Recent Posts

1776

General Software Discussion / Re: Nero Vision replacement

« Last post by Dormouse on May 31, 2008, 05:17 AM »

Go to http://giveawayoftheday.com. Nearly every other day the offering is a video conversion/authoring program (though not today) - to the extent that many comments are complaints about 'Oh not again ....). Within the comments there is usually an experienced review giving some advantages/disadvantages of the package being offered and alternatives. There are always mentions of free alternatives. And you can always go through previous offerings if you just want to read the comments.

1777

Living Room / Re: flash-card programs to learn a new (human) language. What's the best?

« Last post by Dormouse on May 29, 2008, 04:54 PM »

Depending on your needs, I think supermemo has some advantages over fullrecall. It will be worth trying both.

Also worth looking at free alternatives such as Anki, Mnemosyne and Teach2000.

1778

Living Room / Re: Shipping outside USA not an option - workaround?

« Last post by Dormouse on May 29, 2008, 02:29 AM »

The Singapore solution is interesting and reasonably priced. People buy goods themselves, have them shipped within the US to the US address, and all their goods are then aggregated into a single package for shipment to Singapore. In many ways the purpose is the savings made by aggregation rather than getting around limits companies place on shipment overseas. I'm rather surprised that a similar service has not been set up for other countries, especially the UK where a lot of people buy direct from the US - Singapore is quite small though it does have a population of very keen and price aware shoppers.

I also tend to feel that Adobe's policies in this area are so exploitative that they deserve all they get from consumers trying to avoid the exploitation.

1779

Living Room / Re: Digital Camera Help

« Last post by Dormouse on May 25, 2008, 04:09 AM »

iph: What does the Macro do for me?

-Josh (May 24, 2008, 11:55 PM)

Sorry for not being iph.

Macro lenses are designed purely for closeups and have no zoom (though some zooms do have a macro mode). Usually 1:1 magnification, though can be greater. Depth of field (how much of the subject is in focus) and lighting can be an issue. Compact cameras generally have a good depth of field. The really big issue with closeup photography is keeping the camera steady - most people who do a lot of ebay photos have a stand/tripod set up fairly permanently & light reflectors etc to get optimum lighting. Not so easy to arrange if you are after moving subjects like insects.

1780

Living Room / Re: Digital Camera Help

« Last post by Dormouse on May 25, 2008, 03:53 AM »

what exactly is SLR, I know the net definition, but in reality what is it?

-Josh (May 24, 2008, 11:55 PM)

As you will know, it is meant to be a camera with a mechanism that allows the photog to see the image through the lens and thereby see exactly the photo that will be taken. Not quite so true any more as manufacturers look to find ways of getting the image to the LCD and the viewfinder.

In practice, SLRs tend to be very configurable and have a wide availability of lenses. Most keen SLR photogs will have spent far more on their lenses than their cameras and it is their lens collection that is their greatest incentive to keep them with one brand. All digital SLRs have very easy to use automatic modes and many users just use these, and many users only have one lens (unfortunately, quality-wise, this is usually the kit lens that came with the camera) so the distinction between SLRs and other cameras is not that clear.

SLRs tend to be bigger than most cameras (and can never really be described as compact) and to be at the upper end of the quality range within a brand. They are almost much more flexible in the ways they can be used with very good quality output - some non-compacts produce very good quality output, but only in good light conditions or particular circumstances.

SLRs also tend to be fast.

1781

Find And Run Robot / Re: LifeHacker vote, stage 2, final voting

« Last post by Dormouse on May 23, 2008, 07:21 AM »

using the words best, top or sex in any title gets more views see, which is what it is all about for sites trying to become the top best sexy software site

-justice (May 23, 2008, 03:29 AM)

Good point, so maybe a new name for FARR could be Sexylaunch, Toplauncher or Bestrunner? 

-TucknDar (May 23, 2008, 06:55 AM)

Why not go for the jackpot? BestTopSexLauncher. 

