Ez-Mix - a new mixing calculator - I need your help

[FinallyQuit]

I also have Linux, and haven't been able to use any calculator available up to 2011. Wonder if this one would do the trick? I do have Wine, although I never had any idea what it was for. [Linux is impervious to almost any virus, and after having the windows unit in 4 times in 2 weeks for virus cleanup, the IT guy at my job talked me into Linux. I don't know a damn thing about it!]

 

[VitalSparks]

There is nothing in Ez-Mix that should stress a cross-platform utility. To write the program, I used C++ tools that were contemporary with Win95. I've never found a reason to upgrade - all my programs run on the latest version of Windows, so why go to the expense (considerable!) of upgrading. The only new tool I bought recently was an HTML Help File Editor/compiler to produce help files compatible with Win98 and later (the old .hlp help files ceased to be supported from Vista onwards). For these 'new' help files to work, they need support from Internet Explorer. I wonder how programs like Wine cope with that?

BTW - Update Alert - new improved version to be released tomorrow, incorporating a lot of observations noted lately in this thread. Watch this space...

 

[pdxtechdoctor]

There is nothing in Ez-Mix that should stress a cross-platform utility. To write the program, I used C++ tools that were contemporary with Win95. I've never found a reason to upgrade - all my programs run on the latest version of Windows, so why go to the expense (considerable!) of upgrading. The only new tool I bought recently was an HTML Help File Editor/compiler to produce help files compatible with Win98 and later (the old .hlp help files ceased to be supported from Vista onwards). For these 'new' help files to work, they need support from Internet Explorer. I wonder how programs like Wine cope with that?

BTW - Update Alert - new improved version to be released tomorrow, incorporating a lot of observations noted lately in this thread. Watch this space...

I believe it handles help files just fine.. it will run just about any version of IE as well...

Since it is written with older tools it should run perfectly under WINE on any platform.. I've not used it in a long time since I mainly only use Linux on servers but if someone needs help I can point to some guides on using it...

And thanks for the update tomorrow!

 

[VitalSparks]

I have uploaded the new version (RC0v97b) this morning.

Use your previous link to get to the webpage for download.

I have listened to your feedback in this thread, and made the following changes -

1. There are now 8 flavours - I found a way of doing this without changing window or text size.

2. For those who don't care for costings, or the red boxes when cost details are absent, I've introduced an 'Ignore Costs' option.

3. Tab Stops have now been corrected - the use of Tab Key to navigate boxes on the sheet. The Notes panel is not included in this, because the Tab Key is used there to horizontally position text.

4. Increments/decrements when using UP/DOWN keys on 'Volume To Make' box are now 0.1ml.

5. For new users, there is now an informative 'Splash Screen' that appears each time they launch the program, until they perform their first load/save operation, after which it is never shown again. If you have not used any file operations yet with Ez-Mix, then you will see it. If you have, and would like to see it, then edit the registry - details are in the Help file under 'Uninstalling'.

6. The interface has had a 'facelift' - Nic Base characteristics have now been moved to 'Ingredient Details', and 'Mix Volume' renamed to 'Volume To Make'. This has also been moved to the top in the 'Specification' panel.

7. The F1 key now invokes help, from anywhere in the window. I cannot implement 'Context Sensitive' help yet, because my development tools do not support it for HTMLHelp files. But I'm working on a method of doing this in the next released version (around October).

8. The Help file has been edited to reflect these changes.

Fortunately, because I use a modular approach to programming, these changes are unlikely to affect the stability achieved in the previous version.

I do not intend making any more changes before release next Wednesday unless it is vitally necessary.

Thanks for all those that contributed to this thread so far - keep it coming!

BTW, I just thought I'd mention that I am working on several exciting new features for Ez-Mix, that do not exist in any calculator that I have seen to date. I am hoping to be able to incorporate them all in the October update, but may need help from you again before release to check them out. I am keeping a list of all those that are responding well to this current preview phase, and will PM them nearer the time to see if they are interested in participating.

 

[scooterholic]

Awesome, I will download it and mix up something tonight.

 

[wfo_ak]

Been testing out the program this evening. All the numbers are looking good to me, and really liking having the notes and cost all displayed in the main windows.

Think I might have found a bug though. After saving a juice recipe I am no longer able to open the help file. I'm saving my recipes in a subfolder in my documents if that makes a difference. Once I close the program and reopen the help file opens normally again until I save another recipe.

 

[VitalSparks]

Been testing out the program this evening. All the numbers are looking good to me, and really liking having the notes and cost all displayed in the main windows.

Think I might have found a bug though. After saving a juice recipe I am no longer able to open the help file. I'm saving my recipes in a subfolder in my documents if that makes a difference. Once I close the program and reopen the help file opens normally again until I save another recipe.

Yes, you surely have found a bug - the first one to show up in this thread. It occurrs because you are using are using a different folder from the application folder - a sensible thing to do, by the way. This causes Ez-Mix to look in that folder for the help file and, of course, doesn't find it.

Well spotted! It was an easy thing to correct, and all is well now. I will not provide an update here this time, wait until Wednesday, when Ez-Mix goes public.

I am not accepting any more volunteers now - this preview activity is complete. I will be spending my time till Wednesday preparing my website for new visitors.

