Brandon's Timer 10

[brandonio21]

I decided to create a new version of my first downloadable application. The older versions didn't focus on the right aspects of the application, and had many necessary features that were missing. This version if cleaner, more stable, and much better in design.

Basically, Brandon's Timer serves as a stopwatch, allowing you to time how long you've been doing certain tasks. It also has the ability to display alarms every so often. Please note, this is the first BETA release.

Download the application here: (Sorted by version)
Version 10.0.1.1: [attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->Brandon's Timer 10.0.1.1 Install.zip<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]
Version 10.0.1.0: [attachment=1]<!-- ia1 -->Brandon's Timer 10.0.1.0 Install.zip<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment]
Version 10.0.0.7: [attachment=2]<!-- ia2 -->Brandon's Timer 10.0.0.7 Install.zip<!-- ia2 -->[/attachment]
Version 10.0.0.6: [attachment=3]<!-- ia3 -->Brandon's Timer 10.0.0.6 Install.zip<!-- ia3 -->[/attachment]
Version 10.0.0.5: [attachment=4]<!-- ia4 -->Brandons Timer 10.0.0.5 Install.zip<!-- ia4 -->[/attachment]
Version 10.0.0.3: [attachment=5]<!-- ia5 -->Brandons Timer 10 Install.zip<!-- ia5 -->[/attachment]
Version 10.0.0.2: [attachment=6]<!-- ia6 -->Brandons Timer 10 Install.zip<!-- ia6 -->[/attachment]

[Vinwarez]

Since I don't have Krypton installed, I cannot install the timer. However, I think there is a method to automatically include the installation for Krypton as required.

[brandonio21]

Yeah, thanks for alerting me! Can you post a screenshot of the error you get?

[Vinwarez]

Of course I can. Here it is:


The link here leads me to your website.

I downloaded Krypton applications before and the one I downloaded had included Krypton's .dll file and it worked (I think it was Trinity WebBrowser).

[brandonio21]

Thanks a lot for the feedback, Vinwarez! I have updated the installer so it works properly!

[Vinwarez]

No problem. I will download it now. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->

[anlo]

Hi Brandon,

I've also been developing a timer in VB.Net. I've got most of it working, but I can't get the alert function working. Can you please post or email me the code for Brandon's Timer 10? The new version looks very simple and easy to use.

Thanks,
Andrew

[brandonio21]

Can you please post or email me the code for Brandon's Timer 10?

Sorry! I do not simply give away the code for my projects. Adding an alarm is relatively simple, though! Simply compare the time elapsed to the specified alarm time!

[brandonio21]

I just updated some coloring issues and added some new images. Version 10.0.0.3 is now available.

[anlo]

That's alright. I guess I'll have to work it out myself <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: -->

[brandonio21]

Version 10.0.0.5 has been released, which:
[code2=text]-Fixes the "max capacity" bug on the Set Value window
-Fixes the alarm sound not working properly when installed[/code2]

[Macatone]

Looks Great! One thing that I find annoying is that the alarm continues after you close the notification. Also, the about box text gets cut-off:

[attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->Brandon's Timer 10 about box cut-off.png<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

I'm not trying to complain or anything like that; I'm just trying to help you make your software better! <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s -->

[brandonio21]

I'm not trying to complain or anything

Well thanks for your input! I will try to get these two things fixed within the next release.

[brandonio21]

Version 10.0.0.6 has been released, which:
[code2=text]-Fixes the "sound bug". The alarm now properly stops playing when the notification is closed.
-Resizes the About window so that all of the text fits[/code2]

[Macatone]

Version 10.0.0.6 has been released, which:
[code2=text]-Fixes the "sound bug". The alarm now properly stops playing when the notification is closed.
-Resizes the About window so that all of the text fits[/code2]

Very nice! It works perfectly!

[brandonio21]

Very nice! It works perfectly!

Fantastic! I am thinking that this should be the final version! Thanks for your input.

[anlo]

Off to a great start, but the interface needs some work. I have seen many over-designed interfaces. A good example of an over-designed interface is http://mathletics.com.au. I think the use of Krypton is good, just need to scale the "shininess" down a bit.

Also, the application just seems a bit unprofessional - the way some things have been overlooked, and the huge buttons with tiny text.

I know this isn't the final version, and I'm not trying to be mean or anything, just trying to help you. Sometimes it's hard to see the other side when you're coding by yourself. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->

[brandonio21]

Thanks for your input, anlo! As the one in control, it is always easy to make something that seems perfect but may seem unappealing to the user.

Also, the application just seems a bit unprofessional - the way some things have been overlooked, and the huge buttons with tiny text.

Addressing this, Brandon's Timer was originally started as a personal project and I wanted to bring this "feel" back with Brandon's Timer 10. I added all of the features that I originally intended to have and designed the interface as I would have originally liked. I am really happy with the final product and have even written several blog posts about it compared to its predecessor (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://blog.brandonsoft.com/?p=116">http://blog.brandonsoft.com/?p=116</a><!-- m -->). Thanks for your input, though. I'll keep this in mind when finishing up the first release version.


With that being said, I just opened up the project and did a little editing.
Version 10.0.0.7 has been released, which:
[code2=text]-Fixes a graphical issue with the "lap" background being not fully transparent.
-Fixes a form resizing issue
-Fixes timer/countdown centering
-Makes it so closing the countdown notification window shuts down the countdown, allowing it to be reused quickly.
-Makes option window close when saving changes[/code2]

[brandonio21]

Off to a great start, but the interface needs some work. I have seen many over-designed interfaces. A good example of an over-designed interface is <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://mathletics.com.au">http://mathletics.com.au</a><!-- m -->. I think the use of Krypton is good, just need to scale the "shininess" down a bit.

I just looked at an old blog post with an early screenshot of Brandon's Timer 10 and realize what you mean. Originally I had a clean interface with no images and simple buttons. It looks nice. Compared to this, the newer interface looks flashy and childish. For reference, here is the picture I am referring to:


I think I may switch back to this design.

[brandonio21]

Version 10.0.1.0 has been released, which:
[code2=text]-Fixes the "start with Windows" option, now uses shortcuts
-Removes flashy images and creates uniformally sized buttons
-Adds taskbar icon (with accurate caption)
-Adds the ability to minimize to taskbar
-Adds more functionality to the Stopwatch and CountdownTimer classes
-Fixes default form size[/code2]