XaReg revisited

Administrator Note: This is the post that started this forum and the project. I've since broken this thread up into different threads in this forum for topics that arose, the name of the project, resource material, project volunteers who need to be added to the SourceForge project.

Now that we have lost Bill there will be no update to version 9 for XaReg. I am willing to try and recreate it in C# with help. However, I am already older than Bill, so this time I think we need a plan for continuity. So, is there anyone out there who would like to help? Microsoft has an Express version of C# that is free, so that should not be a problem. Also any suggestions for a way to make it open source?

Hi Grace—

I know nothing of c# or C programming in general, but a friend of mine who uses Xara does. I'll ask him to at very least chime in here.

I volunteer whatever interface design and/or graphics skills might be needed to the project. I miss Bill, too.

My Best,

Gary

I think this is wonderful! I can't help with coding but I too would be glad to offer any graphics design services that might be needed.

The coding is not a problem, I can handle that. But I will take everyone up on the other help. I am already a member of SourceForge, so that seems like a good place to start.

I had actually thought about contacting Bill, well before I had learned he had passed, to see if he would consider making his source opensource, since he was openly discussing a total re-write.

I've since thought about starting such a project, but, other things seem to bubble to the top of the todo list.

I'm willing to help where necessary and as time permits. I've done a fair amount of coding, but not so much in C#. I have VS2012 and can compile and test updates as needed.

If I can be of help, let me know.

Regards,

Steven...

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Originally Posted by Barbara B

Set up a repository at GitHub or SourceForge or the like. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compar...ing_facilities

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Codeplex is popular for Microsoft specific platforms: http://www.codeplex.com/

I agree with Barbara (sorry Gary :) ) I think the same thing with Xtender as with Xtensions it implies extending or adding to the software which is not what this will do.

I would also like to volunteer to do a download page using Xara that could have links to the open source repository as well as download links and links to discussions here at TG

Hi Frances,

I'm not sure what or where a download page is/would be, but I think that we are getting a bit ahead of ourselves here. We don't have a name yet, a licence picked, a fourm setup nor has a single line of code been written. Let's slow down and take this step by step. OK.

How about "Xoquili"?

I would like to suggest that the project be open source, available for anyone to inspect and submit changes.

If the developers need to know anything about the registry settings and what they do just ask any of us Xara guys on the forum. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we'd all be happy to help.

Phil

I like XaraRegistryEditor (XRE) at the moment. I will wait a few days before doing anything. Any ideas for the form? I was quite happy with the original in XaReg. If nothing else it makes it easier for people used to the current version.

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Originally Posted by PhilM

How about "Xoquili"?

I would like to suggest that the project be open source, available for anyone to inspect and submit changes.

If the developers need to know anything about the registry settings and what they do just ask any of us Xara guys on the forum. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we'd all be happy to help.

Phil

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Quite nice, Phil.

Thank you, Mike

What I mean by download page (yes, I understand this is jumping ahead too fast but I just want to clarify) is a single page website that we could perhaps host at MAGIX that would be a simple page with a download link for the new utility and a link to the open source repository (SourceForge or what ever Grace decides on) Perhaps the page could also include credits and thank you's for anyone who volunteers any work on the project as well as a product description/history and perhaps a dedication in memory of Bill.

Of all the names we've come up with so far my favourite is XART , not because it's my suggestion but because as well as being an abbreviation for Xara Registry Tool it looks like a word and can be pronounced like a word. I suppose we could go XARE for Xara Registry Editor but I think that's coming too close to Xara and could lead to confusion.

I think it would be a good idea to have Sledger's input here as he worked very closely with Bill on this project. I don't know whether he had access to Bill's source code etc but I'm sure he'd have some important input.

I'm sure any input from Steve would be welcomed.

Though a great idea to have xareg up to date.
But shouldn't these regedit adjustments be under options within the program ?
Since PhilM is glad help he'd might shed some light on this as why it isn't

Hans

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Originally Posted by haakoo

But shouldn't these regedit adjustments be under options within the program?

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Very good question!

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Originally Posted by Egg Bramhill

I think it would be a good idea to have Sledger's input here as he worked very closely with Bill on this project. I don't know whether he had access to Bill's source code etc but I'm sure he'd have some important input.

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I think by now Steve has seen this thread, and more importantly he knows he's welcome to contribute. Yes, input would be much appreciated, Steve, and you'd be right next to a partner in spirit.

Even if I don't design or add anything to this project, I'm still very, very pleased to know that the community is doing something for the community, and that it's a fitting tribute to the memory of Bill Taylor. I love "Xoquili" as a name, by the way, but if it's not chosen, Bill is honored by the project in no small way regardless.

