Messages

526

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: lite dc forum version for mobile devices?

« on: August 26, 2009, 07:27 AM »

Personally I love the idea.  I have an iPod Touch, and it would be awesome to download the unread threads and read on the bus.  Especially if I could answer them and then upload the answers when I got a signal again (of course I would still run into the thread changes since last read thingy, but still....).

527

General Software Discussion / Re: MS Word: Live by the patent, die by the patent? (rant)

« on: August 19, 2009, 07:39 AM »

I like the tongue in cheek statements if that is what they were...

Microsoft has already lost the suit and has till October 10th to remove the product from the shelves.  Of course there will be a stay or settlement before then, but the suit was lost and an appeal to drag it out would first require a stay of execution before they can extend it.  The judge recommended a $200 million settlement as just compensation.  If the plaintiff agrees to that, then it may well be worth it to MS to just settle.  I don't know the truth to it, but according to the source I heard this from, MS makes more than that from Office each day.  I find that difficult to believe, but it is definitely more than that yearly (mostly in the form of Software Assurance contracts no doubt).

As for the idea of buying a country, I think that would very quickly backfire on them.  First they would need to set-up a government in addition to moving the corporation - no small feat.  Then dealing with import/export laws of the U.S. and the very real chance of reprisals from many U.S. governments (mostly local governments) for this move.  Heck, the EU already moved in this direction.  I don't think it would kill the U.S., and may not even hurt it much; but it certainly would change things in a hurry.  It would just force societies to change faster than they otherwise would.  No, I think the idea would be far to risky for the potential payoff.  Nice ideas though

One thing is for sure, that would give Apple a huge boost just from the outrage alone...

528

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommend file shredder?

« on: August 19, 2009, 07:26 AM »

Sorry to hear about that.  When it rains, it pours.  I know that first hand myself.

To answer your question, my suggestion (if it is allowed where you work - I know where I work this is actually a preferred method) is to move all pertinent data to a network drive (you do want to leave on good terms and without legal recourse after all), use something like Dr. DOS to overwrite the entire harddrive with 00 (or whatever pattern you would like), then have the machine reimaged to the corporate standard.  Now I understand there is a lot of assumptions there - you are allowed, there is a standard image, and they are willing to reimage the machine, just to name a few.  If that is not an option and you must use a file shredder, I found Eraser to work well enough for my needs.  It may leave behind evidence as it isn't an uninstaller, but anything it erases is definitely unrecoverable.  I do believe CC Cleaner also has a file erase function, though don't hold me to it.  That is the extent of the help I can provide.  Hope that helps.

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General Software Discussion / Re: MS Word: Live by the patent, die by the patent? (rant)

« on: August 19, 2009, 07:08 AM »

I was just learning about this yesterday, and from what I understand, the judge is actually very smart.  He supposedly holds a Computer Science Degree and was a programmer before getting into Patent Law.  On the flip side, there is also evidence that Microsoft knew about it and ignored it anyway hoping they wouldn't notice.  Since they didn't bring suit right away, they just continued into version 2007.  Just another point proving the need to revamp this outdated set of laws.

Personally, since there is typically really only one or two particularly efficient algorithms,  I would like to see it where the only patentable code (if any must be patentable) is completed works that have a particular and unique outcome.  I liken most code segements to building blocks - there are only so many ways to put them together.  It is like patenting bricks, mortar, and building shape(s), all in separate patents.

   "Sorry, you can't build that building in a rectangular shape without paying us $$$.  Nope, we have circular, oval, and triangular shapes patented too.  Our competitor has the 'freeform' shapes patented as well.  Good luck."

Absurd...It isn't the code that should be patented, it should be the finished product.

Now for the sticky part...How do you define at what point something is unique and patentable?  If my program does the same thing as yours, but yours is monolithic code, whereas mine is 15 different subprograms; am I infringing?  What if it is used in a different context (such as grocery cart programs for managing online checkouts)?  If you base it on some combination of look, feel, AND function; at what point is it legal imitation vs. infringement?  And why can't we have varying degrees of infringement such that if it is determined that the infringement really did take place, but it is a gray area; so you will be penalized much less harshly.  Proof that it was known and deliberate - throw the book at em...

