Geoff is right about Q-Word (btw, there was a demo of Q-Word during the US
show albeit short enough, given the time constraints) regarding the
problems we ran into but I wouldn't classify Q-word as cutting edge
technology considering that these are capabilities we had since 1999 (at
least). Of course despite that, in order for Q-Word to be made, we had to
write peripheral Windows and QDOS software, use for the first time QDOS
capabilities that haven't been at least commercially used before and in the
process make George Gwilt create a couple more versions of Turbo ;-).Beyond
these, what Rich has done (that deserves all the credit, as the only thing
I do is to stall him) is to create a very complete programme that is:
a. Very self-explanatory
b. Easy as heck to use
c. Runs almost everywhere (and by almost I mean that it doesn't utilise
100% of every platform's characteristics... ie on the Amiga it will not
show the 64 colours possible because the audience is way too small for
it... although I have been in the process of harassing Simon for
information on the AGA etc. (who as always was more than glad to help) as
it is a good exercise in programming
Hee hee - can't wait to get it running on every platform !! Could be a long way off though with current development pace...
Anyway, Phoebus, I appreciate all your help which you have given for free in amongst your studies, and without which QWord would not see the light of day. The same goes for Geoff - ops, sounds like back slapping on the list instead of the normal back stabbing !!
But beyond that Q-Word was made to prove a point. And that point is that in
terms of software we can have it all... good software, usable, good looking
and compatible. Geoff is wrong to demote himself in terms of his
contribution. Without his expertise Q-Word wouldn't be what it is and
that's a good reason why it bears the name of Just Words!. Also another
reason why despite Rich's offer I did not want my name on it. I did the
"packaging" but all the effort belongs to Rich and Geoff.
I agree - Geoff has played a very important role !!
Just to illustrate the amount of work gone into Q-Word, the latest
executables sizes are: more than 1 Megabyte for the Aurora GD2 version and
in excess of 4 Megabytes for the Qx0 and QPC/QXL versions.
Q-Word is NOT vapourware although many setbacks and delays have occured
(most of them because of yours truly) but it is here and working *now*. As
a matter of fact we are two "obstacles" before release. First one being the
installation program which has to be of the same standards as Q-Word... ie
if it's not Full Colour and graphical it mustn't exist ;-) and the second
being the configuration blocks (but that's all there is to it). There is
NOW a Q-Word version that can be run without problems on QPC and QXL if
you're not into installation etc. but just because Rich's level of
professionalism is such, that version hasn't been released. (Although it is
good enough as for use and even better than most programmes that are sold
as "release" versions.
It is nearly working mind - still having some odd problems in the QPC's standard QL colour and 8 bit colour modes - which I have passed onto Marcel to have a look at !! Bet he's cussing me under his breath....
Poor old George Gwilt has also felt the strain, as he could get Turbo to run perfectly at his end, but we could never identify what was causing problems in it !! Still with the grace of God, George has managed to overcome the majority of these so that we can at least now compile the program :-)
--
Rich Mellor
RWAP Services
35 Chantry Croft, Kinsley, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF9 5JH
TEL: 01977 610509
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/rwapsoftware
