Recent Posts

1501

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' 

1502

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.

1503

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

1504

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.

1505

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

1506

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.

1507

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.

1508

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)

1509

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.

1510

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.

1511

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.

1512

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).

1513

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.

1514

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.

1515

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).

1516

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: GemX Crazy Summer Specials

« Last post by Dormouse on March 20, 2009, 08:45 AM »

Coming on BitsduJour - Do-Organizer price down to $25. Be interesting to see what they say about v4 upgrade price (or whether the upgrade will be included).

PS I noticed a few days ago that the forum website seemed to have been invaded by a malware planting prog. Haven't been back since to see if they have cleared it yet.

1517

General Software Discussion / Re: The Bat: Great program, terrible documentation and support

« Last post by Dormouse on March 14, 2009, 03:24 AM »

For a lot of programs, I'd very much want a good forum, or some other reliable source of info and support. For TheBat!, I've never bothered except to check the forums occasionally after a new version is launched to see if it has stabilised yet and might be worth trying. I would think they get masses of critical comments at those times, so maybe there are a lot of posters who aren't banned but can't post anymore.

I suspect the post that gave offence was the MicroEd one. Doesn't matter to me one way or the other either, but I think someone there is very proud of it. At least they haven't deleted your posts, but it is never a good thing when developers limit negative comments on their forums beyond the point of removing insults, trolls, spammers etc.

As with Superboyac, it doesn't put me off using TheBat!, though it might if there were a program I found as good and had a much more supportive forum. TheBat's longevity would count for something even then though, so it might be 10 years before I switched. 

1518

General Software Discussion / Re: The Bat: Great program, terrible documentation and support

« Last post by Dormouse on March 13, 2009, 01:30 PM »

I don't think I've ever tried to open the help file

1519

General Software Discussion / Re: Making my life difficult - Windows 98 - advice needed

« Last post by Dormouse on March 07, 2009, 06:37 AM »

If there's any chance she'll get much spam, she'll probably be better off with gmail than outlook express+isp. Can always set outlook express/gmail up to automatically download emails if that is wanted. As long as she knows to check gmail spam box if stuff appears to go missing.

1520

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Surfulater 50% discount @ www.bitsdujour.com on Mar 4

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

There may be feelings of outrage at price increases, but it's up to each one of us to decide what a product is worth, and I don't really understand the strength of ill feeling. Let the market do its job and assess the price/value ratio.

Remarks about price really have no bearing on the performance of Surfulater, which I feel is very good.

-cranioscopical (March 04, 2009, 10:05 PM)

But this whole thread is about price - the 50% discount.

1521

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Surfulater 50% discount @ www.bitsdujour.com on Mar 4

« Last post by Dormouse on March 04, 2009, 06:30 PM »

But if I already have Evernote (2 & 3), OneNote and Ultra Recall, what extra would I gain from Surfulater?
And it does seem expensive.

1522

General Software Discussion / Re: New duplicate file finder... I am open to features suggestion

« Last post by Dormouse on March 01, 2009, 10:04 AM »

sure is beautiful looking.

-mouser (March 01, 2009, 06:26 AM)

Have to agree with that.

1523

General Software Discussion / Re: New duplicate file finder... I am open to features suggestion

« Last post by Dormouse on March 01, 2009, 10:04 AM »

I've tried dupe finders and do have a need for them - especially when trying to deal with a variety of recoveries from crashed disks. But I feel a need to be cautious about deletion, which means that I use them more sparingly than I really should. So my main requirement on top of those above would be for the option to move to a 'de-duped' folder with an ability to undo the move for each individual file (or episode of de-duping). And then the option to totally delete after a user-decided time period (I'd probably use 6 months) when it had become clear whether there was a reason not to have deleted that version of the file.

1524

Living Room / Re: Should I switch from Dreamhost?

« Last post by Dormouse on February 22, 2009, 03:45 PM »

If you are happy, why switch? Even if it is to a better or cheaper host it will require extra effort from you to move, require you to research new hosts and then give some anxiety that you might have made a mistake until everything gets going - and all to move from something that you are happy with.

I haven't used DreamHost but I have been using www.nativespace.co.uk for the last few months and they are fantastic.

-Carol Haynes (February 22, 2009, 12:14 PM)

But nativespace are more expensive for much more limited space and transfer etc.; and this may or may not be relevant. I have tested Dreamhost in the past, and they were OK; I think there are much better options (depending on your precise requirements) - but if you don't know that there are things you need to be better, it has to be worth staying where you are.

1525

General Software Discussion / Re: Spicebird - an open source e-mail collaboration application for Linux or Windows

« Last post by Dormouse on February 19, 2009, 05:08 AM »

I've used Spicebird for a long time now. It's not my primary email prog (that's The Bat!), but it has been very solid. Development and communication has seemed somewhat uncertain at times, but the prog has always worked as it should with me (they are fixing some bugs) and a new version (0.7.1) is coming out very soon. Certainly prefer it to TB.