26 Reply by Alfred

(15 replies, posted in General Discussion)

JD Vance doesn’t strike me as a man who’s ever felt inclined to keep his opinions to himself.

Go to forum: General Discussion

27 Reply by Alfred

(17 replies, posted in WebPlus)

APoster wrote:

WP Help says : "You should treat your panel as an empty building block which can be developed using WebPlus standard tools and features. By creating objects within the panel area, they belong to the panel. This extends to objects such as text frames, artistic text, tables, QuickShapes, and pictures. Dragging the panel will also move its associated objects."

Dont know how to "associate" Text with Panel, so I can drag them together as a single object. Grouping doesn't work. I can drag the group, but the panel still seems to remain separate.

If the text frame is on top but moving the panel doesn’t also move the text frame, you don’t have the text frame fully within the panel area. Try enlarging the panel after dragging the text frame away from it, so that you have a larger target to aim for when you drag the text frame back onto it. You can reduce the size of the panel once the text frame is properly associated with it.

Go to forum: WebPlus

28 Reply by Alfred

(17 replies, posted in WebPlus)

APoster wrote:

When I click on URL above, DropBox says : this file type not supported"

It says it’s unsupported here [my emphasis]. Image files (and a few other file types such as PDF, depending on your OS and browser) can be displayed directly on that page, but WebPlus project files obviously have to be downloaded instead. Use the ‘Download’ button below the message to choose between downloading or copying to your Dropbox.

Go to forum: WebPlus

29 Reply by Alfred

(17 replies, posted in WebPlus)

APoster wrote:

I tried again, and it said "the ZIP file is too big to upload". The compressed file is still 4.5mb. 20mb unzipped. It's just one page.

Even Dropbox can't seem to compress a .wpp file. Still 4.5mb.

A *.wpp file is just a zip archive with a different file extension, so it’s never going to become significantly smaller without a more efficient compression method.

APoster wrote:

Need an email address to transfer the file from Dropbox. Please put address in your reply.

Why not simply post the Dropbox link here? You would need an email address to share it privately, but if you do that you won’t enable multiple users to inspect the file and potentially offer solutions to the problem.

Go to forum: WebPlus

30 Reply by Alfred

(82 replies, posted in General Discussion)

Alfred wrote:

Registration keys don’t enable you to install the software: they were only ever used to harvest contact details so that Serif sales staff could pester you to purchase other products.

Unregistered ‘Plus’ products will start nagging you to register a month after first launch. To prevent this, choose the ‘Registration Wizard’ option from the Help menu within the program and enter the Universal Registration Key:

881887

Go to forum: General Discussion

31 Reply by Alfred

(82 replies, posted in General Discussion)

ilneill wrote:

Hello everyone!

Welcome, Ian! Thanks for joining us here.

ilneill wrote:

Long time (ago) Serif software user, then there was no Serif, and I took a break from publishing on the web or on paper.

I always think of Serif as being a business entity within Canva, but I suppose it technically no longer exists.

ilneill wrote:

Just re-installed WebPlus X7 and PagePlus X7 (the latest I happened to have on DVD), on Windows 11, even found patches for them in my archive.

Very organized of you!

ilneill wrote:

Why? Well, thank you for asking... I wanted to update my home network infrastructure WPP page with some new fun stuff and reinstalling some of my old Serif software was the path of least resistance to do that smile

Thankfully my 2015 me saw fit to put the Serif delivery notes, with registration codes, in the DVD cases! Otherwise I would really have been stuffed!

Again, very organized of you!

<pedantry>
The codes that you kept in the DVD cases are product keys or installation codes. Registration keys don’t enable you to install the software: they were only ever used to harvest contact details so that Serif sales staff could pester you to purchase other products.
</pedantry>

ilneill wrote:

Anyway, happy to be here, and grateful to Alfred for hosting this place and registering me.

I’m happy to have you as a member, and I look forward to your further contributions to discussions here.

Go to forum: General Discussion

32 Reply by Alfred

(17 replies, posted in WebPlus)

A zip archive should upload just like any other file. You simply need to make sure that you don’t miss out any steps.

1. Click on ‘Post reply’.
2. Type something in the message box. If you leave it empty, you’ll get a ‘Fill out this field’ prompt at step 5.
3. Click on ‘Choose File’ in the Attachments section below the message box.
4. Browse to the zip file.
5. Press the ‘Add file’ button.
6. Press ‘Submit reply’.

If you’re still having problems, use a file-sharing service such as Dropbox or WeSendit and then post the download link here.

Go to forum: WebPlus

33 Reply by Alfred

(8 replies, posted in Affinity Studio)

sneil69 wrote:
Alfred wrote:
sneil69 wrote:

I have found a very tedious bug in 3, which they say they should fix in a "Future Update" which is very frustrating. In fact, it is a regression from 2.6.5.

Super annoying to say the least!

