Recent Posts

276

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Perfect Effects 9 Premium Edition free

« Last post by Innuendo on February 28, 2015, 06:34 PM »

Thanks for the share. Nothing tastes better than free software.

277

Non-Windows Software / Re: Pale Moon browser now available on Android

« Last post by Innuendo on February 28, 2015, 06:26 PM »

Been using it off and on for a while now. Not sure if I like it or not.

278

General Software Discussion / Re: OneNote is now free

« Last post by Innuendo on February 16, 2015, 07:26 PM »

Ok, I found this:

Home Use Program
http://www.microsoft....com/hupus/home.aspx

Maybe it is dependent on your working with a biz that has Office?
"You need a program code from your employer to be eligible."

-Steven Avery (February 14, 2015, 07:50 AM)

From the FAQ on their web site:

Who qualifies for the Home Use Program (HUP)?

The Home Use Program is a Software Assurance benefit available to Microsoft volume licensing customers with active Software Assurance coverage on their Office applications.  Employees who use the covered licenses at work are eligible to purchase these Office applications for use on a home PC during the term of their employment.  This temporary license expires with the employers Software Assurance coverage, or upon termination of employment with the covered customer.


It's a really great deal if your employer is a Microsoft volume licensing customer.

279

Living Room / Re: The Internet of Things - and why I decided to build my own home theater PC

« Last post by Innuendo on February 09, 2015, 11:57 AM »

I have an HTPC myself and while I'm a huge advocate of privacy that wasn't the main reason I went that direction. Even though these smart devices can play a plethora of file formats and access a smorgasbord of streaming services something always gets left out. Either there's a hot new streaming service that just got released (or an obscure one that has material you wish to watch) or you've got some files in a file format that doesn't quite mesh with your 'smart' purchase.

With a 'smart' device you are at the mercy of the manufacturer of that device to come out with a firmware upgrade that will offer the fix to what you are wanting to watch. With an HTPC it's a simple upgrade of software and you're back in business. Throw on a firewall with granular control and you'll never be surprised about what your HTPC has sent out over the internet.

280

General Software Discussion / Re: Calibre 2 is out

« Last post by Innuendo on February 09, 2015, 11:33 AM »

Edit: Never mind....sorted out my own question by digging around Epubor's confusing web site.

Edit #2: Some comments on the Giveaway of the Day site seem to imply that Epubor's program is just an overlay and using Calibre underneath. Seeing that Epubor is based in China, this is plausible.

281

Non-Windows Software / Re: ALERT! How to test for GHOST security hole now affecting major distros

« Last post by Innuendo on February 04, 2015, 10:09 PM »

40hz, I agree with every point you made. I'm just enjoying the peace and quiet while the idiots find something else to beat their drums about.

282

General Software Discussion / Re: Smartphones et al. and their software, batteries and keyboards

« Last post by Innuendo on February 04, 2015, 10:07 PM »

eleman beat me to it. I have purchased apps on the Google Play store once and have been able to use the purchases on both my phone and my tablet simultaneously. This is also how it works in the Amazon App Store for Android as well. I think there's some ridiculous limit like you are limited to 24 devices or something like that, but I think that's more than fair.

283

Non-Windows Software / Re: ALERT! How to test for GHOST security hole now affecting major distros

« Last post by Innuendo on January 31, 2015, 10:10 AM »

I have mixed feelings about this and other high-profile vulnerabilities that have hit Linux recently. I'm really sorry that people are having to deal with these things and so much data on Linux systems world-wide have been at serious risk.

However, there is a part of me that is really enjoying the peacefully quiet void left by all the idiots who use to yell at the top of their lungs about how Linux is the only operating system people should use because it would never, ever be hit with a serous security flaw like Windows has been in the past because of the awesomeness that is open-source software.

People need to realize that all software of any significant size and complexity can have bugs and vulnerabilities because people, even open-source devs, can and will make mistakes. Even the much-vaunted Mac OS X has had some seriously wicked vulnerabilities and security flaws. They just don't get much press because the user base is so small.

