Recent Posts

2551

General Software Discussion / Re: Is Vista Creating Duplicate Files of Everything?

« Last post by J-Mac on January 08, 2008, 04:06 PM »

It must be possible to stop the VSC service and set it to disabled.

Turn off System Restore too and use an incremental backup solution if you want regular snapshots of your system.

-Carol Haynes (January 08, 2008, 07:12 AM)

I believe Carol is correct. The only way I can find to stop VSS is to shut off System Restore.  If you can't afford Acronis True Image to use in place of SR, then give DriveImageXML a try.  It's free and it has gotten good write ups.

Jim

2552

General Software Discussion / Re: Logitech's Setpoint

« Last post by J-Mac on January 08, 2008, 04:03 PM »

No issues at all on WinXP SP2. The drivers that come on CD with the device are usually outdated though, and I've seen bugs in SetPoint 3.x. Nothing that affected system stability however, just UI annoyances, such as various settings not remembered across reboots. Upgrading to the latest 4.0.x release seems to fix them.

I've never used gamepads though, just mice - MX Revolution and a "wired" (what's the opposite of cordless?) laser mouse.

-tranglos (January 08, 2008, 02:52 PM)

Tranglos - After having no luck with the G5 and G7 mice - lags and delays - the MX Revolution totally rocks!  I'd say the best overall wireless mouse I have used.  I have WebSite Watcher watching the Amazon and Newegg pages for the MX Revolution so I can maybe buy one or two more if they go on a big enough sale.  This mouse works so well I just know Logitech will discontinue it!!

Jim

2553

General Software Discussion / Re: Logitech's Setpoint

« Last post by J-Mac on January 08, 2008, 03:59 PM »

Check the Logitech Forum and you'll see that you are not alone.  Several solutions are discussed there, but different ones seem to work for different users.

Personally, I have had much difficulty at times but the 4.x versions run OK for me now.  Also, make sure to give UberOptions a try.  UberOptions is an add-on that gives you a lot more options, more customization of the various buttons on different mice.  (meeces?)  E.g., on my MX Revolution wireless mouse you cannot use the middle button in Firefox to open a new tab. UberOptions adds that plus many other added features.  UberOptions is developed by Richard Lowens - rloens on the forum.  He's a user who is apparently a good coder also.

Setpoint used to automatically install the Logitech Desktop Manager (LDM) which you don't want.  Part of it is simply an installation of Backweb.  It is constantly running in the background and sends advertising pop-ups to your desktop.  (I think they were all Logitech ads, but I hate it just the same!)  It also pops up when a new version is available, but you can get that functionality with Secunia's free PSI program.  (Personal Software Inspector)  It places 78 separate entries in your Startup config!  It also talks to Logitech far too much for my liking.

Also, if you use a Logitech Web Cam, be very careful and read up as much as you can before installing the drivers for it.  Two separate webcam drivers turned out to be incompatible with Creative SoundBlaster sound cards and caused some sudden hard crashes - hard to recover from because as soon as you'd restart your PC it would crash again as the sound card drivers initialized.  I had to use system restore in safe mode.  After the first time this occurred on a pretty widespread basis Logitech discovered that it was their built-in sound drivers for the webcam's auto-record audio feature - Echo-something or other.  Then after getting that fixed they released another driver with the exact same conflict 8 months later!   

Jim

2554

General Software Discussion / Re: roboform2go or sticky password?

« Last post by J-Mac on January 08, 2008, 03:30 AM »

BTW, who here is experienced with Keepass?  I have been trying to set it up to see if I can use it, but I am having some difficulty with importing anything into it.

The only way it can do much with importing, it appears, is via plug-ins. And some of the plug-ins look like they were written in a way to confound users!  Others that look like they would be good are not available. (Downloads don't work or link to their downloads doesn't work). And if it can't import my existing passwords, then I don't need it at all.

Thanks!

Jim

2555

Living Room / Re: is someone stealing my bandwidth?

« Last post by J-Mac on January 08, 2008, 03:23 AM »

I may be wrong but even if someone "borrows" your wireless Internet access your ISP gets the traffic???

