Topics

101

General Software Discussion / Choosing between Vista x86 32 bit or x64 64 bit

« on: March 14, 2007, 10:47 AM »

While this won't be an issue for me, I'm sure many of our readers might have the hardware that will make it an issue for them.

One of the more common questions I hear about Vista is which bit version of Windows Vista should one get.  Do we go with x86 32 bit edition or x64 64 bit edition?  I'm going to try to clear that question up as best as I can and explain the pros and cons of each choice.
First we must understand a little background on what x64 is.  X64 is the 64 bit extension technology that AMD invented (AMD64) to seamlessly migrate the 32 bit x86 (as in 286, 386, 486 compatible microprocessors) world into a 64 bit era.  Intel in partnership with HP had refused to extend the ancient x86 platform and had already committed to its all new pure 64 bit IA-64 Itanium architecture...

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=440

from http://www.edbott.com/weblog/

102

Developer's Corner / Elgg: Open-source social network platform

« on: March 13, 2007, 10:30 AM »

Elgg is an open source social networking platform based around choice, flexibility and openness: a system that firmly places individuals at the centre of their activities.
Your users have the freedom to incorporate all their favorite tools within one environment and showcase their content with as many or as few people as they choose, all within a social networking site that you control.

http://elgg.org/

from http://www.newsforge.com/

103

Living Room / Sonic Bomb Alarm

« on: March 13, 2007, 10:04 AM »

Who needs magic when you can use this alarm to wake up the dead?

...The Sonic Bomb Clock has an adjustable volume alarm with a maximum loudness of 113 decibels (just for reference, a jackhammer is about 100 decibels!) And the bed shaker does just that. Slip it under your mattress and your ears will bleed and your bed will shake, and there is no way you will oversleep. Or, you could turn the sound alarm off and tape the bed shaker to your office chair...

http://www.thinkgeek.../lights/8f1a/?cpg=cj

from http://www.gadgetreview.com/

104

Developer's Corner / Free HTML / CSS / Link Validation page

« on: March 12, 2007, 04:48 PM »

Use this site to check your site for errors.

In a nutshell: this page lists HTML validators (which check HTML code for standards compliance and errors), CSS validators (which check Cascading Style Sheets for errors and standards compliance), browser compatibility checkers (checks your page to see if it is compatible with various browsers), broken link (or dead links) checkers, accessibility checking (check if your web page is accessible to people with disabilities)...

http://www.thefreeco...htmlvalidators.shtml

105

Living Room / Charity based search engine

« on: March 11, 2007, 06:48 PM »

Here is an easy way for you to raise money for charities doing something you would normally do anyway by using a charity-based search engine.

At Search Kindly, we're doing something that NO ONE else is even considering--we're donating all of our advertising revenue to charity. Every. Single. Penny.
The whole point of Search Kindly is to take something that you'd be doing anyway, like surfing the Internet, and turn it into a really meaningful action. We know that most people, like us, would love to be able to give limitless amounts of money to those in need, but who has a limitless amount of money? Well, together we all do. But we're not asking for your money, we’re just asking for a few seconds of your time.
What do I have to do to donate money for free?
All you have to do is use Search Kindly just like you'd use any other search engine. The advertisers on the site pay us to display their ads, so all you have to do is show up! It just doesn't get much easier than that.
How much money is raised each time I visit Search Kindly?
Roughly 1/3 of a cent--now I know that's not a whole lot, but this is a numbers-game. If we can ever get to the point where we have a million users per day, we'll be generating $12,000...per day...

http://www.searchkindly.org/

106

Living Room / YouPorn: Like YouTube, but with a triple x rating

« on: March 11, 2007, 06:03 PM »

Here's a switch, a site with many of the same features as YouTube, except for the pornographic content of the videos.

Like YouTube, people can upload their own homemade videos. Like YouTube, these video uploads get watched, rated, categorized, and reviewed. Like YouTube, categories include "New Videos," "Top Rated" and "Most Viewed." The oldest video I came across dates back to Saturday, August 26, 2006.
There is, however, one small but crucial difference between YouTube and YouPorn: The latter is all porn all the time. There seems to be a burgeoning number of people -- "Amateurs" in industry parlance -- who have been getting busy videotaping themselves, well, getting busy...

http://bigpicture.ty...2007/03/youporn.html

107

General Software Discussion / VORG Express: A free PIM designed to meet all your information needs

« on: March 11, 2007, 05:36 PM »

Here's a fantastic looking PIM that I would definitely try if I wasn't using one designed to integrate with my handheld computer.

