Recent Posts

351

Living Room / Re: What books are you reading?

« Last post by rjbull on February 29, 2016, 05:17 PM »

what is convenient to get out of the public library is drying up.

-MilesAhead (February 18, 2016, 07:37 AM)

Advanced Book Exchange (ABE)

I am trying another scifi author

-MilesAhead (February 18, 2016, 07:37 AM)

In case you don't already know them:

Jack McDevitt
Jack McDevitt on fantasticfiction

Adam Roberts
Adam Roberts on fantasticfiction
Especially his first three novels, Salt, On, and Stone.  In particular don't miss On; it's truly extraordinary.

Paul McAuley
Paul McAuley's blog: Earth and other unlikely worlds
Paul McAuley on fantasticfiction

352

General Software Discussion / Re: Comparative review of password managers

« Last post by rjbull on February 29, 2016, 04:53 PM »

I started with KeePass, the 1.xx series, which I still use.  I added AI RoboForm for more automation, which it does well.

When I bought an Android tablet, I installed KeePassDroid because it uses KeePass 1.xx series files, copied via Dropbox.  It works via the Android clipboard, which is a security risk if you run a clipboard manager, as I do.  In search of greater convenience I added Sticky Password (SP) when Bits du Jour had one of their deals on a lifetime license.  I chose SP largely because (a) Win-SP and Android-SP will sync over local WiFi without needing anything cloud and (b) it meant I wouldn't have to buy an upgrade to RoboForm if I didn't want to.  On limited acquaintance, my feeling is that Win-SP isn't as slick as RoboForm at figuring out login details, but it gives you quite good diagnostics and editing features to fix logins that don't quite work.

The Android experience is mixed, probably because of restrictions within the Android OS as well as sluggishness on the part of developers.  Android-SP only supports a few browsers; Firefox, which seems the most universally supported, Dolphin, and UC Browser, but not UC Browser HD which I sometimes use, nor Opera  either.  Success is variable.  Some logins work with some browsers but not others (though I don't use the very latest Android-SP).  To support everything for which Android-SP doesn't have a browser add-on, it offers a "floating window" making loginID and password readily available, but which in itself is little if anything of a step up from KeePassDroid, especially as it goes through the clipboard again.  A problem that sometimes arises is when the floating window sends the required data to the clipboard, but clears the clipboard immediately, so you can't use the data, unless you recall it with a clipboard manager.

I realise the thread is about password managers, but I was surprised and disappointed to find that Android-SP won't fill in details from an identity.  That is, it's OK for forum logins and the like, but not much use for online purchasing.  Given that online shopping is supposed to be going to destroy the retail sector, that seems a big omission.

353

Living Room / Re: What books are you reading?

« Last post by rjbull on February 29, 2016, 04:05 PM »

Unexpected detail: the book was first published in 1897.  The first few chapters purport to be the journal of a newly-qualified solicitor temporarily practicing as an estate agent.  Even then, he carried a "Kodak" camera (a model introduced in 1888) for photographing property.  Estate agents' windows full of photos of houses must be a much older phenomenon than I expected.

354

Living Room / Re: What books are you reading?

« Last post by rjbull on February 29, 2016, 03:59 PM »

Little more than 10 years after the first powered flight, aircraft were pressed into service in World War I. Nearly forgotten in the war's massive overall death toll, some 50,000 aircrew would die in the combatant nations' fledgling air forces. The romance of aviation had a remarkable grip on the public imagination, propaganda focusing on gallant air 'aces' who became national heroes. The reality was horribly different. "Marked For Death" debunks popular myth to explore the brutal truths of wartime aviation: of flimsy aircraft and unprotected pilots who had no parachutes; of burning 19-year-olds falling screaming to their deaths; of pilots freezing and disorientated as they flew across enemy lines at 15,000 feet. James Hamilton-Paterson also reveals how four years of war produced profound changes both in the aircraft themselves and in military attitudes and strategy. By 1918 it was widely accepted that domination of the air above the battle-field was crucial to military success, a realization that would change the nature of warfare for ever.

355

General Software Discussion / Re: The tool from the chinese shop in my neighborhood (image search)

« Last post by rjbull on February 03, 2016, 04:30 PM »

It's a compass of sorts, floating object placed in the middle when the tool is sitting/dipped in water.

