FlickrSync

New Post: Quicker thumbnail display (development test build)

DanielRyan — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:49:07 GMT

Sorry Olivier

I was ill for a bit and whilst I'm still working on this feature I also have some other commitments which are slowing down progress.

I would still be very grateful if you would be willing to beta test my changes when they are made, however, in case your need is urgent this is a good project which just synchs Flickr metadata available here: http://flickrmetadatasynchr.codeplex.com/ which you could use in the meantime.

Apologies again.

Daniel

Commented Issue: Uploading Video [15755]

DanielRyan — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:29:30 GMT

What sort of pitfalls are there uploading video. I am a .net programmer, but have never missed around with any of the flickr stuff. I am going to dig around in the code and see if it is possible, but wanted to ask what stuff you ran into.
Comments: ** Comment from web user: DanielRyan **

Just to clear up any confusion:

Sorry I meant to say this is Pedro's project, got his name confused with someone else I know...

Source code checked in, #72345

DanielRyan — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:12:19 GMT

WARNING: This is a development build and functionality is definitely broken. The reason for uploading is to allow me to keep track of changes - I have held off putting anything up that was broken but I need to be able to keep track of things so I will probably be releasing more regular development builds - Please do not use them yet. Changes: -Refactoring -Modified startup procedure

Commented Issue: Uploading Video [15755]

DanielRyan — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:57:40 GMT

I am currently doing quite a lot of refactoring work so feel free to play around but bear in mind the actual code is changing. I'm hoping to upload some of my source code changes soon but what I am doing is still very much in flux so I wouldn't necessarily modify it at the moment.

Of course, I say all this noting that this is Paulo's project and he is in charge of whether anything actually gets officially released. He has kindly allowed me to use the Codeplex site as part of my university project which I hope to continue after I finish university, but fundamentally he is in control of what actually happens.

Created Issue: Uploading Video [15755]

two4suited — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:17:09 GMT

New Post: Quicker thumbnail display (development test build)

OlivierM — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:22:31 GMT

I'm reader to be beta-tester !

Olivier

Source code checked in, #70562

DanielRyan — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:40:33 GMT

This upload is for my convenience in tracking changes. It is untested so please don't use it. -Now using Nlog for logging -New file location for logs and user config data \$ApplicationData\FlickrSync\ (also removed option to specify location and name of log file). This is also the new location for the Syncfolders settings file. -Auto archiving of old logs (keeps last 7 days) and also categorisation of level of logging as before -Readded Debug logging option - this will generate a seperate log file which also tells the method which created each log message to better pinpoint errors

New Post: Quicker thumbnail display (development test build)

DanielRyan — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:00:59 GMT

Sorry for the late reply, I've been busy with other coursework at my Uni.

I'm currently doing some quite heavy development after which I hope to have these features implemented (at least in test form) within the next 2-3weeks.

Having someone as a beta tester would be extremely useful if you've got any feedback to provide :) .

I'll let you know when the next version is released by posting again on this forum.

Thanks again

Daniel

New Post: Quicker thumbnail display (development test build)

OlivierM — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:32:45 GMT

Yes !, it's more faster to display the thumbnails. Good news.

I'm waiting for your new developpement on the Tag syncing feature !
If you want beta tester, I'm here.

Olivier

Source code checked in, #70071

DanielRyan — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:50:08 GMT

Tidied up some more comments, this is the base version before serious refactoring in so I can compare if anything breaks and doesn't make sense.

Source code checked in, #69980

DanielRyan — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:59:09 GMT

-Converted the internal syncfolder settings format to XML from strings -Added ability to autosave the sync folder settings when the program is closed. This can be toggled on and off with a setting in the preference window. This build update is not comprehensively tested and should be treated as such.

Source code checked in, #69756

DanielRyan — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:10:20 GMT

Now with the DLL actually included in a new Lib folder for references such as these.

Source code checked in, #69755

DanielRyan — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 14:38:43 GMT

Upgraded to the latest version of FlickrNet and made some modifications to account for changes in the framework. Basic functions seem to be working however this version may still contain bugs and should not be used without further verification.

New Post: Plans and request for feedback

DanielRyan — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:15:27 GMT

geada wrote:

A few comments:

1. I've always kept away from writing to local files because any bug on this code could eventually destroy very valuable pictures. In order to have a two way sync, you should have everything that writes to local files very clearly separated and all of this should be disabled by default. Only if the user specifies that he wants to write on the local files and understands the risk should he be able to have the two way sync.

2. Regarding the UI changes, I think they can be useful but again they should be kept as an option (another way of viewing). I believe the tree view is extremely useful. In my case, for instance, I sync all the folders from my pictures main folder. In the tree view, I'm able to see easily the structure of folders and which ones are mapped to flickr or not. Eventually you could put the new columns on the tree view instead of going to a completely different view.

