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1351

General Software Discussion / Re: Which MP3 tagger do you use?

« Last post by Innuendo on November 19, 2009, 10:36 PM »

What is the situation today - with AudioShell not been updated since July 2007 (XP > Vista > Seven) ?

-Curt (November 19, 2009, 06:07 PM)

Basic functionality is in the Windows 7 Explorer. If you want fancy features (even fancier than AudioShell) there's always the payware dbpoweramp.

1352

General Software Discussion / Re: Which MP3 tagger do you use?

« Last post by Innuendo on November 19, 2009, 10:30 PM »

This is good to know! I used MusicMatch for a number of years.

-Darwin (November 19, 2009, 06:04 PM)

Then if you tagged any of your music with MusicMatch they got all sorts of weird things in there. You'd be surprised what you'd find.

1353

General Software Discussion / Re: Which MP3 tagger do you use?

« Last post by Innuendo on November 19, 2009, 10:29 PM »

i agree with you.  That's I always say "for basic purposes" for these tagging programs.  Most users do not encounter situations like you described.

-superboyac (November 19, 2009, 06:06 PM)

I disagree. Most people have been collecting digital music for years and they haven't used one program throughout the entire process. Heck, different programs can't decide which tag to use for the artist when it comes to MP3s.

  For basic tagging with normal fields, it's very quick and easy in Tag&Rename, and because that's 90% what I do, it's my favorite program for it.  now, sometimes i do need something fancier, and I do use other programs for that.

This is what I like about mp3tag. You can set it up to be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. You don't have to switch gears and learn a different program.

(I still don't know what to do about classical music).

You don't use the MP3 format. You use Ogg Vorbis or FLAC which has a much more versatile tagging format & then use a media player that can understand how you tag.

But a few years ago, i railed against programs like Godfather, which turned something as simple as managing mp3 tags into a phd class in programming...just completely unintuitive and nonproductive.

The Godfather was the most powerful & most counter-intuitive program of its day. Throw in a retro Windows 95 style GUI and you had something that was frustratingly powerful; emphasis on the word frustratingly.

1354

Living Room / Re: Tip if router won't connect properly to cable modem: Clone the MAC address

« Last post by Innuendo on November 19, 2009, 10:22 PM »

Fortunately, my ISP is forward-thinking enough that they don't lock service to the MAC of any of my equipment. As a matter of fact, they are forward-thinking enough to realize that most people have more than one device they want to use to connect to the internet so they give all their customers a wireless router if they want one.

1355

General Software Discussion / Re: Which MP3 tagger do you use?

« Last post by Innuendo on November 19, 2009, 05:48 PM »

At first glance, IMHO, when comparing Tag&Rename to mp3tag the easy answer is Tag&Rename, but mp3tag has a deceptively simple interface. Lurking under the surface is a scripting language that is compatible with Foobar2000's Tagz scripting language. Users are free to write their own scripts for many things including tagging from web sources that don't come stock with the program. Actions may also be scripted that can perform any number of operations on your files with the scripting language being powerful enough that your imagination is the only limiting factor. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, either, as their forum is full of actions and scripts you can add to your installation easily.

What cinched me as a user is unlike most tagging programs, Tag&Rename included, you are not boxed into a pre-determined set of tags that the program author feels should be all you will need. You can use mp3tag to create, edit, and delete any tag. I'm talking any tag written by any tagging program ever & you are free to even create your own tags. Even if you have no interest in creating your own tags maybe you have some music files that were tagged by some other program you were using 5-10 years ago.

Who knows what weird tags are lurking in your files that your old program utilized that your new one doesn't? Well, mp3tag knows and gives you the ability to look at the raw list of tags & add, edit, or delete any your new tagging scheme & tagging program don't use. For a specific example, this is especially useful for those who used MusicMatch back at the height of its popularity. MusicMatch used a LOT of custom tags that no other tagging program uses. Loading up these files in mp3tag will allow you to nuke those relics from the past with impunity.

