Messages

101

Living Room / Re: Android tablets to rival iPad

« on: August 01, 2011, 05:14 PM »

I always find it amusing that the Palm Pilot figured out the handwriting issue ages ago with its Grafiti alphabet and interface - and nobody has brought it over to any of the new tablets or smartphones.

-40hz (August 01, 2011, 07:40 AM)

Graffiti is available for androids. .... I use it on a desire hd (works good) and installed it on my android tablet (don't like it so much)

102

General Software Discussion / Re: Grid Layout software? Does it exist?

« on: July 29, 2011, 04:58 AM »

Guys!  Check this out!
http://balsamiq.com/products/mockups

-superboyac (July 28, 2011, 05:49 PM)

For more discussion on this, check this thread from way back: https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=15868.0

103

Living Room / Re: Android tablets to rival iPad

« on: July 27, 2011, 07:07 PM »

 It's good that no one's excited. The zdnet forum reference comes about because
a. zdnet is probably fairly well known so a fair proportion of those reading my post would be aware of the site
b. on an almost daily basis, news pertinent to apple/tablets/ipads/androids appears, resulting in an almost daily ritual of interplatform warfare in their forums.
And regardless of what the news might be, you will find Micro$oft (sic), M$, "walled garden", coolaid, fanboi, "apple hater" used.

104

Living Room / Re: Android tablets to rival iPad

« on: July 27, 2011, 12:14 AM »

Just to be clear, I carefully phrased my post because I'm quite unrabid, maybe through indolence, maybe through rugged individualism. I clearly said it's a rival...the list was evidence of that. My point 1 addressed MY preference and why.
My post didn't seem worth getting excited about really.. this isn't a zdnet type forum after all.

105

Living Room / Re: Android tablets to rival iPad

« on: July 26, 2011, 05:41 PM »

2 points...
1. I don't think I'd consider a tablet without a usb port. I have an iconia (A500) and I can, and do
- plug a logitech mini receiver for a mouse into it  when needed
- when i bring it to work, I can grab a usb keyboard lying around to plug into it
- connect my olympus camera directly to it to transfer photos
- record tv programs from my tv onto a usb drive and then plug that into the tablet to watch
- plug in an external hard drive containing pics or music
2. Does it rival the ipad2? I grabbed this list from somewhere.

RAM  512 MB iPad2 vs 1 G Acer
No USB port iPad2 (need external sd/usb adapters *) vs USB port Acer
No SD Card slot iPad2 (need external sd/usb adapters *$29) vs SD Card slot Acer
No HDMI output port iPad2 (need external adapter $39) vs HDMI output port Acer
No Camera flash “bulb” iPad2 vs Camera flash “bulb” Acer
Camera Rear less than 1 MP (0.92) iPad2 vs 5 MP Acer
Camera Front less than 1 MP (0.7) iPad2 vs 2 MP Acer
Speaker 1 iPad2 vs 2 Speakers Acer
No Browser Tabs iPad2 vs Browser Tabs Acer
No Adobe Flash Player iPad2 vs Adobe Flash Player Acer
Requires iTunes even for file transfers iPad2 vs Normal file transfers – USB, SD card, etc. Acer
Wifi Price $567 iPad2 vs $449 Acer Iconia A500
Screen 1024 x 768 iPad2 vs 1280 x 800 Acer
GPS iPad2 3G Only vs Acer GPS w/Wifi

Weight doesnt seem all that different to me, the screen on the iconia looks fine when i watch or read stuff on it.
Since I have a 3G phone which I'm always carrying, and dont want TWO phone accounts/data plans, I prefer to use tethering than have a wifi enabled tablet
So I'd say the iconia clearly rivals the ipad2, except perhaps in "cachet" .

