Messages

1601

General Software Discussion / Re: Kinook pulls the plug on Ultra Recall

« on: October 30, 2008, 11:44 PM »

It's not quite pulling the plug, but it's hard to see that it will be worth their while restarting development if they will be waiting for the end of the recession. OTOH, it seems to me that lots of publishers let their progs quietly languish undeveloped (eg gemx) while still selling them and without saying what plans are; refreshing to have Kinook make this announcement.

Very sad, though  .
But possibly not for you Pierre 

1602

General Software Discussion / Re: What is the currently best Desktop Search software?

« on: October 30, 2008, 03:08 AM »

WinPatrol allows pretty much total control over startup delays. Right click on the startup prog and you have the option to delay it; move to the delayed startup tab and you can set the time of the delay in 10 second chunks up to 1hr+.

1603

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« on: October 22, 2008, 09:19 AM »

Instead of the item being made into a folder, the item would have sub-items (1 sub-item for each dragged item), in keeping with the IQ concept

-PPLandry (October 22, 2008, 08:56 AM)

Sub-items are better - I just used 'folder' as an analogy really.

Sounds really good. I'd certainly use/buy IQ with this functionality.

1604

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« on: October 22, 2008, 08:51 AM »

This is sort of off topic, but I've just made a wishlist for Calendar functionality HERE, and wondered whether IQ is likely to be able to do any of that. It seems to me to be the sort of databsase driven program that might.

1605

General Software Discussion / Calendar

« on: October 22, 2008, 08:46 AM »

As a creature with a preference for the Mouse and a belief that reducing activity is a good thing, I have been thinking about my PIM needs, specifically the Calendar function.

What I would like is a Calendar with a view that ranges from 1 day (split into 5 or 15 minute segments) to 2+ years (ie year planner view) with the option to select any period for display.

I would like the option to turn on or off the Dialog box when calendar items are added.
I would like the option (as in ToDoList2) to set the properties/settings for all items as a single process (one item after another) rather than constantly opeing/closing dialog boxes.

I would like to be able to drag and drop files, folders, images, URLs, emails etc on to the calendar (with options for doing this as links or as whole files) so that they automatically become calendar items. I would like to be able to drag new items on to previous items and have the previous item automatically made into a folder with the same name and containing the new item(s)).

And to be able to drag items and start/stop times anywhere on calendar.

And good export/import facilities to other tasklist etc progs.

As well as the usual tags/colour etc functions.

This would save a lot of unnecessary keyboard work and mean that all necessary docs etc were there automatically for meetings etc.

Does anyone know of a Calendar prog that is capable of working like this?

1606

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: * 3-in-1 Automation tool *

« on: October 19, 2008, 05:13 AM »

I looked at the website a while ago and was slightly interested in the described functions,but didn't quite get what they would do. I don't like looking at videos for that and saw no screenshots, so never looked any further. I kept a tab open on it though, thinking I would return and have a play some time.

One question though, would there be any conflict with a clipboard manager?

1607

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« on: October 18, 2008, 05:42 PM »

I agree with a lot of what J-Mac and Superboyac said.

I was going to add my bit and I thought I'd have another look at the interface. I like all the settings/preferences in one place. I like to choose what buttons I have visible. With a new program I often have all the toolbars and buttons visible so that I amreminded of what might be possible. Having done that, I thought I'd look at the calendar. Clicked on one of the calendar buttons and the prog crashed. When I restarted the setting I had changed had reverted. Pressed a different calendar option and it crashed again. Presumably it's because it isn't really a calendar, just a filter for dated entries. Or that there were no entries. Or that no database was opened or set up. I'm sure I can figure it out (given sufficient incentive anyway - I do tend to use software that seems to fit comfortably from the beginning). But still not a good start. I do like the fact that it is portable though.

