Messages

126

Older Newsletters / Re: Newsletter for May 19, 2006 - Codename 'Controversies and Contests'

« on: May 19, 2006, 06:19 AM »

I love the combination of new announcements, indexing the recent forum content (in case I missed anything or want to look back over something), and deadline reminders.  Good work.

127

Living Room / Re: Thread for time-wasting flash games.

« on: May 11, 2006, 07:43 AM »

Wait a minute.  Shouldn't the competition be about how much TIME was wasted playing these games?  Now, there's a competition I would have a chance of winning.

I haven't gone so far as to contemplate suicide over a game, but read this article if you are worried.

Spoiler

BEIJING (Reuters) - The parents of a 13-year-old boy who killed himself after playing a computer game for 36 hours are suing the game's licensed Chinese distributor for 100,000 yuan ($12,500), a Chinese newspaper reported on Thursday.

In 2004, Zhang Xiaoyi, from the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, jumped out of a window of his family's 24th floor apartment after playing Warcraft at an internet cafe.

His parents said in a legal writ that China Cyber Port Co. Ltd.'s failure to clearly warn of the inherent "dangers" of Warcraft -- a game produced by American company Blizzard Entertainment -- was responsible for their son's death, the Beijing Times reported.

"In America, Warcraft has a 'T' rating, where it's only suitable for children over 13... but we weren't aware," the paper quoted the parents as saying.

The parents said that China Cyber Port clearly knew that the "violent" and "bloody" content of Warcraft was unsuitable for minors.

They should have warned people about the risks of addiction and "taken measures to prevent players' from over-indulging themselves," they said.

Apart from seeking damages, the parents demanded that packaging and materials for all Warcraft games distributed in China refer to the game's "level of violence" and have clear, written health warnings.

"This is a public interest case," said Zhang Chunliang, an online addiction activist, in support of the parents.

"We are appealing to the country to build a healthy and complete game regulation system."

Computer and online gaming has exploded in China in recent years, with an estimated 13.8 million people taking part.

Amid growing concern that more and more young people are becoming hooked, China has issued a raft of regulations aimed at curbing excessive game playing at internet cafes and heavily fining owners that admit minors.

 

128

Living Room / Re: Do you Suffer from Computer Anger Management - How do you handle it?

« on: May 05, 2006, 07:33 AM »

I know you all remember this one, but I still enjoy it.  http://www.2flashgam...he-Computer-2260.htm

129

Living Room / How -- and why -- do you use different browsers?

« on: April 26, 2006, 01:23 PM »

With all this talk about Opera 9, I realize I don't have a grasp on why one would use one browser over another.  I read the link mentioned here:  https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=2528.0.   And it helped.

But, it would be so good if some of you who use several browsers -- or have chosen one over the others -- could explain exactly why that is.  Do you like the display?  Do you like the way it allows you to keep several sites available at once?  Do you like the way it handles favorites?  What, exactly, is it?

Any screenshots you can provide would be much appreciated.

130

Find And Run Robot / Re: New FARR flash video demo

« on: April 26, 2006, 08:40 AM »

Sorry about not mentioning how much I like the demo.  Sometimes it's easy to forget that important part.

About the expansion section, are you planning to add a demonstration of each of those features in this demo?  If not, can you explain that there is a third demo where people can learn how to use the additional features?

If you're looking for language corrections, or typos, here's one:  At the very end, "check it's features" should be "check its features," without the apostrophe.

Read only if you want the boring reason: 

Spoiler

After much effort, I have finally grasped that the only time you use an apostrophe with the word IT is when you are contracting the words "it is."  Never at other times, when you mean the possessive, like "hers," "his" or "its" book or program or features, etc.  I don't know who made up this rule, but there it is.

131

General Software Discussion / Re: AutoHotkey fund idea - split donation with AutoIt?

« on: April 26, 2006, 07:15 AM »

I don't think we should panic about getting something to AutoIt.  The night's young.  Let's just create another fund for AutoIt -- either to run at the same time or to run when the AHK fund goal has been reached.

132

Find And Run Robot / Re: New FARR flash video demo

« on: April 26, 2006, 06:47 AM »

I'm so excited that you're making a demo of the alias feature, because -- even though I use FARR to launch all of my programs -- this feature has always been a mystery to me.

