Recent Posts

1926

General Software Discussion / Re: ScanFS: an alternative to locate? Free indexer, file previews and other niceties

« Last post by Dormouse on February 10, 2008, 07:01 AM »

Any advantages over Dopus Search (for those of us with Dopus)?

1927

General Software Discussion / Re: Is the Windows start menu dead?

« Last post by Dormouse on February 10, 2008, 05:24 AM »

yeah, RocketDock

-Lashiec (February 09, 2008, 07:54 AM)

Grateful to you for mentioning it because it finally go me to look at docks.

What I would really like is a proper Donation Coder Review of all these progs.

I can see that they fall into two classes - keyboard based and mouse based. (I'm mostly mouse based for this sort of activity, so that is what interests me most.)

There only seems to be one class of keyboard based solution, (though that could easily be my ignorance) so they could all be compared with each other.

Then there are the different types of mouse solutions. They seem to fall into 3 categories.

• What you can do with the OS - and Carol's exposition was very clear.
  
• Launchbars and start menu improvements.
  
• Docks.

If you are going to use extra software, it does not seem worth the effort to organise the start menu in the OS etc. But it looks as if there might be some gain from using a launchbar/start menu prog (or both???) and docks.

And might well be worth using more than one dock if there is enough to put on it.

But what are the advantages and disadvantages of each prog? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of each system of use?

Have I got the time to try to investigate it all myself? No. 

1928

General Software Discussion / Re: Wanted: Calendar/to-do manager with special repeat patterns (for students)

« Last post by Dormouse on February 10, 2008, 04:55 AM »

The request was to find a calendar (IMO, a task manager that somehow collaborates with a calendar would be better) that can repeat a task/event after one day, one week and one month, one time each.

All calendars I know of only allow a repeat pattern of either daily or weekly or monthly, not a mix of those patterns.
Many to-do apps don't even have repeats, and those that do have the same shortcoming.
I was unable to find anything that can match these patterns.

Does anyone know of a viable solution?

The ultimate solution would
- work closely with a good calendar app (e.g. Outlook) without cluttering it,
- have templates for quickly creating those task in one step.

-alxwz (January 02, 2008, 09:56 AM)

Since the pattern you describe is not likely to be in mass demand, what you are really looking for is an individually configurable recurrence pattern that can be saved.

I don't know of one and would not expect it to exist outside of a niche product. And I'm also not sure how much time it would really save.

Surely the easy thing to do is to use a calendar and enter a single task without recurrence. Then to copy and paste that task on to the future dates you want. Easier to do that on a year view scale. Takes seconds (I've just tried) and infinitely flexible.

1929

General Software Discussion / Re: Wanted: Calendar/to-do manager with special repeat patterns (for students)

« Last post by Dormouse on February 10, 2008, 04:28 AM »

VORG looks like an Outlook clone, so it would not be a surprise to find it hogging resources. As far as I could see, the only extra in the paid for version is multiple users.

What really gets to me is that like many/most of these calendar programs it appears not to have a year view which is a critical feature for me.

1930

General Software Discussion / Re: TheBat! 4.07 released

« Last post by Dormouse on February 09, 2008, 09:07 AM »

4.0.9 is out now
http://ritlabs.com/e.../thebat/download.php

-masu (February 08, 2008, 04:43 PM)

Now 4.11 !

1931

General Software Discussion / Re: Is the Windows start menu dead?

« Last post by Dormouse on February 09, 2008, 02:01 AM »

use Rocket Launcher. Free, and with big icons

-Lashiec (February 08, 2008, 08:31 PM)

Rocket Launcher??

Do you mean RocketDock (rocketdock.com)?

I don't know, and haven't found a 'Rocket Launcher'.

1932

General Software Discussion / Re: TheBat! 4.07 released

« Last post by Dormouse on February 08, 2008, 03:03 PM »

Program kept crashing every time I tried to download mail. Repaired, removed, installed from scratch etc etc & still kept crashing.

Returned to 3.99 and no problems.

1933

General Software Discussion / Re: Apple software recommendations?

« Last post by Dormouse on February 02, 2008, 04:14 PM »

why not try a picasa web album - http://picasa.google...m/web/mac_tools.html

1934

General Software Discussion / Re: Digital ink/tablet pc: worth the effort?

« Last post by Dormouse on February 02, 2008, 04:49 AM »

Whether a tablet PC is worth the cost and effort depends on what you will use it for.

For just taking notes in meetings etc., if you do not need  access to other functions of the PC, something like the AceCad (http://www.acecad.com.tw/) might be better. It has the huge advantage of starting and closing virtually instantaneously and it is easy to upload and download notes to a PC.

