Recent Posts

3601

General Software Discussion / Dooble, Web Browser and more

« Last post by Curt on December 19, 2010, 04:24 AM »

I didn't know about Dooble, until it was updated yesterday:

Dooble is a platform-independent Open Source Web browser. One of the primary purposes of Dooble is to safeguard the privacy of its users. At its core lies the WebKit engine. A compact and simple code base ensures that both developers and users have access to Dooble's internal functions.

http://dooble.sourceforge.net/
Dooble is more than a web browser. Much more!:

# Desktop
Dooble includes a fancy desktop.

# File Manager
An integrated file manager is an elegant necessity.

# FTP Browser
A functional and intuitive FTP browser is included.

# Dooble
Dooble is a beautiful edition to any software library.

Did you try it, and have a say?   http://majorgeeks.co...b_Browser_d6341.html

3602

General Software Discussion / Re: How To Type Symbols and more

« Last post by Curt on December 18, 2010, 06:07 PM »

http://vulpeculox.net/ax/

for English keyboards I believe, not sure

-cmpm (December 18, 2010, 08:56 AM)

- for any keyboard, I believe. And surprisingly easy to use:

3603

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Free 1 year license of Returnil System Safe Pro 2011! [72-hours only]

« Last post by Curt on December 18, 2010, 04:46 PM »

regarding Returnil, I was confused that there isn't a single word about having to disable my anti-malware or anti-something scanner before rebooting-after-installation/running Returnil. Can I really keep my Outpost Security Suite running at the same time as Returnil?

Frankly, I got so nervous about this that I removed Returnil at once, because I didn't dare to reboot and have Security Suite and Returnil running together!

Edited:
I found an answer between dotTech's comments:

... you should never run multiple live protections at once. I highly suggest you pick one program to run the live protection with. If you want to use the live protection of your other program, you can turn off Returnil’s live protection and use its virtual system which is still very, very useful.

3604

Finished Programs / Re: IDEA: Gracefully close Firefox on PC exit

« Last post by Curt on December 18, 2010, 04:45 AM »

What a terrible experience you have had with your computer. 
Personally I reboot several times a day, so I know things are in order.

I know nothing about Classes either...!!, but apps=WindowsVuePrintClass would most likely be the proper term, assuming YKill knows what it is talking about ;-)

So, I guess you are running Windows XP? YKill is very old! You may want to to try a task manager like Process Explorer from Microsoft's Windows Sysinternals: http://technet.micro...6653%28en-us%29.aspx. Many consider it to be The Best freeware task manager.

3605

General Software Discussion / Re: Your most used SPECIAL programs

« Last post by Curt on December 17, 2010, 06:48 PM »

PowerGrep, Frink and FARR... timns clearly is a keyboard man ;-) (which I am not), but thanks for telling about Rainmeter; I didn't know about that one.
For unit conversions, I prefer ESB. I use the free version 7.2
-----

I never dared to touch SWV because of the Symantec connection. I instinctively fear it is too complicated for me... But of course it is much more complicated having to re-install the OS because I didn't use SWV or similar... haha.

-----
I just wanted to show an example of what Dynamick-Photo HDR (& PhotoFiltre Studio) can do with a single picture (= "fake HDR"):

original (1024x685 pixels):
Fake HDR (1024x685 pixels):

Edited:
Oops, I forgot: "all rights reserved"! Sorry! Photos removed.

3606

General Software Discussion / Re: Your most used SPECIAL programs

« Last post by Curt on December 17, 2010, 01:16 PM »

I still use Bulk Image Downloader almost every day, and the above mentioned (abandoned?) Reshade Image Enlarger. For editing my pictures, I have come to *love* both PhotoFiltre Studio X for the "normal" jobs, and Dynamic-Photo HDR for fake HDR jobs (of course they don't have to be fake; I just don't have any genuine HDR series). The main reason I am posting 'now' is that Dynamic-Photo HDR just was updated to version 5.

