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3126
Living Room / Re: Can we compare file transfer protocols?
« Last post by superboyac on December 16, 2010, 04:17 PM »
AHHH!!!  I totally played that game!  Man, that brings back memories.  I played that game a lot with my little sister, back when she would want to do everything that I did.
3127
General Software Discussion / Re: Upgrading RoboForm from v6 to v7: worthwhile?
« Last post by superboyac on December 16, 2010, 12:11 PM »
I tried the beta fairly recently and it didn't work well.  They are also going towards a ribbon like interface, I believe.  So that's what I noticed.  I switched back to v6 for the time being.  As long as the ribbon isn't too big or has the option for the classic or smaller toolbar, I think I'm ok with the upgrade.  It is a pretty awesome program.  Works very well.
3128
Would a casio fx 9860 emulator be useful?
Not really.  I already have a Casio fx-115ES that can do it the best way I've come across yet.  i was hoping something on the computer or ipad would have it.  I think the ipad does, i just need to research it a little.
3129
Hi everyone, I don't expect to find a solution here because this thing I'm looking for is particularly picky, but I will try.
OK, I'm doing a lot of number crunching that involves complex numbers.  I need a calculator that is a software either on Windows OR the ipad that can handle complex numbers easily, without much fuss.  I'll explain:
There are three ways of writing complex numbers that are common:
a+bi (rectangular form)
A<B (where A is the magnitude, the "<" is actually the symbol meaning "angle", and B is the angle in DEGREES)
e^iTHETA (THETA is the character that I don't know how to write here)

OK, the e thing (the last one) is lame.  I hate using it, i think it's the least useful one for calculations.  The other two I use all the time.  Ideally, I'd like to use both of those forms all the time, even mixing up both of them in the same formula.  So, I'd like to be able to multiply two complex numbers together with the two numbers expressed in either form.  Most calculators can't do this.  They normally require you to input it in the first way.  So if you already have it the second way, you have to first convert it to the first way if you want to use the software.  Mathematica does this, and it's really annoying.  I can write a function, but I don't know how and I don't want to learn it right now.  I just want buttons, and one step conversions and solutions.

So, just to clarify, I'm looking for a nice GUI calculator solution, not a programming solution.  I don't want to do it in Matlab.  I don't want to write a script.  I don't want hewlett-packard cult RPN stuff.
3130
Living Room / Re: I wish I'd had this when I was learning physics
« Last post by superboyac on December 15, 2010, 03:10 PM »
and we're talking UC Berkeley

I did  a course on the web by Isabel Pafford from Berkeley on  the ancient Mediterranean World and another on the Roman Empire that I thought were just great.
Yeah...I shouldn't be all that critical.  I was in the Engineering program, and it was rare enough to have a prof who didn't have a thick accent.  Then, it was even more rare to have a prof that was a skilled and effective teacher.  So, most of the time, it was very hard to understand what was being said, and furthermore, even if you did understand it, it wasn't anything all that interesting.  Here...let's derive this long ass formula for an hour, even though it's already derived in multiple textbooks.  I love how Walter Lewin always specifically mentions that he's not going to get into the details, 'it's in the book, he'll say" but he'll make truly thought provoking statements that really speak to your mind.
3131
Living Room / Re: I wish I'd had this when I was learning physics
« Last post by superboyac on December 15, 2010, 11:58 AM »
I had a high school teacher that, while not as good as Walter Lewin, was close.  And for high school, I consider that a blessing.  He got National teacher of the year at one point.  None of my profs in college were even close to that good, and we're talking UC Berkeley.  I've recently learned that there is a very large gap between a very good school, and a great school.  And an even larger gap between the great professors and good professors.  THere's something extremely inspirational about teachers like Lewin and Khan.  You listen to them talk about things that you ALREADY know, but somehow it inspires you and creates ideas for you.  These people are my most treasured resources in life.  GUys like that, even the knowledgeable people here, Stephen Fry...they create ideas for you, which is a powerful thing.
3132
Living Room / Re: I wish I'd had this when I was learning physics
« Last post by superboyac on December 15, 2010, 09:57 AM »
Those lectures on youtube from Walter Lewin are brilliant.  Absolutely brilliant.  Very good example of why the top tier schools are so sought after.  I watched most of his electrical series of lectures and they were truly inspiring.  Unbelievable guy, I even emailed him once.  In my opinion, he's just as good as Feynmann.