106

Living Room / Re: Tablet Discussion - in the market to buy

« on: June 07, 2011, 05:55 PM »

Ive had an iconia A500 (16Gb) about 3 weeks now and am pretty happy with it, but haven't used a tablet before so I've no yardstick for comparison
 Especially like the usb and micro sd card, don't like the short charger cable.
My battery life isn't fantastic - I charge it each night and it gets me through the day. Seems to be a variety of experiences in this department.
I think the display looks just fine, but some reviews have suggested a grid is visible on the screen. I only see that when the tablet is switched off.
 I use it for web browsing (choice of stock, firefox, dolphin, opera browsers), music (poweramp is good), a little bit of video (stored on sd card or external hd), reading using kindle reader, games (tower defense type)
 Re web browsing - no built in proxy support as yet (maybe coming in major june/july update). Firefox mobile has http proxy support tho.
Re video - some people report issues with choppy video (maybe a fix coming), but I havent experienced that.
 Have no problems with wifi range, but haven't tested it in a house with thick stone/brick walls, only in the next froom to where my router is.
 Was very easy to tether it using my desire HD.
Here in Adelaide, Australia, it cost me $400
tony

107

Living Room / Re: Congratz to the US Military Forces!

« on: May 05, 2011, 01:37 AM »

I'm quite aggrieved to be labelled as any sort of statistician - a pox on them all.
In the spirit of some recent threads I'm trying to get really, really angry about it , working myself into an apoplectic state.
Sad to say though, there's a game show on the telly, the hostess looks pretty good and I've a beer in my hand.
 Imagine if OBL had been the same..with fruit juice instead of beer of course. Or if the  seals had brought chips, nuts and drinks instead of guns.

108

Living Room / Re: Congratz to the US Military Forces!

« on: May 04, 2011, 07:31 PM »

If that were true, we'd have to consider the following:
1 post made: p(useful)=1. Therefore a useful contribution HAS been made.
2 posts made: p(a useful contribution has been made|1st post was useful) <1.
Contradiction?

109

Living Room / Re: Congratz to the US Military Forces!

« on: May 04, 2011, 05:51 PM »

I have come up with a new heuristic to help people tell whether they should post another reply in an opinion thread, here it is:

The probability of making a useful contribution to an opinion thread ~= 1 / (NumberOfRepliesYouPost^3) (graph).

• So your FIRST post has a 100% probability of having a useful impact.
• By the time you make your 3rd post, you are down to a 4% probability.
• By your 5th post you are below 1% probability.

-mouser (May 04, 2011, 04:44 PM)

Aren't you overlooking the fact that there should be a summation of probabilities to determine the p of a member posting usefully?
Your suggestion runs the risk of encouraging posters to post an infinite number times in their desire to contribute usefully.
 (To anyone contemplating this course of action, it should be pointed out that as number of posts -> infinity, p(useful contribution) -> .20205)
 Let the robust discussion begin!

110

Living Room / Re: Congratz to the US Military Forces!

« on: May 03, 2011, 05:45 PM »

I am hearing how OBL should have had a trial. Without taking any position on that I wonder:
1. where it would have been held. If he wasn't extradited to the USA with all legal formalities observed, could the defence have got him off on a technicality?
2. Would his entitlement to a "fair" trial be jeopardized by the publicity/reporting since 9/11. I would imagine defence lawyers rejecting jurors wholesale.
3. Whilst he was awaiting trial, how would the increase in hostage taking by pro-OBL elements be countered?

I'm sure there must be another thousand practical issues to be considered ... so easy to call for a trial as a spectator. Buggered if I know the answer.

111

Living Room / Re: Techno-Addicts

« on: April 24, 2011, 09:30 PM »

1. 24x7 police state? Huh???????... no, you're right, as here in Oz we too have police available 24x7. And I wish there were more available, as like many people where I live, I feel its not a pleasant/safe experience to walk alone on a Saturday night in the heart of the city. Bad luck about MY freedom to go unmolested by drunken yobbos.

