Recent Posts

2676

General Software Discussion / Re: Anyone actually use windows system restore if so,does it work.

« Last post by Darwin on June 16, 2008, 02:10 PM »

System Restore can save you, but in my view it should be something of a last resort, since it can leave your system in a state where anything installed after the save point is still on your drive, but not properly installed.

In other words, it rolls back SOME of the changes made to your system but not all, which is not a great place to be.  For emergencies it may be useful but avoid it if you possibly can.

-mouser (June 16, 2008, 12:30 PM)

This, sadly, has been my experience with System Restore. I have SR disabled, now, and rely on Super Flexible File Synch and Acronis True Image to keep me out of harm's way.

2677

General Software Discussion / Re: What is the currently best Desktop Search software?

« Last post by Darwin on June 16, 2008, 02:08 PM »

Minimum, Chris 

2678

Living Room / Re: Simply Google

« Last post by Darwin on June 16, 2008, 01:55 PM »

That actually looks more complex than Google. Google is pretty simple all by itself. One search box you can type anything in.

That seems a lot more simple than 30 different search boxes.

-Deozaan (June 16, 2008, 01:45 PM)

Thanks for writing that, Deozaan! I'm not alone!

2679

Living Room / Re: What are your favorite gadgets and gizmos?

« Last post by Darwin on June 16, 2008, 12:02 PM »

Heard an interesting (possibly apocryphal) story about that pen.

Apocryphal indeed; Snoped:
http://www.snopes.co.../genius/spacepen.asp

-Edvard (June 16, 2008, 11:44 AM)

Ah dang... and I knew that history as well  I've purchased three Fisher Space Pens over the years and each has come with a printed booklet describing Fisher's drive to perfect the ballpoint pen...

2680

General Software Discussion / Re: What is the currently best Desktop Search software?

« Last post by Darwin on June 16, 2008, 12:00 PM »

Yup - sad sniff... I still love it, but am (late) spring cleaning my harddrive. The 60+ applications that I removed freed up over 5 GB of space 

2681

General Software Discussion / Re: What is the currently best Desktop Search software?

« Last post by Darwin on June 16, 2008, 11:27 AM »

So... anyone given this a got yet? I just received the Iconico newsletter announcing this and I'm intrigued... just not enough to install it at the moment (see below for "why") 

We're happy to announce the release of LookDisk. I know I've been frustrated by the regular search that comes standard with Windows, and once I've turned off the little animated character that comes with it i'm often left wanting more. With LookDisk you get all the advanced searching capabilites that you've wanted.

LookDisk is excellent at finding duplicate files, searching for files and finding text in files. Being able to specify multiple places to search in is a real timesaver, and the results grid has some powerful options that you can access by right clicking a file. You can easily select file groups based on your own parameters.

The software is available on trial download and can be purchased for $29.50. Feel free to download and give it a test run.

I *just* finished removing 60+ applications from my computer, so am in no hurry to add anything to the mix (Archivarius is gone, sniff - I wasn't using it anymore and dtSearch makes it a SNAP to search other computers on my network. X1 is handling my local needs).

2682

Living Room / Re: What are your favorite gadgets and gizmos?

« Last post by Darwin on June 16, 2008, 11:20 AM »

"We issue each of our Cosmonauts a box of No.2 lead pencils and one of those twisty-sharpeners that have a little clear box to collect the shavings."

-40hz (June 16, 2008, 09:56 AM)

Sometimes the low-tech approach just makes sense!!

2683

General Software Discussion / Re: Let go of your bookmarks!

« Last post by Darwin on June 15, 2008, 10:54 PM »

No, you're not alone, MrCrispy. I have hundreds of sites bookmarked, backupped and organized into next week... yet rarely, if ever actually use them!

2684

Living Room / Re: What are your favorite gadgets and gizmos?

« Last post by Darwin on June 15, 2008, 06:20 PM »

I like the Moleskine 3.5 by 5.5 ruled notebook, and yes I carry one of two different Fisher Space Pens to write in them (a 2010 "Millenium" and an X-750).

2685

General Software Discussion / Re: Do we need a Linux and/or Mac child board?

« Last post by Darwin on June 15, 2008, 08:27 AM »

Heh, heh - looks like we need to encourage some Mac and Linux software development here! I'd support that, as I play with Linux occasionally (have a notebook I intend to turn into a dedicated linux machine, I just haven't switched it over yet) and have an iBook 

In this case, I think having separate OS pages for software downloads and for discussions of that software would make sense, but keep the forums otherwise "integrated"!

2686

Older Newsletters / Re: --> Newsletter for June 13th, 2008 - Codename "Programmapalooza"

« Last post by Darwin on June 14, 2008, 04:32 PM »

Thanks Mouser  Great job! Like others, I can't believe I missed the Skrommel interview - never would have read it without the newsletter, and I'm really glad that I was given a second opportunity to read it. Well worth it!

