Topics

51

Living Room / Talk Radio... good or bad?

« on: November 06, 2010, 11:30 PM »

Note about edits in this post

Due to the potential importance of this subject, comments posted below by other members and with a desire not to manipulate this thread, all substantive additions have been coloerd purple to highlight those changes.  Modificationss in style, i.e., bolding, italics, underline, etc. are not highlighted as they serve to clarify only.  Any deletions are strikethroughs.

Also, please see the bottom of this post for important addendum.

I have held a particular persuasion on the subject of "talk radio" for more than a decade and every time I give it another chance listen I am more persuaded than before. I am not attempting to censor anyone or group.  Free speech is something we all possess, but with freedom comes responsibility.  "Talk" media is often promulgated as the "voice of the people."  This sounds good, but is only a gimmick as I am sure the reader is aware.  As an OTR trucker I have heard an entire spectrum of "talk" radio rollin' across highways and back roads of this country at all hours of the day and night.  During that time I became aware of what was really going on.  This thread is an attempt to share what I have learned...  

I am convinced it talk radio is the worst thing that could possibly have happened free people everywhere.  

I realize this is a bold statement, but if you hear me out you might see my view. Here are the tenets of my stance in more or less a sequential order.  First, some history...

• Every revolution in history against an oppressive government occurred because the pressure of the unjust regime finally exceeded critical mass.
• This critical mass was reached due to collective individual (as opposed to vicarious) participation.
• As each community was touched on fire in town meetings by courageous visionaries, each person had a direct encounter to light the fuse, but no one to douse it.
• When the fuse had been lit in enough communities, counties, states, etc. then brave men and women recognizing the value of the stakes took deliberate action against tyranny and despotism.  In other words... REVOLUTION!

Now for the present...

• For every caller that gets to voice his/her concerns due to the pressure provoked by oppression, there are thousands/hundred-thousands/millions that are able to express their own "voice" vicariously through the caller.
• Once the caller has a chance to express his/her opinion on the subject at hand, he/she has had his/her say and nothing more comes of it, except to ask his friend at work the next day, "Hey Mort, did you hear me on [fill in the blank] last night!?!." Please note the passion has been replaced by bravado.  The passion has dissipated.  
• It is reasonable to assume when the other thousands/hundred-thousands/millions heard the caller express their own views they've had their say too!  Each of them in agreement with the caller, have expended their passion vicariously through the caller.  Their passion which could have led to real revolution has dissipated.
• The end result is the passions provoked by oppressive regimes is never brought to critical mass that would actually produce a real REVOLUTION that would demand substantive correction.
• The next time one of the thousands/hundred-thousands/millions has his/her passions aroused by injustice and oppression and gets past the almost inevitable busy signal, he/she will express a "voice" that is congruent with a collective numbers and the cycle dissipates the chance for critical mass again.

To put it in other terms, let's consider a pressure cooker...  
Historical communication restraints provided for the ability to allow the pressure to build up, contained within the "cooker" until the pressure exceeded the ability of the pot to contain it and BOOM!  REVOLUTION.
Present communication via "talk shows" are like the little weight on the top of the pressure cooker.  As soon as the PSI exceeds the 5 lbs. or whatever the weight is rated we hear the tale-tale "tsh..tsh..tsh..tsh..tsh..." The pressure never builds to anything significant, much less critical mass.  There will never be a "BOOM!"  No REVOLUTION.

Ok, there you have it!  I realize that everyone reading this could produce isolated instances which would seem to invalidate my position, but I ask you to consider this in the larger and more comprehensive scope.  I will be happy to entertain any substantive criticism, but as I said, I have held this view for more than ten years.  Regardless, I still could be wrong and I invite your comments.  Thank you.

The Prosecution rests...  

Addendum

• Advertising - Talk Shows are primarily not about education or political commentary.  They are entertainment that radio and television station producers and managers procure to aggrandize as large an audience as possible.  This is done to collect advertising revenues from sponsors.  Even the so-called, non-profit "public" media (NPR, etc.) advertises their own public radio and T.V shows.
• Exploitation - Due to the above, it is always necessary for a talk show host to "keep the pot boiling!"  If he/she does not assuage his/her listeners with more and more and more "items of interest," then the stupefied and acclimatized audience will go elsewhere in search of greater controversial distraction.
• Resolution - This is a dirty word in the vocabulary of a talk show host.  If every topic was resolved quickly, there would be nothing left to "discuss."  Shows over.  The upshot of all of this is it is impossible for a talk show to be a valid champion of truth because it is not truth the radio stations, television stations and networks want... it is money. 
• Revolution - When I speak of "REVOLUTION" I am not condoning violence or any kind of militant rebellion.  I recognize that due to the militaristic nature of statist oppression it is often the case that blood will be shed.  I have made my peace with how far I am willing to go in participating in a revolt, but I am not naive to the lengths others will extend themselves when the time comes.

52

Developer's Corner / Is "easy" learning a valid (quality) experience?