There are several tedious/annoying bugs in the latest version, Sam. Which particular bug is particularly bugging you?

Well, when exporting to PDF, the input box, which allows you to choose which pages to export, does not like "Pasting" and it will ignore the values entered. If you type them, then it works.!!!

That does sound quite annoying! It might be picking up leading or trailing spaces or other non-printing characters, but the app should automatically ‘sanitize’ the input instead of leaving it to the user to do it manually.

Go to forum: Affinity Studio

34 Reply by Alfred

(17 replies, posted in WebPlus)

APoster wrote:

Here's an excerpt from the HTML code for the Panel and Text Box :

<script type="text/javascript">
            $(document).ready(function() {
            $("a.ActiveButton").bind({ mousedown:function(){if ( $(this).attr('disabled') === undefined ) $(this).addClass('Activated');}, mouseleave:function(){ if ( $(this).attr('disabled') === undefined ) $(this).removeClass('Activated');}, mouseup:function(){ if ( $(this).attr('disabled') === undefined ) $(this).removeClass('Activated');}});
            clickShowHide('txt_1603', 'txt_1583', 150);
            clickShowHide('panel_2', 'panel_2', 150);
            clickToggle('btn_44', 'panel_2', 150);

What does "('disabled') === undefined )" mean in this context? Did I do something wrong?

Please use the ‘Post reply’ option so that you have access to the Attachments feature, allowing you to attach a *.wpp file instead of just screenshots and code snippets.

Go to forum: WebPlus

35 Reply by Alfred

(8 replies, posted in Affinity Studio)

sneil69 wrote:

I have found a very tedious bug in 3, which they say they should fix in a "Future Update" which is very frustrating. In fact, it is a regression from 2.6.5.

Super annoying to say the least!

There are several tedious/annoying bugs in the latest version, Sam. Which particular bug is particularly bugging you?

Go to forum: Affinity Studio

36 Reply by Alfred

(8 replies, posted in Affinity Studio)

AdmiralP wrote:

No comment on when the iPad version might appear.

August was mentioned quite some time ago, but ‘might appear’ clearly isn’t as useful as ‘will appear’!

Go to forum: Affinity Studio

37 Reply by Alfred

(17 replies, posted in WebPlus)

A *.wpp file would make it easier to see what you’ve tried to do, but from your description you have a hidden text box that you’re trying to unhide via CSS properties. I suggest doing it the other way around: cover the text box with a filled rectangle, and use CSS properties to hide the rectangle so that the text box shows through when the user clicks on the ‘Click for popup’ button.

Go to forum: WebPlus

38 Reply by Alfred

(1,162 replies, posted in MoviePlus)

Albert Ross wrote:

Just come across this video which sums up today's world -

https://youtu.be/Swuvbdp7Bbg

Very well said, LOL! Thanks for sharing.

Go to forum: MoviePlus

39 Reply by Alfred

(5 replies, posted in Mathematics & Science)

That’s true, Geoff, but the reason behind my decision to start with 1980 was that I wanted to use 1089 because it appears in another series of calculations that involves reversing the digits:

1. Choose any three-digit number in which the first and last digits differ by at least two.
2. Reverse the digits and subtract the smaller number from the larger one.
3. Reverse the digits of the result and add the two numbers.
4. Admire the predictable result!

Go to forum: Mathematics & Science

40 Reply by Alfred

(5 replies, posted in Mathematics & Science)

Alfred wrote:

Starting with 1980, the sequence is

9810 - 1089 = 8721
8721 - 1278 = 7443
7443 - 3447 = 3996
9963 - 3699 = 6264
6642 - 2466 = 4176
7641 - 1467 = 6174

I forgot to allow leading zeros! The smaller number should always be a straight reversal of the larger number.

Starting with 1980, the correct sequence is much shorter:

9810 - 0189 = 9621
9621 - 1269 = 8352
8532 - 2358 = 6174

Go to forum: Mathematics & Science

41 Reply by Alfred

(1,162 replies, posted in MoviePlus)

Albert Ross wrote:

I think most video enthusiasts over the age of 40 started off with a ciné camera.

People who are now in their early 40s were born in the late 1980s, by which time cameras based on solid-state image sensors were already available, so there are probably many in that age group who have never used film.

Go to forum: MoviePlus

42 Reply by Alfred

(5 replies, posted in Mathematics & Science)

Starting with 1980, the sequence is

9810 - 1089 = 8721
8721 - 1278 = 7443
7443 - 3447 = 3996
9963 - 3699 = 6264
6642 - 2466 = 4176
7641 - 1467 = 6174

Go to forum: Mathematics & Science

43 Topic by Alfred

(5 replies, posted in Mathematics & Science)

I’ve just stumbled across a nice little bit of recreational mathematics, so I’ve decided to share it here.

