10/28/02

PTVL 2.5 is now available.

The autoupdate feature should get you setup, if not you can grab the new install here.

You should have the following version numbers after installing:

• WebLink 1.4b
• ListingSync 2.2b
• PTVL 2.5d

Because of some strange daylight savings time issues, if you are getting the wrong times, delete the \cache folder from C:\Program Files\Thumbs Up!\Pocket TV Listings\. This will force WebLink to download all new listings.

A change in the TVGuide.com format pushed up the release schedule a bit so the website hasn't been updated.

But, for now, you can click here to see some of the new features.

You will need to run WebLink 1.4 and have it update your Listings.dat file.

The new Listings.dat format used by PTVL 2.5 and WebLink 1.4 is not compatible with older versions of PTVL. Do not try to mix and match, it won't work.

As always, if you have any comments, suggestions, or problems, please let us know.

10/11/02

This page is seriously out of date

The big news is that the PTVL 2.5 Beta program is now open

For more information click here

1/3/02

Posted two new skins from Neil Faulkner.

PTVL 2.0 Beta program is now open.

For more information see the Beta page.

12/28/01

WebLink 1.0v released

PTVL 1.9f released

Download the new version today!

9/29/01

WebLink 1.0q released

PTVL 1.9c released

ListingSync 2.0d released

Download the new version today!

Many, many improvements:

• A new GuideScraper replacement called WebLink
• A much improved Add Provider Wizard
• Much faster loading for more data in the PTVL client
• Better ListingSync
• Listings use less storage space (about 50% smaller)
• Using less memory while running
• Faster searching
• Enhanced searching (search for actors)
• Auto update of the PTVL client
• Weblink is a little more aggressive in cleaning the cache so it should stay smaller
• Minor cosmetic changes
• Added option to WebLink specifying the timeout value when downloading
• WebLink should be reusing connections now
• Added retries in WebLink when downloading the channel list
• The progress indicator while searching in PTVL is different
• Searches in PTVL should be even faster
• Recurring reminders can now be updated (It does slow down the load time by a bit though)
• PTVL loads all categories at startup
• PTVL has a new dialog that comes up when setting a reminder
• PTVL will automatically reload listings.zip if a new version is detected
• Corrected a problem with Auto Download connecting to TVGuide.com more often than needed.
• Corrected a problem with the Add Provider Wizard for satellite systems other than DIRECTV.

The new Listings.zip format used by PTVL 1.9 and WebLink is not compatible with older versions of PTVL or GuideScraper. Do not try to mix and match, it won't work. So stop using GuideScraper and begin using WebLink. WebLink can be found on the desktop under Start | Programs | Pocket TV Listings.

9/3/01

You can find more information about the beta and a link to the download here.

8/31/01

There's a new install, so unregistered PTVL won't expire until 10/1/01.

I'm planning on opening up the beta to everyone. Check back for a link tomorrow.

8/24/01

We've moved to a new server.

If you see any problems, let me know.

8/7/01

GuideScraper 1.5u is available here.

GuideScraper 1.5u should solve the problems with the new TVGuide.com format.

7/30/01

GuideScraper 1.5t is available here.

GuideScraper 1.5t should solve the problems a few people have had with "freezing".

7/26/01

GuideScraper 1.5s is available here.

GuideScraper 1.5s changes the way multiple providers are handled and should correct the problems people have been seeing with TVGuide.com reporting No Listings found.

If you have multiple providers, please download this update and post feedback in the message board.

There's still time to signup as a beta tester for the next version of PTVL, if you are interested please e-mail.

7/25/01

Uploaded a new PTVLInstall.exe

The new install has the following program versions:

• GuideScraper 1.5r
• PTVL 1.5e
• ListingSync 1.3a

GuideScraper 1.5r fixes a problem with channels that have extra spaces in them.

Unregistered PTVL will expire on 9/1/2001.

7/22/01

GuideScraper 1.5p is available here.

GuideScraper 1.5p will detect a lineup change and display a WARNING message in the task history.

GuideScraper 1.5p will detect if TVGuide.com is reporting No Listings and display a WARNING message in the task history.

If the Listings.zip file was not updated GuideScraper will display a WARNING message in the task history.

People have complained about the number and frequency of updates, because of this and the fact that this isn't a critical update, I'm not updating the status file which would cause the New Version dialog to be displayed.

We are currently looking for a few beta testers for the next version of PTVL, if you are interested please e-mail.

7/18/01

GuideScraper 1.5o is available which should fix some problems with downloading listings.

Note: If you are having problems, just replace your GuideScraper.exe with GuideScraper 1.5o from here.

As of GuideScraper 1.5o, the auto download and updating feature should work on older operating systems.

Until you have GuideScraper 1.5o you still need to download and install the updates manually.

You can either just grab the replacement GuideScraper.exe from the link above or download the latest PTVLInstall.exe.

The new install has the following program versions:

• GuideScraper 1.5o
• PTVL 1.5d
• ListingSync 1.3a

Remember to uncheck smart download and rescrape if you've been having problems.

If you are running the latest versions of the software and are still having problems, let me know.

7/17/01

A beta GuideScraper 1.5n is available that may fix some problems with downloading listings.