Dynamic Photo-HDR is a next generation High Dynamic Range Photo Software with Pin-Warping, Anti-Ghosting, Fusion and Color Matching.

Watch Interactive Demo

Full key: $55
Upgrade: $24

Versions for both Windows and Intel-MAC.

http://www.mediachance.com/

Features In a Nutshell:

    * Easy to understand software with super fast preview
    * Powerful Auto-Aligning, Manual or Auto-Assist Aligning of images with an innovative Pin Warping that can correct all types of misalignment, including camera roll, pitch or yaw
    * Various tone mapping procedures that can create a whole range of images - from smooth photographic tone mapping to very dramatic images
    * Fusion process for realistic looking photography
    * Load and save HDR files

    * Support for 360 Panoramic images
    * Batch Processing to add images to queue and then process them all at once
    * Live HDR preview during various steps, you can see tone mapped image preview even before you create HDR!
    * Real-Time Preview - as you move the sliders you see the changes in real-time
    * Paint the tone-mapping strength where you want it with a brush

    * Many effects like Orton, Sepia, Black/White, Vignette, Mysterious Light
    * You can use Pseudo-HDR process on a single 8-bit source
    * Our new real-time Light Tuner will let you change the Tone-Mapped effect and see the feedback result immediately as you move the Light Orb, without any calculation
    * Color Correction using Kelvin parameters with preview table
    * Match Color will allow you to match your new tone mapped image to any other photo or painting.

-Dynamic Photo-HDR

3607

Finished Programs / Re: IDEA: Gracefully close Firefox on PC exit

« Last post by Curt on December 17, 2010, 07:38 AM »

Wellcome at DC, DyNama :-)

I don't think anyone is using Close2Quit, so you will just have to test it, if you dare (I see no reports of success)! Skrommel, the author, is not likely to read this thread. You may want to use apps=VuePrintWindowClass

You can use CloseToQuit to close a list of apps, with options to close by using the process name, the class name or a part of a window caption.

To close FireFox just use apps=firefox.exe or apps=MozillaWindowClass.

Skrommel

-skrommel (March 15, 2008, 05:24 PM)

3608

Living Room / Host I Can = Steal I Can

« Last post by Curt on December 16, 2010, 05:35 AM »

Ashraf is telling the story about how dotTech lost all data and was robbed by a company named HostICan. You can read the full story at http://dottech.org/t...ng-them-honest/19662 but here is a snippet from the post:

The issue at hand is the fact that HostICan never explicitly told me why my account was suspended (aside from a vague e-mail), they never gave me a chance to rectify my mistake (I could have kept my other websites on HostICan and moved dotTech away from HostICan, back onto a dedicated server), and they lost five weeks worth of data in the process (luckily we didn't lose everything, since I had a five week old backup).

I have repeatedly tried to e-mail, chat, and call HostICan to try to get this issue resolved; but they are ignoring all forms of communication and to this day my account remains suspended even though I paid for four years worth of service and only got five weeks.

-Ashraf, dotTech

I have already filed a complaint with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) regarding HostICan's behavior. Although I don't expect much to come out of the complaint, it felt good filing it.

Next step on the anti-HostICan campaign: Spread the word. This is me spreading the word:

Avoid HostICan more than you would avoid the plague.

Unless stated otherwise, you may redistribute the content of this post in accordance with the guidelines set by the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.

3609

General Software Discussion / Re: Are there software calculators that can handle complex polar notation well?

« Last post by Curt on December 15, 2010, 06:56 PM »

Formula Converter is a general conversion tool for mathematical software to convert math formulae from one format to another.

http://sourceforge.n...t/projects/formconv/
http://particio.com/...sy.php?page=formconv

I have absolutely no idea if it can handle the wanted kind of formats.

