Ketner Lake WW Journal
Overview
FAQ
Contact
History
| 1) | Obtain and install a Java Runtime Environment |
| WW Journal is a full-featured, standalone application, written in Java. As such, it requires a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) to operate. If you don't have a JRE installed, or just aren't sure, please download and install one for your operating system. A Java Runtime Environment can be obtained for free from Sun Microsystems for Solaris (15.4Mb), Linux (14.8Mb), and Windows (5.4Mb). If you do have a JRE installed, then please move on to the next step. | |
| 2) | Create a directory for WW Journal |
| Creating a directory (or "folder" for those more familiar with that term), is a pretty straight forward operation for most computer users. The directory for WW Journal does not need to be in any particular location. It can be on your desktop, it can be in your root directory, it can be in "Program Files" (for Windows users). Likewise, the name of the directory does not matter. You could call it "wwjournal", "journal", or just "stuff". For Windows users, to make this as straight-forward as possible, I recommend "c:\wwjournal". | |
| 3) | Download and run WW Journal |
| Okay, you've made it through the hard parts. To run WW Journal, you simply need to download a single, small file, called a Java Archive or "JAR" for short. In this case, you want the "WWJournal.jar" file (132kb). Put the file in the directory you just created. To run the program, simply double-click the "WWJournal.jar" file. Whenever you want to run it again, simply double-click the file again. If you know how, you might create a shortcut and place it on your start menu (for Windows users). The great part is that now that you have a JRE installed, you can run all of the latest and greatest in Java programs. | |
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Recently I have been required to switch from the Palm OS to the Windows CE OS on an iPaq device. Unfortunately, the Palm OS version just won't run on a Windows CE device such as the iPaq. Being confronted with this, and being a developer by trade, I thought that there must certainly be a way to put together an application for the iPaq.
I started where anybody developing for a Windows platform probably would start - Microsoft. Interestingly enough, they provide an entirely free development kit for developing for Windows CE. It includes both Visual Basic and Visual C++, in which both of I have some expertise. But my main expertise, and my language of choice is Java, so I started looking a little further for a Java Virtual Machine (VM) for Windows CE. It didn't take long before I hit the end of that road.
About a week later I got an email from a list I subscribe to on the topic of Java development. The headliner for this message was about a competition being held to promote the Savaje XE Java OS. The contest was intended for Java developers to write an application for their VM running on the iPaq. I know this sounds all complicated and stuff, so let me just say that it was without pause that I started building a Java version of a Weight Watchers journaling program, based on the Palm OS version I had used, and intended for the iPaq.
Now the great thing about Java is that not only would this application run on the iPaq, but also on the desktop of machines running operating systems ranging from Windows, to Linux, to Solaris and more.
I never did end up submitting my work for that contest. It turned out that getting their VM on the iPaq in it's beta state was a task I was just not up to. They also wanted documentation on installation and operation. And hey! This is a one man show here - I was lucky I had the time to develop this application to begin with.
Nonetheless, the application is written, and I use it today. So I thought why not make it available to anybody else who wanted to use it. And it is on that note that I offer to you, WW Journal.
Occasionally, I get email me telling me what people think of the application, or if they have any questions about the application. Here are some of the more common questions. It should go without saying that if you have a question not listed here, or desire an additional feature based on the answers you encounter, please feel free to let me know.
| Q) | Can I use your WW Journal on my Palm, iPaq, Epoc, [insert handheld device here]? |
| A) | No. My WW Journal is currently only available for desktop systems. While WW Journal is built on Java technology, it is feasible that it could run on many operating systems and devices. However, the handheld market presents several challenges for the Java technology, and as vendors have not yet fully implemented various Java specifications, it is not currently possible to run WW Journal on these devices. The UI is built with the handheld market in mind, and as more vendors support Java, I will do my best to make it available on the various handheld platforms. |
| Q) | Is there something else I can use on my [insert handheld device here] in the meantime? |
| A) | For PDA's based on the Windows operating system, such as Windows CE or Pocket PC, I recommend an Excel spreadsheet. Spreadsheets are a wonderfully portable file format, and there are a few available that are customized for journaling. One such example is: |
| Q) | Can I use WW Journal for more than one person? |
| A) |
Yes. The user interface itself is built for the iPaq device and as such it is expected that there will be only one user. However, you can run multiple instances of the program without any problem. Simply make a new directory (i.e. - c:\johns-wwjournal) and copy the "WWJournal.jar" file to that directory (not the "diary.dat" file). To run the second instance, just double-click on the file. |
| Q) | How do I save my entries? |
| A) |
WW Journal automatically saves every move you make as it pertains to your data. When you are done recording an entry, simply close the application. This is done to save space on the user interface. Menu's cost space, and a menu for save and exit seemed like a lot of space to waste for things that can occur automatically. |
| Q) | Are you affiliated with Weight Watchers international? |
| A) |
No. I am merely a fan of their weight loss program (something I would better term a lifestyle change), and a developer who is enthusiastic about providing high quality programs where I think there might be a niche. |
| Q) | How much does WW Journal cost? |
| A) |
Nothing. I built this program for free, out of the kindness of my heart, for myself and other computer savvy Weight Watchers members. |
| Q) | Why do you call it "Ketner Lake"? |
| A) |
I grew up in Broomfield, Colorado. I attended Zerger Elementary, Witt Elementary, Mandalay Middle School, and Standley Lake High School. Then I went into the Army, college in Kansas City four years later, and finally returned home (Colorado) shortly after graduating. The lake up the street from where I grew up was called Ketner Lake. It's across the street from Witt Elementary, and up the hill from Standley Lake High. Most of the main streets in the neighborhood pass by it. The park that surrounds it was the setting for many Boy Scout meetings, and countless hours of childhood fun. It was, in a way, the center of my universe as a child and teenager. And so I pay tribute through the name, and this domain. |
While I get my fair share of email, I always love hearing from the people who are using my software. If you have something to say to me, please drop me an email. I can also be reached on AOL Instant Messenger under the alias ParkerKRHoyt.
| WW Journal 1.1 - August 28, 2001 | |
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• WW Journal gets a domain • Slider icon placement now renders correctly • File IO causing NullPointerException resolved |
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| WW Journal 1.0 - August 16, 2001 | |
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• Initial release • Single user interface sized to fit on iPaq screen dimensions • Main screen calculator for offhand points calculations • Weight range selection dialog with data validation • Rolling seven day journal (stores all dates from initial use) • Icon-based sliders for finite measurements • Tabbed three meal view plus tab for viewing all days entries • Accessibility support for keyboard only navigation • Accessibility support for speaking software • Concise journal entry dialog with data validation • Nested points calculator on journal entry dialog • Automatic saving of data as it is entered |
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