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1551

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for Project management timeline software

« Last post by Dormouse on January 03, 2009, 01:52 PM »

I've no idea about their future plans. There had been a previous suggestion that they create links with the iPhone - ie it should basically be ical subscription - but there was no response at the time. Same suggestion has been made again, and they say they are considering possibilities but no promises. I suspect that they are fairly early in the design cycle and haven't got round to the detailed features. I also suspect they are looking as something akin to a complete rewrite of the basic structure and so it will be hard to know now how much of what is there in current version will make it through to the end. This is just my own suspicion (no evidence).

1552

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for Project management timeline software

« Last post by Dormouse on January 02, 2009, 08:35 PM »

EssentialPIM Pro claims to be able to sync with Google Calendar (which is an ical/ics implementation). Maybe there would be a way of doing it through that? Not sure how easy it would be since Google only claim to sync with Apple/Sunbird ical implementations.And Pro isn't a cheap app if all you are wanting from it is the ability to subscribe to a year planner. I found the whole search for year planners really tedious, and I didn't even want ics subscription (though I did want ideally to be able to see longer periods than a year).

1553

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« Last post by Dormouse on January 02, 2009, 02:47 PM »

Does SqlNotes have this kind of calendar view?

Yearly planner

-kartal (January 02, 2009, 01:40 PM)

According to this answer, all is planned -

This is sort of off topic, but I've just made a wishlist for Calendar functionality HERE, and wondered whether IQ is likely to be able to do any of that. It seems to me to be the sort of databsase driven program that might.

-Dormouse (October 22, 2008, 08:51 AM)

I would say all is planned except:

I would like to be able to drag new items on to previous items and have the previous item automatically made into a folder with the same name and containing the new item(s)).

-Dormouse (October 22, 2008, 08:46 AM)

Instead of the item being made into a folder, the item would have sub-items (1 sub-item for each dragged item), in keeping with the IQ concept

-PPLandry (October 22, 2008, 08:56 AM)

 - but not yet present. I think

1554

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for Project management timeline software

« Last post by Dormouse on January 02, 2009, 02:40 PM »

All I need is a yearly planner calendar tool(So far I failed to find any app). I just realize that it would be overkill for me to buy Gemx just for that feature considering its price. I mean it looks like nice piece of app but really beyond more than what I need. Also it cannot subscribe to ics calendar whic is a big minus for me.

Btw I realy think that its is budgeting modul is unnecessarily complicated. I tried entering some spendings , but I got confused about how to handle all the interface. All I needed was to enter couple dollars and items to see how it works out and I gave up.

-kartal (January 02, 2009, 01:19 PM)

Purely as a year planner, I much prefer Calimanjaro.

I also think that the value of the GemX product is all about its having many functions, so if you only want it for one it would be overkill. Financially, $49 for two copies is quite a good deal even for just one component, if you really want that component (of course, this is only true if you have someone to share the cost with and it does assume there is a component you really want). I've been playing with it for a while and have only recently got into more heavy usage. I've not got into the spreadsheet/budgeting module yet; had thought I'd have no use for it and that its fixed column names were too restrictive, but have started to see how it might be useful to me. Many of the sections I haven't used at all (yet).

Of course, I do also have many other progs and, on an individual basis, usually prefer those - eg
RTF Note prog - TreeDBnotes etc
Spreadsheet - Excel etc
Budget prog - Quickbooks etc
Mindmap - Conceptdraw, Edraw, XMind, Freemind, Cayra etc
TaskList - TDL, List Pro etc
Year Planner - Calimanjaro, EssentialPIM
Calendar - ???, Calimanjaro, Outlook, Spicebird; can't really say I like any of these & GemX's may be the most useful here
Contacts - I don't use heavily, same comments as for Calendar really
Password Manager - Keepass, Roboform (though only use it a little for websites so far - it's not integrated with Iron or Opera which are my most used browsers)
Browser - Opera, Iron, FF etc
Email - The Bat!, Spicebird, Thunderbird, Courier, Outlook etc
Journal - I haven't really been using one, so quite happy to use this
File Explorer - Q-Dir, Dopus, Xplorer2, etc
Calculator - haven't usually had one open, so am using this more (though there is one on TLB)
So, all in all, the value to me of the prog is its multiplicity of functions in a relatively moderate overhead. And it is portable. Because of this it is getting used more than my preferred progs for most uses and I tend to use my preferred progs most now only for the high intensity work.

