Recent Posts

26

General Software Discussion / Re: best first time linux distro for windows user

« Last post by sphere on April 12, 2023, 06:46 PM »

I have been meaning to check into some of the new to me distros as I landed on Linux Mint at least 5 to 10 years  ago when doing something similar to what you are doing here.  You can create a live cd /usb drive and boot it up and see if any drivers are missing, then you can commit and install it to the system's hard drive. It installs with some things you might not think are important by default, like a media player and browser.  It has a listing of softer that you can install broken down by categories.  If someone has used an app store, they can likely figure it out.  I have very little complaints with people not being able to figure out how to use it- but this was quite some time ago.   Like has been said, it has a similar feel as window 7. 

If people are going to be gaming- I think there are distros with vetter video graphic support. It used to be that wine was the only game in town to install windows applications on a linux machine, but I have heard there are more out there that allow one to install windows applications.  It does not seem like that is an issue in this case.

If these pcs are going to be used as "common" at a shelter, I wonder if there are any purpose built linux kiosk version that might be more stable in the long run

I think the big thing is, that Mint got user friendly/similar to windows right "first" and because of that it has a bit of a leg up compared to other distros.  Other distros might be better.   What is nice is most distros allow you to boot from cd/usb thumb drive to try it out. I would like you to try a bunch of distros and then report back

27

General Software Discussion / Re: hosting a file for downloads, capturing information

« Last post by sphere on April 12, 2023, 12:00 PM »

I am always interested in how people use platforms to work collaboratively.  I think a plugin will likely be the easiest way and I am assuming there is a marketplace and forum for that. I am not able to do that, but maybe someone here could take it on.

I have been on sites (generally photo sites) that restrict downloads.  A popup came up saying downloads were not allowed. I wondering if  you could make a pop-up with a contact form/questionnaire. Or maybe adding the form to a captcha???
I am guessing if you require membership you will have a greater ability to track what people download.  Putting a banner along the top of each page  asking people to fill out a form might be something to do in the meantime.  Or adding a landing page. 

Edit: I did a quick search and found the following https://xenforo.com/...wnload-tracker.8746/
This developer might be able to tweak their plugin.   Might be other existing plugins.

28

General Software Discussion / Alomware Toolbox looks interesting with alot of tools

« Last post by sphere on April 11, 2023, 11:16 AM »

Anyone heard of or use AlomWare Toolbox? I am wondering what out there might have a similar feature set or if anyone has tried it and had positive or negative experiences with it?

I originally was looking into it because it will OCR screenshots using window’s native OCR, but then I noticed it has a lot of other neat features all bundled into a nice interface and a portable app. 

The website https://www.alomware.com/features.html does a better job describing the program features, but in short it consists of a:

Macro recorder and AHK like automation.
Clipboard history manager with text manipulations as well as a screenshot manager with OCR.  (I do like link Clipboard Help& Spell more)
File Explorer “power” user options with scripting, file search  and folder watching and file backup
PC Desktop State management
Calendar and Scheduler with scripting
Plain text notes with the option to encrypt
various other window tweaks

Folder watching seems like it offers versioning.    I am a longtime fan of portableapps, and I think you can bundle many applications to get a similar feature set, but I like how this is packaged and I think it looks intuitive enough that non-power users could use it and enjoy the benefits.

It is in beta.

29

General Software Discussion / Re: Internet Timer

« Last post by sphere on December 16, 2022, 05:08 PM »

Ah, I actually got the user to promise.  That's the best solution, anyway!  People will surprise you sometimes - just gotta keep hoping for them.

-BGM (December 15, 2022, 11:32 AM)

Well that does work.   I was going to suggest a router/swtich with its power plugged into a light timer set to the times you want

30

Android Apps / Re: Which Android Emulator

« Last post by sphere on December 05, 2022, 08:38 AM »

thanks!

31

General Software Discussion / Re: Web clipping

« Last post by sphere on August 23, 2022, 10:01 AM »

I am in search of a better web clipper myself as I have not found the perfect solution.  I am not sure about password protected sites.

