Messages

101

General Software Discussion / Re: Help me with MS Word styles

« on: May 12, 2010, 10:02 AM »

Sorry, have to add one more to the list (as I think back to when I was researching this I'm remembering more...).  This site attempts to explain how Word looks at a document... it revolutionized my view of Word.  Excellent read... cant recommend it enough.

http://daiya.mvps.org/wordpages.htm

It is just one of many EXCELLENT links from this page:
http://daiya.mvps.org/bookwordframes.htm

102

General Software Discussion / Re: Help me with MS Word styles

« on: May 12, 2010, 05:47 AM »

Glad the link helped.  I found it recently because I'm trying to build my knowledge of word.  I already know Excel (not 100% obviously, but fairly good) and have begun using Word more and more.  One of the things I find interesting is that the more I learn about Microsoft Office the more impressed I am... in two ways:

1. Wow!  They thought of that?  That is awesome and amazingly helpful!
2. ... it is helpful, until you want to do X, which you'd think is a natural extension... Wow!  They didnt think of that?

That holds true in Excel and Word.  I assume that if I spent enough time with other Office products I would feel the same way.  VBA is amazingly powerful and then you find some little quirk that renders it useless in a given situation (like certain properties or objects not being exposed).  Word styles fit both of my amazements above!

Here are two other links I have been impressed with... they are not a direct, nor even an indirect answer to SuperBoyAC's initial question.  But, along with the Shauna Kelly site mentioned above and the link I posted previously are my goto sites right now for Word questions.

Word MVP Site:
http://word.mvps.org/index.html

Word VBA Tips:
http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/word_tips.htm

103

General Software Discussion / Re: Help me with MS Word styles

« on: May 11, 2010, 01:33 PM »

This is a good article about templates.  You can download the article with it's associated template... dont know that it has outline/numbering though.  But it's a good article nonetheless.  I think one reason not many people put their templates up is because they are "generally specific," meaning specific companies create specific templates for general documents. 

http://word.mvps.org...teATemplatePart2.htm

104

Living Room / Re: Ergonomic mouse and keyboard

« on: April 30, 2010, 01:12 PM »

Dont forget that "ergonomic" gadgets are only 1/4 of the solution.  I've found working on better posture (and all the work that entails) is way more useful than any ergonomic devices.  Wrist pain, back pain, hip pain, etc can all be caused by poor posture.

See this previous thread:
https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=14770.0

105

General Software Discussion / Re: Powerpoint sucks - what to use instead?

« on: April 27, 2010, 05:45 AM »

More along the philosophical than practical, dont forget to read some of Edward Tufte's ideas on data presentation.  His critique of Powerpoint (more of a critique on the way it is used) is well worth the read:

Main Site (go to ET Notebooks (the forum)):
http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/

Main Powerpoint essay (but look around the forum for plenty more good discussion):
http://www.edwardtuf...p;topic=Ask+E%2eT%2e

Another good powerpoint thread:
http://www.edwardtuf...p;topic=Ask+E%2eT%2e

106

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Sagelight Image Editor - pay what you want promo (Apil 2010)

« on: April 13, 2010, 10:25 AM »

I downloaded the trial of Sagelight... does anyone know if it can do lens correction (similar to DPP from Canon)?  I looked but could not find it...

107

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Resolver One (BDJ 11 Feb for 60% Discount)

« on: February 09, 2010, 08:56 AM »

I agree with you Perry... ResolverOne has interested me for quite a while.  Problem for me is that work would never adopt it, and I wouldnt use it enough outside of work to justify it.  It sounds really cool though. 

108

General Software Discussion / Re: software to draw network map

« on: December 31, 2009, 01:21 PM »

If you want to do it automatically check out GraphViz (GraphViz).

A handy tool depending on the circumstances.

109

Living Room / Re: Posture in sitting/standing ideas, tips & tricks

« on: November 23, 2009, 08:20 AM »

Combine these two links, then look up stuff on Tai Chi...

Everything you learned about muscles is wrong

Anatomy Trains

You're going to have to click around the Anatomy Trains website.  Basically this is another model of the human body.  I've found it makes better posture easier.

