Recent Posts

1826

Post New Requests Here / Re: FolderUpdater

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 08, 2015, 02:57 PM »

How did you avoid Open Candy?  Also on your link all I see for download is the change log.

I downloaded from the home page but an MBAM scan said the installer contained Open Candy.

1827

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for Software with this feature

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 08, 2015, 02:45 PM »

I haven't tried FreeFileSync but it claims to let you create your own rules.  Also it says it can sync depending on content, date or size.  So, just reading the features(which is always dangerous) it would seem creating your own rule would just entail choosing name size and content being the same.

http://www.thewindow...rs-with-freefilesync


Edit: Note that I just downloaded and ran a scan with MBAM.  It shows the installer has Open Candy. 

1828

Living Room / Re: TV shows thread

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 08, 2015, 08:40 AM »

Any "The Prisoner" fans here?

-Renegade (July 08, 2015, 08:13 AM)

I watched various episodes of Prisoner over the years without seeing the final episode.  Until they put the series on in order on SyFy Channel I think it was.  I taped them.  Finally I got to see the last episode and discovered the identity of #1!!

I would watch a few episodes and give up.  I don't do well following a series week to week.  I seem to get into them much better when they go into syndication and I can watch multiple episodes a week in order.  That's how I got into X-Files.  I totally ignored it during the first run.

Anyway, once I saw the last episode it all made sense.

Also I bought several seasons of Danger Man, or Secret Agent as we called it in the USA.  Patrick McGoohan was quite true to life as the guy who got things done by any means necessary.  Especially compared to the American shoot em up spy shows such as Man From UNCLE et al.  I appreciated Danger Man when I watched them again as an adult.

But speaking of Prisoner, it seemed like every time I would make a move to ask the boss for a raise, that bouncing ball thing would smother my efforts. 

1829

Living Room / Re: Partitioning or Not w. single HDD?

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 08, 2015, 08:29 AM »

Also since I'm still firmly entrenched in Spinner Land.

-Stoic Joker (July 08, 2015, 07:18 AM)

Auslogics Defrag 6 just added features and I only ran it once.  But the previous versions of the free Auslogics Defrag I have used for years.  If you have one big partition with more than 60% free space(I like to shoot for 70% at least when I am about to defrag) the plain vanilla defrag completes in about 5 minutes.  I run it maybe 3 or 4 times a week.  But since it only takes 5 minutes or so, it is no strain.

Maybe every 10th defrag I do the "move system files to the front" option.  The main drawback to one big partition is when you do a backup image of the system, everything on C: is included.  Even so, with cheaper larger USB sticks and incremental backups, even I, with no shelf space, can keep my system backed up.

As you point out, sometimes optimization means spending your time on fixing stuff that is broken rather than fixing stuff that works pretty well already. 

1830

Living Room / Re: Anyone subscribed to BookBarbarian online service?

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 08, 2015, 08:03 AM »

I haven't used them, but I have been subscribed to BookBub since around the beginning of the year.  I really like them as I have a lot of choices for sources such as Apple, Amazon, Smashwords, etc.  I've loaded up my iPad for offline reading that'll keep me busy and entertained for quite awhile. 

-AzureToad (July 08, 2015, 07:13 AM)

Thanks for the recommendation.   

1831

General Software Discussion / Re: Managing Flash in your browser

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 08, 2015, 05:54 AM »

It seems the major culprit was ToolWiz TimeFreeze 2016.  When I open TM it always shoots up to 98% but without TWTF it settles down to 11% with Mustang browser open with a few tabs not doing much.  I found out Macrium Reflect 6 works!  I made the mistake of using the built in Windows thing to update the video driver.  Bad news.  System restore never worked right on this machine.  Without it I booted safe mode and deleted the video driver.  I got everything back until I restored the registry.  Back to square one.  Next time I booted Safe Mode it started reinstalling the system and hosed my accounts.  I had to lay on the Macrium image to get running again.

I am starting to think my pals at Best Buy unloaded an "open box" PC on me.

1832

Living Room / Re: Partitioning or Not w. single HDD?

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 07, 2015, 08:31 AM »

The other consideration is very soon we are supposed to see high capacity SSDs cheap.  Fragmentation and thrashing considerations disappear.  Just stick the stuff where you want.

There may be an easy way to move your user files using symbolic links. I think a utility for Steam does this. It is a freeware around someplace.  I never used it but saw it mentioned on forums.  That may be one way to avoid resizing your partitions once you have them laid out. It worked fine for me in Linux.  When a partition started to get filled up I just put a symbolic link for it to point to a folder on a larger partition.  Very transparent.