1555

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for Project management timeline software

« Last post by Dormouse on January 02, 2009, 06:05 AM »

CAlimanjaro is looking good except its yearly layout is vertical rather than horizontal

-kartal (January 01, 2009, 08:29 PM)

Yes, that took me aback when I first saw it too. Then I got used to it. And now it seems more intuitive than the other way. I do use a lot of different calendars in different contexts, and occasionally have to look twice because of the different orientation. One advantage of the vertical orientation is that it works better on widescreen monitors especially if you have 2 years open.

1556

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for Project management timeline software

« Last post by Dormouse on January 02, 2009, 05:11 AM »

Btw I tried csv import into Gemx and it fails. It does not import anything really.

-kartal (January 01, 2009, 08:47 PM)

Thanks. Have you reported this as a problem?
It's not something I have tested.

In practice, I try to avoid most importing and exporting with all programs as it often seems more problematic than it should be. I only really test it with programs with databases I will always need access to. And I shall probably keep all my heavier duty task management in TDL. I have tested import/export from that prog - and again it has not always worked as it should have done, though I'm sure Dan would help sort out any probs if it proved necessary. As a once off, I usually find that I can fiddle around and get it to mostly work.

Now that you have raised it, I might check import/export out here, just to get a practical idea of its limits.

1557

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for Project management timeline software

« Last post by Dormouse on January 01, 2009, 06:13 PM »

Calimanjaro will subscribe to a calendar & share on network or internet. Again, not a feature I have used (though I vaguely remember trying it out a long time ago). Nice range of options for how much can be displayed (up to 24 months), but nothing fancy in terms of task management etc. Not been in development for some years as far as I have seen.

1558

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for Project management timeline software

« Last post by Dormouse on January 01, 2009, 05:41 PM »

It does Outlook import/export, but can also import/export other file formats including csv and ics.

1559

Living Room / Re: Beware the Google Threat - Big Fat Ass Brother (BFAB)

« Last post by Dormouse on January 01, 2009, 10:55 AM »

Chrome is looking really good too (though I use Iron). And Picasa is close to the ideal solution for people who only want (or can only cope with) basic photo editing/preparation. And my whole family use Google Maps/Earth a lot.

And it is all free. And Google still makes a lot of money.

1560

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: The Journal - 51% Discount at Bits on 1/5/2009

« Last post by Dormouse on January 01, 2009, 10:47 AM »

So, I've had another look at The Journal.

Checking it out wasn't helped by its frequently going slow and freezing 5 times within 35 minutes of looking at it while I was also doing other things (no other running programs had any problems at all). Had to end process before restarting.

Seems to me to have far fewer options than TreeDBnotes (or Scribe, if it comes to that) though does have diary related features like timers, time passed markers, reminders etc. Wouldn't let me set up a new Journal without a password (presumably some incompatibility with my system since it presented it as an option). Export options did not seem particularly extensive to me; setting up new tabs etc quite convoluted. Not the most frequently updated prog either.

May well suit keyboard-preferring people if it has lots of keyboard shortcuts (though though didn't seem to be anywhere to edit them) - though it has fewer than TreeDB, but I prefer buttons and right-click options.

I realise you get to know more by using a prog more, but this didn't seem to offer enough gain to me to persevere with looking at it - even if it had been stable on my system.

Seems to me that, even at the discounted price, someone would need a definite need for its particular features to make it more worthwhile than a free alternative. But a lot of the effectiveness of these progs does come down to a good match between the prog and the individual's preferred ways of working and seeing things, so I can see that it might be the ideal prog for some people.

1561

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: The Journal - 51% Discount at Bits on 1/5/2009

« Last post by Dormouse on January 01, 2009, 08:04 AM »

My preference (so far) is TreeDBNotes where the free version has most of the features. I have tried all the above, but can't clearly remember why I didn't choose The Journal at the time; maybe I'll try it again. I also have Scribe as part of Do-Organiser which I'm now using quite a lot because of its integration with the other components.

1562

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: The Journal - 51% Discount at Bits on 1/5/2009

« Last post by Dormouse on January 01, 2009, 07:53 AM »

All a bit academic for me atm as I haven't had access to BdJ for a few days. I've assumed it was server problems/changes so it might be back soon.