2. As a regular visitor to Singapore, I see plenty of non conformity. Not to USA extremes perhaps (and I can't see how those extremes are so good anyway).
 I said a sense of COMMUNITY and I meant just that. It's there, not to be confused with conformity. And in the normal sense of the words it implies a respect and tolerance for other members of the community and a preparedness to sacrifice for the sake of a wider, community good. To me, that's positive, not neutral.

I don't feel like I'm taking any chances in Singapore. To each his (or her) own.
(And finally, I would apologize to you 40hz, because your post caught me at a bad time when - elsewhere - I'd seen yet another assumption made that western values and culture are somehow innately superior to those from the East. A dubious premise at best)

112

Living Room / Re: Techno-Addicts

« on: April 24, 2011, 06:21 PM »

In Pocatello, Idaho
 

It is prohibited for pedestrians and motorists to display frowns, grimaces, scowls, threatening and glowering looks, gloomy and depressed facial appearances, generally all of which reflect unfavorably upon the city’s reputation.

So?
I'd suggest that there's some pretty important freedoms available in Singapore, vis a vis, say, the USA...
- freedom from drugged up crazies
- freedom from gun toting crazies
- freedom from crushing poverty
- freedom from rednecks
 Rather than focus on state imposed conformity, it might be more illustrative to consider the cultural aspect involved, that people have a sense of community.
Rather than an individualistic "me first, only me" attitude, there is an attitude something approximating JFK's "ask not what your country..."

 The friends I know in Singapore seem to feel free to do lots of things, quite happily, and don't seem too worried by not being able to get into anti-social behaviours.

Finally, there are published statistics (please don't ask me for references, I read, then don't always bookmark) suggesting Singapore to be one of the top ranking countries for desirability for ex-pat posting.

Obviously I reject the thesis presented here, at least as it applies to Singapore, as well as disagreeing with Gibson's viewpoint.

[thought bubble] Strewth! Did I write all that??? Musta got a bit steamed up and defensive! [/thought bubble]

113

Living Room / Hats off to USPS for innovative tracking scheme...

« on: April 08, 2011, 07:03 PM »

Having ordered a product from the USA (to AU), I was expectedly interested in being able to track progress of said item.
I was provided with a USPS tracking number from the supplier, but it didn't seem to work. On querying, the response was:

Please note that the tracking number provided is not very good since USPS International tracking numbers are recycled.  In addition, the tracking number provided does not actually go into affect until it reaches the final destination so you cannot tell where the package is while in route.

Let me guess...if you opt for premium shipping, they won't deliver your parcel?

114

General Software Discussion / Re: What Android Apps Do You Use?

« on: April 01, 2011, 05:02 PM »

Screen capture for rooted androids...

Try "Shootme"

-tsaint (March 31, 2011, 04:49 PM)

Great Scott! I was distracted by your avatar tsaint and my peripheral vision read your post as:

Screen capture for rooted hemmrhoids

So go on, shoot me 

-Darwin (March 31, 2011, 09:49 PM)

115

General Software Discussion / Re: What Android Apps Do You Use?

« on: March 31, 2011, 04:49 PM »

Screen capture for rooted androids...

Try "Shootme"

116

Living Room / Re: Getting an HTC Desire HD -- Android Phone

« on: December 21, 2010, 04:05 PM »

It's too bad that Swype isn't available. Oh well.

Thanks for the SlideIt link. I've downloaded the demo and will give that a spin.

-Renegade (November 11, 2010, 06:42 PM)

A beta Swype is available for download/install now if you're interested. http://beta.swype.com/

117

General Software Discussion / Re: Are there software calculators that can handle complex polar notation well?

« on: December 15, 2010, 10:34 PM »

Not sure I understand....the emulator runs under windows on your computer

118

General Software Discussion / Re: Are there software calculators that can handle complex polar notation well?

« on: December 15, 2010, 09:25 PM »

Would a casio fx 9860 emulator be useful?

