Introducing the new FlickrLeech!

FlickrLeech, once an extremely popular way to search Flickr content, is now available for download to your PC or Mac! No more downtime or server issues.

The program is currently in Alpha, so use is encouraged, so long as you understand that not all features and functionality are in place yet.

Release schedule

• Alpha 0.01 - Interestingness seach implemented
• Alpha 0.01.1 - Scrolling speed fixed
• Alpha 0.05 - All search functionality implemented
• Beta 0.1 - User Interface enhancements completed
• Release Candidate 1 - New functionality

Whoa, whoa, whoa, bub... where's the old FlickrLeech?

Nothing good ever lasts, does it? The old servers were not able to handle the load all the FlickrLeech users put on it. It was dominating the processing time, and my server host (once again) took the site offline so as not to impact performance of other customers on the server. Makes sense to me. I mean, I get it. But the costs of a dedicated server to host the site - which runs only on a few donations every once in a blue moon - were beyond me.

Rather than triage the situation and have it happen yet again, I've decided to take the project in a different direction - making it available as a desktop app.

Okay. So... um.... how do I install this .air file thing?

1. Adobe AIR is a runtime that allows developers to create FLEX and Flash applications which can run as desktop applications. To run FlickrLeech, you first need to install the latest Adobe AIR runtime. Be advised, there is a development kit (that's what I use to build the application) and a runtime (that's what you use to run the application). Using the link below will bring you to the download page for the runtime.

Now that you've got Adobe AIR and installed it (you did install it, didn't you?), download the FlickrLeech.air file and double-click that to install FlickrLeech.

[ Download FlickrLeech Now! ]

Notes

I appreciate the feedback - keep it coming. But also do check here to see if your issue is a known issue and to check for updates:

• I've gotten a number of comments about making the window user-resizable. It is. First, there are those three buttons at the upper-right to maximize and minimize (and close) the window. Next, I know it's a bit understated at present, but there are tell-tale dots in the lower-right corner of the status bar that allow you to click and resize the window. I'll have all these little UI things buttoned up by the time we go to Beta.
• This is an alpha. I understand you can't click on all the buttons. I understand that you can't do all the searches you could do on the website (yet). That's by design. That functionality is planned for the .05 release. Please be patient.
• There have been a few notes about performance and resource use. It's an alpha guys. I've heard you, and I'm working on it.
• Lastly, I understand it's not polished yet. There are plenty of layout things - which will be addressed in the 0.1 release (please see the release schedule above). Thanks for all the feedback. In addition, I've gotten a request to have images load up like the detail window in the web-based version. I thought no on e used that feature, but I guess I was wrong. All those kinds of enhancements will be forthcoming.

Feedback

As this is an alpha, there are possible bugs in the application. Even more possible is that you have an idea of how to make the application even better! I welcome any feedback you might have.