updates

MAL Client OS X 0.3.4 and MAL Updater OS X 1.2b GUI Released

November 14, 2009 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

MAL Client OS X 0.3.4 is now released with new features allowing you to search for information on AniDB and Tokyotosho and sharing of a title to a email with the URL to the MAL Page… just add a message and send. Minor changes made to melative updating to reflect the changes made to the APIs.

Major change is that MAL Updater OS X GUI is now included with the MAL Client OS X distribution. This is a simple frontend to TakakoShimizu’s MAL Updater OS X, which is a command line script programmed in Ruby that allows Mac users to scrobble their Anime from MPlayer, Quicktime and VLC. The drawback is that the setup script does not always work and you cannot turn it off unless you get rid of the launchd file which will disable the automatic scrobbling. There is a better way to this issue.

MAL Updater OS X GUI is just a frontend to this mess and allows you to save your login info securely which will be used for automatically generating the script needed for MAL Updater OS X when scrobbling is turned on. When you close or stop scrobbling, the script is deleted so people won’t easily find your MAL password. The GUI is a lightweight program and only uses around 10 MB of RAM. Note that you still need Growl installed to find out what is scrobbled or you have to resort to the log files to find out.

The only drawback is that MAL Updater OS X script is outdated by .1 (since 1.3 isn’t available for download), so I can only include 1.2 for the time being. Once 1.3 is posted again or if he decides to update it, I will add it to the package and also make some improvements to the GUI.

The source code for the MAL Updater OS X GUI is located in the malclientosx SVN at Google Code.

In addition, a Linux version of MAL Lite is now available for download here (1.7 MB). GTK+ 2 is required to run the program and will work with any Linux distro. To run it, unzip and double click on “MALLite”

Download MAL Client OS X 0.3.4 with MAL Updater OS X GUI (9 MB, Universal Binary)

Category: MAL Client OS XTag: MyAnimeList, updates

Blog Updates – Blog Hits 4,000 Visitors

October 31, 2009 by Chikorita157 1 Comment

As I thought, the whole month of October went by so fast and I hope you had a enjoyable Halloween, although I don’t take part in it since it’s childish in my opinion. However, it have been nearly a month since we ditched Google Analytics since it’s so inaccurate since there are some extensions like Noscript which blocks all Javascript, which means Google does not keep track of those visitors who have javascript disabled… and also iPhones and iPod touches and I have decided to switch over to StatPress Reloaded which is 10x better than Google Analytics… Google Analytics can die in a grave…

This month alone, this blog generated 22181 pageviews and 4013 visitors.. which isn’t bad at all… and hope that it will grow as time goes on when I keep updating the blog.

Another update I want to mention is that MAL Client OS X 0.3.2 Beta is now out. This features better melative updating support, melative updating when adding new titles, some improvements over catching invalid updates (like having a status of completed when the title is still airing) and more secure password storing, meaning the password is encrypted. If you haven’t already and have a Mac, Download the Client or if you have it already, just use the “Check for Updates” function to get the update automatically.

I know there is another MAL Client called iMAL, but it’s very buggy and have alot of memory leaks. Also, the interface is a bit messy and most wouldn’t care about automatic scrobbling anyways, unless you are lazy. MAL Client OS X is already making life easier since you don’t need to go to MyAnimeList and update it from there. In addition, MAL Client OS X makes it easier to update both MAL and melative, so I don’t see the point of iMAL really. If you don’t already have a melative account, go get one… NOW!

Next month is coming around the corner, so mid-season reports will be coming soon for Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Purity and Kobato… so far so good. Also, one last thing… Make sure you turn back the clocks one hour at 2 AM tomorrow since time changes to standard time.

Update: For Windows users, I have released a trimmed down version called MAL Lite. This release will not be supported and contains updating feature and melative updating. I won’t be supporting this release since I do not use Windows that much anymore besides from games. If you are interested, download a copy (2 MB, includes source code).