Also, in case you haven't heard of it by now, check out the Khan academy video series for anything math related.  Another set of top notch, astounding, I can't even use enough adjectives here...videos covering math that are explained so well, you are left wondering why people think this is hard.  But it's simply because the presentation and teaching skills are off the charts.
http://www.khanacademy.org/
3133
Living Room / Re: Can we compare file transfer protocols?
« Last post by superboyac on December 14, 2010, 07:53 PM »
Ok everyone, first of all, it doesn't matter to me what the differences are between SFTP and FTP FTPS, and what not.  I'm not saying that to be an asshole.  I'm saying that because no matter which one it is, ftp clients still treat them the same way minus different setting in the preferences.  So in the end, it doesn't matter to me.

My ideal goal, once again, is to somehow have a drive or folder that I can access from ANYWHERE as a drive or folder.  Not a Dropbox button, not a separate client software access, and so forth.  From the discussion here, I can see that what I want is either extremely difficult or impossible.  Fine.  In that case, I'm going to find the alternative that is closest to what I want.  Dropbox is not the answer because there is no way in hell I'm going to upload my stuff to someone else's central server and pay for it on top of that.  It's not even about the money.  It's about the fact that I want the server on my property.  I want direct access to that server.

The reason why I think I'm going to go with sftp is because it's a common enough thing where most file management type of activities can accomodate it because it's probably already built into their features.  It's not a new, proprietary thing like a Dropbox.  So, for example, I can use SFFS to backup files using SFTP because it's already built into it.  I can also use Dopus, or Total Commander to access the server from anywhere directly.  This is kind of stuff I'm looking for.  My only complaint with it was the weird, intermittent way it connects, which everyone here has so graciously explained all the reasons why and how that happens, which is quite informative.  But nevertheless, the bottom line is that ftp is pretty good if not for the connection thing.

And just for the record, I want to say that I have never seen what I am asking for done in the way that I am describing.  So I realize it's quite a picky thing I'm asking for.  I just find it odd that something like this is not easily done, but I guess I feel that way about a lot of things.  I know you guys think I'm all stubborn and difficult about all of this, but my life is pretty hectic right now, and on top of that, I can feel myself drifting away from this computer stuff that I have been knee deep in for half of my life.  I like 40hz' post a day or two ago where he talks about the different kind of computer geeks.  There are those who are IT people for a living, so it's not a problem for them to do things with configuration files and complicated setups and so forth.  Then there are those (like me) who are extremely good with computers, but we're not programmers, so there's a subtle difference in the things I prefer or am willing to try.  I am in the extreme minority, both among the people here, and among normal non-computer geeks.  Non-computer people lump me in with the IT guys, and the IT guys think I'm a non-computer people.  The truth is, I am beyond an expert when it comes to using software.  I can use the shit out of software and talk for days about every little button and feature.  What I don't do is all this behind the scenes stuff.  Things involving ini files, scripting, databases.  I'm not even that concerned about HOW things work.  Like, i don't care why java applications are slow...I just care that they are slow.  Most of you guys get into why it's slow, and how it shouldn't be slow, and then the acronyms start flying and the technicalities start being thrown around.  That's cool, it's just not for me.  but that doesn't mean I'm an computer idiot and I need Apple things or else I won't be able to make my way around.  I just want to get stuff done.  I like documented procedures for specific things.  I don't like searching through forums (anymore) and trying out 20 things until they work.  I don't even have the time for it anymore.