2687

General Software Discussion / Re: GloryLogic, you guys suck!

« Last post by Darwin on June 13, 2008, 09:15 AM »

Here are three 'hands-up' smilies (well of sorts) 

-Carol Haynes (June 11, 2008, 06:32 PM)

Yeah, I thought of those, but none of them conveyed contrition 

2688

General Software Discussion / Re: Do we need a Linux and/or Mac child board?

« Last post by Darwin on June 12, 2008, 10:16 AM »

I just assumed that https://www.donation...ndex.php?board=215.0 was for posting about Macs and all other things Apple...

-cthorpe (June 12, 2008, 09:39 AM)

This forum will do fine:

https://www.donation...index.php?board=55.0

-Josh (June 12, 2008, 09:40 AM)

It might be an idea to do a poll to get an idea of the number of users this might appeal to... There are some pretty vocal linux (Gothic and Zaine spring to mind) and Mac (nontroppo for example) users here, so dedicated boards might not be a bad idea. Personally, I actually like having discussions about Mac and Linux integrated into the general mix.

2689

General Software Discussion / Re: Free add-ons teach Windows Explorer new tricks

« Last post by Darwin on June 12, 2008, 09:18 AM »

Heh, heh, I dropped by DC to post a link to this article and you'd beaten me to it! Like you, I'd heard of, and have tried, QTTabBar, but the rest of the add-ons are new to me.

2690

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Take Command v9 New $20 off, Upgrade $10 off,TC/LE $10 off

« Last post by Darwin on June 12, 2008, 09:07 AM »

Well... just installed the trial again, shutdown all running applications, and clicked on the default icon that I allowed the installer to place in my Quick Start area (labeled Take Command 9). I did this three times and found that it takes about a second for the nag screen to appear. Once that counts down and gives me the option of continuing the trial, it takes 8 to 11 seconds from clicking "Continue" to having the GUI opening up with a TC tab available. Quickest load time was the second one and the slowest the third! I hadn't started any programmes in the interim. Just did it again with this window (Maxthon 2 with five tabs open) and a Dopus 9 window open and TCC 9 took 9 seconds to load after the "continue" trial button was clicked.

Running 4NT.exe from within the JPSOFT/TCC9 folder under Program Files opens 4NT instantly (no nag screen, either, whereas TCC pops up that nag screen each and every time)... Crap, I'd forgotten how much I like 4NT! (Note that 4NT opens instantly every time, including just now with Dopus, Maxthon AND TCC9 open).

A nice touch: I right clicked to see the context menu and, in 4NT, it automatically pasted the content of my clipboard, which happened to be a web address (XYplorer forum for those who must know). I hit enter and my browser opened to the page. Neither PromptPal nor PowerCMD do this (I'd never tested it before, though I know earlier versions of TC and 4NT will do this as well). Interesting that going through the same steps with TCC9 varies in that I have to select "Paste" from the context menu, but otherwise the behaviour is the same. Disabling "Quick Edit" and "Insert" in 4NT's Properties dialogue (Options tab) reverts 4NT to presenting a context menu when right clicking within the window. With the Quick Edit feature enabled right clicking within the window pastes content and right clicking on the programme's title bar presents the context menu.

For my needs, all I've ever really looked for in a command line tool is the ability to do things like paste the contents of my clipboard at the cmd prompt (I can't believe MS didn't allow this in Windows command line through XP - no idea about Vista. At least it's available in PowerShell), so I've not really used the underlying power of TC/4NT... Not sure I want to spend the money to upgrade to version 9, but I think I'll reinstall 4NT 8! I'd been seduced by the availability of the tabbed interface when I upgraded to the bundle for version 8 and for some reason hadn't linked the slowdown in opening it to that...  Thinking back I probably used the tabs a total of two or three times, so no pressing need for it.

Hmm... the dialogues and context menus presented in 4NT 9 are the same as in Powershell. Interesting. I'll have play around with the two side by side...

2691

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Take Command v9 New $20 off, Upgrade $10 off,TC/LE $10 off

« Last post by Darwin on June 11, 2008, 09:47 PM »

You're likely right about the upgrade schedule - it seems to me that I bought TC 6 in about June/July of 2005 and v.7 came out in September of that year. TC 8 came out in the fall of 2007 (I think) and version 9 was a bit off the one year pace. Anyway, I've gone back and looked at my e-mails from the developer and you're right about v.9 coming out quite recently, 2-3 months ago.

I haven't touched prefetch and the Task Scheduler is running as I type this. Now you've got me interested... I'll probably re-load the trial and actually time it this time.

