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2051

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on August 06, 2008, 12:44 PM »

- yes, I meant Group into Categories. None of the programs you listed can do that. Of course Damian's can't do so either, it can really do very little, but that is what it is about. The feature that comes with Vista Start Menu Pro from Dennis Nazarenko, or almost any other start menu replacement: "Group by Type". Only, I don't know if any of them can export the resulting list. (see attachment in previous post)For the record: I didn't and I won't recommend Software Database Project. (Damian666 writes some fine programs, but this project seems to go nowhere.) I was merely telling about it - you know, info out into the air, "we are talking about this type of programs, here is one more of almost the same the kind"-info. But come to think of it, this project is so close to being nothing,  that I really shouldn't have told about it in the first place. Sorry!

-Curt (August 06, 2008, 03:55 AM)

Thanks Curt.  Now the Vista Start Menu Pro is more interesting!  Export would be good though.

Thanks!

Jim

2052

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on August 05, 2008, 07:17 PM »

You may have misread the post.

-Curt (August 05, 2008, 07:12 PM)

No, I don't think I did.  Do you mean about categories?  That's what I did in Excel - simple there.  Or if you insist on a database, once it is in Txt, csv, type file, I can put it into Access, Ultra Recall, SQLNotes - any simple or complex DB program.

Unless I misread something else?

Jim

2053

General Software Discussion / Re: TrueCrypt 6.0 released

« Last post by J-Mac on August 05, 2008, 06:28 PM »

For everyone wanting to know what we are hiding that we shouldn't be "hiding" on our laptops...

I am not hiding anything!  And I have nothing nefarious that would get me into any trouble.  BUT.....  If for any reason someone at the border decided that they wanted to keep my laptop for an undetermined period of time to search it - maybe weeks?  Who knows? - I don't want to have to worry about having some idiot browsing through my private information!  My passwords for various sites and applications; my finances; my medical information; letters to my familiy members.  Anything I consider private and would not want prying eyes on.  I shouldn't hafve any of that on my laptop?  Well, then why even have a laptop if I can never keep anything on it?!?!

It just generally sucks!

Jim

BTW - Someone posting above has a graphic that is causing this page to load forever!!  Might want to fix it.  Thanks!

2054

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on August 05, 2008, 06:22 PM »

Curt,

If that is all that you need, it is available from a number of sources.  Ccleaner, SIW, jv16 Powertools, Revo Uninstaller, My Uninstaller, and many more.  All of those show you a detailed list that can be copied and pasted into a text file, and from there into Excel or OO Calc.

That's pretty much how I was doing it prior to purchasing SoftCAT.

Not trying to steer you away from the one you mentioned.  Just that you may already have one or more of the others that can already do that!

Thanks!

Jim

2055

Mini-Reviews by Members / Lack of Any Support Leads Me to Dump Linkman

« Last post by J-Mac on August 04, 2008, 11:19 PM »

I know that the above post is three months old, and at the time no one replied at all.  Even Outertech.

The following day, May 18, I wrote to Outertech Support with basically the same information.  Never received a reply or any acknowledgment at all.

I wrote again late last week because those issues are still happening, along with a few new ones, but again there is no acknowledgment reply, no actual reply from Outertech Support - nothing.

So as responsive as the developer tried to appear when this review was first written, I believe that was purely for PR reasons, with the review and the DC discount.  Three months without any replies at all from their support belies the praise that was heaped on this developer by the review.  I dumped Linkman.  Picked up LinkStash at Bits du Jor a little while ago.  You never know, but I really don't see how the developer could be any worse.

Jim

2056

Official Announcements / Re: DonationCoder/Veign Programming Contest Results Posted

« Last post by J-Mac on August 04, 2008, 12:15 AM »

Sorry I am late to the party, folks, but I do want to congratulate all who participated.  The prizes are never quite enough when you consider how much went into these programs in a very short time.

Thanks to all!  You're all winners!