« on: November 06, 2010, 07:04 PM »

Is "easy" learning a valid (quality) experience?  I had that thought challenge me when I read this post.

The statement, "... It's just so much faster and easier if you can see it done rather than having to figure it all out yourself..." just provoked a *ping* inside my mind somewhere and I began to think.  Now, this is not a criticism of the poster.  He is well respected for his contributions and he certainly is nobody's fool, so I am hesitant to criticize his comments.  I know he is not suggesting anything resembling cheating.  I do have some thoughts that apply to a broader spectrum. 

My concern is that how common it would be for new (maybe old?) coders to just cut-and-paste from the resource and others, not bothering with the learning part.   Human nature has cheated us all out of greater value.  I have no power to do so, but I wish that every "new and improved" thing, technique and gizwort had an appropriate warning label to prevent beginners from choosing a pathway just because it is easier for the moment.

So, what do you think?  Do the "new and improved" shortcut techniques of learning coding equate to the quality of programming that is produced from paying dues in the trenches?

53

Living Room / Avatar Ambiguity

« on: November 06, 2010, 06:25 PM »

Is it just me...

I have *looked* at this avatar (top-center) of a long-time member (who I will let remain anonymous) of DC for a long time.  What I thought I saw over the years was...

•   A Jet lifting off from a runway heading away from your position.  (I saw this for a long time, probably because I am an aviation enthusiast nut!)

Others in my family thought it was a...

• A whale breaching
• A duck on the water.

Recently I finally *saw* what it was before my eyes...

Please don't click until you take your guess...

A close up of barbs on a bared-wire fence strand touched by Jack Frost!

Am I the only one? 

54

General Software Discussion / SMF or phpBB... that is the question?

« on: November 06, 2010, 12:29 PM »

Issue Resolved

Please keep reading if you like, but this issue has been resolved.  See below or click this shortcut.

A little background...
I have been trying to establish a FHN (Family Heritage Network) for my family and extended family since last September.  We have tried to use some FSNs (Family Social Networks), but either were too expensive or inadequate for our purposes.  

Since forums like SMF and phpBB allows threads, pictures and links I am persuaded establishing our own and having it hosted somewhere for the long-term (read: 50+ years) is our family's best option.

DC uses SMF and I have enjoyed using DC, especially with the great mods, but I have been experimenting with SMF and phpBB "out-of-the-box" and they seem to be in a dead-heat.

Kudos to Cody!

Note: One really can't appreciate all that mouser and his crew have done at DonationCoder until you use a stock SMF installation!  The modifications that have been added and or programmed into the DC forum are a part of what has made DonationCoder such a great forum experience, second only to the people that have given DC a rich identity.  Other admins would do well to follow DC's example.

I really can't see much beyond style.  Even the Admin *seems* to be the same, but I haven't dug much beneath the first layer.  I am only test-driving both and I am sure I won't hit any snags until we are actually using our FHN.  I am sure you all know how those nasty little bugs hide until the project goes live, hmmm?  

Our Needs...

• Record writings to preserve for future generations.
• Record events for recollection and comment.
• Ongoing discussions varied topics
• Attach pictures, create galleries and have the freedom to caption and/or comment.
• Link to other threads/posts/websites.
• Have a shoutbox for quick comments and announcements.
• Anything else that would add to creating a permanent interactive archive for an extended family.

The questions...
 Does anyone have experience with both SMF and phpBB and what are the strengths or weaknesses over the other?

 Can any DC staff comment on why SMF was chosen for "Cody's Home?"

 Are there any other better candidates than SMF or phpBB that have emerged recently?  If so, why do you think the new is better then the established workhorses?

Thanks to all for the help!
CT

<Edit - Added "Our Needs..." section.  Thanks f0dder!>

55

Living Room / Hidden Taxes... ever considered these?

« on: October 19, 2010, 12:12 PM »

This morning we went on an errand to a local government office.  When we arrived we were instructed that the office we were visiting did not provide the necessary forms.  When asked what we were supposed to do we were told we would have to print them off the Internet.

In consideration of this it occurred to me I was subsidizing the government via...

• The use of my computer.
• The use of my paper.
• The use of my printer and ink.
• ... Well, you get the idea....

Given that we had already been taxed on all of these items and more associated with this singular transaction, it was clear something was amiss.  Imagine any non-governmental business trying to pull these shenanigans!

I'm not sure WHAT we can do about any of these types of oppression.  I have always suspected some things were amiss, but at least our eyes are wide open now.

56

Living Room / Make an original joke or riddle

« on: October 16, 2010, 08:21 PM »

Ever made up a joke or riddle?  I just did, but rather than just have my own party, I thought I'd let everybody play.

There's lots of bright folks around here, so I thought it would be fun to see how creative and funny people could be.

The rules are...

• It must be completely original.  No re-writing somebody else's joke/riddle, please.
• Fly solo or you can collaborate with a friend(s).
• Put the answer in a "Spoiler."
• Spoiler

  Have fun!
  
