Recent Posts

1151

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Verbatim DVD+R 16x a quarter apiece

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 06:13 PM »

All I can tell you is I go by what works in my burners.  I've had very good luck with these DVD+R 16x metalic on sale either online @Egg or in OfficeMax brick&mortar.

-MilesAhead (March 10, 2010, 05:31 PM)

As always, always use the media that works best in your burner.

Many people swear up and down that the only way to go is TY.

That advice isn't as fool-proof as it used to be. Taiyo Yuden isn't what they used to be & these days buying their Professional discs will yield much better results than their ValueLine ones.

But it seems that every HP Pavilion I get, the burner only wants to burn TY 16x discs @2.4 or 4x.  No TYs for me until I see some that burn correctly @16x.

Oh, you may want to check your drive out & do some research on the net. A lot of HP drives are re-badged from other brands & in most cases you can cross-flash to have access to better firmware.

This burner I just bought will burn TY Pro 16x discs at 24x.

But the new PC has better write strategies for just about everything else but the TY.  Go figure.

Sounds like you need some new firmware.  

1152

What's the Best? / Re: best virual cd/dvd maker and image mounter?

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 06:06 PM »

Virtual CloneDrive is nice, but does it make images as well as mounting them? That's what the OP was asking for.

1153

General Software Discussion / Re: What is best program to create a DVD from any video file?

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 06:04 PM »

Imgburn is indeed a great tool, but I'd like to know why, in some cases, when burning an iso file, it takes up to 10 minutes in the "creating threads" phase before starting to burn anything (XP Home SP2).

-MerleOne (March 10, 2010, 10:38 AM)

I've never seen that & I've used every version of ImgBurn with XP, then Vista, and now Win7.

1154

General Review Discussion / Re: Daemon Tools

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 06:02 PM »

My mistake.

-mwb1100 (March 10, 2010, 01:41 PM)

Okay. That's your one free mistake on DC. 

Seriously, though....they could stand to simplify the text on their web site describing the way things work with their programs.

1155

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Copernic Desktop Search Professional - 30% Off

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 05:59 PM »

The Pro version is for commercial use. If you look the version comparison chart you'll see that it doesn't offer much more than the free Home version does in the way of features.

-edbro (March 10, 2010, 10:27 AM)

The one feature that intrigued me was the ability to index/search my network drives. I've got two 1.5TB drives in a DNS-323. The free home version ignores network drives.

1156

Found Deals and Discounts / Copernic Desktop Search Professional - 30% Off

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 10:03 AM »

Found this in my email this morning. Normal price is $49.95, but through this link you can buy it for $34.95:

http://copernicpromo...=19&L=6&N=16

I'd love to hear thoughts on anyone who owns this or buys it through this promotion.

1157

What's the Best? / Re: best virual cd/dvd maker and image mounter?

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 10:00 AM »

Magic ISO ($29.95) is much cheaper, even with Alcohol being offered at half price at the moment (39 euros ~ $57).

-Darwin (March 10, 2010, 07:49 AM)

Alcohol 120% is awesome. However, I bought it a couple years ago when the normal price was ~$57 & I got it on sale for $35. Obviously, what I deem getting my money's worth is going to be different for someone buying today at a higher price.

Daemon Tools looks nice (I tried it YEARS ago), but is much more expensive when you consider that a license comes only with one year of upgrade protection.

Daemon Tools had a total interface overhaul just recently so if anyone tried it a long time ago they should try it again to see what the new experience is like. The main thing to keep in mind when comparing versions of Daemon Tools is that most people will be perfectly happy with the free version. The only real limitations of the free version are being limited to 4 virtual drives and not being able to create virtual IDE drives.

If you have special 'hard-core' needs like needing 31 virtual drives & the ability to create virtual IDE drives, then yeah...by all means look at the commercial versions, but for most people the free version will be more than sufficient.

1158

What's the Best? / Re: best virual cd/dvd maker and image mounter?

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 09:53 AM »

I am still using daemon tools 3.7 at the moment as I have read on various forums that the later versions put spyware and rootkits on your computer, true?  Also that they interfere with the sleep function on your laptop??

-delwoode (March 09, 2010, 01:57 PM)

There are no spyware or rootkits installed with Daemon-Tools. The only thing to be aware of is during install you are offered to OPTIONALLY install their browser toolbar & to change your browser home page to their search engine page. These two things are easily turned off and only provide revenue streams to the authors.

I've used Daemon Tools Lite (latest version) on both a Dell & an Acer laptop recently and their sleep/hibernate functions were not interfered with in any way.

1159

Living Room / Re: Speaking Of: Torrent Sites

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 09:42 AM »

Might it work for companies, which need to transfer different files and stuff all the day?
Please note, that this doesn`t happend only inside the company, so network-drives wont work.
If we leave out Ftp-servers, how would it work with torrents then?