VORG© Express the personal information manager designed for individual users provides an integrated solution for managing and organizing schedules, tasks, notes, contacts, documents and other information.
Features
Find information easily. All entities support advanced full text searching. Specify the text to be searched and the advanced search-engine matches the possible combinations of attribute-value pairs. Additionally search results can be organized in virtual folders...

http://www.vertikals...vorg/vorgexpress.htm

from http://www.all4you.dk/FreewareWorld

108

General Software Discussion / Free software to create CD jewel case labels

« on: March 11, 2007, 05:20 PM »

Use this software to create text-based jewel case inserts.

CoverCreator provides a quick and easy way to way to print plain text CD jewel case inserts. The program can also automatically create jewel case inserts from any of your batch scripts. You can automatically insert the current date on the label and save the layout for later use. CoverCreator is not intended to create flashy picture labels, but rather to organize a large collection of company or personal records with standard, plain text CD covers.

http://www.snapfiles...or/covercreator.html

from https://www.donation...16.msg54369#msg54369

109

Developer's Corner / Money or nothing? Trade-offs in FOSS compensation

« on: March 11, 2007, 05:08 PM »

In addition to the factors mentioned, some very interesting researchers has also found that giving people compensation for their work can actually decrease their motivation for performing a task.

What happens when a free and open source software (FOSS) project attempts to introduce compensation for its developers? Because FOSS remains based largely on volunteer work, many worry that payment might demotivate both those who receive it and those who do not. However, community leaders who have observed how payment interacts with the FOSS ethos suggest a more complicated picture. Identifying four main types of payment -- bounties, payment in kind, grants, and employment -- these experts suggest that what happens depends on the type of payment, as well as on the individuals involved...

http://www.linux.com...?sid=07/02/23/203207

from http://www.newsforge.com/

110

General Software Discussion / Artweaver: free natural painting tool

« on: March 09, 2007, 05:03 AM »

Artweaver offers you a variety of tools to be creative and achieve the effects you want.

Artweaver is a simple Freeware program for creative painting, i.e. Artweaver offers you all artistic effects which you need for your work.
You can create sketches from photos and experiment with a wide range of brushes. The brush simulation is thereby so realistic as possible...
Advantages of Artweaver
    * Support of many different digital brushes e.g. chalk, charcoal, pencils...
    * Standard image editing tools like gradient, crop, fill and selection tools.
    * Transparency and Layers support.
    * Effect filters like sharpen, blur, emboss and mosaic...

http://www.artweaver...index.php?en_version

from https://www.donation...05.msg54327#msg54327

111

General Software Discussion / Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro says Zaine

« on: March 09, 2007, 04:54 AM »

If Zaine says it, I believe it and you can too!

Although its a typically excellent German program, it has a very Japanese name, and the two words I’d use to describe Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro (SFFS) are fast and accurate. The UI is also well thought out. Best of all, it gives you control over exactly what goes where and how it syncs — at the point of synching. It’s also great for exact mirroring, and while Super Flexible File Synchronizer Pro should really be considered a commercial app; that is, an enterprise one, given its deep feature set. Its trial version is fully functional, letting you thoroughly test and compare it to other synching apps, so give it a shot!

http://www.thegsblog.com/?p=155

112

General Software Discussion / Having trouble finding files? Try CellNet and get a whole lot more.

« on: March 09, 2007, 04:48 AM »

Here's a multifunctional multimedia program with a user interface that deviates markedly from the typical one.

CellNet is a very fast desktop application for keeping files organized on your computer. It can also play music, video, DVD, load documents and URLs, display and edit photos, run programs and keep shortcuts to Windows file system. You can write cells and files to CDs, extract music from CDs or make an audio CD. Other features include, photo slideshows, full editor to move and copy files within the CellNet system, keep playlists of photos, music and video and screen capture...

http://cellnet.awardspace.com/

from www.shellcity.net

113

Developer's Corner / Five important communication activities for teambuilding

« on: March 09, 2007, 04:39 AM »

This article nicely illustrates the importance of relatedness among teammates.

I have also been known to complain about the dearth of decent office space, about less than timely software updates and even about the lack of potable liquid in the coffee pot. But, honestly, I have never seen a project actually fail for want of any of these things. I have, however, been part of more than one project that tanked for lack of communication. Here are a few ideas for improving communications in your group.

http://jroller.com/page/rolsen

114

Living Room / Living with Linux Ubuntu (ONLY) for 30 days

« on: March 09, 2007, 04:29 AM »

Wonder what it would be like to say goodbye to Windows? I'm not going to tell you how it ends, but you will definitely want to read this lengthy article.