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Find And Run Robot / Re: LifeHacker vote, stage 2, final voting

« Last post by Dormouse on May 22, 2008, 10:54 PM »

I think the number of votes for FARR is pretty good, given its lower profile. And the profile should have been raised by being in it. I would have thought that LH readers would get more use out of FARR than Launchy - but what do I know since I use neither regularly?

It's hardly a sensible poll either - after all what do votes for Quicksilver (Mac) and Gnome Do (Linux) actually mean, application or OS?

I'm not voting, though I use RocketDock. I prefer to use a mouse rather than a keyboard and it's the only option I have on the list. AFAIK, the only real alternative is Stardock - so that would be the comparison for me.

As far as I can see, it is a methodology (LH's 5 choice polls) being used to proselitise launcher apps. And without consideration of all the possibilites of using OS features to achieve the same end.

1783

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Giveawayofthe2days

« Last post by Dormouse on May 22, 2008, 03:10 PM »

I'm not sure that amounts to an explanation.

1784

Found Deals and Discounts / Giveawayofthe2days

« Last post by Dormouse on May 22, 2008, 12:19 PM »

Giveawayoftheday seems stuck on the same offer as yesterday. Haven't tested if it is still working, but I have noticed that the site seems to be down quite often recently.

Aha, it probably won't be working. Today has turned into an unscheduled maintenance day at GAOTD. Let's hope it deals with the problems they have been having.

1785

General Software Discussion / Re: Mind-Mapping Software

« Last post by Dormouse on May 18, 2008, 01:38 PM »

It seems as if I should have a look at TS (when I have time to do it justice). The prog it seems most eqivalent to (in my current state of ignorance, and realising that there is a big difference in graphics) is SQLnotes. Both seem to be integrative information managers with good search facilities. I haven't got really into SQLnotes fully yet either, but it is easier to have a look every now and again while it remains free to do so. TS just has a time limited trial.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Mind-Mapping Software

« Last post by Dormouse on May 18, 2008, 10:08 AM »

Thanks for the response Vic (and for your website ).

My own needs would include being able to use Images for nodes, having many different types of link (with different appearances) and having as many links as wanted between as many nodes as needed. The view of Topicscape seems like an army lined up with each officer having their men behind them - and all officers and men looking the same apart from size.

I do see how it can work as an information organiser, though it only seems to offer one simple view at at time.

I'm just disappointed because the list of features seemed good. And intrigued because I wasn't put off by the price - and I had never thought I'd have that level of need for a mind mapper.

Never mind; I'll stick to my current collection of software for info & organisation, wait for SQLnotes to develop further (albeit without the pointy-headed pictures) and see how much I can get out of Cayra for mindmapping type stuff.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Mind-Mapping Software

« Last post by Dormouse on May 18, 2008, 04:09 AM »

Topicscape ( http://www.topicscape.com ) allows as many parents for a node as you want, it also has a 'loose association' link for ideas that are outside the parent/child hierarchy, and a Topicscape Islands node where things can be parked for later consideration, to be moved once you've decided where they go.

-roytsganda (February 14, 2007, 08:05 PM)

With the resurrection of the topic, I had a look at this. It seemed very attractive until I looked at the screenshots under User Stories. I had expected it to be much more visual than 2D mindmaps, but it is actually much less - everything is represented as a pseudo-3D triangle/cone/pyramid. Just a slightly graphical frontend to a database. I'm as happy as anyone to deal with pure data, but the point of mindmapping to me is to see more possibilities and different types of links  by seeing/thinking visually.

It would be nice if there were anyone around who actually uses it and can say why I'm wrong.

1788

Living Room / Re: What to do when you receive bootleg videos?