Most recently I have been depending on the browser plugin single file, which is often overkill as it saves entire pages.  At one point I used a plugin called "scrapbook" which I recently found out has been resurrected by a developer as  "scrapyard" I have not looked deeply into it.  It seems to be well thought out and provide some interesting workflows to save bookmarks and webpages locally. It also has a android application. I believe the developer uses orgmode as their personal knowledge manager and scrapyyard ties into that.  It is open source.   https://addons.mozil...fox/addon/scrapyard/

I have also used zotero which did a great job capturing entire pages.   It seems it might be a possibility because many academic works that someone might want to collect content from are behind gateways requiring passwords. 

There was a period that I was using tagspace's web clipper. It allowed me to be more selective about what I was selecting from a page, and it saved the clipping locally as a html file which I could link to locally if need be.  I did not need to use the tag spaces app to use the  web clipper. 

For certain types of information I would use joplin as it would store in plain text with images and I could have it accessible in different computers I have syncing joplin.  It is similar to a markdown web clipper  Logseq has a few plugins that are similar as well.  One saves the simestamp of a youtube video which is a feature I have long needed.   

I know someone who loves rightnotes web clipper or bookmarks because of how they can copy and past the clipping including a hyperink to the url, but I have not checked it out too deeply.

I also know some people who use zootsoftware for web capturing.

32

General Software Discussion / Re: Contra Chrome

« Last post by sphere on August 23, 2022, 08:40 AM »

I use Firefox, but I have installed chrome too when firefox fails.

-Contro (April 17, 2022, 03:50 AM)

I was using the laptop yesterday when it started to crawl. The major culprit seemed to be Firefox which was hogging memory and sometimes CPU. I tab open, 34 processes!
Had many tabs of Vivaldi open, but its speed never seems to be impacted by opening extra tabs.
Went back to normal speed when I closed FF.

-Dormouse (August 23, 2022, 04:25 AM)

That is strange. Most everyone I know has the opposite experience.  Chrome based browsers tend to hog more resources and they get bogged down on java heavy sites after a period of time.  I typically use my chrome browsers for specific purposes and as the number of tabs grow, it will slow and then become unresponsive or the tabs will begin crashing.  I started firefox today with close to 10 windows and 47 tabs.  That number will grow more than I care to admit as the day progresses.

However this thread is about the privacy concerns with chrome.  I wish there was something that could be done to address the privacy concerns.  Some of my banks require chrome to display online statements which is really unfortunate. Years ago google had a motto not to be evil.  They have removed that motto and I cannot help but think it is because they gave up trying.

33

General Software Discussion / Re: What was a great program that's now been forgotten?

« Last post by sphere on July 11, 2022, 11:37 PM »

A more modern version here: https://github.com/A...some-Windows/Awesome

-ibay770 (May 26, 2022, 01:48 PM)

This is a great list.  There are a number of goodies there that I have never heard of.  Thanks for the point.

-irkregent (May 27, 2022, 06:21 PM)

My pleasure.  I made a list with the stuff I use personally.

-ibay770 (May 29, 2022, 12:40 PM)

@ibay770 Have you used WinToUSB successfully?

34

Living Room / Re: Projector recommendations?

« Last post by sphere on May 25, 2022, 09:41 AM »

So is the idea that the newborn has some visual stimulation when laying in crib.

I know that a number of pico projectors have smartphone apps (though I do not know how much I would trust these applications). Many projectors also run a version of android and you can download apps.  Years ago I used a free android app that would pull pictures from a nextcloud web share folder.  I think I had it installed on an older kindle.  Setting this up on a windows PC was even easier. Use nextcloud's desktop app to sync a folder of images and then setting that folder as the source for a slide show or screen saver.  I can upload pictures to the nextcloud manually or automatically from my smartphone or my pc.  I believe there might also be a nextcloud slide show freature that works through the web browser.