  

PS - Feel free to create as many as you like.

57

Living Room / Most important aspect of Info Keeping

« on: October 15, 2010, 06:00 PM »

One can use up the better part of a week reviewing all the threads available on DonationCoder, but I have found it odd there is a lack of focus on the importance of INSTANT RETRIEVAL. 

<rant>
Perhaps it's just me and everyone else knows this natively, but retrieval has to be the kingpin of any record keeping of every sort, yet far too often I find myself scratching my head wondering where is the emphasis on this fundamental ability?   

Why keep any data if you can't get it back easily?   Why use a software to collect data and then have to wait or not even find it (TopicScape, are you listening)?  How come every note taking, note keeping, web snippet gathering, mind mapping, etc. software out there does not present/contain a simple and powerful search capability for all text data it contains?  Every developer of this type of app should make the primary feature of their product INSTANT RETRIEVAL then build additional capability of their software while not breaking this primary function.

"INSTANT RETRIEVAL"

That's it short and sweet.
</rant>

Disclaimer: IMHO.

58

Living Room / I am looking for a Vocational Test... any suggestions?

« on: September 27, 2010, 08:48 PM »

Hello Folks,

A search for "online vocational tests" produced millions of results.  I'm hoping some of you could help me pare that down a bit.  The child (my son) is a 15 year-old boy that needs to reduce his potential career options.  

I will be doing due diligence by reading as many reviews as I can, but anyone that has direct positive experience would be invaluable in suggesting a path to follow.

TIA

59

Living Room / When you knock at my door...

« on: September 25, 2010, 03:35 PM »

... I am going to sing a poor quality excerpt from music that is my taste, not yours while you wait for the door to be answered.

Does that sound a little odd to you?  Maybe even rude?

Yo Folks,

<rant> In the words of Popeye, "That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more!"  Actually, I'm not ready to blow my stack, but I am annoyed.  

Does anyone have an idea of what I am leading to?  In my own circle of people I have dropped very subtle hints for quite awhile (I'm not completely void of tact), but they have not been recognized.  For those of you that are not in my "circle," can you guess what I am talking about?

If you said "ring-back tones*" for mobile phones, you would be right.  

Why am I so adamantly against them?  For starters, if you are one that uses ring back tones, may I suggest you temporarily use someone else's phone and call you own number.  This will allow you to experience what you are foisting on those that call you.  Most enlightening.

Next, let's examine *what* they are good and are not good for...

• Avoiding dialing the wrong number.  To me this could be the only benefit, but how often do you dial wrong numbers, especially with speed-dial?
• Enjoyment?  Not for the caller because the sound quality is so poor it is unpleasant and sheer torture for any kind of an audiophile.
• Forces people to listen to music of your taste, without any consideration to the caller's.
• Unprofessional.  In any kind of a business context (except selling ring-back tones) they are inappropriate.  Think about the secretary at West Family Dental must think when calling to confirm an appointment.
• Additional unnecessary and constant expense.
• Carries a "Hey, look at me this is what I like!" connotation.
• The owners of the ring-back tones, never get to enjoy(?) their own investments.
• Callers may not call as often so they don't have to endure "Listen[ing] to the music while your party is reached."
• [Fill-in-the-blank]

.
In short, ring-back tones are not worth the price of admission, in my book.  I find them as annoying when I call as you would probably find my singing while you wait at the door for me to answer it.  I can not control what anyone does, but I can offer a viewpoint...  I don't like them.

If anyone has a rebuttal, I would really like to hear it.  Maybe I'm missing something, but given I have quietly considered this subject for over a year, I couldn't have missed much.

</rant>

Thanks for your time.

*  A "ring-back tone" (ala Verizon Wireless, et.al.) is the audio a "caller" hears instead of the usual "ringback tone" that one hears while waiting for the "callee" (is that a word?) to answer the call.  They are similar to "ring tones."  

<edits for explanation>

60

Living Room / Looking for Refrigerator Magnets that work

« on: September 25, 2010, 02:41 PM »

I can find numerous claims on the Internet about the "holding" power of refrigerator/bulletin board magnets.  The ones I have tried from the grocery stores just don't cut it.  Any suggestions (links would be appreciated)?
TIA

61

General Software Discussion / My Windows Desktop is a shambles...

« on: September 22, 2010, 04:48 PM »

My Windows Desktop (WDT) is a real mess and I have yet to figure out a way to manage it.  I wish there was some way to...
 

• "stack" icon groups on the WDT wherever I want them
• have it "flyout" when I pass over the "Stack" with my mouse
• slide my mouse down the list to the desired app
• click to open

If there's a better way, I'm open to suggestions.  I have trial-ed Total Commander, Directory Opus, and XYPlorer some years ago, but they didn't connect.  

TIA

62

Living Room / Seeking Foreign Language Collaborators for Children's Software

« on: September 20, 2010, 04:43 PM »

I am working on a DonationCoder NANY app for children and I think I can make things work out to let children of non-English cultures have some fun and learn about gardening.  If you think you might be interested, please click on the link below and take a look.  If this appeals to you, get with me sometime.  Thanks!