« Last post by Dormouse on May 15, 2008, 01:02 PM »

I thought that ebay/paypal were pretty notorious for 'turning a blind eye' to counterfeiting if they don't have someone like Adobe coming down heavy on them. And notorious for not actually producing good resolutions - too many examples of sellers and buyers being stung and ebay/paypal just reaching casual judgements to get rid of the case. Whatever they claim, it really is a case of buyer (and seller) beware.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Ideamason on special

« Last post by Dormouse on May 14, 2008, 05:30 PM »

And its coming up on BitsduJour again.

1790

Living Room / Re: An idea for the forum regarding disclosure

« Last post by Dormouse on May 14, 2008, 05:08 PM »

Out of the sites I visit regularly, the one that seems to have the most spammers/scammers is webhostingtalk. And the community there is incredibly good at digging them out and exposing them. Policy seems mostly to be to ban spammers, leave threads and exposures if that seems generally helpful and delete the lot if not.

Cynicism rating of most regulars is pretty high though, which is probably why they are so good at reaching the conclusion  

1791

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Notescribe not taking software - request for reviews

« Last post by Dormouse on May 09, 2008, 10:26 AM »

Database-wise, I'm not sure what you're asking. Could you elaborate?

As far as export/import, you can export your notes as .rtf to be used, edited, or integrated with external programs.

-jpm2112 (May 08, 2008, 09:43 AM)

I expect a prog like this to have import/export options for text etc.

The database issue is a big one. It doesn't really matter for text/notes because there are lots of ways of dealing with that. It does matter for info that you would never want to retype and where you want certainty of future access to the data all in the right fields. It is one of the main things I look at for any database prog. It is never possible to predict which progs will come to an end and there is always the risk of being left high and dry; much less likely for very popular progs because someone will be likely to produce a means of moving the data to a still current prog.

Many progs are founded on a mainstream database engine rather than their own in-program option. For instance IdImager has options based on SQLite and SQLserver (and used to have an option based on Access's Jet engine). This gives extra confidence that the data will be readable & managable in in the future. If this is the case, it is nice to know what the engine is (and will give an idea of strengths, weaknesses and scalability).

Whether this is true or not, it is reassuring to be able to export the database in a format that can be read by other progs. Just as an way of avoiding the data being left up a blind alley.

The info in NoteScribe that seems to require that protection is the citations/sources, and probably the linkage between text, sources and attachments.

All the progs I rely on a lot have the ability to export their databases in fairly common formats. Otherwise I would never have considered them.

1792

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Notescribe not taking software - request for reviews

« Last post by Dormouse on May 09, 2008, 10:12 AM »

Additionally, I take it everyone on here hates a nag screen? Is that something we should get rid of?

-jpm2112 (May 08, 2008, 09:43 AM)

Some programs that offer a free version (crippleware?) have a nag screen (at least on occasion) to promote the paid version. Not popular, but semi-acceptable as an exchange for the free version. Many people will still not use them though because of the irritation.

Some programs have a trial period and then permit the program to continue to be used without registration - but with a nag screen coming up every time. No-one can really argue about it because they shouldn't be using it at all after the trial had run out. I definitely see this as acceptable/generous.

Having a nag screen come up during a trial period is something I see as unacceptable and I would recommend getting it out of the program.

Even more important probably in your marketplace since the completely free version of TreeDBNotes offers a lot of the functionality of NoteScribe, as do many other alternatives, and you don't really want to irritate potential customers. OTOH, many/most potential customers are probably not aware of the alternatives out there.

1793

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Notescribe not taking software - request for reviews

« Last post by Dormouse on May 07, 2008, 05:49 PM »

I've test run a lot of notetaking/text editing software and, for my own use, settled on TreeDBNotes. I have even thought about doing some sort of summary, but I don't really have the time to be systematic with it. So I'm not as interested in looking at new programs as I was (since I don't have the same personal need as before) but am still somewhat interested. However, there is no free version so any work put into it during the trial is lost without a purchase. And I notice from Softpedia that there is a nag screen. Altogether that is just enough to stop me even downloading it to have a look.

