Posted by Debu
Reading the topic of this thread, some of you will be wondering, ‘What in gods name is this Esato reader project?’
Well, the answer to that question is: The Esato reader project is a small, light-weight, Open Source program, which connects to the Esato RSS feed and gets the latest updated posts on Esato.
The following questions should answer most of your queries about the Esato Reader Project.
Q. You mentioned that the Esato Reader Project connects to an RSS feed. What is RSS?
A. RSS stands for ‘R’eally ‘S’imple ‘S’yndication.
According to Google: RSS or Really Simple Syndication is a useful tool for keeping updated on your favorite websites. RSS makes use of an XML code that constantly scans the content of a website for updates and then broadcasts those updates to all subscribers through a feed.
Q. So is the Esato Reader Project just an RSS Reader?
A. Absolutely not! The Esato Reader Project is a lot more then an RSS reader for the Esato RSS feed, it is a comprehensive Esato utility.
One can think of the Esato Reader Project as a set of tools built around the Esato RSS feed.
Q. Ok, I understand that the Esato Reader Project is not just an RSS Reader. What else does it do then?
A. The Esato Reader Project has essentially two components, the Esato Reader, and the Esato Browser.
The Esato Reader:
The Esato Reader is that part of the Esato Reader Project which connects to the Esato RSS Feed.
The Esato Browser:
The Esato browser, is very similar to any other web browser in functionality, but it is built with browsing on Esato in mind. Frequent Esato visitors will find it very convenient to use.
Q. Does the Esato Reader Project only connect to the Esato RSS feed?
A. No, the Esato Reader Project can be used to connect to any RSS 2.0 feed.
Q. Ok, I’m convinced. Where can I download the Esato Reader Project from?
A. You can download the Esato Reader Project in two versions.
1) The basic installation package. The basic installer will check your system for the Pre-Requisites (i.e the .NET Framework 2.0 and Windows Installer 3.1) and if you don’t have any of them it will automatically download them from the vendors website. It is only 900 KB in size and I recommend it for users who feel they already have the required files and users with Slower Internet connections (i.e GPRS, Dialup <56kbps). Get it here.
2)The Complete installation package. This installation package contains the .NET Framework 2.0 Redistributable file (x86 only, x64 users must use the basic installer), and the Windows Installer 3.1 files. However this installation package is a huge 25MB. This would be for the users who have slightly faster (>56 kbps) internet connections. get it here
Both the above two installers will end up installing the same software, they are just different deployment methods. The Installers are compressed to a RAR file, you must extract it,I suggest you use Winrar incase you don’t already have it.
Q. If both the installers install the same software, why is the file size so different?
A. The basic installer, just contains the Esato Reader Project installation files, and it will utilize your internet connection to download the Pre-Requisites files from the internet. The complete installer already has these files in it.
Q. Will the Esato Reader Project work on my PC?
A. The Esato Reader Project will work on any PC which can run the .NET framework 2.0.
Microsoft says: Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 3; Windows 98; Windows 98 Second Edition; Windows ME; Windows Server 2003; Windows XP Service Pack 2
Minimum System Requirements: Pentium or AMD machine running at 200 Mhz, with 32MB of RAM, and 300 MB of free hard drive space before installation.
Q. You said that that the Esato Reader Project is open source, where can I get the source code? I am a developer and I would like to see it or modify it somewhat.
A. Indeed, the Esato Reader Project is open source, you can download the source code from here. All I ask is if you re-use my code; just give me some credit for it.
Q. My operating system is not listed in the supported operating systems list, am I going to be left out?
A. As I have mentioned before, this project is open source, You can yourself compile it for your platform, Linux and Mac users can use Mono to do so, I am already working on porting it for Palm and Windows Mobile, all I have so far is a very buggy PalmOS version, but a couple of months will get us somewhere.
If someone is interested in helping me out with Beta testing on actual device, please PM me.
Q. Who were involved with the development of this project?
A. Most of the development was done by myself but you can thank Axxxr, Batesie, dgilmartin, East Coast Star, ÈL ® ö B ì Ñ, Hustl£r and jcwhite_uk for their very valuable support and assistance.
If any of you face any problems, please use this thread for discussing any issues.
