Program Update from Ryppl: The Big Event, Version 1.11.0.0

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:57:24 GMT

Latest Updates:
Version 1.11.0.0
Note: The following manual file copies of the preference files is only required on XP PCs. XP Compatibility should have already had your preference files in the proper location.

Updated to conform to Vista requirements for writing user data to the Application Data folder (old version used XP compatibility). This is a "breaking" change in that unless you manually copy the preference files to the Application Data folder you will need to add your connections to event files again.
Added the ability to have your event titles and the alert time announced with a text-to-speech plugin. If you update the application using the in-place update function, you will need to copy the RypplVerbosity.dll file to a new folder in the ApplicationData\Ryppl\The Big Event\SpeechPlugins\ folder. You may find it easier to uninstall and reinstall the application after downloading the new installation file from HERE and then copying the preference files to the application data folder. Feel free to contact Ryppl for personalized help in the upgrade.

Version 1.10.2.0

Menu option to display all events from all connected files in one single calendar.
Calendar now displays larger detail of each day's events when hovering over the date.

Version 1.10.1.0

Now in the Event File Creator, you can use Alt-PgUp and Alt-PgDn to move between the events. (Ctrl-PgUp and Ctrl-PgDn changes between the File and Event tabs when working with those.)
Event Creator now creates a temporary event title if there is any event information entered but there is no title.

Version 1.10.0.0

Fixed an issue where the File title was getting lost.
Fixed some minor usability issues with media playback.
Now the Info form quickly gets out of the way when the calendar or event list is displayed.

Version 1.9.0.0
Added a calendar representation of upcoming events

Version 1.8.0.0
Now you have the option of in-place updating of the application files. You can initiate the update while running using the Latest Version form or you can also still just download a zip file and unzip and replace the files yourself. The in-place update backs up the current version of the files being replaced. It's effortless updating.

Version 1.7.1.0

Preventing updating to an event file that's already monitored.
Fixed inability to disconnect from an event file in certain circumstances.

Version 1.7.0.1
Added niceties like:

displaying the number of events in the file
indication of when the Info form will automatically close
resolved the annoying trait of redisplaying the Info form if it was accidentally closed (closing is never necessary)

Version 1.6.0.1

Printing multiple copies of an event is now possible.
Always on top for unregistered copies of the application is working again.
Unregistered copies weren't saving changes of the event file selection until the preferences were saved. Now it works properly again.
When an event file connection was changed, it wasn't always reflected properly in the list of connections. Now it is.
Added Ctrl - Comma and Ctrl - Period for decreasing and increasing indentation in the Event Creator form.

Version 1.5.1.0
Quick adjustment for acknowledge not resetting properly.

Version 1.5.0.0

Minimizing the Info form is prevented so that it won't become invisible and inaccessible.
Fixed a problem when an Event file was added as an additional connection and the file setting was lost after updating the preferences or moving the timer.

Version 1.4.2.0

Now when the timers are set to always be on top, the timer won't claim focus upon alerts or deadlines.
You can now drag Event files from the Windows Explorer or as URLs from emails and documents onto countdown timers to add to or update the connections.
Now there's a check to see if The Big Event is already running and will ask you if you want to run another copy.
Now you can "acknowledge" the imminent event to minimize the flashing timer and also again after the event deadline.
There's a new easy-access summary of all events in the file.
You can now easily adjust the volume of the media playback.

Version 1.4.1.0
When "Maintain Old Events" is checked you are now forced to explicitly delete any events you want removed. When changing event files in Event File Creator, it updates the Event Number to the first event. Now it doesn't send emails or play audio for events that are older than 9 minutes. Scrolling through events would start at the first event the first time. Now it starts at the current event. Attempting to email when using a non-relaying ISP (not your usual network connection) does not block the application while trying to email.

Version 1.4.0.0

Now it changes the name of the preference file when you change the event file. This could have been confusing if you changed event files often.
Now Internet connection warning only displays in the main countdown timer.
Now you can optionally show the title of the next upcoming event in the countdown timer.
Now you can set it to just flash yellow on important updates instead of opening the info window temporarily.
Now you can print from any event that you scroll to.
Now the link is shown in the emails if you have it set to send you emails.
Now it won't let you save an invalid Event file.
Added a Numeric Up Down control for Events in the Event Creator form so that it's easier to scroll through the events or directly select an event.
Now you can set a setting in the Event File that will cause the old events to be retained in the Info window, even on a restart. This is useful for things like Amber Alert where events are not deleted until the case is closed.