119

Living Room / Re: WikiLeaks: Important petition for all Australians and supporters of free speech

« on: December 12, 2010, 02:02 AM »

As Julian et al have now taken it upon themselves to decide public policy on behalf of my government, I think it would be rather hypocritical of them if they didn't release ALL of their own documentation. Relevance to anything, discrimination about what material they release is not to be considered, I want it all.
 So when Julian pubishes his tax returns, all material pertinent to his private life, then I'll be more favourably disposed to him and his organization.
Or even if he seemed to display some judgement and discrimination, I might, rather than a naive and immature "everything must be public" policy

120

Living Room / Re: Getting an HTC Desire HD -- Android Phone

« on: November 11, 2010, 05:48 PM »

tsaint, I really had to laugh when I read your biography

-phitsc (November 10, 2010, 03:51 PM)

It was meant to induce a depressed mood, not one of levity!

Renegade,
re swype... you could try SlideIt as a temp replacement and see how you like it
http://www.androidtapp.com/slideit-keyboard/

121

Living Room / Re: Getting an HTC Desire HD -- Android Phone

« on: November 10, 2010, 03:46 PM »

Got a desire hd last weekend and it replaced a samsung galaxy i55503 which I gave to a friend. She really liked the galaxy until she saw and played with the hd.
Now she keeps grabbing for the hd
  Anyway, so far the only thing I wasn't happy with was the lack of inbuilt proxy settings which i need for work. (I thought I'd read that that had changed from 2.1->2.2 but I was mistaken)
I did find a proxy app eventually, so now I have absolutely no complaints. It's GREAT!

122

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Magmahost.com | cPanel 11 + Fantastico! w/ 99.9% Uptime [24/7 Support] | Only $1

« on: October 20, 2010, 04:35 PM »

 Follow up to my post re Magmahost....
 A month to the day since my post complaining about no replies or action when support tickets are filed, I received emails from Magmahost.
 NOT resolving any of the support ticket issues, not acknowledging my request for account closure, but instead containing requests for payment (invoices).
 This confirms my theory that there isn't any actual person attending the "support ticket section", but rather a person who has read too many Kafka novels has cobbled together a "frustration algorithm" which deals with support issues to amuse the other staff working there.

123

General Software Discussion / Re: FlatPress blogging platform: flat text file stored, open source, freeware

« on: October 02, 2010, 03:11 AM »

I think I fit your target profile.. I set up FP in my space on the net, so I could post an article or two every couple of days (maybe), with MYSELF as the target audience. A consideration for this strategy was that if I was discussing something I'd noted on my FP blog with another person, I could easily refer them to the post I'd made.
 Most of my posts are simply reminders/keep in view stuff about things that are interesting or potentially useful to me only, so the traffic/server load is negligible.
 And apart from the 1/2 hour spent searching to no avail for detailed intructions on how to change themes, FP was simple to install, looks fine and suits my purposes well.

124

General Software Discussion / Re: forward email?

« on: September 28, 2010, 05:02 PM »

Would be nice to have a standalone app that I can run locally, so still looking if one exists. I did try Foxmail, but it's in Chinese.

-dbarton (September 27, 2010, 08:59 PM)

"By default the Foxmail interface is in Chinese. To use Foxmail in English just go into the installation directory and delete the Chinese.lgb file. However, for the English version the 'Reply' feature will be affected (the content of the original message will not displayed in the reply - you can use the HTML templates to avoid this) ... "
Quoted from http://www.softpedia...lients/Foxmail.shtml
I have v5.0 as I'm not addicted to upgrading automatically, and at least in that version, there is no problem at all with the Reply feature re quoting original text.
tony

125

General Software Discussion / Re: forward email?

« on: September 27, 2010, 04:30 PM »

I think it's very similar to a connector, but I don't just want the mail in a different POP mailbox.
I want it to get messages, and then *resend* to a different email address. (my SMS address).

-dbarton (September 27, 2010, 10:21 AM)

The email client Foxmail has as one of it's filtering actions "forward mail" - to any other email address.