Recent Posts

2451

General Software Discussion / Re: Settings backup software?

« Last post by Josh on September 04, 2007, 08:01 PM »

And that, in a nutshell, is the problem with why we cant ditch the backwards compatibility code (reducing the size of windows itself). This again, is why I don't and can't blame Microsoft for thinking of the customers first. Businesses aren't the only ones requiring backwards compatibility, I know several home users which use old software on a daily basis and refuse to upgrade.

2452

General Software Discussion / Re: Settings backup software?

« Last post by Josh on September 04, 2007, 07:35 PM »

Carol, that post is a very well thought out one and I whole-heartedly agree. My compatibility mode reference was more at MS maintaining "Backwards compatibility" for the sake of users who use old software. This has been a problem daunting the Windows platform for years. Yes, Microsoft needs to drop support for older versions. Yes, this will annoy a lot of people, but in the end, it will be better since we can truly rid ourselves of old, insecure code and grow on a more secure baseline. Developers need to start realizing that with Vista, previous thoughts about storage are no longer going to work. Storing settings in the program files folder is unacceptable. There is a reason we have user profiles, lets use them.

But yes, I agree with your post. Great job

2453

General Software Discussion / Re: Opera - new alpha version brings untold pleasures...or something like that.

« Last post by Josh on September 04, 2007, 07:31 PM »

That comment wasn't directed directly at torrent support. I merely listed torrent support as an example of how they add a feature and have yet to expand it. My comment was more aimed towards roboform. You are limited to using the wand or you don't have much of a choice otherwise. Am I wrong in this arena? Can you in fact use roboform or any other form filler/password manager with opera? Yes, keepass works, but that is more something sending keystrokes to the browser, not a true form filler since it cant gather field names to determine what values to fill in each field.

Anyways, when it comes to irc, again, this isn't what my comment was directed at. I don't use email or IRC from opera because they are, in my opinion, substandard, more difficult to use, and don't belong in a browser suite (Mozilla realized this, and as such the Mozilla suite is basically being eliminated).

Your pointing out the spell checkers reinforces my point that a more suitable API or plug-in based system is required so that you don't have to jump through hoops to get features like this to work. I would love to use my auto-complete utility to fill in where opera fails to add a feature (Auto-complete is another highly requested feature, and no, notes isn't an acceptable alternative since I don't want to type every possible auto-complete or web address into a note field). This again, is an example of where a user should be able to grow the browser as their own without having to resort to only what the developers add to the browser.

2454

General Software Discussion / Re: Settings backup software?

« Last post by Josh on September 04, 2007, 06:57 PM »

Thats just it, Microsoft didn't realize that the business OS, then NT, would take off and be as popular as it became. Yes, backwards compatibility is forced, but that is because if they didn't retain they would be screamed at for breaking applications and the way they operate. People can't complain about Microsoft not putting in backwards compatibility, then whine when they do and things like this happen. Microsoft is finally fixing what should have been done properly by developers since XP became the primary code-base (dropping the 9x line of code). I surely don't blame Microsoft for leaving compatibility modes in place, and I don't blame them for changing the system to force developers to code properly now as they have with Vista. Its like the whole w3c fiasco, if people had coded properly from the start, we wouldn't have the standards wars going on right now for web browsers. Likewise, if developers had coded their applications to take advantage of proper setting storage, we wouldn't be where we are now.

As I said, I don't blame Microsoft. The system has been in place for years (since Windows XP's release and the demise of the 9x code base

2455

General Software Discussion / Re: Opera - new alpha version brings untold pleasures...or something like that.

« Last post by Josh on September 04, 2007, 06:51 PM »

Thats just it, the programs you mention arent designed to be INCORPORATED into the browser, roboform is. Opera decided to add torrent support, and by doing so, they followed their track record of adding a feature and leaving it done half-assed. The wand has been a part of opera for years, and it hasnt changed with a very minor exception, over these years. My biggest problem with Opera ASA is that they put in features they feel like adding, leaving the user with the choice of "Use what we put in there, or nothing at all".

Again, a browser is a very personal piece of software, you should be able to customize it as such.

