Hard to find an entry point into this thread, so I'll reply to the last message <G>
Our image rotation code (at least the code I have for Unix) is based on NetPBM and it does really, really nice rotations. Very minimal jaggies.
Border, drop shadow, etc all have places, and are simple features that can be enabled/disabled in the admin.
FWIW: I've let andy run with the program for the past month or so (he's so excited <G>). But we both have ideas that we want to build in, and as the program evolves into a version 1.0, and then a 2.0, it will diverge from plugins to being a true OEM version. Tighter tie-ins between certain code, optimized searches, better disk-management, etc. I'm not mucking with it, until andy is satisfied with his first official beta release. (I'm playing with community and GList to see how I can integrate them into a hybrid program of monumental proportions <G>)
Andy has a slightly different vision than I do, but they are compatible and complementary. The end result is the consumer/end-user will win out bigger-time.
After the beta release, the plugins may be developed further, as independent projects, or as modules to build upon in other programs.
Tenataive pricing is $600 during the beta, $750 for the "Lite" version, and $1500+ for the "pro" version. There is a STEEP discount during the beta development. The reasoning is, this program will contain most of our plugins, core code, and such, and therefore has a lot more "intellectual property" in it. As we develop this further, we may be able to make this a "server" for other programs, such as the Classifieds, Personals and Matchmaker software. There are also other "benefits" for purchasing a license during the beta period. Visit
http://ultranerds.com for more, and *please* try to move the discussions there, as pricing, etc is not really related to this forum.
Upgrades are going to be free for 1 year, or within a major version number. Whichever is longer (you get at least 1 year upgrades). Version upgrades carry a price tag dependent on the versions. Your Links SQL key is valid under the terms of the GT License agreement so you can migrate to the current "generic" Link SQL version at any time.
For those who own Andy's "plugins" package, these OEM versions are not plugins. They are a separate product, with a built-in separate Links SQL license.
As we develop this, the plugins package will absorb some of the new plugins, and we'll eventually move to a teired plugins package, where you will be able to pick one or two of the major plugins, plus all the minor plugins, depending on your type of site.
There is a *LOT* of work on these plugins, and there is going to be ON-GOING development. We've tried to come up with a fair balance for everyone. As Andy rolls out the beta code, I'll be adding in some of the features that I've been sitting on for years. I'm trying to collect my old messages, and I'll be posting them in the Ultranerds forum area. There is a heck of a lot of man-hours (the mythical beast) in this code, and we are doing our best to come up with a licensing program that is fair to everyone.
http://ImageSQL.com will have it's own site, and we'll have demos set up, as well as links to sites that are going to be available "pre-developed" with custom templates, image sets, and more.
This is a *BIG* project, possibly the biggest ever applied to a Links SQL modification. I said that before Andy and I teamed up, and now that we're working together, it will be even bigger :)
_-_-_-_-ing AWESOME! :)
For those who may not know, my involvement with on-line imaging and forums goes back to 1983. I ran several forums on different system, CIS, The Source, Delphi, GEnie, etc, and my own 8-line BBS under Wildcat/OS/2. PGG Graphics had some of the largest image collections and best photographers working with us in the early days of BBS/dial up and the Internet. Our Forums on DELPHI were second behind the PC forums as far as traffic. The technology has finally caught up enough to migrate some of that to the Web/Internet. So, I have a long history with -- and a lot of time thinking about -- on-line image galleries, digitial imaging, intellectual property rights/copyright, and more. I am hoping to get some of that BBS functionality back, and move my image collection, and that of several other photographers, onto the web, and provide stock photos, "site seeding", custom photography shoots, and more. The development of ImageSQL from my point of view will be to manage all that. (And Andy thought he was just writing a gallery program ;) <G>)
PUGDOG� Enterprises, Inc. The best way to contact me is to
NOT use Email.
Please leave a PM here.