Can't believe I haven't updated this blog in so long. My apologies.

As I've told a couple users via e-mail I've been spending my nights working on Paper Valet 3.0. I've given up on trying to bring the old code-base up to date; it's just doesn't lend itself to working with the current generation of tools and programming languages.

Current status of Paper Valet 3.0 is as follows:

• General user interface layout complete
• Support for multiple document collections (one of the top requested features!)
• Image viewer - similar features to Paper Valet 2.x, we can support more image formats now.  Determination of what formats will be supported TBD.
• Preferences configuration 75% complete
• 100% code re-write from the ground up.  Microsoft C# / .NET 4.0.  Should allow us to create x86 and x64 versions.

Our development and planning includes:

• Allowing more flexibility with document naming (think overall default naming, per collection, and per account)
• More choices for things like date formats, scanner settings, resolutions, etc.
• Better logging to assist in trouble-shooting user issues
• New OCR support that doesn't require Microsoft Office or OmniPage
• The new code-base will allow us greater control over implementing new features as requested by users

I know many people have been waiting for Paper Valet 3.x.  It's taking longer than I'd like, but we are working on it.  I promised some screen shots to a couple users but before I post anything I need to clean up some items and make it a little more presentable.  You don't really want to see them with accounts name "dlkfjdslfjskj" and such.

Thanks for sticking with us and we appreciate your patience.  If you have any suggestions for features in 3.x please send us an email or feedback via the website.

Daniel

I've made more progress with updating the Paper Valet^tm code.  Not as much as I'd like but steadily pushing forward.  Here's a quick rundown of where I'm at:

• Twain 2.0 - I'm having problems interfacing with the Twain 2.0 DLL on Vista/Windows 7.  The code-base for the Twain portion of the software has been updated to support the new 2.0 standard, I've added more logging, and resolved a couple outstanding issues.
• WIA 2.0 - I'm about 50% of the way through updating the WIA code.  The plan is to support WAI 1.0 for operating systems prior to Vista, and WIA 2.0 for Vista and Windows 7.
• General/Overall code - I've spent a LOT of time updating the overall code-base to be able to build it with the latest compiler, to support Unicode (i.e., wide-character languages), as well as build a 64-bit version.  I'm not sure if/when we'll offer 64-bit, if at all.  It really depends on whether or not Twain/WIA and scanner manufacturers support it.  I recently tried to find a scanner with a 64-bit driver for Twain and was not successful.  If anyone knows of one please let me know.  To clarify:  the scanner needs to have a 64-bit Twain/WIA driver, not just be able to run on a 64-bit operating system.
• Beta Testers - a number of people have sent me their information and offered to test when a new version is ready.  if you haven't yet sent in your info and would like to help out please see the previous blog entry for details.

In other news, this week is shot for development.  We had a lightning strike this past Friday night and I've spent the time since trying to get everything back to normal.  No code was lost or anything, I've just had to devote my time to getting the house back in order.  Dealing with contractors and insurance is always so much fun.

I shall leave you with these new logos for Paper Valet^tm and Paper Valet^tm Pro:

Hi All,

I know... you've been waiting for a status update. I apologize. Real life has been a major distraction from the Chocksett Software venture. Between the family, being laid off, finding and starting a new job, and everything else I haven't had much time to work on Paper Valet^tm. Anyways, enough with that... here's what you really want to know:

Paper Valet^tm development IS moving forward!! I've gotten everything building with the latest compiler and I'm about 50-60% of the way through updating the TWAIN code to be Twain 2.0 compliant. Once I get the Twain code updated I'm going to do the same for the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) code.

As part of the Twain/WIA updates I am going to make more of the various settings available where I can. For example, more resolutions, pixel types, etc. I have some code implemented now but I'm not sure users will like the additional scanner querying on setup. This will be resolved during testing. Which brings me to my next point.

I'd like to get 10-20 existing users of Paper Valet^tm/Paper Valet^tm Pro signed up to test the next 2.x release.

If you are interested in testing the next release before it goes final please email support{AT}chocksettsoftware{DOT}com (you know the deal, replace {AT} with @ and {DOT} with .) telling me the following information:

1. Your name
2. Which version of the software you registered/use? Paper Valet^tm or Paper Valet^tm Pro
3. How long you have been using the software?
4. How often you use the software?
5. What operating system are you using? Do you have all the latest patches applied?
6. What make/model of scanner are you using?
7. Explain why would you be a good beta tester

At this time I don't have any specific dates in mind for a beta release but if you're interested in testing please let me know.

As mentioned previously I've also been going through e-mails users have sent in and trying to resolve any outstanding issues that I can reproduce. I'm also adding minor requests here and there.

Feel free to email or post in the forums if you have any questions.

Thanks.

Daniel

In this post I figured it was time to let everyone know what is going on in regards to the next, and last, 2.x version of Paper Valet^tm/Paper Valet^tm Pro.  We've been working on identifying the components that need to be upgraded, as well as reviewing bug reports/feature requests submitted by our customers.