Jim

2057

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

« Last post by J-Mac on August 03, 2008, 10:37 PM »

As a daily VERY enthusiast user of SQLNotes, I think it's important to remember that SQLNotes is still beta and will have rough edges, bugs and missing features (for some) until V1... but less and less as the software gets closer to release time... 

-Armando (August 03, 2008, 09:02 PM)

As does Ultra Recall, and Evernote, and OneNote 2007, etc., etc....

All may not be beta versions, but all also cannot claim perfection! Heck, what software application can? 

BTW, the above comment is not meant to be a slam against any of the mentioned programs; IMO, all the apps on my computer have those same attributes mentioned by Armando - some rough edges, bugs, and missing features. I just mentioned those three because they happen to be notes-related.  And actually all are superior in their class!

Jim

PS - DC pages are not rendering well at all at the time of this post. Something going on with the servers, mouser? (Other sites all look fine to me).

2058

General Software Discussion / Re: Your most used SPECIAL programs

« Last post by J-Mac on August 03, 2008, 01:53 PM »

This thread is not what I expected at all!  I thought I had a good idea of what would be listed here, but I am seeing a lot of surprises!

My "special" programs:

The Journal for keeping several standard and specialized personal journals.

And next, my never-ending search for the most appropriate note/clipping/data collection app:  Ultra Recall, Evernote, SQL Notes.

Nothing else is really what I would call "Special".   

Just a quick OT re: Amazon Unbox - I tried it and then wiped it for good.  Amazingly intrusive T&C's come with Unbox, at least IMO.  I prefer to have control over the content placed on and removed from my computer.  Heckuva nice product otherwise, though!

Jim

2059

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

« Last post by J-Mac on August 03, 2008, 11:39 AM »

I downloaded it again after many attempts to work with it in the past - I am high-tech in some areas, but databases, since dBase III+ went away a million or so years ago, are my definite Kryptonite!  I also never put a lot of effort into it.  But I am going to give it another shot, too!

And I see that Pierre has now put a price on the finished product - and it appears to be eminently reasonable.  At least as reasonable - or more so - than other commercial products in the same genus.

Thanks Pierre.

Jim

2060

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on August 03, 2008, 12:24 AM »

ashwken - Sorry...  I realize my last post must have sounded kind of harsh!  Didn't mean it that way - tired I guess.

I just don't see the need to put files, like spreadsheets, into another program like UR or Evernote or any other that can't really handle that file type.  Easier - for me, anyway - to just keep it in Excel and that way it stays "usable".

Thanks for your comments.

Jim

2061

General Software Discussion / Re: Is Whole Disk Encryption Just Wishful Thinking?

« Last post by J-Mac on August 02, 2008, 11:59 PM »

I wonder what's the true proportion of people experiencing laptop "confiscation".

-Armando (August 02, 2008, 08:54 PM)

IMO, if it is only one person,  it is far too many.

Jim

2062

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on August 02, 2008, 02:29 AM »

Well I did go ahead and purchase SoftCAT - it can scan all folders, it does have a lot of useful fields pre-configured, and it also gives me 18 user-configurable custom fields.  This will certainly do.

@ashwken: One last note on putting my Excel sheet into UR.  Sorry - not to try and besmirch UR but I cannot see any utility at all in doing what you suggest. Get all the data into Excel, then have to export it out again into a CSV file, then import it into Ultra Recall but only after defining all the attributes first (notice this is s heck of a lot of setup work?!).  And even if I manage to get it all in there, finally, I cannot do anything at all with that data.  It would be completely static - frozen in time, so to speak. Why wouldn't I just keep it in Excel instead of going through all that? At least I could then add to the data there.

I honestly cannot see even one good reason to put it into Ultra Recall.  I guess that Kinook can say that this technically (and I do mean a true "technicality" in the barest sense) lends legitimacy to the claim that I can import an Excel sheet into Ultra Recall, but that's very thin, IMO.

Thanks all for your assistance!