Version 1.3.1.0
No need to reinstall this application. Just copy the update files over the existing ones. That will always be the case for upgrades, unless told otherwise.
Fixed an issue that occurred when a user had an FTP account that did not include access to the whole site, but just a particular directory.

Version 1.3.0.0
Fixed a glitch that occurred when a user attempted to designate an Event file as publicly available.

Version 1.2.0.0 b
Another media player update which allows the playback of live video. There will be a sample connection in the ONETUG event file for a few days.

Version 1.2.0.0 a
The main application didn't change, but updates were made to the media player:

Added Fast Forward and Rewind.
Added position counter and total time.
Added position indicator as a slider that can be used to navigate to a particular place in the media.

Version 1.2.0.0
Added the ability to easily find public Event files and to add your own to the list.
Now you can set the default number of days, hours, and minutes ahead to set the deadline for new and copied events. This default can be overridden in the Event Creator form. Deadlines of copies of Events are set relative to the copied Event.
Now the email server password is encrypted in the preference files.

Version 1.1.4.0
Added the ability to easily share the application.
Rearranged the right-click menu making the most used items closer to the top.
Newly added event files are now shown in the list of connected event files.
In the Event File Creator form, added shortcut keys, Ctrl-M (middle) to center text, Ctrl-F to open the font dialog box, Ctrl-N to return to normal font settings, Ctrl-K to select a background color, added an indentation to bulleted lists.
Added encryption for the FTP User Name and Password in the preferences file.

Version 1.1.3.6
Now there is better immediate handling of preference changes, better handling of partial network availability at startup, and a new button on the Latest Version form for obtaining the latest update.

Version 1.1.3.5
Fixed problem with viewing special announcements.

Version 1.1.3.4
Quicker fade out of the timer when hiding it.
Event File Creator form defaults to the Event Item tab because that's where you'll normally want to go.
Now you can double-click a file name in the FTP Download form to begin the file download.
Newly added feed timers stay on top of other applications if that's how the rest are set.
The Event File is now identified in email notifications.
Fixed a problem that occurred when the application was started up without an Internet connection.
Now the Link entry in Event Items does something useful. A button on the Info form will allow users to open the Link URL in a browser.
Better placement of the tooltip when countdown timer is located to the right side.

Version 1.1.3.2
Implemented better handling of the audio and email notifications for the individual events.
Also implemented improved event browsing.

Version 1.1.3.0
Added the ability to increase & decrease event file font size with Ctrl + and Ctrl - and toggle the bulleted lists with Ctrl-L.
Added a Copy Event button.
Set the default Event Deadline to 3 hours later to prevent accidental deletion.
Added an Always On Top option.
Limited the minimum and maximum Y coordinate of timer location.

Version 1.1.2.2
Now preference files are only saved when changes occur, not on shutdown. This prevents the possibility of a preference file being incompletely written due to the computer being shutdown with the application still running. Preferences files that are corrupted by external circumstances may still cause the application to hang, but deleting the corrupted files will allow running the application. Also, files that are too small to be valid preference files get renamed. You must then re-enter your preferences, but the application will not hang trying to read a preference file unless it is corrupted.

Version 1.1.2.1
Added FTP Upload and FTP Download forms so that you can keep all your event files right on your remote web server and you can easily transfer media files.
Now the events are sorted when they're saved in the file (so you don't have to search for them when you're editing). Now they're chronological.
Added preferences for your default settings, including a Default Copyright notice, Default File Location, and defaults for your FTP site.
Added a preference setting for preventing going into full standby mode as a result of your Power Management settings. This lets you continue to get event file updates and get audio notifications when your PC times out for power saving.
Added some shortcut keys for adding or updating event file URLs.
Fixed an issue where sometimes the time for an event would be erroneously converted to or from Universal time when it was already converted. Now your times stay the way you set them.
Added a Save As button to the Event Creator.

Version 1.1.0.2
Fixed the starting of enclosed media saying it can't find the file.

Version 1.1.0.1
Fixed situation where event was erroneously being displayed as continuously being updated when the event file was hosted locally (on a network drive).

