Recent Posts

1501

Circle Dock / Major impact on Graphics Speed.

« Last post by Dormouse on April 23, 2009, 07:28 PM »

I was testing the ViewingDale (RPG mapping/VTT) application and found that I could not run it despite having a system that should have had no problems (Radeon/Dual Core/plenty of RAM). ViewingDale uses OpenGL and the graphics card.

On using the ViewingDale Test application, I found that I was running at 4 frames a second rather than the hundreds it should have been at.
Updated drivers etc, and then started looking at individual processes using the ViewingDale Test App to see what differences were made when I suspended or unloaded various processes.
Exiting CircleDock moved me up to approx 300 frames a second.

I do have a lot of icons on the dock (c100 give or take), but certainly wasn't expecting it to be having this effect. Haven't noticed any effect on other progs, but there must be some. May be to do with .net (I have the most recent version), or the Radeon or drivers, or something else in the background. I'm reluctant to go without CD most of the time, but I'll certainly be looking out for any possible impact on graphics.

1502

General Software Discussion / Re: What's the dfference between using portable installaions vs PortableApps?

« Last post by Dormouse on April 22, 2009, 11:54 AM »

It would be preconfigured to show applications found just like portable apps launcher does.

-mouser (April 21, 2009, 03:44 PM)

I've not seen PortableApps launcher do this. For me, it only finds the Portable Apps progs, not all the portable progs on the stick. Finding all the apps would be good.

Of course, it isn't really a problem to get these progs added to the launcher.

1503

Living Room / Re: Is your online life in your will? (Backups, passwords, etc.)

« Last post by Dormouse on April 21, 2009, 01:38 PM »

What's wrong with letting someone you trust know what your password is and where your backup data is stored? In such a case, isn't this the same as having valuables in a lock box?

-DDRAMbo (April 21, 2009, 01:40 AM)

It means that your security becomes no better than their security (actually worse since there is then the combined risk of their system or your system being accessed by someone else).
Also means that you are giving them access NOW, which may not be what you want.

1504

Living Room / Re: Is your online life in your will? (Backups, passwords, etc.)

« Last post by Dormouse on April 11, 2009, 04:44 AM »

I've been vaguely worrying of this problem for some time. Mostly about important stuff about how to do things, access important data, say what accounts/policies etc exist; very big stuff isn't a problem because other people already have the ability to access the accounts etc. All stuff I'd only want accessible through my secret not-written-down master password. I don't want to trust any company or site that might fly by night when I wasn't watching. I can't asume that my computer will be turned on. I can't assume that there will be anyone technically adept, though there might be. I haven't come up with a better solution than paper or an unencrypted initial set of instructions kept somewhere secure in a bank or equivalent. That would allow me to distribute encrypted files amongst family which would contain instructions about accessing everything - on the net or elsewhere.

A two layer protection.
No family member (or 'friend' of theirs who accessed the file) would be able to do anything with it because it is encrypted.
No member of bank staff would be able to access anything without physical access to the paper; even with access to the paper they couldn't access anything without access to the encrypted files that the family have.

I haven't actually set this up yet, but it is the only system I've thought of that I'd be prepared to trust. atm, I'm trusting my longevity and paper chaos that no-one else is likely to find their way through. I've not wanted to write anything clearly for fear a thief would break in and access it (and everything). It's all very much like a will.

1505

Living Room / Re: Can you live with *just* opera?

« Last post by Dormouse on April 10, 2009, 11:26 AM »

Opera has been my default browser for a very long time. From before FF. But something has happened recently that has really put me off using it. For some reason my mouse starts jumping when it is over the page tabs, which makes navigating between them very difficult. True for Opera 10 and 9.5+. Doesn't happen in any other browser. I've turned mouse gestures off and still the same (didn't really expect it to change anything). Haven't done a big search to try and find out what is doing it - nothing shows process wise that would appear to interrupt it; easier to use Iron and FF. But after a while with them, I always want to go back to Opera only to get frustrated again.

1506

Living Room / Re: Should I switch from xp to vista?

« Last post by Dormouse on April 09, 2009, 02:44 AM »

64 bit is probably where the future is going. Though Microsoft has never been good at predicting the future - not even its own behaviour in the future. But, if you want well supported now, then 32 bit is the only place to be.

I have both types of OSs. All the machines can run 64 bit. But apart from looking out of curiousity, I only run 32 bit Windows. Linux 64 bit. Only running 32 bit Windows 7. Although the future may be going in that direction, the performance advantage is not noticeable in real life and the driver/compatibility issues that come up from time to time make it not worth the effort. No such problems at all with 32 bit.

