Recent Posts

2501

General Software Discussion / Internet Explorer 8.1 released

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 31, 2009, 07:08 PM »

Click screenshot for the full article:

2502

General Software Discussion / Re: Website design recommendations for a small business site?

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 30, 2009, 07:03 PM »

Fair enough - I understand 'blank page syndrome' 

2503

General Software Discussion / Re: Website design recommendations for a small business site?

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 30, 2009, 04:49 PM »

It seems that in Xara Web Designer you can modify the templates in pretty much whatever way you want.

2504

General Software Discussion / Re: Website design recommendations for a small business site?

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 30, 2009, 03:30 PM »

How about Xara web designer? http://www.xara.com

Checkout the templates page: http://www.xara.com/...bdesigner/templates/

Loads to choose from and easily customisable.

There are a load of video demos to see how it works at: http://www.xara.com/...ner/tutorials-demos/

Note I haven't actually used this product (it is new and only recently released) but I have used and recommend the rest of their product line in the past and they produce really good quality software.

I don't have a financial interest in XARA but I have recommended their stuff in the past and as a result I signed up to their affiliate scheme. If you decide to buy something from them you can buy it direct from their site but if you feel like sharing the love you can pass on some commission to me by purchasing via my affiliate link here

2505

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 26, 2009, 07:53 PM »

If we all work together on this, maybe we can bring the Collectorz.com movie database to a state where it *is* usable for you, so that you can all upgrade to the latest and greatest version of the program you love (or at least *loved*) so much.

-Josh (March 26, 2009, 07:03 PM)

So now we admit it doesn't work so just cough up the money for an upgrade, stop moaning and get on with the work of building our database for us. Of course having built our new database, entered lots of information, scanned and uploaded images galore in a few months we will charge you to use it.

And they say slavery is dead!

2506

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 25, 2009, 05:49 PM »

That was in the email he sent to all registered users.

2507

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Mikogo Mac Version now available for free online meetings

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 25, 2009, 11:11 AM »

I have to say I love Mikogo on Windows and use it all the time to do remote fixing of minor issues for cutomers (thanks).

I haven't had a Mac customer in a while to try this out but I will certainly give it a try as soon as I can.

Any Mac users out there like to give some feedback for Stefen?

2508

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 24, 2009, 08:15 PM »

Some more threads have mysteriously vanished from the Collectorz board

I'm starting the conversion to eXtreme Movie Manager. While not the most beautiful app out there, it's got tons of features, uses a number of scripts (more can be added by users) to import data, is actively developed by an author who seems genuinely interested in his customers. The program only costs $10 btw! Data exported from Movie Collector to XML can be imported (images as well!) so the change didn't take long, but there's a fair bit of updating needed. Best alternative I've found!

Only 10$ , unlimited updats included!

(sic)

-TucknDar (March 24, 2009, 04:41 PM)

I have just downloaded XMM to have a look-see but I find it a bit worrying on their download page that there is a link about Vista compatibility. It says you need to run in in XP SP2 compatibility mode and with administrator privileges. Given that Vista has been out for quite a while now and XP (at least from a commercial perspective) is dead it is worrying that the latest release (on 23rd March) is still only really an XP application. Stating that it is fully Vista compatible seems to miss the point if you have to use XP/admin tweaks to get it to run properly ???

2509

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 24, 2009, 01:45 PM »

Using software to catalogue my collections means I can add a location code to find things quickly.

-Carol Haynes (March 24, 2009, 05:15 AM)

Now there's an idea I hadn't thought of, and a use for cataloguing software that hadn't occurred to me... Sadly, however, I'd have to change my habits to make this work for me - I tend to grab a book, get the information I need and then put it down. Weeks later I'll go into a cleaning frenzy and file a stack of books whereever there is space. Thus, cataloguing them and noting location would be futille for me as things stand 

-Darwin (March 24, 2009, 11:09 AM)

Easy add a small sticky to each item to give the correct location to put it back. That way you aren't wasting time looking for a shelf (or in my case boxes and piles too) with space on it either.

Incidentally, the quote from Alwin about Collectorz going to a subscription based model that Josh mentions is:

As I said earlier: This is simply not true. You are NOT paying for a service. You paid a one time fee to buy our software. The service we provide has always been free.
Which is crazy, I know. And which is why for our online cataloging SERVICE, we will move to a subscription model, that is, a monthly or yearly fee.

-Darwin (March 24, 2009, 11:12 AM)

It also looks like a neat sidestep around the promise of life time licenses for people who purchased during that period (even thoygh he promised life time licenses would be honoured).

2510

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 24, 2009, 05:15 AM »

Cool - glad that Librarian Pro looks to be useful. I have a license for it so may try it again. As I mentioned earlier, I don't have much use for cataloguing my stuff. I like the cataloguing, but find that I don't make much use of the catalogue  Not unlike WhereIsIt? - great bit of software but I barely used it when I had it installed, other than to keep it up to date (USB Thumbdrive contents). No doubt I'll reach a point where I need this functionality and rue the day I uninstalled the software (and stopped updating the catalogues), but such is life!

