Messages

401

Living Room / Re: Apple and users' privacy

« on: September 14, 2011, 09:19 PM »

You may not think so, but mouser's watching!

402

Living Room / Re: Apple and users' privacy

« on: September 12, 2011, 03:22 AM »

403

Living Room / Re: Apple and users' privacy

« on: September 12, 2011, 02:57 AM »

404

Living Room / Re: Apple and users' privacy

« on: September 11, 2011, 08:51 PM »

405

General Software Discussion / Re: Building Windows 8: I need longer arms!

« on: September 09, 2011, 02:29 AM »

"They are designed for touch, but of course they work great with mouse and keyboard as well..."

I think the tiles feature makes sense, you can get just the right bits of info from all your apps in one place. I can see casual users finding this very useful. And once MS irons out the creases and adds a good amount of flexibility, there's no reason for advanced users to not find it useful.

PS: Touch screens for your desktop PC = ridiculous.

406

Living Room / Re: Doc Report Ep. 1 - Interview with Nico Westerdale of Bits du Jour

« on: September 08, 2011, 01:42 PM »

Whoa! Totally missed this... heard most of the intv. right now but I'm really high and would like to do it justice. I'll definitely give it a second (sober) listen. Renegade, you're the resident celeb, I totally blame you for missing this when it was posted (not pimping your fame in the post title and making it seem like just another intv.   )

Great work, guys!   Looking fwd to more... and P.S. - Renegade, if you don't go on a tangent during one of these and start ranting about Apple I WILL BE DISAPPOINT!!  

Edit: Just read Stephen's post... there's already a part 2?? Fuck, I'm drunk!

407

General Software Discussion / Re: New Folder 2 2.0

« on: September 06, 2011, 05:05 PM »

I'd tried an older version, before the hotkey handler.  Ran fine, but I probably only tested it on the desktop... can't recall for sure.
 
In any case, it's all good now.

408

General Software Discussion / Re: New Folder 2 2.0

« on: September 06, 2011, 04:42 PM »

The best is a decent filemanager, but MilesAhead's solution is decent for those who stick to explorer.

+1 - though it's not very convenient if you don't have your file manager running and want to create a quick folder on the desktop. I've written an AHK script using the same shortcut I use within X2 (F12), that only runs when the focus is on the desktop or the taskbar/start menu. I pass the current date+time as the default folder name.

BTW, Miles, your program ran fine on XP.

409

Living Room / Re: It's alive, it's alive!!! mwahaha! - WinButtons and 7" touchscreen works

« on: September 05, 2011, 06:34 AM »

Great work, Ath! 

I'll try and do a video demonstration when I've set up all my buttons and programs.

I was hoping for a video demo but thought it would be too much to ask for, before I read that.

410

Living Room / Re: Should I Get A Divorce?

« on: September 03, 2011, 03:09 PM »

I'm sure the BBs are perfectly good phones but knowing my friend, he's a perfect fit for an iPhone. I have set up his machines for him in the past and take care of a lot of the maintenance too, so I know the way he uses technology and what would work for him. Nothing against BBs.

They're not tied to carrier anymore.

Neither are iPhones, once you unlock.

 

411

Living Room / Re: Should I Get A Divorce?

« on: September 03, 2011, 10:10 AM »

So you're a frontrunner when it comes to owning Apple devices now!  

I stopped a friend from going for a blackberry just a week back.
"Buy an iPhone instead, it's perfect for you. You'll end up doing a lot more with it."
"But it's out of my budget!   "
"SAVE FOR IT!   "

 

I stand by my words, Apple devices are great for non-geeks or anyone who doesn't want to faff around too much.

412

DC Member Programs and Projects / Re: [Release] SRTFilter: Simple Automatic Subtitle Editor & Renamer

« on: September 02, 2011, 04:39 PM »

I haven't tried your program yet but it looks interesting. I use my text editor (regex find & replace) to remove hearing impaired tags from srt files.

BTW, subs aren't only useful to non-English speakers. A lot of us prefer original audio+subs to dubbing for foreign language films.  

removing year, scene groups

I don't know if you have all the scene groups already added to the custom word list (sorry, I'm not on my PC) but I find the thought strangely amusing 

413

General Software Discussion / Re: How do you organize/access tiny portable utilities?

« on: September 01, 2011, 01:08 PM »

ShortcutTip seems like a useful utility but it won't help with searching.

I found a Filenotes Organizer on filenotes.com... I'll give it a whirl when I get some time.

Thanks, Curt!

414

General Software Discussion / Re: Truecrypt forced dismount and filesystem corruption

« on: September 01, 2011, 08:20 AM »

Haven't actually timed it but it definitely isn't brisk!

