Recent Posts

1701

General Software Discussion / Re: Another 'Lifetime' license bites the dust

« Last post by Josh on January 02, 2009, 12:28 AM »

Extended Offer
Based on tremendous customer response SlySoft management has decided to extend both the current 20% promotion and lifetime free updates until Sunday, January 11 2009 to give everybody a chance to sneak a peak at 2009 prices and subscription fees for better comparison

It looks like slysoft has extended the lifetime license offer. I am hoping this isn't just a common thing they are going to do, I.E. continuously extending the lifetime offer indefinitely, but we shall see.

1702

Living Room / Re: Thumb trackball wanted

« Last post by Josh on January 02, 2009, 12:27 AM »

I don't know if you're still in the market, but I just acquired a Cordless Trackman Optical and I swear by it. I also acquired the logitech wave keyboard which is a beautiful work of art. After using the Microsoft Trackball Explorer Optical for the last 6 years, I have to say that the Logitech trackman is a well designed and worthy product to switch to from the MS Line of trackballs.

Very highly recommended and I am now a logitech zealot, for lack of a better term, although I won't attack you if you use Microsoft ;-)

1703

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Josh on January 01, 2009, 11:32 AM »

It now appears that collectorz has come out and said that their products will report back the serial number on each search as a way of product protection and anti-piracy. See here

1704

Living Room / Re: HAPPY NEW YEARS DC!!!

« Last post by Josh on December 31, 2008, 11:19 PM »

Well, I wasn't going to go on afghanistan time where new years was 9.8 hours ago

1705

Living Room / Re: HAPPY NEW YEARS DC!!!

« Last post by Josh on December 31, 2008, 11:17 PM »

You are so 11 minutes ago!

HAPPY NEW YEARS DC!!!
« on: Today at 12:11:48 AM »

Just kidding. Happy new years!

1706

Living Room / Re: Microsoft's Pay-Per-Use PC: ...Worst? Idea? Ever?

« Last post by Josh on December 30, 2008, 11:05 PM »

As app said, how is this different from a net cafe or the AT&T PowerZones which are used across the world for the US Military students going through their technical training? I don't see it as a bad idea because, regardless of what you or I think, people will pay and use it. This isn't a new idea either, Microsoft introduced the idea several years ago, although I cannot find the article, and discussed this very process. It is logical, and people will pay. Why should Microsoft NOT do it? Because the power users don't agree with it? This isn't a service targetted at a power user. It's a service targetted at a user who doesn't have a day-to-day need for a normal PC Terminal.

1707

Living Room / Re: 2008 Cybernet Awards Are Out.. DonationCoder.com Wins Most Useful Forum!!

« Last post by Josh on December 30, 2008, 08:25 AM »

Good job #donationcoder, i mean donationcoder.com! This is indeed a very big feat.

*wipes away a tear like the american idol girl*

1708

Living Room / Re: Photography Questions

« Last post by Josh on December 27, 2008, 10:31 PM »

OK, Here is another question for you photo-nuts out there.

What is a good MACRO lens? My wife loves taking UP CLOSE pictures of various aspects of nature, hence why I asked nudone to construct a site for her, and as such a MACRO lens is just about a necessity. Her current 18-200 lens (Canon EF-S) can do some macro shots, but I have a feeling a dedicated lens would be best suited for the job.

Thoughts? Quandries? Concerns?

1709

General Software Discussion / Re: How do I stop selling myself v1agra?

« Last post by Josh on December 26, 2008, 12:31 AM »

If not, you can fine yourself 10000$ US for violation of said act. Just contact the FCC

1710

Living Room / Re: Merry Xmas

« Last post by Josh on December 25, 2008, 08:17 AM »

Merry Christmas to all from the depths of afghanistan!

1711

Living Room / Re: Merry Xmas

« Last post by Josh on December 25, 2008, 06:30 AM »

In continuation of what mouser said:

...but we roasted him for Christmas Dinner and he will be ready, with stuffing, in about 2 hours.

1712

Living Room / Re: Photography Questions

« Last post by Josh on December 24, 2008, 11:11 AM »

Which is better quality? Tamron or sigma?

1713

Living Room / Re: Photography Questions

« Last post by Josh on December 23, 2008, 11:38 PM »

OK Folks, here is what we went with. After discussing with many people the different capabilities of each camera body, we decided to stop focusing so much on the body as we did the lens being included in the kit or purchased apart from the body. We finally settled on the Canon 50D, 15.1 MP, with the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens. This lens seems to receive great reviews and is regarded as a good all-around lens which can be used as a "Leave on" lens. DPReviews.com and PDNGearGuide.com both regarded this lens highly as did several other sites. One site complained of barrel creep if the lens was to be used in macro mode and wasn't zoomed out to 200mm already, but we shall see if that is really an issue.

For the money, it made sense to go with a camera that came with this lens as part of it's STOCK kit rather than purchasing the body and camera separately (as we were considering with the 40d).

We also settled on a sunpak tripod. Although it is not as light, due to not being carbon-fiber, it does support what is required for the class.

I thank you all for your input and I hope this thread can continue to thrive to serve as a good once-over for people considering similar inputs. All of you have been very helpful and I thank you for your assistance. This is why I love donationcoder.com and the people who dwell/lurk within.

