New release

I've just released the new Notecase Pro version 2.6.3.

This release was almost exclusively concentrated on bug-fixing. The new release should be more stable, and taking much less RAM memory when doing the export operation.

Additionally, major news in a complete help file redesign, thanks to the great work by Paul Merrell. Thank you Paul.

Next version should also concentrate on removing some issues with bulleted list. Additionally, there are plans to finally integrate Gstreamer library in order to add initial support to play audio from within the program.

You can read detailed list of changes online at:
http://virtual-sky.com/history.php

As always feedback is welcome.

Don't forget that you can converse with other NoteCase Pro users, post support requests and feature suggestions, and talk about anything related to the program by joining the NoteCase Pro user group at (also linked from the NoteCase Pro Help menu). You can read archives online or subscribe to receive posts by email.

How to handle dependencies

Recently, Notecase Pro became dependent on a GtkSourceView library in order to implement syntax highlighting and a few other cool features.
Slight problem is that the program requires at least version 2.4.1 of this library, because it fixes a crash when the library needs to display a picture inside the note.
The problem is that many distros still offer the old versions of the library, for example Ubuntu is still stuck at 2.2.2 which is not good for us.
Windows installer for Notecase Pro comes with this library already prepared for you, so there is not problem there.

To resolve the problem on Linux, you need to compile this library by hand. Here are the steps (adapted for Ubuntu):

• download the library sources (see website link above) and unpack them
• open the terminal application and go to the sources directory
• execute these 3 commands: "./configure", "make", "sudo make install"

Note that if you are missing some dependency for the library, you'll get notified in the configure phase. In that case, install the required dependency and repeat the 3 commands written above.

Once the GtkSourceView library is installed, you might need to install the notecase .deb with force option (because you didn't install the .deb for the GtkSourceView library - because it
doesn't exist).

To do this, from the directory with notecase .deb file execute this command (again from within the terminal application):
"sudo dpkg --install --force-all packagename"
(where packagename is the name of the notecase .deb file)

That's it. Now your Notecase Pro should work fine.

New year

I hope everyone had a nice holidays. I know I did.
I've just returned from the vacation, so I am now ready to start preparing the new release.

Not that I didn't do anything though. During the vacation I've fixed some bugs and added support for Bonsai Natara outliner import (as requested by one potential user).

But the best news I've got this morning by mail. Daniel Hertrich managed to get the Notecase Pro installed successfully on OS X 10.5! Thank you Daniel, really great work!

Here is the description from his mail:

All commands entered on Mac OS X Terminal, not X11 terminal.
Precondition: Intel Mac (in my case MacBook) with Mac OS X 10.5.6
(10.5 with all recent online updates as of 2009-01-08).
Internet connection must be active for the procedure.


- Installed XCode tools from the Mac OS X install DVD
- Installed Macports from http://www.macports.org/install.php (use the "Leopard universal" package)
- XQuartz installed (X11-2.3.2.1.dmg from
http://xquartz.macosforge.org/trac/wiki (use the inconspicuous
download link in the "Latest release" section of the page)). XQuartz
is needed because otherwise gtk2 will fail to build
- sudo port -d selfupdate
- sudo port install gtk2
(this takes a while, maybe hours, because it fetches and compiles a
LOT of packages GTK depends on)
- sudo port install dpkg (actually not needed in this scenario, because Notecase cannot be installed from the .deb package anyway due to a packet architecture mismatch: i686-apple-darwin8 (package) vs. i686-darwin (system))
- sudo port install Xrender (this is a library which is needed by Notecase, otherwise it won't start)
- Downloaded tar.gz version of Notecase Pro
- cd /
- sudo tar xvf /Users/YOURUSERNAME/Downloads/notecase_pro-2.5.7.tar (adapt version number)
(Binary is then in: /usr/bin/notecase.x11app)
- sudo ln -s /usr/bin/notecase.x11app /Applications/Notecase.x11app
(This generates an Alias entry in the Applications folder)

Now, you can start Notecase by clicking its entry in "Applications".
When a new version is released, download the tar.gz and do the steps
- cd /
- sudo tar xvf /Users/YOURUSERNAME/Downloads/notecase_pro-X.Y.Z.tar
This will upgrade Notecase to the downloaded version X.Y.Z.

