JBlueLine

This page has been retired. Due to the changes in how Java handles security, this application can no longer be made to work in any reliable way. Modern browsers are preventing Java exceptions. The end!

This page is left for historical purposes only, and to explain the demise of the applet.

FREE on-line method viewing and simulated ringing software.

© St. Mark's Bell Ringers. Written by . The method collections are © Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

Contents


Purpose

[Top]

Introduction

It has been suggested that a great way to learn a method other than writing out lines on paper is to use a computer program (see "Learning Methods"). The reasons for this are:

Until now, not even affordable software has really filled this need. Abel is excellent for handbell ringers where the relative timing of two bells against the others is essential for learning. The hope is this software provides an easier user interface for tower bell ringers to use. Where only one bell has to be guided through the changes, precise timing relative to the other bells is not important to prove the blue line has been correctly remembered.

This software is provided free on-line for your personal use. It uses the freely available and regularly updated MSiril library files. (Although the local copy of the library file used with this software is only updated when the software is due to Java Virtual Machine security constraints.)

[Top]

Usage

  1. Click on the applet below to start it.
  2. Choose the method you would like to ring, or just view, by selecting the "Library Lookup" menu item in the "Method" menu.
  3. Select the 'Ring' tab, and then the options you prefer.
  4. Use the cursors keys on your computer's keyboard to guide your chosen bell through your chosen method.
  5. Have fun!

Alternatively, select a method from the Method Library by clicking on the "JBL" link after the name. The advantage here is that the method's calls are correctly defined for you. For more information about why this is necessary see the more detailed JBlueLine on-line help.

[Top]

JBlueLine Applet

See how this software could look on your mobile phone.

Bookmark this Applet. To comply with EU Cookie Law, the method settings are no longer saved between visits to this page.

Oh dear!

Sorry, your browser does not support Java Applets. Please see Why won't the Applet work in my browser? below. See below for screen shots of what you are missing...

Problems? Please see Why won't the Applet work in my browser? below.

It goes without saying that this software will not solve the other problems you may experience trying to ring a complicated method, for example bell control, ringing to a rhythm and rope sight. At least the first two can (and ought to be) solved separately first! (See "Ringing by Rope-sight versus Rhythm", "Ringing on Higher Numbers", and "Learning & Teaching".

[Top]

Screen shots of JBlueLine

Displaying lines from the library.

Displaying lines from the library.

Ring a line in the simulator.

Ring a line in the simulator.

[Top]

Place Notation Editor

If you want to edit the place notation describing the method, but you are not sure how, you can read up on what you need to know in "Understanding Place Notation". You may need to do this if you wish to ring a touch of a method. In certain circumstances, the software is able to deduce the place notation for the calls, but it will only use 'defaults' such that do not detect regular exceptions like Bristol (and other extending lead methods), so may get the wrong calls for 'nths place' methods. See "Bobs and Singles" for details on how the types of calls are inferred. This method does not work for Grandsire or Stedman. Indeed, a method can use any calls it likes, hence the given convention does not always work.

Alternatively, select a method from the Method Library by clicking on the "JBL" link after the name. The advantage here is that the method's calls are correctly defined for you. For more information about why this is necessary see the more detailed JBlueLine on-line help.

[Top]

Software Details

This Applet is written in Java using the J2SE platform. Whilst Java is OS and (largely) hardware independent, it is platform dependent. This Applet is dependent on a Personal Computer (Windows, Macintosh et al.) running J2SE. The original mobile edition was also written for J2ME which covered the old mobile platforms before smart phones, regardless of OS or handset manufacturer, providing the manufacturer installed a Java Virtual Machine conforming to the J2ME standard. Hence you will not be able to use the above Applet when browsing the web on a mobile device. More recently, this software has been ported to Android, but there is no iPhone version.

The functionality of the software is heavily based on that of Blue Line for Psion Series 5 and Revo.

Why won't the Applet work in my browser?

The software must run in your browser on your computer, i.e. on the client side rather than the server side. This means you need the software to run it installed, and the network you are using to access the software must allow Applets to be run. The following may be the problem (and the solution):

[Top]

ClustrMaps Visual Analytics

If there is no map showing, you will need to accept tracking cookies.