While projecting onto the ceiling certainly is a little more magical, I might consider just mounting a display or android/pc tablet on the ceiling our using a mounting arm that move the display in the directions you would like.  When looking at pico projectors I would consider the noise level.  Their fans can be loud.  I would also make sure that it can charge the internal battery, while in use. I do not know how long their bulbs last. That used to be an issue with projectors.  If you are also interested in playing sound, you will need to work out the audio.  Also, I do not think most projectors are designed to be on and running for 8 hour stretches. And finally,  most inexpensive projectors are going to get bleached out with any light on. 

If I were trying to build a system, I might just hook up a pc to the projector/or display and have the screen saver pull from a local folder I could add images to over the network. 

Similarly, I might look at one of the Raspberry Pi projects for "Digital Signage"   There are some really powerful systems out there.
https://digitalsigna...signage-open-source/

There are also digital picture frames that allow you to load images onto the "picture frame".  Some allow you to load images remotely.  In my opinion they are expensive, but they can provide a way to "beam" images into family member's homes in way that is easy for persons not familiar with computers and that is aesthetically pleasing.   When I looked into it years ago, there were quite a few options you build your own with a cheap tablet. 

35

PublicDomainVic / Re: Keep icons arranged in a folder

« Last post by sphere on May 13, 2022, 04:05 PM »

What an interesting application.    It would be helpful in order to implement a “folder contents”  kanban board. Take a snapshot of where you are, and then restore that snapshot.  Last year I played around with focalboard (open source) when I needed a kanban board for a project.

36

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Zabkat i-DeClone and DeskRule deals coming on Bits du Jour

« Last post by sphere on May 12, 2022, 04:17 PM »

I see. I had assumed that since you were sharing the promotion you liked it. I appreciate your sharing your issues with the UI.  I also noticed that it can do searched on removable  media which was attractive.
It seems like a powerful program. 

37

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Zabkat i-DeClone and DeskRule deals coming on Bits du Jour

« Last post by sphere on May 12, 2022, 10:50 AM »

I am curious if anyone is using Deskrule?  It looks like it can search the contents of a file and has numerous plugins that allow a quick preview (I think- have not tried them)

I have been using filelocator.

38

PublicDomainVic / Re: RandomFilesApp - Launch random files from a folder at random times

« Last post by sphere on April 22, 2022, 05:02 PM »

Sounds good

39

PublicDomainVic / Re: RandomFilesApp - Launch random files from a folder at random times

« Last post by sphere on April 20, 2022, 10:21 PM »

This app was inspired by both your random sound application and also your random sample application.

It makes sense to me for the spreadsheet/notes entry GUI to also control some of the actions so I am calling it the Action/Spreadsheet Entry GUI for the sake of this description.  So I guess that means there would be two parts of the GUI. The action/selection part and then the notes/entry part.

User Experience:  The Action/Spreadsheet Entry GUI pops up at user defined intervals/random intervals that allows user to select from a number of pre-loaded files from watch folder(s) similar to the Random Sample App.
-A hotkey/button can postpone the Action/Spreadsheet Entry GUI.
-A hotkey/button can re-populate the list.
-A hotkey/button to select from favorite folders.
-A hotkey/button to open spreadsheet
-Clicking on a file from the pre-load list will open that file and pull date/time and file information into the entry part of the GUI.
-Right clicking on file takes you to file location.

The entry portion of the GUI would provide a place to enter notes alongside the date, time and file name. I am imagining it having several fields.   Being able to edit the text that the app enters would be helpful to correct or clarify entries.

Settings:
-Set watch folder(s) for application to open/play.
-Set random intervals
-Set Postpone GUI time
-Set file selection bypass (just opens a random file without the pre-load/without entry)
-Set how many random files to “pre-load” in GUI. (like random sample app).   
-Set what file information, time, date etc is pulled into spreadsheet entry.
-Set save location for spreadsheet.
-Set hotkeys for app if that is possible. (launch, postpone file)
-Set file extensions (and maybe application to open file)
 
I am trying to imagine how the spreadsheet entry will work.  I am not sure if you had ideas about how you would do this.

