Recent Posts

2001

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« Last post by Armando on October 31, 2007, 10:39 PM »

You could drag-drop those file in a grid to create a link (double-click to launch) and then fill fields with relevant values add notes (in a note field, as a sub-item or in the HTML pane, it's your choice). Link that with your project or with individuals.

-PPLandry (October 31, 2007, 09:46 PM)

Very elegant.

Is there a way (potentially) to automatically "colorcode" or format items depending on the content (item name, etc.)?

2002

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« Last post by Armando on October 31, 2007, 10:35 PM »

Items exist regardless of whether they are shown in a grid or not. Grids and forms are just views of your data/notes

-PPLandry (October 31, 2007, 09:20 PM)

That, I must say... I really like.  It makes the whole data management and organization so much more flexible (although maybe a bit abstract for more visually oriented people — and so is the filtering… But I guess that will be easier to understand once the documentation is complete).

Thanks for your explanations regarding some of the "key" concepts : Grids, forms, fields...

No you are not mistaken. SN is already a massive project and the general philosophy is to complement Office, not go head on. For a customer however (CRM app), I added an interface with Outlook to import e-mail into SN along with a semi-automated e-mail reply mecanism. Statistics were updated (# of calls, emails, etc) so managers could see monthly reports of activity.

-PPLandry (October 31, 2007, 09:20 PM)

So how do you see people using SQLNotes in cunjunction with Outlook (or even thunderbird, the bat !) email feature? Drag and Drop possibilities (to the calendars or todo lists)? Or more officially implement the solution you offered to the customer your refered to?... Just wondering.

[...]things are changing quickly in that area due to on-line calendar (aka Google, Airset, Zoho, etc). The SN needs to have live links to Outlook for the people at work and with web calendars for calendar sharing (you, your wife, friends, kids, etc)
So to do it right requires a detailed analysis of the pros and cons.

-PPLandry (October 31, 2007, 09:29 PM)

It's great that you're taking these uses/formats into considerations. 
IMO Outlook was for way too long behind in terms of web calendar sharing.

The Gantt is actually much easier since it is more standalone (with only some dependancies on the calendar). In fact in the current version 0.9.19, there is a thin line to the right of the grid (blue in Office 2007 theme). Drag it to display the Gantt area (no bars for now and only one header level).

-PPLandry (October 31, 2007, 09:29 PM)

Ooooohhh. I see... Encouraging! (and I of course saw the screenshot the first time you posted it)

This is fixed in the next version. Plus I was using a split button. Neat feature but not well know, so I changed for a more conventional menu item.

-PPLandry (October 31, 2007, 09:29 PM)

Nice!! Because creating new grids is such an important thing to be able to do easily.

Thanks Pierre

2003

General Software Discussion / Re: A Simple Database Program? (Or is that an Oxymoron itself?!)

« Last post by Armando on October 31, 2007, 10:13 PM »

Surely one could tap into an Windows event or message to update the database. Shortcuts are now automatically updated when a file is moved, so it is feasible. I'll look into it!

-PPLandry (October 31, 2007, 09:53 PM)

IMO, that would be an advantage over other solutions (like Ultra Recall or myBase).

I could certainly store files in the database, but am relunctant to do it. If someone gives a good reason to do it perhaps...

-PPLandry (October 31, 2007, 09:53 PM)

I share the same point of view : I don't like to store files (different file types) in one database. I've always disliked it, for many reasons.
- One of them is backing up -- while some will advocate that it facilitates backup**, I find that it makes it cumbersome and harder to manage : backing up a 2gb database is not as convenient as backing up a 34kb file.
- Another reason is that most stored files lose some of the features tightly linked to their specific format in the first place (why edit a word document in rtf????).
- Another one is that, usually, not all file types can be stored and managed in a database (so what's the point?? If I'm going to put files in a database I want to be able to put any file I want. Not only *.doc, *.txt, *.rtf, *.pdf., *.jpg and *.bmp).
- Another one is the fear of data corruption. Often, when a database is corrupted, and it happens, chances are you'll loose quite a bit of data.

So... yes, just linking is fine with me. Others might have other opinions on database and storing files in them (J-Mac ?). I'd be glad to hear them! 



**"you just have one file to backup", etc. . But I don't care, personally: I have a good backup program.

P.S. : I just tried the new beta : it's looking real good. But I'll either post about it in the SQLNotes Forum or in the other thread focusing on SQLNotes.

2004

Living Room / Re: these new cheap core 2 due laptops - any good?