Thanks for the feedback and sorry for the late reply.

1. I agree and I hope to avoid this by doing several things. If I am writing tag information to local files only this should be safe and not damage the image. If the image is being deleted then it will be moved to the Recycle Bin so the user has to decide to delete it from there. Alternatively, it could be put in a backup folder, I'll have to see how much time I have to play with this. I don't anticipate there being any other actions e.g. overwrite a local image because the only changes which would be brought back would be in the tags which can be done just by writing new tags into any existing image. Since this would be using Microsoft's API hopefully it would be safe. To address the broader point I'm not sure that it will be a true two way sync - it might make more sense to have the user explicitly say I want to do an Upload Sync or a Download Sync not something which would attempt both at the same time as you're right that could be confusing / dangerous.

2. Due to time limits and how much it is used in the current code I agree that the current TreeView will probably be kept. I will try to keep the changes just to the right pane and leave the TreeView intact unless I manage to somehow merge them as you suggest. I realise that having the TreeView as it is can be very useful for the reasons you already posted.

Many thanks again for your input.

Source code checked in, #69030

DanielRyan — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 22:47:38 GMT

More comments and some TODOs resolved (and more new ones added for later changes).

New Post: Plans and request for feedback

geada — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 14:31:16 GMT

A few comments:

1. I've always kept away from writing to local files because any bug on this code could eventually destroy very valuable pictures. In order to have a two way sync, you should have everything that writes to local files very clearly separated and all of this should be disabled by default. Only if the user specifies that he wants to write on the local files and understands the risk should he be able to have the two way sync.

2. Regarding the UI changes, I think they can be useful but again they should be kept as an option (another way of viewing). I believe the tree view is extremely useful. In my case, for instance, I sync all the folders from my pictures main folder. In the tree view, I'm able to see easily the structure of folders and which ones are mapped to flickr or not. Eventually you could put the new columns on the tree view instead of going to a completely different view.

New Post: Plans and request for feedback

DanielRyan — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 01:02:22 GMT

Hi all

This is just to let you know what my development plans are (as part of my university project).

I've already posted about improving the speed at which thumbnails are loaded.

My next few changes are then going to be to do some refactoring of the code and upgrade the FlickrNet library. I won't post these changes to the forum because they are not likely to offer anything new to you but the should help me make my later changes. They are:

1. Tag syncing - sync changes in tags from local copies to Flickr and in the opposite direction, ideally without having to retransmit the entire image to save bandwidth and time.

2. Two way syncing - make it so that that changes on the Flickr side are reflected locally e.g. if files are deleted from the set on Flickr or new ones are added then do the same in your local copy

3. Improve the current command line functionality so that you can e.g. specify which folders/sets to sync and in which direction.

In order to do this I will have to make some UI changes which is where I'm really asking for feedback. Because the changes I'm hoping to make will effectively pair the local folder with its Flickr set (as it is now but even more so) I am thinking about removing the Tree List pane on the left of the window and instead having just a list of pairs which you can add, delete, edit, etc. It seems to me that this is the simplest way to do it without making it too confusing. I have a photoshop mockup you can look at here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danieljryan/5434890338/lightbox/

Please note, this is a very rough mockup, I would also have buttons on the menu bar allowing you to create a new link or remove an existing one as well as sync them up or down. Also I would try to keep it so that you could have subfolders nested and clicking the top one would select them all, that might be more difficult though.

I'm eager to hear if anyone has any thoughts about this.

Thanks for reading.

New Post: Quicker thumbnail display (development test build)

DanielRyan — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:50:54 GMT

To anyone who is interested and confident enough with computers, I have a new version for you to try:

Changes:

- Thumbnails from files on your machine will now display more quickly when you view them before syncing

- Thumbnails now keep their aspect ratio so you will be able to distinguish them more easily

Please note, trying this is at your own risk, but nothing should have been broken.

Instructions:

- Go here: http://flickrsync.codeplex.com/SourceControl/changeset/view/68374 and click the download button

- Open the downloaded flickrsync-68374.zip and navigate FlickrSyncDevelopmentBranch > TestReleases

- Open 1-ThumbPerformance.zip and copy the FlickrSync folder to somewhere on your computer.

- Open the folder and run FlickrSync.exe

You will probably need to reauthorise the program with your Flickr account. Running this program should not affect the existing version of FlickrSync installed on your machine and you can delete the folder containing the it at any time.

Please let me know if you notice the speed increase in displaying thumbnails and if you encounter any problems.

Thanks

Daniel

Source code checked in, #68374

DanielRyan — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:32:57 GMT

Upload of first test version which users can try.

Source code checked in, #68263

DanielRyan — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 23:22:59 GMT

First release with faster loading of local thumbnails and most source files commented.