I will be attending the Swift by Northwest conference in Portland on October 18-20. This is a sold-out conference for macOS and iOS developers, with a focus on the Swift programming language, and related topics.
I've written a blog post on my personal blog to introduce myself to attendees. Others may also be interested.
Simon version 4.3.1 is now available. This bug-fix update just has a couple of tweaks:
Remember, Simon's price has been temporarily reduced (for the full license and upgrade license), to celebrate version 4.3 (and 4.3.1). Get it while it lasts!
Changes in 4.3 included:
If you are using the direct edition, you can use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
If you are using the Setapp edition, the app will automatically update shortly.
Otherwise, download Simon 4.3.1 now.
Hey Time Out fans! Been wondering where Mojave dark mode support is? Wonder no more; it's here!
Version 2.5 is still very much a work-in-progress, but I wanted to get out a beta especially for anyone using it on Mojave (macOS 10.14) and wanting to use dark mode. I plan to make a number of additional changes before the general release, but everyone is welcome to use the beta; it should be safe.
Only a few changes in this first beta:
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases, then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download 2.5b1 now!
I'm pleased to announce that Simon version 4.3 is now available. An important update to my pro utility app to monitor websites and servers for changes or failures.
If you will be installing Mojave (macOS 10.14) on Monday, or any time soon, this update is essential, to address some compatibility issues. But it is still compatible back to Yosemite (10.10), and has some nice improvements even if you won't be updating yet.
I've also temporarily reduced the price (for the full license and upgrade license), to celebrate this update. Get it while it lasts!
Changes in this release include:
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; url=https://www.dejal.com/">
. Meta refreshes to reload the same page are ignored.curl
.ftp
command-line tool.If you are using the direct edition, you can use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
If you are using the Setapp edition, the app will automatically update shortly.
Otherwise, download Simon 4.3 now.
It's been a while, but I'm pleased to announce the first beta of an update to Simon, my pro utility app to monitor websites and servers for changes or failures.
Version 4.3 is still a work-in-progress, but I wanted to get out a beta especially for anyone using it on Mojave (macOS 10.14), and also to address some issues that have been reported.
I've also temporarily reduced the price (for the full license and upgrade license), to celebrate this update. Get it while it lasts!
Changes in this first beta include:
curl
.<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; url=https://www.dejal.com/">
. Meta refreshes to reload the same page are ignored. This option is on by default. It replaces a hidden preference, and makes it test-specific.ftp
command-line tool.If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases, then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download 4.3b1 now!
On my personal blog, I just posted about my adventures in San Jose for WWDC week, with lots of photos.
I will be in San Jose next week, during WWDC. I won't actually be attending WWDC itself, but will be at AltConf and other events that week:
If you see me around San Jose, please feel most welcome to say hi. I am an introvert, so other people coming up to me to introduce themselves makes it easier for me! But one of the main reasons for being there is to network with other macOS and iOS developers, and others in our industry.
I will be wearing one of several Dejal shirt designs, plus may be wearing a Dejal cap. And my long beard is fairly distinctive:
I will give out business cards with my contact details and apps, Dejal stickers, Time Out stickers, and even stickers for a secret new project I've spent the last year working on (which I'd be happy to show you if interested):
I hope to see you there!
There has been a trend in recent years for websites to adopt TLS/SSL for security — where you see a lock icon in the web browser location field. This is definitely a good idea, even when the site doesn't have forms, but even more so when it does.
The Dejal site has supported TLS for a few years via the dejal.net site, which uses the Cloudflare content delivery network (CDN) to provide reliable sites. This is used by the apps to provide secure purchases and updates.
But until today, the main dejal.com site didn't support TLS... mainly through inertia. Now it does.
I'm considering this experimental at present, in case there are any issues, but you are welcome to use https://
with the dejal.com site now. If you get any errors, just remove the "s" to go back to the non-secure edition.
On a related topic, I've been suffering a lot of attempted forum spam recently. Pretty much all of it is caught before appearing, but the evildoers keep trying. So creating accounts now requires manual approval, to try to dry up that flood. Sorry for any inconvenience. As always, if you have an urgent question, you can use the contact form to email me.
I'm pleased to announce the general release of version 2.4 of Time Out, my popular break reminder tool.
