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General Software Discussion / Re: Best Free Software - PC Mag

« Last post by zridling on March 29, 2009, 11:25 AM »

Great find, Binder; thanks!

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General Software Discussion / Re: Microsoft's Turn-off mode in IE8 not enough, says Opera.

« Last post by zridling on March 29, 2009, 08:40 AM »

Why would Opera need Microsoft's "advertising?" Opera is free, multi-platform, and everyone knows it's out there. It dominates almost 2% of the market!! (me included)

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Living Room / Re: Should we have a yearly Best Avatar award on DC?

« Last post by zridling on March 29, 2009, 08:31 AM »

Michael Rainey has an avatar of a famous singer, but I don't know who it is:

mrainey
____________________

Found it:

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Living Room / Re: The Longest Rant Ever

« Last post by zridling on March 29, 2009, 08:21 AM »

Well, I guess he got his '2 cents' in! Wow.

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Living Room / Re: Should we have a yearly Best Avatar award on DC?

« Last post by zridling on March 26, 2009, 01:10 AM »

I'm flattered, but it's got to be App followed by Josh and then Paul Keith.

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Living Room / Re: What is Twitter: A Funny Sarcastic Cartoon

« Last post by zridling on March 26, 2009, 01:07 AM »

Like RSS, WordPress offers a variety of plugins that allow your blog posts to autopost to Twitter and then vice versa if you want. So it can save a lot of clicking.

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Living Room / Re: Linux vs. Vista for an absolute beginner? (+related Vista/hardware query)

« Last post by zridling on March 26, 2009, 01:01 AM »

I've reluctantly provided "support" for family and friends over the years and every time I hate myself, if for no other reason I underestimate their willingness to learn anything about their computer and its software. Unless you're up to it, I beg you to decouple your support for someone else's computer.

That said, there's one true fact: whatever OS they start with, they will likely stay with, and it will take a monumental mind shift to switch. If they want to continue running cheaper, older hardware over time, then I strongly recommend Linux. Mac won't allow that, nor will Windows (I'm presuming no one wants to run an 8-year OS anymore [XP]). With Linux comes thousands of free, open source software apps that also will not cost them one dime. Otherwise, they will consistently be frustrated by their system's lack of power. And if they're only going to be using it to do mainly cloud computer anyway, then Linux is set for that right off the bat with so many programs ready to go at installation and updated as often as daily.

If cost is not a factor and they can afford the proprietary overhead that comes with Windows, then go that direction. I don't recommend Macs because once you go that route, you're usually so locked in that you can't use anything else.

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General Software Discussion / Re: UltraEdit for Linux? Could it (finally) be?

« Last post by zridling on March 23, 2009, 12:45 PM »

Software moving to *nix is nice, but I do not think every application will do so or will benefit as such. The problem I see with linux is that most software is freeware, or F/OSS if you will. As such, if a payware application moves over, it has the added disadvantage of having users say "I have x hundred apps that are free and do the same thing, why should I PAY for this?". UE Might be a nice editor, although updated far too frequently with MAJOR revisions, but I do not see it making a dent unless it either lowers its price to cater to the "All Software Should Be Free" crowd, or opens its source so a spin-off could be made.
-Josh (March 21, 2009, 08:31 AM)

Good points, Josh. It will be interesting to see how well it does and whether it was worth the port effort in a couple of years.

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Living Room / Re: What is Twitter: A Funny Sarcastic Cartoon

« Last post by zridling on March 23, 2009, 12:41 PM »

I like Twitter because I can follow interesting people and celebs such as Darth Vader, Stephen Fry, and Christopher Walken. No spam. No ads. Not enough character rope to allow verbosity. And the tech people I follow can tip me toward stories I would never have thought to read because I don't have access to their knowledge, their inside contacts, etc.

If someone starts twittering about their breakfast, their medication, their cat phlegm, their anal temperature and crap, I just stop following them. No time for such nonsense. Thus the people I'm "following" are a small group, not minions.

