Messages

501

Skrommel's Software / TaskLog v1.1 - Small bug and an improvement or 2...

« on: July 14, 2006, 03:55 AM »

Hey Skrommel,

Just started trying out this little util (to monitor just how much time I waste on various activities during the day), and noticed a few things...

1) The tool tip on the system tray seems to be one item behind. Eg I am currently 'Surfing' but my tool tip reads 'Still working on task PAUSED for 0 minutes?'

2) When I add new tasks in the settings I have to quit the util and rerun to see the tasks on the menu. Is this intended behaviour? It would be more helpful if news tasks appeared without the restart.

3) And on that note... when I am prompted with 'Are you still working on X' and I say No it would be very nice to allow a new sort of task to be added directly at this point (rather than going in to the settings and out again). Could there be an input box in which I could enter 'Ordering Pizza' (or any other worthy task) which would then be added to the list of choices available in the future?

Thanks as usual for the superb programs

Ampa

502

Living Room / Re: Free alternative for Windows/Microsft Update

« on: July 13, 2006, 10:19 AM »

If you are looking to update your Windows without using the MS service then why not try WinDiz Update.

Not as sophisticated as Carol's link, but perfect for a single home PC.

Ampa.

503

Best E-mail Client / Re: opera deserves a real try

« on: July 10, 2006, 05:39 PM »

rjbull: No Opera uses its own file format (.adr) BUT you can use this online tool to convert from adr to csv.

Or for a more comprehensive tool, you might try Dawn which seems like a nice freeware / donationware utility.

Carol: There are tools out there that will convert any format to any other... but they are not cheap especially if you need Outlook format.  Aid4Mail seems pretty comprehensive; or ABC Amber Outlook Converter which is significantly cheeper!

504

Best E-mail Client / Re: opera deserves a real try

« on: July 10, 2006, 07:39 AM »

Looking at Opera 9...

Mail Import from: Opera 5/6, Eudora, Netscape 6/7, Outlook Express, mbox and Thunderbird

Opera stores its mail in standard mbox format, which can be imported by most email apps.

505

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Emulate a green monitor to reduce eye strain.

« on: July 06, 2006, 08:10 AM »

Kimmchii: I am using a PC. Both of your suggestions are good, but only go part way to solving the problem... I really want a solution that will work for all applications (rather than just a web-browser) and the theme doesn't tend to be the over riding issue, it is the larger areas of white 'paper' with small black text that take their toll.

One possible solution of my own... tape a sheet of green gel (the type used in theatre / stage lighting) over the display! A hardware solution... I'll try it later and report back with my findings.

Hey... I could even stick the gel onto my glasses and then I wouldn't be limited to seeing the screens...

506

Post New Requests Here / IDEA: Emulate a green monitor to reduce eye strain.

« on: July 06, 2006, 07:15 AM »

Inspired by this no-frills text editor and some recent discussions regarding eye strain, I would like a utility that will convert my entire screen into something like a green monitor display.

I envisage that the utility would do something along the lines of...

• Invert the colours on screen (ie black <-> white).
• Convert to greyscale.
• Colourize with a green hue.

Is this possible? Difficult?

507

Living Room / Re: All my applications crash... in sequence!?!

« on: June 27, 2006, 10:21 AM »

OK here's the process list from my latest crash...

Process list saved on 16:07:46, on 27/06/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)