Last year, I would spend an hour fiddling around with css code to create a padding around the pictures on my site that I felt was the proper amount of padding.  I'm done with that shit, I'm tired of it.  I want a button that says "padding".  I want to go there, type a number, hit OK, and see the padding changed.  I DON"T want to go into a css file, change some things, save it, upload it to the server, reload the webpage, check if it works, rinse and repeat.  I'm telling you, i don't have time for this stuff anymore, and my brain is going to explode trying to figure that out on top of figuring my career stuff out, on top of figuring music out, on top of figuring out sports, etc.  I'm cutting the pseudo-programmer mindset out of my brain.

What I really want is to hire a programmer for myself.  That's weird, I know.  but I want someone local to me that I pay a certain salary, and I just say, "can you make such and such" and he does.  The problem is, I want it for personal reasons, not really for any kind of business or money-making reasons.  So at this point, I can't justify it.

Anyway, that's what I'm going through.  I know, believe me I know, that I've been a pain in the ass around here.  I'm sorry.  I know everyone is just trying to help, so I'm sorry.
3134
Living Room / Re: Can we compare file transfer protocols?
« Last post by superboyac on December 14, 2010, 05:36 PM »
I'm feeling like I'm just going to do ftp or sftp and try that for a while.  If I feel a strong need to do something more, I'll try other things.  It doesn't seem like there's exactly the thing I'm looking for available, or easily available.  I appreciate all the suggestions, I just don't have much time right now to look into things that don't involve buttons and nice, simple dialogs.
3135
Developer's Corner / Re: Tabbed Plaintext: Good or not-so-good idea?
« Last post by superboyac on December 14, 2010, 09:03 AM »
Interesting...a multi-page text file.
3136
Found Deals and Discounts / Re: New MakeMKV beta 1.6.2
« Last post by superboyac on December 13, 2010, 12:52 PM »
Miles, I'm just looking for what Makemkv already does, which is take dvd's and create a single mkv files that retains all the dvd features like the menus, subtitles, and commentary tracks.  I would get Anydvd only for those dvd's that makemkv might have trouble with the protection. I'd use anydvd to make an iso, and then use the iso in makemkv.  I'm not interested in any kind of lossless transcoding or anything.  I want to retain the full quality.  I'm going to need many more hard drives to fit all of these mkv files.  Good riddance to dvd players.
3137
I think this interface issue is where I'm starting to differ from you guys and the person I used to be.  I used to be way more concerned about having maximum flexibility and options, and I didn't mind at all if I had to tweak some text files to do it.  But not anymore.  I'm way more impatient and critical of that stuff.  I think it's much more important now to have a good interface, with nice buttons and stuff that get the job done, and don't turn everything into a science project.  This is probably the root of a lot of the disagreements I am starting to have with a lot of the hardcore users here.  Even the whole Apple stuff I'm talking about now.  I'm changing.  I recognize it.  I love computers and technology, but I'm not willing to spend hours anymore trying to do simple things because programmers won't make a button for it.  I'm not willing to go into text files to modify my font settings with pseudo-programming language.
3138
The bad thing with sublime text is that all the options are controlled with text files.  All of them.  If you click on anything that has to do with configuration or preferences, it opens up a text file with the settings in there.  I really don't get stuff like that.  He builds a beautiful interface for everything else, and then text file configurations.  Buttons people, buttons.
3139
Found Deals and Discounts / Re: New MakeMKV beta 1.6.2
« Last post by superboyac on December 12, 2010, 06:44 PM »
Miles, would you know how Makemkv compares to something like CloneDVD from slysoft?  I've used clonedvd in the past, and I don't think it's quite as simple or produces better results than what I've seen with makemkv.
3140
Living Room / Re: Can we compare file transfer protocols?
« Last post by superboyac on December 12, 2010, 05:36 PM »
Thanks fodder.  If that's the case, and what I'm asking for is either extremely difficult or impossible, then I think I'm just going to stick with sftp or something.  I can use it to back up my files from several computers outside of my home, and I guess I'll only use full access mapped drives on the few computers in my home.