Kaprekar’s Constant is the magical number 6174. It’s named after D.R. Kaprekar, who was an Indian recreational mathematician, and what’s magical about it is that you will always end up with the same number if you follow these steps:

1. Choose any four-digit number in which not all of the digits are the same.
2. Rearrange the digits to form the largest possible number.
3. Rearrange the same digits to form the smallest possible number, including leading zeros if applicable.
4. Subtract the smaller number from the larger one.
5. Repeat the process with the result.

Within seven steps or fewer you will always arrive at 6174, and once you reach that number you’ll be stuck with it (because 7641 - 1467 = 6174).

Go to forum: Mathematics & Science

44 Reply by Alfred

(5 replies, posted in Affinity Studio)

jeffers wrote:

a couple wouldn't render correctly

What distinguishes them from the ones that behave as expected?

Go to forum: Affinity Studio

45 Reply by Alfred

(1,162 replies, posted in MoviePlus)

ericlnz wrote:

Gordon - Do UK Drone Regulations allow you to fly over other people's properties?  I'm curious as I'm sure it's not allowed here for security reasons.  An easy way for criminals to "case out" your backyard.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules for drones and model aircraft can be found here:

https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/getting-st … ou-can-fly

Go to forum: MoviePlus

46 Reply by Alfred

(1,162 replies, posted in MoviePlus)

GStree wrote:

At this moment I am trying to empty my workshop of various tools and car parts collected over the last 60 odd years before we fly off to Spain for a couple of months.

Sixty odd years ago you probably never dared to dream that you would be capturing movie footage with a remote-controlled flying camera!

GStree wrote:

I haven't been making any videos for ages but have been playing about and learning to use the drone. Sue and I often do this walk from our place up to the churchyard where both of my parents are buried and it is certainly quicker with the drone than by foot !  I am still amazed at the quality as it is in 1080p because I am editing it in MoviePlus, although the drone does 4k. Sorry to bore you boys. https://youtu.be/ke7PfboCIAU

Not boring at all, Gordon! As always, thanks for sharing.

Go to forum: MoviePlus

47 Reply by Alfred

(5 replies, posted in Affinity Studio)

Photoshop brushes in general should work, but some may not. Photoshop actions are not supported.

Go to forum: Affinity Studio

48 Reply by Alfred

(8 replies, posted in PagePlus)

AdmiralP wrote:

An interesting topic! Some names that were familiar to Serif customers over the years.
Patrick Connor, Dale Cook are definitely remembered. And wasn't Gary Bates a senior member of the team?

I recall Gary Bates’ name appearing in Serif’s mailshots. I think he was the company’s Managing Director (or MD, equivalent to CEO) for several years. It seems that both he and Jim Bryce were co-founders who retained a significant stake in the company until it was acquired by Canva a couple of years ago.

And of course, if we are talking about Serif "employees", we should not forget "Natasha". wink

LOL.

Go to forum: PagePlus

49 Reply by Alfred

(8 replies, posted in PagePlus)

Ali wrote:

There was a guy called Jon Something (beginning with P) who was one of the main programmers (can't remember whether he was on PP or WP).

When Toby Sharp (the brains behind MoviePlus) left to join Microsoft Research, Jon White took over as the MoviePlus project lead, but he would have worked on other projects when — or perhaps even before — development of MoviePlus was discontinued.

There is or was a Jon P (Parsons?) on the QA team.

Ali wrote:

When I was approached to beta test the Plus range, I think it was Dale Cook.

It was Patrick Connor who invited me to beta test PP9.04, the version where the short-lived SerifPrintStore was added on, but I remember Dale Cook being involved, too.

GB wrote:

If I remember correctly, Patrick Connor, who is still active on the Affinity forums (I believe) was largely responsible for PagePlus 8PDF and I'm sure had a lot of input on the subsequent versions.

I seem to remember that Patrick joined Serif to work on PagePlus 7. He may well have been the lead programmer for PP7 or PP8. (‘PagePlus 8 PDF Edition’ has always struck me as something of a misnomer, since PP8 can’t open files saved from PP8PDF, but I’m guessing that that was a marketing decision.)

GB wrote:

Dale Cook was a guy who worked on earlier versions. He subsequently emigrated to Australia.

Dale was the principal documentation guy. Although he was heavily involved in testing, I don’t think he was a programmer.

GB wrote:

I remember PagePlus 4 had a few problems and crashed a lot, so I reverted to version 3 until 5 came out.

I was still skipping alternate versions at the time, so I didn’t use any even-numbered versions before PP7. However, I remember reading that there were major problems with PP4.

Go to forum: PagePlus

50 Reply by Alfred

(1,162 replies, posted in MoviePlus)

Albert Ross wrote:

you have to long press

If in doubt, ‘long press’! On a phone or a tablet it can open up a lot of options that you would normally access via a menu or a keyboard shortcut on a desktop or laptop PC.

Go to forum: MoviePlus