2456

General Software Discussion / Re: Adblock Plus: the nuclear plug-in (nice blog post)

« Last post by Josh on September 04, 2007, 06:18 PM »

By visiting their site, you agree to their advertisements. Most sites offer a subscription for ad free viewing, if you truly like the site, you will let the ads show. I do it on sites I support. If DC had a way to force ads to show for charter members, I would enable it. This is why I like ad muncher, I can support sites I like and find useful. Its only right that a site I use all the time get some sort of recoupement for my constant usage.

2457

General Software Discussion / Re: Settings backup software?

« Last post by Josh on September 04, 2007, 05:23 PM »

edbro, surely you cant blame microsoft for developers not using the proper setup for their file storage right? I mean, microsoft made user profile folders in NT for a reason, so that user specific settings could be stored in a central place. Developers still used program files for storage because microsoft never FORCED you to store it elsewhere. Well, now they do, and rightfully so, so that users can have a single place to look for settings.

2458

General Software Discussion / Re: Do you use a password manager? if not, maybe you should

« Last post by Josh on September 04, 2007, 03:31 PM »

Another vote for roboform and an agreement that Opera will never make it to my default browser because of the fact that roboform cannot add support to opera due to opera's restrictions.

2459

General Software Discussion / Re: Opera - new alpha version brings untold pleasures...or something like that.

« Last post by Josh on September 04, 2007, 03:27 PM »

I can understand the reasons behind not implementing an extension or plugin system (security), but come on. In this day and age, where a browser is a very personal piece of software, why not truly allow users to customize the browser to their likings? I am a huge opera fan, I love it, however it is lacking in several departments which could be fixed by allowing existing solutions to be incorporated into the program. Opera tries to simplify this by incorporating a VERY BASIC version of many features, often leaving much to be desired (torrent support anyone?), and as such they can claim that "Yes, we can do this". This is all well and good if they wish to remain a niche browser. However, I think opera would want to expand their market share. Yes, they have the cell market cornered, but the desktop market leaves a lot to be desired.

I pray for the day that I can use roboform, and various other programs I've purchased, with the opera, however until this day comes, I have to avoid opera. I need to be able to grow my browser as I DEEM FIT, not as the developers deem fit for me to do so.

2460

General Software Discussion / Re: Opera - new alpha version brings untold pleasures...or something like that.

« Last post by Josh on September 04, 2007, 10:28 AM »

Unless roboform is supported, I have no intent to swap to this anytime soon. Sorry, but opera needs to realize that users want to be able to expand their browser if they so desire to.

2461

General Software Discussion / Re: GemX - missing in action

« Last post by Josh on September 03, 2007, 05:56 PM »

I too have had horrible experiences when it comes to GemX and customer support. Initially, when I was evaluating Do-Org, I tried to register for their forums. It took me 2 weeks to get this done and several of you remember the fiasco I went through. I resorted to having some folks from the netherlands CALL THEM and still got no answer. I registered a total of 8 times, each time my account was deleted after 24 hours. They have admin approval setup on their forum for new user accounts. This is all well and good, IF THEY MONITORED IT. OK, that aside, I finally was able to register.

Now, I evaluated and purchased the program and various modules for it. Well, it took me 4 days to get my product key for the base program and that didnt allow me to use any of the modules I purchased. I sent several emails (which was also done when attempting to register an account to ask for support issues), all of which went unanswered. But again, after 4 days, I finally received a reply.

Now, I reported a bug about 3 months ago which was reported by several other users regarding their reminders system popping up reminders even after the alarm was dismissed and past the event's actual end time. They claimed this was being worked on. Well, I asked to be added to their beta team so that I could test the fixes. It took them 1 month to add me, and I think that was only done to shut me up on their forums since I was loudly voicing my distaste for their support. Well, after being granted access, I noticed that ONLY ONE beta version had been posted on their beta forum, and that during the course of the next two months no info was posted on what they were working on and what needed to be tested.

Now, as darwin pointed out, the forums have gone AWOL along with the support staff. Their pride and joy, DSM, support system which allows users to communicate directly with the authors without the need for email has proven to be useless. I too, sent a message to them about their forums and have yet to receive a reply. They claim on their DSM page that the response time is 4 hours, this has not been the case at all. Often times, when I do receive a "response", no contact is actually made and the problem is mysteriously either handled, or made to disappear.

