Recent Posts

2626

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for Software with this feature

« Last post by tomos on June 30, 2015, 02:07 PM »

hi ednja,
welcome to dc :-)

in case you want more suggestions:
this board is frequented very little (it's more for topics that are considered unacceptable in the main forum), therefore it's going to get very little attention -
you'll get much more views, with better chance of more feedback, if you post in the Software forum:
https://www.donation.../index.php?board=6.0

2627

Living Room / Re: Show us the View Outside Your Window

« Last post by tomos on June 29, 2015, 01:51 PM »

Some pictures of the sunset here a week ago.

-Arizona Hot (June 29, 2015, 11:53 AM)

I always enjoy seeing Arizona (I was going to say the desert - but I dont know if it is - would you call it desert?)

2628

Living Room / Re: Laptop tray - for your lap [Recommendations?]

« Last post by tomos on June 28, 2015, 04:57 PM »

Check the Amazon reviews, there is one user who is happily using it with a 15.6" laptop.

-dr_andus (June 28, 2015, 04:47 PM)

yeah, I ordered just a while ago

2629

Living Room / Re: Laptop tray - for your lap [Recommendations?]

« Last post by tomos on June 28, 2015, 12:53 PM »

I'm using it with an HP Chromebook 14, and there is still over 1cm left on both sides. I don't have the sliding problem some of the reviewers referred to, as the HP has 4 big rubber feet that keep it stable.

-dr_andus (June 28, 2015, 10:04 AM)

thanks,
of course I forgot to mention the size of the laptop - it's 15.6"
This officially supports up to 15.4" :-/
There's about 5mm on either side - but the feet of the laptop are in a bit, so it might be okay - I'll think about it again a bit.


& thanks wraith - will look for equivalent here.

2630

Site/Forum Features / Hardware mini-Reviews Section?

« Last post by tomos on June 28, 2015, 07:44 AM »

Short version:
How about a Hardware mini-reviews section in the forum?

Threads could e.g. be as simple as a recommendation plus (hopefully) the willingness to answer a question or two about it.

Longer Version:
An example:
my (couple years old) Lenovo N581 15.6" laptop has: a wonderful keyboard, a crappy screen, a terrible trackpad, and a sharp edge where the ball of your hand might rest.
Hence I'm looking for a new laptop for work, so I've been looking at lots of reviews - and, at times, trying to get feedback to questions. That's one of dc's strengths - you've a much better chance of getting feedback here. So I thought this would be a good idea.

Of course, instead of a new section, the current mini-reviews section's scope could simply be expanded to include hardware (?)

2631

Living Room / Re: Laptop tray - for your lap [Recommendations?]

« Last post by tomos on June 28, 2015, 07:31 AM »

I use this one with my 14" laptop: Fellowes Portable Laptop Riser GoRiser Notebook stand.

It's plastic, so it's OK to use in the summer, and it folds, which makes it portable.

-dr_andus (June 27, 2015, 04:09 PM)

thanks dr_andus, I'm considering this one

2632

Living Room / Re: Documentary film online: THOSE WHO ARE JESUS (2001) - 3 people with god delusion

« Last post by tomos on June 28, 2015, 07:19 AM »

The woman seemed quite different - *most* of what she said seemed fairly reasonable to me (but it also wasn't quite clear here e.g. what her 'research' was).

-tomos (June 28, 2015, 06:48 AM)

