Recent Posts

1401

Living Room / Re: Going Into Frugality Mode -- What are your Tricks and Tips

« Last post by Darwin on January 31, 2009, 04:54 PM »

I like to buy a decent a car and then keep it for as long as I reasonably can... I'm not keen on change.
At least now is a great time to buy.  Some dealers have inventory stacked to the rafters,  with existing contracts for more.

-cranioscopical (January 31, 2009, 02:33 PM)

Yeah... it's sad actually. We have a friend who's just immigrated from Korea and we've been out car shopping. EVERY dealership is a ghost town and the sales people VERY eager to please... I found it quite embarrassing, actually (eg. one sales person at Honda said:"Any offer will be appreciated" and then went on mumbling indistinctly, but the overall message was one of desperation. In fairness, I got the impression that he was new, but still...).

1402

General Software Discussion / Re: MOGware's FileHamster (Complaint)

« Last post by Darwin on January 31, 2009, 04:48 PM »

That's odd, Deozaan... Are you running the registered version? I've not seen this behaviour (and have been busy working with Filehamster protected files all month).

1403

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: Fundraiser discussion.. again.. need help with ideas

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 07:17 PM »

Just to add my voice to 40hz' advice to mouser:

1. Ask. Don't be bashful or timid about asking for donations.

-40hz (January 30, 2009, 12:43 PM)

Very true!

1404

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PerfectDisk 10 @ -20%

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 02:36 PM »

Thanks Jim. To update my own situation - I received a download link and key 18 minutes ago 

1405

N.A.N.Y. 2009 / Re: NANY 2009 Press

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 01:47 PM »

Pc World covers JCST

-justice (January 30, 2009, 11:28 AM)

Congratulations, Justice 

1406

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows editors - do they have to be so bad?

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 01:44 PM »

Surprised that this hasn't been mentioned, unless I missed something, but I absolutely love EmEditor.

It supports several types of automatic backups, stored bookmarks in files, a nice tabbed interface, etc.

Not sure exactly what you're looking for with filters, however. EmEditor supports all types of data (text, binary, hex, etc) and includes RegEx find/replace support. If you go with the pro version (totally worth it) you also get many great plugins included.

-broken85 (January 30, 2009, 11:41 AM)

Given emeditor's popularity on DC - it's absence from this thread until your posting IS odd!

Just my two-bits: I use both EditPad Pro and Ultra-Edit and love them both. EditPad Pro has a better UI than Ultra-Edit though, in my opinion...

Another option might be Boxer, which I've only run as trial once and briefly at that. The trial was brief because I had one of those rare lucid moments wherein I thought "Hang on, I already have licences for more text editors than I need! Why tempt myself with possibly buying another one?"!

http://www.boxersoftware.com/

David, the developer, has been active on the boards in the past and has offered discounts to DC members in the past as well.

EDIT: Learn to READ, Darwin, ya bum!

1407

Living Room / Re: Cleaning Inside the Case

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 01:31 PM »

Be very careful when using compressed air inside a computer case - and never on a running machine. Compressed air tends to be pretty cold, and can cause water condensation, possibly resulting in fried PSUs.

If you do use compressed air, the trick is of course to combine it with a regular vacuum cleaner (which is just fine for in-case use in my experience), so you don't just blow the dust around

-f0dder (January 30, 2009, 09:06 AM)

i want to double what f0dder says -- i destroyed up a power supply by blowing compressed air into it.
i say: never never EVER use compressed air inside a computer case.

-mouser (January 30, 2009, 09:08 AM)

Yikes! Good tip about using in conjuction with a vacuumn cleaner - I'll do that, and be a lot more careful from now on.

I like Chris' suggestion about making your own vacuumn clearner adatper - I'll be trying that as well. If nothing else, it'll save me money on compressed air AND provide hours of amusement for my kids  

1408

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

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 01:27 PM »

I hear you, Edvard. I need another flavour of Windows like I need a hole in the head, but the hype does have me curious and I like to stay abreast of the latest versions of Windows because all my friends and family (barring parents who are on OS X Tiger) run everything from Win 98 to Vista. I'm the default go-to guy for all computer related problems, so it doesn't hurt to know what's going on...

That, and I just plain love doing this crap! Why, I don't know... it certainly doesn't pay the bills - just creates 'em!

