RE: Filters Unlimited BETA2 available!

["Martijn W. van der Lee" <mwvdlee@open.net>]

Here's my reaction on FU, I thought I'd share it with the rest of the FFDG
in the hope of starting a discussion, so come on and REACT (this means
you!)...

1) It looks very good. I like the way the titlebar is placed and controls
are intuitive and easy. Minor "problems" are the sliders, which would
benefit from having the ability to set them more precisely (up/down buttons,
text input/ PS5 style sliders).

2) It was easy to import my own filter archives (using Harry's PiCo for
converting the plugins to .FFL format) and it does seem somewhat faster than
FF (though I've done no real testing).

3) Being a filter-author, I'd like some protection against rippers, I know
it's not hard to recompile FF filters, but FU makes is VERY simple. What do
all you gals/guys think, do you think there's an added risk to using FU.

4) I'm currently thinking of supporting FU, but in order to support it, I'd
need a registered copy, and to be honest, $35,- is just too much (especially
with the, probably more expensive, FM getting ever nearer). If it were about
half the price, I'd be the first in line. Not to presure anybody, it's just
the way I feel. I don't charge any money for my smtp bulk mailer either
(btw: It's finally finished! http://www.digibel.org/~mwvdlee, let me know
what you think). I understand that this program has taken more effort,
but... well, you get my drift.

5) What about the extra functions? I noticed an new intensity channel, but
no new functions.
How about a FF-like program with iteration abilities (ie.
while(<expresion>)? <true>:<false>, just thinking out loud), is this hard to
do? I've seen tiny basic-interpreters doing this.

6) And now some small suggestions (please stop me if I'm getting annoying):
How about a small indication on the progress when starting FU on a CMYK
picture? (FU converts CMYK pics to RGB for FF processing, right?), also FU
seems to lock-up PS5 when processing an effect to the point of the screen
not being able to refresh.

If you're still here; please note that I may be nagging a bit, It's my
nature. Don't take it personal. If I didn't see a future in this program, I
wouldn't bother giving my opinion.

regards,
Martijn.