-Darwin (March 23, 2009, 10:16 PM)

One of the things I like is the innovative idea (currently in beta form) to use barcodes with a webcam - so ultimately it may allow you to simply wave the barcode at your webcam. Now that would be brilliant.

The reason I need to catalogue everything isn't so much to know what I have but I have large collections of Books (literally thousands), CDs and DVDs and most of the time struggle to find what I am looking for. Using software to catalogue my collections means I can add a location code to find things quickly.

2511

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 24, 2009, 05:12 AM »

Be advised, collectorz WILL be changing to a SUBSCRIPTION model for their online service

-Josh (March 24, 2009, 03:32 AM)

Does that really come as a surprise?

Doubtless Alwin will still charge for the software and then expect you to pay to be allowed to submit data!

Actually this is another reason why the single data model was designed (IMHO) - in the older software third party scripts were possible to access data. In theory that means that someone could set up a rival database or update the access scripts for Amazon etc.

Maybe there is a future in Movie Collectorz 5 and that will be user support access to sensible databases for free.

I love that in that thread he says the problem is the user is using a barcode reader (and the bar codes for new titles are not in the database instantly) - given that they actively target the software at barcode use (and charge a premium price for barcode reader packages)!

2512

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 23, 2009, 07:31 PM »

Hey - Librarian Pro is almost exactly what I want!

OK the detail isn't that comprehensive and the graphics are much smaller (and it is more clunky to add graphics if you need to) but the fact that I can sit and just go through a stack of items with a barcode reader and it just adds them instantly (and confirms verbally what it is doing) is great.

So far I have tried some really obscure things and it is has found anything with a barcode. The only issue I have is that I have a lot of DVDs from Region 1 and Region 2 and so I occasionally have to swap Amazon UK to Amazon US to get the code to work (shame you can't specify a search sequence so that if it doesn't find it at one site it moves on to the next in the list).

Add to that you can catalogue Books, CDs, MP3 and iTunes libraries, hardware and software all in one application and it is exactly the sort of thing I need.

Also as a single user I can install it legally on as many computers as I want (for my use) including Windows and Mac machines and it seems ideal.

Thanks for the heads up.

2513

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 23, 2009, 04:06 PM »

Thanks Darwin, I'll take a look.

2514

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 23, 2009, 06:18 AM »

I right-clicked on the Toolbar and clicked "Customize" to see what I could do about the humongous toolbar & icons. Unfortunately the "Customize" dialog had a drop shadow on the right and bottom - and they never did go away. Whatever I looked at after that had four black lines in the center: two from where the dialog initially opened, and two more at the location where I moved it to.

Didn't go away until I rebooted. I've seen this before and I hate apps that do that. Is it a Java app? Anyone know what does that?

-J-Mac (March 22, 2009, 02:14 PM)

Does happen on my system at all. As for large icons you can turn off large icons in the toolbar context menu options.

Have you tried using a different layout if you don't like the default version? There are 4 supplied with the app and loads more that can be downloaded from the website.

My only regret is that this isn't an all in one solution for CDs and Books too. It works great with a barcode reader - very few misses in the database (and those that are are pretty obscure - I am into opera and I don't really expect it to have 1970s opera listings), the cover artwork is good (once you register it), it is much quicker and more intuitive to use (IMHO) than Collectorz.

I suppose ralistically with Collectorz I should get all my databases updated while there is the option of using an older version with multiple sources and then convert to the new version. At least then I would only have to manually add stuff one at a time as I buy it, and I'd guess popular recent releases will get into the database. I have lifetime licenses on Books, Music and Movie products but I suppose my biggest worry is that Alwin will make similar unilateral and unpopular decisions in the future that mean I really don't want to be locked in to his system.

I wonder if I can get a refund on the lifetime licenses now - I bought them quite a while ago?

2515

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 22, 2009, 05:58 AM »

FWIW my hand held bar code reader works perfectly on DVD Profiler.

Also note that DVD profiler is a one time purchase (ie. free updates to new versions after purchase).

So far I have entered 50 titles and only had about 4 not found (and they were either very old or obscure).

Going to shift to DVD Profiler - thatnks for the heads up.

2516

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 22, 2009, 04:18 AM »

Can you use a barcode reader with it?

-Carol Haynes (March 20, 2009, 04:16 PM)

Which barcode scanner do you use, Carol?

Thanks!

Jim

-J-Mac (March 20, 2009, 10:30 PM)

It's just a cheap one I got off eBay. The label says "Acan". Seems to work OK (basically it acts as a keyboard input for barcode numbers).

And yet another email pushing the new, unimproved version. This is getting silly!

Jim

-J-Mac (March 21, 2009, 12:25 PM)

Yep I got it too.

2517

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 20, 2009, 04:34 PM »

I'll give it a go and let you know.

2518

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 20, 2009, 04:16 PM »

Can you use a barcode reader with it?

2519

General Software Discussion / Re: Collectorz.com... again!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 20, 2009, 02:23 PM »

Today -

A few days ago we sent out a notice that we have seriously reduced the
price of upgrading to the faster, easier Movie Collector 6.1.