Some of the larger items being worked on:

• tiff/jpeg functionality updates
• WIA 1.0 to WIA 2.0
• TWAIN 1.0 to TWAIN 2.0
• overall code and tool migration to the latest development tools
• file naming functionality updates
• various bug/issue fixes as time allows (viewer locking documents, My Papers folder not updating immediately, etc.)

If you have any feature requests, update suggestions, or outstanding issues this is the last call for you to let us know.  We can't guarantee we'll include everything, but we can prioritize the more important items and try to get them in.  Please visit our forums, http://forum.chocksettsoftware.com, and register for your free account.  Once registered you can provide feedback in the Support and Feature Request categories.

PLEASE NOTE:  Because of operating system requirements for the WIA/TWAIN updates we will be discontinuing support for operating systems prior to Windows XP with Service Pack 1.  We will keep the 2.1.09 version of Paper Valet^tm/Paper Valet^tm Pro online and available for people that need to continue using an older operating system.

As we get the new WIA/TWAIN functionality put in place we'll have a better idea if some of the scanning issues people are having are related to the 1.x version of the protocols or something else.  When we get more details we'll update here and in the forums as appropriate.

Daniel
Chocksett Software

As promised in my first entry I'd like to provide some insight into what is happening at Chocksett Software and where we want to take the company.

If you've visited the main site recently you are probably already aware of all the changes/updates occurring there.  One of the most apparent changes is the new company logo.  Other less obvious changes include:

• changing over to a new host
• website technology upgrade
• a new support forum http://forum.chocksettsoftware.com (the old version has been taken off-line)
• the PayPal integration has been upgraded
• new questions and answers added to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• this blog
• assorted other updates

The next change to the website will be transitioning the web store for purchases from PayPal over to eSellerate.  eSellerate allows many more payment options and much better integration.  You will be able to use credit cards, PayPal, and any other option they offer to purchase our products. 

Paper Valet / Paper Valet Pro version 2.2 

On the Paper Valet side of things, version 2.2 is in progress.  This build will include a few minor changes but is primarily being done to bring the code base up to date.  This would include updates to the TIF code, PDF generation, etc.  Rebuilding the code with the latest compiler should also provide speed/stability increase.  The downside to this is that support for older operating systems (Windows 95, Windows ME) may be discontinued pending testing.  This new version should be ready in the next couple weeks.

Paper Valet / Paper Valet Pro version 3.0

After version 2.2 is released we will begin working on version 3.0.  This new version will require either an upgrade or a new purchase.  As much as I would like to continue offering the Lifetime License that Joe started, it just isn't a viable option if I want to keep working on the product.  Details haven't been sorted out yet but we will continue to keep you up to date on the situation as decisions are made.  Be assured that their will be a special upgrade price available to existing customers.

As part of the planning for Version 3.0 we will be sending out an email requesting feedback from our customers.  We want to know what you'd like to see in the software.  What features should we add or expand on?  You can always send us your suggestions via the feedback page (http://www.chocksettsoftware.com/Feedback.aspx).

Daniel
Chocksett Software

Web 2.0.  Twitter.  Facebook.  All of it.  Seems like if you're not 'out there' then you are no where.  So like millions of others we're hosting our own blog.  I'll use this medium to keep everyone up to date on the direction and goals Chocksett Software is working towards.  Give you the inside scoop as it were.

I'll start out just by introducing myself.  "Hello, my name is Daniel..."  (All together now, "Hello, Daniel."  Good job!) "And I'm a [Developer|Business Owner|Father|Husband|and much more]."  

I've been writing code professionally for about 15 years; as a hobby closer to 25 years.  I started out in the early 1980's with an Atari 400 and the basic cartridge.  Over the years I've done development work in a number of fields: finance, imaging toolkits, telephony, and labeling to name a few.  Computers and technology have always been a primary interest.

Back in college I met a guy named Joe.  Any of you that have been around Chocksett Software in the past will recognize him as the original owner of Chocksett Software and the brains behind Paper Valet^tm.  We've stayed in touch over the years, despite him trying to freeze me out of our dorm room in the middle of winter with open windows and fans directed at me while trying to sleep. (13th floor dorm room, Lowell, Massachusetts.  Next to the canals on the Merrimack river.  Nice cold winds!)

When he asked if I wanted to assume responsibility for Chocksett Software and Paper Valet^tm I answered in the affirmative.  I've seen the software, beta tested it a bit, and provided some early comments back when it was Mr. Bills.  He put a lot of time and effort into the application and I plan on doing the same.

As you may have seen, the website is undergoing some changes: a new host, technology upgrades, new email servers, etc.  We've also upgraded our PayPal integration but it still needs some work; primarily for people that want to purchase our product(s) but don't necessarily want to open a PayPal account.  We even have a new company logo:

In my next entry I'll discuss my plans for the website, Paper Valet^tm, and the company in general.

- Daniel