The first problem is knowing where to look for them.  Unfortunately, you  have skipped right over that in your demo (probably because it is so familiar to you).  Do you think you could begin the demo a couple of steps earlier?  Something like this:

To get to the feature for creating groups, you first click on the little wheel (or whatever that is) in the upper right corner.  Then press "preferences."  Then choose the "groups" tab to arrive at the screen for creating and using search groups.

This is not as obvious to a new user as it may seem to many of you.

While we're at it, why are these called "aliases" by those of you who use them?  Isn't "groups" (the word actually used in the program) a more intuitive term?  Is it absolutely necessary to use the word "alias"?

133

Find And Run Robot / Re: New FARR flash video demo

« on: April 25, 2006, 08:07 AM »

Before we get to advanced features, I have a request for an additional step to this neat introductory video.

You have two opportunities to explain how to launch a program when there are several listed on the screen.  One is just before you launch url snooper, and the other is at the end, when you show that the past-used programs appear at the top of the list.  But you simply say "launch url snooper," without any explanation.

Since using the numbers to launch is one of the great features of FARR, I wonder if you could add something at one of these spots explaining this feature.  Something like this:

When there are several programs listed, the user can either (1) tab down to the one he/she wants and press enter or (2) press the corresponding number (or the numbered function key) and the program will (effortlessly) launch.  Then demonstrate each method.

I have a second suggestion:  at the end, when you show that the recently launched programs appear at the top of the list, can you explain why this is important.  Something like this:

FARR remembers what you have recently launched, so those programs will appear at the top of the list, easily available for launch, without the need to type in a name.

134

Podcast Radio Show / Re: Podcast Audio Radio Show - Upcoming Show Planning

« on: April 21, 2006, 03:58 AM »

@superboyac.  Love your ode to cody.  Just right.   jazzy, jaunty.  builds nicely, too.

For those new to the forum, Cody is our little donationcoder.com mascot, perched in the upper right corner of the page -- who doesn't mind being petted.

135

Mouser's Zone / Re: Suggestion:-Stop Hiding those Licence Keys!

« on: April 21, 2006, 03:50 AM »

@beanfoto2.  Welcome.  Glad to have you here.  Your license key was emailed to you when you signed up for the forum, along with instructions on how to use it.  Might be a good idea to check your spam folder because the address may not have been recognized.  If you don't find it, I'm sure mouser will be here soon and can make sure you get another one.  Hang in; it'll be worth it.

136

Podcast Radio Show / Re: Podcast Audio Radio Show - Upcoming Show Planning

« on: April 20, 2006, 01:32 PM »

Can't help it; here's another:

Have you ever gotten a virus on a computer that is used by others and not admitted that you were responsible for it?  If so, were you ever found out?  If not, what did you do?  Did you work to eliminate it, and just not tell them the truth?  Did you just shrug your shoulders and watch them struggle with it?  Other possibilities.

It's not that I don't want to learn something from these podcasts.  I do -- really.  But I wouldn't mind hearing the answers to some of these questions.  I'm sure we can all "relate."

137

Podcast Radio Show / Re: Podcast Audio Radio Show - Upcoming Show Planning

« on: April 20, 2006, 01:24 PM »

Here's another (I'm feeling naughty):

When someone comes into your "zone" while you are making unauthorized use of your computer (or looking at something you don't want them to know about), what is your preferred method of quickly getting a blank screen, or getting the screen to something more work-related, or at least less embarrassing?

138

Podcast Radio Show / Re: Podcast Audio Radio Show - Upcoming Show Planning

« on: April 20, 2006, 01:18 PM »

Okay, I don't know that I'm ready to dive into this, yet, but I do have some topic ideas for OTHERS to consider:

•   What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done to your computer (to the actual hardware)?

•   What is the most accidentally ingenious modification you have ever made -- to your computer hardware, or to some software program?

•   When you were younger, was there anything you did on/with your computer that your parents said you were absolutely not to do -- and that even now, they don't know you did?

Nothing outright illegal and nothing actually sexual or downright mean (a few "weasel" words here).

•   If you could imagine a radical change in the way your computer and/or keyboard looks, what would it be?  Have you made any modifications to your computer in that direction?
 
•   Have you ever pretended to know more about computers than you did?  Were you ever found out?  If not, explain how you got away with  it.