Enough of my thoughts....

530

General Software Discussion / Re: the best hand-held pdf reader?

« on: July 21, 2009, 02:21 PM »

Is there a reason you are against the Kindle?  I am, but for my own reasons as listed below.  The reason I ask is they have released the Kindle SDK and if it is the hardware you are against (like I am) then I might suggest using the Kindle Reader app on an iPod Touch, for example.  Okay, actually that is probably a bit small, but it is a feature you can look for on non-kindle hardware if you are interested in being able to take advantage of a lot of the Kindle offerings...

I am somewhat against the idea of the Sony ebook readers, but I have seen them in action and they seem nice sized as well, if a bit slow.  Expensive, and the battery life is unknown to me, but the size is about right for reading longer passages or books.  My problem with them is Sony's love affair with DRM and rootkits, coupled with the high price and apparent preference for proprietary formats (not that Amazon is any better with the Kindle and in some ways is worse).  Okay, guess I really didn't have much to add to the conversation.  NEXT....

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Screenshot Captor / Re: Should I add simple scanner features to SC?

« on: July 21, 2009, 02:08 PM »

My current workaround is to do #2 anyway and just open SC after I move it.  If you set it to add it to the SC directory when I open it, that would be great!  Though for others I could see it screwing with their organization if they have several sub folders.  I could easily live with thatoption #1 if it were the way it worked as long as I could do a "save as" type of option and redirect the saved item to the default location.

532

General Software Discussion / Re: What software will do this? Simple data-mining, finding associations etc.

« on: July 21, 2009, 01:59 PM »

If this is in Excel already, it shouldn't be too hard to do this with the analysis pack for Excel.  That said, I am not sure how to do so right now.  I would have to research it just like you are.

533

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: VueMinder calendar at 50% discount - Bits du Jour

« on: July 21, 2009, 01:55 PM »

As for the Outlook PIM replacement ..steeladept .. hmmm .. very tuff, especially with your list of requirements.  Outlook is so fragile and strange, a lot of the folks at work use it (some use Outlook Express, I have Thunderbird loaded at work with Eudora at home being my main email.).  For PIM functionality Outlook is clearly kewl, but having one kitchen sink data file with email attachments and calendar and this and that is an architectural train-wreck. Have you looked at Lightning or Sunbird (with or without Thunderbird) and various add-ons ?  It is the most likely to have a lot of integration resources with a cadre of open source developers doing this and that. A lot of people like Essential PIM as an Outlook replacement, but you would probably have to give up most of your integration requirements. How is Chaos32 (formerly the better-named Time & Chaos) these days ?  Might be worth a check.

-Steven Avery (July 21, 2009, 06:57 AM)

Thanks for your input Steve.  Yes, I have used Thunderbird with Lightning.  Great stuff and it does almost as much.  The killer there is portable devices, specifically Windows Mobile.  There may be plugins now for it, but last time I looked there wasn't.  The same goes for Essential PIM if I remember correctly.  I should check that out now for both...

As for Chaos32, no.  That is completely new to me. 

The funny thing is, email is the least I use Outlook for.  It is more that I use it for email because I am using it for other things rather than using the other things because I use Outlook for email.  My big email use is webmail.  Downloading it into outlook is just a bonus used primarily to synch it on my Mobile device or to read offline.  I will say, though, that it is nice to have the email address automatically poplulate when you choose the name.

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Screenshot Captor / Re: Should I add simple scanner features to SC?

« on: July 21, 2009, 01:27 PM »

Man, didn't even get to read this before it was decided...Of course I would be a +1 as well.  The way I often use SC (and the reason for my request for an open file under the File Menu) was because I often get scans either directly or through email that SC can make basic edits to easily.  It is especially useful for the simplicity of bluring the inside and/or outside of objects.  This is not something ANY other program I have available is able to do easily.  If I can skip the step of opening the file is SC and just pull it in from the scanner, that would be a big +.