New release

I've just released new Notecase Pro v2.5.7.

Major news:
- syntax highlighting support (only newer distros were compiled to use this)
- optionally show line numbers in the text view
- subscript and superscript text formatting
- "Scripts" / "Register script" window to register up to 10 scripts to be displayed in the scripts menu
- "Scripts" / "Script events" window to register scripts to be automatically executed at the specified program events
- OPML export support
- plain text with tabs file format (import and export)
- "Find and Replace" can now be run globally (over the entire document)
- new .ncz file format (basically it is a compressed form of .ncd file format)
- new link execute code for Nokia platform (I need your feedback on this)
- new Fedora 10 build

You can read detailed list of changes online at: http://virtual-sky.com/history.php

All builds that were built to include syntax highlighting feature (see if "Node Properties" window has "Source language" combo box) now require that you install gtksourceview library (at least version 2.4.1). It can be found at: http://projects.gnome.org/gtksourceview/index.html

Note that the Solaris build is delayed, distro broke apart while running its package update program. That's why I would like to know if any of you uses Solaris build (the logs show only one download for Solaris).

As always feedback is welcome. I am especially interested in the feedback on the new Maemo code to handle hyperlink clicks.

Additionally, if you are interested in having the program in your own languages, why not contribute a translation? You can find more info on Notecase Pro translation here:
http://www.virtual-sky.com/translating.php
http://www.virtual-sky.com/translations.php

New (last) free Notecase release

I am now in the process of releasing new Notecase v1.9.8.
The major news are:
- syntax highlighting using GtkSourceView library
- text line numbers
- text formatting can now be applied even it there is not text selected
- fixed undo issue

GtkSourceView usage in the code is optional. Not all builds where done with support for GtkSourceView! The reason is simple: some distros are quite old and I couldn't compile GtkSourceView for them. For example, when compiling on Fedora 6, GtkSourceView complained it requires GTK+ >= 2.12.x, but I could not find the newer GTK package for this distro. That's why only newer distros are compiled with this library.

Note that this is my last release of the free Notecase. It's been 4 years since I've started the project, and it was a great experience. I had a great feedback and the project seems to become popular.

As always, the problem is basically my free time. I have less free time than before, and now my time is mostly reserved for my Notecase Pro project. It became more and more hard to maintain two different projects who are growing more and more apart in their code base.

This is my final decision, it's been "cooking" for more than several months now. I won't make any new releases or builds, but you can send me your translation updates, and I'll post the at the project's website.

The beauty of open source is that the source code is here, and anyone can fork and improve the project under a new name.

Anyway, enjoy the new release. My feeling is that I've left the project in decent state and it is pretty usable for all the standard tasks you might want to do with the program.
If you want something more, consider buying Notecase Pro.

Google group for Notecase Pro

As suggested by one of the users (thanks Paul), I've created a Google discussion group for Notecase Pro product.

Here are the essentials:

• Group name: Notecase Pro
• Group home page: http://groups.google.com/group/notecase-pro
• Group email address notecase-pro@googlegroups.com
  

Anyone is free to drop by and post the questions.

Off course, you can still mail questions directly to me, the
group is just another channel that can help you to get the answer to your problem.

Notecase Pro v2.5.2

I've just released the latest Notecase Pro v2.5.2.

Major news:
- added text alignment formatting (left, right, center)
- note cloning support (notes sharing the same text and other properties)
- initial automation support through Lua language scripts

You can read detailed list of changes online at: http://virtual-sky.com/history.php
As always, your feedback is appreciated.

For the next version, my plans are to concentrate on bugfixing and finishing some started features like Lua scripts, reccurent tasks, ...
Additionally, I'll try to add syntax highlighting through GtksourceView library.

Note that Zaurus build will be delayed, hopefully only by a day, due to some OS problems.

Notecase Pro Scripting

Yesterday, I've added a "proof of concept" support for scripting within the Notecase Pro. You can test the sample application here (warning, this is unofficial release).