-PhilB66 (January 08, 2008, 03:17 AM)

Yes.  And I think that's what the OP is concerned about, among others.  If that person does something that your ISP forbids, guess who gets the boot? 

Jim

2556

General Software Discussion / Re: roboform2go or sticky password?

« Last post by J-Mac on January 08, 2008, 03:20 AM »

Hmph! All the export feature does is export the url associated with the passcard  . It doesn't do anything with your login information. This is probably a good thing, from a security perspective. <sigh> I guess my earlier thought, which is to use copy and past to save all the information manually, is the way forward. However, I'm not giving up yet - I'm going to do the unthinkable and consult the user's guide for more options (if any).

-Darwin (November 15, 2007, 03:54 PM)

Preventing export that you want to do, and that's a good thing??  Personally, I prefer apps to leave that up to me.  If I am foolish enough to do a dumb thing with that file, it's my fault.

But I don't like it much when the developer decides to not grant me full access to "protect me from myself".   

Jim

2557

Living Room / Re: is someone stealing my bandwidth?

« Last post by J-Mac on January 08, 2008, 02:39 AM »

Quickest way IMO, assuming that this is your network and you therefore have access to the router software, is to go into the router settings when your connection is slow and take a look at the DHCP table. Or it might be called the routing table, depending on the brand of the router.  That will show you which computers are connected at that time - any that aren't yours, disconnect 'em!

Jim

2558

General Software Discussion / Re: Is Vista Creating Duplicate Files of Everything?

« Last post by J-Mac on January 08, 2008, 02:34 AM »

wreckedcarzz:

Unless Microsoft has changed this with an update, ALL versions have Shadow copies.  That's how Vista creates System Restore points.  However the "Previous Versions" feature - which allows you to access those backups is grayed out in Home Basics and Home Premium.  They re only accessible in Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate.  Here's a couple of links that state this:

<a href="http://www.pcpitstop...ews/dave/2007-04.asp">http://www.pcpitstop...ews/dave/2007-04.asp</a>

And this is on the <a href="http://cquirke.space...91.entry?_c=BlogPart">Vista WishList on Chris Quirk's Blog</a>:

"3:  Hidden "previous versions" data

Some editions of Vista do not include the "Previous Versions" feature, and yet the underlying engine continues to generate and maintain these, even though there's no UI to use them.

This is not only wasteful in terms of performance, battery life, global warming etc., it also poses a privacy/security risk.  If someone upgrades the edition of Vista to one that does include the "Previous Versions" feature, then previous versions of data files become available, even though these were spawned before the edition of Vista was upgraded.

In my opinion, editions that do not include the "Previous Versions" feature should not create and maintain multiple previous versions of data files (i.e. over and above NTFS's transaction logging and rollback) and should not expose these after an edition upgrade. "

 
Jim

2559

Living Room / Re: What kind of tagging system would be appropriate for DC?

« Last post by J-Mac on January 07, 2008, 04:03 PM »

This is a mess.  And it can get worse, I imagine.

Jim

2560

Living Room / Re: What is appropriate content for DonationCoder?

« Last post by J-Mac on January 07, 2008, 03:50 PM »

My final comment here on the topic:

The question keeps coming up about exactly whom should determine what content is appropriate and what is not.  That's easy!  He who owns the ball makes the rules.  Determination in all cases can only be made by mouser, as it is his forum.  No one can truly be objective, but mouser doesn't need to be objective; any content filtering decisions should be his.

Other forums with which I am familiar publish fairly detailed rules for posting.  (And some have very vague rules also).  And then Moderators enforce those rules, usually only as to minor infractions with any serious or controversial posting problems being brought directly to the administrator for action.  Works at most forums!

mouser expressed the following in his first post in this thread:

...Let me say that i am very interested in the site being a friendly place for young kids to be able to hang out.  We had a poll recently of reader ages, and id say we have a definite demographic that skews older, we do have some younger people, and young coders...

-mouser (January 03, 2008, 05:18 PM)

If that is what he wants, he will probably be somewhat cautious in post content monitoring.  If he decides that this is not a forum where children should be, then he should decide to be much more lax with the rules.  He is ultimately responsible for the forums, but if he decides to leave it up to users - who will never really agree as to unacceptable content - then he might want to change the comment about the site being for "young kids".

