Shoutbox

I'm making this double post (sorry) to make some updates on the overall progress I'm having with this project.

As for the client script, revision 85 is currently available. This is the third version that has been released since the original release candidate, revision 78. I have made a few more changes still to that version. I expect that 86 or 87 will be released as version 1.0 in the next month or so. I haven't been doing very much other than fixing bugs and code restructuring/moving since rev.78. That doesn't mean I haven't been busy, because I have been making many changes and additions on the server side.

The first public release of the server software contained little more than the back-end functionality, and a minimalistic home page. Since then, I have added ability for both user and administrative logins, with pages for each. Users now have the ability to upload their own images and fonts (and mark as private if so desired) to submit to the staff for review. Users can see the status of their own uploads, and view all fonts and images that have been approved by staff.

On the administration side, there are pages for a full list of users, all uploaded images and fonts and ability to edit the specifics for them, as well as an upload tool without filesize restrictions.

I would guess and say that I'm about halfway finished with the features I plan on adding  to the server. Things I have yet to add include:

• Editing users: reset password, deny uploads, disable account
  
• Mod/admin list: add additional staff members
  
• User messaging: Allow messages to be sent from a web page to users
  • I have two ideas on how to add this, and I'm not sure which to use quite yet. One method is to have a simple text form to enter a message, and have the messaging bot deliver the message to the user. This method will be able to take messages even when a user is offline. The other alternative is to use the Windows Live messaging app to allow a real-time conversation, but it only works if the user is online. Suggestions are welcome
• I still have not done anything with the messaging bot, despite all the complaints. I have not collected enough information to find out WHY it isn't working everywhere. If there is anyone who is having problems with the bot script, please contact me via email or WLM/MSN.
  
• A whole bunch of minor inconsistencies within the code.

Some shuffling of the servers will probably be coming in the near future as well. My goal (not by choice, blame my hoster ) is to have multiple public YASS servers off from the main site, for separating users by region. I currently have a second server off the main one that will become the home for users of the Americas. I'm waiting on another that will host users on and to the east of the Prime Meridian.

I am also in need of translators! The client is available in Deutsch (German), English, Español (Spanish), Italiano (Italian), and Nederlands (Dutch). Additional translations (particularly French!) would be much appreciated. The server is only available in English at the moment because it is still constantly changing, and have not sorted out the differences between the  main site and the distributed versions. Please contact me if you are willing to help out.

Some statistics for everyone to look at for the month of March...
300 new users
13.45 GB in bandwidth used
250 downloads of the server software
over 17,000 downloads of the plus script

567089 status images loaded

Lastly, I am always open to suggestions. I probably won't be adding anything to version 1.0 aside to what I have mentioned above, but I already have other things which I'll list below I plan on adding later. If you have anything at all to mention or suggest, tell me! Without knowing what users want, I can't make YASS a better product.

Things to add in future versions:

• A preview window on the image editor, to be displayed with HTML / browser object.
  
• Layering in the image editor, to change the order in which components are rendered.
  
• Possibility of adding a CMS on the main site, and maybe a forum if there's enough demand.
  
• Do I dare say it... A bot script that works

Thank you very much to everyone who has helped me along the way so far, most especially to mynetx and Brayden for their continued help, support and endless hours of time.