Category: MAL Client OS X, UncategorizedTag: updates

MAL Client OS X 0.3 Goes Beta

October 28, 2009 by Chikorita157 Leave a Comment

It have been nearly 2 weeks since I started this project and made alot of progress. Now after I cleaned up the source code after adding some new features, I felt that now MAL Client OS X is ready for Beta since I haven’t experienced any severe bugs with it.

MAL Client OS X now contains a killer feature, Melative updating. If you don’t know what is Melative, it’s Entertainment combined with Twitter, allowing you to microblog your thoughts while you are watching something.

MAL Client OS X have basic Melative updating support, which will automatically post your status on the stream and library on that particular series. There are some titles that are on MAL and not on Melative, but they are pretty quick in adding new information on that title.

After updating, you will see this on your stream, for example:

The update will be from MAL Client OS X, indicating that the program made that update automatically. To enable this feature, type your Melative Username and Password under Preferences > Misc and it will create a token (Melative Usernames and Passwords are not saved, but stored in the token which is encrypted). Check Enable Melative Updates and the program will post the updates when you update MyAnimeList status. Note that this feature isn’t perfected yet since the Melative API documentation is incomplete at the moment, but I hope that I will make it so that comments can also be posted with the status update on Melative pretty soon.

Now MAL Client OS X truly pwns iMAL and MALUpdater now!

Other fixes includes:
– Login now uses HTTP code (200 will be success) instead of a total hackjob I did. Now it should spit out the error message if somethings wrong with the connection.
– Fixed the Remove Series Button on the Anime Lookup window. It should only show up when the series is on your list
– List is now sorted depending on your status on your Anime Series
– Source Code cleanup

Now this being at Beta stage, I highly suggest that you give your feedback so I can improve the program and also report bugs you may see in the program along with your configuration at the MAL Client OS X Club. Now with MAL Client OS X, you can take control of your MAL List and not let it take control of you!

Download MAL Client OS X 0.3 (6.3 MB, DMG)
If you have it installed, use the “Check for Updates” on the MAL Client OSX Menu to install the new update automatically.

Category: MAL Client OS XTag: MyAnimeList, updates

MAL Client OS X – 0.2 Released

October 21, 2009 by Chikorita157 Leave a Comment

I have been working on this MAL client for Mac OS X with my free time after college and I was able to add basic update features and also along with it, the ability to add and delete titles from your list. Note that the buttons for some reason disable itself after adding/deleting series… I’m currently looking into that and there will be a fix in a bugfix release.

How does this work?

At this very moment, you need to double click on a title on your list to access the add/delete/update functions. I’m planning to add a feature that you don’t have to load the information without having to do this in 0.3 of MAL Client

This is what it will look like if the title is on your list.

You will see three new options, Add, Update and Delete. Add function is only available when a title is not on your list. Update and delete features are available when the title is on your list. In addition to that, your status will appear under the Anime information.

If you decide you want to update your status, you can press the Update Information on the toolbar. This will popup

From there, you can update your status, watched episodes and rating of the title. Press Update and the information will be updated.

If you decide you don’t want a title on your list, you can remove it. Just press the “Remove Series” button and you will see this prompt.

After confirming, it will notify you that the series you decide to remove is removed from your list.

I released this build so people can test and give their feedback on the new features. I know it’s buggy, but I will be ironing out the bugs soon and a bugfix release build will be released hopefully this weekend.

Anyways, Here is the release notes on MAL Client OS X 0.2

Version 0.2

– Added Add/Update/Delete Series function. Now you can update your status using this program
– Login screen dialog now changed to modal, Progress shown while trying to log in
– Search now shows the correct search count
– Rearranged to Anime Information Window

Known Issues

– “Your List” may not refresh with the updated information after adding/updating/removing a series. This is fixed already in the last minute bugfix build. Redownload to get fix.
– Pictures in Anime Information may not load properly
– Performing a Sparkle update under Snow Leopard causes the program to crash (remember not to enable automatic updates and perform them manually.)
– Buttons do not enable after a Add or Remove function have been done. – Fixed in a last-minute bugfix… Redownload to get fix