1563

General Software Discussion / Re: SmartWhoIS GiveAwayOfTheDay License Key.

« Last post by Dormouse on December 30, 2008, 06:43 AM »

That may be true but as a matter of principle we do not condone handing out serial codes for commercial software - even if it was on GAOTD.

The reason developers put their stuff on GAOTD is to tempt users to buy their products - that is why they restrict installation to the day of the give-away and say upgrade options are not included. As you say some developers may be more lax in enforcing these rules but they put their products onto GAOTD to increase sales and get their product promoted to a wider audience - not so that people can avoid paying for the product by sharing keys in a forum.

-Carol Haynes (December 30, 2008, 04:11 AM)

I don't think I commented on giving out keys - just responding to your comments on GAOTD. I don't think that some developers are necessarily lax in not enforcing GAOTD rules; some (eg with Liquid Story Binder) clearly made a different decision about how they wanted to promote their product. Just as some to allow commercial use. The GAOTD rules give the maximum restrictions to the license so that the greatest number of developers feel comfortable in giving their software free on the site - but not all developers want all the restrictions. That's all I was saying, and it is worth people remembering all the possibilities when considering a download from the site - you often don't know whether the developer implements less restrictive conditions without trying it out.

Just to be clear though, I don't think any of them want it to become a permanent giveaway and passing on keys would always be wrong.

1564

General Software Discussion / Re: SmartWhoIS GiveAwayOfTheDay License Key.

« Last post by Dormouse on December 29, 2008, 08:43 PM »

One of the normal conditions on GiveAwayOfTheDay is that the program cannot be upgraded (or even reinstalled after the day the offer expires).

I am not sure it is true of all products on the website but the keys usually provided with software are usually registered to GAOTD (not the individual user) and so you would not be able to upgrade anyway.

-Carol Haynes (December 29, 2008, 07:55 PM)

There are the GAOTD conditions, but not all developers implement these. Some will give upgrades, some will give support, some are automatically registered, some have registration keys and some of the keys will work with any username and not just GAOTD. You only really find out by trying.

1565

General Software Discussion / Re: 'Time stamping' sound recorder

« Last post by Dormouse on December 29, 2008, 08:36 PM »

You have looked at the perfectnotes posts in the notes thread?

1566

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: GemX Crazy Summer Specials

« Last post by Dormouse on December 29, 2008, 11:35 AM »

Tne 'new' price has been $49.95 for some time.

And now there's the 2 for 1 sale (until Jan 10) which brings it down to $25 (if there are two of you wanting it). And the whole thing is portable and can be carried on a USB.

1567

General Software Discussion / Re: GemX - missing in action

« Last post by Dormouse on December 29, 2008, 11:31 AM »

And now an extra discount (at least until Jan 10th) - 2 for price of 1. So, if 2 of you want to buy, that's only $25 each. Not so long ago, that would have been $165.

Seems pretty cheap to me, even if they don't produce a new version.

And they are looking for suggestions etc for v4.

1568

General Software Discussion / Re: Editor for PDFs: recommendations, please?

« Last post by Dormouse on December 28, 2008, 05:11 PM »

See here

1569

General Software Discussion / Re: What is the currently best Desktop Search software?

« Last post by Dormouse on December 28, 2008, 06:11 AM »

I download and run a LOT of software applications and when anyone does that - especially with unproven software - there's a higher degree of risk than so-called "normal" users

-J-Mac (December 27, 2008, 02:44 PM)

I agree completely about the need for caution. I keep my private stuff in encrypted areas; I always have the option of restoring the system if I'm doubtful about software rather than deleting/uninstalling. I would note that successful malware doesn't draw attention to itself, but that doesn't mean you don't get not very successful malware wreaking havoc. I don't think there is that sort of product with this. Not had a problem with the system since. I was running Kaspersky all the time; I have run a F-Secure scan from the web (found a couple of ad trackers). Am doing a detailed Kaspersky scan now; about time anyway.

1570

General Software Discussion / Re: General brainstorming for Note-taking software

« Last post by Dormouse on December 28, 2008, 05:55 AM »

I'd also note that a 3 or 4 day beta is pitifully short. Look at the SQLnotes strategy where the betas last much longer and people can have some confidence they will be able to use the product longer term.