--> VeggieWorld <--

63

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / NANY 2011 Release: "VeggieSquares" - Children's Game

« on: September 02, 2010, 04:46 PM »

NANY 2011 Entry Information

Application Name	"VeggieSquares"
Version	Pre-Release 0.9.3.5
Short Description	A "game" that will train children(?) about the simplicity of planning a small vegetable garden.
Development IDE	LiveCode
Supported OSes	Vista(32) and Windows 7(64) at present
Download Link	>>----> VeggieSquaresPreRelease.zip  <----<<  Download here!
System Requirements	A PC running Windows Vista(32) or Win7(64) for now. Monitor capable of 1024 x 768. A Mouse, TrackPad or TrackBall
Version History	Click to Read Version History... 0.9.3.9 (2011-02-16) Transparent minor changes. Made available via Twitter. . 0.9.3.5 (2011-01-08c) Corrected numerous spelling errors. Added credits for the invaluable assistance of "A. Nonymous." . 0.9.3.3 (2011-01-08b) Removed nag screens. . 0.9.3.0 (2011-01-08) Migrated code to LiveCode with assistance. Added simple animation Reduced zip file to a single exec. . 0.6.0.0 (2010-12-31) NOTE: Due to a corruption of the program data, the project had to be rebuilt and due to the time constraints, drastically simplified.  Further development will be for a later time. The idea of making caricatures of the "Veggies" as animated entities was scrubbed.  There will be no "talking" between "Veggies." The various cafe, corral, etc. background bitmaps was scrubbed in favor of allowing the visualization and the reinforcement of the simplicity of "four-square" gardening. The name "VeggieWorld" was changed to "VeggieSquares" to emphasize the simplicity of the method this software introduces. "Turnip" and "squash" was eliminated.  "Peppers," "Onions," "Beans" and "Lettuce" were all added, but unfortunately, only one instance of each Veggie is available at present. . 0.0.1.2 (2010-12-23) Tomato, Turnip and Squash "Veggie" graphics have been completed. Creation and compilation of compatibilities/incompatibilities is well under way. The "Veggie Bin" (area where the "Veggies" are "stored") to the "Four-Square" garden area are now laid out correctly. Basic function of the drag-and-drop is now working. Collision detection works, but the comment "thought cloud" object only flashes and disappears.
Author	"CodeTRUCKER,"
Important Contributors	Click To Read About Some Very Important People... The following individuals deserve recognition for their part in various aspects of "VeggieSquares."  Some earlier folks helped frame a clearer focus on the author's original vision, weeding out traps and pitfalls while adding ideas for improvement.  Some picked up where the initial contributors left off adding their own indelible mark.  Lastly, some people were there at the end when it was time to bring the project together.  Without this last group, all of the planning, consultation and criticisms would have not realized a tangible outcome. The Pioneers This early group of folks helped to frame the genesis of the project. Mouser What else can I say?  Without our "Reigning Router of Rodentia" none of us would even have a chance to share our coding capabilities.  I owe a special "Thank you!" for help, understanding and extra effort behind the scenes that allowed me to be included in NANY 2011! Perry Mowbray A tireless visionary who was able to "see" what NANY could be and ran with it.  He took the hand of our beloved annual NANY event and guided it to a new level of organization, participation and fun! Briansdad I'm honored his entire participation at DC was on my "VeggieWorld" "VeggieSquares" thread.  I hope he'll come back and get more of DC! tomos Anyone who has been on DC for any reasonable length of time has been touched by this member's own brand of participation and encouragement.  Thanks, tomos, for adding your touch again! daddydave Thank you for helping me see pitfalls *and* provoking a necessary change in the direction of this project.  Your comments changed the destiny of "VeggieWorld" to "VeggieSquares" forever. The Second Wave These contributors are usually the ones who came in a little later or have lurked about the goings-ons until the time was ripe to comment.  This group did (and often does) change the direction of a project.  Contributions at this stage of the development can not be overstated.   Stoic Joker Thank you for your willingness to "tell it like you see it."  Your insights never fail to sharpen my focus.  Thanks also for your encouragement and vote of confidence that I could tackle C++ if I wanted to.  FYI - "Fences" is still alive.  It's just simmerin'. insomnianiac In combination with the comments of daddydave above, your insights provoked the change from where "VeggieWorld" was to where "VeggieSquares" is and will be in the future.  Your contribution was certainly not "daft." vlastimil Enthusiasm in an "audience" will always have an effect on the "performer."  I hope the enthusiasm you expressed for my efforts has been well rewarded in "VeggieSquares?"  Remember to keep an eye out for further additions and improvements. The Cavalry "Sound the Bugle!  Here comes the Cavalry!"   This collection of contributors are the ones that "push you over the top!"  They inspire and require an unspoken contract from an author/developer to bring the project to reality which compels one to go ahead and give it everything it takes!  Without these folks, "VeggieSquares" would not be a real piece of usable software.  Thanks, for the boost! A. Nonymous The initial usable executable is a collaboration between myself and an individual who has required me to keep the identity anonymous.  A sincere thanks goes to "A. Nonymous" for assistance!  Without it, this project would never have been to this level of function and completeness by now.   kyrathaba Thank you for your encouragement and enthusiasm for the C#.NET language and your C# tutorials on your web site.  While I didn't choose C#.NET as my language of choice, what I learned from your tutorials and encouragements allowed me to sort out the choices which ultimately helped me to decide on LiveCode as the language that "fits" me!. worstje As "The Gent with the White Hat" it is very fitting you came to the rescue as one of the "Good Guys!" Your post brought hope from an eleventh-hour disaster.  Had you not posted, "VeggieSquares" might have lain dormant.  Thank you so much for this contribution! The Unsung Heroes Any project is always the product of collaboration.  Even if the author/developer has no apparent assistance, what is eventually produced is the result of numerous contributors.  New ideas, features overall structure is often changed by what an author hears and sees from these "others."  These are the true "Unsung Heroes" of success.  These are the anonymous ones (past, present and future) whose seemingly insignificant comments to others provoked chains of inspiration that were eventually expressed as, "...did you ever think about doing...." and "...are you sure you want to include that....?"  Without them, we authors would continually produce dull, dry boring stuff.  With them our embryonic notions gestate, form and grow into something of substance.  This throng may be unknown, but they certainly are not unnecessary.  The sheer numbers of these "contributors" prevent any reasonable effort to list them, so I would like to take this opportunity to say a collective, "Thank you!" The Public Hosts These are the people that have adopted "VeggieSquares" and publicized it on their own web sites.  Thank you for your vote of confidence in seeing "VeggieSquares" as an asset! dedide Thank you for posting "VeggieSquares" on your Ballarat Community Garden web site and your willingness to participate in future development.