Or create limited access forums for the content that he might find not suitable for those young kids.

Just some thoughts.

Jim

2561

Living Room / Re: What is appropriate content for DonationCoder?

« Last post by J-Mac on January 07, 2008, 03:30 PM »

Hey...  It wasn't locked when I got here - honest!

Jim

2562

Living Room / Re: What is appropriate content for DonationCoder?

« Last post by J-Mac on January 07, 2008, 02:51 AM »

Does all this mean I have to stop smoking to continue my membership here?          (Kidding, kidding!!)

And I'm kind of surprised at all the folks here posting that, "...most people say I am far to the left...", or something similar.  Myself?  I've never had such a pointed description of me.  I hear, at times, that I am so far right that I'm about to fall of the edge of the world.  Almost as much, that is, as I hear that I am a bleeding heart and will surely burn when I am done here.

It seems to change depending upon the topic being referenced.  I admit my views are that radically different for various subjects.

All that aside, I personally had not seen any of the marginal threads/posts before this.  (Some have been pointed out here, or I might never have seen them).  But I can honestly say that this site is one of the mildest in which I have had the pleasure to participate.  Personally I am fairly tolerant others' views, unless it hits a certain watermark within me that sets of some internal bells.  I find it difficult to express at exactly what point I would feel the need to take my leave.  It is truly a personal level within each of us - at least that's my opinion.  And I would simply do one of two things, depending on what the issue is:  I would either browse carefully here and maneuver, if you will, around that which I find objectionable; or I would simply stop using the forum.

How would I browse carefully?  I would stick to the "themed" forums and avoid the ones that are primarily "off-topic".  Again, it would be for personal reasons, for I don't feel I can dictate what is and is not acceptable, except in the topical forums.

Good night, all!

Jim

Edit:  BTW, sorry about this post -- I read the first four or five pages and then replied.  I hadn't yet seen the request to stop posting a few posts back.  Apologies to all.   

2563

General Software Discussion / Re: Is Vista Creating Duplicate Files of Everything?

« Last post by J-Mac on January 07, 2008, 01:49 AM »

I've read  that in the "low-end" Vista versions you cannot use/access the Shadow backups, and you also cannot stop them from being created.  A lot of bloggers have complained that it takes up a fair amount of disk space for an unusable feature.

Jim

2564

General Software Discussion / Re: IMAP Email hosting

« Last post by J-Mac on January 07, 2008, 01:45 AM »

BTW, Fastmail recently increased their Enhanced Plan's storage to 6 GB.  Also, if your wife is to have her own address you would need either two separate accounts, or they did just introduce a Family plan that may be a better fit - I haven't really looked at that though.

Jim

2565

General Software Discussion / Re: IMAP Email hosting

« Last post by J-Mac on January 07, 2008, 01:43 AM »

I use Fastmail, an Enhanced account.  It has the maximum number of aliases and virtual domains.  Costs a bit but I feel fairly comfortable with the developer there.  (I guess as comfortable as it is possible to be nowadays!)  You did mention Fastmail, so maybe you have a problem using them.

Here's a link to Fastmail's Pricing and Plans page.  It shows all of the various features (aliases, etc.) that are available.  I can set up throwaways pretty easily, though there are so many free websites offering throwaways it is just as easy to grab a few free favorites among them.

Jim

2566

Living Room / Re: The Rule of 3 Drives: How to Build your Next PC

« Last post by J-Mac on January 06, 2008, 10:02 PM »

mouser, I am setup almost exactly like your first post:  C: = a Western Digital 80 GB drive with only Windows XP Pro and Program Files;  D: = a Seagate SATA 500 GB 7200 RPM drive used only for data and media files;  E: = a second Seagate SATA 500 GB 7200 RPM drive used only for backups and occasionally for Temp files.  K: = an external Western Digital 500 GB My Book Essential drive which I use mostly for an additional backup and to mirror all my important folders.

Of course after 14 months the E: drive (backups) failed.  Figures...