284

Living Room / Re: I no longer read WIRED - and why I'm glad I stopped reading it years ago

« Last post by Innuendo on January 17, 2015, 07:22 PM »

Although WIRED's editorial offices remained in San Francisco, the magazine gradually became one more "Condé" magazine with a distinct New York (i.e. "more mainstream") vibe. And this all happened (in true Condé Nast fashion) despite numerous boilerplate assurances it would be kept as it was before the acquisition. The executive editors that followed slowly but surely repurposed WIRED into yet another trendy, industry-suckup, celebrity chasing, lifestyle magazine. In short, much like all the other magazines Condé Nast Publications regularly cranks out each month. It's a formula that works well for them, so it should come as no surprise they apply it to every media property they assimilate.

-40hz (January 17, 2015, 11:45 AM)

...and this very transformation is happening to Ars Technica as we speak, though it is still in the early stages. They even concluded their purchase of the web site with their obligatory "Nothing's going to change!" promise. Although, some would say the transformation started happening years earlier when the web site's staff would always recommend an Apple solution to everything...even if a different platform was bone-crushingly superior in every way.

What follows is both a funny and sad story about what has to be one of the most bleak-looking workplaces imaginable. One that looks more like a floor in some dystopian secret police headquarters than it does the offices of a jouralistic enterprise.

Doesn't seem dystopian to me, but I'm picturing it in its final state, being populated by hipsters wearing their horn-rimmed glasses with the non-prescription lenses, artificially distressed leather messenger bags, and their "It's not dystopian...we designed it this way ironically. If you don't get it, you'll never get it" attitudes.

285

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

« Last post by Innuendo on January 10, 2015, 11:24 AM »

Desktop search software is very frustrating. I revisit the topic every so often as I'm always looking for better tools, but at the end I'm always left aggravated. Ideally, in my mind, the perfect solution would be something that provided quick searches, could search inside files as well as just filenames, and have something like QuickView Plus bolted on that would provide previews of most file types.

X1 - Far from perfect, but the absolute best if you use the criteria above as a guideline. Sadly, it seems they are very aware of being the best and have priced their product accordingly. Very expensive...just expensive enough to put it over the line of insulting. If you want the best, you and your wallet will be oh so painfully aware that you are paying for the best.

Copernic Destkop Search - This is the source of most of that aforementioned aggravation. On paper they are the golden child. The feature list is a dream, the UI is functional *and* attractive, and it has file preview capabilities to die for. However, their programmers are either extremely incompetent, drink a *lot*, or both. Stupid bugs that you can't believe that made it past QA that have been in the product for years and a liberal dash of WTF moments that make you wonder how they have managed to stay in business. Even if you can put all that aside, it's been proven that their indexing routine misses some files. What's the point of having a program that can search if it cannot find everything?

dtSearch - This is a solution geared towards corporations and the cold UI and barely there acceptable list of features make this an unappetizing choice for home users. I would wager they make their bones by providing lucrative support plans and willingness to accept company purchase orders. There are more capable, less expensive, more efficient options available.

UltraFinder - This is one that's slipped under my radar and it only just recently came to my attention. It's made by IDM, the same people who make UltraEdit. It's a weird hybrid between the search programs above and the likes of Everything Search Engine that use the MFT to find things lightning-fast. The product page is sparse on listing features, but near as I can tell it has a limited file preview capability that will support PDF, Excel, Word, and text files. I've never used this one, but I will give them credit for putting in a duplicate finding function. Makes sense when you think of it.

Everything Search Engine is very capable and very fast. Development stalled for a long while, but it's started back up again. It uses the MFT to search your NTFS drives super-fast. I used to use this, but have moved on to Listary Pro. It uses the MFT of your drives to search as well, but has some other features I have come to rely on as well.

File Locator Pro is an excellent stand-alone traditionally styled search program. However, when I need something like that I usually just use the search functionality built into my file manager of choice.

286

General Software Discussion / Re: QTTabbar (now at version 1024) is once again my favourite

« Last post by Innuendo on January 08, 2015, 08:16 PM »

I've used older versions of this. This is just what the doctor ordered if you need something just a wee bit more powerful than stock Explorer, but you don't want to go full throttle with a full-blown replacement file manager.

Glad to see it is still around and being actively developed.