« Last post by Armando on October 31, 2007, 06:13 PM »

The freezer trick is one I use on my Dell batteries, with about a 75% success rate.  The original big battery that came with my 2003 Latitude still delivers about 3 hours.

Glad it's working for others!  I wish I could remember who taught me this so I could pass on the credit...

-Ralf Maximus (October 25, 2007, 10:24 AM)

BTW ralph, do you completely discharge your battery before putting it in the freezer, or do you instead charge it ?

Thanks in advance... 

2005

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« Last post by Armando on October 31, 2007, 06:00 PM »

Well, I'd use it for similar tasks I use Outlook for : manage contacts, tasks, calendars, etc. But I'd also probably store notes and various data into it, and use it as a general database (something I don't do with Outlook), and I'd manage more complex projects (something I look forward to because of SQLnotes pivot tables and other coming features like gantt charts). The only thing I probably wouldn't do with it is… manage emails… it doesn't seem to be a very “developed” feature. But maybe am I mistaken?

The problem for me is that there's no calendar right now (and no gantt charts). But according to Pierre, there will be!

What is it that you'd like to use it for in the first plac ? You can create all sorts of different places (different grids) to store different types of data. Creating a new grid is not very intuitive right now : you have to go in View —> Manage grids and in the list of grids, click and write in the “New view” space. Took me a while to find it (should be in the Grid menu)! Too bad because it’s a fundamental feature.

2006

General Software Discussion / Re: A Simple Database Program? (Or is that an Oxymoron itself?!)

« Last post by Armando on October 31, 2007, 04:22 PM »

I'm also planning to soon add a folder monitoring system. Just tell it which folders to monitor and it will automatically create a item for each file (saves you from drag-droping files). You can then add your own attributes, sort, filter, launch, generate statistics, etc)

-PPLandry (October 31, 2007, 03:56 PM)

That sounds really interesting. Sadly, one thing that I find is missing from all database I've tried, is a file tracking system to track finame changes, file moving, etc. when they're only linked to the database and reside outside of it**. The only exception to that flaw would be tag2find.

I'm more than willing to work with you on this. I've in the past, coached users through a real telephone conversation (no charge of course) getting going on SQLNotes. All users are welcomed to this free service.

-PPLandry (October 31, 2007, 03:56 PM)

That's a very cool proposition! 

J-Mac, if I was you...


** Of course, one doesn't need that eature if the files are completely transfered inside the database -- like you can do in asksam, ultra recall, myBase, etc.

2007

General Software Discussion / Re: A Simple Database Program? (Or is that an Oxymoron itself?!)

« Last post by Armando on October 31, 2007, 12:00 AM »

I'll follow that thread with interest. I started several thread related to organization, databases, etc.
like : Working with (display+format+restructure) big amount of data (text+graphics)?

I've decided to follow a path similar to what Ralf suggested (using a mix of X1, Archivarius, AHK personal tagging system, farr...). See : How do you tag (or even organize) your files?

I've tried many applications before. Maybe one of these might interest you (some of them you already know for sure)... but might not fufill your "simplicity" requirement:

- AskSam
- General knowledge base
- Ultra Recall
- myBase
- Surfulater

and maybe :

- ACDsee
- Tag2find

2008

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

« Last post by Armando on October 30, 2007, 08:59 PM »

From what I've read about other programs, I can't find any information about searching for folders.
Does anyone know if one of the other contenders works with folder names?

-alxwz (October 30, 2007, 04:57 PM)

Amongst "shallow" Desktop Search software:

- Locate32 or Find an Run Robot will search folder names.

Amongst "deeper" Desktop Search software:

- X1 has a folder column which lets you directly enter folder related keywords. In terms of search customizability and features, X1 is certainly the most sophisticated.
- Exalead looks like it will allow some folder filtering too. Carol could maybe confirm.

I am using Windows XP SP2/Outlook 2003 SP2 and Neo 3 (there is a 30 day trieal of Neo Pro and also freebie version at http://www.caelo.com...roducts/download.php). Would some kind soul download and try this with Outlook 2003 and then check their PST files with SCANPST after each use?

Cheers

-Carol Haynes (October 30, 2007, 10:33 AM)

I don't have the time to check this tonight, but I might try in a few days...
I must say that when I use scanpst, it will show me errors half of the time. Outlook doesn't seem to have any problems with these errors though... For now, I've decided to accept these errors as an MS feature. These PST files always have errors. AS long as they show all my data...