1409

Post New Requests Here / Re: Idea: System Tray Icons for Background Processes

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 01:22 PM »

Interesting idea. This is somewhat analogous to USBSafelyRemove, which displays hidden usb devices in a separate list. I thought it was a silly idea when I first tried it, but now I find it quite handy. I can see, for example, things like my usb printer and scanner, which don't normally appear in Windows default Safely Remove sys tray icon... Point being if I can find a use for this sort of feature in a safely remove hardware feature, I'm sure it will be useful in an app that displays hidden services, device drivers, etc.  in a system tray icon.

I like it.

1410

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: Fundraiser discussion.. again.. need help with ideas

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 01:08 PM »

8. Lastly, whatever you do, see if you can find a way to give Curt that third gold box he wants so badly?

-40hz (January 30, 2009, 12:43 PM)

+1 to this idea 

Maybe you should start a new thread/petition?

1411

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

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 12:14 PM »

If we all pay 1 credit each you can easily buy a dvd recorder and be done with it what you think?

-justice (January 30, 2009, 12:13 PM)

I'm in...

1412

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: Fundraiser discussion.. again.. need help with ideas

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 11:55 AM »

Oh! Had another - how about a special DC badge under the post count ("I dontated in the 2009 DC Fundraiser")?

1413

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: Fundraiser discussion.. again.. need help with ideas

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 11:53 AM »

Let's see... you already give donators lifetime licenses and access to both discounts and giveaways... How about highlighting other already available benefits of membership? I'm only dimly aware of them myself - but there are (I think) webpage hosting, e-mail addresses that I can think of... Then there is the IRC channel. I don't use it myself, but it is a hugely popular feature.

Bottom line: I'd try to avoid anything that's going to put a strain on the coffers (ie mugs). How about one of those electro-static car window "thingies" that Univerities and Colleges hand out/sell ("Donationcoder.com for software connoisseurs")?

Would it be hard to make a version of each of the DC apps that can be user-personalized ("Darwins FARR" in the titlebar, for example)? I'm reaching...

Bring back user blog hosting (or at least make it more prominent). I miss the blogs from the beginning... Thus, a donator can set up his or her own blog at DC?

1414

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Xara Xtreme 2 - $19 until 4th February 2009

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 11:27 AM »

I love Xara Xtreme as well  I had the same "issues" with the immediate post Magix takeover cash grab that Carol refers to above, but like Carol it is water under the bridge now. I hadn't used it in ages but last week was requred to generate a map for a project and was amazed, as always, with how quick and intuitvie it is 

1415

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PerfectDisk 10 @ -20%

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 11:25 AM »

Jim and tinjaw - any luck with getting a PD 10 license? My e-mails have been met with a deafening silence...

1416

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: Fundraiser discussion.. again.. need help with ideas

« Last post by Darwin on January 30, 2009, 11:22 AM »

what if during the fundraiser month we said that if people chose not to donate we would still give them a lifetime non-expiring license key?

Is that defeating the purpose? It's kind of like an anti-incentive to donate so maybe it doesn't make any sense..

-mouser (January 30, 2009, 11:00 AM)

Yes! It is a disincentive to donating...

Would it be difficult to set up one year non-expiring licenses (instead of the six months usually given) on DC apps? You're still showing good faith that way and encouraging people to try the apps and the boards longer so that they *might* then be moved to donate a year from now... Probably not actually as a good percentage of people who do not donate under the current model will never donate, no matter what you do.

Alternatively, you could give away free lifetime licenses for a 24 hour period during the drive. How about holding it in March and doing the giveaway on the fourth anniversary of DC going live (March 13th, isn't it?).

Just some random and convoluted thoughts 

1417

Living Room / Re: Going Into Frugality Mode -- What are your Tricks and Tips

« Last post by Darwin on January 29, 2009, 08:46 AM »

Let me get this clear.  Are you proposing, as an economy measure, to trade in Mrs. Darwin in order to free up more funds for software?

-cranioscopical (January 28, 2009, 09:46 PM)

Am I that transparent?

1418

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PerfectDisk 10 @ -20%

« Last post by Darwin on January 29, 2009, 08:45 AM »

I received discount offers (by the trash can full) but I did receive maintenance upgrades for the two versions I own - they came in the form of an email including a new license number. It was only a few days ago so maybe they are working though them.