The USP appears to be the source editor with formatting styles and I would have a look if I felt I needed that (would need a lot of convincing to go with a program for that though; at the very least would need to know about the database being used and export/import options).

1794

General Software Discussion / Re: What’s this "Linux" thing and why should i try it?

« Last post by Dormouse on May 06, 2008, 11:50 AM »

Yes, I considered running Linux on top of Windows, but I have to admit I never understood the proper way to get a dual-boot working.  It was easier (and more fun) for me to just wipe out Windows!

-MatthewSchenker (May 06, 2008, 06:36 AM)

I never really liked dual boot myself. VMs do seem like a good idea (for Windows on top of Linux & taking advantage of the Linux core).But what I was referring to was the ability of H Heron to be installed into Windows. No dual booting into one or the other. No going through a VM. Just Ubuntu working as an OS-type app in a Windows installation. Not really tested it out yet, but I do intend to install it on a Windows box and see how it goes (was rather waiting until the 8.04 bugs were reduced somewhat).

1795

General Software Discussion / Re: What’s this "Linux" thing and why should i try it?

« Last post by Dormouse on May 05, 2008, 04:16 PM »

If you are buying equipment for any distro of Linux you do need to make sure beforehand that there are drivers for that equipment. And that may mean asking around for what other people are using. Pretty much everything will work with XP (though you can't rely on everything being Vista compatible) so that is a definite advantage of Windows. But you can load the latest Kubuntu on top of Windows which would allow you to do both.

1796

General Software Discussion / Re: roboform2go or sticky password?

« Last post by Dormouse on May 01, 2008, 11:50 PM »

Hi There is a major security flaw in Roboform as it does not encrypt your passwords in the default folder

-whippy (April 29, 2008, 07:10 PM)

This has been the case forever, I think.  Or at least since I have used it, and I started using it in 2002 or 2003.  If you search you will see complaints about this way back.

-J-Mac (May 01, 2008, 11:28 PM)

And doesn't that tell you everything you need to know about Roboform as a security program rather than an ease-of-use program?

1797

Living Room / Re: which hierarchical note program?

« Last post by Dormouse on May 01, 2008, 03:30 PM »

I just checked out Maple (I noticed it was mentioned), and it is FANTASTIC.

-imtrobin (May 01, 2008, 01:31 AM)

I had a quick look at the website and couldn't see what would make it better than TreeDBNotes. And the features mentioned are in the free version of TreeDBNotes.

1798

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

« Last post by Dormouse on April 30, 2008, 11:03 AM »

There's a twofold problem with using structured folders as your system.

The first is that everything needs to be put somewhere when created (else you have a holding folder that you work on intermittently) and this sort of decision & typing a name etc is more work than giving a tag.

The second is that everything fits singularly in a fixed hierarchy. So, only one way to categorise. Whereas, it's easy to add two or three or more tags if you want in a tagging/keyword system.

Not bothering with a structure at all might be effective if the search engine does everything you want.

Personally, I'm finding it easier to have everything of a type within a program rather than opening files all the time.

1799

General Software Discussion / Re: Office 2007 Search Command add-in

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

This looks as if it could be useful.

So far 2007 looks like a simplification (making Office easier to use if you don't already know where things are on the menus) AND a dumbing down (a lot of 2003 features are very hard to find and some are just not there at all).

This might just make it a bit less dumb.

One issue I do have is that 2007 and 2003 do not cohabit comfortably. And, without any improvements, its looking as if Word 2007 will have to go.

1800

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

« Last post by Dormouse on April 26, 2008, 06:20 PM »

- but it is fast!

-Curt (April 26, 2008, 05:39 PM)

But slow for me. I started it on a search on my C drive (no option to search all drives that I could find), I then switched to SearchGT doing the same search across 3 drives (total GB over ten times greater). SearchGT completed its search quite a while before BareGrep/