Version 2.4 further extends the enhancements to the postpone and skip options introduced in version 2.3, including a new option to disable those buttons for a few seconds at the start of each break. You may find this helpful if you are habitually clicking the Postpone or Skip buttons, without taking a moment to decide if you really need to defer the break. It's common to see the start of the break as an unwelcome interruption — but you installed the app in the first place because you recognized that you need to take regular breaks for your health and wellbeing. You can activate this option to give you a few seconds to make a more mindful decision.
Another much-requested change in this release is the ability to customize the time to detect natural breaks, i.e. how long the computer is idle.
Something that might help in deciding how you're doing in taking breaks is a new Statistics feature. This is within the Activity section, and includes the number of times you've postponed, skipped, or done breaks, and the total time spent in breaks. These amounts will start being calculated in version 2.4, so take a look after a few days. It also includes a fascinating line chart, for a graphical representation (see below).
There are of course a number of other enhancements and fixes. I recommend everyone update to this version.
Read on for details.
Here's what the Statistics page looks like (obviously, your numbers will be different):
This new option is grouped with the option to show the number of times postponed/skipped/done:
Take a look:
If you are using the Mac App Store edition, you can update via the App Store app.
If you are using the direct edition, you can use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download Time Out 2.4 now.
Here's another beta of Time Out version 2.4.
Unless any problems turn up, this will be the last beta release for this version. I'd appreciate it if you could try it and let me know of any issues.
This update just has a couple of changes:
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases (if not already), then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download 2.4b4 now!
Here's another beta of Time Out version 2.4.
This might be the last beta release for this version. I'd appreciate it if you could try it and let me know of any issues.
Here are the changes in this update:
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases (if not already), then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download 2.4b3 now!
Today is the two-year anniversary of the general release of Time Out version 2.0.
This time last year, I wrote a blog post celebrating the first anniversary with some pie charts breaking down the sales of each supporter duration by the direct and Mac App Store editions.
To mark the end of the second year, I thought I'd follow up with another chart; this time looking at the rate and type of repeat support.
The supporter model used by Time Out was a bit of an experiment — would it be feasible and sustainable to have relatively low priced purchase options for specific time periods? People could buy the lowest level (just $2.99), and never pay again. It'd only work if many people instead chose a higher level, and at least some people renewed their support after the initial period expired.
To help encourage that, I reward ongoing support with useful new features that are only available to supporters. New people becoming supporters, and existing people renewing their support, encourages and funds ongoing development. Everybody wins!
So how has it turned out?
Well, looking at a sample of about the last month, here's a table with the percentages for each supporter level, compared with the first purchase and subsequent renewals:
Purchase | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Total |
3-month | 49.7% | 6.2% | 1.3% | 0.3% | 57.4% |
6-month | 14.1% | 3.1% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 17.4% |
12-month | 20.0% | 4.4% | 0.8% | 0.0% | 25.1% |
Total | 83.8% | 13.6% | 2.3% | 0.3% | 100.0% |
Here's a graphical representation of the same values:
As you can see, most people do purchase the cheapest option the first time (almost half), and most people only buy once (83.8%)... but a goodly number do renew (13.6%), with a higher proportion of them opting for 12 months than before. Relatively few have renewed again... but that may be due in part to version 2 of the app only being available for two years, so people who chose a 12-month supporter status for the first or second purchase won't be due yet.
Looking at the raw data does support this; I see many people who chose the 3-month option initially, then opted for 6- or 12-months when they renewed. Very few people purchased 12-month then renewed at a lower level. A noticeable number also chose 3-month each time; paying quarter-to-quarter (though sometimes with some gaps).
Overall, I'm happy with these results. A high proportion of minimal one-time purchasers may seem a little disappointing, but it's to be expected. A large influx of new customers is good for the app. I just need to keep improving it, and hopefully many of them will choose to renew, or at least recommend the app to others, who will also become supporters.
Time will tell how things go, but I consider this encouraging so far.
Here's a second beta of Time Out version 2.4.
As with the first beta, this is still a work-in-progress; there are a couple more features I want to add for this update, though I might defer one or both.
Here are the changes in this update:
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases (if not already), then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download 2.4b2 now!