Note: If you are having problems, just replace your GuideScraper.exe with GuideScraper 1.5n from here.

Expect a new PTVLInstall.exe to be posted as soon as feedback on this version of GuideScraper is in.

The auto download and updating feature appears to only work on Windows 2000. We are working on a new solution that will work on older operating systems. Stay tuned.

7/14/01

GuideScraper 1.5l fixes a problem with downloading listings.

GuideScraper 1.5l can also auto update itself.

Note: just replace your GuideScraper.exe with GuideScraper 1.5l from here.

Expect a new PTVLInstall.exe to be uploaded later today.

7/12/01

Uploaded a new PTVLInstall.exe

The new install has the following program versions:

• GuideScraper 1.5k
• PTVL 1.5d
• ListingSync 1.3a

GuideScraper 1.5k fixes a problem with downloading listings.

GuideScraper 1.5k also fixes a problem with saving the output directory from Options.

Note: if you just want to replace your GuideScraper.exe you can get GuideScraper 1.5k here.

7/6/01

Uploaded a new PTVLInstall.exe

The new install has the following program versions:

• GuideScraper 1.5h
• PTVL 1.5d
• ListingSync 1.3a

GuideScraper 1.5h fixes a bug with being mis-identified as a denial of server attack.

PTVL 1.5d fixes a bug with registration information being lost when upgrading.

6/29/01

Uploaded a new PTVLInstall.exe

The new install has the following program versions:

• GuideScraper 1.5g
• PTVL 1.5c
• ListingSync 1.3a

GuideScraper 1.5g fixes a bug with the Add Provider Wizard that was reporting No Channels Found for the Provider.

6/29/01

Uploaded a new PTVLInstall.exe

The new install has the following program versions:

• GuideScraper 1.5f
• PTVL 1.5c
• ListingSync 1.3a

GuideScraper 1.5f should handle the new TVGuide.com format. Note: if you are still having problems make sure that you can still see the listings via your web browser. There have been times where at least one of TVGuide.com's servers has been very unresponsive.

6/16/01

There is a new beta version (1.5e) of GuideScraper available here. It should read the new format on some of the servers. We still aren't getting that format here in our testing but with the help of some great users, I think we have the problem solved.

If you are still having problems, this version of GuideScraper will produce a Diag.zip file. Please e-mail it to support.

Assuming all goes well there should be a new install kit posted soon.

6/5/01

There is a new beta version of GuideScraper available here. It *may* read the new format on some of the servers. We still aren't getting that format here in our testing so we're making some (hopefully) educated guesses.

Please post feedback (both good and bad).

5/30/01

TVGuide.com has changed the layout on some of their servers. We are working to deal with this. Please keep checking here for updates.

4/26/01

Updated skins.

Updated the beta SkinPTVL program to version 0.0e. This version fixes a few of the more annoying bugs and supports the new format of the Listings.zip file.

4/24/01

GuideScraper version 1.4c released.

PTVL version 1.4b released.

Listings.zip has a new format that should load faster.

Re-arranged some of the items under Setup (including a new Reminders tab).

For users of Jimmy's Landscape, multiple resolutions can be stored in single .skz file.

A sample skin is here.

There are still more dialog changes that need to be made to better handle 320x240 mode but we are working on it.

We've got a backlog of skins that should be posted in the next day or two.

3/28/01

GuideScraper version 1.3c released.

/nodde actually works.

Fixed a problem with Categories not being assigned.

3/26/01

PTVL Version 1.3a released.

GuideScraper version 1.3a released.

ListingSync version 1.3a released.

Unregistered PTVL will expire on 5/1/2001.

PTVL how has Tap-Hold menus in search results

Added weekly recurring reminders as an option (defaults to off)

When loading data the Notes part of the recurring reminders is updated with new details

Added a bunch of command line options to GuideScraper

• /nodde will disable DDE (DDE was causing at least 1 person problems)
• /hide will cause the program to be minimized to the tray at startup.
• /go will cause the program to begin collecting data and exit when done.

You can use the /go parameter together with Windows Task Scheduling to schedule your downloads. (Expect a HOWTO to be posted soon)

Different Weekend Filters in GuideScraper

GuideScraper Proxy support should work.

Days are numbered from 1 instead of 0 in GuideScraper.

3/9/01

Added a poll to help determine what features are added.

2/20/01

PTVL version 1.2b released.

GuideScraper version 1.2b released.

ListingSync version 1.2a released.

Unregistered PTVL will expire on 4/1/2001.

Added ability to demand load listing data.

Keep in mind that when demand loading data the new combo box on the details page will only show programs for days that have been loaded.

The number of days to load at startup can be set on the Options page under Setup.

You can specify the maximum number of days to load (not to search) when searching.

Added an option to PTVL to make program reminders private.

Added a sort button on the Channels page.

Added "Sticky" categories.

Checking a category on the "Sticky" page will cause all programs that have exactly the same name to be in that category.

Configurable retries on GuideScraper.

Experimental proxy support in GuideScraper. Please let us know if this works.

Extra Stripping Option to remove "(Repeat)" from program names and "Visit our XXXX show page" from program details in GuideScraper.

The 1 item not syncronized problem should be solved.

Add Windows 95 support to ListingSync.