287

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by Innuendo on January 04, 2015, 11:51 AM »

With work and studies I haven't been paying too close attention to Windows 10 until now. Now I'm sitting here pondering installing the latest Preview. Unfortunately, what's holding me back isn't the OS itself, but rather support for my favorite apps. Might be time to set up a VM and give it a go.

My tip for those who are trying to adapt to Windows 8/10 coming from older OSes is that you are only going to get frustrated if you try to force the new OS to have the same workflow as your old OS. Relax, keep an open mind, and explore the new tools Microsoft has supplied you. Adapt yourself to a new workflow using the new tools in the new OS and you will eventually reach a point where you are much more productive than you were with your old OS. Some stuff won't make sense at first. Some stuff will never make sense. But some stuff will eventually click with you and a day will come when if you are ever sitting in front of that old OS you'll wonder how you ever used such an archaic thing.

Honest.

288

Living Room / Re: For better security, maybe it's time to abandon e-mail?

« Last post by Innuendo on December 27, 2014, 07:05 PM »

I'm not sure that’s universally true. For a lot of people, the journey itself is the reward rather than the destination. And many people would rather "do it right" than merely "do it right now."

-40hz (December 24, 2014, 07:55 PM)

No, of course that's not universally true. I did qualify my statements at the beginning by saying 'generally speaking'. There are always people that rise to the top, but there are always people who sink to the bottom as well. 

289

General Software Discussion / Re: And IT Man of the Year 2014 Is...

« Last post by Innuendo on December 26, 2014, 08:07 PM »

Considering I have yet to get the point of any of his posts, you're not alone.

-4wd (December 25, 2014, 03:30 AM)

I keep telling myself it has to be a language barrier of some kind & the translating program he's using isn't quite up to snuff....or something like that.

290

Living Room / Re: For better security, maybe it's time to abandon e-mail?

« Last post by Innuendo on December 24, 2014, 07:39 PM »

My great grandfather felt the same way about telephones. Why would anybody in their right mind want to talk into a piece of unsanitary plastic when they could just send someone a nicely written letter through a perfectly good postal system for one one-hundredth the cost?

-40hz (December 24, 2014, 11:19 AM)

Again, 40hz, it's the path of least resistance. Why sit down, compose your thoughts, put them to paper, find an envelope, purchase postage, and drop it in a mailbox to await days (weeks?) for a reply when you can just pick up a piece of plastic and have instant gratification?

People want what they want straight away and want to put forth the least amount of effort to achieve that goal.

291

General Software Discussion / Re: And IT Man of the Year 2014 Is...

« Last post by Innuendo on December 24, 2014, 07:34 PM »

I'm not sure I quite follow what you're getting at here. But I'll keep trying.

-40hz (December 24, 2014, 11:33 AM)

I read through it three times when he first posted it & once just now after reading your reply and I still can't get a sense of what point he is trying to make.

292

Living Room / Re: For better security, maybe it's time to abandon e-mail?

« Last post by Innuendo on December 24, 2014, 09:03 AM »

Nor should they have to IMHO. That's what responsible professionals in our field exist for.

-40hz (December 23, 2014, 10:18 PM)

Unfortunately, people have evolved to the point where they are much akin to electricity in that they will always take the path of least resistance. Until the 'responsible professionals in our field' can come up with something new while at the same time come up with something that makes every insecure method more inconvenient for the end users that will cause them to jump ship to the new method, nothing will change.

It doesn't help that most attempts at making things more secure, but easier to use for the end user usually end in disaster. WPS stands as a shining example of that. It was implemented as a way for end users to have a secure home network without having to worry about long passkeys. Of course, it didn't take long for the 'bad people' to find vulnerabilities in WPS which has prompted everyone with half a brain to recommend turning that feature off when you configure your router.

Unfortunately, for all, everyone without half a brain vastly outnumbers those who do and they merrily continue to use vulnerable implementations because people would rather have easy than secure.

Just look at SnapChat. One of the most insecure programs in the history of computing run by a company who simply does not care about the security vulnerabilities in their product and yet there is no sign of SnapChat's popularity waning. An endless string of security professionals *and* media outlets have reported that it is insecure and vulnerable to hacking. The general public have declared they do not care and continue to use it.