415

General Software Discussion / Re: Truecrypt forced dismount and filesystem corruption

« on: September 01, 2011, 07:27 AM »

Seems like that's the only "clean" solution available.  

Just saw your edit... 4 minute reboot... I AM EXCIIIITE! 

416

General Software Discussion / How do you organize/access tiny portable utilities?

« on: September 01, 2011, 06:40 AM »

I have a folder full of tiny utilities collected over time, single exes with maybe an associated .ini or a .hlp file. I suspect a lot of you have a similar collection. I could launch these using a launcher like FARR or Launchy but I rarely seem to remember their names. There are also occasions where I'm not sure I have the right tool for a job and need a quick look at what I have in a certain category... eg:networking

I figured the best way to do this would be to use tags and after trying some tagging software, none of which I cared much for, I've settled for a somewhat unconventional solution. I use Linkman to organize these files. The files can be dragged and dropped to the "Apps" folder in linkman, the Apps folder has ~apps in its comment keywords field. Each util gets a bookmark inside this folder with all applicable tags added to the comment field. So if I'm search for an app I type ~app (to get the url bookmarks out of the way) and follow it with whichever tags are appropriate. I haven't really committed to this system but I really like it. I'm curious what system others use to access these apps... (other than using your superior memories to remember their names, of course! )

Edit: Quicker/"dirtier" approach, just add the tags to the filename and use something like Everything to find them. The name length restrictions shouldn't pose much of a problem. Also takes care of portability. [Edit: Bad bad bad for command line utilities! ]

417

General Software Discussion / Truecrypt forced dismount and filesystem corruption

« on: September 01, 2011, 05:52 AM »

I've had problems with the NTFS filesystem of a Truecrypt volume (external HDD) getting corrupted in the past. I've run chkdsk and that fixed it most times. I had to reformat the drive and start from scratch on one occasion (after chkdsk couldn't fix the problem, IIRC - I'm hazy about the details since it was a while back.)

I suspected hardware issues but it struck me it could be the forced dismount I used on the volume. The dismount was initiated through a batch file using the /force switch, so it occured everytime.

I stopped using forced dismount and started using Unlocker to take care of whatever was stopping the volume from dismounting normally.

Today, I tried to dismount the volume and got the usual "truecrypt volume contains files or folders being used by applications or system" message. Unlocker shows there's nothing locking the drive. I installed iobit Unlocker and it doesn't show the drive as locked either. I did a forced dismount, remounted the volume and ran chkdsk. No errors detected, but I'm worried my luck may not last. There seems to be a mismatch between what Truecrypt and the Unlocking utilities are reporting. The Windows Indexing service never runs on my system and I even closed the usual suspects - Everything & Locate32 (both configured to ignore the TC drive), anti-virus (doesn't scan in realtime, in any case).

Is there any way to know which files-in-use/apps Truecrypt has detected? Or should I just go ahead and use a forced dismount as long as Unlocker gives me the all clear?

418

Living Room / Re: Centurylink is on CracK

« on: August 30, 2011, 03:32 AM »

Technically, it's the system at fault. However, when one factors in other human traits like laziness and not-giving-a-fcuk there's more to it.

My rant on a local forum from May, 2011

Spoiler

OK, I'll try to keep my temper in check and try to put this in as little words as possible

I'm trying to activate a 35 rupee sms pack on my prepaid no.

I recharged with netbanking (usually works) - this time the transaction was successful but I got a msg from Vodafone telling me the transaction could not be processed and the money would be refunded

So I call their cust support. I've called cust support 4 times so far. Each time got a different guy who gave me a different no and sms code to activate this pack. It still isn't active.

I get a complaint no. from the last guy (198) I call there to complain - he gives me the same (incorrect) info that one of the 4 guys I spoke to before him gave me. He tells me the complaint no isn't 198, it's 190.

190 is unreachable, 198 is listed as the complaint no on the site.

I call 198, "sorry but your call cannot be processed" or something to that effect.

I call the usual cust support no. This time I just can't speak to a human being like I did before, the menu just loops back. I suspect my no. has been shitlisted.

I get a complaint no. from the web site. Call there... engaged.

By now I'm completely brain-F*****, my mind is mush, I can't even feel anger anymore, just empty. These guys really know how to take us for a ride.

Have been complaining on Twitter throughout, nobody has got back to me so far.

Just posting here to vent my frustration coz so far it's like talking to a machine behind an iron wall.

Thank you, Vodafone for one of the nastiest cust support experiences. It'll be my life's mission now to stop everyone and their uncle from avoiding you horrible company.

PS: I must have heard "main maafi chahta hoon" ("I'd like to apologize") around 300 times today.

I'm laughing like a madman now thinking back on the experience. Vodafone cust support has successfully demolished my brain in the span of 3 hours!