Other thoughts:
-I am not sure if it would be possible for the user to define some short text entries in the settings, that could then be selected from a drop down menu for the spreadsheet entry.
-Move file to a different folder after it has been loaded.
-Setting to remember last location GUI opened on desktop
 
I am assuming that the files would be opened using Window’s default application associated with the file type, however, it could be helpful to set what program is used to open a file.  Then the faster program could be used if the default application is slower to load.  This also means that work in that default application at the time of launch is not affected.

That is all.  As I mentioned to you, this was inspired by your random sound and your random sample app.  I certainly will understand if any of this just is not possible or within the scope of what you want to take on.   

40

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: play random wav from a folder at random times

« Last post by sphere on April 17, 2022, 11:37 AM »

Hi! RandomFilesApp pledged @ https://github.com/p...ain/random-files-app

Stay tuned for first ALPHAS, on its own thread

-publicdomain (April 16, 2022, 12:42 AM)

Vic,
Thats great. I have been thinking about this.  I can share the thoughts in the thread as soon as I see it.  I am  assuming you want to create it.

41

Found Deals and Discounts / FileCenterDMS 50% Off

« Last post by sphere on April 14, 2022, 09:47 AM »

I know a number of people who use this software professionally in their firms. I am considering buying it.  Figured I would share it here.  Maybe others have experience with it.

https://www.bitsdujo...ware/filecenter-dms/

42

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: play random wav from a folder at random times

« Last post by sphere on April 13, 2022, 05:19 PM »

Glad you're liking it! 

How about creating that new app to fit your brainstormed requirements?

Most importantly: would you like a specific app for exercises or a generic "run random files" program (with spreadsheet reporting). I'm fine with any one you choose since it's basically the same app

-publicdomain (April 13, 2022, 04:16 PM)

That would be great for me!! I am not sure which would be better.  I believe the "run random files" would be of more use to me and to others because it is more versatile. Like someone else in this thread. I do have alot of random audio and video clips from movies etc that a generic run random file program could bring back to life.  I also think the open random files in the folder could be helpful for going through some old pictures I have and getting descriptions into a spreadsheet.  However, there might be better tool for that task.

I imagine that if it were geared towards exercise it would make sense to have the spreadsheet reporting centered more around the exercises and stretching. So quickly entering how many repetitions were done with some stock answers.  However, if it were a generic run random files with tracking it might be nice to have the ability to enter what stock answers can be selected when reporting.  I need to wrap my head around this.

Whatever it ends up being I think it would be nice if the file name could entered automatically in the spreadsheet.  The nice thing for my use case with the random files for exercise and stretching is that I do not need to spend alot of time filling in some sort of exercise template. I have alot of video clips already, then I have various pdfs and jpgs.  I just drop them in the folder and it will pop up and nudge me eventually

Thanks in advanced   

43

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: play random wav from a folder at random times

« Last post by sphere on April 13, 2022, 02:55 PM »

I really like this application.  Very cool!

I am curious how difficult it would be to make this so that it could open other types of files (video, audio, documents) or even from a list of links. I am using this as a reminder to stretch and exercise during the day.  The sound triggers me to refer to a list of stretches/exercises I have as various different files on my PC.   It would be nice for the file to be pulled up from a list of different exercises or stretches I have videos, jpegs of the exercises/stretches I am suppose to do.

Even better if I could track which stretches I have done in a spreadsheet, though that seems like a different program all together.  This is a great help, just wondering how easy it would be to tweak to my use case.     

44

Living Room / Re: An Exercise Reminder app (in Autohotkey)

« Last post by sphere on December 14, 2021, 08:29 AM »

^ there's a download link at the top of the page linked to in the OP (?)

-tomos (December 13, 2021, 11:00 PM)

You are correct.  However, it is from 2016. There is a newer version here but the download link does currently work.  When diving a little deeper there is a post about restructuring the program downloads on the website.   

I have no idea how different the 2016 version is from the later version.  It might be that there is little difference. 

45

Living Room / Re: An Exercise Reminder app (in Autohotkey)

« Last post by sphere on December 13, 2021, 09:35 PM »

 I was looking to try this out and discovered there is a new version, however I cannot find where to download it.   Looks like there was some page restructuring from this post http://s355751075.on...tware-restructuring/

Is the download still available?