As you may know, Dejal is an indie macOS and iOS app development company, owned by me, David Sinclair, offering apps and consulting services.
You can follow Dejal on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Micro.blog, or via RSS.
If you're curious about the man behind the apps, I recently started a personal blog, where I post random comments on life, the universe, and everything, plus photos of pizzas and other food, my pet cats and dog, and other things.
I'm currently posting a photo every day under the hashtag #dejus365.
You can follow the Dejus site on Twitter, Facebook, Micro.blog, or via RSS.
My wife and I also have another company called Yellow Cottage Homestead, with chickens, bees, lavender, and more. You can follow the homestead on Twitter, Facebook, Micro.blog, or via RSS.
I'm pleased to announce the first beta of an update to Time Out, my indispensable break reminder tool.
Version 2.4 is still a work-in-progress; I have added some new features, and fixed some issues, but will do further enhancements in subsequent betas. I'd appreciate it if you'd join me on this journey, to help ensure that the changes work well.
Read the full release notes for details:
If you are using the direct edition, you can change your Updates preferences to include beta releases, then use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download 2.4b1 now!
Happy New Year!
As we start a new year, let's review what happened with the Dejal apps in 2017:
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My pro app to monitor websites and servers for changes and failures, Simon, had a couple of minor updates in 2017, to version 4.2.2. It was also one of the foundation apps in the Setapp subscription service, offering a new option for people who prefer getting lots of apps for one low monthly price. |
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My handy break reminder tool, Time Out, followed up the huge version 2 release in the previous year with a bunch more updates in 2017, including version 2.2, adding a useful activity feature, more themes, and other improvements, and version 2.3, which included much-requested options to limit postpones and skips, show mini pie charts for break labels, and lots of other improvements. |
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Caboodle, the lean clean snippet machine, finally reached version 2... but not as a Dejal product; it was acquired by Before Dawn Solutions. |
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BlogAssist, my tool to help with HTML markup, hadn't been updated for a couple of years, and was never all that popular, so with some regret I said goodbye to it in 2017, so I could focus on my more successful apps. |
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Similarly, I also discontinued Tweeps, an app for iOS to manage Twitter accounts, which was no longer needed with modern Twitter clients. |
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Pack, a simple iPhone app to make it easy to pack for trips, didn't have any updates in 2017, but I am working on a big update (more below). I use it for every trip, and have a number of improvements planned. Try it for your next trip! |
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Date Stamp, an iMessage app to provide customizable date stamp stickers, was updated to version 1.0.1. It may or may not be updated again, but works really well as-is. The iMessage store didn't have a very good start, but is more visible in iOS 11. Tell your friends if you like this. |
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I released a second iMessage app... though this was a pure sticker pack, instead of customizable stickers. Chicken GIFs is a sticker pack featuring many fun animated GIFs of my chickens, which can be used as reactions in messages (chicken butt!). |
On the consulting side, I've done updates for several of my existing clients, but spent most of the year working on an exciting new macOS app, which should see the light of day in the first half of 2018. I can't wait for people to try it.
I am currently fully booked up for the next few months at least, but am always interested in talking with potential new clients. If you have a macOS or iOS project you'd like help with (or a custom Simon enhancement), check out my consulting page for more information.
2017 has been an interesting year for Dejal, and 2018 should be quite eventful too.
I am currently working on Time Out version 2.4. I also already have version 2.5 and beyond planned out; too many ideas for enhancements! If you have any requests for 2.4 or later, now would be a great time to get in touch (fun fact: I'm more likely to sneak in a request when actively working on the app, though no promises).
Next up I'll probably resume work on a complete rewrite of Pack, my simple packing list app. It was originally written in Objective-C, using some legacy techniques and technologies, but I decided to rewrite it from scratch using Swift and modern approaches. It's usually not a good idea to rewrite working code, but this app is small enough, and the code crusty enough, that I deemed it worthwhile. I use this app every time I travel, so I'm keen to keep it fresh and current, and add some great new features... hopefully including iCloud syncing, though we'll see how that goes.
I also have another new iOS app in the works, which I hope to finish off in early 2018, and another new macOS app I want to get to sometime. So much for focus! But I find it useful and enjoyable to explore new ideas and technologies every so often.
