Recent Posts

2526

Living Room / Re: Vista licensing - will it kill enthusiasts interest ?

« Last post by zridling on October 17, 2006, 04:08 AM »

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes feels our pain (and angst) over this vital issue in his own take on Thurrott titled, Windows licensing still a confusing mess and alienates enthusiasts.

Let's hope this license will be drastically revised. Remember the scare when Microsoft announced way back that the Office 2003 file format would not be backward-compatible with previous versions? Fortunately, that didn't even come true for the 2007 version. I was more than ready to dump Microsoft Word to protect 20 years of writings!

2527

Living Room / Re: Vista licensing - will it kill enthusiasts interest ?

« Last post by zridling on October 17, 2006, 03:41 AM »

I'm with Fodder — I'll be using XP for a long, long time it looks like. I'm not in love with Vista anyway (yet), and besides, like most humans on the planet, I honestly cannot afford the damn thing. I've never owned a store-bought PC. I always have the woman down the street build them for me. I take her a box of components and she puts it together. It runs, and I'm happy. But I always upgrade my memory, HDs, and video card before moving on to another system. Sometimes 3-4 times. My question is, how will Microsoft's WGA or SPP define "machine?"

Meanwhile, Ed Bott corrects Paul Thurrott's article.

2528

General Software Discussion / Cool Open Source file-sharing app: HTTP File Server (HFS)

« Last post by zridling on October 17, 2006, 02:45 AM »

Added a really cool Open Source app tonight to the Great Software List called HFS, for "HTTP File Server", and I love it. You may have heard of it.



HFS, HTTP File Server is file sharing software which allows you to send and receive files, very much like a webserver (only it doesn't host websites). You can limit this sharing to just a few friends, or be open to the whole world. HFS is different from classic file sharing because there is no network. HFS is a web server which uses web technology to be more compatible with today's Internet. Since it is actually a web server, your friends can download files as if they were downloading from a website using a web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. Your users don't have to install any new software. HFS lets you share your files. Most web servers are used to publish a website, but HFS is not designed to do that. You are, however, free to use it in any way you wish, but at your own risk. HFS needs no installation. Just put the "hfs.exe" file in a folder of your choice (perhaps named HFS), and run it. The first time it runs, you are prompted to see if you wish to integrate it into the context menu. If you pick "yes," and then in Windows Explorer you can simply right-click on a file to add it to HFS (and make it downloadable). (This option can also be accessed after installation in Menu > Other options > Shell context menu, or you can use a download manager to obtain multiple files quickly and easily.) What an incredible app, give it a try and hell, donate something, anything to this fantastic open source software!

My thanks goes to Peter Herbert of Copenhagen for sharing it with me.

2529

General Software Discussion / Re: CNET: Last hurrah for PC-based software?

« Last post by zridling on October 16, 2006, 01:38 AM »

Web 2.0 is about one thing — follow the money. Web "services" is about continuously charging (or advertising) for apps you currently license for your desktop now. The weakness starts and stops at the browser. First, the browser makes a truly lousy desktop, or better, "productivity" client, and second, the browser — all of them — suffer from persistent insecurities and vulnerabilities (as has MS Word over many years).

Finally, web apps have access to the content of your documents, no matter what privacy policy they offer you. Whether you're outlining a business plan or writing a lurid letter to your lover, don't think Google et al. aren't going to try to sell you another penis enlarger kit!

It has its uses, but it's the marketing guys bellowing all the silly headlines you read above.

2530

Living Room / Re: Weird Al New Video - White And Nerdy

« Last post by zridling on October 16, 2006, 01:14 AM »

Jeez, the dude is so real.... "I'm fluent in both Javascript and Klingon..."

2531

General Software Discussion / Re: 12 Windows Explorer Alternatives Compared

« Last post by zridling on October 16, 2006, 01:09 AM »

Hey, it's up to 15 apps now, with XYplorer and Servant Salamander included! This is more of a "first impressions" article than a review. Still, I welcome any comparative discussion of software.

