[Looper]

Top O' The Day...

Was wondering what the status is of Haptek? Reason that I ask is that I finally broke down and purchased the software after using the eval version a few weeks ago. I liked it for what it could do - because it is faster than making your own AV's.

Problem is that I was unable to register the program with their website. After 2 attempts to do this, the website register function told me that the "serial number was cancelled due to overuse". What's up with that?

Wrote to their customer service, to ask if they had any work-arounds - and if they would reset the serial number. This is the answer I got:

Hi David,


I'm sorry but we're suddenly having a problem with the licensing mechanism for PPutty. It's intermittent and it seems to be tied to security measures of some machines.  You may want to get your money back from Digital River until we can put together a new release and upgrade.
Again, I'm sorry for any difficulties this may have caused,
Sincerely,
Jack


I know what I thought when reading between the lines. Wondering what your thoughts are? Are they getting ready to dump the software? I took his suggestion, and Applied for a refund.

~Looper!

[Maviarab]

In my opinion getting your monye back was wise, Jack a nice guy but a lot of us feel that Haptek is a dying dog.

[GT40]

Hi Looper and welcome. I think I have a great idea that could solve your problem:

since Haptek softwares were created in the last century, for Windows 98SE and, of course, mono-core CPU's,

since current Haptek users must be computers specialists if they wish to see anything on the screen,

since Haptek prefers to pay back customers instead of upgrading their products,

IT'S TIME FOR PEOPLEPUTTY TO BECOME AN ABANDONWARE, A FREEWARE!!!

Just an idea... 

[Freddy]

Haptek seemed to lose the plot a long time ago.  They tried to set up a new forum there for a while and that sank without trace - for over a year the page has been telling us to 'Try again later'.

Like Mav says, Jack is nice, but I don't think they really will come up with an upgrade or new version if they haven't been able to keep up with progress thus far.

I'd be looking for my money back too.

Shame really... Freeware would be cool though !

[Looper]

Thanks for the opinions guys. I kind of had that feeling as soon as I got that reply. Reading between lines has always been one of my downfalls.

Too bad though - the product is certainly noteworthy. And judging by how many people seem to use it - it appears to have been pretty popular while it was there and in contention.

I would imagine a large part of the decline in both Haptek and Hal, as well as others,  have been the antics at Microsoft in recent years. First VISTA - with all of it's early bugs. And when those were nearly fixed and healed, now we have Windows  7 to deal with!

I would imagine that the lack of MS Agent and TTS support in Windows 7 will set a lot of developers back - who relied on that technology. On the other hand, it could lead to some very interesting alternate 3rd party development as well.

As for Haptek - Jack might do well to release his program, and even code, to the public domain, and let others take it over to build on it. An open GL scenario would be nice. Like raising Kids - sometimes it's best to just let go....

~Looper!

[Randy]

I've not logged on in a while but a private message had me examining the board.

Haptek is something I decided to migrate to back in December and it took some work but I like the results. Unfortunately I wish I could improve the fullbody.htr model since the boot thing doesn't always work with what I'm doing with Alexis. I'll probably just go with a full virtual world in time if I can get some kind of lip synching going with a model I created a while back.

It's funny. I have less time than I did when I was employed. Unemployment sucks the life out of one to just put groceries on the table. 

Randy

[Art]

Yes, many of us know all well of daily struggles.

Regarding the Haptek thing, it was rumored that Robert Medeksza of Zabaware fame was planning on using Ogre3D for his new graphic characters for / with UltraHal Assistant.

While the full body Haptek characters were never meant for open usage by John Q. Public, they were used by and meant for commercial use. Someone some long time back, discovered where the file was temporarily located when a particular site was visited, then it was discovered in the People Putty folders. Those damned boots were the ruination of many attempt at black, white, tan boots, leg warmers, etc. Some even tried to "disguise" them with flesh coloring resulting in a very bad case of the worlds fattest ankles!

It struck a lot of people rather odd that a company that was so determined to hold its products in tightly clenched fists, ended up loosing the very thing it so vainly held on to. Ah yes...the world is round....and sometimes ironic!

Be well...good things will come!