VPN doesn't even really work for my company.  I mean, I can sort of connect to it, but it didn't seem like I could do much.  The connection was too intermittent and hectic to really sit down with it and start working on files.  The best thing i could do was copy the file I wanted to over on my local computer, but that's it.  But if that's the case, it's no different than a ftp server with more headache.
3141
General Software Discussion / Re: How do I fix my gibberish font in Firefox?
« Last post by superboyac on December 12, 2010, 04:33 PM »
Also, when the font is all gibberish or invisible, if i copy it and paste it in something else like a text editor, it shows up fine.
3142
General Software Discussion / Re: How do I fix my gibberish font in Firefox?
« Last post by superboyac on December 12, 2010, 04:29 PM »
Man, I can't solve this issue for the life of me.  It's really becoming a problem now.  Engadget titles don't appear at all.  Most of the headline captions on ESPN don't display at all.  It shows fine in IE and Chrome, but not in Firefox.  I completely uninstalled FF just now, and reinstalled it from scratch...same thing.  What could possibly be doing this?
3143
Yes!  Darwin said it best.  UE is very good, but I've never felt at home with it.

Deozaan, that sidebar with the entire file content's preview is awesome!  I have never seen that in a text editor, what a great idea.
3144
General Software Discussion / Re: Liquid Story Binder: Excellent
« Last post by superboyac on December 12, 2010, 02:27 PM »
 :huh: don't get that one!  Who's Mike?
3145
Living Room / Re: Can we compare file transfer protocols?
« Last post by superboyac on December 12, 2010, 02:23 PM »
What do you guys think of the Logmein/Hamachi thing?
https://secure.logme...m/products/hamachi2/
3146
Living Room / Re: Can we compare file transfer protocols?
« Last post by superboyac on December 12, 2010, 02:22 PM »
Does this count?

Or do you specifically not want to use third party software?

If nothing else it will give you an idea of a rather easy OpenVPN set up.
mmm...that's an good thread.  yes, that is along the lines of what I'm looking for.  Freenet sounds interesting if not for the difficulty in setting it up.
3147
Living Room / Re: Looking for P2p file sharing for personal use
« Last post by superboyac on December 12, 2010, 02:19 PM »
40hz, will Freenet allow me to map server folder(s) as drives on other, distant computers?  And then I can use the server folder as a regular folder?  Is something like that possible?
3148
Living Room / Re: Can we compare file transfer protocols?
« Last post by superboyac on December 12, 2010, 02:03 PM »
Thanks fodder!  That is very very useful.  OK, I believe you that VPN is not the way to go.  But what is?  I'm not really sure what SSH+rsync is, but even if it is good for performance, I tend to hesitate when it's not something easy to setup.  I like buttons and dropdowns and such.  I hate when configuration is done using text files and programming language.

I can clarify how I want to use this:
I have a server at home.  Many many gigabytes, terabytes of stuff is on it and it's not rare for the contents to change and shift around a lot (several gigabytes worth) every week or month.  I mention that because most of the "easy" solutions available online like Dropbox and stuff are normally limited to a few gigabytes worth of stuff, and what I'm talking about is way more than that.
Now, I have some business partners and friends and family that I want to be able to share some of my server contents with.  Both ways transferring (uploading and downloading).  Ideally, I'd like my server to appear as an integrated folder or drive in their explorer.  That's the goal.  That way, all other programs on their computer could access the files as they would any other local file.  And when I need to perform backups using SFFS or whatever I use, I can just say backup the "N:" drive which would be the server.  No messy configuration files, no crazy programming language jargon settings.  So how do I do that?

FTP just doesn't work well for that because of that connection issue you and several others have mentioned.  I accept that VPN is not really the solution for this either.  But what is?  I've tried things that use the web interface to make it easy to transfer files...like HFS, which is really great for that.  I'm using that now, and it's ok, but it's limited because you can only access it through the web.  I want to have a network folder on other people's computers the same way as I can add network folders through my work's intranet as mapped drives.  Something like that.

Maybe that's the question.  How do I map a network drive that is NOT intranet, but outer-net (WAN, i suppose)?
3149
Living Room / Re: Can we compare file transfer protocols?
« Last post by superboyac on December 12, 2010, 12:57 AM »
Thanks steel!  I really appreciate that information.  That's going into my database.  I'm willing to give VPN a try.  It sounds like it may be a pain to setup, which I'm ok with, and after that it can be easy to use.  I guess my next step is to find a good, well written setup procedure that won't require me spending hours and hours googling and reading a bunch of forums for answers.  If you come across any, please send them my way.
3150
superboyac, I really appreciate you sharing what you're finding about Apple through these posts. It has educated me.

