Recent Posts

1976

General Software Discussion / Re: Flash not working in firefox. Some web addresses are inaccessible. Why?

« Last post by superboyac on March 03, 2012, 08:37 PM »

I'll try the graphics card.  But I really think the problem is that there are certain websites (I don't know which ones...not their exact addresses).  Like, that page in the flash install wizard shown in the first post...something is blocking access to that licensing page.  If I fix that, I'm pretty sure that will fix the problem.  I also think my 20 network adapters might be a problem.

I've tried reinstalling firefox and flash every which way possible at this point.

1977

General Software Discussion / Re: Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on March 03, 2012, 03:00 AM »

I'm going to bitch about Linux for a few days and go back to Windows (which I never really left).
FTFY

-nosh (March 03, 2012, 02:44 AM)

1978

General Software Discussion / Re: Flash not working in firefox. Some web addresses are inaccessible. Why?

« Last post by superboyac on March 03, 2012, 02:21 AM »

See if it will update by way of your addons manager-plugins.
I had the latest flash plugin, and it still wanted to update through here.
And it did do an update....

-cmpm (March 02, 2012, 10:38 PM)

Yeah, I've tried that.  It's not that.  It's some kind of network problem...DNS...something is blocking the access from the Windows to the website.  Like I said, even a VM on the same computer can access it, so it's some kind of settings issue.  All other computers on my network can also access the sites.  I've been messing around a LOT with all these things I'm trying to do to turn my desktop into a cloud computing center...so I'm sure I gorkked something along the way.  That's what I do!

1979

General Software Discussion / Flash not working in firefox. Some web addresses are inaccessible. Why?

« Last post by superboyac on March 02, 2012, 09:43 PM »

So i've been having a weird problem lately, and I have no idea what's going on.  First, Flash is not really working in firefox anymore for me.  I've tried installing and reinstalling it dozens of times.  Youtube still works occasionally, but it's flaky.  Things like menu popouts don't work anymore (like on ESPN).

I keep getting the message from firefox to install the flash plugin.  but it doesn't work, i get the following screen:


I really don't get it at all.  I remember a couple of other websites don't work anymore either, with the same message.  But the same websites work fine in my virtual machine on the SAME computer.  So something about my desktop system is screwed up.  I checked my hosts file to see if anything was hijacked, but everything is fine there.  I went into my device manager and checked out the network adapters, and they were fine (except for the fact that I had 20 devices in the network adapters  ??).

So I've reached the end of my knowledge base.  i need help.  It's annoying enough where I may consider reinstalling windows.  but i hope not.

1980

Living Room / Re: Anyone else noticed this?

« Last post by superboyac on March 02, 2012, 09:24 PM »

Ok. This is what I'm talking about. Closed FF. Then this weirdness just happened again when I opened FF:
 (see attachment in previous post)
Wasn't doing it before. 

-40hz (March 02, 2012, 11:45 AM)

This is probably unrelated, and I'm going to start a new thread...
but ever since the crazy firefox versions have come out, it's been a pain in the butt to keep things working smoothly.  I'm not saying it's FF, it just feels like it.

1981

General Software Discussion / Re: Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on March 02, 2012, 08:50 PM »

A timely article on Lifehacker: How to Find the Perfect Linux Distribution for You.

-wraith808 (March 02, 2012, 06:49 PM)

Good article!

1982

General Software Discussion / Re: Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on March 02, 2012, 08:47 PM »

**Note that I've been a Linux user (almost exclusively) between 98 and 2000 I think (although the journey started in 1997). Things were a lot less smooth at the time with distros like Caldera, Mandrake, Suse and RedHat. When I look back at those 2 years, I see I had fun and learned many things. But I also see a gigantic time drain in which I could've been much more productive (and a better boyfriend, for that matter!), but was mainly obsessed with drivers, broken kernels, internet connection, file conversions, software testing, etc.

-Armando (March 02, 2012, 11:38 AM)

Armando, you have somehow perfectly stated how I feel about the subject!!

I've been thinking about this more now, and if i had to nail down a single goal for my Linux experiment here, it's this:
I want to create my own cloud with no outside services.

it seems like Linux is the way to go at this point to try this.  All the normal commercial avenues are trying to push people into the cloud...including Microsoft.  Definitely Apple is.  So if I'm being honest, I think that is what this experiment is all about.  Linux, ownCloud.

1983

General Software Discussion / Re: Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on March 01, 2012, 02:43 PM »

Can I put Mint on it as a dual boot easily?

-superboyac (March 01, 2012, 12:00 PM)

Can't be that difficult. I'm doing it.