Description
First off, "VeggieWorld" will always be a freebie!  The reason is one of the most fundamental needs of human existence is to eat and to eat the food the food has to come from the local grocery store, right?  Well, not really.  

Click For A Rationale...

The local grocery store is only the place to "store" food to be collected.  Yes, everyone knows this, but when was the last time you thought of a bird with beautifully multicolored feathers, bright red combs and wattles when you placed the bag of frozen leg quarters in the cart?  When you bought the last box of frozen mixed vegetables that the little orange cubes of carrot provoked an image of a narrow cone-shaped orange colored object with a green top?  My point is that our society has systematically removed our connection to the fundamental source of staying alive.  

Gardening is not taught in our schools at all unless one is fortunate enough to be educated in the country schools that still have 4-H programs and thriving FFA clubs, but even these are beginning to direct toward agri-business.  The most surprising aspect of this is in the event of a national emergency it would be the ability of the populace to sustain itself that would allow the government to be able to act to overcome the emergency.  In WWII it was the "Victory Gardens," small patches of dirt in backyards, that allowed necessary food to be sent to the troops that were in other countries.  Ask yourself what you would have done if the Y2K hype had really materialized?  Scary, no?

Which would you plant next to a tomato?  An onion or potato?  If you said "potato" you would have doomed the potato to infestations of spider mites and the tomato to an attack of fungus.  If you said a "onion" you would have given the tomato a head start because the pungency of the onion deters the bugs that would attack the tomato.  Why? Because, just like people, the botanical world has "folks" that get along and others that don't.  In light of my brief exposition, to understand this is of some importance.

In light of the above I intend to create a interactive drag-and-drop game (tool?) for children of all ages to passively learn about the interrelationships that exist between vegetables and their organic environment.  As the child "pairs" the different vegetables and other aspects of the flora the program's response will passively instruct and reinforce knowledge of some do's and don'ts in gardening.  

It is my hope that children will be encouraged to experiment with "growing things" by eliminating one of the major contributors to garden failure... planting the wrong plants together.



Features

• The child(?) will click on sprites of all applicable vegetables the sidebar on to a background garden plot.
• The "Veggies" are dragged as desired.
• Perhaps, if time allows, the child would be able to print out either/both a report or picture of the screen scene, hopefully to assist the child in garden planning.
• Again, if time allows, the triggering of appropriate sounds and sound effects.

Planned Features
My NANY app will be a simplistic and fun interface for the underlying logic and database.  As my understanding and programming skills develop I intend to continue development by adding features to this app without any end in sight.  I am very excited to be able to influence the lives of children in a positive and helpful way.  This app will probably be my favorite all-time project!  

Aside from the above, it would be my plan to further develop the coding base and other companion apps to market to the more serious-minded gardening enthusiast.

Usage
Installation
None.  Simply extract and execute the single program file.

Using the Application

The user must be able to follow simple instructions, open the app and drag-and-drop.  Basic Windows functional abilities.

Uninstallation
Delete the executable.

Known Issues
Completion of the splash screen, print capability and hep files needs completion, but it is presently usable and stable.