Because the offer has been so popular... and because we are only letting
you upgrade at this extremely low price until Sunday at 11:59pm... I
thought I would give you another chance to join the thousands of happy
Movie Collectors that have already made the move to v6.1.

Here are your three very special offers...

**** NOTICE: These Offers Expire Sunday March 22, at 11:59pm ****

How long will it be before they stop believing their own spin?

2520

Living Room / Re: What's the best registry cleaner? Ask Leo says: none

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 18, 2009, 01:23 PM »

I sound like a broken watch but registry cleaners are pointless and dangerous. So you have a few out of date entries knocking about (so what) and you probably have hundreds of unused entries installed by common applications such as Windows and Office (to name only two) that deliberately insert empty registry keys that are only filled when you download a particular plugin or what ever.

Just because you don't perceive immediate problems doesn't mean they don't appear down the line. The main problem is that by the time you have a problem you don't even think to blame the registry cleaner.

I am not saying MS is perfect (I know they are not) but if you have a few minutes to spare try installing in VirtualPC Windows Vista or XP clean install (you don't need to activate it) and an MS Office product. Then run any of the registry cleaners and look at how many 'errors' exist on a newly installed system. Many cleaners will literally find hundreds.

I used to use JV Powertools but gave up after I noticed that in a multiboot system it was 'fixing' registry problems in automatic mode with files on the wrong partition (i.e. a different version of windows altogether).

2521

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommend a good freeware spam filter for Outlook 2007?

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 17, 2009, 10:38 AM »

May be true - I have never used exchange.

2522

Living Room / Re: Why I Avoid Apple Products

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 17, 2009, 10:37 AM »

I agree but a lot of graphics companies use Macs - (just about the only ones that do unless you believe Hollywood where even full body scanners in hospitals are powered by Macs) and so it isn't unreasonable to argue that someone going into that field may be at more of an advantage to have knowledge of Macs.

2523

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommend a good freeware spam filter for Outlook 2007?

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 17, 2009, 09:41 AM »

Unfortunately there used to be a very good Outlook plugin (called Outclass) that managed POPfile within Outlook from a simple tool bar. It is a shame but Outclass hasn't been developed for years.

You can use POPfile within Outlook by setting up a folder that points to the POPfile interface - then a single click brings up the management page within Outlook. Details are listed on the POPfile FAQs page.

2524

General Software Discussion / Re: Heuristic Antivirus

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 17, 2009, 09:33 AM »

Having read that thread is there any point in upgrading to version 4?

2525

Living Room / Re: Why I Avoid Apple Products

« Last post by Carol Haynes on March 17, 2009, 04:52 AM »

I had a situation the other day that a friends daughter was pressurising her parent to buy her a MacBook for going off to university. She has lots of expensive software (bought by her parents) that only runs on Windows and when I asked her why she wanted to spend much more money on a MacBook than get the latest (and very nice) Sony VAIO for about half the price for a lower spec she had a number of answers:

1) Apple is Greener

I had a look at the Apple website and they are now marketing themselves as greener than other manufacturers. I really can't see how they have the gall to suggest this since they use exactly the same components (actually technically older and lower quality components often) as any other laptop - bought in motherboards, nVidia graphics etc. They claim the body of the laptop is made from fully recyclable Aluminium but they are far from unique in that (eg. Samsung make aluminium laptops) and what they don't say is that plastic is also recyclable so it isn't by any means a unique feature.

The other thing that made me laugh was they were claiming how efficient the new MacBook Pro batteries are (with up to 8 hours usage time). They claim they last 3 years in normal use whereas all other manufacturers expect you to change your battery every one or two years. This is a bare faced lie - I have yet to meet someone who had to change a laptop battery within two years and Apple are so confident in their product that they still state the battery is only guaranteed for one year (despite the 3 year claim). Given the claims they made over iPod battery life forgive me if I need to be convinced on this argument. Add to that the MacBook Pro has to be returned to Apple to have its battery changed when it does die - to me this is totally unacceptible and actually be definition shortens the life of the battery because you can't remove it when you are using the machine on mains power for extended periods.

2) I want to be able to carry my whole music library

I pointed out that the Sony had as standard more than twice the hard disc capacity than the basic MacBook and that to buy a system with the same hard disc capacity would be exactly twice the price!

3) It has more memory

The Sony VAIO NS20EP has 3Gb of memory as standard - none of the MacBooks (even the most expensive) come with more than 2Gb as standard and you will probably have to pay Apple's inflated prices to expand memory because you can't get into their boxes to install an upgrade.

The Sony VAIO costs £500 (list price) whereas a not quite equivalent spec MacBook costs £1200.


It turns out the real reason was that she had been staying with a family with three children all of whom had been extolling the huge advantages of their very pretty MacBooks.

All this spin, lies and religious zealotry is really annoying when you are trying to present a rational recommendation to a parent paying for a laptop for a child to take to uni. If she had been going to uni to do a graphic design course I could easily have support her choice but she is going to do English - so all she needs is a browser and a Word Processor!