I have this fierce attitude that MY system is mine; that MY files are mine; that most of what I do is file management! But if the computer is not a tool, but a toy (or just another gadget to carry around), then files are the same as viruses. I'm sure Apple will go the cloud way and soon suggest: Let us control, er, take care of them for you: just upload them to OUR servers!
OK!  I'm done with my test.  By the way, if I get this promotion, I think I will make a nice donation to DC here.  Anyway, now I can get into this discussion.  I won't be able to answer all the issues right now, so I'm going to start with Zaine's because he's the man.

So, Zaine, you don't have to hate Apple for this file management issue.  We have to take a step back and psychoanalyze ourselves a little first, because this topic always gets emotional very fast.  I've been practicing this lately.  Nobody is forcing you to buy Apple stuff.  Nobody is forcing you to pick it over a PC.  So you only have to use Apple products if you CHOOSE to, as I have.  Now that I've gotten it, am I any less of a pc person than I was before?  No, not at all. The way I think about my purchase, the ipad, is the EXACT same way I think about purchasing any software/hardware accessory for my PC.  I don't think of my computers individually.  I think about all of my computing equipment as individual components of my computer system.  My Windows desktop happens to be my headquarters, my homebase.  My ipad is an extension of my headquarters.  I'm not committed to any brand.  I choose the best product for my specific need.  The ipad filled in (almost perfectly) my need for certain mobile computing applications like GPS.  It was by far the best product for it.  So I got it.  I think of it exactly the same way as I do, say, my logitech mouse.  Sure, there are some things I don't like about the mouse, but overall, it was the best one for me.  It doesn't really affect anything else in my computing life, it just extended it and added certain capabilities.  So we don't have to act like if we buy a Mac or a iphone that we are all of a sudden not using Windows anymore and we're stuck with Apple.

Now, let's consider this specific issue about owning files.  Yes, I don't control my ipad files anywhere near the way I can on my PC.  But where did those files come from?  My PC!  They are just copies of it.  So my solution is awesome!  I still have all the control over my files, but I still get to use the ipad when I'm out and about.  Yes, there are certain workarounds I have to do to accomplish certain things, but they are no different from the workarounds I run into with Word/Excel issues, or file conversion issues, or anything else I do with the computer.  So it doesn't bother me at all, because in the end I DO control my files because I am using the system that lets me do that: Windows on my homebase.

Now, other less hardcore users will get Apple products and it WILL be their main computing equipment.  But these people DON"T CARE about file management, and control.  They don't even think about if their files are backed up.  They don't care about computers, gadgets.  But everyone needs a computer these days, so they get the one that's the least headache for them.  And it is the least headache, let's not pretend like Windows is easier to use than a Mac for most people like this.  We don't have to project our particular desires and frustrations on people that really could care less about this stuff.  And that doesn't make us smarter people, or better people.  We're just different.  I'm not a Home Depot DIY guy.  Does that make me dumber than those guys who spend all weekend tiling their bathroom?  No.  Does it make me better?  No.  He spends all day thinking about tiling and grout and what not, and I spend all day thinking about drivers and file management issues.  So if someone gets an Apple thing because it's awesome looking and doesn't ever think about computer stuff, it's perfect.  It's not an evil Steve Jobs plan.  He's giving them what they need.

Do I complain about Ford for not making cars the way Toyota does, which I prefer?  No!  I don't think about it.  So why do we complain about Apple when we don't have the slightest motivation to use their products?  Why is it OUR competition?  Why are we on teams for PRODUCTS?  There are a gazillion options for computing out there.  Do I get mad at you for becoming a Linux guy? (I won't lie, I was initially slightly disappointed, if nothing more than losing the great list).  Do I consider you on a different team now?  No way.

I'm sure there's more to come.
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