Linux on the desktop has been viable for years, especially for programming gurus who can solve their Linux problems by simply writing new software. It also seems to be viable for “Mom and Pop” end-users who just want a machine to write letters, send email, and browse the Web (although, admittedly, a guru will probably have to set it up for them).
But what about power users, such as the typical audience of HardOCP - those who know how to build their own computers, but not compile their own programs? Or people who may not know how to do something, but aren't afraid of taking the time to figure it out? Is Linux truly an alternative? Can they do everything they did in Windows? The truth is, we didn't know, but we very much wanted to find out.

http://consumer.hard...OCwxLCxoY29uc3VtZXI=

115

Living Room / Game Competition #2 at JayIsGames.com

« on: March 08, 2007, 06:46 PM »

Vote for your favorite game and help the winning game's author win a bunch of money that you probably want yourself.

Now that we've seen all the entries, and while the judging is underway, we invite everyone to take part by voting for your favorite(s) of the competition. Each game entry is represented by its icon along with a "vote" button next to it. The vote button will take you to a PayPal donation form where you may donate $1 (USD) or more to the respective game. (PayPal accepts credit cards as well.)
We are limiting voting to only those that donate as it helps prevent any ballot stuffing. And besides, it's only a dollar and these fantastic games are all worth more than that, don't you think? No one is obligated to vote, and all we are asking for is a single dollar from each of you.
At the end of the week, all of the votes will be tallied and the game that receives the most community votes will be awarded the Audience Prize of $200!...

http://jayisgames.co.../audience_award2.php

116

Living Room / An Introduction to Making Money Selling Digital Photos

« on: March 08, 2007, 06:34 PM »

If you are interested in actually making money with your digital camera, rather than just spending money on it like the rest of us, this article is for you.

Who doesn’t want to make a little extra cash these days? The price of digital cameras is dropping on what seems to be a daily basis. Why not put yours to some use? For the past five years I have been selling royalty-free stock photographs and will share my thoughts, ideas and concepts with you, along with some suggestions for getting started...

http://www.getrichsl...ling-digital-photos/

117

General Software Discussion / Watch a panel discussion about browsers

« on: March 08, 2007, 06:26 PM »

Here's an interesting video of a panel discussion about web browsers by representatives from MS, Mozilla, and Opera

Presented by the Silicon Valley WebBuilder, this event brought together Mike Shaver from Mozilla, Chris Wilson from Microsoft’s IE team, Håkon Lie from Opera, and expertly moderator Douglas Crockford from Yahoo! to talk about the current state of the browser landscape.
At first, each person got a chance to say their peace. Here are some core items that each person said...

http://ajaxian.com/a...r-a-panel-discussion

118

General Software Discussion / DirLot: Free folder size visualization software

« on: March 08, 2007, 06:21 PM »

Here is another nice (and free) utility to visualize the space usage of your computer.

The DirLot utility shows specific size of elements in a folder (both files and subfolders) in entire volume of space occupied by the folder. In other words, this utility allows you to quickly estimate how many space a file or subfolder occupies in a folder,  or how entire volume of the folder is distributed among its elements.
Visualization of Subfolder Sizes...
DirLot shows columnar diagram Well, the definition is somewhat tricky. I hope, the screenshot of the utility will help you to catch the point. Full 'inverse' path to the currently shown folder is displayed at the top...

http://soft.km.ua/so...dirlot/index.en.html

119

Living Room / New higher performance notebook pc drive shipping soon

« on: March 08, 2007, 05:28 PM »

Samsung says it will soon begin shipping a hybrid notebook PC hard drive that uses less power, yet will boot and resume considerably faster than traditional drives.

Samsung said Wednesday that it had begun shipments of its first hybrid hard drive to select OEMs, and that retail shipments would begin "soon".
The new MH80 2.5-inch hybrid drives for notebook PCs will be available in 80-, 120-, and 160-Gbyte capacities, with either 128 Mbytes or 256 Mbytes of onboard flash memory, for caching purposes.
Samsung representatives weren't immediately available to answer questions on the drive's retail availability or pricing...
Acording to Samsung, its MH80 drives feature Samsung's "ReadyBoot" (not ReadyBoost) technology that offers up to a 50 percent reduction in boot and resume times from traditional magnetic hard drives. In addition, the drive consumes 70-90 percent less power than a traditional hard drive, which extends the battery life by 30 minutes before a recharge is needed, the company said.