1356

General Software Discussion / Re: Has anyone discovered any cool Windows 7 third-party utilities?

« Last post by Innuendo on November 19, 2009, 09:25 AM »

Wow, just quickly looking over the features, this is a pretty darn cool program.  It offers TONS of features collected in a reasonably user-friendly way.  Kind of like a GUI for the registry, if that makes sense!

-superboyac (November 19, 2009, 12:02 AM)

And X-Setup has been around a very long time. It's a very respectable program & these guys know what they are doing.

1357

General Software Discussion / Re: Which MP3 tagger do you use?

« Last post by Innuendo on November 19, 2009, 09:14 AM »

I actually tried MP3 Tag Pro a month or two ago & I didn't think it was all that impressive from what I recall. There are much better solutions available.

1358

Living Room / Re: Hidden Netflix Marathon Gems to Watch Online

« Last post by Innuendo on November 18, 2009, 09:34 PM »

I'd say relying on your monitor's own controls or an 3rd party app like Powerstrip or one of the countless graphics card tweaker programs would probably be your best bet.

1359

General Software Discussion / Re: How do you launch stuff?

« Last post by Innuendo on November 18, 2009, 02:27 PM »

True Launch Bar ... yay, payware. But thanks.

-Tuxman (November 18, 2009, 09:33 AM)

I don't think it's been updated yet for Windows 7 compatibility, but the same guy has a free version called Free Launch Bar that even with the missing features will still do what you are wanting.

1360

General Software Discussion / Re: [rant] Seriously? Software pricing is officially nuts

« Last post by Innuendo on November 18, 2009, 02:24 PM »

Lots of good points in this thread, but I feel obligated to point out that ACDSee Pro referenced in the OP is ACD System's direct competitor to Adobe's Lightroom & aimed at professional photographers. ACD Systems has a product aimed at 'the rest of us' (ACDSee) that's considerably cheaper. I'm not going to comment on usability or bugs of these programs as this is not what this thread is about, but the pricing for ACDSee Pro is in line with its competitors geared towards a user base who use these programs to make their living.

On the subject of lifetime licenses I have been very blessed. I have bought AnyDVD and later upgraded to HD (I agree with Josh on his sentiments about HD being a violation of the spirit of the license), Newsbin Pro, Ad Muncher, Alcohol 120%, PowerArchiver and ReGet Deluxe. I have also recently won a lifetime license to Total Commander here on DC. My only disappointment regarding any of these programs is that ReGet's development seems to have stalled, but they have gone long periods without releasing versions before.

The Newsbin & Total Commander authors are staunch supporters of the lifetime license philosophy. I believe they would have to experience something very serious to change their opinions. Both products have been around for years and years and years. Sure, something may change in regards to the licensing of any of these programs, but over the years I've gotten more than my money's worth out of any of them so my grapes wouldn't be too sour.

Lifetime licenses or not, pricing is a tricky thing. In my mind, I am going to be more likely to pay more for a program that I use every day as opposed to one I may use 3 times a year. I am also more apt to purchase a program that will enhance my ability to earn money.

For all others, I'm proud to be a member of Donation Coder where Mouser regularly corners software authors in dark alleyways and shakes them down to get us the awesome discounts on software that makes a lot of those software prices seem more palatable.

1361

General Software Discussion / Re: Linux/Unix multimedia codecs

« Last post by Innuendo on November 18, 2009, 09:34 AM »

Really? I think in ubuntu you add some lines to your source list, and the codecs download themselves automatically when you try to play a file....

-urlwolf (November 18, 2009, 09:04 AM)

When you see me talking about Linux it's generally from a perspective of back in the days when Linux users were complaining they had no way to play DVDs on their PCs.

I still come into contact with Linux once in a while, but not nearly as much. Hmm....weird...Linux is now easier to use, but now I know fewer people who run it. Just a statistical anomaly I'm sure.

