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1351

General Software Discussion / Re: Win-Get: Anyone tried this?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on August 01, 2007, 10:30 AM »

Hmm it reminds me of Ubuntu's "apt-get install nameofprogram". And it basically checks it from the list of repositories at /etc/apt/sources.list (sad that I have these memories now isn't it).

-Laughing Man (August 01, 2007, 10:19 AM)

win-get is an automated install system and software repository for Microsoft Windows. The ideas for its creation come from apt-get and other related tools for the *nix platforms.

-SourceForge

Would be cool if you could add links for it to check. But that would require software companies and individuals to actually have a standard way of storing their newest files.

-Laughing Man (August 01, 2007, 10:19 AM)

You mean to the Repository? You can do that here.

1352

Official Announcements / Re: Site of the Month for August 2007: NirSoft.net

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on August 01, 2007, 10:01 AM »

Hear Hear!!

Actually, just noticed SysExporter... is that new?? Have not noticed it before and I'm a fairly regular visitor 

Sounds great though: a perfect companion to ScreenShotCaptor  to scrape the text from inside windows.



Update: Works Great!! Except ThunderBird wasn't captured 

1353

General Software Discussion / Re: User settings storage debate

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on August 01, 2007, 09:49 AM »

On the other hand, portability has become hugely popular. For most applications the need for portability really doesnt exist. I mean, most computers we use have certain applications that only make sense to run from your local PC. However, certain applications are nice to have and use on the go (browsers, word processors, web editors, etc).  But, this also leads to a security risk as any user can take and plugin their thumb drive and load any application thus bypassying the security setup by any systems administrator.

-Josh (August 01, 2007, 09:39 AM)

Thank goodness!! Otherwise, I'd be sunk at work (where IT have tied our computers up so tightly it's hard to scratch whilst working)

One idea I think should be done is that each application should give the user the option of making the application portable via an ini file which stores the settings for the application so it can be read from disk vice the registry. I've seen several apps allow users to select, on install or through the options dialog, what mode the application is to be installed (portable or fixed). This is one idea.

What are your thoughts security-wise, portability-wise, etc

-Josh (August 01, 2007, 09:39 AM)

Having the option is great. I know that ToDoList does it this way, which means USB Drive installations are simple (just extract).

If I was choosing between two similar programmes, being able to install onto a USB Drive would swing me one way or the other (even if I didn't want to install in initially onto a USB Drive), as if I wanted to use it at work it would have to be from the USB Drive.

1354

General Software Discussion / Re: Win-Get: Anyone tried this?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on August 01, 2007, 09:42 AM »

If you got that from the lifehacker article, in the comments are another few similar apps I will be looking at for mouser.

-justice (August 01, 2007, 09:31 AM)

No I didn't, but thanks for the link!

There is a lot of room for improvement here in the Windows world! Everyone seems to have a slightly different method of implementation (personally I like the PAD option); I've got to agree with you two though, that a great niche is to not re-invent the wheel but be able to use what's in existence.

1355

General Software Discussion / Re: Best search and replace software discussion

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on August 01, 2007, 09:28 AM »

I too have tried
InfoRapid Search & Replace http://www.inforapid...ml/searchreplace.htm
and
Agent Ransack http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/

And thought they both worked well enough...

But have unInstalled them a long time ago (probably through lack of use), now I use PSPad which definitely isn't the best, but it satisfies my needs (which I think are pretty simple): Though Alan's post turned me green 

1356

General Software Discussion / Re: Win-Get: Anyone tried this?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on August 01, 2007, 09:15 AM »

Is it possible that DCUpdater could use it's database?

extremely possible.

Justice has been investigating these kinds of programs, and he and i are going to work together to identify the best features of these tools.

-mouser (August 01, 2007, 08:46 AM)

Sounds great!

And my current plan is to try to make dcupdater (or a close relative of it) be able to read as many of these kinds of database formats as possible so it can be compatible.

-mouser (August 01, 2007, 08:46 AM)

Hmmm: that sounds pretty awesome. Sounds like a plug-in engine or configuration wizard to allow the user to hook into a new source?... I guess that the currency of the links is always going to be the issue. Browsing the Win-Get Repository it looks like some of the files are a little out of date. I guess that's where if the link points back to the actual author then it's one less thing for the software developer to worry about?

I always thought that a repository should endeavor to, or provide the tools, to help keep the links/versions current. A PAD file database, for example, would be doing a lot of link checking if it was going to regularly check tens-of-thousands of PAD files!!

1357

General Software Discussion / Win-Get: Anyone tried this?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on August 01, 2007, 08:27 AM »

Anybody had a look at Win-Get?



