Release 0.12 (updated 2)

New StepTalk release 0.12 is available for download here (Disk Image, 1.6MB). It contains all previously mentioned changes, and new StepTalking application that uses StepTalkKit framework:

Sources in ZIP archive can be found here (405KB).

Reusable Conversation Panel (edited)

I have finished a prototype of reusable conversation panel window in the StepTalkKit framework. This is how it looks:


Features:

• default context, if not provided any
  
• customisable toolbar
  
• script history - recall previous scripts either from toolbar or by keyboard
  
• language selection
  

And this is how you will be able to use it in your applications.

STContext *context; /* Assume this exists and is set up */
STConversationPanel *panel;

panel = [[STConversationPanel alloc] init];
[panel setContext:context];
[panel makeKeyAndOrderFront:nil];


STContext *context; /* Assume this exists and is set up */
STConversationWindow *window;

window = [[STConversationWindow alloc] init];
[window setContext:context];
[window makeKeyAndOrderFront:nil];

If you do not set the panel's window's context, default one is used - local to the panel window.

What do you think?

Wanted: StepTalk Maintainer for GNUstep

As the StepTalk is now being developed on Mac OS X, a maintaner for the GNUstep version is needed. Taks is simple: synchronise sources and maintaing GNUstep-Cocoa compatibility. If anyone is interested, just let me know and I will provide him with all needed information. Do not worry if you do not know about StepTalk too much, you will learn... :-)

May progress

What is going on?

• StepTalkKit framework is being created
  
• AppKit bundle is included
  
• source is reorganised into more logical groups
  
• Foundation and AppKit now advertise all public Cocoa classes
  
• constants from Foundation and AppKit are generated from simple constants list file instead of .m source file (the .m file is being generated)
  

The StepTalkKit framework will provide user iterface elements for integrating StepTalk into any application. It will contain:

• conversation panel similar to the one in StepTalking application that can be reused in any application
  
• views for custom script input/output: script input view, transcript view (implemented)
  
• actor builder panel - panel for creating actors, editing their methods and attributes
  

By using the combination of script input view and transcript view one can create instant-messenger like interface (similar to Adium) for 'chatting' with objects. Basic 'object chat' window is provided with the conversation panel class in the framework.

If you have other ideas or questions, do not hesitate to share them.

IO language bundle

Yen-Ju Chen has created IO language bundle for StepTalk. The bundle is not available now for download, as it is just firt release that proves that it works. More information can be found here.

Updated try

I have updated the application and fixed some issues. The StepTalking application now supports Adium-like history recall with Alt+Up and Ald+Down keys. Also I have added the language selection menu (Note that the default installation contains only one language bundle).



Download the new disk image here. XCode projects for both, the framework and the application are included.

Finally talking on OS X

After few months of silence, while developing new application with code name GridCells, I have updated StepTalk for OS X. New application was created as well:

Noteworthy changes in StepTalk are:

• New application called StepTalking - simple instant-messenger like interface for talking to objects in StepTalk languages.
  
• Bundled default bundles (modules and the Smalltalk language) inside the framework - not polluting Library directory any more with default installation
  
• "Traits" in the Actors (STActor)

You can download the disk image with OS X Tiger binaries here. There is the framework, application, installation instructions (two steps) and some documentation-in-pictures. I hope to upload cleaned XCode project soon.

Enjoy!

P.S.: If you have any problems, do not hesitate to contact me.