Version 1.1.0.0
Warning: If you don't already have the .NET Framework version 3.5 installed you should download the installation file (.msi) from Ryppl and run the installation. Otherwise, you can just retrieve the update zip file and unzip it to your installed folder. Version 1.0.4.5 is the last version that is fully operational on Windows 2000.

Added the ability to include media files in events. They are not downloaded to your drive, but are streamed instead and played in a separate window. This feature and the .NET Framework version 3.5 are not supported on Windows 2000.

Version 1.0.4.5
Better timer handling when no events or when last event has expired
Better notification of lost Internet connection, now shows Internet connection status instead of potentially false indication of an invalid file.
Timer no longer counts down for empty event files.
Changed to a white font for black background (when no more events are ready to be displayed). This is more readable than the blue font.

Version 1.0.4.4
Better font management between events in the event creator.
Better event management across multiple events when the application is left running.
More obvious notification of event changes.
Better handling of email and audio notifications at application startup.
Better handling of special announcement display.

Version 1.0.4.1
Scroll bar is now more accessible on the info form.
File updates occur only when needed but events change properly when their alert time and deadline times are reached.
Event browsing is improved (faster, better, able to leap small and large events in a single bound).
Better handling of closely-spaced events.

Version 1.0.3.0
Now you can see a description of the latest version of The Big Event by right-clicking on the countdown timer and then clicking on the version number. This will show you the latest updates and the latest version number.

The amount of data transfer in everyday use has been significantly reduced by determining whether or not the remote file has been updated before retrieving it. This is good for both you and your subscribers.

Finally, rich-text editing has been added to the Event File Creator form. Now, except for inserting images, you can accomplish all of your text formatting right in the Event File Creator form. You can also use Ctrl-B and Ctrl-U for bolding and underlining. There is a known issue with using Ctrl-I for italic text. However, it appears that if you use Ctrl-Z immediately after you use Ctrl-I that it may restore the text properly.

Version 1.0.2.7
Improved preference setting. Added the ability to customize the alert time (start flashing between 0 and 60 minutes before the event). Added the ability to play audio files at alert time, event time, or both and to record your own audio files. Added the ability to send the event info in an email at alert time and at event time. If you know what you're doing, you can send it to your phone. It comes across in plain text.

Download the new file for an installation program so that it will set it to automatically start when you log in. Also get the preferred font for the Ryppl logo.

Version 1.0.2.6
Printing now allows you to select the printer instead of just the default printer. Creating Event files is a bit easier. You don't need to remember to remove the file name from the Channel Link. When editing an existing file, it defaults to the file name that was opened.

Benefits of Using The Big Event

How The Big Event Increases Your Business

Customer Confidence: Allows you to get information to your customers instantly while they remain anonymous; increasing customer trust.
Customer Loyalty: You can help retain your customers by using The Big Event like a loyalty card. Give them special deals if they're connected to your file.
Advertising: Do you have too many of last year's clothes in stock? You can create a sale ad and have everyone connected find out about it, in seconds. This is the best form of advertising in these economically unstable times. It's FREE.
High Quality Presentations: Want a highly formatted notification but don't have a graphic artist and don't know HTML, just start typing, format and color the text, drag images in, and you're done!
Teaser Ads: You can notify your real estate customers about new houses on the market or open houses... with video, specs, and a link to your web site!
Control Over Lulls: Having a slow dinner hour at your pizza restaurant? Offer a special deal to any customer that calls or comes in from now until 8:00 PM and mentions a special phrase, or brings in a printed coupon that you just created. No need for waiting for a newspaper ad, or taking time to hand deliver coupons.
Timeliness: Want to create a sense of urgency for your products? Update your file with the inventory count of a hot item. People can watch the decrease and realize they need to quickly go get one before they're gone.

How People Find Your Event File

Partnership: Afraid people won't know about your event file? List it publicly. Ryppl will notify people about all new event files with a special notice form that pops up right in the application. There is also a page on the Ryppl site devoted to listing all public files. If someone sees its description, they could wind up discovering it before they even knew you existed. That's brand new customers!
Discoverability: Anytime someone using The Big Event clicks on the menu item to see public Event files, it's listed in an easily searchable manner with all the rest of the public files.