-RedPillow (March 09, 2010, 03:44 PM)

Companies that use BitTorrent? You may want to ask Blizzard. They've got a little side-project going right now that uses BitTorrent to deliver updates. It's called World Of Warcraft. Don't know if everyone's heard of that program yet, though. 

1160

General Software Discussion / Re: Ribbon Hero turns learning Office into a game - interesting idea!

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 09:30 AM »

Oh, this is such a cool concept! I can see this as a teaching aid to help kids learn Office.

I'm off to download this one right away...

1161

General Software Discussion / Re: Putting a Classic Menu on Windows 7 - Redux

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 09:28 AM »

Also, I kept feeling like the new copy "overwrite yes/no/maybe" dialog was less functional and intuitive than the previous method, but kind of just chalked it up to unfamiliarity. But the Classic Shell page shows exactly why the new method is so retarded. Why oh why does MS do this?? Seriously, to all those people who love the new Win7 method(s) of doing things, what do you have to say about this?

-JavaJones (March 09, 2010, 01:08 PM)

I absolutely love Windows 7, but I am not too qualified to speak on the way it does things. 99% of all file management I do is from within Total Commander. It has a very diverse "overwrite yes/no" dialog & I don't think I've seen Windows 7 Explorer's dialog even once in the entire time I have used the OS. Which brings me to that last 1% I actually do use Explorer...I have TeraCopy installed that replaces Explorer's copy/move routines with its own.

Trying to use Windows Explorer for copying, moving, and other file management is like trying to build a house using only a sledge hammer & a few bottles of tequila. The results may be entertaining to see, but there are better ways to attain your goals.

As for the Start Menu, as with previous versions of Windows before it, in my mind the Start Menu becomes a lot more powerful & easier to use once you go in to the Start Menu properties and turn on "Display as a menu" for everything. Even just turning that option on for the Control Panel display in the Start Menu will save many a person's hair from being ripped out.

1162

General Software Discussion / Re: What is the Best Movie Collection Organizer Program

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 09:18 AM »

DVD Profiler is OK but nothing special.

-J-Mac (January 05, 2010, 12:07 AM)

I know this is an old remark, J-Mac, but mind elaborating on that statement for the curious? I don't use DVD Profiler, but I know at one time it was the premier solution for movie collectors because of its features & exclusive database of movie art. Is this no longer the case?

1163

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Verbatim DVD+R 16x a quarter apiece

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 09:16 AM »

Verbatims aren't as good as they used to be. Heck, almost all blank CD & DVD media aren't as good as they used to be. There are lots of factors to look out for to ensure getting great media & unfortunately, the brand name on the container isn't one of them anymore.   

But I'm a bit of a fanatic when it comes to burning. I just recently chased all over the continental U.S. to find the exact model DVD burner I wanted. I realize most people aren't like that & I have a sickness. 

1164

General Software Discussion / Re: What is best program to create a DVD from any video file?

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 09:12 AM »

I agree with Innuendo's sentiments -- ImgBurn is a great burning tool, so i see it as only a good thing if DeVeDe uses that instead of re-implementing the wheel.

-mouser (March 09, 2010, 03:53 PM)

I just can't resist singing the man's praises some more. The guy originally came out with DVD Decrypter which was pure, unadulterated genius. When "The Man" got him down & made him cease & desist all development on that program he didn't let that discourage him from coming back from that & writing one of the most capable burning programs in existence today.

I've got nothing but respect for Mr. Lightning UK!.

1165

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommend anti-spyware, please?

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 09:09 AM »

Some people like me cry over MSE usage of cpu and generally being way too active - others say it is lighest av ever.

-Bamse (March 09, 2010, 02:50 PM)

I'm waiting for some clever vendor to make a choice available in the program's preferences that will allow the user to choose between system-intensive and fast or light on resources and slower. Maybe a slider even so the user can fine-tune it between the two extremes to suit their preferences.

1166

Living Room / Re: Amazon.com == AMAZING!

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 09:06 AM »

I am an Amazon prime user as well. In general I like Amazon, but you need to pay attention when buying stuff as prime user because Amazon jacks up the prices to compensate for prime shipping. At least in some instances I have experienced it.

-kartal (March 07, 2010, 11:14 AM)

This is something to watch for with Amazon regardless of whether or not you are a Prime member. Amazon uses an on-demand pricing system and the price will fluctuate, sometimes several times in the same day. Their algorithm takes into consideration such things as time of year, stock on hand, how soon more stock will arrive, demand for the product that day, and other factors. Amazon having the best price on something when you wake up in the morning doesn't necessarily mean they are still going to be the best price that evening when you are ready to order.