-rgdot (February 02, 2016, 04:00 PM)

You're probably right, but this version on Amazon UK talks about a "sun compass."  That could mean a Solar compass^w such as Bagnold's Sun Compass, as used by the Long Range Desert Group^w.  Looks too simple for that, though.

356

Living Room / Re: Why GOD has not updated the world ?

« Last post by rjbull on February 03, 2016, 03:57 PM »

357

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Essential PIM Pro - Mini-Review ("also-ran")

« Last post by rjbull on December 22, 2015, 05:13 PM »

If you're still looking, Pimlical can do that.

-dr_andus (December 21, 2015, 05:17 PM)

Well, I have EPIM now - but I only use it for some things, mainly as an electronic planning calendar.  I haven't committed to it completely, partly because I have a tablet I'm not usually going to carry about with me, not a smartphone.  What I use every day is still my Palm T3, and Pimlical is interesting precisely because it can work with Palm.  Thanks for the reminder.

358

Living Room / Re: Holy day

« Last post by rjbull on December 22, 2015, 05:00 PM »

Of related interest:

BBC Radio 4: Beyond Belief, 21st Dec. 2015

Yule

December 21st - the shortest day in the year - is the day pagans across Europe are marking the Winter Solstice; an ancient festival, connected to the lowest position of the sun in the sky. It has been celebrated for millennia, and yet, its relationship to the relatively recent Christian celebration of Christmas is inseparable. It is no coincidence that a festival marking the 'rebirth' of the new sun in the sky comes just days before the celebration of the birth of Jesus, seen by Christians as the Son of God. How did this relationship develop? Where did many of the familiar customs we associate with Christmas come from?

Ernie Rea explores the pagan origins of Christmas with Ronald Hutton, professor of History at Bristol University; JJ Middleway, a celebrant and ritualist based in the Druid tradition; and the reverend Steve Hollinghurst, a Church of England vicar and author of 'New Age Paganism and Christian Mission'.

Podcast available.

359

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Essential PIM Pro - Mini-Review ("also-ran")

« Last post by rjbull on December 21, 2015, 04:17 PM »

Both the calendar and contacts functions in EPIM are very good, but the sync with Google got to be too flaky a year or so ago, and I finally gave up on it.

-xtabber (December 19, 2015, 06:33 PM)

I prefer to avoid the cloud, and don't really need "everywhere availability" anyway.  I like the ability to sync between Windows and Android locally.

I am currently using eM Client (again, not for mail), which seems to have no problem staying in sync with Google. 

-xtabber (December 19, 2015, 06:33 PM)

In another thread, app103 was very pleased with eM Client's calendar.  Softmaker have abandoned development, saying they would roll their enhancements into Thunderbird.  Does Tbird include any sort of calendar?  eM Client itself now seems orphaned.  It might be nice if Softmaker split out the calendar as a separate entity.

EPIM is an excellent standalone calendar/contacts manager that works well as a portable app too.  I can't see using it as an information organizer however.

-xtabber (December 19, 2015, 06:33 PM)

Pity    They should address that.

360

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Essential PIM Pro - Mini-Review ("also-ran")

« Last post by rjbull on December 13, 2015, 02:47 PM »

It's worth knowing that EssentialPIM has a Free edition as well as a Pro, and that both are available in portable as well as installer versions.  Both include an e-mail client.  The comparison chart of Pro vs. Free is HERE.  Further, Astonsoft offer Android and iOS EPIMs: they can synchronise with the Windows EPIM via local WiFi without using the Cloud.  Speaking from the perspective of a four-day broadband outage, this is a Good Thing.  Exactly how good depends on your view of the value of mobile devices, of course.

361

General Software Discussion / Re: Newer password keepers/form-fillers - anyone using Dashlane or 1Password?

« Last post by rjbull on September 19, 2015, 04:21 PM »

@f0dder: if you're interested in Sticky Password. Premium,  it's fairly often on Bits du Jour, and appears so now:

http://www.bitsdujou...aign=2015-09-19+PC+A

This is for a lifetime licence at $49.99.

Apologies for clumsy post,  on Android tablet. 