For drawing, and writing generally, on to a computer a Wacom tablet might well be better (much more sensitive and subtle pen) and can be used on all the computers you use so long as you can install the software on them. I would agree with J-Mac in the other thread that you should not be stingy on this - Wacom is in my experience worth the higher cost over other brands and you need the size and functions that you will use more than any money you might save; only worth going cheaper if you are testing out what you will actually use and will spend the extra money later if you need.

For a few quick handwritten notes, a PDA might be sufficient.

I use all of these and have never found a need for a tablet PC, but can see that for a different set of uses I might prefer the functionality of the tablet.

1935

General Software Discussion / Re: DC Computer Defense Resource

« Last post by Dormouse on January 31, 2008, 01:48 AM »

It's always nice to see a volunteer for some community work. 
I agree it would be helpful and assume you mean to start by cutting and pasting from all the previous threads you have examined.

Also needs the more general comments which are basically about the cost of running these progs (resource wise) against the benefits they confer.

1936

General Software Discussion / Re: Best free firewall for Windows?

« Last post by Dormouse on January 25, 2008, 01:49 PM »

Yes, some kind of malware can do that. Recently, they discovered a specimen that can break out of a sandboxed environment like VMware and cause havoc in the host machine.

-Lashiec (January 25, 2008, 01:40 PM)

Wouldn't be so effective if the VM was installed inside a Linux system. 

1937

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your preferred File Manager

« Last post by Dormouse on January 22, 2008, 07:05 PM »

What I meant about the images opening is:  You know how in regular, old Windows Explorer if you left-click on a filename and then after a very short wait, left-click on it again, the filename is highlighted and you can rename the file?  (Of course quickly double-clicking opens the file). Try it in Explorer - Left-click, and then again after a brief (less than a second) delay. Instead of opening the filename is highlighted for renaming.

I was trying that in DOpus, and it works on most files, but it won't work on image files.

-J-Mac (January 22, 2008, 11:27 AM)

DOpus works just like that on image files for me.

1938

General Software Discussion / Re: Best password manager?

« Last post by Dormouse on January 22, 2008, 05:10 PM »

extremely secure, unlike the browser password managers,

-xtabber (January 15, 2008, 04:35 PM)

Which aren't secure?
How is eWallet extremely secure when they aren't?

OK, I see, you mean the password managers integrated in the browsers.
But why is eWallet more secure or better than than other password managers?

Keepass, for instance, works on Windows, Palm, Pocket PC, Blackberries, Linux, Mac etc and is portable.

1939

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your preferred File Manager

« Last post by Dormouse on January 22, 2008, 02:53 AM »

Today I needed to rename a handful of photos, and as soon as I right-clicked on the first one in DOpus and started waiting, and then remembered about the delay.....  Man that takes long!! Why is that? Anyone know? 

-J-Mac link=topic=9958.msg97787#msg97787

This is not a problem I understand. Images don't try to open when I right-click on them and there is no delay before I can rename them. Network drives present too. What aren't I understanding?

1940

General Software Discussion / Re: content management systems (CMS): are they still so bad?

« Last post by Dormouse on January 21, 2008, 05:44 PM »

I've tried many of the free CMS systems out there, but this article is actually about something completely different. Commercial systems individually rewritten or tweaked for each customer and costing an absolute fortune.

The development of these corporate systems is much more advanced now than 5 years ago.

The open source free systems discussed in the DC thread have also moved on a lot from 5 years ago, though not that much since that thread. I don't think you can usefully duplicate the functionality of a CMS using WordPress. A CMS allows a the use of a single database for a variety of uses on a site. It is not usually a problem to integrate static pages and menus into the site if that is what you want. Nor is it usually a problem to have a very individual design or theme. However, you do have to go with the bulk of the community and not add too many hacks, otherwise you can get stuck every time the main CMS core is upgraded. You also have to hope the community sticks together or transfer to another CMS (and that can require a fair knowledge of mySQL if no-one creates a conversion for you). The fallout between SMF and Joomla and the loss of the Bridge caused quite a few problems for a lot of people.

I find a CMS gives a lot more flexibility in designing a site than trying to add bits to a Forum or any other component. OTOH, if what you really want is a forum or a blog, then it is best to go with that.

1941

General Software Discussion / Re: content management systems (CMS): are they still so bad?

« Last post by Dormouse on January 21, 2008, 04:56 PM »

What does WP stand for?

-mwb1100 (January 21, 2008, 03:34 PM)

WordPress, I assume.