I'd have to say that if I was potentially a $9.95 a month payer, I wouldn't want to be getting mixed up in such short-term betas now. I'd think my time was worth much more and would wait to evaluate the final release. And if I wasn't a $9.95 a month payer, I wouldn't bother at all since it wouldn't be realistic to think I'd get any long term benefit from using the program or helping it develop.

1571

General Software Discussion / Re: General brainstorming for Note-taking software

« Last post by Dormouse on December 28, 2008, 05:51 AM »

The price will be $9.95 per month with automatic upgrades. A microphone and CD will be shipped to each customer when they subscribe.

-perfectnotes (December 28, 2008, 12:17 AM)

I can see it's a very difficult product to price. Worth a lot to a small number of people; worth something to a large number of others. I don't think the average customer will want anything posted to them, but corporates might, so might some colleges/schools. I think that $9.95 a month is a corporate/high-end price level which will keep sales low (not implying that's a bad thing, it is certainly one way of marketing the product and may be the best; allows you to issue a similar but cut-price more mass market product later, if someone else has not picked up the idea there; will require much more time and money being spent on schmoozing customers). If you look at Evernote pricing, you will see that they offer a lot for a little in comparison and are clearly going for a 'mass market'; not that they are a competitor, but people will look at other progs to work out whether yours is worth the money. And few individuals, without a very clear need, will be happy with the monthly pricing.

1572

General Software Discussion / Re: General brainstorming for Note-taking software

« Last post by Dormouse on December 28, 2008, 05:41 AM »

You can use the keyboard shortcuts to create markers quickly on the fly without having to use the mouse at all. If you click on Options and then My Timemark Hot Keys, you can configure the keyboard shortcuts to create markers in the timeline. There are many options including the Pause key, function keys, and others. You can optionally type in a short label in your marker.

-perfectnotes (December 28, 2008, 12:41 AM)

I had tried this but not got anywhere I thought worth getting. Does put in a marker, can type a new on-the-fly comment (not quite so sure how to get out of the comment, except by pressing Return), but could not set up a new timemark with its own hotkeys.

1573

General Software Discussion / Re: General brainstorming for Note-taking software

« Last post by Dormouse on December 28, 2008, 05:30 AM »

What do you mean by clickable checkboxes? I'm not familiar with those. Do you mean a checkbox on the timeline that you could mark off that you have listened to that marker?

-perfectnotes (December 28, 2008, 12:41 AM)

Clickable - so that you can click in it and have it ticked and unticked. Some progs have checkboxes that you can't click in.

No, not a checkbox on the timeline. I suspect that you are rather focussed on your original ideas about it all being about taking notes from lectures. If the program is going to be used at all, it will have to be usable for much more - and that much more will have to be general note-taking/writing functions.

One of the things I have in mind would be that from lectures (sometimes), meetings (often) some of the things noted will be actions that need to be completed. The tickbox can indicate those - and later whether they have been done or not.

1574

General Software Discussion / Re: General brainstorming for Note-taking software

« Last post by Dormouse on December 27, 2008, 11:52 PM »

Using mouse on timemark buttons means a lot of movement away from keyboard & writing.

-Dormouse (December 27, 2008, 11:41 PM)

Would work well on later editing with recording running though. But would then need to be able to do that edit on the timeline later.

Would also be good if snippets can be taken out of recording and put in notes.

1575

General Software Discussion / Re: General brainstorming for Note-taking software

« Last post by Dormouse on December 27, 2008, 11:41 PM »

This way, when you are in a class or a lecture and you wish you could stop the professor, rewind him, and hear it again, you can! It's instant replay for your life. If you're interested, check it out at http://www.perfectnotes.com.

-perfectnotes (December 27, 2008, 10:46 PM)

Interesting idea.
But would need to know price/likely price.
Basic functionality seems limited.
To be used as a real-time note-taker it needs to be built for speed. But there is no right click menu.
Using mouse on timemark buttons means a lot of movement away from keyboard & writing.
Need way to add and edit timemark buttons.
Probably needs the standard note-keeping outline pane as well as tabs.
Automatic back up is essential.

Despite my preference for mouse use, notebooks are easiest done just from keyboard most of the time, so everything in perfectnotes needs to be easily done through keyboard.

Portable is better.

Being able to insert clickable checkboxes would make it much more useful.

I look forward to seeing new versions.