Edited:
sorry, Operating System: All POSIX (Linux/BSD/UNIX-like OSes)

3610

General Software Discussion / Re: move a text box from a position to another with an animation in powerpoint

« Last post by Curt on December 15, 2010, 08:41 AM »

http://presentations...01/a/begin_guide.htm
http://presentations...ntation-software.htm
http://presentations...o_Use_PowerPoint.htm

http://www.thinkouts...ide.com/PPtbooks.htm

http://www.teachucom....com/tutorppmain.htm

http://www.electrict...er.com/tutorial3.htm

http://www.actden.com/pp/

http://www.videoprof...osoftpowerpoint.html

http://www.internet4....com/on-line2.htm#pp

etcetera etcetera

3611

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: White Smoke 70% off

« Last post by Curt on December 14, 2010, 04:52 PM »

Today I was offered to upgrade to version 2011. When following the link, I was made a new and even better offer: The entire package ("Executive") for $139, normal price $299. However, that is usually for a "year-model" version; this offer was for a lifetime key! I clicked 'buy' and waited at their store (I have come to know these people!), and, yes, after a while, a "real-time chat" box came up and asked if they could help me. I bargained, and now I have a lifetime license for the entire enchilada, for $100!!! I am so happy, never again will I have to pay for these microscopic improvements they add, in order to make you purchase an upgrade, in the best worst Ashampoo style ;-)

My offer ends 15/12/2010, but you never know... Be sure to chat!

Executive Writing Version 2011 (Life Time!)  The WhiteSmoke Executive Writing Version is for the corporate business or management professional who needs a whole suite of professional writing tools for quick and accurate document creation. With the most advanced grammar, spelling and punctuation correction available, and a text enrichment engin. The Complete package of WhiteSmoke Software, includes all writing profiles: General, Business, Creative, Medical, Legal, Hi Tech and the Multi Lingual Dictionary and Translator. Bonus - 600 prepared templates for any writing style.

3612

General Software Discussion / Re: CourseLab - free e-learning authoring tool

« Last post by Curt on December 14, 2010, 07:55 AM »

http://courselab.com/

It has been almost 3 years since CourseLab last said a word, ("version 2.4"), but apparently the patient could still be breathing... I am not sure! The Smartway site claims to be handling the Arabic version of CourseLab version 2.6, but I cannot find any links to the file... Maybe someone else can do it ;-) Anyway, they have a very fine example of a tutorial they have created with CourseLab: http://www.smartway-me.com/CourseLab. I show two screenshots below the quote:

Edited:
A Russian link as well: http://websoft.ru/db...7A600177BEF/doc.html
Trivia: If you search for "CourseLab TeamWork 2010", all the search results comes from Russia!?

09.07.2010:

Commercial versions of CourseLab will be available through partners

The latest commercial version of CourseLab (CourseLab 2.6) will be available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic via WebSoft partners.



Here is a list of features available in the commercial CourseLab v2.6:

    * The object library is now open. Objects become editable by user. User can customize objects, create customized copies of objects or add new objects (XML/XSL/JavaScript skills required for that).
    * Many new VML/SVG vector objects allow data visualization (charts) and rapid development (e.g., tab blocks, image galleries).
    * New question types: true-false, one-to-many, many-to-many. Detailed results on questions become available through the new Detailed results object.
    * New animated characters and talking heads - different ages, different psychotypes.
    * Global variables can be restored also from LMS. Physical size of suspend_data is decreased (therefore, SCORM 1.2 limitation on the number of questions per module is alleviated).
    * About 10 new navigation objects, including Search objects, Alternative Module Path and Timer.
    * General object events (such as mouseover and click, correct-incorrect answer for questions) can use sound effects.
    * The template library contains about 80 templates.
    * The PowerPoint Import and Screen Capture Extra Packs are included.

The list of partners will be published soon simultaneously with the release of localized versions of CourseLab. New partners are invited to translate CourseLab v2.6 into their native language and start offering it in their region.

The free CourseLab v2.4 will continue to be available in English only.

-courselab

3613

General Software Discussion / Re: Can we talk about mkv files here please?

« Last post by Curt on December 14, 2010, 04:07 AM »

I have a lifetime AnyDVD license.

