Recent Posts

2601

General Software Discussion / Re: Linux is Not Windows

« Last post by Darwin on August 11, 2008, 02:19 PM »

I've been on the receiving end of OS fanaticism, though never from the Linux crowd (Hint: think non-citrus fruit and cats...). It IS annoying. However, I tend to think about how my own comments likely come across. I don't go out of my way to offend, but then, I can't stand being condescended to, so when one of the "Beautiful people" makes an egregious remark about the superiority of their choice in OS (er, lifestyle?) I probably come off as far more partisan than I feel am...

2602

Living Room / Re: which operating system you like most....

« Last post by Darwin on August 09, 2008, 09:03 PM »

I'm into day four with a Vista Sp-1 notebook with 3GB of RAM. Haven't even turned off the eye candy yet, which is saying something for me... So far I am actually enjoying it. Sp-1 is a great improvement over the initial Vista release, and the extra gig of RAM (my last flirtation with Vista was on a machine with "only" 2GB) and the dual Core processor means that this machine is much punchier than my XP notebook.

Thus, I now have five computers - four notebooks and a desktop running: OS-X 10.2 (no longer remember the feline name), OS-X Tiger (on the desktop - iMac), Win2k Sp-4, Win XP Sp-3 and Vista Sp-1. Agree with StoicJoker about setting up a printer in Tiger. N-I-G-H-TM-A-R-E. Would like to add that for all the kudos thrown Apple's way for their solution to legacy support in OS-X, it stinks (IMNHO), though it is much better in 10.4 than it was in 10.2... Having said that, I like OS-X a lot, but have yet to have any sort of a "Eureka" moment with it wherein I become a convert.

Win XP Sp-3 is my current favourite, but then, that's what I've been using as my main OS for four years and I have tweaked into a very stable and responsive installation. I should have transitioned to Vista by the end of next week and will be in a better position to evaluate after that. For now, my WinXP machine is still my workhorse.

I have Ubuntu 7.1 (not the latest 8.x release, I know) loaded onto the Win2k machine, but haven't really played with it too much. When I have played with it, though, I've been VERY impressed with how easy it is to set up and use. Once I'm settled into my Vista machine I might dual boot it with the latest Ubuntu, as it has two and half times the harddrive capacity of anything else that I own - might as well put it to work!

2603

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Mini-Review of Fineprint (Virtual Printer)

« Last post by Darwin on August 09, 2008, 07:08 PM »

Well... it appears that they went for over five years without a major update, so one can't begrudge them rolling out a paid update. Anyway, nod5 pasted in the relevant bit, which is similar to the blurb they sent out announcing the new version in early July:

In FinePrint 6, you will find improvements in every area of the product. Here are the highlights:
improved user interface with toolbar and larger preview

-Nod5 (July 31, 2008, 05:12 AM)

2604

General Software Discussion / Re: BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by Darwin on August 07, 2008, 06:41 PM »

 

Just checked - it's all there already... My fault for having so many context menu items installed that I couldn't see the tree for the forest... Or is that the forest for the trees? If a tree falls in a forest of context menu entries, does it make a noise?

2605

General Software Discussion / Re: BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by Darwin on August 07, 2008, 06:12 PM »

I still have version 2 installed. Anyone know if there is a plugin for version 3 to add the same shell features as version 2 ?

-Carol Haynes (August 07, 2008, 04:26 PM)

I was wondering much the same thing... I unintalled v.2 before upgrading and expected the shell features to be installed. Nope, and I can't find an option anywhere, either! So, er, I'd be interested in the answer as well...

2606

Living Room / Re: Request: Does anyone know a good "pet" game?

« Last post by Darwin on August 07, 2008, 06:11 PM »

How about webkinz? You buy the cute and cuddly stuffed animal and then interact with its electronic counterpart on-line. You have to feed it, buy it things, and make money to support it!

webkinz

My 6 year old received one and life has never been the same...