Jim

2063

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on August 01, 2008, 12:10 PM »

I don't use it anymore (though I did buy a licence - anyone surprised?)

-darwin

J-Mac,

Buy Darwin's license from him.

-tinjaw (August 01, 2008, 11:53 AM)

Now there's a plan!!

Jim

2064

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on August 01, 2008, 12:10 PM »

Thanks for the info, Ken.  Where are instructions for "creating UR Attributes to match the Excel column headings"?

-J-Mac (August 01, 2008, 10:59 AM)

I'm a bit hesitant to hijack this thread into a UR discussion, but...

UR Help: Application Components | Dialogs | Attributes Dialog

UR Help: Application Components | Dialogs | Attribute Properties Dialog

UR Help: Application Components | Wizards | Import Wizard | Select Source | A delimited text file

Beyond this I would have to go into more detail then I think appropiate here.

-ashwken (August 01, 2008, 11:39 AM)

Thanks Ken.  We'll have to find an appropriate place then.

BTW, this isn't the kind of thing you have to explain to me back behind the wood shed or something, is it?    

Jim

2065

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on August 01, 2008, 11:06 AM »

....
UR is a great program and definitely more polished than current state SQLNotes, which is in beta. However, this is an area where IMO SQLNotes has an edge over URp.

In many aspects, you can consider SQLNotes as Excel with outlining capabilities, as the outlining tree supports formatting and has user-defined columns (text, date, number or checkbox types). The outlining grid is fully editable, printable and exportable. Equations can be defined between columns (i.e. fields or attributes in URp) and between rows (hierarchy based calculations). Item properties (color, backcolor, font, icons) can be determined from field values. Pivot tables and charts can also be used to summarize your info. Finally, as in UR, a rich text pane (HTML in SQLNotes, RTF in URp) is available to enter rich text content.

p.s. I'm the author of SQLNotes, so I cannot guarantee impartiality 

-PPLandry (August 01, 2008, 09:11 AM)

Thanks Pierre.  Sounds like SQLNotes (Haven't renamed it yet??) is really coming along!

BTW, I'm sure all here know who you are!! 

Thanks!

Jim

2066

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on August 01, 2008, 11:04 AM »

SoftCat Plus' default settings scan the start menu and the Program Files folder. However, you can set it to scan anywhere you want. I don't use it anymore (though I did buy a licence - anyone surprised?) because I really wanted something to scan and store the serials and licensing information. What I use now, and have used for years, is a special Clipmate folder to store serials and any unlocking passwords and Evernote for receipts and confirmations. Often Evernote stores the serials as well, if the vendor includes them in the receipt. To back it all up I use Acronis True Image.

Tom's description of his use of SoftCat Plus sounds intriguing, though...

-Darwin (August 01, 2008, 09:15 AM)

Hi D.  I remember last year I checked and SoftCAT only scanned the Start Menu and Program Files directories. I just posted in their forum however and Fredrik says that now it will scan anywhere you ask.  Might be time to give it a try.  (Can't evaluate, though - did that last year so I don't believe it would install a trial again; I could locate & delete the registry key preventing that but I'm certain that is a licensing violation.)

Thanks!

Jim

2067

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on August 01, 2008, 10:59 AM »

....  Regarding UR, Excel, and Tables

You wouldn't necessarily want to drop the native Excel file into UR, what I envisioned was creating UR Attributes to match the Excel column headings, export to csv from Excel then import that into UR. Your "spreadsheet-like functionality" would come from the grid display in the Child and Search Panes, granted these grid cells are not yet editable. There is a sample UR database - Software Inventory - that may give a glimpse into the possibilities.

I believe that similar functionality is available in sqlNotes.

Yes, table creation and manipulation in UR lacks a number of features, you've just about got to create and populate the table in Excel or Word before bringing it into UR (as RTF), and even then it would be more for presentation purposes.