139

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: MyLifeOrganized - a journey in search of the perfect GTD software

« on: April 20, 2006, 08:05 AM »

Thank you for this mini-review -- and for sharing the process so I don't have to go through it all myself.  Some credits coming your way.  ('Bout to run out; gotta get me some more. )

140

Official Announcements / Re: BIGGEST NEW FEATURE SINCE HISTORY OF THE SITE - DONATIONCREDITS

« on: April 19, 2006, 03:37 AM »

I just got me some more credits to pass around, because I ran out.  Anyone who donates should be sure to request the "more professional, dignified, business-like thank you message" that's offered at the end of the process.  It's a great reminder of the spirit of this site.  Thanks for that.

141

Living Room / The brain's judgmental biases

« on: April 17, 2006, 09:58 AM »

Good article in the New York Times today on the way the practically unavoidable way the brain makes judgmental biases.  http://www.nytimes.c...4db20&ei=5087%0A

142

Developer's Corner / Re: Keeping track of tasks, things to do on a programming project

« on: April 16, 2006, 08:19 AM »

Great little program, app103.  I checked out your website, and love that, too.   Inspirational information about your programming learning experiences -- not to mention some fun programming-related links.  I look forward to hearing more.  http://www.appsapps.info/

143

Official Announcements / Re: Contest - Make a new Banner for Website

« on: April 10, 2006, 11:52 AM »

Okay, here's the best I can do.
http://www.infopleas...pron/connoisseur.wav
and
http://library.sulli...udio/connoisseur.wav

The first is the best approximation of the way I have usually heard it pronounced.  The second, of course, is by a French speaker and illustrates that the actual French spelling is "connaisseur," not "connoisseur."  The spelling we are using was apparently borrowed by the English in the 1800s.  Go figure.

144

Official Announcements / Re: Contest - Make a new Banner for Website

« on: April 10, 2006, 11:03 AM »

I agree about the voice.  You thought THAT was American, though.  Try this:   http://m-w.com/cgi-b...oi01.wav=connoisseur

I'll look around for something more worthy of us.

145

Official Announcements / Re: Contest - Make a new Banner for Website

« on: April 10, 2006, 07:39 AM »

Back to the word "connoisseur:  For my money, the word is absolutely perfect, and I hope we can stick with it.  It's French and easily found in any dictionary, with the Italian equivalent cognoscenti.

When I read the definition from the Oxford English Dictionary, it seems to perfectly fit persons who are drawn to donationcoder.com:  "a person who knows a lot about and enjoys one of the arts, or food, drink, etc. and can judge quality and skill in that subject."

If it seems to be a problem, how about a link to the definition -- and a cute pronunciation guide.  See
 
http://www.bartleby....wavs/69/C0576900.wav

146

Older Newsletters / Re: Newsletter for April 3, 2006 - Codename 'Happy Birthday to Us'

« on: April 06, 2006, 11:49 AM »

JoTo, Thanks for the poem and the effort it took to produce it.  May I suggest a small amendment?  Replace the word "men" with "men and women."  It would make many of us feel much more included.

147

Official Announcements / Re: Contest - Make a new Banner for Website

« on: April 06, 2006, 08:49 AM »

I really love the rounded, 3-D effect of ToxMox's font for DonationCoder, but am not sure the font in "for software connoisseurs" is a suitable companion.  The font used by hamradio for those words is no better because it is hard to read.  Can you try out others?

The clouds used by ToxMox seem a bit stormy to me, even in the lighter version.  I prefer the ones in hamradio's example; it feels like they are much higher in the sky, more "atmospheric."  Also, they really work out nicely in the forum banner.

So...would love to see ToxMox's DonationCoder on hamradio's clouds -- and to see other examples of "for software connoisseurs."

148

Official Announcements / Re: BIGGEST NEW FEATURE SINCE HISTORY OF THE SITE - DONATIONCREDITS

« on: April 06, 2006, 07:26 AM »

Very neat idea.  I never heard of something like this before, but I'm raring to go.  Got my people picked out already to shower a few coins on.

149

Living Room / singing headlines

« on: April 05, 2006, 06:05 AM »

If you want a vocal rendition of the news, you can find it here. 
http://www.auraltimes.com/060331

150

Living Room / Re: What are your favorite Soundtracks or Scores to listen to

« on: April 03, 2006, 08:25 AM »

Some of my favorites are listed.  Thanks for reminding me.  Here are three more that stay on the top of my list:

   ●Talk to Her (another Almadovar/Iglesias collaboration, with the great singing of Caetano Velosa)

   ●Bagdad Café (wonderful, in itself, but priceless if you’ve seen the movie)

   ●Crash (be sure to get the real Mark Isham soundtrack, and not the “inspired by” one)