2607

General Software Discussion / Re: LifeHacker: Debunking Common Windows Performance Tweaking Myths

« Last post by Darwin on August 07, 2008, 11:00 AM »

Excellent - thanks for the link, mouser!

2608

General Software Discussion / Re: Strategies for international travellers regarding new US Customs seizure policy

« Last post by Darwin on August 06, 2008, 02:36 PM »

(see attachment in previous post)

"...they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if they take my stapler then I'll set the building on fire... "   - Milton Waddams
 

-40hz (August 06, 2008, 10:22 AM)

Sadly, I can relate to this...

2609

General Software Discussion / Re: BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by Darwin on August 06, 2008, 02:34 PM »

Just applied the upgrade and DC discounts to the Pro version and it worked fine. Both discounts are listed on the receipt. Great.

-Carol Haynes (August 06, 2008, 12:53 PM)

I did the same early this am 

2610

General Software Discussion / Re: Strategies for international travellers regarding new US Customs seizure policy

« Last post by Darwin on August 05, 2008, 05:46 PM »

it seems like if you get asked by a homeland security guard why you have no luggage, there is only one safe answer guaranteed not to raise any eyebrows: to tell him that the homeland security guard at the previous gate confiscated it 

-mouser (August 05, 2008, 05:16 PM)

Provided that the guard at the last gate can be reached to verify it...

I flew into Atlanta, Ga. from Cambridge, UK via Paris, France in early Dec. 2001 to spend Christmas with my wife's family. All passengers EXITING the plane had to go through security and I was detained because a security guard thought that I had a weapon in my hand luggage. Said weapon? The DC adaptor for my notebook... He claimed it looked like a Swiss Army Knife. Remember, I had just gotten OFF the plane after having flown had my carry-on screened at both Heathrow and Charles de Gaule... I don't know where the blazes he thought I had managed to get a brick sized Swiss Army Knife at 36000 feet...

2611

General Software Discussion / Re: BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by Darwin on August 05, 2008, 02:39 PM »

Great news!  I just heard back from Scooter Software and they are offering a 40% discount on Beyond Compare (any version).  I will be posting the details later this evening.

Carl

-cthorpe (August 05, 2008, 02:11 PM)

Wonderful - thank you for all of your work on this on our behalf, Carl 

2612

Living Room / Re: Skimp or splurge?

« Last post by Darwin on August 02, 2008, 07:25 PM »

In fact, anything vaguely related to clothing should be skimped on, IMHO.

-CWuestefeld (August 02, 2008, 06:08 PM)

Agreed! I'm all for skimpy clothing... did I say that out loud?

2613

General Software Discussion / Re: BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by Darwin on August 01, 2008, 07:26 PM »

Welcome to DC, Craig! Thanks for stopping by and updating us 

2614

General Software Discussion / Re: BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by Darwin on August 01, 2008, 09:36 AM »

Waiting to hear back from the devs on a new discount.

-cthorpe (August 01, 2008, 07:36 AM)

Thanks for looking into this for us, Carl  

Hopefully they'll throw in some licenses for the fund drive giveaway if nothing else...

2615

General Software Discussion / Re: Software Catalog - What Are You Using & How Do You Like It?

« Last post by Darwin on August 01, 2008, 09:15 AM »

SoftCat Plus' default settings scan the start menu and the Program Files folder. However, you can set it to scan anywhere you want. I don't use it anymore (though I did buy a licence - anyone surprised?) because I really wanted something to scan and store the serials and licensing information. What I use now, and have used for years, is a special Clipmate folder to store serials and any unlocking passwords and Evernote for receipts and confirmations. Often Evernote stores the serials as well, if the vendor includes them in the receipt. To back it all up I use Acronis True Image.

Tom's description of his use of SoftCat Plus sounds intriguing, though...

2616

General Software Discussion / Re: BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by Darwin on July 31, 2008, 09:00 PM »

According to their website, if you bought your BC2 license after 1/1/2007, you can get a free updated by filling out the form at: http://www.scooterso...p?zz=req_freeupgrade

-dlprice (July 31, 2008, 02:36 PM)

I bought my copy in August 2005...

tinjaw - they didn't even send out a notice to beta testers.