found some more info about her here:
http://www.pinkpink....on.co.uk/rachel.html

The 'process' enables her to intuitively paint structures such as cancer cells, the effects of methadone on the brain and the make-up of the H-bomb. Rachel states that all her work is an on-going individuation process (deeply religious and philosophical), and forms the backbone of her research into brain function. Her art work concerning several sciences express both fundamental laws and various techniques and technologies used in current research methods. Some scientists have verified that her works do correspond to actual structures and further more could potentially provide further insights into several areas of science. Rachel is recognised by the contemporary art world as a serious artist of merit, though they have been slow to recognise that the 'process' is a trait, and only a trait, of exceptional ability, recognised by researcher in the field of creativity/exceptional ability/giftedness. Rachel's work has been seriously considered by the Tate Gallery but is still to find a gallery willing to promote her work (Rachel's work is highly innovative). Rachel says that the 'other' neural process that produces all her art is the intense, flexible, divergent, abstract thinking brain that was previously 'blocked' when in a state of cognitive deficit. She animatedly says that what is most extraordinary is that her brain allows her to experience her unconscious processes, physiologically, providing a 'vehicle' and permanent access via her 'creativity', to the fathomless depths of her unconscious mind (allowing new ideas to be born). She talks passionately about Jesus whom she believes achieved the ultimate brain state (consciousness itself: enlightenment) and believes that her ability could provide further clues to the neurocognitive processes accessed by Jesus of Nazereth himself.

-
there is some more info about all the subjects here: http://www.pinkpink....mon.co.uk/those.html

2633

Living Room / Re: Documentary film online: THOSE WHO ARE JESUS (2001) - 3 people with god delusion

« Last post by tomos on June 28, 2015, 06:48 AM »

well worth a look

the title seems like a bit of a misnomer, as, from the best I could understand, it was only Sadat who thought he was Jesus Christ/God. The other two just seemed to claim that they communicated with and/or channeled intelligence/revelation from a higher power/God.

-Deozaan (June 28, 2015, 02:44 AM)

yeah...
I was confused by the other bloke - I think at some stage he thought he was God, but at the end he talked more along the channelling lines.

The woman seemed quite different - *most* of what she said seemed fairly reasonable to me (but it also wasn't quite clear here e.g. what her 'research' was).

2634

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by tomos on June 28, 2015, 06:47 AM »

(see attachment in previous post)
FAQ: How Microsoft will update Windows 10  Computerworld

-Arizona Hot (June 27, 2015, 08:03 PM)

interesting acticle -
especially re how Win 10 will be updated (as in regular Windows updates).
Desperately need some good info-graphics though...

Whether it's because Microsoft wants to expand feedback (its rationale) or simply wants to shift the testing burden from its engineers to users (the cynic's view), the company will employ customers to shake out bugs more than ever before.

The company hasn't been shy about saying so. "Enterprises will be able to receive feature updates after their quality and application compatibility has been assessed in the consumer market," Jim Alkove, director of program management for Microsoft's enterprise group, said in a January blog post.

I found this article a bit clearer re the overview:
http://www.infoworld...vils-in-details.html

Microsoft will continue to run its massive automated regimen and dog fooding in-house. When the patch looks good, it'll go to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. (There may be a "Ludicrous ring" at some point, but there's been no official word from Microsoft.) Once the Fast folks have hammered on it for a suitable amount of time, the patch will go to the Windows Insiders Slow ring. Having passed Slow ring muster, the patch heads out in two directions. First, the Slow-approved patch goes out to all consumer Windows 10 customers -- the ones with "free" Windows. Consumers have no choice about it; they will get the patch, thereby being updated to the "Current branch." Presumably Windows 10 will have some mechanism for prohibiting reboots at specific times of the day, but that's the extent of individual customers' control. There will be no ability to shut off automatic updates (short of permanently disconnecting from the Internet), no provision for blocking specific updates, and no way to roll back updates -- either one at a time, or en masse -- should they cause problems. I haven't seen any official announcement that lays the process out quite so starkly, but that seems to be where we're headed. At about the same time, the update will head into the Windows Update for Business buffer. There, an admin will decide whether or not to roll out the update, and to which machines on their network. We don't have any details about the process, but it sounds much like Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) -- leaving open the questions of whether WSUS as we know it will be enhanced for Windows 10, what admins get to do with Windows 7 and Windows 8 updates, and much more. System Center Operations Manager and Enterprise Mobility Suite, we're assured, will continue as they are now. The patches will roll out as they become available. Patch Tuesday gets dumped in the bit bucket -- which won't make much difference because we've recently been getting patches five or six or eight times a month anyway.

2635

Living Room / Re: Laptop tray - for your lap [Recommendations?]