1833

Living Room / Re: Does this exist? [NON-Software ideas]

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 07, 2015, 08:26 AM »

Had another one that had a coiled lead from the USB plug to the LED and clipped on the top of your screen, that was OK until the clip broke

-4wd (July 07, 2015, 08:06 AM)

Heh heh.  In fairness the one I have would probably be fine for a 14" Laptop.  This Toshiba is like the battle ship of Laptops.  When bored with programming I often shell the coast of Normandy Beach.  Just for grins. 

1834

Living Room / Re: Does this exist? [NON-Software ideas]

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 07, 2015, 07:55 AM »

Laptop related:

looking for a keyboard light that does not use USB -
*or*
a light that does use USB - but without having a projecting connection. Something like many power cables which have an 'L' shape connector would probably be good.

Logic:
anything that projects out from a laptop I'm using gets knocked around on a regular basis - and will break (including probably breaking the USB socket).

(Note: it appears from amazon reviews that most lights are far too bright.)

-tomos (July 07, 2015, 07:23 AM)

I got one similar to this:

http://www.walmart.c...ng-Keyboard/41299786

At the time I purchased, it only cost me $2.  It helped marginally.  But the circle of light is not enough to cover the entire keyboard.  I guess you could get an extender cable female to male that would have some give in it if something hits the light.  My next Laptop is definitely going to have an illuminated keyboard.

btw I like your thread idea. I should post a request for info about Panhandler Repellent.  Supposedly there is a repellent that keeps sharks away.  But those panhandlers are vicious.  

1835

General Software Discussion / Re: Managing Flash in your browser

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 07, 2015, 07:45 AM »

Just a side note, I was surprised to see Cyberfox just downloading a file was using over 90% CPU which settled down to about 60% while the file was still downloading.  Mustang browser with three instances of chrome.exe running used less CPU downloading the same file from the same page.  Cyberfox is x64 and mustang is x86 if that makes a difference.  It seems like lots of CPU usage to do not much lately.  Strange.

-MilesAhead (July 07, 2015, 07:13 AM)

MS have a chance to do something right with their new browser - if they take note of the troubles with all the others.
I mean I've even been trying IE lately - what with FF wanting to take over your machine completely if you watch a video; Chrome works better, but still needs a lot of resources, and really get's those fans going on lower specs machines.

-tomos (July 07, 2015, 07:32 AM)

Ordinarily when my Laptop gets to 99% charged it hangs there for about 5 minutes before reaching full charge.  Lately I noticed it staying at 99% for 1/2 hour.  I have been watching some of the Wimbledon tennis matches.  I didn't realize the video was pushing the CPU cores to the limit.  I'll have to make a point of using the old Opera 12.x 64 bit to watch them.

1836

General Software Discussion / Re: Managing Flash in your browser

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 07, 2015, 07:13 AM »

Just a side note, I was surprised to see Cyberfox just downloading a file was using over 90% CPU which settled down to about 60% while the file was still downloading.  Mustang browser with three instances of chrome.exe running used less CPU downloading the same file from the same page.  Cyberfox is x64 and mustang is x86 if that makes a difference.  It seems like lots of CPU usage to do not much lately.  Strange.

1837

Living Room / Re: Partitioning or Not w. single HDD?

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 06, 2015, 06:55 PM »

IIUC, these days Windows (at least 7?) can resize the system partition while in operation -- this has helped a few times around here.

-ewemoa (July 06, 2015, 06:38 PM)

Right.  But I believe it can still only move the back end.  IOW when looking at drive management, the right hand side can be shortened or extended.  But I don't think it will move the left hand end or beginning of the system partition.  Partition Magic would.  Although it had to do it from boot.  To extend or shorten the back end PM could do it while running also.

1838

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox and Cyberfox release 39.0 stable

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 06, 2015, 06:43 PM »

I have 10 addons not yet signed, but working - maybe because I have "Nightly Tester Tools" installed. CWuestefeld's link to "Disable Add-on Compatibility Checks" may (also) be worth following.

-Curt (July 06, 2015, 06:37 PM)

The signing is not yet enforced.  A developer of Firefox extensions tells me he expects it to go into effect in around 60 days.  Of course you can run the old version for some time.  I stayed with Opera 8.52 for years.  But things change more quickly now. Especially with html5 stuff coming on older FF versions will become obsolete faster than ever.

It is similar to secure boot in Windows, only with no way to disable it.  If the extension hasn't been signed it won't fire up.