And let's not forget Simon; I have some big enhancements planned for its next release, too.
Finally, as mentioned I'm working on a new app for the consulting side, which will be exciting to get released.
It's going to be another busy year!
Thank you and welcome to my new customers, and many thanks to the long-term customers who are still enjoying my apps. I really appreciate your support.
My blog posts often just cover new releases, but sometimes I post general-interest or developer-interest topics. Some highlights from 2017 included:
I hope you enjoyed these posts.
DejalNews 2017-12, issue #73
This is DejalNews, an occasional newsletter from Dejal.
If you want to receive these newsletters in your email inbox, head over to the DejalNews subscribe page to sign up.
'Tis the season for celebrations and reflection... and discounts! As I often do, I am marking the occasion with a discount on my Mac apps, Dejal Simon and Time Out.
From now until the end of the year, you can get Simon, my handy website & server monitoring tool, for just $49.50 — half the regular price. (The upgrade from version 3 is also half price.)
You can also become a supporter of Time Out, my popular break reminder tool, for half the normal amount; just $1.49, $2.49, or $4.99, depending on the supporter duration. (Remember, any level will permanently unlock all of the current supporter rewards.)
The Mac App Store edition of Time Out is also discounted, though with slightly different prices.
This discount is automatically applied if you buy via the online store, or in the Mac App Store edition. Or you can enter the code "JOYTOALL" in the coupon field when purchasing in the direct edition. Don't delay!
Already have Simon and Time Out? Tell your friends and colleagues about it! I really appreciate any help spreading the word.
Last week I sponsored an episode of AppStories, a podcast discussing apps on macOS and iOS, brought to you by the fine folks at MacStories.
It was great to hear John talking about Dejal Time Out on the show.
I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and a very happy New Year.
- David
DejalNews 2017-10, issue #72
This is DejalNews, an occasional newsletter from Dejal.
If you want to receive these newsletters in your email inbox, head over to the DejalNews subscribe page to sign up.
I mentioned in the previous newsletter that I was about to start work on Time Out version 2.3. As you may know by now, that did in fact eventuate, and it was recently released.
Version 2.3 focuses on enhancements to the postpone and skip options, including the ability to show the number of times each break has been postponed, skipped, and/or done (finished) today... and a much-requested feature, the ability to set daily limits on postponing and skipping. There's also a fun mini-pie-chart option.
Importantly, this update also includes a number of fixes for High Sierra compatibility, including a significant issue where the label and break background colors can unexpectedly become white.
I recommend updating to this version if you'll be installing High Sierra.
Read the blog post for details of the improvements.
I don't do much advertising, but I occasionally like to do something to support people and sites that I like. One such is 512 Pixels, written by Stephen Hackett, who you may also know as one of the founders of the Relay FM podcast network.
This week I am sponsoring the 512 Pixels site, as a way to help support Stephen, and promote the new release of Dejal Time Out.
Read the sponsorship post on 512 Pixels.
It seems I'm often writing about Setapp in these newsletters... but it's such a great service, making it easy for people to find lots of high-quality and useful apps, including Dejal Simon.
Setapp has just announced that they have reached 100 apps on the service; an exciting milestone. There's something for everyone!
- David
I'm pleased to announce the general release of version 2.3 of Time Out, my popular break reminder tool.
Version 2.3 focuses on enhancements to the postpone and skip options, including the ability to show the number of times each break has been postponed, skipped, and/or done (finished) today... and a much-requested feature, the ability to set daily limits on postponing and skipping. There's also a fun mini-pie-chart option.
Importantly, this update also includes a number of fixes for High Sierra compatibility, including a significant issue where the label and break background colors can unexpectedly become white.
I recommend updating to this version if you'll be installing High Sierra.
Read on for details.
Here's what the "Show number of times..." option looks like during a break; notice the line of text below the buttons in the control panel. Also notice one of the new themes:
Here's the sidebar, with a pie option enabled for the Micro break, and the tooltip displayed:
If you are using the Mac App Store edition, you can update via the App Store app.
If you are using the direct edition, you can use the Check for Updates feature in the app to update.
Otherwise, download Time Out 2.3 now.