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Living Room / Re: What would it take to create and then sell a very successful website?

« Last post by zridling on March 23, 2009, 12:35 PM »

Ask your friend to detail what the site's revenue stream will be. In other words, how exactly will it make someone money? In most instances, it's much cheaper for a company with capital just to rip off his idea and launch their own version of the site, assuming they get in on it (e.g., compare YouTube's content to Hulu.com's various network deals). As you've noted, just about every essential avenue on the web is covered, unless he can give them what they can't get elsewhere, such as uncensored content.

For example, anontalk.com allows you to write anything on its forum as long as you can use decent grammar and spell. We all know most places pre-censor content and ban the hell out of your IP address if you happen to write something they don't like.

Finally, do a google search of the history of failed website ideas and review it with him. Just because a guy has a law degree and passed the bar exam doesn't mean he can make a living by hanging a sign on the sidewalk and expecting clients to walk in the door. Lots of people became internet billionaires in the late 90s tech bubble because the idiots on Wall Street thought they could make money online. Turned out that Amazon could, but that was about it.

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General Software Discussion / OpenOffice has its own aggregated news 'Planet' site -- cool!

« Last post by zridling on March 21, 2009, 04:44 AM »

It's about time if you're looking for a one-stop news site on the OpenOffice suite:

http://planet.services.openoffice.org/

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Living Room / Best explanation of the New Zealand internet blackout

« Last post by zridling on March 21, 2009, 04:40 AM »

Best New Zealand internet blackout explanation I've found:

I would agree that denying my right to information (in this century) via the internet is a human rights violation. All other info -- at least in the US -- is politically filtered media. And this kind of action just makes lawyers rich and keeps them busy.

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General Software Discussion / Re: WINDOWS 7 THREAD (ongoing)

« Last post by zridling on March 21, 2009, 04:31 AM »

I am surprised Zaine didn't post this before me, since he is such a big ODF supporter...
-app103 (March 21, 2009, 02:45 AM)

Actually Sun wrote that plugin and made it available to Microsoft Office back in February. I noticed, but didn't think it was Win7 worthy.

It just kills me that Sun did what Microsoft could and should have done in the first place instead of FUD-ing and fighting. They used freely available open source code to build seamless, intuitive support for ODF into MS Word. No unmaintainable XSLT. No funky, redundant additional menu items. No tortuous workflow designed to make users treat ODF as second class. No pre-requisite for the OOXML add-in to make it work.

Now if we could start to work on an open filesystem for Windows....

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Living Room / Re: Addictive Tips Blog

« Last post by zridling on March 21, 2009, 04:16 AM »

Love these kind of blogs. Highly useful and this one is well done.

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General Software Discussion / Re: UltraEdit for Linux? Could it (finally) be?

« Last post by zridling on March 21, 2009, 04:11 AM »

I'm not so much 'excited' since I don't use it anymore, but it's good news whenever a great program makes itself available on another platform. UltraEdit's advantage has always been its customizability. My direction these days is that in a perfect world, the OS shouldn't matter as much as the apps. By making so many good apps cross-platform, you simultaneously reduce the necessity for being locked-in to any one platform, thus increasing my freedom to choose which OS I want to use without losing the investment I've put into licensing over the years.

I've really enjoyed the Kate Editor on (KDE) Linux for a while. Josh is right to point out my frustrations with IDM. As a lifetime user, I shouldn't have to beg/request/ or prove my license to them every year. Put me on the 'lifetime' mailing list and just send me the code when you release the version. I don't have to use it, but I've already paid for it.

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General Software Discussion / UltraEdit for Linux? Could it (finally) be?

« Last post by zridling on March 19, 2009, 10:36 AM »

The long-rumored UltraEdit for Linux (and Mac), officially named UEX, has only been vaporware to date. But the alpha has been announced and beta testers are being called for.