Out of curiosity how do you renew the maintenance agreement - I only seem to have it having bought an upgrade last year?

-Carol Haynes (January 29, 2009, 04:40 AM)

Hi Carol - I rooted around  looking for an upgrade link/serial/download link while logged into my Raxco account yesterda and noted that on the page showing my latest purchase of a maintenance agreement is a link that offers to extend it. They also send out an email ahead of your agreement's expiry date with a link to purchase an extension, last time with a 20% discount so two years cost me about $7 and change...

1419

Living Room / Re: Going Into Frugality Mode -- What are your Tricks and Tips

« Last post by Darwin on January 28, 2009, 09:32 PM »

Er,... [Darwin clears throat nervously] what about discretionary purchases such as... software! This is the only area in which my spending continues to be just this side of obscene. I bring this up here because I imagine I am not alone on DC in having this compulsion.

I bet I spend over $1000 a year on upgrades and new shareware. Please don't tell Mrs. Darwin or I'll have to change my username to Eunuch 

1420

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PerfectDisk 10 @ -20%

« Last post by Darwin on January 28, 2009, 09:27 PM »

Heh, heh - I upgraded a 5400 rpm drive to a 320GB 7200rpm unit in my laptop a couple of weeks ago - awesome! Have fun, tinjaw 

PS I've gone through the same process re: PD upgrade - despite my maintenance agreement I have not received anything from Raxco other than a notification of the 20% off offer. Odd as when PD 2009 came out as a maintenance agreement holder they sent me a link to it a week or two in advance of its release. I've contacted support for a serial number but haven't had a reply, yet.

1421

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Acronis True Image 11 Home for US$ 9.99

« Last post by Darwin on January 28, 2009, 05:09 PM »

If you’re in NA, the rates are:

$16 for a year of TrueImage Echo upgrade protection (August 2008).

I passed on purchasing another year of maintenance on Universal Restore because I’ve yet to use the version that I have! However, I did have a maintenance agreement on it for a couple of years and paid $6.50 that last time I renewed. Prices are in US dollars, BTW.

1422

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PerfectDisk 10 @ -20%

« Last post by Darwin on January 28, 2009, 04:47 PM »

@Carol - thanks for the summary of v.10 - I’ve just put in my request for the upgrade (have a current maintenance agreement with Raxco). Not sure I should bother installing it, though, as I run PD on an XP box...

@Ken - I run DK Pro Premier on my Vista machine and it is seamless and I forget that it’s there. Invisible. However, I can’t properly offer up a comparison of the two products because I’ve not tried running PerfectDisk on that machine. Perhaps when I receive my PD 10 license I’ll install it there and compare them... Everything works just fine as is now, so not sure I want to tempt fate!

1423

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Acronis True Image 11 Home for US$ 9.99

« Last post by Darwin on January 28, 2009, 04:43 PM »

My suggestion is to by TI Echo Workstation (and purchase 'maintenance' with it).

It is a bit more expensive (though they will give you an upgrade price from the home version if you ask).

The maintenance is very cheap and can be renewed every year so you always keep up to date.

The advantage of WS version is that it is thoroughly tested and solid - unlike the Home versions which were always buggy (esp. in new releases).

-Carol Haynes (January 28, 2009, 11:28 AM)

+1 to this suggestion. My experience also (right down to upgrading from the Home version  ) 

Echo Workstation is very solid - I’ve not had one complaint using it in the past three years.

1424

Older Newsletters / Re: --> Newsletter for January 28th, 2009 - Codename "New Years Revolutions"

« Last post by Darwin on January 28, 2009, 04:40 PM »

Great newsletter, mouser  I didn’t help out on this one, so read it start to finish as everyone else normally does - great overview of the past month 

1425

Living Room / Re: Evernote Icon - what the heck is it? Anyone actually like version 3 ?

« Last post by Darwin on January 27, 2009, 08:00 AM »

I also have OneNote 2007 installed... but don't use it... ever! Should take a look. Also to note, UltraRecall will be 62% off (applies to both editions) at BitsduJour on Wednesday, 28 January. Will look at that as well.

Given that I have three "seats" for OneNote, I should really be looking there first, though...