http://www.extremete...,1697,2101571,00.asp

120

General Software Discussion / CrossLoop – Simple Secure Screen Sharing

« on: March 07, 2007, 06:47 AM »

Share computer screens quickly and securely through a firewall or NAT

What is CrossLoop?
CrossLoop is a FREE secure screen sharing utility designed for people of all technical skill levels. CrossLoop extends the boundaries of VNC’s traditional screen sharing by enabling non-technical users to get connected from anywhere on the Internet in seconds without changing any firewall or router settings. It only takes a few minutes to setup and no signup is required.
Is CrossLoop Secure?
Security is built into all aspects of CrossLoop. Session data is encrypted at the end-points before being sent using a 128-bit encryption algorithm using a randomly generated 12-digit access code. Explicit permission is required before any screen images are sent to a remote computer. CrossLoop is a secure tool to remotely assist any PC on the planet.

http://www.crossloop.com/

from alt.comp.freeware

121

General Software Discussion / Locate Your IE Problems with DebugBar (Free for Personal Use)

« on: March 06, 2007, 03:40 PM »

Here's a great Internet Explorer plugin that will help you track down a variety of IE problems.

The DebugBar V4.02 is an Internet Explorer plug-in that bring you new powerful features :
    * DOM Inspector: View DOM Tree and modify tags attributs and css attributes on the fly to test your page
    * HTTP Inspector: View HTTP/S request to check cookies, GET and POST parameters, view server info
    * Javascript Inspector and Javascript Console: View javascript functions for easier debugging, see Javascript and AJAX code
    * HTML Validator: Validate HTML code to correct and optimize your code and html size of your page
    * And many more features: See page cookies, get pixel color on a page, make a page screenshot...

http://www.debugbar.com/?langage=en

from http://www.all4you.dk/FreewareWorld

122

General Software Discussion / Astyle: A Free Visual CSS Editor

« on: March 06, 2007, 03:30 PM »

I know everyone is wild about CSS. If you DO want to make it easier though, give Astyle a try.

Astyle is a visual CSS editor.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) allows to separate the representation definitions of such structured documents as HTML, XHTML, XML from their content, which is an effective principle in the design of web sites.
Key features
Visual easy-to-use interface
Graphic tree-type view of attachment files and the CSS structure
Grouped view of properties and selectors
Automatic selection and grouping of CSS selectors from a markup language document
Source CSS, HTML, XML highlight code editor
Active preview current selectors and documents with IE and Mozilla support
Clean up HTML document via CSS...

http://www.athlab.com/Astyle/

from http://www.all4you.dk/FreewareWorld

123

General Software Discussion / Auto Project Planner Creates the Project Plan for You

« on: March 06, 2007, 03:23 PM »

Auto Project Planner does just that: it creates a project plan with a timeline based on your due dates and the amount of effort you estimate activities to take.

This software automatically calculates a proper project plan based on your effort estimations and the due dates you have in mind.
A list of tasks and a list of employees can be defined. Tasks can be assigned to one or more employees. It is also possible to define a maximum percentage value an employee can/should work on a task.
Public holidays, leaves, weekly working hours and some more parameters can be specified and are considered in the calculation.
According to this input the software compute time plans by minimizing the MSE (mean squared error) between expected and computed end dates.

http://project-plann...ge.net/overview.html

from http://www.all4you.dk/FreewareWorld"

124

General Software Discussion / FlashForge Screensaver Maker - Now Free

« on: March 06, 2007, 03:15 PM »

FlashForge is a program that creates screensavers from flash files and, as stated above, is now free.

FlashForge, the well known and popular screensaver creator, converts Adobe/Macromedia Flash files into a screensaver plus an installer.
FlashForge takes care of all the details and lets you take care of your real work!
Numerous options produce more professional screensavers:
· Real movie preview
· Settings bitmap...

http://www.goldshell.../flashforge/main.htm

from http://www.all4you.dk/FreewareWorld

125

Living Room / Desktop Tower Defense: Flash Game of the Day

« on: March 06, 2007, 03:10 PM »

We have posted a few tower defense games previously. Here's another fun one to add to the list.

A live action puzzle game written for fun in flash. You have to stop your enemies, or 'creeps', from travelling all the way across the screen. Tower pieces can be purchased and placed on the map to kill the creeps before they make it across. Inspired by a Warcraft 3 tower defense map called Autumn Crossing and a few other TD Warcraft III maps.
Game Instructions
Creeps enter from the top and from the left. You must stop them from reaching the other side or you will lose lives. When all your lives are gone the game is over...

http://www.handdrawngames.com/DesktopTD/

from www.stumbleupon.com