If this is something you would like to help with, please send them to me in a Personal Message (Click the icon on the left under my avatar.)   I thought it would better than littering this thread them, but maybe it might provoke others to come up with some really good ones?

Thanks for your help!

 FYI - "VeggieSquares" will always be a freebie!  Gardening is one of the most enjoyable and long-term fulfilling activities I have known.  I started in 1984 with a tomato plant in one five-gallon plastic bucket and a bell pepper plant in another.  I did such a good job growing them that they were both stolen off our porch.    I took it as a compliment and hoped they enjoyed the harvest!

Attention: If anyone who is fluent in foreign language would be interested in making a non-English version, I would be happy to discuss it.  Children everywhere should know how to grow things!
[/list]

64

General Software Discussion / Reel Logix "The Calendar Planner" is still there.

« on: August 17, 2010, 12:14 PM »

Some time ago on this thread I had asked if anyone knew any information about The Calendar Planner.  At that time no one was able to verify the software was still active.  After some more digging (in the right place) and locating a support phone number, I was able to talk with Yossi this morning on the phone, I can now say that Reel Logix is still in business and are continuing to develop the software.  The only feature I have found missing is the ability to import in the iCal (*.ics) format (but your mileage may vary).  I am hoping this feature will be included in the next version.

Here are the particulars if interested.  Yossi did say to use the email address below rather than the "Contact Us" on the website because they are having some issues with the server.

The Calendar Planner
[email protected]
818-216-0954

FYI - the information above has been verified by me personally.  I am receiving no compensation of any kind for this announcement except the possibility of helping some of my friends on DC.

65

Developer's Corner / Electronic "Flannel Board" - What would you use and how would you do it?

« on: January 22, 2010, 12:06 AM »

Do you remember the old flannel boards the teacher would use to illustrate a story in school?  I am continuing working on a project (alas, my NANY 2010 app that was preempted) that would be a computer "flannel board" for my children.  There would be an appropriate background with people figures, chairs, tables, cars, etc. that would be dragged from a "palette" I would create and dropped at will.  Eventually, I would make the actions recordable so they could tell the story while the scene animated itself on the monitor.  If I was to also include recording their voices too, just think of how they would smile!  Who knows, it might just inspire the next Lucas or Spielberg. 

I would appreciate it if you might share your thoughts about what...

• Tools would you use?
• How would you go about it?

FYI - I am not asking for pseudocode, but some general guidelines on apps that wouldn't break the bank and perhaps pitfalls to watch out for in the development.

TIA!
-CT

66

General Software Discussion / Reel Logix "The Calendar Planner" - Anyone use it? Know where I can get it?

« on: January 21, 2010, 08:31 PM »

After a very long search, I came across the calendar app that "thinks" like I do and the 30-day demo has expired and I wanted purchase it.  It is... "The Calendar Planner."  Anyone use it?  

Reel Logix... where are you?

The reason I ask is the certificate failed in the shopping cart, so I did not buy it.  I also discovered that the last review of purchasers was in Feb 2007!  What's up with this?  The demo was extremely successful in all my tests and I really could use the app, but I can't find a safe place to purchase it.  Any help would be most appreciated.

- CT

[Edit - Spelling and formatting

67

DC Member Programs and Projects / Click2LogIt! (Some suggestions)

« on: January 18, 2010, 07:39 PM »

This has been a long time coming, but after some consultation with our beloved metallic mandible, Tinjaw has expressed he may be interested in adding some modifications to his former NANY 2009 "Click2LogIt" time recording utility.  The following mods would make it a very useful app for my purposes, but your mileage may vary.  Please note there is no rush on adding the functionality as I hope to use it long-term; however, if it had the additional functionality, I could use it now.  

Keeping track of time for billing is important, but the ability to identify and correct unproductive patterns pay special dividends.  It is so easy to get lost in the details or get distracted by email, the Internet, posting on boards, IRC, etc.  Having a simple, effective tool such as I would like to see Tinjaw's app mature into would be very beneficial in recognizing bad habits and correcting them.  It is in this light I offer the following suggestions based on criteria from my own real experience.  ...  

First off, here is some criteria for requesting the mods...

• The need to be able to track various aspects of multiple projects.
• The need for a statistical summary report for each project.  An additional global report of all project progress would be nice to see the big picture.   An example is suggested later in this post, but here is what would be needed/desired on the report(s)...  
  