Kevin

110

General Software Discussion / Re: At last: MP3 Lossless!!!

« on: October 07, 2009, 05:52 AM »

This concept isnt entirely new... check out WavPack (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WavPack).  They use two files to store the data.  Notice I'm not saying one method is better or worse, just giving another example!

111

General Software Discussion / Re: An easy software to make street/road maps?

« on: July 23, 2009, 05:52 AM »

Not to somewhat hijack this thread, but I just tried to use Google Map Buddy and noticed that google maps no longer searches for me.  It doesnt work in IE 7, Firefox 3, or Opera 10 either.... does this mean I have problems with java or some other error??  Any ideas?  I did a little looking, but most people seem to have problems in only one browser, not three!

Kevin

112

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for free Music Edit Software

« on: July 06, 2009, 10:46 AM »

Or use cdwav... great for recording/tracking cassettes...

http://www.milosoftw....php?body=cdwave.php

113

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Natural line sorting in file

« on: June 22, 2009, 03:47 PM »

See the following websites for more general info:
http://www.codinghor...archives/001018.html
http://www.codeproje...ralSortComparer.aspx

I've done an algorithm for excel using the Windows API function in XP... someone might be able to use that to simplify things.

Kevin

114

General Software Discussion / Re: any spreadsheet-like tool to open tables with millions of rows/columns?

« on: May 29, 2009, 11:16 AM »

One problem I have with databases is that it takes a fair amount of time to design and write a frontend... I like spreadsheets because of the inherent GUI.  I really do wish there was a better way to mix the two ideas.  I don't have time to write a GUI for every little database I would like to make!

Kevin

115

General Software Discussion / Re: Awesome article re: organization and notetaking

« on: January 21, 2009, 06:54 PM »

For those of you looking for some more thoughts on data presentation (not note-taking specific) you can look at Edward Tufte's forums: http://www.edwardtuf...d/q-and-a?topic_id=1

While I am sometimes inclined to think that he does not follow his own ideas when laying out his website, he has some really good stuff on presenting information.  In fact, the Chandler article reminded me of some of the stuff Tufte says.  If you get a chance to take his one day course, do it.  He bashes powerpoint so much in print it makes you wonder how he gives a presnetation... he does it pretty well!

Kevin

116

Post New Requests Here / IDEA: Systemwide "Drag & DropZones"

« on: October 24, 2008, 02:28 PM »

I would be interested in being able to use the concept in Firefox's "Drag & DropZones" ( https://addons.mozil...S/firefox/addon/5595 ) add-in, but in any program.  It would be cool to be able to configure different macros or scripts to run depending on the zone... don't know how feasible all this would be.  Configurability would be key.  Given all the macro programs on the market, maybe this could just be a front-end...

kevin

117

Living Room / Re: Posture in sitting/standing ideas, tips & tricks

« on: September 25, 2008, 09:48 PM »

The guy who writes this blog just bought Esther's book and is writing some posts on his thoughts:
http://www.mattmetzgar.com/matt_metzgar/

And, linked on his blog is this ~hour long podcast with Esther:
http://www.coreaware...dcasts/painfreeback/

Kevin

118

Living Room / Re: Posture in sitting/standing ideas, tips & tricks

« on: September 12, 2008, 03:27 PM »

A review of Esther's Book:
http://www.aaos.org/.../jul08/managing3.asp

Kevin

119

Living Room / Re: Posture in sitting/standing ideas, tips & tricks

« on: September 09, 2008, 08:58 PM »

Very interesting edit tomos... if anyone has the book, look at chapter three, stacksitting.  There are some examples there that match more of what I was talking about (I readily admit the image tomos created shows those two postures shown in this thread are more similar than my comment!).   If you go to books.google.com and search for the book, go to pages 70 and 71.

The image tomos overlaid is from the first chapter, which talks about stretching out your lower back while you sit.

Kevin

120

Living Room / Re: Posture in sitting/standing ideas, tips & tricks

« on: September 09, 2008, 07:13 AM »

Keep those images from Esther's book in mind... the image in Tomos' post shows poor posture.  Keep your spine in front of your butt.  The neck is reclined too far back as well.  Shoulders are also too far forward. 