That said, I still request the open option for those that are emailed to me...

Thanks again,

Tom

P.S.  Love the new icon.  MUCH better than the old one!

535

General Software Discussion / Re: fully free software utilities for biz use - discussion

« on: July 20, 2009, 02:21 PM »

Well, I have sent multiple emails to the developers of SpaceMonger with the result of deafening silence.  As a result, I am not so sure I can recommend it anymore for this purpose, though if you are looking for something for personal use and don't want or need support, this isn't a bad piece of software.  However after my recent attempts at contact, I am now hesitant to even recommend the paid version.  If you can't get support when you need it, then you either don't really need the software, or you really need to consider other options....

536

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows XP Alternative shells

« on: July 20, 2009, 02:15 PM »

There's always compatibility issues when replacing the shell, and it's not just worth it to me anymore.

-wraith808 (July 19, 2009, 09:32 PM)

AMEN!  This is why I never bothered.  Too much hassle for too little payoff.  Windows has always been stable for me (well since Win98 anyway, when I started using computers in earnest instead of as over glorified gaming consoles).  I tried once on Windows Mobile because that interface was so bad it was worth the hassle; but even then there were so many issues I just went back to the original.  It is at least a fairly stable shell at least.

537

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: VueMinder calendar at 50% discount - Bits du Jour

« on: July 20, 2009, 02:10 PM »

Oh, what's my problem with Outlook given these requirement (it does almost all of them after all)?

1.  It doesn't work well with Lotus (or anything else really) unless I connect to the server via POP or IMAP and download it - I can't just move a file and have it read it.  Not a major limitation, unless you are not authorized to connect that way like at work.  Well that and to my knowledge there is no direct way to connect Outlook to Domino servers...

2.  It is expensive.  Right now I can get one copy cheap through the military, but once I retire, I have to pay whatever price I can find, which is going to be expensive no matter what.  Add to that, I still have to pay full price for any additional copies to share my family's schedule unless we all use one computer.  Not happen'n.

3.  It is big, bloated, and offers a lot of useless features that I can not turn off easily if at all.  That said, I do like having integrated contact lists with my email and calendar, and to a lesser extent to-do lists.  I just wish some of the fields could be changed and/or removed to speed it up a bit, especially for contact lists.  But now I go off on a tangent away from the calendar again.

While I continue dreaming, I want a car that creates power while I am driving, fixes all relationships, and solve world hunger.  Is that too much to ask...

538

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: VueMinder calendar at 50% discount - Bits du Jour

« on: July 20, 2009, 01:54 PM »

Okay, let me preface this with "I have not tried any of these types of calandars yet".  Keep this in mind as I mention my must have's and desires of any calandar application since some may fit all of these.

Currently I use Outlook 2007 at home (part of the Office suite I got) and Lotus Notes at work (blech, but I don't have a choice).  What I am looking for from an application like this is not really just a calandar, but a full featured PIM.  That said, the calandar portion is what I will focus on due to the jist of the post.

First and foremost, the application should work on/with a variety of handheld devices including Blackberries, iPhone, and Windows Mobile (I only use the last, but the other two are where the money is now, so if you are doing it, you might as well make it work for all). However, I do not want it to be a web only app, as I am not web connected 24/7 (data plans are way too much for personal use!), though a web synch option may be desirable for some.

Now for the application details.
1.  It should be able to read Outlook, Lotus, Groupwise, Yahoo Mail, Live Mail, and GMail options at a minimum.  I know these are all email apps, but they all have calandars associated with them.  These calandars should be able to synchronize with the program.

2.  Any unsupported features should not be discarded, but rather ignored, so as the data moves, the unused parts could still be accessed when brought back into the originating program.  (This should be standard for ALL collaboration software that claims to work with any other system!)