« Last post by tomos on June 27, 2015, 02:40 PM »

Thanks both!

@Ath, I will have a look around here (online).

@Deozaan, yeah, I have something similar myself - but in the summer it's too much - it's already far too warm for longer periods, and it's supposed to be around 90°F for this coming week (and this is not air-conditioning country).

2636

Living Room / Laptop tray - for your lap [Recommendations?]

« Last post by tomos on June 27, 2015, 08:16 AM »

I tore ligaments in my foot so I have to keep my leg up

So,
I'm looking for a tray or holder for a laptop - but one that I can rest on my lap.
I have one I use in winter - is one of those trays with a cushion underneath - but it's much too warm for that now.

Requirements would be:
          # keeps laptop cool [doesnt need a fan though]
          # keeps me cool ;-)
          # unsure about the angle - probably ideally one that will keep the laptop level. Note: my legs are also 'level', so this may be a difficult requirement...

I'm looking at this one from Ikea (image below) - for me the angle is all wrong though. It may work if I reverse it - have the low end towards my knees - but I suspect that's too much the other extreme.



This one form Coolermaster looks okay - but unfortunately not available here [EU] (or is available at outrageous prices).

I couldnt find much else, so wondering if anyone can make a recommendation?

2637

Living Room / Re: Be prepared against ransomware viruses..

« Last post by tomos on June 27, 2015, 07:35 AM »

People keep saying they "uninstall Java", but then when I do stuff like that now and then (I can't remember very many specific examples at the moment) specific things say they need Java, so I have to put it back.

-TaoPhoenix (June 27, 2015, 07:29 AM)

I lasted a long time without it - but had the same experience: eventually something needed it, so I reinstalled it. (Here's where I wish I kept a  record of changes made to the system - and why they were made: I already cant remember why I reinstalled it... :-/ )

2638

Living Room / Re: Be prepared against ransomware viruses..

« Last post by tomos on June 27, 2015, 06:01 AM »

... there are lots of things you can do to protect yourself from being attacked ...

-mouser (June 26, 2015, 06:48 PM)

anyone got tips there?

A year of two ago, I got rid of one of the more basic ransomware viruses for a friend (it didnt encrypt any files). He had one of the better rated antivirus security suites installed but it wasnt able to stop it.
Afterwards I uninstalled Java from my desktop pc as a security measure - but have lately reinstalled it.

The tip of keeping external HDDs disconnected is a good one, and easy to do.

2639

Screenshot Captor / Re: scrolling window OUT OF MEMORY CRASH...EVERY TIME

« Last post by tomos on June 26, 2015, 03:12 PM »

Try to scroll-capture this page: http://pastebin.com/Dhq65dAG

The capturing itself works well (besides I couldn't get a proper auto-scroll with the newest Firefox Beta). But: when it comes to overlapping settings, changing any value results in a "There's not enough memory for this action" message. I've 16GB of RAM and set Memory Usage to 5000MB in ScreenshotCaptor (a 32-bit program though )

-VADemon (June 26, 2015, 02:23 PM)

cant reproduce the problem here
Win.8.1 x64; 4GB RAM; some mediocre dual core CPU who's name I cant remember; SC 4.12.0 -
FWIW I'm not using the Firefox beta.

SC actually says how much memory it's using in the dialogue-window where you make the adjustments - top-left of the actual screenshot.
It says 129.16mb here - the number doesnt seem to change and Task Manager says ~541MB. (Are mb's = MB's?!)
Either way it worked fine when I changed either Scroll Overlap value.

2640

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Web Architect Pro on BDJ for 30$

« Last post by tomos on June 26, 2015, 09:12 AM »

The reason I know it Miles is that it was used for a four day HTML/CSS course that I did recently.
You've still got to write the code yourself (it's *not* a WYSIWYG editor), but the menus/buttons/wizards help to write those tags and bits that are more complex.
(I see they actually promote it as a teaching software - it was quite good for that.)

You're right about updates (I think anyways). It is pretty much HTML5 ready - as to whether it will be updated in the future I have no idea - but I suspect they wouldnt pay much attention if I, e.g. asked about getting better keyboard support.