How The Big Event Improves Government

Accountability: Imagine being able to get updates of how your congressmen voted on bills. Talk about accountability! Think of CSPAN statistics and voting tallies being condensed and put right on your desktop.
Increased Awareness: Use The Big Event like a blog and post your political opinions, proofs, and arguments.

How The Big Event Makes You Safer

Amber Alert Version 70.0: Imagine getting near-real-time notifications of missing children, with photos and video, just seconds after it's made available by the authorities! Just think how many more children would be found if the child happened to be near someone who was looking at the instantly received image of the child! Think of it as Amber Alert on a triple dose of steroids!
Weather Alerts: Imagine a weather alert file for your city that audibly notifies you when a dangerous storm is approaching, and getting that seconds after a tornado sighting or other rapid development!
Suspect Alerts: Imagine if your local police department used it to post photos and video of criminals caught in the act just seconds after a crime was committed. If it went out to desktops around the city there would surely be someone near the suspect that could phone in a tip.
Neighborhood Watch: Imagine being able to instantly warn your neighbors of suspicious behavior with the use of descriptions, images, and video in seconds.
Freedom From Viruses: The information window contains only text, formatting, images, and links to web sites, which only reside in memory. The media player does only what is necessary to play back the audio and video. Plus, you can disconnect from an Event file anytime you choose.

How The Big Event Improves Your Social Life

Friends Network: Imagine being able to invite all of your friends to a last-minute party or outing in seconds and have it instantly notify them audibly, via email to their phone (if they have configured that), or discreetly only through visual cues on the desktop.

How The Big Event Improves Everyday Life

Garage Sale Ads: Imagine being able to plan a garage sale in a couple of hours and be ready for it the next day, with people lined up at your door. Have images and descriptions ready and on people's desktops by morning. You can even update the file as things are sold and people have the latest information.

The Free Features

Countdown timer that shows the amount of time until the event (in days, hours, minutes, and seconds). It cannot be minimized or hidden.
Pop-up Information page that contains the date and time of the event (as of your last file update). It pops up when the mouse rolls
over the countdown timer.
The ability to connect to any event file and stay up-to-date.
Easy "drag and drop" connection to event files.
The ability to easily find public Event files to connect to.
Enhanced, attention-grabbing appearance when the event is 5 minutes away (the default alert time).
Play back video and audio files that are streamed to you from the event organizer. No files are stored on your hard drive!
View and save preferences for customizing the operation of The Big Event (they don't take effect until you register).
View upcoming events in either a list or calendar format.
View all events from all event files in a single calendar display (on the right-click menu of the master timer).

The Cool Features

Once you register your copy of The Big Event you get access to these enhancements.

Drag-n-Drop placement of the countdown timer.
Connect to multiple event files in the same program and individually control the preferences.
Change the font size of the countdown timer.
Customize when the timer will start flashing to alert you.
Set audio files to play at either the alert time, the event time, or both.
Record your own audio files.
Choose a text-to-speech plugin to announce the alert time, the event time, or both, along with the title of the event and you can add your own voice plugins (with a little .NET programming).
Optionally send yourself or someone else an email at the alert time and the event time. This can go to your phone if it has that capability.
Customize the timer to display just the days, hours and minutes, and/or hide the time portion until the day of the event.
Hide the countdown timer until a wake-up time that you specify so you won't be distracted.� For instance, don't show the timer
until 2 days 3 hours and 45 minutes before the event.
Specify how often to check for updates to the information, from every 5 seconds to every 2 hours.
Print the event information from the monitored event file in rich text format.
Create your own Event files so that you can coordinate events and keep them on-track. Plus you can include a video or audio file. This includes the ability to make them public so that anyone using The Big Event will be able to see that you're offering an Event file and can easily connect to it.
Simple FTP interface so that you can easily transfer your event files, media files, or whatever, to or from your remote web server.
Have your information displayed using "rich text", including images.

For a demonstration, watch The Big Event Demo.
Get the latest update by clicking here.

The Big Event requires .NET Framework version 3.5 (free download from Microsoft). If it is not already installed on your PC, the installation program will install it. .NET Framework version 3.5 is incompatible with Windows 2000. If you have Windows 2000, then download the update file (here) and unzip it to your local drive and install .NET Framework version 2.0 to use the application without the video playback feature or the public file feature.

Caution! May contain only an updatable portion of a complete installation. This is intended to update an existing installation, unless instructed otherwise.

The Big Event Updates