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Reflecting on a Year of Progress; A Look Back at 2023

· 5 min read
Dion
Dion
Software developer

As we bid farewell to the year 2023, it's essential to reflect on the strides made in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. This year has been marked by continuous improvement, innovation, and a relentless commitment to enhancing the user experience. In this blog post, we'll delve into the notable updates and advancements encapsulated in the various releases of version 0.5.x of our software.

Version 0.5.13 - Front-end Accessibility and Code Refinement​

The December release, version 0.5.13, showcased a concentrated effort on enhancing front-end accessibility. Notable changes included focusing on the previous and next functions in detailView, transitioning from div to button elements for improved accessibility, and updating the front-end to newer versions. Additionally, code style issues were addressed to ensure a smoother developer experience.

Version 0.5.12 - Keep up with the Latest Framework Version​

November witnessed a major backend upgrade as the system transitioned to .NET 6, specifically SDK 6.0.416 and later to 6.0.417. This upgrade aimed to leverage the latest features and improvements in the .NET framework. Simultaneously, front-end accessibility and code quality were refined, and documentation was updated to align with the latest framework version.

Version 0.5.11 - A Blend of Upgrades and Front-end Overhaul​

October brought about a series of updates, including the migration from Create React App to Vite in the front-end, an upgrade of npm packages, and the transition to the latest version of Electron for desktop applications. The backend continued its journey with the adoption of .NET 6, focusing on stability and performance.

Version 0.5.10 - Keeping Pace with Technological Advancements​

July witnessed yet another backend upgrade to .NET 6, emphasizing compatibility with the latest SDK and runtime versions. This release also included frontend and backend improvements, such as upgraded npm packages, Sonarqube settings refinement, and addressing various code smells.

Version 0.5.9 - Tackling Bugs and Enhancing Documentation​

May saw a concentrated effort on bug fixes and documentation updates. The backend resolved issues related to duplicate entries, updated dependencies, and refined documentation for better clarity.

Version 0.5.8 - Streamlining Performance and User Experience​

April brought a slew of backend fixes addressing issues ranging from file update times to code bugs. The frontend also witnessed upgrades, and the entire system was migrated to the latest version of .NET 6, focusing on performance and stability.

Version 0.5.7 - Striving for Perfection and Stability​

March marked a significant step towards stability with numerous bug fixes, code smell improvements, and upgrades across the board. The backend also introduced a stable release to the GitHub container registry, enhancing deployment processes.

Version 0.5.6 - Unveiling System Trash and User Interface Refinements​

In March, the introduction of an internal service for system trash and a myriad of frontend and backend changes showcased a commitment to refining the user experience. Known issues were transparently communicated, and the focus was on feature toggles and system trash functionality.

Version 0.5.5 - Prioritizing Security and System Upgrades​

February prioritized security with the addition of regex timeouts to prevent Denial of Service attacks. The backend underwent significant upgrades, transitioning to .NET 6 SDK 6.0.406, while documentation and client dependencies were also updated.

Version 0.5.4 - Metrics, Security, and Code Refinement​

January marked a milestone with the introduction of application insights metrics (logs already exists), security enhancements, and code refinements. The backend introduced features such as thumbnail query deletion for nonexistent items and a systematic approach to handling errors.

Version 0.5.3 - A Holistic System Upgrade​

The initial release of the year focused on security, system upgrades, and improving telemetry. Noteworthy changes included enhanced thumbnail list updates and a dedicated service for periodic thumbnail creation.

Upcoming Features​

Thumbnail creation for all images should work better​

The future holds a commitment to even more captivating visual experiences. Our roadmap includes advancements in rendering technologies, ensuring that thumbnails and images are not just displayed but tell a story.

Spatial Intelligence Unleashed​

Building on the integration of KML for geo functionalities, the future unfolds with a broader vision of spatial intelligence. We envision seamless integrations with diverse geographical data formats.

Holistic Observability with OpenTelemetry​

In the pursuit of a more flexible and comprehensive approach to application monitoring, we have initiated the phased transition from App Insights to OpenTelemetry. OpenTelemetry offers a vendor-agnostic, open-source framework for observability, enabling better insights into application performance. This transition not only aligns with industry best practices but also empowers users with a broader range of telemetry options and integrations.

Conclusion​

In conclusion, 2023 has been a year of relentless pursuit of excellence, with each software iteration building upon the last. As we step into the future, we remain committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions, prioritizing user experience, and embracing technological advancements. Here's to a year of progress, and we eagerly anticipate what lies ahead in the dynamic landscape of software development.