If you have already download 0.2, please redownload it so you will be able to use Sparkle Updates. Forgot to add the DSA Signature required for Sparkle to update.
Download MAL Client OS X 0.2 (6.17 MB, Universal Binary)

Update: MAL Client OS X is now on Google Code

Category: MAL Client OS XTag: macs, MyAnimeList, updates

The Harsh Reality of College and Anime Blogging

September 14, 2009 by Chikorita157 11 Comments

We all wish that we are in a city where wishes come true and be part of a drama club with a girl drawing pictures of Dango or help a harem of sad girls in snow… The problem is… reality. The majority of us Anime bloggers attend high school or college and school isn’t as fun like in the Anime universe or visual novels.

I’m going onto the third week at attending Rutgers University (yes, I know theres a Anime club there, but I won’t bother since there will probably be a bunch of Weeaboos that will annoy me since I’m a actual Asian) and like with Spring semester at my old college I used to attend, I’m in a pile of homework, readings and papers to write. Unlike spring semester, I am practically going to school almost the whole week although three days I only have one class and I don’t really have that insanely difficult classes that require alot of time. Still, homework takes a lot of free time I could spend on watching anime and writing a blog post about it. With the Prelab for General Chemistry Lab, it took me nearly 6-7 hours just to complete it… Same with my accounting homework since I have problems to work out which takes a while since I need to learn how to solve it. With the other courses, mostly it’s reading and writing papers which won’t take as long, but I won’t be updating nearly as much I did in the summer since I need to complete my homework ahead of time so I can have time to update my blog later… Remember, work and study now and play later… and you will get good grades.

I do anime blogging and watching on my free time and I do my best to make updates since I’m not one of those people who does hiatus and never updates the blog again… If you excuse me, I have some homework to do.

But my feelings still wish it was still summer, but not a eternal summer of course… I hate that Endless Eight loops…

Category: EditorialsTag: editorial, updates

Happy Birthday!

August 9, 2009 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

Today on August 9, 2009, I turn 20… Yes, time flies while you are young, but it reminds me that summer break is almost coming to a end and starting September, I will be starting my fall semester at Rutgers University since I transfered in which means alot less time for watching anime and more onto college work although I will still update this blog frequently…

Last week was pretty much a good week since I finally got my drivers license and the dreaded Endless Eight comes to a end with a bang… Well, hopefully my birthday won’t turn out bad today… except my presents are still being shipped, so I won’t be able to show or unbox anything until they arrive. If you want to know what it is here is the list”

Spoiler Inside	Select Show
– Nintendo DSi – Noise Canceling Earphones (not real expensive ones) – Kannagi Vol 1 and Vol2 (preorder) – sola Boxset (preorder – New wallet with money

I will post my thoughts on the anime DVDs and DSi once I receive it through the mail…. Otherwise, Happy Birthday… myself… =p

Attribution Information

This fanart used in this post is made by かゆね (kayuumi) source.

Category: UncategorizedTag: updates

Some lose ends… Poll 3 Results and Site Statistics

May 22, 2009 by Chikorita157 Leave a Comment

Since it’s been a month, I decided to do some housecleaning and finally give the results to poll 3 which involves Female Leads from Air, Clannad and Kanon.

Site Statistics

Since April 22, 2009, I have been tracking the blog traffic and in one month, the website received over 2000 visitors and 3641 hits… which isn’t bad for a blog that is a few months old… Not to mention, we have over 9 people who are following us on Twitter.

If you are interested in the full report, this report can be read here. (Requires Adobe Reader)

Poll 3 Results

Last 2 weeks, I posted a poll asking readers what Key lead heroine they like the most? Here are the results:

It seems that Nagisa is the most favorite and following that is Misuzu. The least popular female lead seems to be Ayu… Some people might find Ayu a bit annoying because she say Uguu~ so many times and also considering how Clannad ended a few months ago, no wonder… Even though I like all three leads, I seem to like Misuzu the most because she is the cutest/most moe as stated in several posts ago.

Category: UncategorizedTag: poll results, updates

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