2641

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Web Architect Pro on BDJ for 30$

« Last post by tomos on June 26, 2015, 06:06 AM »

deal extended an extra day -
a little less than 20hrs to go as of this posting.


... still considering

2642

Found Deals and Discounts / Web Architect Pro on BDJ for 30$

« Last post by tomos on June 25, 2015, 07:59 AM »

in spite of my slightly negative comments**, I'm considering buying the Pro version of Web Architect on BDJ today for 30$US - http://www.bitsdujou...aign=2015-06-25+PC+A

FWIW it's normally 99$. The regular edition is normally 50$
Compare editions here.

It's very mouse orientated, and steals a lot of vertical space with a ribbon. If you can handle all that, it's the best I've come across at helping you do stuff (wizards for e.g. adding image; easy to find special characters; validation; preview; etc.). So, it's also very suitable for someone who is learning - or doesnt do this kind of stuff often (I qualify on both counts there - but that makes the Pro 'extras' kind of moot for me...).

**
[edit] I'm unsure if there is a free version as mentioned below [/edit]

Web Architect:
50 euro/ free version (some limitations I think) [?]

It is very beginner friendly:

• everything is easily accessible via ribbon UI

I didnt find it very user friendly:

• it is mouse intensive, and keyboard unfriendly (no shortcuts for very basic things)
• no customisable shortcuts that I could find, at any rate

-tomos (April 08, 2015, 04:44 AM)

2643

Living Room / Re: Inceptionism: Trippy new artform from the Google people...

« Last post by tomos on June 25, 2015, 03:46 AM »

^ Nice to get that at bigger size Curt, thanks

2644

General Software Discussion / Re: Software for planning wood bookcases/cabinets/tables etc?

« Last post by tomos on June 25, 2015, 03:33 AM »

Looks great mouser

Note 1: The cabinet has not yet been "finished" -- i just wanted to see what it would look like -- i have to remove everything and put many coats of polyeurethane on to give it some sheen and protect the wood.

-mouser (June 24, 2015, 06:40 PM)

Pity it needs the polyeurethane - I love the matt finish.

2645

Found Deals and Discounts / Free CSE HTML Validator (100% discount)

« Last post by tomos on June 25, 2015, 03:24 AM »

Free CSE HTML Validator (100% discount)
Via sharewareonsale.com
http://sharewareonsa...idator-standard-sale

I'm no expert here (the opposite in fact), but this software seems to have an active forum with a helpful developer.
Forum:
https://www.htmlvali...7a890e37d2420c9bcde3

2646

Living Room / Re: Google eavesdropping tool installed on computers without permission

« Last post by tomos on June 24, 2015, 03:15 PM »

^will be interesting to see what exactly happened there.
I would suspect google of being responsible, no matter how it was done.

What's it they say.. looks like a pig, walks like a pig, oh look! it's google ;-)

2647

Screenshot Captor / Re: Path to ScreenshotCaptor settings can't be modified

« Last post by tomos on June 24, 2015, 10:37 AM »

^ anything out of the ordinary with your MyDocuments folder?

2648

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by tomos on June 24, 2015, 07:02 AM »

^That little tip cost me half an hour of befuddled fiddling.

-Stoic Joker (June 24, 2015, 06:55 AM)

thanks for sparing us that

2649

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by tomos on June 24, 2015, 05:59 AM »

even though I have a license key for Win 8 Pro, I have never even tried Win 8, mainly because I was told I would have to create a Microsoft Account and log in to it!

-Curt (June 24, 2015, 03:01 AM)

there was a workaround for Win.8 - but they certainly made it seem as if you *had* to connect with that MS account. IIRC, it was a case of first accepting and then in the next step there was an opt-out option.

No idea if it's easier with 10.

2650

Living Room / Re: The End of my Macbook Pro Experiment

« Last post by tomos on June 23, 2015, 04:25 PM »

^that's a sort of a rhetorical question above - there may be other reasons for the price difference - but it does definitely reflect a trend here (.eu), and it's a trend that started with Apple.