Having a clear idea of use or uses is important.
As is having a clear idea of how it works.
I agree it is easier for people to start a simple they understand and work towards greater complexity. But different people might want different simples. Could just present a number of pre-designed startup modes - notetaking, outliner, calendar, tasklist, information store, email client, file/image explorer, accounts etc. With options to set the layout for as many of these modes as wanted to be opened at once. The advantage of such an approach is that most people have a clear idea of what these modes do, and that appropriate buttons/menus would be available and visible in them. Once they are hooked many will gradually realise that they can see it better as a single database with many filters and windows; and those that don't can carry on using it regardless.

1608

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: ConceptDraw MindMap 'v5'

« on: October 18, 2008, 07:41 AM »

If you look around the net there seems to be lots of sources of free copies of v5 (and v4 before that). Looks as if offering free copies of the previous version is used by ConceptDraw as a way of drumming up demand for bought copies of the latest version. Have started to use v5 and think I might carry on using it. There are lots of import/export options and I do find switching between a text driven tasklist and a graphical representation of that list makes me more effective.

1609

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« on: October 18, 2008, 06:46 AM »

I'm pretty sure SQLNotes can do anything a tree-based outliner or notetaker can do.  You just have to understand what's going on.

-superboyac (October 18, 2008, 03:00 AM)

Well, yes and no, I think.

It may well have most of the available functions, but the essence of most outliners/notetakers is the way they work. If you find one that works well for you it is the combination of necessary functions and being intuitive that does it. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that SQLnotes was intuitive for them; all the emphasis has been on how good it is when you have spent time learning how to make the most of it.

1610

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: ConceptDraw MindMap 'v5'

« on: October 17, 2008, 04:53 PM »

Maybe I read something wrong but idn't buying ov some PC magazine a must?

-fenixproductions (October 17, 2008, 04:36 PM)

Such a purchase is implied in the registration but not required, and you can just say 'other' rather than give one of the listed magazines.

1611

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: ConceptDraw MindMap 'v5'

« on: October 17, 2008, 04:26 PM »

ConceptDraw programs tend to be of very high quality and design.

-brett (October 17, 2008, 03:49 PM)

The one review on the site is pretty damning about it though.

1612

General Software Discussion / Re: Ten Tips for Windows users making the switch to Linux

« on: October 16, 2008, 04:19 PM »

My kids love Linux. They use Windows at school. but mostly use Linux at home. Prefer the depositories to searching for Windows software. Have to use Windows for some progs. Certainly not Linux gurus - but not Windows gurus either and are equally competent (or incompetent) in both.

For many people, I think the biggest problem is Linux gurus. They want simple places to go for simple answers to simple questions. Not complex answers that make them feel they don't understand, when they don't really want to understand, just to know what to do.

I've never really had any problems with Linux. Mostly because, if I can't make it work fairly easily, I give up and use another distro or use Windows for that task; and now I find Linux deals with most hardware and has progs for most of the things I do. Had lots and lots of problems with Windows because there has never been much alternative except to find a solution. So I'm less inexpert in Windows and still use it more. Looking forward to 8.10 though.

1613

Living Room / Re: My computer is older than YOUR computer!

« on: October 14, 2008, 02:47 AM »

I still have an original, fully functional, Atari ST - 1985.

1614

General Software Discussion / Re: Send some info of your PC!

« on: October 04, 2008, 06:14 PM »

yes   

... but not all software will run on 64bit 

1615

General Software Discussion / Re: Programs you can use during a financial meltdown!

« on: October 04, 2008, 04:23 PM »

I'm not sure that FLOSS is automatically better.

Lots of FLOSS is really dross, and a lot is not well maintained. Big "commercial" enterprises tend to be needed to maintain large and very complex apps (and I do include the 'not for profit' OSS groups here) and most of the apps I really like are developed and maintained by one (or a very small team) of programmers - and many of them like to keep control by maintaining ownership of their code even when they are committed to keeping everything free.

1616

Living Room / Re: digital photo frame & my pictures

« on: October 04, 2008, 01:10 PM »

Each photo frame will have a native display size in pixels. In theory, you can resize photos to that size and it will work perfectly. In practice, I've tended to see better results from using larger sizes and letting the frame work out how to do the display.