More seriously, the Mint installer is Windows 7 aware. Just select the "alongside Windows" option and Bob's your uncle. See below:
 (see attachment in previous post)
In my case, I just threw in a spare 250Gb hard drive. But it will also detect unallocated space on your existing drives and can use that too. Installing Mint is almost too easy. "It's butterscoth baby! Pure butterscotch."

Keeps the Windows bootloader too. You won't even see GRUB until you tell it to boot into Linux.
 

-40hz (March 01, 2012, 12:49 PM)

Well then!  This might be the first install, if the VM doesn't get there first.

1984

General Software Discussion / Re: Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on March 01, 2012, 12:00 PM »

I have a laptop running Windows 7.  Can I put Mint on it as a dual boot easily?  I'm timid because I had to spend hours getting the Windows 7 and drivers working properly on it, and I don't want to ruin it and have to do it again.

1985

General Software Discussion / Re: Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on March 01, 2012, 11:56 AM »

Thanks, Innuendo.  yeah, I'm looking forward to this...I've wanted to play with Linux for a while now, but was too scared or something.

The copyright stuff, that's not really a directly related issue.  That was me talking to myself.  I'm trying to take a stand on some of the political issues that I'm concerned about isntead of just being passive about it, which has been my usual response.  What I meant by that was that I've noticed that software development has been hindered by the politics taking place now with computer stuff, namely copyright.  All this cloud development...the fact that most small shareware developers can't sustain a living anymore...much less demand for nifty windows tools as opposed to mobile apps, etc.  All that stuff.  I'm also tired of giving money to faceless companies because they just take a lot of it, and make it very difficult to establish a personal relationship, which I prefer.

I'm even changing the way I dress...another lame attempt at activism for me.  I'm transitioning my wardrobe away from my Costco and Macy's dress cloths and replacing it with handmade tweed suits made in England.  I am directly giving money to the lady who is hand-tailoring the clothes.  It costs more, but it lasts forever, is amazing quality, is custom fitted, and I only need about 3-5 of them.  It takes more money and more effort on my end, but it feels better.  If anyone is interested, I can't recommend them enough:
http://www.tweed-jacket.com/

And it really isn't as expensive as it initially sounds.  A cheap suit at Macy's will be about $200, and you can get a dynamite 3-piece for about $500.  No middle men.  So I'm trying to do more things like this.

That's what the copyright thing is all about.

1986

Living Room / Re: Stiff sentence for sending child to wrong school district

« Last post by superboyac on March 01, 2012, 09:46 AM »

@zridling - +1! I'm starting to feel that way more and more lately. 

-40hz (March 01, 2012, 09:40 AM)

Only 294 more days, guys!  Just hang on!

1987

Living Room / Re: Anyone else noticed this?

« Last post by superboyac on February 29, 2012, 06:07 PM »

 
This is how I know I belong to DC.  If you find this stuff interesting...yes, this is your place.


I can already see my friends giving me the "You have waaaaay too much time..." look.

Good stuff!!

1988

General Software Discussion / Re: Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on February 29, 2012, 05:06 PM »

I think it will be a great experience for you if you take more of a hacker mindset to it -- don't expect everything to be go perfectly smoothly and for it to be a smooth "transition" -- think of it more like exploring an alternate reality.

-mouser (February 29, 2012, 04:58 PM)

it will take practice, but that's something I have to get used to thinking about.   
My psychological battle is going to be:
"I want to set up a file server by only pressing a single button."
vs.
"I want to set up a file server, but first I need to learn the Linux scripting syntax, then customize some scripts I found on the web, then spend hours putting it all together and getting it to work before I ask skwire and mouser to make me the button above for 12 donation credits."

1989

General Software Discussion / Re: Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on February 29, 2012, 04:04 PM »

This is not going to end well 

-mouser (February 29, 2012, 03:51 PM)

I already know that I'm going to have to be a little open-minded about this, so just be ready for some schizo reactions from me throughout this process.  You've been warned!

1990

General Software Discussion / Re: Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on February 29, 2012, 03:44 PM »

If I'm being honest, my big fear with Linux is the scripting.  I'm really not that interested in learning scripting because it's fun or it will help me grow as a person.  I want to get things done as easily as possible.  i think 40hz knows that about me, that's why he is recommending Mint.  I also don't think the issue is getting Linux to be like Windows in an aesthetic sense.  The idea is that Windows is easy because it has buttons and gui things that are easy to use.  Scripting is not easy.  Building kernals is not easy.  Clicking a button is easy.  Knowing which button to click is less easy, but still easy.

My goal for using Linux is to be able to do things more easily than if I stick to Windows.  If I can do the same in Windows more easily than in Linux, what's the point?  Again, I'm not doing this for the love of it.  I feel this notion always gets lost with those like me who ask for advice when transitioning to Linux.