Edit:  Back in the day of MaxThon 2.x there were lots of MaxThon extension sites.  I used to request features and occasionally help a developer test an extension.  Now search for MaxThon extensions.  There's almost none.  They were destroyed by extension signing.  The same thing will happen to FF.  Like Yogi Berra said: "The future ain't what it used to be."  He got that right.  Sad to say.  

1839

Living Room / Re: Partitioning or Not w. single HDD?

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 06, 2015, 05:50 PM »

But I say stable setup because then you have an idea how large to make the system partition.  The tendency is to make it pretty lean.  But if you like to install lots of utilities then over time you may find the size that seemed adequate starts to feel a bit tight.

-MilesAhead (July 06, 2015, 12:56 PM)

If you install Windows, the O/S will eventually, over time, decide to use more space than you have allocated to the system drive. Just sayin'.

-x16wda (July 06, 2015, 05:32 PM)

Yes. It does tend to sneak up on you.  Even if you install programs on another partition or drive they seem to always want to stick something in Windows\System32 or ProgramData or someplace on C:  That is why it is good to have a top quality partition program.  Windows disk management is not as flexible about resizing partitions.  Partition Magic used to bail me out frequently.  I could resize partitions even moving the starting positions, easily.  I changed things around all the time without ever getting hosed.  Of course that was in the good old days of XP and earlier. 

1840

General Software Discussion / Re: ReRun 2.5.7.2

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 06, 2015, 05:42 PM »

ReRun 2.5.7.2[/b]  Polling routine modified to use less CPU.

-MilesAhead (July 06, 2015, 03:07 PM)

Always a good thing, thanks for the extra effort!

How are things going? Any improvements in your life?
 
 

-cranioscopical (July 06, 2015, 03:42 PM)

I'd say it's on the upswing, generally speaking.  The pace seems glacial.  But I do get to keep my mind occupied.  The college library is nice and quiet.  If I can figure out some way to avoid dragging the suitcase then people won't automatically assume I am homeless.  But fear of terrorism has eliminated all but long term storage.  Maybe I will take a look around again soon for a reasonable cube rental.  A light backpack for a change of clothes and shaving gear and maybe a lightweight tablet would free me up to move around more easily.  Time will tell. 

I hope things are well with you and your family. 

1841

General Software Discussion / Re: ReRun 2.5.7.2

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 06, 2015, 03:07 PM »

ReRun 2.5.7.2  Polling routine modified to use less CPU.

Download link, as usual, is in the first post.

1842

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox and Cyberfox release 39.0 stable

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 06, 2015, 01:03 PM »

This is really frustrating. Luckily, you can pretty much disable this annoyance. Check out the add-on "Disable Add-on Compatibility Checks":

-CWuestefeld

I'm not talking compatibility but extension signing.  If the powers that be will not sign your extension FF will not run it.  Period.  This happened several years ago on MaxThon and totally destroyed the extension writing community there.  It is spreading to all the other browsers now.  The same song and dance. "it is for your protection" yadda yadda.

1843

Living Room / Re: Partitioning or Not w. single HDD?

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 06, 2015, 12:56 PM »

Are we talking Spinner or SSD?

-MilesAhead (July 06, 2015, 10:42 AM)

forgot to state that - it's a spinner

-tomos (July 06, 2015, 10:45 AM)

If you have a stable setup it may be advisable to partition.  My experience is with MBR type drives.  All I have done with GPT so far is carve out a data partition using the Disk Manager in Windows.  How much it complicates things if you have a lot of partitions on a GPT drive I do not know.

But I say stable setup because then you have an idea how large to make the system partition.  The tendency is to make it pretty lean.  But if you like to install lots of utilities then over time you may find the size that seemed adequate starts to feel a bit tight.

That aside, on an MBR setup partitioning has the advantage you can just make an image of your system partition and back up your data without including it in the image.  I asked about the SSD/Spinner because if you add and delete a lot of programs trying things out then you may find you want to defrag the partition periodically.  If the free space in the partition is too small the defrags can take longer that ordinarily required due to the extra shuffling around in the tight space.  If it is SSD you may not defrag at all.  Although I hear now there are specialized SSD defrag tools.  But I suspect it is much more noticeable if a spinner is fragmented than an SSD.

If you search the DC forums I believe awhile back Shades posted a very detailed description of the scheme he uses for partitioning.  I recall it being very well thought out and I am sure he has used it for some time.  So it is tried and tested.