2617

General Software Discussion / Re: BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by Darwin on July 31, 2008, 10:11 AM »

Now it's available for the Mac too, one less reason to stick with windows.

-justice (July 31, 2008, 10:05 AM)

The lines are definitely blurring. I like to think I'd go Linux when I venture out of the MS nest, though...

2618

General Software Discussion / Re: BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by Darwin on July 31, 2008, 10:09 AM »

Time for that discount then

-TucknDar (July 31, 2008, 09:57 AM)

Heh, heh - I seem to have lost all of the relevant e-mails regarding my BC 2 purchase (Outlook 1, Darwin 0) I was assured at the time that buying version 2 would qualify me for a free upgrade to version 3 when released (as noted above, it was to be imminently released)... I also took advantage of the DC discount when I purchased but I can prove none of it  

No worries, really. I am happy with version 2.

Still, fingers crossed, eh?

Edit: added Tuckndar's comment for clarity - justice and I posted simultaneously.

2619

General Software Discussion / BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by Darwin on July 31, 2008, 09:40 AM »

Noticed this this morning - Scooter Software have finally released BeyondCompare 3! I say "finally" because when I bought version 2 three years ago, version 3 was supposed to be being released before the end of the year (2005)... Thus, this is a long awaited update!



Edit: added screenshot

2620

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Mini-Review of Fineprint (Virtual Printer)

« Last post by Darwin on July 31, 2008, 08:56 AM »

PS The removing graphics feature is a step in the right direction. I honestly can't recall if it was available in version 5. If it was, I never saw it!

2621

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Mini-Review of Fineprint (Virtual Printer)

« Last post by Darwin on July 31, 2008, 08:55 AM »

I also wish that the FP would have a feature that lets us delete segments of the pages (not just entire pages) before printing.

-Nod5 (July 31, 2008, 05:12 AM)

I'd support that!!

-TucknDar (July 31, 2008, 05:27 AM)

Ditto.

Anyone tried version 6? Is it worth the upgrade?

-Carol Haynes (July 31, 2008, 07:00 AM)

Ditto as well...

I upgraded because version 6 now lets you rearrange pages. The feature isn't as useful (at least not so far) as I imagined. I'm really waiting for the deleting segments of pages feature mentioned above. So far, I can't say that I can report any compelling reason to upgrade - unless you've got upgradeitis like I do...  I fact, version 5's GUI is better, in my opinion, that the touted updates in version 6. It's cleaner and simpler in the new version but I found the old GUI very intuitive. A lot of the power is now hidden.

2622

Living Room / Re: Dual operating systems 32- and 64-bit. Need advice on possible XP memory issues

« Last post by Darwin on July 29, 2008, 01:12 PM »

I'm not joking when I say I believe I could fry bacon on it.

-f0dder

With your help I'll try to ensure that my choices become no rasher.

-cranioscopical (July 29, 2008, 12:08 PM)

2623

General Software Discussion / Re: Help! Good flowcharting sw needed

« Last post by Darwin on July 29, 2008, 11:27 AM »

Thanks for the heads up, Curt  Nice: it comes with a lifetime licence (I'm sure that this is one of the reasons that I bought a licence in the first place, but I'd forgotten!).

2624

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Quality Comparison: 8 x freeware PDF Readers / Viewers

« Last post by Darwin on July 29, 2008, 10:45 AM »

I hate to admit I need adobe: their software is horrible resource-wise.

-urlwolf (July 29, 2008, 08:40 AM)

I'm more insulted by the implied effect that Adobe products will have on my wallet...

2625

Living Room / Re: Cuil search engine

« Last post by Darwin on July 28, 2008, 11:06 AM »

Heh, heh I just tried it and it keeps timing out while trying the search. I expect they're a bit overloaded at the moment!