-cthorpe (December 10, 2010, 11:29 PM)

That's awesome.  I'll have my license before the week's over.

-superboyac (December 11, 2010, 12:16 AM)

-you better remember! Lifetime keys will no longer be offered after new-year.

http://www.slysoft.com/anydvdhd.html

3614

General Software Discussion / Re: Web App: DropMocks - Easily create and share image galleries.

« Last post by Curt on December 14, 2010, 03:46 AM »

 

Use zoom.it (previously seadragon.com) if the picture is very large

- like this car photo collage of mine: http://zoom.it/dkt

3615

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: The BitsDuJour Bundle

« Last post by Curt on December 13, 2010, 01:33 PM »

Aurora sucks

-Bamse (December 13, 2010, 12:56 PM)

-no, she doesn't...

Yes, the basic idea is terrible - the photo manager part in particular,
but (some of) the editor part is excellent!

3616

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: The BitsDuJour Bundle

« Last post by Curt on December 13, 2010, 10:05 AM »

Postworkshop Artists Edition, Aurora, Screen Calipers, BitDefender Antivirus 2011, Movavi Video Converter, EarthDesk, SoftMaker 38 Handwriting Fonts, LastPass, NTI Shadow backup, and TuneUp Gold.

I already have half of these programs,  
but am aware that they never will be updated.  
Nevertheless I think this is a pretty good offer.  

$49.95 = 87% OFF  RETAIL $394.73

-Bits du Jour

Purchase This Week and get Screen Protractor for FREE!

3617

General Software Discussion / Learn how to donate without paying!!

« Last post by Curt on December 13, 2010, 07:28 AM »

Sorry if I made you expect an instruction on how to commit something dodgy, but a special title was needed to get your attention! This is indeed not about cheating, but about "free charity"; how to do good deeds without paying!

http://www.loadandhelp.com

You can now download SoftMaker Office 2008 and a font package free of charge - and do good at the same time.

That´s because until December 31, SoftMaker donates 10 Euro cents for every download, supporting aid and development projects around the world.

Tell your friends and colleagues about our Load and Help 2010 campaign.
Our goal is to surpass last year´s donations of 6,089 Euro!

Find out more:
http://www.loadandhelp.com

-SoftMaker Load & Help

Load and Help 2010 offers three free software packages until December 31:

    * SoftMaker Office 2008 for Windows
    * SoftMaker Office 2008 for Linux
    * A collection of 80 premium-quality typefaces

    * You may use these packages free of charge permanently. You are even entitled to free tech support and to future upgrades at reduced prices.

    * SoftMaker donates € 0.10 for every successful download to well-chosen development and charity projects on betterplace.org

    *
      Download now and spread the word! The more downloads, the more we donate! Every download counts! Tell friends and colleagues about this campaign, post the news on Facebook, Twitter, in web forums etc. etc. ...

http://www.loadandhelp.com

-loadandhelp.com

3618

General Software Discussion / Re: pdf fonts

« Last post by Curt on December 12, 2010, 05:39 PM »

A PDF file can easily be locked, making it almost impossible to edit, (sometimes "A-PDF Restrictions Remover" can help.), but we know nothing about your file - apart that it apparently not really is your file. In general, a PDF file should never come with special fonts unless they are embedded. If you are lucky, chances are that it is enough to mark all the text (page by page) and change the font into universal fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, or simply convert the file from PDF into RTF or Word format, and then edit.

Edited:
But you better begin with installing the missing font.

3619

General Software Discussion / Re: winamp 5.5 is fantastic (I thought I'd never say that)

« Last post by Curt on December 12, 2010, 03:01 PM »

Yes, it took 3 years to get from 5.5 to 5.6

-Curt (December 01, 2010, 10:24 AM)

-amazing, when you think of it. As an example, I have to come to "hate" Ashampoo because of their endless stream of major version upgrades, but Winamp is from another end of the universe: also updated very often, yet merely from 5.5 to 5.6 in 3 years!!! Now THAT is proper value for the money (for a license key)! I'll bet I am going to reinstall my PRO version quite soon! hahaha.