Basically, I've integrated well known Lua programming language interpreter (http://www.lua.org), known for its simplicity, speed and small size.

The image above may look ordinary :-), but behind this is a major feature.
Currently, Notecase Pro only exports "MessageBox" function, but on the next release I hope to add export to 10 most useful internal methods for opening/closing the documents, getting document count, ...

I am interested in your feedback.

What kind of script would you write for Notecase ?

Notecase 1.9.7 release

Free, open source version has just been released.

Major new features:
- autoindent (new line is indented on the same position as the line before it)
- Windows portable launcher now passes all its command line arguments directly to the notecase executable
Other changes include bug fixes and translation updates.

I must admit I have less and less free time to invest in the open source version lately :-(

As always feedback one the new version is welcome.

Notecase Pro v2.4.7

I've just released new Notecase Pro v2.4.7.

The news are:
- implemented document outline printing (note titles arranged in a tree)
- greatly improved Knowit import (external links and formatting are now supported)
- undo/redo toolbar buttons now have attached menus (you can now undo more than one step at a time)
- flat list view now supports additional column types (use context menu over the column headers to switch on/off)
- some important bugfixes

Thanks to everyone who helped with reporting the problems or sharing their ideas.

To share some ideas with you, for the next version my plans are to implement two major features: node cloning and text alignment formatting (left, right, center).
These two have been the most wanted features judging by your mails.

You can read detailed list of changes online at: http://virtual-sky.com/history.php

I am now preparing a free version of Notecase, it should be out within a week.

Syntax coloring

Recently I was contacted by Gerhard Kalab with a wish to support syntax coloring in Notecase. We discussed the idea and the possible implementation, but since I didn't have much time, he implemented this himself.

You can find the sources here. This is a patched notecase v1.9.5 using GtkSourceView instead of the standard GtkTextView as a text displaying widget.

The bad news is that the GtkSourceView crashes when trying to apply the syntax coloring to a note that contains the pictures.

Hopefully, the future versions of this library will have this bug fixed, and the notecase will have both syntax coloring and a margin with line numbers implemented (supported by a new widget library).

Thanks Gerhard for your work!

Notecase Pro v2.4.3 release

This weekend, I've released the new version of the Pro edition.
Clients were notified on time, I just had not enough time to write a blog post on it.

The major news in this version:

- major task management improvements, recurrent tasks are now supported (alarm settings still need to be implemented)
- new "Open associated URL" feature that allows you to connect your public document with some website part (allowing users to easily post the comments on the exact document note)
- many important fixes including printing, undo, copy/paste and HTML export fixes

You can read detailed list of changes online at: http://virtual-sky.com/history.php

As always I am interested in your feedback, especially from those who run the progam on Nokia devices, since I don't own one (I would like to know if all windows can fit the screen, screenshots welcome).

Many users are now being more active in sending their improvement ideas, so if you have one, don't hesitate :)

Thank you

Yesterday, I got a nice surprise in the form of postal package by Amazon.com. Inside was a book gift from my Amazon wish list, and a "thank you for Notecase" note.

Fiona from Philippines, thank you for a nice gift. You've made my day better :) You haven't left the email, so I am expressing my gratitude here.

Free Notecase v1.9.5 is out

The short story of the new release is following:
bugfixes, lot of new build targets (like OpenSolaris, OpenSuse, Mandriva, Nokia Maemo 2008 v4.1 codename Diablo) translation updates and some nice new features like "Keep on top" and abortable search operation.

Let me know how it works for you.

I am now releasing a new Notecase Pro v2.3.8.

Some news in this version:

- new builds for OpenSuse 10.3, Slackware 12.1, Mandriva 2008 Spring
- added initial support for task management, each note can be a task ("Task Properties" window)
- "Insert Symbol" window to view and insert special characters in the text
- added import plugin support for importing Notekeeper file format (http://tolon.co.uk/notekeeper/)
- change case commands implemented: "To Uppercase", "To lowercase", "Invert Case"
- "Copy marked nodes" action will copy the nodes to clipboard
- drag and drop file in a tree view while holding Shift key allows for easy import of multiple files at once

As always, some bugs were fixed (thanks to all who reported).