That said, it is really, really good for other people to be running ahead of the game.

1507

Living Room / Re: Should I switch from xp to vista?

« Last post by Dormouse on April 08, 2009, 07:06 PM »

if you want 'supported by the world', it has to be XP 32bit.

1508

General Software Discussion / Re: Name The Best UNZIPPER!

« Last post by Dormouse on April 08, 2009, 04:21 PM »

http://www.win-rar.c...m/unpluggedinfo.html

1509

General Software Discussion / Re: COMPLIMENT: Liquid Story Binder XE - Black Obelisk Software

« Last post by Dormouse on April 08, 2009, 04:15 PM »

Hi, everyone. Why not try the 3rd choice? I strongly recommend our product Typing Assistant. You will not be disappointed about it.
http://www.sumitsoft.com

-maohbao (April 08, 2009, 11:49 AM)

And how on earth is Typing Assistant an alternative to LSB (which I agree is an excellent and well supported product)?

1510

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: MouseLocater - automatic highlight cursor when mouse is moved again

« Last post by Dormouse on April 07, 2009, 12:41 PM »

Of course, you can use CircleDock to do this too. Again, it is a hotkey solution - but I set an otherwise redundant mouse button to exercise the hotkey and it then brings up the CircleDock. Very effective for operating CircleDock. To just locate the mouse though, it would take 2 clicks (one to bring it up and one to send it away)..

1511

Official Announcements / Re: MARCH 2009: It's the 4th Anniversary DonationCoder.com Fundraiser

« Last post by Dormouse on March 31, 2009, 05:47 PM »

Have been watching with interest and admiration.

But I have to say that I'd hate to be a runner in the Mouser 'Mile' 

1512

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

« Last post by Dormouse on March 28, 2009, 03:54 PM »

It's always asked me if I want to make it the default; well offered me a checkbox anyway.

1513

General Software Discussion / Re: GemX - missing in action

« Last post by Dormouse on March 28, 2009, 03:52 PM »

Well, the moderator is the same, but the tech support doesn't appear to be the same...who knows?

-SKesselman (March 28, 2009, 03:15 PM)

In the BdJ comments, the developer called himself Jon

1514

General Software Discussion / Re: GemX - missing in action

« Last post by Dormouse on March 28, 2009, 05:00 AM »

Do you think that the people involved with GemX now are the same as before?

Not having been involved before the original forums closed, I have no emotional reaction to the loss although I massively regret the loss of the community and info that was there. ATM it is a fairly standard vendor forum (many of which are very sensitive to criticism) but with little activity of any sort. I don't really see that changing unless they start launching a new version (presumably has to be v4 at this stage, though there have been 2 minor versions of 3 since their relaunch). I see DO as an 'as is' product, and on that basis I'm happy with it. v4 would have to have clear advantages for me to upgrade.

1515

General Software Discussion / Re: GemX - missing in action

« Last post by Dormouse on March 27, 2009, 02:05 PM »

I use DO regularly and like it - though there's quite a lot of things I'd prefer it did differently (but then there are so many things that it does). It is convenient having so many functions in one prog.

Forum tends to get responses, but isn't very active. v4 screenshots are put up from time to time and it is supposed to be in development. It doesn't work with 64 bit OSs (I think) but v4 would. Don't know about support since I have never tried using it.

My idea that they are wringing as much money as they can out of v3 seems to be accurate enough judging from the various price cuts and offers that have come along. I certainly think it is a snip at $25 for anyone who has a use for it. Presumably v4 will cost more, and presumably there will be an upgrade cost - though they do seems to have moved to a much cheaper standard pricing model than they had in the old days

1516

The Getting Organized Experiment of 2006 / Re: i'd like to buy some discipline please.

« Last post by Dormouse on March 26, 2009, 03:01 PM »

Of course, discipline can be bought. 
Though I don't know of any research showing that it improved the purchaser's productivity or organisation.

1517

General Software Discussion / Re: Best password manager?

« Last post by Dormouse on March 26, 2009, 06:13 AM »

I'm still on 1.1.

I never have used it that much though. Always intend to and never do. Still have a lot of stuff in Keynote.

1518

General Software Discussion / Re: TreeSheets - an interesting and innovative note taker (freeware)

« Last post by Dormouse on March 25, 2009, 07:50 AM »

Also seems to have similarities in concept to InfoQube (SQLnotes)

1519

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

« Last post by Dormouse on March 25, 2009, 07:38 AM »

On the very active Aspire forum, I'd say 90+ percent of the problem reports are coming from people who are using some variation of Linux.

Not saying there's a connection ...