Enjoy!
Posted by methylated_spirit
Wow, someones been putting a lot of work in! i'm impressed!
Posted by masseur
I was intrigued by this when you first PM'd me and having never used RSS I wasn't much help I think.
However looking at the effort you have put into it I'll be sure to make this my first RSS experience
nice work!
Posted by Debu
@meths: Indeed, it was a long project. Though I initially started out trying to make a simple RSS Aggregerator, but ended up with this.
. I couldn't have done it without the help of all the members I mentioned.
@masseur: I hope you will enjoy it!!
Posted by Krubach
GREAT JOB DEBU!!!
Congrats.
Posted by EastCoastStar
i use this everyday when i am at home surfing
good job! sorry i wasnt alot of help. (it worked good from the start though!)
Posted by Debu
@krubach: Thank You.
@ECS: You did help a lot! If I remember you pointed out several errors in the code, right form the early pre-beta version.
Posted by dgilmartin
Yeah, Its a great piece of software, although I didn't put much help in, I was glad to be a part of it. Excellent work debu, it makes esato browsing ten times quicker!
Posted by batesie
ive found myself using a lot RSS feeds since testing this
good work mate the credit is all yours.
Posted by whizkidd
The first thing i do when i get home is download it!! Great job folks.... Haven't tried this rss thingy yet but now.....
and i'm very happy today.
Got my first job today.
how long did the project take from the scratch to reality?
Posted by Debu
@Dan, Batesie: Cheers.
@whizz: Congrats on your new job!! If i remember correctly, mrao will be your boss, right?
_________________
The Esato Reader Project, A must-have for all Esato members.
'When nine hundred years old you will be, look as good, you will not' - Yoda
[ This Message was edited by: Debu on 2006-01-20 15:29 ]
Posted by mrao
@debu...nope , whizz will have his own boss....and it wont be me.....his boss should be joining on the same day as he.....
And nice work there mate....just downloaded the reader and am installing it....
Posted by *Jojo*
@debu - Nice input ! This must be something mate, as you GOT a NOD from one of the Mods here
Posted by Debu
@mrao: I see. So, you will be whizz's bosses boss?
Hope you enjoy it. 
@JN: I got a nod from laffen to go ahead with this project, to be precise. I had to take his permission before i could call it the Esato Reader Project. I hope you enjoy using it.
Posted by *Jojo*
@debu - Yeah . . . sure I will mate. Just like playing Counter-Strike here
Posted by luvsanro
well keeping the file in filfront server , it does not allow more than 1 connection to download from particular IP address moreover it asign session , when session is over u cannot download;
And about the project . its files are all htm format . can it be opened inVS.Net 2003 .
Posted by Pradhika
Debu stands tall.
Posted by Del
Very nice app Debu thanks
Posted by Debu
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Well, filefront is the only one which allows multiple coonections(via download accelerators), which supports Resume, which has unlimited bandwidth, unlimithed storage space. Besides I have a premium account there, so, these files are there for an indefinite period. The source code was written between sharpdevelop and vs2005. you can import the code and designers, into vs2005. Since it uses the .NET Framework 2.0 vs2003 will not be supported. May I suggest, you order the trial version of the vs2005 professional, check out the code, if you like it, there is a very special upgrade price for 2003 users.
Posted by Johnex
@debu: vb2005 works too right?
Posted by Debu
@johnex: If you are referring to vb2005 express edition, to be honest, I don't recommend it, because of its highly crippled IDE features. However, it should work, most importantly make sure that the system.xml and windows web services classes are available for your compiler. The bottom line is, just use the IDE which you are most comfotabe with.
Posted by Debu
Rssfeeds.com has some very nice and uselfull RSS Feeds you may condider using with your Esato Reader Project.
Posted by jenbones
that truely is amazing stuff!! cheers bud!
Posted by Debu
@jenbones: Thanks dude. Hope you find it useful.
Posted by Debu
*bump*
Just so you guys know, Esato Reader Project v2.0 is coming soon, many minor improvements, and some major one's like a tabbed interface.
Also, because of all the complaints I am no longer using ClickOnce to install, now I'm using installshield Installer. I'll post a Sneak Peak a little later.