My friend, it has been a while. How are you and what have you been up to?

As for me, I've been rather busy. Scribere has been taking form and is quickly approaching a Beta release. To accomodate this, a couple of things need to happen first:

1. Completion of basic user documentation.

2. Fine tuning of features.

3. Raising of funds to continue development

Though, to tide you over for the next week or two there are two screenshots which demonstrate the simplisity and power of Scribere.

I must beg you friend to pay respect to your mac and stop salivating over the keyboard. It isn't good for it. Please send an email through to Beta at Scribere dot info to be considered for the beta.

Please do keep in contact.

God bless,

Matt

Dear Reader,

As you are aware from my ramblings, I often have crazy ideas and schemes of grandeur, and nothing could be truer. This is precisely why I write.

I have a crazy idea, and it is a grand scheme. That scheme is to see Academics return to a desire for knowledge and wisdom. To see both students and professional academics alike use technology to its fullest potential rather than wrestling with it daily. This is starting off with Scribere which provides a way for taking notes whilst listening to podcasts and vodcasts. In fact, though it works by using an RSS feed to obtain and maintain the audio and video, it can be used for any stand alone file. This is perfect for listening to recorded lectures or church sermons. Further, Scribere takes note of when in the audio/video the note was taken so that the notes can be reviewed and referenced with ease.

That is the first of many crazy ideas and whilst I do love writing about the idea itself, it is nothing if it remains an idea. Scribere has taken shape for the past year and though it is usable, it still has work to be done. This is the second reason that I write. Scribere has generated a lot of interest and popularity amongst my friends and acquaintances and they have been clamouring for it. "Gimme, gimme" are the cries that come thick and fast over twitter as well as when I take out my laptop in a coffee shop on Glenferrie Rd.

This is where you, dear reader, come in. I'm at the point where finishing the app requires solid work and long hours, and these don't come cheap. In order to get the app completed, I'm in need of funds. One way of doing this is by a site called ChipIn which collates the funds into a PayPal account. In order to participate in this fashion, the ChipIn widget is provided bellow.

If you feel that using the Internet is insecure or would rather do things the old fashioned way via a bank transfer, please contact me at Matt _at_ ReformedSoftware _dot_ com.

But what is in it for yourself dear reader? If funding crazy ideas and schemes of grandure isn't enough reason then I shall detail what you will get for your donation.

• Access to Scribere beta.
• A free copy of Scribere (retail price will be roughly $30 when released).
• Weekly updates on what is happening with Reformed Software.
• Conversations over coffee.

This, dear reader, is regardless of how much you invest. If you want to invest $5 then you save money. Though I will openly say that my goal is to raise $7,000 so the more you invest, the higher the standard to which applications will be developed. To make good on this, please contact me so I know you've invested.

If, dear reader, you are considering Reformed Software as a serious business investment, then please do contact me. I do love talking to you my friend, dear reader, and appreciate the advice that you give. There is a business plan written as well, and in true style it has been writen using LaTeX.

I would like to hear from you soon, and if you decide to support using ChipIn then please send me an email so that I may respond.

Take care in your travels and may the God of all peace and glory keep watch over you.

God bless,

Matt.

Throughout the last couple of months I’ve been busily working on finishing the my university degree. It has been a long time coming, though thoroughly enjoyed. So come the end of the year I will be changing from one stage in my life to another. I’ll graduate from Swinburne. And there was thunderous applause.

My pursuits will still remain academic due to the direction that Reformed Software is taking. That direction is one of service to the Academic community through the writing of software that aids in studies. The first way in which this service is being accomplished is with Scribere a note taking application for podcasts and vodcasts. Talking to an academic today at Swinburne, after asking what I was up to and the subsequent disbelief that I was still a student, he loved the idea of Scribere and was impressed about the development thus far. He also provided some much needed usability input at that stage.

How does this square with my faith? Reformed Software is still a Christian software development company, and by God’s grace it always shall be. The difference is that it isn’t obtusely so.

Further the tagline for Reformed Software will change, though what it embodies will still be present.

God bless, Matt.

So, it has been a long time since I last posted here. Even longer with my personal blog.

Things just seem to be getting busier and busier, which results in little time to blog and let people know just what is happening. First big news "The King is dead! Long live the King!". Roughly translated, TheUnboundWord is no more. Instead, Scribere has taken its place. This is complete with a new website which is in the works as well as a more appropriate name. Scribere is Latin for 'to write' and fits the purpose of Scribere perfectly. The Beta (or Alpha) testing has been delayed by a couple of months. This is due to me not being comfortable with the level of usability in the program. Plus, I haven't done much in the way of documentation or administration work that I would like to get done.

Add to this, I've been working on a new website for Reformed Software and by the time Scribere hits 1.0, the new site will be in place. Until then, this humble blog will continue and much fun will ensue.

Currently I'm in the process of writing up business proposals and looking for venture capital to get things rolling. Once this comes through much will occur in rather rapid succession.

Until then, I will be posting once a week with the progress of development and also random thoughts about Software Development as pertains to Scribere and other projects.

God bless,

Matt.