This seems to work on keeping a repository of links, and has quite a few in its database:


This is different to how our DC Updater works, also I think it's just a command-line at the moment??

Is it possible that DCUpdater could use it's database? Would mean that DCUpdater wouldn't need the xml file on the Author's site? I'm not sure if that's good, bad or indifferent?? I also don't know if nearly 200 apps is a carrot (for DCUpdater) or not?

1358

DcUpdater / Re: New feature idea, is it too late?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 12, 2007, 05:53 AM »

I'd have a seperate "browsing view / adding extra" for adding in applications via pad files, and not clutter the "update manager view" with it. At least not give the impression that DCUpdater just installed 63000 apps! 

-justice (July 12, 2007, 02:45 AM)

 

Yes I'd imagine that adding something like an unknown file it could be a wizard type thing and not in the main interface at all??

1359

DcUpdater / Re: New feature idea, is it too late?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 11, 2007, 11:22 PM »

tens of thousands of pad files.

-mouser (July 11, 2007, 10:39 PM)

Yes, what are you doing with PAD files?

ASP's database has 63K records (with a lot of rubbish in it, I downloaded it yesterday)
PADdb has 28K records
PAD Database has 49K records

1360

DcUpdater / Re: New feature idea, is it too late?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 11, 2007, 10:30 PM »

Yes, i'm trying to think the best way to do this.. keep the suggestions coming.

-mouser (July 11, 2007, 12:54 PM)

would it be possible to have different options available, similar to how emails can be displayed in different ways, sorts and groupings, could there be a menu "View by" with expandable groups:

• Update Status
• Program Title Index (A,B,C...)
• License Type
• Release Date (month?)
• Age (months? out of date)

1361

DcUpdater / Re: PAD databases and software subscriptions

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 11, 2007, 10:15 PM »

I was definitely considering making a version of this tool that would include ability to browse a large pad database locally, or search online pad db sites, and then keep track of + install programs for the first time, or install updates easily.

-mouser (June 29, 2007, 02:02 PM)

Have you had any more thoughts on this? I've been experimenting doing a WebService on a Pad Database.

1362

General Software Discussion / Re: roboform2go or sticky password?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 10, 2007, 01:55 AM »

I use a combo of roboform and keypass. I enjoy having an encrypted backup I can take with me

-Josh (March 05, 2007, 06:37 AM)

do you have to fill in all the passwords in each individually or can you export them?

-tomos (July 09, 2007, 05:31 AM)

I've used both as well: I'm just in the [slow] process of converting over from KeePass to RoboForm (after being a very happy [until things stopped working] user of PINs).

To get an entry from KeePass to RoboForm all you have to do is login using KeePass (as normal) and RoboForm will pop up and ask if you want to save a new LogIn... easy.

Going the other way would be more problematic as the only export is to print, but you could use that as a source file somehow (even if it's just copy and past)

I'm starting to look at Roboform...
Anyone out there with the portable version?

-tomos (July 09, 2007, 05:31 AM)

I have not paid for it (I think I'm limited to 10 passwords??), but it works the same as RoboForm standard, except for a startup differences.

I believe you can get Roboform to generate passwords -
if you don't happen to have it with you, you're screwed,
but I suppose that's the same with any passwords unless they in your head 

-tomos (July 09, 2007, 05:31 AM)

That's true, and I guess why they have the portable version and the desktop version.

I'd like to get this but maybe I'll go have another look at KeyPass at that price

-tomos (July 09, 2007, 05:31 AM)

You can't go past the KeePass price. I'm using RoboForm because of a TrialPay offer.

Perry

1363

DcUpdater / Re: LATEST VERSION INFO THREAD - DcUpdater - 1.12.05 - JUN 30, 2007

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 09, 2007, 10:45 PM »

Hey Mouser! What a great idea (Sorry, I've only just discovered this thread... something about the title didn't click with me  ). I'll have to wait to get home to give it a go as it gets Port errors here at work.

I've been thinking about this generally for a little while, and posted here about a simple response I put together. The auto-update feature that I used there was based on knowing where the PAD file was.

Then I wondered about extending that idea somewhat and providing a DataBase and WebService which would retrieve information about an Application from its PAD file based on some known thing (like Application Name & Author), which would then relieve the user from knowing where the PAD file was. Also, making the link between the user and the developer non-direct means that it can be updated when necessary.

That's the update checking, then there's the actual updating. If it's easy to find out what the latest version is and where it is, then downloading it can be done using many different techniques. I was going to do just a simple script first, but dcUpdater sort of does it all!?!

I'm wondering how you deal with just PAD files?

Checking the help file, am I right in saying that the <Version> & <VersionFileRemote> tags need to be manually written?

