ThumbScrew
I'm about to head out the door to watch the election coverage with friends, but Zach was kind enough to send me the latest beta of his first Mac OS X app that normal users can use, ThumbScrew.
ThumbScrew is thumbnail app, as in you drop an image, or a folder of images onto it, and get a bunch of thumbnail images in the same folder with the option to output an HTML page. There are a ton of these, but ThumbScrew is unobtrusive, straight-forward, and doesn't throw in the kitchen sink.
For some people that's a deal-breaker, for others being able to throw a folder of images onto it, and then upload that folder (or get the HTML from the window and copy it into a blog post)and have it just work without a bunch of fussing will be nice, so I wish him luck.
It's also nice to see someone get close to getting their baby out the door; Zach works for Zope, and is a Python guy, so he's been playing a lot with the Python bridges to Cocoa and it's his first Mac OS X app that isn't related to Zope. I've pinged him more than once about Python-related things while doing research.
Plus, that's Zach below (seriously), so you can see why we'd get along.
Two things to note from his blog entry on ThumbScrew: "It's not yet ready for general release, but I wanted to let people know I've been listening to the feedback I'm getting. It will remain free for everything it currently does (plus the extra thumbnailing features), but I'm planning on charging a small fee to unlock the new features."
The first part is a lie, but a good-natured one. The first few betas I was sent were rough, but this release is ready for some wider feedback. Since I don't have any more feedback to offer besides adding Growl support, I'm sure drunkers won't mind downloading it [1.1 megs] and making sure to offer feedback.
The second part is about charging a small fee in the future for extra features he has planned: I like that. I'm not an OSS whore, but I've really gotten tired of apps releasing themselves as free in order to get users, and then going paid with the expectation that a certain percentage will just cough up the dough. This has become the M.O. of way too many mac developers lately, so it's nice to see someone being upfront.
Posted by drunkenbatmanNovember 02, 2004, at 08:47 PM
Comments (8)
Posted by: drunkenbatman at November 3, 2004 12:17 AM
Damnit, I was sure it looked like you. Plus, I thought Dave Thomas died, I remember being really sad because I liked his ads, and Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich is one of my favs.
Posted by: Mindflayer at November 3, 2004 01:12 AM
It's 0107ET, and the count is still close - within razor margins in some states.
Posted by: Sam Pullara at November 3, 2004 02:03 AM
Personally, I use flickr and the flickr iPhoto plugin for my pics now. Really great site!
Posted by: Pekze at November 3, 2004 03:28 AM
Amish Paradise
As i walk throught the valley where i harvest my grain,
I take a look at my wife and realize she's very plain.
But that's just perfect for an Amish like me,
you know I shun fancy things like electricity.
At 4:30 in the mornin' i'm milking cows,
Jebediah feeds the chickens and Jacob plows, fool
and I've been milking and plowing so long that
even Ezekial thinks that my mind is gone.
I'm a man of the land, I'm into discipline,
got a Bible in my hand and a beard on my chin,
but if I finish all of my chores, and you finish thine,
then tonight we're going to party like it's 1699.
(Chorus)
we've been spending most our lives living in an Amish Paradise,
I churn butter once or twice, living in an Amish Paradise,
It's hard work and sacrifice, living in an Amish Paradise,
We sell quilts at discount price, living in an Amish Paradise.
A local boy kicked me in the butt last week,
i just smiled at him, and I turned the other cheek.
I don't really care, in fact I wish him well,
cause I'll be laughing my head off when he's burning in Hell.
I ain't never punched a tourist even if he deserved it,
an Amish with a 'tude, you know that's unheard of.
I never wear buttons, but I got a cool hat,
and my homies agree i really look good in black, fool
If you come to visit, you'll be bored to tears,
we haven't even payed the phone bill in 300 years,
But we ain't really quaint, so please don't point and stare,
we're just technologically impaired.
there's no phone, no lights, no motorcars, not a single
luxury,
like robonson Crusoe, it's as primitive as can be,
(chorus)
we've been spending most our lives living in an Amish Paradise,
we're just plain and simple guys, living in an Amish Paradise,
there's no time for sin and vice, living in an Amish Paradise,
We don't fight, we all play nice, living in an Amish Paradise
Hitching up the buggy, churning lots of butter,
raised a barn on Monday, soon i'll raise anutter
think you're really rightious?
think you're pure in heart?
well i know i'm a million times as humble as thou art.
I'm the pioust guy the little Amletts want to be like
on my knees day and night scoring points for the afterlife.
so don't be vain, and don't be whiney,
or else my brother might have to get medieval on your hiney.
(chorus)
we've been spending most our lives living in an Amish Paradise,
We're all crazy Mennonites, living in an Amish Paradise,
there's no cops or traffic lights, living in an Amish Paradise,
But you'd probably think it bites, living in an Amish Paradise,
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
ah-ah
ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah,
yech!
Posted by: Jennifer at November 3, 2004 04:54 AM
Can one drag-and-drop an album from iPhoto directly? Or does it have to be from the Finder?
Posted by: Zachery Bir at November 3, 2004 07:34 AM
Yes, you can drag photos (and albums) in from iPhoto, but I think there's still an issue with rotated photos. I think the selection handed to Thumbscrew is the originals.
Posted by: I iz a buzzer at April 29, 2006 05:31 PM
Ive been spending most my life gunning in a Amish Paradise
That's actually my neighbor, David Thomas. The neighborhood dressed as the Amish for Halloween. He and I both have kegerators, though, so yes, you and he would get along famously :^)