1362

General Software Discussion / Re: How do you launch stuff?

« Last post by Innuendo on November 18, 2009, 09:31 AM »

Thunderbird and Firefox are launched via the Quickstart bar (another reason why 7 sucks, it doesn't even have one),

-Tuxman (November 18, 2009, 09:20 AM)

Doesn't pinning items to the taskbar replicate the Quick Launch bar? If that doesn't do it for you, however, True Launch Bar will give you a Quick Launch bar on steroids.

1363

General Software Discussion / Re: Putting All My (Legally Obtained) Music Online

« Last post by Innuendo on November 18, 2009, 09:27 AM »

I know that you can use Windows Media Player to automatically organize and add missing data/tags to your collection, I just prefer doing it myself, seems more logical to me.

-y0himba (November 18, 2009, 07:43 AM)

Windows Media Player is the devil's work! No, wait...

When working with MP3s, Windows Media Player doesn't understand ID3 v2.4 tags.
When working with FLACs, Windows Media Player doesn't understand FLAC.

Oh, and one last thing, the OCD freak in me goes all Incredible Hulk when it sees Windows Media Player 'pooping' little albumart.jpg files all over my hard drives.

1364

General Software Discussion / Re: Linux/Unix multimedia codecs

« Last post by Innuendo on November 17, 2009, 09:56 PM »

It's always been a harrowing journey in the past to get one's multimedia files to work on Linux without hiccups. It's nice that there's an avenue for people to take in order to have paid support to help make the trip easier.

1365

General Software Discussion / Re: Putting All My (Legally Obtained) Music Online

« Last post by Innuendo on November 17, 2009, 07:50 PM »

I purchased none.  I created sub-folders under My Music, Albums, Soundtracks, Singles.  Then lettered folders under each of those A, B, C....then a sub folder with Artist-Album (Yeah Yeah Yeahs-Show Your Bones) and the tracks are in the folders.  I use MP3Tag to tag and get album art, then name each song Artist-Album-Track #-Title.mp3

"D:\Documents\Music\Albums\Y\Yeah Yeah Yeahs-Show Your Bones\Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones - 01 - Gold Lion.mp3"

-y0himba (November 17, 2009, 05:01 PM)

I'm still working out my system of how I am going to do things. I'm getting really close to the point where I'm working on minutiae of the system's finer points so I can avoid doing the actual work.

1366

General Software Discussion / Re: Linux/Unix multimedia codecs

« Last post by Innuendo on November 17, 2009, 07:48 PM »

I understand the Linux world is totally different when it comes to codecs compared to the Windows platform, but it just makes me feel weird to hear people talk about buying a codec pack.

1367

Living Room / Re: Choosing a new PC package for a relative.. Post your recommendations

« Last post by Innuendo on November 17, 2009, 07:46 PM »

It's like back in the day where Radio Shack would always ask for a zip code...as Kramer would say, "Why does Radio Shack ask for a zip code when you buy batteries?"

-superboyac (November 17, 2009, 06:45 PM)

Reminds me of the play on their old slogan "You've got questions. We've got batteries." 

1368

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: AntispamSniper For The Bat!

« Last post by Innuendo on November 17, 2009, 07:35 PM »

Ouch! That's pretty much all of Europe, except for the UK, Ireland and Portugal. That "and" condition had better be good

-tranglos (November 17, 2009, 05:13 PM)

Well, I'm sure the "and" condition is "And sender does not equal 'tranglos'" 

1369

Living Room / Re: Choosing a new PC package for a relative.. Post your recommendations

« Last post by Innuendo on November 17, 2009, 12:15 PM »

I know in the OP a Dell just didn't fit Mouser's needs, but my usual recommendation is people check out Dell first, especially if they are relatives who live some distance away from me who I can't just hop in the car to make a service call. The fact that Dell includes a real, honest to goodness OS install disc with their PCs that are devoid of any crapware makes it an attractive feature for the newbie when I tell them over the phone, "You borked things good...where's your discs that came with your PC?"