2532

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows XP Myths

« Last post by zridling on October 16, 2006, 01:02 AM »

I'm never one to back down from a good fight, but the key to any successful "forum" is the same thing Socrates meant with his dialectic — give and take, back and forth, discovering and uncovering knowledge along the way. Once a forum diverts from a given topic, then it's like trying to right a car sliding wildly out of control on a wet highway — shit flies everywhere and pretty soon the wheels fall off. I actually had one or two people follow me around the web for years accusing me of stuff for what reason I've yet to discern. Ed Bott has spent years on his blog knocking down Windows' myths and he gets new challenges every month!

After a certain age, the passions that fire one's anger lose their hold on your brain and you learn to let things go under the long-held axiom that you absolutely positively cannot change another's mind on most topics, despite whatever facts you each cite. (Look no further than politics and religion.) Trust me, in a few years, it won't make a tit's worth of difference in the scheme of things. As for Shaun Costello, I invite you back, as this thread — as you acknowledged yourself — is atypical of DonationCoder.com. But recognize, Shaun, that this very thread demonstrates the great strength of DonationCoder.com, that we can give and take on any topic without fear.

2533

General Review Discussion / Re: Font Creator Mini Review

« Last post by zridling on October 15, 2006, 10:12 PM »

Great review, Ken! I purchased MainType from High-Logic after Ken recommended it to me. Good tastes! As Ken notes, however, the current DonationCoder.com discount is a steal for this program if you work with fonts at all. I have in the past and trust me, it's highly addictive!

2534

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: XYplorer File Manager

« Last post by zridling on October 08, 2006, 09:42 AM »

Just had to update this review. The 5.20.0022 version of XYplorer now let you do two really cool things:
(1) Drag-n-drop text and images from your browser (Outlook, PDF file) onto the tree or file list and it will automatically create a renameable text file; and
(2) You can extract/copy the data from any previewed file and post to a container client.

I'd add that it now uses even less memory, but isn't that always a goal of any program? No? It should be.

Me likee!

2535

Living Room / Re: Show us your (physical) desktop

« Last post by zridling on October 08, 2006, 01:44 AM »

I would, but I don't own a camera!

2536

Living Room / Five good minutes (take a break)

« Last post by zridling on October 08, 2006, 01:00 AM »

Go back to good times for five minutes with the Doobie Brothers:

http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=u6F0EQR2Gw0
and
http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=qUYxdFzuSkQ

As one of the most popular Californian pop/rock bands of the '70s, the Doobie Brothers evolved from a mellow, post-hippie boogie band to a slick, soul-inflected pop band by the end of the decade. Along the way, the group racked up a string of gold and platinum albums in the U.S., along with a number of radio hits like "Listen to the Music," "Black Water," and "China Grove."



The roots of the Doobie Brothers lie in Pud, a short-lived Californian country-rock band in the vein of Moby Grape featuring guitarist/vocalist Tom Johnston and drummer John Hartman. After Pud collapsed in 1969, the pair began jamming with bassist Dave Shogren and guitarist Patrick Simmons. Eventually, the quartet decided to form a group, naming themselves the Doobie Brothers.
________________________________________________
And if you haven't heard of Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, here's your chance:
http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=5i3U-4SFbqA

2537

Living Room / Re: What's Your Favorite Gadget? Here's mine with a Discount - A Seltzer Maker

« Last post by zridling on October 04, 2006, 03:19 AM »

Ah, can a ladder be a gadget? Perhaps it's too big, but I'm voting for the Little Giant ladder, which is better than its infomercial. A guy in Germany invented this in the 1970s and Hal Wing licensed and brought it to the US, and it's the most useful thing you will ever own. Give this as a wedding present and you will be beloved long after the marriage dissolves!