And this doesn't mean I'm opposed to learning scripting.  But it's not something I want to do every day.  I'll put it this way: if I need to script to get things going in the beginning, that's fine.  But I don't want to script on a weekly basis.  After it's set up, I want buttons and GUIs.

1991

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is it so hard to find a decent image organizer?

« Last post by superboyac on February 29, 2012, 01:07 PM »

40hz, Jibz thanks for your input and your support I appreciate it! I'll publish a small announcement as you suggested me, thank you.

superboyac, we continuously add support for new media formats. Daminion has the Media Processor API that allows to add new media formats. I've added a request to support for rendering EPS and AI thumbnails in our feature list (we also have some requests for CDR format support). The major issue here is to find a good, stable image library that will be used as a core part of the EPS/AI Media Processor.

Active beta testers will receive the Daminion Pro version for free (or people who will publish an article about Daminion on their blogs or online press/media)

Murat

-K.Murat (February 29, 2012, 01:04 PM)

Then count me in for the beta test (do you want my email?)!  I'll make a deal: if it can handle eps/ai well, then I'll write a short review and include it on my webpage's recommended software list (that nobody read anyway!).

1992

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Agnitum Outpost Firewall - Lifetime License - $29.97 - Coming Soon

« Last post by superboyac on February 29, 2012, 01:04 PM »

Great add-on for the Windows firewall http://www.sphinx-so...com/Vista/order.html

The free is very good. The "Plus" is - well, a plus And BTJ had it on sale sometime back and it was a plus+plus.

cheers

whoops - sorry if this is considered "off-topic". If so, please let me know.

-berry (February 29, 2012, 12:33 PM)

great find, berry!  What a great little tool.

1993

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is it so hard to find a decent image organizer?

« Last post by superboyac on February 29, 2012, 09:38 AM »

Daminion can import EPS and AI formats, and can read/write to XMP in both formats.

A few minutes ago a customer has sent us a screenshot with 257k imported images.
Our test databases contains 500k medium sized images.

Daminion can display preview for those EPS and AI files that contains thumbnails in their XMP metadata, otherwise it shows a default thumbs.
EPS is a complicated format,  but probably we'll add a better rendering options for EPS and AI in the future.

This is the latest Daminion update:

-K.Murat (February 29, 2012, 09:02 AM)

I have an enormous collection of clipart and icons that I never use because it's impossible to browse through them.  The only software that ever worked right were: Extensis portfolio, Adobe Bridge, and this weird one called ExifPro Image viewer.  And when I say "worked right" I mean it was able to get thumbnails for most of the eps/ai files.  So i always keep an eye out for software that can do that because it so hard for me to find.

1994

General Software Discussion / Re: Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on February 29, 2012, 09:32 AM »

Lots of great information and advice here.  I'm probably going to have to keep re-reading this stuff as I get more familiar.

I think I'm going to try the following experiments these next few months:
--I have an old laptop.  I'm going to put Mint on it and play around with it.
--I'll also install some flavor of Linux on a virtual machine on Windows to have something right there on my main machine.
--I still need to build me a server.  Maybe I'll start off with a simple tower, put some kind of Linux server and ownCloud on it.

mouser knows me too well...the software is going to be interesting.  I'm not sure which software will be the most difficult for me to replace...the ones I use the most are Dopus and the Bat.  I'm not worried about DOpus since I'm pretty sure Linux has several really nice file managers.  The Bat I'm worried about.  I don't even want to think about how to all those emails and stuff over.

And maybe a complete transition isn't the right idea.  Perhaps it should be a gentle expansion of my computing habits.  I'll just add it to my ecosystem.  Use it as my second computer, or backup computer, or media server.  Heck, if I can learn how to set up a decent file server easily, that's worth it right there.

You guys know me...I'm going to be all over the place on this.  I expect I'll change my mind no less than 30 times, and I'll have some emotional mood swings throughout.

1995

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is it so hard to find a decent image organizer?

« Last post by superboyac on February 29, 2012, 08:50 AM »

Sorry for reviving an old thread. Does the Topicstarter found a solution?

May I suggest you to check out our Daminion?: http://daminion.net

The single-user Daminion version is free. It supports hierarchical tags and optimized to work with huge photo archives.
Each tag assignment can be automatically maps into the file metadata (XMP, IPTC) (if the auto-sync feature is turned on)

You can create multiple catalogs for different purposes, and open them simultaneously as web-pages of the web-browsers.
Files are imported with relative links, so you can store your media archive on a removable drive or easily move latest them to a new location.

PS. I work on Daminion Software, and will be glad to answer for any questions here or on our forum.

-K.Murat (February 29, 2012, 02:28 AM)

Welcome!  Can the software handle directories with thousands of eps and ai files?  Including showing the thumbnails?