1167

Living Room / Re: Amazon.com == AMAZING!

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 09:03 AM »

• Few, if any, items they sell are actually sold by Amazon.  Instead, they are a gateway for other stores, not unlike Ebay.  They do not, however, generally make this obvious or well known.

-steeladept (March 04, 2010, 02:50 PM)

This doesn't make sense to me. Every item next to the price it specifically spells out who is selling the item. The choices are "This item is sold and fulfilled by Amazon", "This item is sold by xxx, but fulfilled by Amazon", and "This item is sold by xxx". I think each of these statements is very concise and makes it clear who you are giving your money to and who will be shipping your item. Of course, another way to make sure you are buying from Amazon themselves is only buy items that are labeled "This item qualifies for FREE Super-Saver Shipping" or however it is worded.

• Frequently when I tried to order something that is supposedly in stock, I get confirmation, then, a few days later a cancellation because the object wasn't in stock.  I realize this isn't directly Amazon's fault since they are not the store, but it is problematic when you are trying to find and buy a specific item - I mean not so much as an email asking how to proceed, just a flat out cancel!   

If it's not directly Amazon's fault then don't stop using Amazon. Stop buying anything from the vendor on Amazon who let you down.

1168

Living Room / Re: Networks and external drives

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 08:54 AM »

Here's another option that I don't think anyone else covered. Some routers these days have USB ports on the back to attach external drives & then that drive becomes a NAS you can access through the wireless router from anywhere on the network.

This might be the best solution, especially if your existing router is getting long in the tooth. (And everyone should run a router even if they are the only person in the dwelling using the internet.)

1169

General Review Discussion / Re: Daemon Tools

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 08:51 AM »

I believe that the toolbar isn't optional in the free, lite version anymore.

-mwb1100 (March 09, 2010, 09:39 AM)

I'm running the latest version of Daemon Tools Lite & I was given the option to not install the toolbar. Either they have recently silently updated the installer or someone clicked through the installer too fast.

1170

General Software Discussion / Re: Someone MUST make a new PowerMarks program.

« Last post by Innuendo on March 10, 2010, 08:46 AM »

I wanted to thank all DonationCoder users which have participated in the Linkman 7.90 beta test.

-Outertech Support (March 08, 2010, 11:35 PM)

While we're thanking people....Thank you, OuterTech Guys, for making this a free upgrade to existing v7.x users & not seeing these improvements as an excuse to bump the version to 8.0 to generate some cash.

While I'm not one of your oldest users I may be becoming one of your users who is most impressed by the way you conduct business. 

1171

General Software Discussion / Re: What is best program to create a DVD from any video file?

« Last post by Innuendo on March 09, 2010, 08:20 AM »

Does it (still) need Imgburn ? 

-Curt (March 09, 2010, 12:48 AM)

ImgBurn should be included on every Windows installation disc & installed by default with the OS. 

1172

General Review Discussion / Re: Daemon Tools

« Last post by Innuendo on March 09, 2010, 08:18 AM »

There isn't any spyware in the later versions. There are *options* in the installer that will offer to change your homepage and offer to install a toolbar to help the company make money off users of the free Lite version, but they are optional.

1173

What's the Best? / Re: best virual cd/dvd maker and image mounter?

« Last post by Innuendo on March 09, 2010, 08:16 AM »

I love Daemon-Tools Lite. They've made their free product so good that most people will never need one of their commercial products. MagicISO MagicDisc comes in second, but its interface is just klunky by comparison, IMHO.

And Daemon-Tools comes with a Desktop Gadget if you're into that kind of thing (I'm not).

1174

Found Deals and Discounts / AVG Internet Security - $5.00 after MIR

« Last post by Innuendo on March 09, 2010, 08:07 AM »

NewEgg has AVG Internet Security v9.0 Retail (2 Year Subscription for 3 Users) for $5.00 after mail-in rebate.

The software currently is listed on the Newegg site for $40.00 with a $30.00 mail-in rebate & free shipping. Entering promo code EMCYPYX28 when you check out will knock another $5.00 off the price.

Enjoy if you've been waiting for a good deal on this one!

1175

Living Room / Re: In rememberance of....The antiquated hardware/software reminiscence thread

« Last post by Innuendo on March 07, 2010, 09:27 PM »

Didn't you set up some saved searches?

-rjbull (March 07, 2010, 03:29 PM)

No, there was no way to set up saved searches when I was buying this stuff. I forgot to mention in my original post that the duplexer, extra paper tray, and the network card were all brand-new in never-opened boxes when I bought them. Nearly bought the letter feeder at the time, but common sense prevailed at the last minute as I'd have had no use for that.