362

Official Announcements / Re: Forum Upgraded August 30, 2015 - Report issues here

« Last post by rjbull on August 31, 2015, 05:32 PM »

rj, can you elaborate a little bit

-mouser (August 31, 2015, 05:01 PM)

Competently explained by Stephen66515, to whom my thanks 

363

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your preferred File Manager

« Last post by rjbull on August 31, 2015, 05:14 PM »

Was using old xplorer2 pro 1x previously and unwilling to upgrade

-imtrobin (August 27, 2015, 01:26 AM)

Did you think of trying out the free version of XYplorer, XYplorerFree? Current release is 15.50.0200 (10-Aug-2015), so it's up to date.  Free vs. Pro feature comparison here.  It might have a substantially different feel from xplorer2, though.  Plus there's FreeCommander, which has a standard twin-pane look.

364

Official Announcements / Re: Forum Upgraded August 30, 2015 - Report issues here

« Last post by rjbull on August 31, 2015, 04:57 PM »

The first things I do on login in is look at the bottom of the home page to see the recent Active Topics, look at Unread Replies to my posts, and new topics since last visit.  I can more or less see these in the new GoTo dropdown, but, replies to my posts is showing what looks like replies to all topics I ever posted in.  I've marked them all as Read now so should only see new posts, but, in the old system, there was an option to mark topics as no longer of interest and to be ignored.  Is that option still available, please?

365

General Software Discussion / Re: LastPass alternatives with two-factor authentication? (including premium LP)

« Last post by rjbull on August 30, 2015, 02:30 PM »

Isn't the problem that Google won't allow extensions to be added to any Android browser by a third party [...]

-rjbull (August 25, 2015, 04:17 PM)

Perhaps I've misunderstood you, but I thought I should mention that I use LastPass on both the PaleMoon browser for Android and the Dolphin browser for Android.  Dolphin has a LastPass for Dolphin extension.

-cyberdiva (August 26, 2015, 06:20 PM)

Sorry - 'twas I that misunderstood.  I thought Google's terms banned any third party from adding extensions to any browser.  It turns out Google aren't quite so Draconian, only banning extensions for their own Chrome.  Sticky Password's team tell me it has an extension giving automated logins to Android Firefox.  Similar things are still in the works for Dolphin and UCWeb, so currently Lastpass is ahead.

As an aside, I still wonder which Android browser is "best."  With Window Opera now based on Chrome, presumably Android Opera is too; who knows how much data it's sending to Google?  UC Browser makes DC look strange (haven't tried it yet with the DC New Look).  A year or so back, I saw a very favourable review in a UK magazine for Maxthon, but recent reviews in the App Store complain bitterly about a drastically changed UI that removes tabs.  Reviews for Firefox in the App Store complain it's a resource hog.  In fact, nearly everything in the App Store seems to garner incredibly mixed reviews. 

366

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by rjbull on August 27, 2015, 04:44 PM »

Two cartoons from The Oldie magazine, May 2015.

367

General Software Discussion / Re: LastPass alternatives? (including premium LP)

« Last post by rjbull on August 25, 2015, 04:17 PM »

I wrote to LastPass support about this and they said it was for their stupid LastPass browser that is also built into the app. I told them the browser was superfluous and that they should separate it into another app if they wanted to include that functionality, because all I wanted from them was to be able to store and retrieve my passwords. They didn't really respond to that.

-Deozaan (August 25, 2015, 11:28 AM)

Isn't the problem that Google won't allow extensions to be added to any Android browser by a third party, so the only way to make logins seamless is for the password program's authors make their own browser with the functionality built in?  At least, that's what I thought from reading Sticky Password's information.

Every so often, the browser extension's auto-form-fill functionality stops working on sites where it has worked for months (or years). The only way I've found to get it to start working again is to delete the "site" and create it again.

-Deozaan (August 25, 2015, 11:28 AM)

I have a vaguely similar problem.  I usually use Sticky Password's floating window.  Occasionally it won't work with Opera for Android.  This appears to be Opera's problem, not SP's, as I also run Clipper+ and find that SP has sent the relevant information to the clipboard.  In other words, Opera temporarily won't accept a paste.  Rebooting doesn't always clear the problem.  However, I also have UC Browser HD as well as Sticky Password's own Sticky Browser, so one or other should work (I hope).

Is there anything out there that provides the convenience of LastPass (secure cloud storage/retrieval) for Android without any of the extra crap?

-Deozaan (August 25, 2015, 11:28 AM)

You'd probably feel SP has too much fluff and horsefeathers as well   But you don't have to actually use all of it.