-ashwken (August 01, 2008, 08:05 AM)

Thanks for the info, Ken.  Where are instructions for "creating UR Attributes to match the Excel column headings"?  This is one of the areas where UR seems to aim the documentation at users who already know UR well!

Thanks!

Jim

2068

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on July 30, 2008, 11:57 PM »

I've used SoftCAT for years, not only to track what I have installed, but also programs that I simply find of interest [tho not installed].  A few months ago, I upgraded to SoftCAT PRO, which I REALLY LIKE!  I routinely snip online reviews and past them into the Notes Tab, and grab screenshots whenever possible for the Screenshot Tab.

Having all of this information immediately at hand is, to me, invaluable.

-TomColvin (July 30, 2008, 11:00 AM)

Hey Tom,

When you mentioned SoftCAT PRO, do you mean SoftCAT Plus?  I can't find a PRO version anywhere.

Thanks!

Jim

2069

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on July 30, 2008, 11:54 PM »

...
J-Mac,

You mentioned above that you have much of this information in Excel, and I know you're playing with UR, except for the scanning thing it sounds like you may have 80% of the data already cataloged in Excel, moving it into UR is pretty easy.

On the other hand, I do hear what you're saying.

-ashwken (July 30, 2008, 04:00 PM)

Hi Ken.

Yeah, I would rather be able to scan automatically if possible since I am trying to track installations on three computers.  As for the Excel spreadsheet, that only covers my desktop computer - not the others.

As for using UR to store what I already have in Excel, that would be easy enough to put in there, but I guess my understanding of UR is lacking enough that I can't see what benefit that has.  UR has no inbuilt spreadsheet functionality, nor can it even be used to create tables other than very rudimentary ones that seem to be limited with very few attributes.  I have created a few but then discovered that I cannot do even a fraction of what I can do with tables in Word and other apps.

I guess I could just drag or import the Excel file there and then, what? View it in UR? Could I actually do anything with it in UR? Edit it?  Add programs to it?  Add in programs for the other computers?  or would I also need to complete those in Excel and pull it into UR?

UR so far appears to be just OK for storing clipped info in it - as long as it is not a web page! - and... well... I still haven't figured out what else it is good for.  I really wish the UR forum had more info about how to use the program.  Kinook's documentation sure doesn't help at all.

It is hard to believe that none of the ambitious developers out there have tackled this kind of application yet.  It must be a lot harder than I initially thought.

Thanks!

Jim

2070

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on July 30, 2008, 01:37 PM »

Me too.
I put the registration info into whatever my current notetaking program is.  Most likely, I'll move them all into SQLNotes.  SoftCat is cool, but you can pretty much modify SQLNotes to do the same thing (minus some conveniences I suppose).

I also have used Belarc in the past to get a summary.  There was another program that I'm forgetting right now, that will scan your computer and give you a summary.

-superboyac (July 30, 2008, 01:06 PM)

But SQLNotes won't scan computers and locate all applications, right?  That's the feature I'm seeking.

Thanks!

Jim

2071

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on July 30, 2008, 01:27 PM »

Software registration info goes into Evernote, because it's so easy to clip from whatever the source -- email, web pages, etc.

Once in a blue moon I do an inventory of what's installed using Belarc Advisor. But I don't try to keep any real, accurate listing.

-CWuestefeld (July 30, 2008, 12:35 PM)

Yeah, Belarc shows me a lot of good info, but not really in a fashion where I can use it for anything other than looking at it.

I have also used several other programs that show what is currently installed, like:

• SIW
• jv16 Powertools
• ccleaner
• My Uninstaller
• Revo Unisntaller

All of those show a list of installed programs that can be copied and pasted into a text file (I use Notepad++) and then the text files can be opened in Excel.  Last year I did this with all of the above and then created a spreadsheet in Excel with a separate worksheet tab for each set of data.  Then I compared what each application had found.