Have your PST files shown any signs of data corruption? Or is it just scanpst showing errors?

2009

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

« Last post by Armando on October 30, 2007, 09:56 AM »

I had been looking around at desktop searches since my copy of X1 seemed to be getting slow at waking up from the tray.  Then after installation of other software it refused to wake up at all.  I uninstalled it completely and re-installed it (X1 Enterprise Client Version 5.6.2) , and it's brilliant, back to the way it was before.  So I'm not going to bother looking elsewhere.

-jamesthebod (October 30, 2007, 04:39 AM)

did you delete your index and reindex everything?


Those who still use X1 could try this :

- pick your biggest word document (or find and download one, or create one yourself by gluing 2-3 documents together : more than 500 pages and even longer if possible)

- Pick your biggest pdf file (or find and download one : more than 500 pages please, and even longer if possible, here's one : http://www.spinbitz....hy_0.999...ebook.pdf ).

Pick a short group of words at the end of each document. Will X1 find them ? My X1 can't, not even the betas or the new version (Archivarius can, very fast). X1 won't find words at the end of very long documents, as I've said before. But I'm ready to change my mind about it and try to reindex my drive if others tell me their X1 performs differently…

2010

Living Room / Re: Teledildonics — build your dream (virtual) sex machine

« Last post by Armando on October 30, 2007, 01:21 AM »

especially if it's sharewear.

2011

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« Last post by Armando on October 29, 2007, 10:34 PM »

Version 0.9.18 is finally out. Includes many bug fixes and enhancements. www.sqlnotes.net

-PPLandry (October 29, 2007, 03:23 PM)

Thanks Pierre... will be downloading it shortly. 

2012

Living Room / Re: Teledildonics — build your dream (virtual) sex machine

« Last post by Armando on October 28, 2007, 10:18 PM »

Find And Rape Robot anyone?

-Ralf Maximus (October 28, 2007, 08:38 PM)

 ... I can see other ones coming...

2013

Living Room / Re: Multibooting and Partitioning Experiments

« Last post by Armando on October 28, 2007, 12:35 AM »

I'm sure there was something with sdxxx to be seen inside Ubuntu

-wolf.b (October 27, 2007, 09:10 PM)

Yes, if believe that if your hard drive is sata or scsi, then it will be identified as "sda" (sda1, sda2, sda3... sdb1, sdb2, etc. depending on the partition/disk). If it was IDE, then it would've been "hda" (hda1, hda2... hdb1, hdb2...). But it might also depend on other factor I'm unaware  off.

Where do you think can I get the boot sector of that partition.

-wolf.b (October 27, 2007, 09:10 PM)

What do you mean ? You want to be able to read it? or change where GRUB resides...?

[edit : corrected some stupid mistakes]

2014

Living Room / Re: Multibooting and Partitioning Experiments

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 08:27 PM »

Well, i usually like to have the boot loader on my Linux partition's boot sector (instead of the mbr), and I use another boot loader to lead me to GRUB.... But that's just a matter of preference. (let me also confess that I don,t like GRUB -- i find it fragile and archaic and hope something else will replace it  soon as the standrad Linux boot loader ; I don,t like LILO either -- I don't know if others share my aversions...)

(sda0) ? Hummm, I'd think it's more something like (hd0), which will put GRUB on the mbr. But what do I know?

Hard drive partition terminology is, IMO, a bit confusing in Linux : on one hand you have the GRUB terminology for hard drive partitions ((hd0) (hd0,1), and so on), and on the other hand, the terminology used in the Linux file system for hard drive devices (sda1, sda2... or hda1, hda2, etc. depending if its SATA or IDE).

If you installed GRUB to your your mbr, it should recognize your windows installations etc. and you'll be able to boot anything from there. Anyway : if, for some reason, you decide to move GRUB to your partition's boot sector, it's very feasible with the Ubuntu Live CD.


I don't consider myself an expert, so if anybody else wants to add some comments here...

2015

Living Room / Re: Multibooting and Partitioning Experiments

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 07:14 PM »

Nice. Now, be careful with GRUB... 

2016

Living Room / Re: Multibooting and Partitioning Experiments

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 05:36 PM »

I stick with the non-X ubuntu, but I am not sure about me being able to cope with a text-based installer.

-wolf.b (October 27, 2007, 04:58 PM)

I'm not sure I get what you mean by that...

There's no "non X" Ubuntu per se. Only 1- a live CD version (which you can try by booting from the cd, and then later instal on your hard drive with a graphical interface, if you wish), and a version with a text based installer that you can't try first.