368

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PhraseExpander Professional for PC 79% off $29.99

« Last post by rjbull on August 25, 2015, 03:37 PM »

Both TA and Breevy have portable versions.  Instant Text doesn't, that I know of.

You might care to look at John Knowles' ABCZ Typing Abbreviation System for one rational approach to choosing short forms.

There are many threads on DC about text expanders and similar applications - worth reviewing, though many are getting old, and some are heated.  For all the software they mention, they aren't complete.  Text expanders and similar products are quite a big category, though a requirement for portability winnows them out.

369

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

« Last post by rjbull on August 24, 2015, 04:41 PM »

latest: (see attachment in previous post)

-mouser (August 20, 2015, 11:45 AM)

If that's Illinois, global warming is worse than I thought...   

370

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PhraseExpander Professional for PC 79% off $29.99

« Last post by rjbull on August 24, 2015, 04:38 PM »

There's also Typing Assistant by SumitSoft. I like the comprehensive feature set: it offers text completion as well as abbreviation expansion, plus auto-learn, auto-correct, clipboard and a launcher.  I have mixed feelings about it because of what is for me a serious drawback.  Most earlier versions of TA don't play nicely with clipboard managers, failing to enter the full text (type the short form and sometimes nothing happens).  It has its own on-board clipboard extender, but that is no match for the features of CHS or ArsClip.  6.1 was the first exception I noticed; it works happily with several clipboard managers.  I think 7.0 failed (not sure), but 7.1 seems OK on short acquaintance.

There have been times when I could type too fast for Typing Assistant to keep up, but that's probably just me and my PC.

Breevy is a good expander and corrector, but doesn't offer text completion.  I would dearly like it to have.  Comfort Keys, which is primarily a keyboard macro program, has quite a good completer - but not an expander!  I also have Instant Text, the most powerful expander, slightly more expensive than the top-level versions of Phrase Expander and Phrase Express.  It too is strongly oriented towards medical transcripionists, and doesn't have a completer, but has very good import features to ingest a corpus of text, analyse it, make appropriate short forms, and massage everything to your style.  DC has a rather old review thread of an earlier version of Instant Text.

371

N.A.N.Y. 2015 / Re: NANY 2015 Release - Splat (Simple Program Launching and Termination)

« Last post by rjbull on July 20, 2015, 05:25 PM »

there's really no easy alternative to Hotkeyz.

-dantheman (July 19, 2015, 07:41 PM)

I was sorry to see that HotKeyz's web site had disappeared...  Does HotkeyP, which is probably the closest freeware, work on Win10?  With or without NirCmd to add extra features?  Otherwise, you might want to look at something like Comfort Keys or Key Manager, which, being paywares, might have some hope of keeping up with Windows versions.

372

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommend image file renamer/renumberer for slide shows, please?

« Last post by rjbull on June 28, 2015, 05:56 PM »

FSViewer can do that.
[...]
HTH?

-AbteriX (June 08, 2015, 01:39 AM)

Yesss! 

I was thrown off by having a left-side box for adding files, where they're in standard Windows sort order, and a right-hand input list where they're in the order you've drag-and-dropped them.  Had to look twice at the input list.  Very useful feature.

Many thanks indeed!

373

General Software Discussion / Re: Nifty FREE Utility to do almost anything to a filename in Windows

« Last post by rjbull on June 22, 2015, 05:11 PM »

I used to do stupid TSRs if you remember those.

-MilesAhead (June 19, 2015, 08:21 AM)

I remember RAM-cram as well 

374

N.A.N.Y. 2015 / Re: NANY 2015 Release - Splat (Simple Program Launching and Termination)

« Last post by rjbull on June 22, 2015, 05:05 PM »

There's no content on their web site, so can't get to article 449 directly.  They appear to publish a CD of all issues on an annual basis, but there will obviously be a wait for 2015.

375

N.A.N.Y. 2015 / Re: NANY 2015 Release - Splat (Simple Program Launching and Termination)

« Last post by rjbull on June 19, 2015, 04:38 PM »

In case you didn't see it, a recommendation for Splat in the UK magazine ComputerActive, issue 451, 10-23 June 2015.  Can't seem to send an attachment by PM, so attached here.  I didn't see the earlier article they reference.  I wish they'd added that though Splat's free, you accept donations...