46

General Software Discussion / Re: alternative to filehamster?

« Last post by sphere on October 06, 2021, 05:24 PM »

Do you have it running and installed on a windows 10 machine? What are you using now?

-sphere (October 06, 2021, 12:18 PM)

I'm no longer doing the work I used it for. No longer even work (professionally) at/with a computer. I do have one project though that I intend to finish next year, for which I could use it, or something like it, so might try install it at some stage again.

-tomos (October 06, 2021, 02:18 PM)

Tomos,  I totally understand. I just have a hard time believing that the comment prompt is not more common.
Thanks you

47

General Software Discussion / Re: alternative to filehamster?

« Last post by sphere on October 06, 2021, 12:18 PM »

Just for the record:

seems like File Hamster has been updated recently.  There is an overview of the new features here on youtube from 3 years ago.
https://www.youtube....

-sphere (October 06, 2021, 08:48 AM)

Those videos are all of features that already existed years ago. I wrote elsewhere on dc that some minor bugs were fixed in 2019. Unfortunately without a link. I think they mainly made sure it ran on Windows 10 so as they could keep selling it. I couldn't find the forum.

-tomos (October 06, 2021, 12:03 PM)

Tomos, thanks for the clarification. That is unfortunate. From reading this thread and a few others, it seems like your use case is very similar to what I am looking for. At least it was. I believe I read that you are not using it except for some older projects.  Do you have it running and installed on a windows 10 machine? What are you using now?

48

General Software Discussion / Re: alternative to filehamster?

« Last post by sphere on October 06, 2021, 08:48 AM »

I am wondering if anyone has any current thoughts on filehamster or alternatives for non-techy computer user.  I believe the feature that sets FH apart from other alternatives presented in this thread is dialogue prompt to enter a comment when saving a file version.   The network support through "teams plugin" is also nice as it allows a small group to lock and unlock changes as well as review other person's notes.  I do not think this is an enterprise solution, but it seems like it would work for a small group, or even a family on a home network. 


It seems like File Hamster has been updated recently.  There is an overview of the new features here on youtube from 3 years ago.
https://www.youtube....f7QY5A_Pm2i2JV1FiM4w

It does not look like their support forum exists anymore.  Support now links to facebook page with very little activity.

Ideally I am looking for ways to automatically track what was done with prompted user input.  I have often thought that this could be a part of a "tracking" application that intelligently logs a user's activity (files opened and reviewed, emails (subjects), browser's tab titles) in order to create a history to help a user reacquaint themselves with what was done on a task/project after leaving it for a period of time.  It would be great to be able to see a timeline view of files that were edited within a certain timeframe.  File Hamster has a reports feature, which would be helpful. 

File Hamster is more than a file sync and file backup utility. It provides a way to keep track of files, with contextual notes, and that is what I am looking for in the absence of a broader tool to help track/log projects and tasks automatically.

Anyone still using Filehamster? Any alternatives?

File Hamster 's notes feature

49

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: DBISAM Engine Error # 9732

« Last post by sphere on July 23, 2021, 09:10 PM »

So I am having a similar problem.  I realize this is an old thread, but since it was useful to me, I thought it best to reply here.

I am using the portable version.  I was unable to navigate to the program option to try and fix the database, so I followed the instructions in this thread. I made a copy of the database and the backup folder, and then deleted the folder contents. I restarted ClipboardHelpAndSpell and did not receive any error. Then, I selected a backup to restore from, and then clicked apply. I was expecting the restore to take longer.  I think the backup might have been from after I initially had the issue because it is only 1,060kb.  When I copied the contents of the database folder it was much larger.

In anycase, it did not bring back anything.  So I closed the program and then I copied the contents of the database folder back.  When I did, I got the same errors.  Any other ideas?  Any way to use the database files to rebuild?
 

 

50

General Software Discussion / Re: XML Viewer editor with exporting?

« Last post by sphere on June 10, 2021, 02:36 PM »

Wow. Definitely gives me something to work with.  Working on exploring them now.  Do you know if any of these allow you to load multiple xml files simultaneously?