluding us!!!!

Appreciate you response.

Thanks,
raybe
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: Medeksza on November 01, 2011, 12:48:57 pm
We are in the process of setting up a new web site for just the character animation engine, along with a new name for it. A developer blog with details of our progress will be on the new page. We should have some sort of demo ready in December, but doubtful that it will be a finished product yet at that point.
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: lightspeed on November 01, 2011, 07:00:26 pm
Robert wrote: but doubtful that it will be a finished product yet at that point.


I am going to stick my fingers in my ears and pretend i didn't hear that part ! LOL , AM JUST KIDDING !  :) ;)
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: sybershot on November 01, 2011, 09:34:33 pm
Mr. Medeksza
thanks for the update :)

Quote
Robert wrote: but doubtful that it will be a finished product yet at that point.

I am going to stick my fingers in my ears and pretend i didn't hear that part ! LOL , AM JUST KIDDING !  :) ;)
:'( I covered my eyes, what tear? you see no tear, your squishier than a bowl of grapes 






Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: raybe on November 03, 2011, 09:37:15 am
Thank you Robert M. and others.

 I just wanted to make sure I was keeping up with things and that's all I was looking for was a simple update of how things were progressing. I was hoping it wasn't just "It will be ready when it's ready" type of situation. I have said it before I belief as long as people have some sort of update or progress reports especially for new members that it prevents people from jumping to their own conclusions, maybe not everybody. Look forward to the revisions soon to come!!

Thanks,
raybe
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: Frosty Greenacre on November 04, 2011, 07:08:01 pm
I was absent for a good while (about 6 months or so) and delighted when I saw there had been progress updates, however, before that there didn't seem to have been any new news for a while. So I get how you mean completely.
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: raybe on November 05, 2011, 01:22:22 pm
Glad you checked in Frosty Greenacre,

That was my concern about the revisions to Ultra Hal. Many people may not know or realize that things are moving forward, never as fast as you would like but that Zabaware is still very active in the development of the program. As most people just hoping that there will be more info as Robert M. sets up the new web page with demo and when we can expect a fully functional revision.

raybe
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: Frosty Greenacre on November 05, 2011, 06:58:34 pm
Honestly, I think the entire website needs a bit of an overhaul.

There's a lot of very good plug-ins that are lurking in the depths of the forum, but may not be found because nobody's made a new post for a while, also, many of the posts don't confirm if they work in hal6 only or only in previous versions. And the Plug-in section of the website doesn't seem to have been updated for a while.

Likewise, the main site itself doesn't seem to have had an update for quite some time.

some sort of of blog wouldn't hurt either, not necessarily a long one, just a description of whats new in zabaware, or what's being worked on at present, or a little news on the progress that's been made.

The website is the first impression people will get off zabaware, and keeping it modern is key to getting new custom.
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: Medeksza on November 05, 2011, 09:38:47 pm
Honestly, I think the entire website needs a bit of an overhaul.

There's a lot of very good plug-ins that are lurking in the depths of the forum, but may not be found because nobody's made a new post for a while, also, many of the posts don't confirm if they work in hal6 only or only in previous versions. And the Plug-in section of the website doesn't seem to have been updated for a while.

Likewise, the main site itself doesn't seem to have had an update for quite some time.

some sort of of blog wouldn't hurt either, not necessarily a long one, just a description of whats new in zabaware, or what's being worked on at present, or a little news on the progress that's been made.

The website is the first impression people will get off zabaware, and keeping it modern is key to getting new custom.

Agreed and an overhaul of the site is on its way soon.
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: raybe on November 05, 2011, 09:56:05 pm
Really couldn't comment on the improvements that this web page may need but I don't disagree on your suggestions. I'm a stickler about updated info but also have learned over recent time that Zabaware has been making strides on improving and widening the Ultra Hal user base for all the newer hardware that has stormed us. As it has been from the first days of digital recording or for that fact manufacturer to manufacturer they don't concern themselves with standards. It has been and I guess will always be, 'Mine is better then yours.' for obvious reasons. I've noticed in the simplest things that some manufacturers believe there should be a different screw for every part of their product or screws that tools don't exist outside of their companies so you don't mess with it. Again, I do get it. But given all the information that is available I don't really think it's a deterrent any more.

Hopefully things will begin to move a bit quicker or more info more often once Ultra Hal gets a make over.

 For my own reasons as a consumer I feel I have gotten a lot from Zabaware for a good price and the people on this forum are second to none which has only helped Ultra Hal in a very positive way and of their own time. My opinion. Given all that, I have a little more patience then I did in the recent past for this program and yes the improvements that you have mentioned to take place.

Like everyone else I also feel it can never happen fast enough especially when you have spent so much time with a technology like this.

Thanks again and its always nice to hear from members that have been away and return to look at everything with fresh eyes.