Surprisingly they were all fairly consistent, though there were omissions on all of them.  Plus none of them new about the programs that are not installed permanently in Windows, of course, nor know the serial/registration codes.  I also usually save registration codes in Evernote and OneNote 2007 (Hadn't decided which would be my permanent long-term clipper program. With Evernote 3 taking a different turn, it looks like Ultra Recall might be the one). So I have a lot of the codes in the Excel sheet, but some are actually reg or license key files.  (In Ultra Recall attaching the key files is simple).

But all-in-all, it is a lot of work to maintain this.  Understand I am trying to do this for my desktop computer, my notebook, and a new computer I got for my wife.  And something like reinstalling the OS on each at least every year or two makes it even more fun!  

With all the amazing utilities that are available, you would think that tracking installed software and all its attributes/data, serial codes, version tracking, installer files, etc. would be a popular one.  But there are virtually none that are dedicated to this.  I would think that such a program would be worth a lot on the market, but in reality not many people would probably be willing to part with their money for this - only geeky folk like DCers!

Thanks!

Jim

2072

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on July 30, 2008, 12:59 PM »

I've used SoftCAT for years, not only to track what I have installed, but also programs that I simply find of interest [tho not installed].  A few months ago, I upgraded to SoftCAT PRO, which I REALLY LIKE!  I routinely snip online reviews and past them into the Notes Tab, and grab screenshots whenever possible for the Screenshot Tab.

Having all of this information immediately at hand is, to me, invaluable.

-TomColvin (July 30, 2008, 11:00 AM)

Thanks Tom.  I do remember that last year when this was being discussed that I checked and found that SoftCAT only scanned the Start Menu and Program Files directories, and not any other folders, like where I might have standalone non-installed-type programs that I use.  Do you know if that is still true?  Or can it scan anywhere on your computer for program files?  (I have quite a few applications that do not install themselves in C:\Program Folders, but instead run directly from wherever you click the .exe file.)

Much appreciated!

Jim

2073

General Software Discussion / Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by J-Mac on July 30, 2008, 02:22 AM »

OK, I'm getting tired of using Excel for managing my installed software, latest versions, registration codes, license expiration dates, etc.  Maybe I'm just getting lazy     , but I would love one that scans and pulls in as much info as possible.

I was involved in the discussions last year including WhereIsIt? and SoftCat, but a lot of other members were oscillating back and forth trying to decide between these two and a few others.  The threads all seem to end the same way - no real definitive answers as to what is working well and what it not.

If anyone cares to post about their experiences regarding usage of these tools, like does it scan all possible locations, what info does it pick up from its scans, how good is the available reporting, etc., I would be forever grateful! 

Thanks!

Jim

2074

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Let's Bundle Our Orders For Software995 Toolset

« Last post by J-Mac on July 29, 2008, 12:34 AM »

Thanks for arranging this, tinjaw.

I didn't bother to run a trial of these applications before jumping on board.
I shan't be using mine as any software that installs itself without asking where has no place on my system.
It'll stay 'on the shelf'.
No worries, I have plenty of other unused stuff (shades of Darwin  )

-cranioscopical (June 28, 2008, 09:28 PM)

cranio - I used Software995 for years and it is definitely a decent group of applications.

As for installing without asking, IIRC the PDF creation parts of it are drivers that must be installed in the Windows or maybe it was the Common Files directory - nothing weird or unusual. And I don't think it would work if it let you install the drivers elsewhere, but I might be wrong there.

The only thing I didn't particularly like was before I purchased and used the free version; then after each PDF creation it would open a browser page but always to their own web site to show you a nag screen.  Like, "If you purchased the very inexpensive license you wouldn't be shown this page" or something similar! Annoying but at the time there wasn't anything else around that created PDF's free like that.

Jim

2075

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Wired Magazine: 12 issues (one year) for $10 plus WIRED How To FREE

« Last post by J-Mac on July 29, 2008, 12:24 AM »

Hey justice - is that a redirect from the Wired web site?  The URL is unfamiliar, and I really hate making a purchase blindly from a page with such a URL.

Thanks!

Jim