As you can see, major news is a task management feature.
Currently it is still considered experimental, having most basic parts implemented (task info input, task expired popup).
I am extremely interested in the feedback regarding the new feature,
and your ideas will shape the new versions of this feature.
I need to know what are your needs in task mangement, any idea of your own, etc.

You can read detailed list of changes online at: http://virtual-sky.com/history.php

I hope to make a new free version of Notecase in the next 5-7 days.
I hope that all translators will make the work in time ;-).

New Notecase Pro v2.3.4 release

Some news in this version:

- new builds for OpenSolaris, OpenSuse 11 and Nokia Maemo os2008 v4.1 (codename Diablo)
- many changes in "find" window: search by regular expressions, search by date, search by "has attachment", store searches under custom name
- document bookmarks
- when pasting HTML with tags, ask user to use HTTP to fetch and embedd linked images
- "Document Properties" window to view/edit document title
- implemented "Keep on top" menu item to keep Notecase window always on top level

Many bugs were fixed, thanks mostly to the Stephen F. who
tested the application in great detail and reported the problems (and some good improvement ideas).
Thank you Stephen!

You can read detailed list of changes online at: http://virtual-sky.com/history.php

Another release

Today, few days after the Pro release, I've released the free version too (v1.9.3).
Other than standard bugfixes, there is a new FreeBSD 7 build and an important 12 times speed-up when loading a document having big attachments or images.

Free version of Notecase is feature-wise complete, so expect less frequent releases in the future.

My plans for the next period of time is to improve Notecase Pro, adding support for task management, and to improve tagging support.

There were some people who wrote to me about Atol file manager. Unfortunately, this project is more or less dead, there is practically no demand for it.

New release

New Notecase Pro v2.2.8 has been released.

The major news in this version:

- implemented "export presets" (export settings can be saved by name)
- document bookmarks
- quick search mode for tree view (type letters in tree view to jump to the matching note)
- "Open from web" menu to load document from http:// link
- new FreeBSD build
- 12x speedup when loading .ncd documents with big images/attachments
- imortant bug fixes

You can read detailed list of changes online at: http://virtual-sky.com/history.php

I am now preparing an update for the free version of Notecase. It should be released in a few days.

Note to Marie-Hélène: I had problems to send you notification of the new release. It appears your mail is not valid anymore, so please send me a new one.

Notecase in Linux Format Magazine (again)

I've got a tip from Ian (a Notecase user), that the Notecase has been mentioned in the new issue (107) of the Linux Format magazine.

This is the second time that the Notecase appears in this magazine, nice. This time it was a product comparison between Basket, Knowit, NoteCase, Tomboy, TuxCards and Zim.

I don't know full details, but here is what Ian informed me:

The comment for notecase is "The best GTK-based note taking tool around, mature, feature-laden and very snappy in use" and they give it a rating of 8/10. It is only beaten in the ratings by 'Basket' which gets 9/10.

Thanks Ian, thanks Linux Format people :)

As always after a month of work, new Notecase Pro v2.2.0 was released.

The major news in this version:

- new Fedora 9 and Ubuntu 8.04 builds
- global hotkey support ("Ctrl+Shift+K") to minimize to program tray/restore program from tray
- support to import Vault file format (www.personalmicrocosms.com)
- "Show Tree Lines" option to change the look of the tree view
- option to automatically change node icon when it becomes a child (leaf) or a parent node
- option to split single note into multiple notes using defined text delimiter (for example "--")
- option to join multiple marked notes into a single note having combined text delimited using defined text delimiter (for example "--")
- "Mark child nodes", "Unmark child nodes" marking options (useful for split/join operations)
- implemented Option to update file format registration for Notecase on Linux
- implemented Option to register notecase at be started at login time for Linux (Win32 mechanism already exists)
- implemented Option to allow only single instance of NotecasePro to be started at a single time for Linux using .lock files (Win32 mechanism already exists)

You can read detailed list of changes online at: http://virtual-sky.com/history.php