2692

General Software Discussion / Re: GloryLogic, you guys suck!

« Last post by Darwin on June 11, 2008, 05:32 PM »

Hmph! No "hands up" smiley...

Anyway, you're right Carol and yes, I've run freeware betas that have been released as shareware.

2693

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Take Command v9 New $20 off, Upgrade $10 off,TC/LE $10 off

« Last post by Darwin on June 11, 2008, 05:28 PM »

Heh, heh... TC is upgraded once a year - you can count on it. It's a VERY fine application and I like it. However, the price is steep and unless you are a professional using it constantly, overpriced (but then, the value of anything lies in its value to the person using it). I have no complaint about the functionality of TCC9 or TC8 (thanks for the correction - that was a typo). I was simply trying to warn people that saving $10 on the upgrade today will likely leave you "jonesing" for the next version in a few months, in which case you may very well be out even more money, as AFAICT upgrade pricing is usually in effect for holders of licences for the previous two or three versions.

FWIW, I bought TC6, upgraded to the bundle (TC and 4NT) of version 7 and then again for version 8.

To clarify, the system I had the trial running on is a first generation Centrino running at 1.4Ghz with 2GB RAM on a 5400 rpm 2.5" harddrive. Not a speed demon but not exactly obsolete, either. It's possible that I was overstating the length of time it took TCC9 to load straight out of the box (ie default installation, which loads the GUI and TC) as PromptPal takes 3 seconds as stated (just timed it) and TCC9 was slightly longer, so say 5 seconds to load (I didn't time it when I had it installed and am not interested in installing it again to time it now). I just timed PowerCMD as well and it opened in under a second.

I really *should* have ended my previous post with:

YMMV

Sounds like a good way to end this one...

2694

General Software Discussion / Re: GloryLogic, you guys suck!

« Last post by Darwin on June 11, 2008, 04:39 PM »

Fair comment, hang 'em out to dry, I say!

2695

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Take Command v9 New $20 off, Upgrade $10 off,TC/LE $10 off

« Last post by Darwin on June 11, 2008, 04:36 PM »

Two points to be made here, first the second: a new version will no doubt be rolled out in about three to four months (I took advantage of the same deal on an upgrade from TC/4NT bundle v.7 to 8 this time last year. Version 9 came out in the fall). The other point is that I've run the trial of this twice now and cannot believe how long it takes to load - over 10 seconds with 2 GB RAM under XP Pro. PowerCMD loads pretty much instantly and PromptPal feels quite sluggish in comparison at around 3 seconds... Add a third point to the mix and note that even with the $10 discount an UPGRADE to TCC 9 is $39.95 while licences for the other two mentioned consoles run about $20 and there are frequent updates to PowerCMD, less frequent updates to PromptPal, and upgrades are much less frequent that TCC... I no longer even have TCC 8 installed.

2696

Living Room / Re: Drinking Vinegar?

« Last post by Darwin on June 11, 2008, 04:23 PM »

I'll say one thing for the Renegade/drinking-vinegar thread, in terms
of length it looks as if it could give SQL-Notes some competition!

 

-cranioscopical (June 11, 2008, 03:22 PM)

That's just sour grapes...

2697

General Software Discussion / Re: GloryLogic, you guys suck!

« Last post by Darwin on June 11, 2008, 04:22 PM »

I wasn't trying to pick on scancoder, either (hope it didn't come across that way) - I was just trying to temper my comment with an acknowledgement that at the end of the day the people at GloryLogic needed to make some money off their code, which they did, and that the company that purchased the code must make a return on its investment. Acknowledging the other side of the argument, so to speak.

2698

General Software Discussion / Re: Wanted: Compare contents of two RAR archives as if they were directories

« Last post by Darwin on June 11, 2008, 11:59 AM »

It helps that the buy-in price for WinMount gets you a lifetime licence. I probably wouldn't take advantage of a discount as I already have the basic functionality, but I do like the application (still not impressed by the uninstaller, though - thank goodness for Your Uninstaller!).

2699

General Software Discussion / Re: Context menu Antivirus

« Last post by Darwin on June 11, 2008, 11:57 AM »

Configuring laptop: 1 hour 20 minutes
Doing the presentation: 1 hour gratis
Seeing the Drunken Fat Suit who told you "It's all a bunch of BS" eat crow: priceless

-40hz (June 11, 2008, 11:27 AM)

Any other antivirus hat can function like this?

BitDefender and Webroot can both do this...

2700

General Software Discussion / Re: GloryLogic, you guys suck!

« Last post by Darwin on June 11, 2008, 11:30 AM »

That does suck, scancode. Still, the real "villains" of this piece are the people that bought BurnAware, no? Though one can't blame them for wanting to turn a profit on their investment...