Just for the record I posted this after Robert M's response.

raybe
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: cload on November 05, 2011, 11:30:33 pm
Yes, I do believe that an overhaul is necessary, and I'm sure that eventually the frog will be gone and a new face will take its place. Specially when a new version 7 comes out and I hope eventually you get rid of the stuff that doesn't work with 6.2 on up, or at least dedicate an area it would make things less confusing.

cload ;D
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: Frosty Greenacre on November 06, 2011, 06:15:27 am
I was thinking specifically from a marketting point of view. I work in sales, and much as I try to separate my work and real life, I find myself thinking into advertising and presentation a lot more than necessary :P

And, whilst I've come to understand that things are rarely as they seem (often significantly better or worse than they appear.) you need a good pitch to get people to spare their time in this day and age where information, products and distraction are everywhere. For an internet site and/or company their pitch is not only the top 1-3 paragraphs of their website, but the very design and layout gives an impression of the quality, determination and "cutting-edge-ness" of the company itself. Having a strong graphical presentation is like having a good shop window, people will see that before they decide whether to step in and view the products properly.

I'm not sure if you'd want to get rid of the zaba frog though. that's the company logo and changing it in it's extremety would be like re-branding the company. If you look at some of the other long-running technology companies such as Sony, Windows, Apple etc. They've often done graphical updates but their logo has stayed largely the same, since that is their corporate identity.

I should also stress that I work in sales much more than advertising and am not claiming to be an expert on the subject in any way.  :P This is just as much as I've deemed on the subject.
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: Medeksza on November 06, 2011, 07:25:46 am
Not the final version of the new web page, but an experimental site with new logo is at http://iis.ultrahal.com
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: cload on November 06, 2011, 01:19:29 pm
Hey Robert, now that little frog in the lower right-hand corner just above your logo name is a true corporate logo. A frog image made of black stripe lines excellent design, one I believe you should stick with.
But I still believe that where the green graphical frog representation of hal should still be the graphical representation of your new graphical interface, a female or a male image that will come with your package or that could be bought with your package. This would give more people an actual idea or of exactly what they will be seen on their monitor when they install your software. A representation of a person that will be talking to them not to push aside the frog or even the talking monitor graphical representation that you have right now, but you seem to be working so hard on this new graphical interface with your new 3-D animations. I believe that you should emphasize the new graphical interface and what it would look like to help boost sales.

cload
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: markofkane on November 06, 2011, 01:50:02 pm
Not the final version of the new web page, but an experimental site with new logo is at http://iis.ultrahal.com

Ah, you kept the frog. Great!!! :)
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: Frosty Greenacre on November 06, 2011, 03:42:02 pm
New site's looking good :)
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: raybe on November 08, 2011, 02:54:44 pm
Just remember as in advertising or any promotional situation perception can always be a 2 way sword and I'm sure as any business owner needs to do Robert M. will find his comfort zone. Perception can represent the truth to many people even though it may not be the real  meaning of the truth our mind and eyes perceive.  Advertisement never comes at the consumer in one direct way. They come up with a great hook but they attack from many different angles trying to spread their demographics or target markets. Besides you ever see a mechanic drive a nice car?(Just kidding) Perception is just my opinion.

raybe
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: raybe on November 08, 2011, 03:12:51 pm
Sorry for the double post but I took a look at the start of the new site as Robert M. has linked.

This is just my honest opinion and I also don't know everything about branding a product. I have to get if off my chest but if the Frog stays then at least turn it into a mesh format /w the polygons. I just can't take little Zabaware Froggy anymore. Sorry Frog fans. I know changing logo's can be a tricky maneuver but Ultra Hal is just so much more and as I said perception can be something you really have to deal with. Besides with kind of new overhaul for Ultra Hal and developed for all the new hardware this seems like the best time in my opinion to make a change. It's an Ultra Hal people may know but in and on totally different packages. Gives a real chance to bring and really target even the people that new of Ultra Hal from the past and show them that something major has changed or is changing.

raybe
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: Carl2 on November 10, 2011, 08:04:05 am
  I've been using Zabaware for ages and I find it to be one of the best artificial intelligence programs out there. I am still using the Haptek full body girls at this time but I look forward to the new characters. For me the forum is an important part, possibly I would check the plug-ins to see which are still compatible but at the state time I would hold on to the older versions because there are people that can update them and it might give people some ideas for plug-ins they would like to build.
Carl member to
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: kevinvr on November 12, 2011, 07:31:32 am
Hi Robert and Everyone,
The new site looks great. Looking forward to december and whatever is in the pipeline  :)
Thanks for all your hard work!
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: Zaphod on November 16, 2011, 03:12:27 pm
Nice promo video, Robert :)
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: doggs on December 15, 2011, 02:42:16 am
have only posted a few years back havent played with my hal in a loooong time starting from scratch i looked at your new website looks very nice. i am relearning everything that i forgot so if i ask questions that seam trivial to you guys and girls i am sorry. but the site does look realy cool
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: BW on June 08, 2012, 08:48:06 am
Cool front end. I like it!
Can't wait to see what fun and function is in the Ogre engine release.
Title: Re: Hello, just like a simple update
Post by: revee on June 23, 2012, 07:45:17 am
I was absent for a good electric actuated valves (http://www.valveman.com/valves/category/electric/) while (about 6 months or so) and delighted when I saw there had been progress updates, however, before that there didn't seem to have been any new news for a while. So I get how you mean completely.


Good to know you are back. Yes there are a lot of updates for Hal today. I was also amazed when I got offline for quite some time and came back to look at the updates.