-mrainey (March 24, 2009, 03:53 PM)

It might be that their implementation of Linux isn't what it ought to be - the reports I've seen of Linux installations on netbooks makes them sound a bit idiosyncratic, and that's the last thing you want with Linux where you're much better off being with a bigger crowd if your not technically adept.

OTOH, 90%+ users will probably be coming from Windows - and Linux doesn't work the same.

1520

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

« Last post by Dormouse on March 24, 2009, 11:22 AM »

My absolute beginners prefer Linux.

My non-technophiles who have used Windows (XP or earlier) don't like Vista, but don't particularly like Linux either. A bit of an unlearning curve for them either way.

Easier to manage security aspects on Linux because the number of threats is so much lower (beginners/tenchophobes generally aren't the best at updating AVs etc and get fed up with the intrusions).

I'd say go with what you know unless you are interested in learning what you don't. Otherwise I'd go for Linux except for those who will have exposure to Windows progs elsewhere that they might like to use but can't. Powerpoint is better than the OO equiv, but my user who doesn't like that does not want to give up lots of Linux progs and does not want to switch to Windows, though would be happy(ish) with dual boot option. I'm the one who would least like to give up Windows completely because I have so many little apps that I don't want to give up; beginners don't really care as long as the computer will do what they want.

1521

General Software Discussion / Re: Best password manager?

« Last post by Dormouse on March 23, 2009, 07:55 PM »

Will LastPass and RoboForm conflict with each other?  I don't need LastPass on Firefox, since I'm quite happy with RoboForm.  In an earlier message, justice seemed to suggest that LastPass would add all the information supplied by RoboForm when I logged into sites, which is why I let the plug-in be installed.  But what happens after that?  And will the information LastPass picks up on Firefox transfer automatically to Opera? 

-cyberdiva (March 23, 2009, 07:45 PM)

Nice questions. I look forward to the answers. 

Thanks for the instructions on Opera installation  It will be interesting to hear how well you feel it works in your Opera & FF setup.
I'm still waiting myself to see if anyone has more critical comments and it looks as if you have already saved me a bit of frustration.

1522

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

« Last post by Dormouse on March 23, 2009, 12:55 PM »

You need to stop thinking that this is about a website. It is about a service provided through a website. So it depends on what the service is, how popular it gets etc. And since entry costs for most such services are very low, you can expect a lot of competition fairly soon after starting if it is seen to be popular: so it is important to do it better than all the rest. Myspace et al reached the level of market 'dominance' by having the image and perception and the market share - and that made entry costs very high for potential competitors; not that Facebook was held back by that.

I don't think the current state of the economy is a major factor. If a site becomes fashionable it can do that just as easily in a recession. People may be less keen to rush out to invest in it but it would be a good few years before something built up enough head of steam to attract really big bucks.

The real problem (possibly) is the seedcorn money. If the idea is for something initially more expensive to provide than any advertising income that can be raised (eg Youtube server farms etc) then the amounts of money looking for website homes are much smaller than they were. Money will certainly be needed to fund staffing etc if the business starts to grow fast, but there will always be investors interested in fast growing businesses. Though they may want a higher % stake than in the boom. And these investors will not be interested in buying the business, just funding expansion for a hefty share.

It is also an area where change is rapid so things have constantly to be driven forward to avoid going stale and income dropping like a stone (though usually this happens after being bought out rather than before).

1523

General Software Discussion / Re: Best password manager?

« Last post by Dormouse on March 23, 2009, 06:21 AM »

I have Roboform and Keepass and a variety of vaults, but Lastpass seems really interesting to me as an Opera/Chrome in preference to FF/ie user.

As far as I can see, everything is locally encrypted; all data can be accessed in absence of Lastpass and security procedures look pretty good. I don't know that I'd use it for my TrueCrypt volumes or bank account access, but I do need a system that I actually use more frequently for general stuff.

I look forward to reading more informed comments and criticisms from the experts here.

1524

General Software Discussion / Re: On developer's block, and calling it quits. Being a programmer is hard

« Last post by Dormouse on March 20, 2009, 09:00 PM »

Well, it is very hard to make a substantial (reasonable) income out of producing a consumer application as a single coder. Most people do it on top of other work, or get a lot done when they are otherwise un (or under) employed.

That said, all jobs have their boring, nitpicking, detailed, repetitive side. The real trick is to have a job where you actually enjoy (most of) these parts as well as the 'interesting' stuff.

1525

General Software Discussion / Re: GemX - missing in action

« Last post by Dormouse on March 20, 2009, 08:51 AM »

And again at $25 on BitsDuJour (March 27th).