         

2538

General Software Discussion / Re: My favorite software! What's yours?

« Last post by zridling on September 28, 2006, 05:56 AM »

Welcome Titan!

Man, I gotta say: you guys have some good tastes in software. Has anyone listed a single Microsoft product yet? Let me reread.

2539

General Software Discussion / Re: ACDSee 9.0 available

« Last post by zridling on September 20, 2006, 10:15 PM »

PicaJet FX has a really nice interface and the program is updated constantly. Can't go wrong there. There's lots of good choices in this category. We're really fortunate.

2540

General Software Discussion / Re: My favorite software! What's yours?

« Last post by zridling on September 20, 2006, 10:09 PM »

sri, I love StrokeIt, great find man!

2541

General Software Discussion / Re: My favorite software! What's yours?

« Last post by zridling on September 20, 2006, 10:03 PM »

Lately it's been the fantastic file manager, XYplorer, and the ACDSee 9 image viewer/editor.

2542

General Software Discussion / My favorite software! What's yours?

« Last post by zridling on September 20, 2006, 10:00 PM »

Let's start a continuous thread here and call it My favorite software! What's yours? (Add to the discussion please.)

2543

General Software Discussion / Re: ACDSee 9.0 available

« Last post by zridling on September 20, 2006, 09:54 PM »

They seem to come out with new versions every six months or so without adding much usually.

-Carol Haynes (September 13, 2006, 02:57 PM)

Ah, lots of companies are tossing out their last upgrades before Vista hits. Corel dumped Paint Shop Pro 11 and Adobe dumped Acrobat Pro 8 onto the market with no response because they didn't add any real benefit to those looking to upgrade. Actually, ACDSee 8 was released 07 September 2005, and with 9.0, the price went down 25% for new users and even more for upgraders. ACD Systems releases a new version every year in September (at least the last four were released this way), thus the cheaper price. One of the better things is that unlike many companies, ACD Systems keeps most of its functionality in the regular version, saving only the big fat power features meant for pro/amateur photographers for its Pro version. When many companies split their product, they completely gut the regular version making it useless. This is the best (and easily the fastest) version since 5.0 (really), and since you asked here's what's new:

(1) Faster speed throughout the program. Who doesn't like to see this? File management is much stronger and there's no more waiting for files to cache.

(2) Quick View mode is fantastic! Whether opening an image attachment to an e-mail, or double-clicking on a JPEG from Windows Explorer, the Quick View mode is a fast, sleek, and efficient, pared down viewer which displays your photos instantly (I don't know how they accomplish this either).

(3) ACDSee 9's new Shadow/Highlight tool is a hybrid gamma tool that lets you make adjustments in one-click, letting you trash fewer bad photos due to exposure problems.

(4) Private Folders protects your personal photos in a secure area so only you can view them.  If you have photos or files that you want to remain confidential, just move them to a Private Folder, set a password, and ACDSee Photo Manager will keep them under lock and key. Great for keeping porn from spying eyes.

(5) New filtering and sorting options like 'Filter by' and 'Group by' allows you to sort and view photos into more detailed subsets based on EXIF, IPTC, file properties, names, or ACD database info.

(6) Increased printing options built right into the program rather than needing an add-on now.

Like NewsLeecher, ACDSee 9 has become progressively better with every version since 6, and it's not a big, fat program either. Picasa and XnView are very good, but ACDSee 9 is better (IMO).

2544

Living Room / Re: Warner Bros. come up with a single Blu-Ray, HD-DVD and DVD compatible format

« Last post by zridling on September 20, 2006, 09:21 PM »

Exactly! However, will the players follow suit, or will it matter since Blu-Ray can't seem to deliver anything (yet)?

2545

Best E-mail Client / Re: I wish I could punch the idiots that made TheBat!

« Last post by zridling on September 20, 2006, 06:57 PM »

Don't laugh, but if you want to use a Gmail address (or several) to store your backup email cache, let me know. I think its storage is up to 3G now and I have lots of invitations left. Email me at [email protected] — or anyone for that matter.