-g

There are two reasons for not providing UI in the program for all of the options in the registry:
1. The extra options stored in the registry are variously; specialised/arcane/dangerous/experimental/not-commonly-used/not-officially-supported/old/enabling-legacy-behaviour. They are not things that will be useful to the vast majority of users.
2. The Options dialog would be huge if it had to represent all this stuff and would intimidate most users. Similarly the documentation for the options would be enormous and difficult to maintain.

Phil

I agree with Phil. Most including me could really mess up their program. I generally shy away from anything that messes with the registry simply because I don't know what I am doing. My son does muck with the registry a little if necessary but he does so with caution knowing full well the dangers. I like the name "Xoquili" and if there is anything I can do to help I will. I sincerely hope Steve joins in this project and I am sure his input would be invaluable.

You know, if there are any registry entries added to this project, perhaps someone should check out "Dear Xara" and see what's do-able or a popular request.

For example, long-time users had wanted the Spacebar used to switch the current tool to the previous, for toggling while tasking. And a stand-alone tweak was created, I believe, on Gary P.'s Shareware list on the Xone.

So if there's anything neat but non-volatile that seems to be a popular Wish List request, would it hurt to consider one or two?

Just my 2¢,

Gary

I will start work on a design document. That will contain a list of all the registry entries. We can start from there. If the development guys have such a list already all the better.

Come Frances, I think it is a great name. Either we use as has been suggested here "Xoquili" or keep its original name and in my mind both honour what both Bill & Steve did. As more & more people get newer and newer O.S. more and more are going to get frustrated of the size of the "blob" handles of selected nodes and either a programme like this or even Xara are going to have to tackle the problem. Like like the idea of keeping it in our community if we have enough of the talent here to code.

@Grace, if this "Name Game" is putting any pressure or confusion on you, please tell us to stop it, okay?

A name is a name, ultimately. We need to arrive at the product. Look at how many people made fun of the name "iPad". And now it's commonly accepted and everyone wants one.

-g

P.S.-By the way, a member just asked if there is a shortcut key combo for the Animation Frame Gallery, to Copy the current frame, so you can concentrate on your work and not have to leave the area you're working on to click the "Copy" button. I see in Utilities>Keyboard Shortcut commands that there's nothing for the Animation Gallery.

Is this something that could be added via this project, Grace? Adding keyboard commands for items not listing within the Xara UI?

Gary, as with XaReg, I think the purposes of this utility is enable editing of the existing registry keys, not provide additional program functionality within the program ;)
So, unless there is a registry key which enables that key combo, that is currently set to disabled, then no I doubt it.

On that note - I think it would be an idea to outline early what this tool is, what it does and what is does not do/provide to prevent developers of it from being bogged down with questions of "Can it do this", or Xara program feature suggestions such as "Can you add this functionality to my program" which should be placed in Dear Xara instead.

Sorry, Pete, I had a brain hiccup. :(

Of course this would be a new feature, or an expansion of the current Keyboard Shortcuts currently in Xara, and not something changed in the Registry.

I'll post this on "Dear Xara", thanks. Although I posted this for another member, I think it would be welcome to list and be able to assign keys to all possible commands.

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Originally Posted by gracehjs

I will start work on a design document. That will contain a list of all the registry entries. We can start from there. If the development guys have such a list already all the better.

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FYI: Here is the thread that Bill had started requesting input when he was considering updating XaReg. There may be useful requests and registry entries in it.

http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthre...egarding-XaReg

One thing I hadn't realised, XaReg looks to see what versions of Xara software is on your system. So it will work for the new release, as long as the registry hasn't changed. Of course no new stuff can be added.

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Originally Posted by gracehjs

One thing I hadn't realised...

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Yes, Bill (and Steve ) did a very thorough job developing XaReg.

There are some registry keys posted in this thread you might want to have a look at.http://www.talkgraphics.com/showthre...233#post475233

I have a request:

Is there something in the Registry that determines the area where you can accurately hit a node?

I either need glasses, or a larger cursor, or something a programmer might be able to provide to lessen the errors for example, when I try to reshape a rectangle with the selector tool, and wind up moving the rectangle instead of hitting the control point I need.

For all the things one might say about CorelDRAW, the larger-than-life control points are easy to click on.

TIA,

Gary

There is Gary :) Hit detect, end hit detect AND the blob (node) sizes in XaReg2 (as it was in XaReg too)

Looking at XaReg22 on the sizes tab, you can change the size of selection handles.

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Originally Posted by Gare

I have a request:

Is there something in the Registry that determines the area where you can accurately hit a node?

I either need glasses, or a larger cursor, or something a programmer might be able to provide to lessen the errors for example, when I try to reshape a rectangle with the selector tool, and wind up moving the rectangle instead of hitting the control point I need.

For all the things one might say about CorelDRAW, the larger-than-life control points are easy to click on.

TIA,

Gary

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Thank you both Grace and John for the advice.

Lordy, if this was CorelDRAW, this node size thing would be under Options in the program, not the Registry!

My Best,

Gary