The software on each frame is something that you can only test out by trial and error. Many 16:9 frames aren't actually 16:9 when it comes to it.

It's worth testing a number of options, with one photo each.
Cropping and Resizing to the number of pixels the frame displays natively.
Cropping to the dimensions the frame displays natively (apparently 16:9).
Leaving the photo untouched.

Whichever is true, you will only fill the frame if all the photos have one orientation (portrait or landscape).

1617

General Software Discussion / Re: FinePrint vs. priPrinter

« on: October 03, 2008, 12:38 PM »

If I didn't already have a license for this kind of application, I'd be looking very seriously at ...

-Darwin (October 03, 2008, 12:15 PM)

Is it the credit crunch bringing on this newfound restraint ???   

1618

General Software Discussion / Re: A Special Recognition and Present for DC Member Eric Wong (VideoInPicture

« on: October 03, 2008, 05:22 AM »

The whole process and award reflect great credit on everyone involved. 

1619

Living Room / Re: Avoid DABS.COM for online shopping.

« on: October 01, 2008, 10:37 AM »

Well, they all have problems with their couriers. By and large, you are probably best off with one that uses couriers that deliver efficiently in your locality.

And they all have problems with support, from time to time at least. Ebuyer went through a very bad patch but then employed more people, got on back of their backlog and haven't been too bad since. Refunds are pretty automatic too.

Again, only online contacts. But then, phone numbers tend to be expensive 0870 numbers that leave you waiting (ie paying) for ages before answering.

1620

Circle Dock / Re: hide

« on: September 27, 2008, 03:57 AM »

I don't understand why this is a problem. There is the on top/hide toggle; I use a spare button on my mouse for this. So it is there when I want and not there when I don't want.

It also has the ability to autohide after loading a program/folder/file. This annoyed the hell out of me when it started to do this as a default behaviour, until I found the switch to turn it off.

I just don't see how it is useful to have it present on the desktop if it is below other applications. Surely you either want it on top so that you can use it or you don't need to have it on the desktop at all.

1621

General Software Discussion / Re: List of newbie questions regarding software

« on: September 20, 2008, 03:25 PM »

If you are looking at PageFour, I'd suggest you also look at TreeDBNotes

1622

Circle Dock / Re: Circle Dock Enhancements

« on: September 18, 2008, 11:58 AM »

And ObjectDock has such an addon

1623

General Software Discussion / Re: Mathematics symbols OCR

« on: September 14, 2008, 02:26 PM »

I assume you know about InftyReader; If you  don't, you really don't want to know about the price.

1624

General Software Discussion / Re: the actual browser divide: plugins

« on: September 14, 2008, 08:46 AM »

Not an issue for me. I use Opera for 99(ish)% of my browsing. No biggie to use FF or something else for specific issues. Certainly don't want to be bogged down by plugins for most of my browsing.

1625

Living Room / Re: You might want to skip the whole Blu-Ray generation

« on: September 14, 2008, 06:21 AM »

The only way to keep long-term data is to perpetually renew it. And to test that what you have stored is in good condition without corruption.
If you can't afford to do that, I'd agree that the only guaranted long-term answer is paper.

Of the DVD formats, DVD-RAM is the best for long-term storage - but it does not have anything like the capacity of Blu-ray.

If you are using computer storage without perpetual renewal, you need also to make sure that you have drives, computers, OSs etc that allow you to read the formats you have, however obsolete. I still have 5 1/4" drives (& discs) though I don't think I have anything important on them. I also have nested hierarchies of "stuff" from old computers - just saved on to the new HDDs (not stuff I knew I'd want, which I moved on deliberately, but just the random stuff left because you never know when it might have something you want); not a problem keeping it because the HDD sizes just keep on getting bigger. My first HDD was either 20 or 80 MB (can't remember which now) and cost me an arm and a leg, and in those days copying data from one computer format to another was a real time-consuming pain.