This is a user who is about to demand a refund since I cannot obtain support for the constant bugs I am now starting to find with no way to report them. This is really pissing me off.

2462

Older Newsletters / Re: Newsletter for August 27 - Codename "Mouser reinvents the wheel"

« Last post by Josh on September 03, 2007, 05:29 PM »

Since darwin cant type, I fixed his error

2463

General Software Discussion / Re: NTFS Compression hack under XP - is it safe and is it worth implementing?

« Last post by Josh on September 03, 2007, 05:01 PM »

NTFS compression, as I said in the other thread, is best used at the folder level. DONT USE IT ON THE SYSTEM DRIVE (I dont think this can be done anyways, but if it can, dont). If you impliment this on the drive level (I.E., choosing the "Enable compression" option at format time), make sure its on a drive where lots of uncompressed material will be stored as doing so on a drive with MP3's, PDFs and other already compressed material WILL slow down performance especially if the files are larger than a few megabytes.

Folder level is the best method for use of compression since you can select which folders are compressed and which arent.

2464

Living Room / Re: $7.5 to optimize XP NTFS Drive access : rip-off or not ?

« Last post by Josh on September 03, 2007, 04:58 PM »

NTFS Compression is good at the folder level or on a drive where you plan to store lots of material that isnt already compressed (e.g. mp3's, videos, pdf files, etc). If you plan to mix and match, I suggest using NTFS compression at the folder level and selectively compress each folder.

2465

Living Room / Re: $7.5 to optimize XP NTFS Drive access : rip-off or not ?

« Last post by Josh on September 03, 2007, 04:24 PM »

I will shoot them an email complaining that they are overhyping a publicly available piece of information and providing claims that are nowhere near what most users will experience.

2466

Living Room / Re: $7.5 to optimize XP NTFS Drive access : rip-off or not ?

« Last post by Josh on September 03, 2007, 11:42 AM »

And just as f0dder guessed, its NTFS file compression.

I have just lost any and all respect for this company. Charging for a paper about NTFS compression which is freely available to anyone who wants it. And whats more, they did their testing with TEXT FILES. What a joke

2467

Living Room / Re: $7.5 to optimize XP NTFS Drive access : rip-off or not ?

« Last post by Josh on September 03, 2007, 11:41 AM »

Alright, purchased, looking at it now

2468

Living Room / Re: $7.5 to optimize XP NTFS Drive access : rip-off or not ?

« Last post by Josh on September 03, 2007, 11:35 AM »

Go ahead and shoot them over, I will make the purchase right away.

2469

Living Room / Re: $7.5 to optimize XP NTFS Drive access : rip-off or not ?

« Last post by Josh on September 03, 2007, 10:21 AM »

Anyone willing to go in with me on purchasing this pdf file so I can end this mystery?

2470

Living Room / Re: $7.5 to optimize XP NTFS Drive access : rip-off or not ?

« Last post by Josh on September 03, 2007, 07:27 AM »

I am thinking I will purchase this just so I can end this debacle and figure out what this thing is.

2471

Living Room / Re: $7.5 to optimize XP NTFS Drive access : rip-off or not ?

« Last post by Josh on September 02, 2007, 07:04 PM »

Perhaps mouser could use DC funds to find out the big secret and then post it to the web!

2472

Living Room / Re: DRM in Vista is getting on my nerves...anyone else's, too?

« Last post by Josh on September 02, 2007, 11:18 AM »

I dont think this is an issue of DRM but of a service running when it shouldnt be. I've never had a problem playing ANY of my media, protected or not, in Vista and have not seen the service you mentioned. There are a couple of services you can disable in the services.msc mmc snapin, but other than that, I have seen nothing of what you mention.

2473

Living Room / The impotence of proof reading

« Last post by Josh on September 01, 2007, 06:40 PM »

This video is pretty darn hilarious. Its worth a watch. Brought to you by YouTube.

2474

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: *OLD* (Windows) Software For The Cost Of Shipping ($4 USD)

« Last post by Josh on September 01, 2007, 06:31 PM »

You dont play bf2 do you?

2475

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: *OLD* (Windows) Software For The Cost Of Shipping ($4 USD)

« Last post by Josh on September 01, 2007, 06:22 PM »

What games do you have tinjaw?