One advantage of just leaving everything one big C: partition is if you install and remove stuff frequently and do lots of stuff like create VMs that you delete after awhile, then having a lot of free space on the partition makes for fast defrags.  I try to keep my free space close to 70% so that I can do a quickie Auslogics defrag in about 5 minutes.  I don't have all that much in the way of "data" per se.  It is more like junk that piles up.  Plus all I have is a Laptop now.  I have to carry everything around with me.  So I figure my backup image has the data as well as the system.

In which case you should probably be taking your advice from somebody else anyway. 

1844

Living Room / Re: Partitioning or Not w. single HDD?

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 06, 2015, 10:42 AM »

Are we talking Spinner or SSD?

1845

General Software Discussion / Re: Managing Flash in your browser

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 06, 2015, 09:02 AM »

Reading this thread I looked at my CPU while Flash Player was working.  High 90s.  I found that in Opera 64 bit version 12.x if I killed a bunch of my Tray Hotkey programs, it dropped down to 45 to 50 percent or so.  Seems like ReRun can use 14 or 15 percent by itself.

So when watching vids try killing off all the tray utilities.

1846

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox and Cyberfox release 39.0 stable

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 06, 2015, 05:33 AM »

Your comments here would seem to be ironic, in retrospect, given that Mozilla Firefox rather started out with a vision representing a white night...

-IainB

Likewise MS and the "PC Revolution" getting users out from under the thumb of the big bad System Administrator etc..

Now look how they are doing W10.  Mandatory updates and they will spoon feed your fixes.  I would not be surprised if at some point after an update there was no tweaking.  Control Panel gone, Registry read only etc..

I think it will be "the last version of Windows" after all.  Too bad OS/2 didn't flourish.  There would have been competition from an OS that ran Dos programs and felt similar to Windows. No learning Emacs to use something else.

1847

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox and Cyberfox release 39.0 stable

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 05, 2015, 03:36 PM »

in my opinion they could call it version 4.390, or so. Why change the major version's number, when I can't spot any differences?

-Curt (July 05, 2015, 02:47 PM)

It almost seems like that and extension signing are designed to break extensions.  I was going to ask who will use Firefox when the extension writing community is destroyed.  But maybe they only want the ingenue neophyte blissfully unaware of being caged.  IOW people who only know internet through phones and tablets.

They cannot possibly not know the effect.  I was toying with the idea of trying my hand at writing an extension until I started reading the thread on the Firefox extension forum about signing.  The handwriting is in the wall.

We need someone to create AnarchistFox.  The browser that lets you do whatever the hell you want whenever you want to do it.  

1848

General Software Discussion / Firefox and Cyberfox release 39.0 stable

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 05, 2015, 11:35 AM »

Both Firefox and Cyberfox have a stable 39.0 available.

1849

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 05, 2015, 11:10 AM »

Perhaps the difference on Vista is due to the fact I bought HP "Media Center" towers.  The HD was totally hogged by Windows Media Player running mobsync.exe to test if every file in the system was a media file.  Also if you installed from retail media I am sure you were better off than buying a machine preloaded.  Between Norton AV and mobsync trying to take over the machine it was totally useless out of the box.  Later I got another tower running Vista x64 SP1 and it was fine.

-MilesAhead (July 04, 2015, 01:07 PM)

Vista was a little sluggish when it was first released. It didn't crash, but it was uncharacteristically slow. Once SP1 came out, Microsoft got performance up to where it was supposed to be. Couple that with the shovelware that most OEMs cram on their machines in order to maximize revenue then it's no surprise you felt like you were trying to run in molasses.

-Innuendo (July 05, 2015, 09:50 AM)

The annoying part was that most of the problems could have been fixed with tweaks.  The slow file copy needed a code fix.  But the state of the services indicated they just shoved it out the door.  Since Vista was a departure from XP it required a bit of time and study to learn what to tweak.  Probably why it wasn't done somewhere along the line.  Why pay someone when the end user will tweak it for free?  Oh well.  I learned about Vista and ended up on all those W7 W8 W10 forums as well as Vistax64 forum. 

1850

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for Software with this feature

« Last post by MilesAhead on July 05, 2015, 10:56 AM »

Especially if files are large, say > 1GB video as example, doing a hash of A then doing a hash of B to see if A = B could get very slow.  A better method may be side by side

[Select]

;;pseudocode

hashA = hashB = initial_hash;
do
{
    hashA = hash(fileAbuffer,hashA);
    hashB = hash(fileBbuffer,hashB);
    if (hashA != hashB)
       return false;
  fillbuffer(fileA);
  fillbuffer(fileB);
} until(hash_done(fileA) || hash_done(fileB));
final compare here etc

iow cut off the comparison as soon as there is a difference