1364

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox Extensions: Your favorite or most useful

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 08, 2007, 07:40 PM »

I've recently installed the iGoogle Sidebar at work, and am finding it to be very useful!

It compresses and displays your iGoogle page in a sidebar: much easier to display, click, hide again.

1365

General Software Discussion / Re: Anybody use FileHippo Update Checker?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 08, 2007, 12:45 AM »

Regarding SpywareTerminator, it's probably because they are using different servers for updating the application and for new downloads, and they didn't add the necessary files for the update. But this is only a guess.

-Lashiec (July 07, 2007, 01:53 PM)

A good guess too! It's what I'd expect.

1366

General Software Discussion / Anybody use FileHippo Update Checker?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 07, 2007, 05:53 AM »

I previously went and had a look after reading this post, but hadn't really had a chance to check it properly. Until now, and the first programme I check is really weird!

The programme in question is Spyware Terminator.

First: FileHippo reported that my version was way out of date (especially for a programme that is meant to auto-update):


Secondly: I went and checked the programme:


Finally: I thought that was odd, so I checked their website:


Isn't that amazing? No one can agree on what the latest version is: even the developer!

1367

General Software Discussion / Re: RSS Reader?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 06, 2007, 06:23 AM »

I've just seen a recommendation for Bloglines, which is an online system.  Has anyone tried it?

-rjbull (July 03, 2007, 04:52 AM)

Hey, it looks like a nice mix of features, I'm keen to hear some feed back as well.

At work I've been using Daily Rotation for my lunchtime reading, which I've found to be simple and effective.

1368

Living Room / Re: New 7 Wonders of the World

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 06, 2007, 06:07 AM »

since the new wonders will be announced on the 7th, so i think midnight of 6th is the closing time.. have you tried voting?

-lanux128 (July 06, 2007, 12:51 AM)

That's what I thought; well, I didn't know about midnight, but something like that.

I did vote: couldn't go past our Opera house without a vote! 

I'm not sure it's the real thing though: it looks more like an email harvesting venture to get people to sign up to holiday type newsletters.

1369

Living Room / Re: New 7 Wonders of the World

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 06, 2007, 12:43 AM »

less than a couple of hours left..

-lanux128 (July 05, 2007, 09:49 PM)

When I logged on it was 5 hours to go 

Actually, checking your post time and mine and looking at the site again, I think it's minus 2 (yours) and minus 5 (mine) hours to go; which presumably means that it's past time???

1370

General Software Discussion / Re: You Should Pay Me to Read This Post (It's worth it...)

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 05, 2007, 09:56 AM »

With clearer mind I realised that I was supposed to be a new eBay customer not an existing one.

-JeffK (May 08, 2007, 11:52 PM)

Funny, I did the exact same thing, and really caught myself trying to get something for "free" 

I re-examined the agreement though, and it doesn't actually say "new user", it says "new account", but I'm sure that what they really mean is new user. So I gave myself a stern talking to and bought flowers 

1371

Living Room / Re: New iPod ad says it all ...

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 02, 2007, 10:15 AM »

Wait a minute...you can now get an iPod AND an iBox? Together? Sweeeet! 

-app103 (July 02, 2007, 10:07 AM)

Did everyone see the iRack video?

1372

Living Room / Re: New iPod ad says it all ...

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 02, 2007, 10:09 AM »

$6 extra for orders under $90 (mind you: I couldn't find any iPod for less than $90): that's a lot or origami.

I thought the flash animation was cute though: would that do for your wall if it was in a digital frame?

1373

General Software Discussion / Re: RSS Reader?

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 02, 2007, 09:41 AM »

Before I reInstalled Windows I was using Great News which did everything I needed to my liking, and I'll probably reInstall it when I get around to it...

1374

General Software Discussion / Re: ZoneLabs makes the worst garbage ever!

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 02, 2007, 04:40 AM »

got to investigate further to see if it really is ZA, but that's my assumption at the moment...

-Perry Mowbray (July 01, 2007, 10:21 PM)

It was ZA! Turn Anti-Virus off and I can switch users immediately, turn Anti-Virus on and it takes five minutes to switch users!

1375

General Software Discussion / Re: ZoneLabs makes the worst garbage ever!

« Last post by Perry Mowbray on July 01, 2007, 10:21 PM »

I'm reconsidering my use of ZA at the moment... I recently upgraded to the Internet Suite but it really has slowed my system down significantly where the free product didn't.

• Getting to the log-on screen can take minutes after coming back from StandBy.
• Sometimes my system will just hang, it's like it's doing something but the CPU activity is zip, then it'll come back for a millisecond then go off with the fairies again 

got to investigate further to see if it really is ZA, but that's my assumption at the moment...