Thanks to all for participating over the last couple of weeks. It has been well worth while.

 

[dannyv45]

will take a look at the new build this evening.

 

[pdxtechdoctor]

First off THANK YOU for fixing the tab orders..

I found what I would consider a bug...

When you click New Mix, and then say Yes to retain ingredient data it retains everything in the Details section EXCEPT the Nic Base Strength info, both the PG-VG ration and the mg strength itself..

I assume this is because you just moved it to the Ingredient section from the Mix section...

I also assume this was not intentional because most people will use the same nic base most of the time...

Other than that, this is my go to program...

Only other thing I could suggest for a future wish list is having the buttons at the bottom right...

The reason for this is that on 95% of the laptops produced the resolution is 1366x768 and you cannot use the layout switch...

I am entering recipes, having either my browser, word, or pdf "snapped" to the left and the calculator to the right.. Or maybe put the new mix under the save button vs print.. makes more sense anyways to have all the mix buttons on one side and then option buttons like close, print, layout on the other..

 

[pdxtechdoctor]

Ok one last suggestion and and is related to the flavor description...

It really is too small, especially if you indicate the brand, but those few characters really take away from saying what the flavor is... I use quite a bit of TFA stuff and I always indicate brand because a flavor from one vendor is not the same as from another...

Can we get a separate field for vendor maybe?

 

[VitalSparks]

First off THANK YOU for fixing the tab orders..

I found what I would consider a bug...

When you click New Mix, and then say Yes to retain ingredient data it retains everything in the Details section EXCEPT the Nic Base Strength info, both the PG-VG ration and the mg strength itself..

I assume this is because you just moved it to the Ingredient section from the Mix section...

I also assume this was not intentional because most people will use the same nic base most of the time...

Other than that, this is my go to program...

Only other thing I could suggest for a future wish list is having the buttons at the bottom right...

The reason for this is that on 95% of the laptops produced the resolution is 1366x768 and you cannot use the layout switch...

I am entering recipes, having either my browser, word, or pdf "snapped" to the left and the calculator to the right.. Or maybe put the new mix under the save button vs print.. makes more sense anyways to have all the mix buttons on one side and then option buttons like close, print, layout on the other..

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, the New Mix thing was a bug, caused as you say by moving things around. I actually found this myself too last night, and it is now fixed.

Not quite sure what you mean regarding buttons...

 

[VitalSparks]

Ok one last suggestion and and is related to the flavor description...

It really is too small, especially if you indicate the brand, but those few characters really take away from saying what the flavor is... I use quite a bit of TFA stuff and I always indicate brand because a flavor from one vendor is not the same as from another...

Can we get a separate field for vendor maybe?

I hear what you say, but cannot do anything about it at this stage. You will appreciate that changing the width of this field will have a profound effect on the width of the window, and the layout when printed. This may make it difficult to fit everything on a small index card, especially if the full width of the Notes section is used, unless a small font size is selected.

This is something that I will be addressing for the next version. One of the new features that I have planned will mean adjustments to this area anyway, so just watch this space...

What I suggest in the meantime is to add any extra flavour details you need to an entry in the Notes window. You can easily copy the flavour name(s) you have already entered across using normal copy/paste procedures. I have now added comments along these lines to the Help file.

As a matter of interest, would a 50% (or thereabouts) increase in the width be adequate?

 

[vernhall]

Works great! Am waiting for a vape-mail of new flavorings to mix up some Ecto and will be using this...

 

[Waho]

Downloaded and used this last night. It has the honor of being my new favorite calculator. The note panel on the side takes it over the top compared to my written notebook with other calculators.

Keep up the good work!

 

[FinallyQuit]

Linux strikes again. Can't unzip the package, not your fault, my zip file is missing something important. Oh, well, thanks anyway!

Is it available in an online only format?

After invaluable help from Jeff and a lot of Google searches, I was able to install the calculator. Just had to open with "wine core exe" instead of trying to unzip the file. It looks great! I'm excited to start using it with my new Capella flavors received today!

 

[Elantis]

I have been using this calculator exclusively for a while now, and truly find it to be exceptional compared to others.

It is much easier to change up the slightest menu adjustment. I love the notes section and have been using it a lot.

I really like how you can enter in the cost of the item used and end up with a final cost to make a particular liquid - that has amazed my daughter that her favorite DIY juice that I make costs a mere 1.79 for a 30ml bottle. Thanks for all the work on this!

 

[littlebluepig]

Downloaded tonight, gonna have to try this out.

 

[Cavediver]

I've been using this for a few weeks, and I've got to say that I'm really happy with it. I love the notes section; it allows me to keep track of recipe changes, note the flavor brands and full names, and I also paste in the recipe origins (webpage links, etc).

Nice work VitalSparks!

Since the majority of my recipes are the same pg/vg mix, I've established a basic blank template for new recipes. Instead of hitting the new recipe button, I open an existing recipe and choose the blank template (labeled 000Blank or something like that to keep it at the top of the window).

 

[hildicat]

Sorry, but is there a link to the calculator somewhere? Skimmed the thread, maybe I'm blind? Do we still need to PM the OP for access?

 

[Cavediver]

I think he had to drop the link because it led to his commercial site (non-vaping related).
PM inbound.