So, I’ve been resting for the past few months. Reason for that is a burnout I had some years ago which still effects my ability to work. It gets worse at this time every year due to "Seasonal affective disorder". Anyway, this break has had some positive side-effects. I’ve had much time to think about the future of CE and other projects related to CubicReality.

The current state of CE is pretty awful. It’s filled with bugs and unfinished features. Also my motivation level to code it has gone down quite a bit lately. To solve those issues, I’ve decided to do some major changes in my life. The only way to ensure CubicExplorer’s future and quality is to make it my full-time job and run it like a business. CE will however stay free so no worries. In some distant future there might be an optional registration, not sure yet.

I’ve already built a nice office and I’m looking forward to start work next week.

Happy New Year everyone! – Marko

Another busy week behind. Most of this week has gone in building the new office. I installed laminate floor which took some time. Also I changed the desk setup to enable more work space. One day went in installing all monitors and computers. Every cable is now tied with zip ties and there’s not a single cable on the floor. It was a huge job to tie everything but well worth it. All and all, I’m very happy with the new office. Lot’s of work space and the floor is awesome. Man, I’ll need to replace those ugly CRT’s with some shiny new LCD panels:

Some progress on CE despite the office project. I added toolbar button for QuickView tab. Those who are updating CE, use the customizer to add that button. It’s under Navigation category. I also made it so that if you have a file selected and you press QuickView button (or Text Editor button), the selected file is opened. Same works in File Search (middle clicks work now too). As Tommy suggested, I’m calling this build 0.90 RC 4. Next week I’ll tweak the icons a bit and then we can release 0.90 final. It’s time to replace that old “stable” release.

Change Log

• Now Ctrl+F4 closes tabs also
• Added support for custom shell icon sizes.
• Updated French translation.
• Fixed bug in video players seek bar when watching long videos.
• Made video players seek bar more precise.
• Made GIF images open in QuickView.
• Files from File Search can now be opened in QuickView and Text Editor.
• Made Alt+Right Click to work in File Search.
• Text Editor action now opens selected file. If there’s no selection, an empty document is opened.
• Added QuickView action.

*UPDATE*
Version 0.90.0.1109 had a bug which made folders and bookmarks have lot of whitespace. It’s fix in 0.90.0.1111. Re-download if needed.

CubicExplorer 0.90 RC 4 (0.90.0.1111)
Installer (2.1MB)
Zip (2.4MB)

It’s been busy week. I’ve been fine tuning some of the time management techniques and done some preparations and planning for an office update, which is scheduled for this weekend. Basically I’m going to rebuild my office from scratch. Also I’ll reinstall Windows in my work system. Here’s few 3D designs (made with SketchUp and Kerkythea) of the new office layout:

About the new CE snapshot, I added QuickView tab. It works just like text editor tab does but for images and videos. Currently loading larger images can be a bit slow but I’ll optimize that next week. Also I’ll have to add an ability to zoom and scroll images. Controls to show next and previous images would be also nice. Middle click or Alt+Left click over image, video or audio opens the file in QuickView tab.

Change Log

• Added main menu popup action.
• Added main menu popup in status bar.
• Added visibility option for Main Menu.
• Added visibility option for tab bar.
• Added “Close tabs on left” and “Close tabs on right” actions.
• Added QuickView tab page.
• Added Korean translation.
• Changed shortcuts for panels to Ctrl+1, Ctrl+2, Ctrl+3…etc.

CubicExplorer 0.90.0.1105 (SVN Snapshot)
Installer (2.1MB)
Zip (2.4MB)

So I decided to take few weeks off. The original plan was to take the break after 0.90 final release, but since it’s delayed and there’s lot’s of other stuff going on right now, I thought this would be a good time for the break.

On other notes, I’ve been fine tuning the new office and all I can say is, I love it. Productivity level has increased tons. To add even more productivity I installed another graphics card and two monitors. At the moment I have to use some old CRT monitors but at some point those should be switched to LCD panels. There’s never enough workspace .

So, this whole week went in building a new office and fighting against flu virus. I got pretty sweet deal on used, quality office tables and chairs. Although there are still few furniture I need to get, I’m very happy with the new office. Now there’s lot’s off workspace and no clutter. While working with the office, I let my guard down and the flu virus took over my body. It hasn’t kicked in fully yet, so there’s still hope since I have some ammo left.

Anyway, I hope I’m back to the schedule next week. It’s been a crazy month but things should cool down in July. Have a nice weekend everyone.