3.  It should support multiple calandars per person, and multiple people independently while associating the groupings if appropriate.  For example, I have a home calandar and a work calandar that I can turn on or off separately.  Joe has the same.  If I want to turn on all his appointments and only my work appointments, I should be able to do so while knowing which appointment belongs to which person and which calandar for that person.  I would suggest color coding the calandars, then grouping by user with a faded background color per user.  Maybe there is something that does this already, but it is just one idea for an implimentation.
 
4.  It should also support alarms.  What good is a calandar that doesn't remind you of your appointments?  I have seen some good implimentations of calandars that don't support alarms.  Useless to me....

There are several more, but I can't think of them at the moment, and I don't have my compiled checklist here.  I will look into it later and hopefully post back with more.  Anyone have any suggestions so far?   

Now, to be fair, it is time to look at VueMinder to see how close they come to these requirements....

539

Developer's Corner / Re: SQlite + Php 5.2.9 + Apache2.2

« on: July 20, 2009, 01:19 PM »

There does not seem to be a database created yet to put tables into.  Shouldn't there be an "...) IN DATABASE"  added to the end?

If it doesn't exist yet, perhaps a CREATE DATABASE DEVDB where DEVDB is the name of the database...

Or am I way off here?  I am going from my SQL knowledge, not any particular program.

540

Screenshot Captor / Re: Screenshot Captor Auto Tool Configurations

« on: July 20, 2009, 11:15 AM »

Totally missed this before.  I will give it a go in a bit.  Maybe even make a toolpack of my own for my favorite tools - if I can figure it out.  I knew SC could use 3rd party tools, but I never did myself because, well, I never thought much about what tools I might want!  I found a pretty good ruler program though that you may want to look at if you are looking for suggestions....

Ruler, found at codeplex - http://www.codeplex.com/Ruler is really niffty and has a great transparency that I have used to great effect.

Another similar one that I have not used, but has garnered some support (apparently) is JR Screen Ruler at http://www.spadixbd.com/freetools/jruler.htm though if I am reading it right, to get transparency, you have to upgrade to the pro version.

Just some thoughts if you wanted to get them before I get around to seeing if I can do a pack with it (I would be working on Ruler, not JR ).

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General Software Discussion / Re: What would you experts use?

« on: July 20, 2009, 09:30 AM »

I am no programmer, but it seems to me it would be fairly trivial to make a plugin or setting change to prefix ws in front of ALL entries if that is what would be desired.  I wouldn't suggest it for general use, but this one is pretty specific, so I seems logical to do.

542

Living Room / Re: linux network question

« on: July 17, 2009, 02:24 PM »

I am limited on experience here for the server, but I would have thought SUSE would be the way to go.  Why?  SUSE is now owned and distributed by Novell...You know, the people who developed one of the first wide-spread, truly successful Network Operating Systems that worked with Windows?  Anyway, Novell had/has a structure not unlike active directory (not a surprise since Microsoft licensed the technology from Novell then beat them nearly to death with it).  Unfortunately, I don't recall what it was called - Directory Services maybe?  Anyhow, I would guess they would not have dumped it in SUSE seeing as it is so popular.  The only down side is it may require the SUSE enterprise a.k.a. not free version of SUSE.

543

Living Room / Re: DonationCoder loading funny in Firefox - colors missing - proportions strange

« on: July 17, 2009, 02:04 PM »

...Fully Free for Biz Lists .. which is a very long page...

-Steven Avery (July 17, 2009, 11:09 AM)

Maybe they should have their own subfolder with each category having it's own thread?  I know you broke it out once, but it keeps growing!  Just a thought...