One of my biggest problems is leaning on one arm (I concur with Tomos' comments on armrests, particularly for work chairs).  As soon as you lean you skew your whole body.  Muscles start to adjust to the reformed posture and things go downhill fast.

Kevin

121

Living Room / Re: Posture in sitting/standing ideas, tips & tricks

« on: September 09, 2008, 06:01 AM »

Nope.  Not if you do it right.  At first it does hurt a little as you stretch out your body and get things back into place (plus, you probably will be exercising muscles in "new" ways).  But, the premise (and one which I have felt) is that getting your body into position allows you to use your body as it was meant to be used.  Dont think of your body as something that needs to be coddled.  It was meant for movement, standing, sitting, etc.  The problem is that in our society we have gotten lazy and do those things inefficiently... yes, even sitting in a big "comfy" armchair can be inefficient.  Right now I feel the best sitting in a normal slightly padded folding chair. 

Besides, one of the points brought up in both of the books I mentioned is that our muscles and bones actually need a certain amount of stress to be strong.  Sitting/standing with proper posture actually makes us use our bodies as intended and these natural stresses help make us stronger. 

For me, one of the things that drives the point home are all the pictures of babies and small children in "8 Steps to a Pain Free Back."  It becomes very apparent that the posture we start with is not the posture our culture does not promote....

... posture begins with the person, not neck rests and arm handles.

Kevin

122

Living Room / Re: Posture in sitting/standing ideas, tips & tricks

« on: September 07, 2008, 04:59 PM »

The two books have similar thoughts and the same end result... different styles.  Mary Bond's is a little more "yoga-ish" (she is a "movement therapist") and more technical (she goes into the different muscles and how they relate to each other).  Esther's is more hands on and a little more practical.  Part of the reason I liked Esther's just a little bit more is I tend to be more rational/logical and I really like all the pictures... but I learned a lot from both books and recommend them both.  If you just want to get one, I'd get Esther's though.

I agree with Esther (not that that matters a whole hill-o-beans).  Shoulders hurt, but the hips set the rest of your posture.  If you're standing, your feet are also big components. 

You can look up 8 Steps for a Pain Free Back at books.google.com.  They have a limited preview.  Also, at one time I found chapter 5 for download as a pdf.  If you want to take a quick look-see.

In case you cared, looking up material on "rolfing" is what led me to Mary Bond's book... then I found Esther's about three weeks later.


Kevin

123

Living Room / Re: Posture in sitting/standing ideas, tips & tricks

« on: September 07, 2008, 12:47 PM »

Nice topic tomos!  Sorry if I sound like a marketer for that book, but it's only because I tried "just sitting/standing up straight" for about two years without getting any closer to better posture.  After reading (and re-reading) this book and another book ("The New Rules of Posture" by Mary Bond) I actually do have better posture and much less pain (all over my body).

And, for the price, these two books are well worth it... how much do people spend on a "better" chair, fancy mouse (me!), ergonomic this, theraupeutic that.  Start with posture: it's cheap and, if you have improper posture, all those gadgets won't do much for you.  Once you have better posture they may help.

Kevin

124

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: AirObic/ Aerobic Vertical mouse - first impressions

« on: August 25, 2008, 04:41 PM »

Well, at first it was just because my right hand hurt too much from using it all day at work then using it at night at home.  But, after the first day or so, it was more because it's a challenge.  Now, I barely notice which hand I'm using and I "feel more ambidextous."  I've always been slightly ambidextrous (I have a hard time figuring out which hand to hold a raquetball racket in), but it's more noticeable now. ... more of a conversation piece.

Using different hands is good, vertical mice helped the pain slightly, but posture is the most important change I made for wrist pain.

Kevin

Kevin

125

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: AirObic/ Aerobic Vertical mouse - first impressions

« on: August 25, 2008, 05:44 AM »

Yeah, I was trying to just "sit up straight" before I got the book, then I learned what proper posture was!

But, if you already have decent posture (like my dad) you wont be amazed by the book.  It still helps and will make you more conscious of what you're doing, but it wont be as revolutionary.

Kevin