Like I said, try the live cd first (it's the iso you've douwnloaded). Then, if that doesn't work, you could always try the alternate desktop CD by installing Ubuntu directly to your hard drive.

PS : just in case there is some extra confusion : Xubuntu is another thing, and the name that has nothing to do with X per se. It's just a specific Ubuntu distribution (like Kubuntu, edubuntu, etc.) which is configured to use the xfce desktop environment.

2017

Living Room / Re: Multibooting and Partitioning Experiments

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 04:39 PM »

So I just burn them for real and see how it goes.

-wolf.b (October 27, 2007, 12:53 PM)

IMHO, this is the simplest way to do it.

BTW is the file ubuntu-7.10-desktop-i386.iso the correct version to be used as a live CD?

-wolf.b (October 27, 2007, 12:53 PM)

If your CPU is 32-bit, yes, it should be.
If for some reasons, the Live CD doesn't function properly (X doesn't start, etc.), you can always try installing Ubuntu with the alternate desktop CD. It's not a Live CD and uses a text-based installer.
 
But first, try the Live CD, and look in the Ubuntu forums if X doesn't start or something like that. In many cases, it's not that hard to fix and it's much less risky than installing a new OS on your hard drive.

2018

Living Room / Re: Multibooting and Partitioning Experiments

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 12:22 PM »

I wouldn't go for xubuntu if I was you -- I've heard that xubuntu is partially broken. I'd just install Ubuntu -- unless you have a very old machine (less than 256mb RAM). In anycase, try the live CDs, maybe, and see for yourself.

 

2019

General Software Discussion / Re: GemX - missing in action

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 10:46 AM »

I have a z22, which is all I need for basic contact management, calendar, todo, email, etc. It's more a complement to my computer, than a self-sufficient all in one solution.

Do-O could have been a nice addition to my z22 setup (offering subtasking + some kind of integrated project management) if it could've synchronized with the palm (and be less buggy)... unfortunately it can't.

As it is, the "palm desktop" software alone can't really do advanced subtasking or project planning easily. To do that, one has to buy separate software, like keysuite, agendus, bonsai, etc. But, frankly, those don't all play that well with famous PC organizers... Except for Keysuite <--> Outlook, and/but unfortunately Outlook is severely handicapped when it comes to subtasks and projects (I find).

Only to say, i guess, that... I still haven't found the "best" way.

2020

Living Room / Re: Multibooting and Partitioning Experiments

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 10:28 AM »

Ok, I admit that this usage of grub is a bit too technical for me. But, yes, a "menu.lst" seems compulsory. There are many many pages on GRUB. Have you read that : http://www.troublesh...e_grub_Booter_Floppy ?

2021

Living Room / Re: Windows Install Date Thingie: I made it!

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 10:22 AM »

PS I also credit drive imaging to my windows installation's longevity (compared to Win 9x installs, anyway).

-Darwin (October 27, 2007, 09:36 AM)

Who wouldn't...  Is it really possible to mess with windows without relying on some kind of safety net? 

2022

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

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 10:18 AM »

As I love Archivarius and as there are features and changes that I'd love to see implemented, I will e-mail the author about this... Why? Because the more people buy Archivarius, the more time the author will be able to devote to developing it and implementing the changes I'd like to see. Oh crap. That would also mean the less time he will have for support and customer service!  Decisions...

-Darwin (October 27, 2007, 09:09 AM)

Darwin, I've sent an email to the author.

2023

Living Room / Re: Windows Install Date Thingie: I made it!

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 02:15 AM »

fun little program.

1 year 4 months 13 days, 2h26m. (almost since I bought my laptop, basically)

2024

General Software Discussion / Re: GemX - missing in action

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 02:03 AM »

What am I going to do? I am moving to a new dedicated device which blows Do-O out of the water. I am now working with a Palm TX.

-Josh (October 26, 2007, 01:46 PM)

Tell us more, Josh.

2025

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

« Last post by Armando on October 27, 2007, 02:00 AM »

But Archivarius will give you more precise results and will be lighter on resources. That's what everybody -- or most people --here, have found. 

I agree that the 10000 files limit could be an annoying surpise : it is NOT advertised. You're right. (You might not feel like it, but you could send them a little note. That's what I'd do : some developers don't realize how small things like that can make all the difference and... They need to be told nicely.)

Is an unadvertised 10000 file limit on a free trial really the same as falsely promoting something under the "freeware" tag when it's in fact... a trialware?