1370

General Software Discussion / Re: Worst Win7 reviews (ongoing)

« Last post by Innuendo on November 17, 2009, 12:12 PM »

I think I get where he's coming from tho. The average Joe User really just wants to fire the thing up and either connect to stuff like cameras, printers, & the internet or open application X and look at item Y. ...Kinda just like they do with a radio or TV. For those folk it just comes down to a connector thingy and a channel guide (Application? Website? Hell I don't know it just said SportsCenter on it...).

-Stoic Joker (November 16, 2009, 06:31 PM)

I think they make a Barbie laptop for people like that. 

1371

General Software Discussion / Re: Putting All My (Legally Obtained) Music Online

« Last post by Innuendo on November 17, 2009, 12:08 PM »

Having said that though, my music wasn't well organized before I pushed it to lala and lala didn't improve things any. I purchased software months ago to organize my music once and for all, but despite several good starts I haven't found the time to organize it all.

-tinjaw (November 17, 2009, 08:05 AM)

At the risk of sending this thread off on an unrecoverable tangent what software did you purchase to organize your music?

1372

Living Room / Re: Anyone have an xbox they don't want any more?

« Last post by Innuendo on November 15, 2009, 08:53 PM »

[nobbc]sweet deal != free
i have no money to spare right now

-Krishean (November 15, 2009, 05:08 PM)

I didn't know no cash outlay was a requirement. I'll keep my eyes open, but most people in my circle don't want to relinquish theirs.

edit: you can actually run linux on a xbox 360 as well, but with a 54% failure rate i doubt i'd get a year out of it, much less three, and with such a short operational lifespan i don't think the amount of work required to get it running would be justified

You can also run Linux on older PS3s. The new slim models don't have the option to...so far.

1373

Living Room / Re: Anyone have an xbox they don't want any more?

« Last post by Innuendo on November 15, 2009, 10:33 AM »

i think i read somewhere that the original xbox had all kinds of crazy hacks available including the ability to run O.S. on it,

-gexecuter (November 13, 2009, 09:19 PM)

Oh, let me tell you. Hacked Xboxes are wondrous things. I've got one in my living room right now & I'd never get rid of it. You can run all sorts of things on it & even turn it into a media center for movies & music streamed from your network or the internet.

And to help the OP, I'd never get rid of mine, but sometimes you can get a sweet deal on eBay.

1374

Living Room / Re: a gmail system that works for me.

« Last post by Innuendo on November 15, 2009, 10:29 AM »

I don't think any email is safe from being read by others.
Especially free email services, as well as other services.
If it's on the net it's in the open to be hacked as well.

-cmpm (November 13, 2009, 10:56 PM)

I agree with you, cmpm. I think my main problem with Gmail isn't the service in & of itself, but the fact that with Gmail, iGoogle, and all the other services that require you to log in to use them people just stay logged in all the time & then without thinking they go and do their web searching with Google, too. Once you do that all that anonymous data they *used* to have regarding your searching & surfing habits all of a sudden has a specific name and identity attached to it.

I know Google preaches the philosophy of do no evil & I think that's great, but when all of their EULAs and usage agreements boil down to the meaning of, "Hey, buddy...remember us? We do no evil. Trust us." it's not comforting to me.

Personally, I never log into Google, use a Google anonymizer, and disallow Google Analytics. They may not like me doing that, but that's okay...I'm not doing any evil. 

1375

Living Room / Re: Dual monitor setup advice needed

« Last post by Innuendo on November 15, 2009, 10:18 AM »

I have no idea what  DirectX is, but rest assured  that I would certainly not Tesselate  !

-ljbirns (November 13, 2009, 06:10 PM)

Tesselate?

Why, I'm doing it right now.