1942

General Software Discussion / Re: content management systems (CMS): are they still so bad?

« Last post by Dormouse on January 21, 2008, 04:54 PM »

Is this the status quo?

-urlwolf (January 21, 2008, 01:22 PM)

How can it be the status quo when it is March 03, 2003 - ie nearly 5 years ago?

1943

General Software Discussion / Re: MailWasher Pro Version 6.1 released: two-for-one discount this week

« Last post by Dormouse on January 20, 2008, 05:30 PM »

So, for 1 week, you can get 50% off - if you can use 2 copies
against
the usual DC discount of 30% off.

Hmmm ....

1944

General Software Discussion / Re: How many of you use encryption?

« Last post by Dormouse on January 20, 2008, 09:58 AM »

I know I need to use encryption more. And definitely more systematically. That means having a clear system for it (which I can use across all the computers & usb sticks I use - in a number sites and also when travelling) depending on the need. Some computers I do not have access rights on, so I will need to badger IT depts over the issue.

One question I have not got sorted in my mind is the issue of keys. Encryption is fine, but it seems to me that leaves the key as the weak point. How long a password/phrase can I rely on myself to learn and use regularly? Is it then best to use a password manager for the really complex phrase? How does a keyfile system actually work? Is a password hashing system a better option?

I use all the systems a bit, but none entirely convinces and none work easily but still leave me feeling very secure.

As if the medicine must taste terrible to be effective.

1945

General Software Discussion / Re: What's the best program for cooking and recipe management?

« Last post by Dormouse on January 17, 2008, 08:04 AM »

I'm surprised 'no-one' has recommended SQLnotes for this yet. 

1946

General Software Discussion / Re: A Firefox Lover's Guide to Opera

« Last post by Dormouse on December 30, 2007, 11:23 AM »

Ditto, no roboform == no opera.

-Josh (December 30, 2007, 11:10 AM)

For me, it's the other way round. No roboform on Opera = no roboform.

I've used Opera and FF for a very long time (as well as ie when necessary). There have always been some sites that don't work so well with Opera (not so many as there used to be though) and I use FF for them. But I find Opera much faster and more efficient most of the time.

1947

General Software Discussion / Re: S.O.S.....Having troubles "upgrading" from Vista to XP SP2

« Last post by Dormouse on December 14, 2007, 05:20 PM »

Since there are lots of threads on the net from frustrated Tosh owners trying to get to XP, including for your model, I suspect that they never made XP drivers.

1948

General Software Discussion / Re: Virtual Desktop suggestions?

« Last post by Dormouse on November 21, 2007, 05:38 PM »

I'm about to re-setup all the family PCs. They will all be setup to run Linux (Ubuntu probably) and XP Pro. After thinking about it, I think I've decided to put one of the OSs into a VM and run it like that.

Any ideas about which makes the best 'base' OS? And how much does that affect the choice of VM? Currently, I'm looking at VirtualBox which runs on all the OSs, but this is not true of them all. Also thinking I will make Linux the base OS since I have more confidence in its security and insulation from threats and that will be the OS most used for internet etc.

1949

Developer's Corner / Re: Best way to track the time you spend on each project

« Last post by Dormouse on November 11, 2007, 03:55 PM »

You can use ToDoList2 to do this.

Just put project name into the list and press the timer button. When you want to switch to another project, you just press the button on that. Or stop it when you want.

Lots of other stuff too, including links to all relevant info on a project & ability to keep notes.

Free.

1950

General Software Discussion / Re: Maybe Vista doesn't suck?

« Last post by Dormouse on November 09, 2007, 12:38 PM »

So, you blame Microsoft for the fact that your stuff doesn't work?

-Josh (November 09, 2007, 12:19 PM)

No, I don't blame MS; I don't care about MS. My stuff does work; it is just that it is 100% certain to work with XP and much less than 100% certain to work with Vista. So I don't move to Vista. That is not a problem for me and I don't blame anyone for it.

I do blame MS for their outrageous upgrade costs. Outrageous in the context of OEM costs, Linux costs and current OS costs (small, nil and nil).

I do blame them for producing something that brings no significant benefit to me, or at least I think it is their responsibility. I don't really care enough to blame them.

I had expected to upgrade everything to Vista. Now I'll give it a complete miss, as I did ME, except for the one system I have it on. Everything has Linux installed too. Everyone, even the kids, finds Linux easy. As things are, I probably won't upgrade Windows beyond XP.

Do I blame MS for that? No, I don't really care. Their systems are overly restrictive and getting worse. I think it will prove to be a failing business model. But I have alternatives, so I don't care whether they succeed or not.