Jim

2567

General Software Discussion / Re: How far can you throw a paper airplane

« Last post by J-Mac on January 01, 2008, 01:50 PM »

69.417M  How the heck do you stop??

Stopping smoking is easier!

I could lose weight doing this!

2568

General Software Discussion / Re: How far can you throw a paper airplane

« Last post by J-Mac on January 01, 2008, 01:41 PM »

37.439M  Cool!

2569

General Software Discussion / Re: How far can you throw a paper airplane

« Last post by J-Mac on January 01, 2008, 01:39 PM »

How do you turn that darn fan off!!!

2570

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your preferred File Manager

« Last post by J-Mac on December 31, 2007, 01:59 PM »

Jim

Sorry about that, I had missed the Doantion Coder offer.

Colin

-wales (December 31, 2007, 01:23 PM)

No problem - I figured you hadn't seen it.  Just reminding everyone!

Jim

BTW, welcome aboard!

2571

General Software Discussion / Re: Anyone know a good free program to record streaming audio?

« Last post by J-Mac on December 31, 2007, 01:11 AM »

Yeah, Applian doesn't give much away for nothing, that's for sure!  I have most of Applian's programs; I first purchased Replay Music from them a couple years ago, right after they released V. 2 and lifted the limit on the number of tracks you could record.  (That was actually the model for their first release - they limited you to I think 1,000 tracks!)

Then I upgraded to their Replay A/V, and then to the Suite.  Since I had made one purchase, each successive one was at a considerable discount.  Biggest problem is that as they added more programs to the suite, they would only allow me to have what was included with it as of the date I purchased it.  Weirdest damn policy I ever saw. E.g., when I upgraded to their Replay A/V Suite it had 7 programs included. They eventually added 2 more for a total of 9, but I was not allowed to have those two because they weren't part of the Suite when I upgraded.

They have nice applications there - one even allows recording of programs from a Slingbox, which are encrypted, supposedly to prevent recording them. No one else has this yet. Also, I can download ANY online videos - including YouTube - and automatically convert it to any other video format.  But all of their programs are either part of a Suite - kind of - or standalone.  They have no all-in license. So I now have about 6 or 7 different registration codes, and a lot of the time when you install an update it doesn't carry the registration over and I have to start digging around for the correct code.

I would buy a new suite if anyone would package it all together and put it under one title.

Jim

2572

General Software Discussion / Re: teracopy: copy your files faster

« Last post by J-Mac on December 31, 2007, 12:41 AM »

be careful with the lack of remove files from free version, there is a delete files button and when i couldnt find a button for clearing the list i pushed it.. at which point it started DELETING files.. not cool.

-mouser (December 31, 2007, 12:10 AM)

Ouch!  That's a truly dangerous "feature".  I would want a way to disable that button.  Even knowing what it does, it's not a good button to even be there!

Thanks for the heads-up mouser!

Jim

2573

General Software Discussion / Re: teracopy: copy your files faster

« Last post by J-Mac on December 30, 2007, 11:04 PM »

Can anyone tell me what differences there are in the Pro version of TeraCopy?  The web site mentions only two additional features:  1) Select files with the same extension/same folder, and 2) Remove selected files from the copy queue.  Plus "Priority Support".  Any other significant differences?

Thanks.

Jim

2574

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your preferred File Manager

« Last post by J-Mac on December 30, 2007, 05:38 PM »

For those interested in Dopus, I have found a link offering 25% discount, until the end of Jan 08.

http://www.vnunet.co...57652/directory-opus

-wales (December 30, 2007, 08:50 AM)

We have our own discount here at DC. Why use another discount code?

Jim

2575

General Software Discussion / Re: Anybody know of a background traffic monitor?

« Last post by J-Mac on December 30, 2007, 05:36 PM »

Microsoft has Network Monitor 3.1 for free.  You run it as a "capture" and it grabs all network traffic in detail on whatever adapter you designate. It shows all traffic line by line and also saves it all to a "capture file" so you can review it later.

Oh wow...  This IS an old thread that you resurrected!  Sorry if this is a needless post!

Jim