expand EmoteMaker to include a smiley manager?

[brynn]

Hi Friends,
I'm desperately looking for a nice smiley or emoticon manager for Windows 7 (to replace SmileyPad, which won't work on Windows  7, and for which development and support are no longer available).  The only such software I can find is GetSmile which is sold by Microsoft for $25.  That's a little pricey for me, for such a little program, especially when I don't care for its native smileys and would simply be using the manager with my own favorite smileys.

Anyway, I like how EmoteMaker looks, and am considering becoming involved in drawing the "parts", if this is still what the project needs presently.  I'm not exactly a talented artist, but think I could create nice smiley parts.

However, my main purpose in trying to contact you (and for registering at your forum), is to suggest the addition of an emoticon (smiley) manager to the EmoteMaker/jEmote software.  And by manager, I mean simply a directory or cache where smileys can be loaded into, and from which smileys can be drag and dropped into forums, emails, etc.  Here's a link to the SmileyPad installer, so you can get an idea what I'm looking for:  http://download.cnet.com/SmileyPad/3000-2150_4-10496393.html?tag=mncol;lst  (works on XP, installs on W7, but doesn't function).

Or I don't know, maybe you could acquire SmileyPad and upgrade it....if that might be something of interest for you??  (Re: SmileyPad.  It's original creators parted ways...I'm thinking 5 yrs ago or more, at which point development and support ended.  I see from the page I linked you to above, that some group called SoulSoft has acquired, or I assume more like adopted it, I don't really know how it happened.  But when I tried to open their website, www.emotipad.com, it redirected to some motorcycle website.  This gives me the impression that SoulSoft either is not a legitimate organization, or doesn't care to upgrade or provide support for SmileyPad.)

I wouldn't suggest you do either project for free.  Although in my search, I found jEmote at Sourceforge, which appears to be much the same, if not identicle to EmoteMaker; which gives me the impression you intend it to be a free program.  It just seems to me that SmileyPad is a great little program, and I think entirely marketable (although as I said, I think $25 is too much).  I'm surprised no one has picked it up, upgraded it and marketed.

Anyway, there appears to be NO smiley manager available as freeware for Windows 7, so whether acquiring SmileyPad, or expanding EmoteMaker (or jEmote) to include a smiley or emoticon manager, it seems to me a talented, industrious, young person like you might be interested in creating such a program.  Maybe it could be your "claim to fame"??!!

Just a thought!
Thanks for listening

[Deano]

A very exciting idea my friend, I shall look into how smilypad works and perhaps I will build my own such program!

I will reply again soon with more information thank you very much!

Also just to note, yes we are still looking for Emoticon "parts" to expand the database in the software any help you can give is appreciated very much

[Deano]

Okay I have been experimenting, and this project is possible for me im constructing it as we speak... it's looking really promising! I have some awesome ideas!!

I still need to figure out however how on earth the software managed to allow drag and drop emoticons into MSN/WLM messenger , cannot find any documentation on how to do this!! Hopefully I will make a break through though soon!

I think it has something to do with OLE or something :p fingers crossed...

[brynn]

OMG, I am so excited!!   
I thought you'd probably "keep the suggestion in mind, for later" or something.

MSN Messenger, I've never used it, so don't have any experience to report.
But I CAN report that I was never successful with drag/drop into Outlook Express email with SmileyPad -- even though it was said to be able to.  However Windows Live Mail (in Windows 7) contains its own smileys, so using a smiley manager for email is no longer something I (or others) would need.  I guess unless one doesn't like those native smileys.  Then it would be nice to be able to use one's own smileys with a smiley manager?    Gosh, I didn't even realize WLM had a messenger    I don't like using instant messengers because I type so slowly.  By the time I have a response ready to send, the conversation has moved on 

Also just to note, yes we are still looking for Emoticon "parts" to expand the database in the software  any help you can give is appreciated very much

Great!  I will download the existing files, and look to see if I might have something to offer.

Thank you SO much, I'm really excited about this!

PS - I don't know if you've considered using any of the major software distribution sites, such as c-net or PCWorld, or even smaller ones like Major Geeks or Tucows?  And there are a lot of even some smaller ones that I've run into here and there.  But that might be another idea, if you think your products are ready (or complete or stable, I'm not sure what is the proper terminology).

In my search for a smiley/emoticon manager, I found EmoteMaker on something like the 6th page of a Google search (and had to search using 'emoticon' rather than 'smiley').  I was just thinking that using one of those software distribution sites (not sure if that's the proper description of those sites)...anyway, I'm thinking you might get more exposure, get more people using your programs, and maybe even find others who would want to help!

So just a couple  more thoughts   Thanks again 

[Deano]

would you mind helping me test and give feedback on the software when it starts to come together? would really help!

[brynn]

Yes, no problem -- sounds like fun, and who knows, I might learn something, lol    I've already posted some messages in other topics (about EM), but maybe you'd rather PM or email?

I've never "officially" tested programs before, so it will basically be like a regular user giving feedback.  I do have 2 machines, one 64-bit with Windows 7 (laptop), the other 32-bit XP sp3 (desktop).  Are there any security issues involved?  Not like viruses, but like crashing my system?  Maybe I should get a better backup system, sooner than planned.  (I usually just copy my most important files "manually", but want to get the system snapshot, or imaging type of backup, which provides almost instant restoration in case of unexpected loss.  Plus it's automated.)

I still need to figure out however how on earth the software managed to allow drag and drop emoticons into MSN/WLM messenger

I'm not sure when WLM came out.  I suspect that SmileyPad never was made to be used with it, because SP was abandoned....I think before WLM was released.  MSN however....as I said, I rarely instant message.  But I noticed in my search for smiley managers, several programs strictly for MSN messenger smileys and none other.  This gave me the impression that MSN is significantly different, and that "outside" (non-msn) smileys can't be used.  I could be wrong about that, but MSN definitely has a huge database of smileys (smiley-base? ), from several sources.  So I guess what I'm trying to say is that it might not be terrible if this new one you're making won't work with WLM/MSN.  Although I certainly understand what an asset it is to have a program work in/with a broad range of other programs or environments.  So anyway, just a couple more thoughts there