Follow up post:

Spoiler

No sweat, I find it quite funny too. It's not about getting the refund back, that's the least of my concerns. The main thing is they have made their plans and rules so complicated that they have reached a breaking point where even their customer support has no idea what's going on. 4 people have given me different info for the same thing!

What is most despicable though is shitlisting my no. I've dealt with idiots before but this is just ruthless. The menu loops at the point at which I cud speak to a human being now. Even the complaint no. just gives me a voice message and hangs up. I have not once abused or used foul language with even one of these people and I have followed all their instructions and yet it's like I've broken some law and can't speak to them anymore. Someone needs to take these guys to court for unethical business practices, sadly most people just don't have the time or energy to do that.

---------- Post added at 05:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:28 PM ----------

Finally went to a Vodafone shop in my area, 5 guys with a "Can I help" badge just loitering around aimlessly pretending the person waiting for help doesn't exist. 2 guys huddled over some hot lady, one of them is just observing - so I ask him "Are you busy?" He looks all tragic like I woke him up in the middle of the night and asks me what I want. Goes to a PC, fiddles for 2 minutes trying to login, asks someone else the password. Logs in, there's another login screen waiting for him. Looks up at me and says in slow motion " Sir can you come a little later... " - I cut the guy short, "NO, I don't have any more patience with you guys now".
"Sir, but our system is..."
I tell him I've been trying to get this done since morning and have actually traveled to the store just for that, I'm not going to take no for an answer.
He calls someone else, the guy takes my phone and punches in a code, job done! Like W-T-F!! I had to f*** up half my day coz these guys didn't know what code to give me?

On my way back I get a call from some cust support woman, "sorry sir" "sorry sir" "I will definitely pass on sir" LOL, yeah, whatever!

419

Living Room / Re: Centurylink is on CracK

« on: August 29, 2011, 01:04 PM »

I have faced tech-support hell with pretty much every large company I've dealt with. My mobile operator (Vodafone) makes it almost impossible to speak to a person. And they even have the ability to shitlist your number so the system just hangs up on you, regardless of how unsuccessful they have been at solving the issue.

There's something inherently f***ed up about the modern tech support system and I usually end up dealing with a series of retards, each of whom needs to be told about my woes from scratch, with a chapter added everytime about my dealings with (current_retard - 1). I eventually end up getting a split personality, one part fantasizes about beating people to a pulp with a blunt instrument and the other tries to invoke some sanity and rationalizes that it's just low paid mouth-breathers trying to make a living and whatever the issue, it's not worth getting a stroke over.

420

Living Room / Re: What Happened to Genie Backup Manager?

« on: August 28, 2011, 04:57 AM »

I'm still using GBM 6 (from 2005, IIRC) - There are some known quirks (it won't always overwrite existing files, even if you set it to do so) but once you're familiar with its behavior, it's pretty dependable. The .gbp files are plain zip files, btw.

One thing I really need in a backup app is the ability to backup selective registry keys along with files, which Genie does well.

I didn't bother with future versions because they got rid of a less known (but useful) feature for no apparent reason...hate when that happens. 

421

Living Room / Re: When you make your 100'th Post

« on: August 18, 2011, 10:25 AM »

That's a first! (but I'll take it  - thx 40!)

422

Living Room / Re: how does your <insert device here> stack up?

« on: August 18, 2011, 06:20 AM »

The anti-Apple voices here are getting bolder by the day! iObject!

423

General Software Discussion / Re: What is Mozilla trying to do?

« on: August 18, 2011, 04:18 AM »

Firefox 6.0

Following rapidly on the heels of Firefox 5.0, Firefox 6.0 is the most recent "major" release of Firefox, arriving in August 2011. However strictly speaking it is not a major release in terms of new features or any noticeable changes. Instead the new version numbering system is evidence of Mozilla's accelerated release strategy, and the changes are primarily under the hood in the form of performance improvements and bug fixes. The most significant changes in Firefox 6.0 include:

The Address Bar now highlights the domain name within a URL.
The Site Identity Block next to the URL has been streamlined.
Startup time has been reduced when using Panorama.
A new per-site Permissions Manager interface accessible by typing About:Permissions in the Address Bar.
Added support for the latest WebSockets, EventSource/server-sent events, window.matchMedia, and Scratchpad.
The Web Developer menu under the Firefox button now has all development-related items.
Firefox Sync is now more clearly promoted with a separate 'Set Up Sync' item under the main Firefox button.

tweakguides.com <- excellent resource for FF users

424

Living Room / Re: When you make your 100'th Post

« on: August 18, 2011, 04:09 AM »

Thanks guys! 

425

Living Room / Re: When you make your 100'th Post

« on: August 17, 2011, 05:41 PM »