Any solution that requires downloading, installing, and/or configuring something that just provides a secure method of something that's already installed on people's PCs or devices is doomed to failure out of the gate.

I admire the intent of this thread & have often wished for the same, but the idiocracy has spoken.

293

Living Room / Re: For better security, maybe it's time to abandon e-mail?

« Last post by Innuendo on December 23, 2014, 09:11 PM »

Text messaging is just as insecure though, and ultimately no communications of that type is ever going to be secure because you can always compromise the device or compromise the server processing that information in order to see it anyway.

-SeraphimLabs (December 22, 2014, 07:59 AM)

Just to clarify the point I was trying to make....Yes, text messaging is just as insecure, if not more so. The general public at large does not care about privacy or security on any large scale at all. I could detail a laundry list of thing that people do every single day without giving a second thought to the security and privacy they are giving up.

People don't care until something happens that personally affects them in an adverse way.

294

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: WinPatrol & WinPrivacy holiday discounts

« Last post by Innuendo on December 22, 2014, 07:56 PM »

Found this on the WinPatrol site regarding WinPrivacy in case anyone is on the fence about this offer:

"If you purchase a license now, you will NOT have to pay any annual subscription fees, EVER! Anticipated annual subscription fees for purchases made after this sales ends will be $12/yr. Again, if you purchase now, you will NOT have to pay any subscription fees EVER!."

So evidently WinPrivacy is anticipated to be a subscription-driven product...unless one buys now.

295

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: WinPatrol & WinPrivacy holiday discounts

« Last post by Innuendo on December 22, 2014, 12:18 PM »

Use coupon code: Happy Holidays

-xtabber (December 21, 2014, 11:52 AM)

Thanks for the coupon code, xtabber. Using this code will allow you to buy licenses to both programs for $15.97 total. That's less than $8.00 each.

At that price point it's like they are daring you to be stupid enough to pass on a deal like that. Mama didn't raise no stupid babies so I jumped on it.

And unlike some other software publishers, I received my license info via email immediately.

296

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: WinPatrol & WinPrivacy holiday discounts

« Last post by Innuendo on December 22, 2014, 07:35 AM »

...and is also offering WinPatrol licenses at 60% off for the holiday season.

-xtabber (December 21, 2014, 11:52 AM)

Minor correction...according to their home page, it's a 70% discount for a bottom-line price of $8.99. That's pretty darn reasonable. Might be time for me to buy in...

297

Living Room / Re: For better security, maybe it's time to abandon e-mail?

« Last post by Innuendo on December 22, 2014, 07:31 AM »

Well, email could be reasonably secure if everyone would take up the time to set up secure authentication in their email clients and use things like GPG to encrypt and digitally sign all correspondence.

However, we are a species who, generally speaking, didn't care we had flashing clocks on our VCRs for *years* so...none of what I just said is probably going to happen.

As for the replacement of email, though, text messaging has all but done that.

298

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Sticky Password - 40% Discount on Lifetime Premium License

« Last post by Innuendo on December 21, 2014, 11:04 AM »

Anyone who can comment on how this compares to something like LastPass?

-Jibz (December 21, 2014, 04:00 AM)

I have never used LastPass, but this program is wonderful for someone who has taken the recent database hacks of big companies in the news as a sign that one shouldn't store one's passwords in the cloud. Instead you can sync your password database between all your devices via WiFi. Although, it does offer cloud storage if you want it.

299

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Sticky Password - 40% Discount on Lifetime Premium License

« Last post by Innuendo on December 20, 2014, 06:43 PM »

Thanks! Any information on how long that discount will be valid?

-mwb1100 (December 20, 2014, 05:23 PM)

Unfortunately, I can't seem to find any information on when it expires.

300

Found Deals and Discounts / Sticky Password - 40% Discount on Lifetime Premium License

« Last post by Innuendo on December 20, 2014, 01:35 PM »

Follow the link below to save 40% off of a lifetime premium license for Sticky Password.

Normally $49.99...price with discount is $29.99.

Product Information

Buy It Now

(Good news for Pale Moon users. The 32-bit version of Pale Moon is now supported by Sticky Password.)