IDM is already signaling how serious it is about UltraEdit’s cross-platform debut by claiming that UEX will in some ways be better than its Windows version. As a lifetime registrant of two copies of UltraEdit for Windows, I can get an initial upgrade discount, and better, there will be a lifetime licensing option for the Linux version, or you can opt for an annual subscription model. The catch is that users must purchase a separate license for UEX. Although the screenshot shows Ubuntu, an .rpm file will be offered for RedHat/Fedora and openSUSE users.

What is not mentioned in the announcement but is “IN” the commercial release is substantial… Full Font control, spelling checker with Spell as you type, Web tools/toolbar, Word Wrap, and so on and on… This is not an ordinary initial offering since UEX takes all of it DNA from its Windows counterpart. As the application seasons, and we make our planned point releases through the year and beyond, UEX will come to be practically
identical in features of its Windows counterpart, and on some cases, exceed UltraEdit’s present capabilities.

Linux users' current built-in editors are modular, allowing for virtually any plugin, and if you really need more, then Vi and Emacs are for the true edit-fu masters. Just viewing readers’ comments suggest over and over what users want most is consistent licensing among platforms. But more important is that UEX could really be a leader for more Windows shareware to go cross-platform and still make a profit. For IDM’s founder, Ian Mead, the key is listening to customers. If he keeps doing that, his whole IDM franchise will see success as far as the eye can see.
_____________
If you’re interested in beta testing UEX, sign-up by emailing at [email protected]

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Living Room / Re: Scenes of the Recession from around the world

« Last post by zridling on March 19, 2009, 09:37 AM »

In times like these it's especially important to find ways of reaching out a helping hand to one's neighbours wherever and whenever possible. A little kindness here and there might afford someone the only bright spot in an otherwise miserable, demoralizing day.
-cranioscopical (March 19, 2009, 04:44 AM)

Great point, which leads me to remind everyone: Treat your "handyman" neighbors well -- the guy who can climb on a roof, fix a plumbing emergency, or do some carpentry -- since you might need their help repairing something over buying new or hiring someone expensive. If you live in a neighborhood full of lawyers, you now see how useless they are!

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Living Room / Scenes of the Recession from around the world

« Last post by zridling on March 18, 2009, 10:27 PM »

Some good photography on the effects of the recession. Where I live (in a small Ozark mountain town in Missouri, US), I get no more junk mail (woohoo!) and more than half the residents do their banking at check cashing/payday loan places, because they're unable to keep enough money for a checking account with a bank. Talked to the best real estate lady in town in a line at the post office yesterday and she said she had sold only one house in the past 14 months. Wow.
___________________________
How have things changed where you live?

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Living Room / Re: the (d)evolution of hardware

« Last post by zridling on March 17, 2009, 09:15 PM »

Great find, Target. I went a good ways toward building my own case for a computer once, but gave up too soon. The design was a flat box that had only fine mesh as a cover on one side for easy access and venting. Fans were external to the device and controlled separately.

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Living Room / Re: Free Hugs Campaign Video.. Wow.. A Must See..

« Last post by zridling on March 17, 2009, 09:07 PM »

Love the hugs video. I should try that. People talk to me for no reason when I'm in public. Strangest thing. I don't understand it, but it's nice.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Microsoft's Turn-off mode in IE8 not enough, says Opera.

« Last post by zridling on March 15, 2009, 02:06 AM »

You know, for years people have complained about Microsoft including IE with Windows, wanting them to stop.

But they fail to consider this:
If Microsoft didn't include a browser with their OS, then what would you use to visit a site and download your browser of choice? ... How do you visit a site and download Chrome, Firefox, K-Meleon, Opera, Safari, or any other browser if you don't have a browser to begin with?
-app103 (March 11, 2009, 01:16 PM)

FTP?

Imagine the heartache and trouble Microsoft could have saved itself if it had decoupled IE from Windows back in the 90s? When you click on something that requires a browser, Microsoft could simply offer a one-time choice to download it for you, let you install and go. Heck, they could even script it so that it runs the .exe itself just in case grandma doesn't know what to do next. But this "problem" isn't showing any signs of going away.

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