2546

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: XYplorer File Manager

« Last post by zridling on September 20, 2006, 05:34 AM »

Thanks sri!

2547

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: XYplorer File Manager

« Last post by zridling on September 20, 2006, 05:33 AM »

Here's a feature I've been waiting for: Delete (Skip Locked). Here's how it works and was implemented by the XYplorer's author, Donald Lessau:

Menu File: added command "Delete (Skip Locked)".

Normally, when deleting multiple files and a locked file (a file currently used by any application) is met, the OS sits about 2 seconds doing nothing, and then you get a message that a file can't be deleted because it is in use, and finally the deleting stops at this point. All other files that are not in use aren't deleted. Very annoying, and you have surely experienced this when you wanted to clean up in your temp folder last time.

Well, "Delete (Skip Locked)" is the solution! It simply deletes everything that's not locked and does not contain anything locked. It takes the following two-step approach:

(1) Look for any locked files within the current selection (recursing any selected folders). Then delete all other (unlocked) files (if any).

(2) Look for any empty folders (where empty means: no *files* contained in the whole branch) within the current selection. Then delete those folders (if any).

In step (1), if any locked files are detected, you'll get a confirmation dialog where you can decide how to procede. In step (2), if any empty folders are detected, you'll get a confirmation dialog where you can decide how to procede.

I added these explicit dialogs for one reason: On top of them you'll get two more delete confirmation dialogs (unless you turned off delete confirmation in Configuration|Advanced), one for each step. These stem from the standard OS Delete API I am using. What you have to know is that these latter dialogs probably do not match your current selection, because:
(a) I pass only unlocked files to the API;
(b) I pass files from recursing any folders in your selection.

So, the bottom line is: you pay a small price for the fantastic "Delete (Skip Locked)", namely a slight delay due to the checking of the lockedness, and, the two-step operation with its dialogs, but you gain by never encountering that delayed action again.

2548

General Software Discussion / Benefits sell software, not features

« Last post by zridling on September 19, 2006, 09:43 PM »

[via The Great Software List blog]: Let me explain. I'm finally learning that it's not features that sell software, it's the benefits the user gets from using the software. Self-evident, right? You'd think so, but software companies are not getting it.

For example, Gmail doesn't have many features compared to a desktop email program, but its spam detection is pretty fantastic, making it a worthy email, not just webmail client. Same goes for Microsoft Word. It's great software, but for someone not needing its power and complexity, there are a few good alternatives which play and convert well with Word, so you're never out of the loop. On the other hand, the new Adobe Acrobat 8.0 has tons of features (although conferencing is the only real new fetaure of v., but for the average user, it often brings frustration and headaches, leaving them better off with free or shareware alternatives like ScanSoft PDF Converter Pro by Nuance, or for solid document PDF creation, pdf Factory Pro, not to mention a host of quality freeware PDF alternatives. The recent release of Paint Shop Pro 11 is another example of feature-marketing. It brings one decent new feature to the table (depth of field), and then promptly asks for upgrade money.

Perhaps there are other ways of looking at this "features vs. benefits" argument, but at this point, I'm asking how your software benefits me, not whether it has a useless new bell or whistle in version 32.0 that I likely will never use. If not, then I'll upgrade when it's in my best interest, not when the company tells me to. And if you don't support your previous versions, then I'll find other software to use.

2549

General Software Discussion / Re: Bad Design is Harder than Good Design

« Last post by zridling on September 19, 2006, 09:15 PM »

Greatest. Screencast. Ever!

2550

General Software Discussion / Re: Bad Design is Harder than Good Design

« Last post by zridling on September 19, 2006, 06:39 PM »

Holeeee crap. Reminds me of Adobe Acrobat 8.0 — nothing to get excited about, but everything to give you a new headache.