  • How long it has been since starting on a project(s)?  Total Elapsed Time since beginning Project "A".  -  This helps to highlight patterns of procrastination.
  • How much time have I actually worked on a project(s)?  Total Working Time on Project "A".  -  This speaks for it self.
  • In order to get a picture of "what" kind of time I am spending on my project(s), it will be necessary to keep track of how many times I have left/come back to the project(s).  Total Session Number.  -  This would not necessarily have to be printed, just tracked in order to calculate the next bullet item.
  • Average Session Time.  -  Again, this can be useful to highlight unproductive patterns.
  • Total "Computer On" Time since beginning of Project "A".  Similar to the "Total Elapsed Time" except it excludes when the computer is off or in a suspended state.  -  This does not have to be printed either, just tracked for the following bullet.
  • What percent of recorded time has been spent on Project "A". Percent of Recorded Time -  Given that people spend time on the things they like and don't spend time on the things thay would like to avoid, this statistic could be very telling.
• Provision for up to 10 simultaneous projects (more, anyone?).  Maybe this could be a user-definable quantity.  For folks that need juast a few they might select 4-5 and for power users, 20-25 might be the right number.
• Addition of project hotkeys to encourage use by keyboard-centric users. (SHIFT+CTRL+ALT+1, SHIFT+CTRL+ALT+2, ... SHIFT+CTRL+ALT+0
• Add color-states to the existing systray icon to indicate logged "in" (green) or logged "out" (red).
• Option to choose 10 different sound files to provide additional specific auditory feedback.  -  Personally, I would record my own quick, "Floor Staining Design," "My Attic Library," etc. wav files.
• Change "right-click" to a mouse-hover event to instantaneously produce the menu.  Menu would hide either by left-clicking the desired item or navigating mouse off the menu.  Keyboard users would use keys to envoke the menu.  Arrow keys to navigate, if necessary.  The ENTER or ESC key would hide the menu as required.
• The addition of a simple "ScrtatchPad" (shortcut to notepad.exe to make quick notes).  This is easily worked around, but would be a useful and nice addition.
• Hopefully find the right balance of extending Click2LogIt's usefulness while not straying too far from the original intent.
• The need to let the "computer" do the work instead of me!  

Here is a mock-up of what the mouse-hover menu would look like...

If you right-click the "Click2LogIt" systray icon that looks like this (only smaller) ...
you will see something like this..



Below is the existing SysTray menu tree in black with the suggested mods highlighted in red.   The following examples are based on two simultaneous example projects ("Floor Staining Design" and "My Attic Library") with dynamic functionality.  The use of a permanent static menu of projects listed vertically could be used instead of dynamic creation depending on the coding work load Tinjaw would be willing to do.  I can work with a static list or a dynamic one.

• About
• Select Sound for...
  • Floor Staining Design
  • My Attic Library

-----------------------------

• View Log File for...
  • Floor Staining Design
  • My Attic Library
• Choose Log File for...
  • Floor Staining Design
  • My Attic Library
• Change Log Text for...
  • Floor Staining Design
  • My Attic Library
• ScratchPad
  • Choose ScratchPad file
• Exit

Today, time management and related disciplines are hot topics and fuel continues to be added to the fire in a seemingly never-ending frenzy quite frequently.  This makes for a pretty fertile soil for the growth, acceptance and use of Click2Logit! a more useful tool.

If you are interested in the genesis of this project click -> Here.

Tinjaw, "Thanks!" for even considering this addition to your plate.  Maybe this could develop into its own child board?

CT

68

Developer's Corner / Can Buttons be Dynamically Moved, Resized, etc. in Your Language?

« on: December 11, 2009, 02:00 PM »

Hello,

Due to health reasons, I have not worked since March 2009, so I am expanding my development scope.  I want to try an experiment that I have in my mind and if it works might be marketable to municipalities.  Call it a "Living Map."  I can already see other different applications for this if I can get it to work.  I am not tied to any particular code.  If I need to I can use (learn) Python, .NET, Java, etc.  My best and most successful programming was/is in Visual Basic, so I could leverage that but it may not be the best for this application.

As you read these present requirements, please observe if you would anticipate any cautions against certain traps or hurdles a particular language (yours?) would present.  It will use a main form with a sidebar.  Here are some particulars...

• It will have a main form with a sidebar/corner-block.
• There will be a stationary button on the sidebar/corner-block that the I can drag to the main form, drop and resize to my whim.  This would be just like dragging a control (button) to the form at design time.
• This will be done as many times as I want to do so, anywhere from 2-100+ times.
• If I drop it on the form on top of another existing button(s), I need to have the existing buttons make room for the new one.  This would require the existing buttons to...
  
  • Detect the new button was dropped.
  • The existing buttons would have to be recalculated and placed around the newly dropped button.
  • Allow any button to be dragged/dropped to anywhere on the form.
    
    • I guess I would also want a toggle/checkbox/radio-buttons to select if I wanted to have the button I am dragging to dynamically resize or to have all other buttons shrink/grow to make room for the button I am dragging.
    • It would be necessary to have each button "remember" their size because once the dragged button passes the existing buttons each button could return to its last established dimension, but...
    • ... if the dragged button's placement encroaches on the existing buttons it will be necessary for the surrounding buttons to assume new dimensions.
• I also want to display text in different areas of the button, i.e., to dynamically display the dimensions of the button in pixels(?).
• As a last option, I would want all the buttons to scale to fill the entire form without changing their relative position or the "aspect ratio" of the "view."

Ok, does that sound doable in your language?  