1996

General Software Discussion / Re: Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on February 28, 2012, 04:27 PM »

Yeah Miles...you're waaaay ahead of me here.  I don't understand half the things you said, but I'm going to learn.  I need to start learning the Linux lingo.  If I understand correctly, you're saying Ubuntu is overrated and this mandriva is a good, easy install to introduce me to Linux.  So I'll give it a shot.

1997

General Software Discussion / Superboyac is throwing in the towel: I'm going to transition to Linux

« Last post by superboyac on February 28, 2012, 03:21 PM »

Well, I've managed to sidestep Linux over the years, but now it's time.  I'm doing it...I'm going to start transitioning to Linux.

I'm tired of feeling guilty by trying to get my Windows system to do exactly the things I want.  I've noticed most of the interesting developments have been stifled in recent years because of all the copyright issues.  The Linux guys really are my crowd.  All open, all free...it's what I believe in.

I don't know how long it will take, it took me a year to transition from XP to Win7, so I imagine this may take me a couple of years.  But i don't want to pay money anymore to faceless companies.  I want to be part of a community that helps each other out regardless of how much they get paid, and that's the Linux community.  And I'll gladly give them my money before the other guys.

I've been pushing the limits of Windows for a while now.  I keep running into obstacles, not because I'm pushing the technology, but because copyright concerns are preventing the technologies from developing.  My ideas of what I want to do with my computer should NOT feel like I'm the first person to ask for something like this.  I'm really not that clairvoyant.  I've struggled with the cloud for a couple of years now, and there's no need for it.  Let the masses deal with the proprietary stuff and all the headaches that come along with it.  I want to be with the guys that are freely exploring their ideas.

Where's Zaine?  Z...I'm joining the club, I'm going underground.  I held off as long as I could.

1998

Living Room / Re: Just like the MPAA didn't learn from the RIAA, the games industry is next

« Last post by superboyac on February 27, 2012, 05:51 PM »

I think their "meta strategy" is to make a totally bizarre move, and then - while we're staring at the board and trying to figure out exactly what that BS is all about - have somebody else (really big) sneak up behind us, bash us over the head with a brick, and then take our wallet and smartphone!!!

-40hz (February 10, 2012, 03:30 PM)

This is not exactly it, but you reminded me of this little prank:

I'd say the pusher is the MPAA/RIAA and the politicians are the crouchers.

1999

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Agnitum Outpost Firewall - Lifetime License - $29.97 - Coming Soon

« Last post by superboyac on February 27, 2012, 12:16 PM »

Is Outpost still a DC preferred firewall?  How does it compare to Comodo?  It's a good deal, but just wanted to see what the opinions here were.  I know mouser liked it, then didn't, then did?  Not sure.

2000

General Software Discussion / Automatic batch torrent maker/manager?

« Last post by superboyac on February 27, 2012, 12:03 PM »

So in my constant search for the ideal way to share your own personal files privately, I'm now exploring the torrent options.  If you guys here have followed my threads in the past, you'll have seen me struggle with VPN, ftp, ftps, sftp, http, https, basically any protocol that can be used to share files.  The goal is essentially this:
--Share my desktop files so I can download them from any remote computer
--No storage limitations (this bars any cloud services...I want no storage restrictions.  If I have 5 TB that shouldn't be a problem at all.)
--No cloud services...no middle men.

Torrent seems to be the best way to share files right now, despite the controversial nature of it.  What's good about it is that it's very scalable, reliable, and efficient.  it can handle unstable connections very easily, which most of the other protocols suck at.  Plus, it's popular and mature.

Now, torrents are primarily used as a group sharing tool.  But can it be used as a personal, private file-access tool?  For it to work well, I would need some kind of software that can "manage" my files and torrents.  It would need to be able to automatically create a bunch of torrents and deal with file modifications and changes, etc.

I don't think something like this exists, but I think it would be a really cool tool for the community here to work on.  Here are some features that I think would make it badass:
--Automatic torrent creation.  It would be cool if the torrent manager can select a folder (and subfolders) and automatically create a torrent for each of the files there.  Also, if it could register the trackers and all that to get the torrent up and running with as much automation as possible.  Then, with the click of a button, all your files could be shared.
--These files and folders are going to change.  So it would be cool if the manager can kind of keep track of all that: delete torrents that no longer exists, modify ones with changed file contents, etc.
--Being torrents, the more seeders the better.  But since these are your personal files, having a lot of seeders is scary.  But we normally have more than one location where we work or hang out.  You can setup a NAS or standalone PC at a few locations and keep copies of your files there, and the torrent speeds would go up with each additional location, since that bandwidth can be used.  It's a very cool feature of torrents that the bandwidth can be increased in this way.

So this is something i keep thinking about.  I'd like to get to a point where we can easily access all our files from anywhere without using any cloud services or old, unstable connections like VPN or ftp.