544

Living Room / Re: DonationCoder loading funny in Firefox - colors missing - proportions strange

« on: July 17, 2009, 06:41 AM »

I get it occasionally (very rare actually) and it is not specific to any one site.  I have had that happen here too.  It is, at least in my case, a response time issue where the page gets served but the CSS does not.  A simple reload fixes it as Mouser said above.  Most often, I see this on high latency sites where the computer waits the allotted time and only receives part of the page, or if I stop it mid-load.  It also seems to occur more often on sites with JavaScript thought I don't know why that would be - more code to load I would guess.  Poor scripts?  I don't know.  One question I did have though, can't you set up the site to just serve the page and all packages including the JavaScript, THEN load it to run locally on the machine instead of running everything inline?  Maybe I am a bit naive about this, but it seems like that might be the way to go for many reasons.

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Living Room / Re: What have I done!?

« on: July 17, 2009, 06:29 AM »

At which point he will be offered a copy of Instant Boss and a link to PhinisheD.org

or he can join mouser in the  DC ABD Procrastinators Club.

-app103 (July 16, 2009, 07:26 PM)

Quite possible.  I wasn't aware it was an official club with a name and everything LOL...  Is cody part of the club or is there another mascot planned for when the club gets around to it?

546

Living Room / Re: What have I done!?

« on: July 16, 2009, 02:13 PM »

Thanks for the congratulations...  I am just getting that jittery feeling similar to the one I got when I bought my first house.  The possibilities, they just abound.  The planning and dreaming of what it can become.  The payments associated.  The maintenance nightmares, the WHAT?  How did that turn so scarey so quick!

Yeah, that kind of wonder and remorse all rolled into one...

547

Living Room / What have I done!?

« on: July 16, 2009, 11:42 AM »

That is it, I have completed my application and acceptance for Doctoral Studies.  So now that it is done, what did I get myself into?  Am I really that much of a glutton for punishment?  Between this and a 4 year old and a two year old, I must be a masochist who loathes the thought of sleep.  On the up side, between what my employer will pay and the discount for my military service, it is actually free - as long as I maintain good progress (a C or better in each class they pay for is how they word it).

Guess I won't be seeing quite as much of this site, at least not socially.  Don't worry, though, I will likely be here for more specific information quests and in 3 years (according to the program) I will have a D.Sc in Information Systems and Communications.

Thoughts?  Suggestions?  Condolences?

548

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox --3.5-- Extensions: Your favorite or most useful

« on: July 16, 2009, 11:33 AM »

Tab Mix Plus has ALWAYS been a favorite.  I install that even before NoScript (#2), & DownThemAll (#3).  Lastly, I always add IETab for those sites that INSIST that the IE engine is the ONLY one that can render HTML (Stupid sites - don't the webmasters know there are standards for a reason? </rant>)

After that, I usually install, in no particular order:

UnPlugged - a FireFox extention that does more or less the same thing URL Snooper does, but it is dead simple to use.  No configuration, just use it and it either works or doesn't.  When it doesn't, that is where URL Snooper comes in  

ForecastFox or ForecastFox Enhanced (depends on mood at the time) - see above

Flagfox - tells you which country the server serving content appears to be located.

I also have played with, and have on a few installations:

SpeedDial - Open several preset pages at once.

FlashGot - Another download manager I used before DownThemAll.

FEBE - Bookmark synchroniser

Delicious - Online, social bookmarking

Firebug - Website debugger

iMacros - Create macros for Firefox (not as useful to me as first imagined, because there is not that much I do so repetitively).

Web Developer - Website development helper

549

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: BBCeditor 1.0.27

« on: July 13, 2009, 01:50 PM »

WOW, You really have been on fire since my last look at this.  BBCeditor has proven somewhat useful to me since March, but I now see that you have had what, 15+ changes since?

I don't use it nearly as much anymore since I was force-moved from my job to another position (not a wholly bad thing in this case, but not requested either).  I still can see the occasional use for it though, like here on DC...

Downloading newest version.....

550

Site/Forum Features / Re: DonationCoder Temporary Emergency Backup Forum URL -- make note of it

« on: July 13, 2009, 01:38 PM »

Sort of.  I was thinking if the entire site went down, the ISP would serve up the 404 that may be customizable.  Again, I don't know if that is true, but that was what I was thinking.  As for the testing, you are correct on all counts of what I meant.