I have tried to make the above as clear as I could, but I realize there will probably be some questions... just ask.  I am not asking for "how" to do it, yet.  The math and logic are already congealing in my head.  I just need to know if these things are doable better or worse in the [Fill-in-the-Blank] language?  Just because it may be doable, doesn't mean I will have the skills to do it, but if I don't try, I'll never know.  

Thanks in advance for any input.

69

Developer's Corner / How much is Delphi 6 Pro worth?

« on: December 11, 2009, 12:59 PM »

Hi,

I might have a chance to buy a boxed and license-able copy of Borland Delphi 6 Professional, but since I have been out of the loop for a while, I really do not know what it is worth?  I'm still haggling, so the final price has not been set.  What would any of you think it would be worth?

 - CT  

70

Living Room / Are you a Gardener?

« on: December 09, 2009, 07:50 PM »

Hi!  

I have been gardening in one way or another for almost three decades, so I think I can help with a software tool I am developing.  I am just curious how may others on DonationCoder like growing plants too.  FYI - I am working on a "Gardeners" badge too!

Thank you for your input.
CT

[Edit - Added link to badge thread.]

71

Living Room / 32Bit or 64Bit? How long will they last as the most used? Take your best guess

« on: December 09, 2009, 03:27 PM »

This conversation has recenly come up so I thought I would put it to a vote on DC. 
Inquiring minds want to know! 

72

Living Room / Offsite Survey and Results

« on: December 09, 2009, 02:20 PM »

 

73

Living Room / DC Scoreboard... anyone wanna play?

« on: December 08, 2009, 04:33 AM »

Like many here, I often come to DC to find an "answer" to some particular need.  The problem is one has to wade through many reviews, comments, etc. to mine out the consensus on which needed entity is the best, fastest, etc. It is not that the reviews, etc. are bad; on the contrary, as a whole they are a rich treasure chest.  Unfortunately, something of a cohesive format seems to be lacking in the research experience.

How about a "scoreboard" (resource grid) that would turn DC consensus on [fill-in-the-blank] into a valuable resource.  Here are some particulars:

• Set up a page/thread that would display lists of each candidate of a category (program, tools, books, tips, etc.) that would (hopefully) be self-maintaining by allowing Guests(?)/Members to vote (much like a poll) once it is established.
• Dynamic ranking on the server based on each vote up to the minute like the polls, but unlike the polls, the listed order would be dynamic with the "best" at the top and worst at the bottom.
• Fraud would be controlled by the same mechanism that polls use.  Minimal moderator intervention would be required.

This is a project I would like to have my fingers in the pie a lot.  I have never done any back-end coding before and I would like to get some experience (I am not asking for direct access to the server), but anyone that can catch the vision would be welcome to participate.

If there is already a "scoreboard," please feel free to direct me to its location.  If not, would the ability to go to the "DC Scoreboard" and look at the list of "Widgets" to see at a glance which "Widget" the DC community has identified as the best be something that would benefit your time on DC?  

What do you think?  At least tell me if this already exists and where?

74

N.A.N.Y. 2010 / NANY 2010 WITHDRAWN: The Garden Social Club

« on: December 07, 2009, 11:37 AM »

Did you know that people are not the only ones who have social issues?

75

Developer's Corner / Programming Language Adapability

« on: December 06, 2009, 01:27 AM »

First off... 5 Cody Coins to the first one that can guess what "NYAWTBPLP" stands for (Answer will be provided just after NANY deadline).  This works like the old Mastermind game. 

Secondly... the world is changing, especially where technology is concerned.  In the first half of the 20th century, "Radio" was king busting the monopoly previously held by "Print."  Heir to the throne for the next pentadecade was "TV."  Now into the 21 century every possible conception of media communication of the past has been dwarfed by the "Computer" (Internet).  Also, in the realms of coding on a non-mainframe the Beginner's All-Purpose Instruction Code has been left in the dust many times over.  Replaced by [fill-in-the-blank].  Lately, in the Windows camp there has been some shift from 32-bit to 64-bit, XP, Vista and now "7."  LINUX, MAC and [fill-in-another-blank] has seen similar advancements.  Even the platforms have changed from desktop to laptop to palmtop and cellphones.  Given the future media will only be an advance of the present "Computer" (Internet?) which will have to be programmed in some kind of syntax... What's next?  

The point of this poll/thread is to discover if there is a consensus about which programming language (if any) will be able to survive the coming shift in computer programming paradigm?  Do any of the existing languages have the "guts" to be extensible to the future needs of and for programmers?  

There have been numerous "what's the best programming language" threads on DC, but as I reread through them I began to wonder if the "candidates" were still valid in light of the question posed here?  No one has a crystal ball, but what code do you think will be able to survive the brave new world?

So, vote on what do you think the future will hold (and post why below) and try you hand at the DC-style "Mastermind."

[Disclaimer - The listed programming languages come from TIOBE, not me.   ]

[Edit - Added game info link. Clarified question.]