Thanks again!

1714

Older DC Contests and Challenges / MOVED: over a $1000 to be won!!

« Last post by Josh on December 22, 2008, 06:08 AM »

This topic has been moved to Announce Your Software/Service/Product.

https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=16297.0

1715

Living Room / Re: Photography Questions

« Last post by Josh on December 22, 2008, 06:08 AM »

That is correct, only has to cover the 18-55 range. Right now, I am being pushed in the Sony direction but from what I read, the quality at higher exposure levels (ISO Levels) tends to be a bit noisy when compared to the somewhat more expensive canon. We were looking at the Sony A200 and the Canon 40d.

1716

Living Room / Re: HELP! Failed System Restore

« Last post by Josh on December 21, 2008, 12:06 PM »

heidiroo! I have to say, your option helped me but not in the way intended. I had my wife run the system recovery disc that an in-law burned for her, as such, it ran startup repair procedures and also attempted a system restore of it's own. As such, the system is working partially, although not completely as I still cannot access various ports on my PC (FTP, Remote Desktop, VNC, etc) despite them being allowed through the firewall. Any ideas there? The windows firewall being disabled doesn't resolve the issue. This is something that is placating my very existence!

1717

Living Room / Re: What's the best way to sell old electronics?

« Last post by Josh on December 21, 2008, 12:15 AM »

I can use it as part of my "Mouser destruction and erradication device".

1718

Living Room / Photography Questions

« Last post by Josh on December 20, 2008, 12:31 AM »

OK Community, you haven't failed me yet, let's see if the record can be upheld. My wife is about to start school for a BFA (Followed by a masters of fine arts) in photography. As such, the initial set of classes is where she will be making a major purchase of her equipment which will be used throughout the course. The pre-reqs call for the following:

• Adobe Photoshop CS2/CS3 (I am actually buying CS4 since I can get the student copy of CS4 Extended Edition for 199)
• DSLR Camera with interchangeable lenses. The lens it comes with MUST have a focal length of 18-55mm. I was looking at the Canon EOS 40d which seems to have all she needs and will be a decent system for her use throughout the course (Or until they require us buy more lenses, etc)
• Light Meter (No specification on type, just a light meter). I am going with the Sekonic L-308S
• Colorimeter - Corrects and adjusts coloring on your system monitor. The school recommends Spyder 2 Express
• Tripod - We have decided on the Velbon DF-40 which has the support for 10lbs of weight. The school calls for one which supports at least 11lbs, but we cannot find one which is anywhere near what I would consider a resonable price.

Now, that said, I would like your input on the camera system, tripod and light meters. The camera, from what I can tell, appears to be a good choice to last at least half way through, if not all the way, her college class set for the next 4-5 years. Are there better options, if so what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Why do you recommend them? Ditto for the light meter and tripod. The colorimeter is the one the school recommends on their site so we are going with that one.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

1719

General Software Discussion / Re: Another 'Lifetime' license bites the dust

« Last post by Josh on December 20, 2008, 12:17 AM »

Not that this topic hasn't taken an already off-course tangent, but, MRU's interface reminds me of IE Gone Bad

1720

Living Room / HELP! Failed System Restore

« Last post by Josh on December 19, 2008, 02:29 PM »

OK Folks, it's 1AM and I am out of ideas. My wife attempted to do a system restore on Windows vista due to a network issue we were having. After starting the process, the system now boots to the welcome screen and then restarts itself. Sometimes we can enter a password, sometimes not, but even in safe mode or VGA mode, it still restarts. I am out of ideas and call upon the mercies of the DC Community for help.

Thoughts? Comments? Concerns? Quandries?

1721

General Software Discussion / Re: Microsoft Update. Worth it?

« Last post by Josh on December 18, 2008, 10:01 PM »

What issues are you referring to? What do you mean fixed? I have been using it for several years without any issues. It has worked every time and I seem to get every patch I need.

1722

Living Room / Re: Please read "my" prospectus

« Last post by Josh on December 17, 2008, 09:50 PM »

Darwin, as said in my prospectus, I am just using you for "doin it"

1723

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Josh on December 17, 2008, 12:55 PM »

As I said, I respect fully that they want to stand up a sole database that they control. Heck, it has proven to work for DVD Profiler by Invelos, but if they are going to do it, wait 2 versions for it to mature to a point where the every day user can find the primary movies they want. I have since come to understand more about Alwin's motives through PM with him, and respect his desired move, however, I think that forcing it in v6 was the wrong move. v7 would have been a great idea. 2 full versions worth of notice and user submissions, and we would have a great product. We shall see how this turns out

1724

General Software Discussion / Re: Is it finally time to abandon IE?

« Last post by Josh on December 17, 2008, 12:36 PM »

Pretty quick patch if you ask me

1725

Living Room / Please read "my" prospectus

« Last post by Josh on December 17, 2008, 12:31 PM »

OK Folks, we have all heard about it, some have even contemplated getting involved in it, but very few actually attempt it due to the awkawrdness that some of these relationships can bring. I am talking of course about "Friends with benefits". I implore you, read my prospectus and see if the idea doesn't make sense to you as well.