3620

General Software Discussion / Re: pdf fonts

« Last post by Curt on December 12, 2010, 01:05 PM »

... I get the error message that the font is not installed/available

what can I do? I have installed (I think) the font into the pc,...

-kalos (December 12, 2010, 09:33 AM)

No, you don't have the font installed. You can read the text because Windows is displaying a substitute font, for your convenience, but if you want to edit the text, you will first need the original font.

As an example, I have just READ this e-book, but when I wanted to EDIT the text, I got this:

3621

Living Room / Re: The minimalist lifestyle. Anyone here successfully implemented it?

« Last post by Curt on December 12, 2010, 08:56 AM »

Is the minimalist lifestyle described in this Lifehacker article really attainable?  Anyone here successfully doing it?

-kyrathaba (December 10, 2010, 07:13 AM)

Notice that the first demand to fulfil was to have economical success online...

3622

Living Room / Re: Cute jokes' thread

« Last post by Curt on December 12, 2010, 08:46 AM »

3623

Found Deals and Discounts / PowerDesk 8 FREE

« Last post by Curt on December 10, 2010, 05:54 PM »

PowerDesk version 8 from Avanquest. I expect it never will be updated, Avanquest doesn't believe in updates..., but it is free, thanks to dotTech.

Go to http://dottech.org/freebies/19401

PowerDesk gives one new item in Start: C:\Program Files\Avanquest\PowerDesk\PDHookServer.exe
Installation is a .msi, = huge installation, but (usually) perfect uninstall. It wants to restart pc.
PowerDesk will offer to replace Explorer.

PowerDesk 8 is a program that aims to be your go-to program for all your file management needs; it is a 137 MB bahamut that has many, many features ranging from FTP manager, archive manager, file finder and everything in between. In regards to functionality, PowerDesk 8 doesn't provide anything groundbreakingly unique; there are many other programs - often freeware - that provide the functionality of individual components of PowerDesk 8.

For example, 7-zip is an excellent archive manager; FileZilla is an excellent FTP client; there are many viable Windows Explorer replacements out there, such as QDir; Heidi's Eraser or East-Tec Eraser 2009 delete secure files well; AxCrypt and TrueCrypt are go-to programs for encryption; GFI Backup has a sync component to it; Disk Space Fan is a "Size Manager" alternative; IrfanView is an excellent file viewer; FormatFactory can convert images; for desktop search, the built-in Windows Search is actually an excellent tool, and there is Everything for people that desire more; etc. The main attraction of PowerDesk 8 is not unique or special features but rather the fact that it provides multiple features in one package; an all-in-one, if you want to call it that.

That said, PowerDesk 8 will be attractive to people that like all-in-one programs; everyone else can save yourselves the headache of downloading a 137 MB program. (On a personal level, I prefer specialized software over all-in-one utilities.)

-dotTech Quick Glance

3624

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Please List Any BitsDuJour.com Clones To This Thread. (Software Only Please)

« Last post by Curt on December 10, 2010, 03:35 PM »

http://grabsomedeals.com/ is a new one. I don't trust it to stay in business.

----------------------------------

it is only a matter of time until Bits du Jour is cloned.

-tinjaw (July 07, 2007, 07:23 PM)

You used the word "clone", so Iconico Daily Deals should of course be mentioned, as they own both sites:
http://daily-deals.iconico.com/

-Curt (October 22, 2008, 08:21 AM)

Daily Deals has now been closed:

3625

Found Deals and Discounts / Kaspersky ÷50%

« Last post by Curt on December 09, 2010, 06:17 PM »

Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 [1-PC]
includes 1-PC, 1-Year license

RRP: A$49.95 Save: A$25.00 (50%) Our Price: A$24.95

http://store.pcautho...t-security-2011-1-pc

Offer expires at new year.

-pcauthority