[pid]   [full path to filename]      [file version]   [company name]
648   C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation
780   C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe      5.1.2600.2645   Microsoft Corporation
828   C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation
840   C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation
988   C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation
1072   C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation
1384   C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe      5.1.2600.2696   Microsoft Corporation
1620   C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE      6.0.2900.2649   Microsoft Corporation
1676   E:\Utils\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe      7.1.0.365   GRISOFT, s.r.o.
1748   E:\Utils\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe      7.1.0.349   GRISOFT, s.r.o.
1792   E:\Utils\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe      7.1.0.371   GRISOFT, s.r.o.
1816   E:\Drivers\X.tools\System\digisc.exe      2.0.0.38   Matrox Electronic Systems
1876   E:\Program Files\Common\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe      7.10.3077.0   Microsoft Corporation
1936   C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe      6.14.10.9131   NVIDIA Corporation
2012   E:\Drivers\X.tools\DSOutputEnabler.exe      1.0.0.1   
2036   E:\Comms\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe      6.1.744.1   Zone Labs, LLC
304   E:\Program Files\Common\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe      3.10.100.1146   InstallShield Software Corporation
312   C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation
324   C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation
344   C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation
504   C:\WINDOWS\system32\Tablet.exe      4.9.1.2   Wacom Technology, Corp.
636   C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation
684   C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe      6.1.744.1   Zone Labs, LLC
720   E:\Utils\PerfectDisk\PDSched.exe      7.0.0.46   Raxco Software, Inc.
1424   C:\WINDOWS\system32\WTablet\TabUserW.exe      4.9.1.2   Wacom Technology, Corp.
1532   E:\Drivers\DigiTV\DigiTV.exe      3.5.2.0   Nebula Electronics Ltd
1964   E:\Drivers\DigiTV\DigiTV.exe      3.5.2.0   Nebula Electronics Ltd
2096   E:\Utils\AVG Free\avgcc.exe      7.1.0.381   GRISOFT, s.r.o.
2148   E:\Shell\Rainlendar\Rainlendar.exe      0.21.0.0   Rainy
2184   E:\Comms\AdMuncher\AdMunch.exe         
2312   E:\Shell\Find and Run Robot\FindAndRunRobot.exe      1.0.7.15   DonationCoder.com
2512   C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation
2592   E:\Shell\MouseActivate\MouseActivate.exe      1.0.38.2   
2868   C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation
2936   E:\Comms\MailWasher Pro\MailWasher.exe      5.3.0.1   Firetrust Ltd
3012   E:\Comms\Miranda IM\miranda32.exe      0.4.3.48   
3096   E:\Shell\TaskSwitchXP\TaskSwitchXP.exe      2.0.4.0   Alexander Avdonin
3112   E:\Program Files\Ditto\Ditto.exe      3.2.0.0   
3200   E:\Utils\DAEMON Tools\daemon.exe      4.3.0.0   DT Soft Ltd.
3424   E:\Shell\ProcessTamer\ProcessTamerTray.exe      1.0.0.2   
3520   E:\Shell\LClock\lclock.exe      1.0.0.1   
3536   E:\Shell\PS Hot Folders\PSHotFolders.exe      1.1.0.105   PS Soft Lab
3552   E:\Shell\Taskbar Shuffle\taskbarshuffle.exe      1.0.0.127   Jay Elaraj
3568   E:\Shell\MMM\MmmTray.exe         
3576   E:\Shell\PS Tray Factory\PSTrayFactory.exe      2.0.0.147   PS Soft Lab
3860   E:\Web\Flash 8\Flash.exe      8.0.0.478   Macromedia, Inc.
676   E:\Utils\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe      1.99.0.1   Soeperman Enterprises Ltd.
2748   e:\Comms\Opera\Opera.exe      9.0.8501.0   Opera Software
3936   E:\Shell\xplorer2\xplorer2_UC.exe      1.6.0.0   ZabKat
2604   E:\Comms\TheBat!\thebat.exe      3.80.3.0   Ritlabs S.R.L.
3164   E:\Web\Dreamweaver 8\Dreamweaver.exe      8.0.0.2734   Macromedia, Inc.
1952   e:\Audio\XMPlay\xmplay.exe      3.3.0.0   Un4seen Developments
3544   E:\Shell\xplorer2\editor2_UC.exe      2.6.0.7   ZabaraKatranemia Plc
588   C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe      5.1.2600.2180   Microsoft Corporation

This time it was editor2_UC.exe that was the first to go.

Mouser: No sign of helpsvc.exe

508

Living Room / All my applications crash... in sequence!?!

« on: June 27, 2006, 06:35 AM »

Here's the scenario...

Running XP with all the latest service packs and patches.
Somewhere in the region of 55 processes.
Roughly 3 or 4 significant applications running (most often Dreamweaver, Flash, Xara Xtreme).

Then something happens that causes one application to max out to 100% CPU.

System grinds to a halt, so I bring up the Task Manager and kill the offending process.

At this point everything settles down until I change the focus to a new application.  Which ever window I now move to (eg The desktop [ie Explorer] or FRR [to relaunch the crashed app] or my web-browser) will also max out to 100% CPU.

And so the process continues until every single one of my processes has gone haywire, one at a time.

The only solution is to restart the machine, which leaves me none the wiser as to the cause or a better remedy!

Anyone else experienced this bizarre phenomenon?  Any clues as to what is going on?

There seems to be no one scenario that starts the avalanche, though more often than not I seem to have Flash open; and I am 99.99% sure that the system is virus, trojan, spyware free.

I shall try to capture the process list the next time it happens and post it here for disection.

Thanks, Ampa

509

General Software Discussion / Re: desktop search guide page

« on: June 27, 2006, 06:14 AM »

Already out of date too... X1 Enterprise went FREE yesterday. Just remember to deselect the bundled Yahoo toolbar!

Ampa

510

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox sucking CPU

« on: June 22, 2006, 04:03 AM »

* Ampa send's subliminal messages...

"Use Opera... Use Opera..."

The crashed session generally works very well, some times too well if the last thing you looked at was porn, and some one else fires up your browser 

511

Living Room / Re: What do you do at Donation Coder?

« on: June 22, 2006, 03:59 AM »

Read posts, reply to posts, follow the links to all the cool stuff, look for software producers to harass ask about possible discounts.

And hang out in iRC now and again to feel closer to Mouser

512

Living Room / Re: Dinky MP3 player - cheap and fun ...

« on: June 08, 2006, 06:14 AM »

I bought a very similar product off eBay.  Payed about £40 for it inc the postage.  Is one of my all time favourite gadgets and the sound quality is suprisingly good!

Ampa

513

Living Room / Re: SPAM reaching epidemic proportions

« on: June 08, 2006, 06:11 AM »

Carol,

Mailwasher will allow such a filter as it handles regular expressions.  This page has lots of examples that may help you out.

Ampa

514

General Software Discussion / Re: Do you use any GTD/calendar system to get organized?

« on: June 05, 2006, 05:38 AM »

I am trying to use Wikidpad for my GTD routine... mixed results so far - but i think it will work out.

515

Living Room / Re: What's your significant other's favorite key on the keyboard?

« on: May 31, 2006, 06:53 AM »

I like Z or more precisely Ctrl + Z - it is the single best invention since the wheel!

Ampa

516

Living Room / Re: Web 2.0 or Star Wars Character? - hahahahaha

« on: May 24, 2006, 03:13 AM »

Hmmm 30 - a bit nerdy for my liking! 

517

Living Room / Re: How -- and why -- do you use different browsers?

« on: May 24, 2006, 03:09 AM »

I use Opera for EVERYTHING (surfing, email, rss, newsgroups, noteclipping) except on infuriatingly dumb sites that are so badly coded that they are only compatible with IE... at which point I heave a heavy sigh, ask myself whether I really need to see the content of said site, and upon occassion resort to using IE itself.

Ampa

518

General Software Discussion / Re: Google SketchUp (free)

« on: April 27, 2006, 09:45 AM »

SketchUp is a SUPERB piece of software.

I strongly reccomend anyone with even a passing interest in 3D / Modelling / Graphic design to give it a go.

Ampa

519

General Software Discussion / Re: AutoHotkey fund idea - split donation with AutoIt?

« on: April 26, 2006, 06:19 AM »

For the record I fall on the "don't split" side of the line.

520

Living Room / Re: Lifehacker - what, who, why, how?

« on: April 18, 2006, 07:50 AM »

Visit every day 

Read all articles about time management 

Fail to take on any of the advice

521

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your favorite computer game from when you were young?

« on: April 15, 2006, 05:22 PM »

My systems and the gmes I remember in chronological order...

Oric-1 - Scuba Dive

Amstrad CPC 6128 - Myth, Harrier Attack, Scorcery+, Return to Eden

Amiga 500 - A great gaming machine.
LucasArts point'n'click (Secret of Monkey Island II, Full Throttle, DOTT),
Super Cars II, The Addams Familly,
Bitmap Brothers games (Speedball 2, Gods, Xenon II),
Team 17 games (Project X, Alien Breed, Super Frog)

Archimedes A310 - Erm...

PC - Grim Fandango, Duke Nukem 3D.

522

General Software Discussion / Re: A very nifty windows' resizer

« on: April 11, 2006, 11:40 PM »

Ooh sounds interesting.  Gonna give it a go.

Thanks for the heads-up.

Ampa

523

Official Announcements / Re: Be Part of the First DonationCoder.com Team Podcast Radio Show Contest!

« on: April 10, 2006, 01:53 PM »

* Ampa puts on thinking cap.

This is a great idea (I think) - would love to contribute wither in terms of content OR mixing / editing etc.

Ampa

524

Official Announcements / Re: MARCH SOFTWARE DRAWING RESULTS - POSTED!

« on: April 03, 2006, 09:41 AM »

Thanks for the gift - a real treat.  Have replied to my email... but no licence as yet.  I must be patient!

Ampa

525

General Software Discussion / Re: what kind of keyboard you use?

« on: March 28, 2006, 02:46 PM »

Microsoft Natural keyboard (original design... not one of the new fangled ones with 6-squillion extra and unneccessary 'media' buttons).