Recent Posts

376

Find And Run Robot / Re: A tip - if you want to use digits in searches..

« Last post by kfitting on September 08, 2005, 07:03 AM »

I like to launch using one key... I kind of hate pressing shift more often than i have to.  I have changed over to the function keys so that I can type numbers easier (now I take longer to search cause I keep on entering things like "opera11111"!!)  and leave the alt/ctrl stuff for the context menu etc.  I like having all the options though.  Definitely makes the program more user friendly!

Kevin

377

Find And Run Robot / Re: v1.07.02 beta - with regular expression commands

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 09:18 PM »

Ahhhhhh... I was beginning to get the feeling I was misunderstanding things!  And now, I'm feeling rather silly.  Maybe I can look at this again, without trying to force it to do something it isn't meant to, and finally understand it!  Thanks mouser,

Kevin

378

Unfinished Requests / Re: IDEA: OCR & paste

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 07:05 PM »

Problem is Kleptomania (and every other software I saw to do this type of thing) cannot OCR a picture displayed on screen.  This would be an awesome feature... though no doubt harder.

Kevin

379

Finished Programs / Re: IDEA - Memory utilization

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 07:04 PM »

Sounds fine to me... have to see how it works!  Thanks for doing this,

Kevin

380

Find And Run Robot / Re: v1.07.02 beta - with regular expression commands

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 06:56 PM »

Kind of.... I hate typing punctuation (in fact, right now I have AutoHotKey adding apostrophe's for common contractions) so typing .exe after a name is kind of out.  However, the more useful application of this is for files at work.  All our project files begin with M880E.  i would like to make an alias that will filter based on that prefix without having to type it in everytime.  Still somewhat simplistic, I'll admit, but extremely useful... at least to me!  Thanks for the suggestion though,

Kevin

Let me also add that I would like to be able to type something like  "xls parts" and only have excel files with "parts" be returned in the search.  Basically, this is using alias' as a convienient shortcut since typing *parts*.xls takes longer and requires hitting shift and such.

Sorry, let me modify this again.  In essence, I am looking at alias' as a way to change settings on the fly.  Whether it be desired extensions or searched folders, I would like to be able to type an alias to change the behavior of the search function in FindRun.  I think other commands are useful (eg, internet, search, etc) but most useful (to me, mind!) is this changing of the search parameters.  Maybe this is not what these alias' are for.... that's fine!

381

Finished Programs / Re: IDEA - Memory utilization

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 06:53 PM »

Well, not a showstopper, I still think the app could be useful to me here at home and also to other people.  We can still install stuff at work, it's just not looked down on very well (silly rules!  They want to secure a network that has NO internet access!  ... and they still force us to use M$ products like IE... seems kind of backwards!).  So go ahead and code away!

Kevin

382

Finished Programs / Re: IDEA - Memory utilization

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 06:42 PM »

Yeah, still open as far as I'm concerned... I haven't talked to the guys who requested it about it recently, but it could be handy to have around while testing new software.  Could I add one requirement?  If at all possible, no installer and no registry changes.  IT people at work have gone a rampage recently and this would allow it to remain "under the wire" so to speak.  Thanks,

Kevin

383

Find And Run Robot / Re: v1.07.02 beta - with regular expression commands

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 06:34 PM »

Sorry, I may be missing the boat on this entirely, but how would I make a group that would only return exe files?  I started with this:

Alias Name: exe
Regex: exe (.*)

Now what?  What "command" do I give it? I can type in a trial and it parses the way I think it should... I just don't where to go from there. I want it to look through all the folders and only display files that are exe.  Is this a misapplication of the whole alias principle?  This is a rather simple example, I'll admit, but I have other ideas for it once I get it working.  Thanks for any help,

Kevin

384

Find And Run Robot / Re: v1.07.02 beta - with regular expression commands

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 04:39 PM »

Will the new format lend itself to folder constraints?  (Sorry to belabor the point!)

Kevin

385

Find And Run Robot / Re: Bug(?) in aliases

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 01:22 PM »

Wow... that's a fancy screenshot.  You ever hear of a program called "Screenshot Captor"?? 

Kevin

386

Find And Run Robot / Re: v1.07.02 beta - with regular expression commands

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 07:32 AM »

Isnt the $$1 expression partially regex?  I was more confused about how the FindRun syntax worked than regex.. those I can look up, as you suggested.  I was more confused about how to implement them into FindRun. But, what good is confusion without more confusion!!

Kevin

387

Find And Run Robot / Re: v1.07.02 beta - with regular expression commands

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 06:55 AM »

Ahhhhh... that is very helpfull.  Now I have a better understanding of how the expressions are used within FindRun.. Much obliged Carol!

Kevin

388

Find And Run Robot / Re: v1.07.02 beta - with regular expression commands

« Last post by kfitting on September 07, 2005, 05:51 AM »

Ok, let me try to condense my thoughts into something mildly coherent.  

- Regarding the focus issue.  My main concern is that once FindRun loses focus, behind another window, the only way to get it back is to hit pause twice.  I'll admit I was mildly confused the first time this happened.  The fact that FindRun is not listed in the alt-tab list adds further confusion (where DID FindRun go??).  I run in full tray mode (as opposed to lite tray mode).  It just seems kind of awkward as it stands currently.  I think having Pause give focus to FindRun if it does not have focus is a great idea and would solve the problem completely... though I retain the right to change my mind for no reason (you'd think I'm female, but I'm not )


- Regarding regex commands.  Anyone have some commands that I can kind of copy from?  I've admitted before I'm not real good with regex and I need some starting ideas for FindRun...

- Regarding folder constraints.  I dont know if putting this information into a textbox would be the most beneficial... at least not for entering.  Drag 'n drop and the browse dialogue would probably be better ideas for adding folders.  Maybe a listbox would allow the user to see which folders have been selected better than an edit control.  I'm concerned with entering/using large numbers of "constraining" folders.  There should be an easy way to add folders and an easy way to see what is currently there.  I dont know how hard this will be to add, but I see folder constraints as extremely important.  They would allow my to make aliases based on project and file type to limit my results.

I think that's all for now.... I will be testing the newest version today.  Once again, if anyone gets ANY regex commands together could you please post them?  I prefer non url type since the computer I use FindRun on does not connect to the internet!  I just need something to start from.  Thanks,

Kevin

389

Find And Run Robot / Re: v1.07.01 beta - with regular expression commands

« Last post by kfitting on September 06, 2005, 08:57 PM »

Well, actually I meant constrain searches within certain folders.  This way, by typing an alias, I could constrain my search to all excel files in C:\Windows (or lower). 

As far as searching for folder names, it's not a bad idea... except you are already using \ for numbers... how is that going to work?

Kevin

390

Find And Run Robot / Re: v1.07.01 beta - with regular expression commands

« Last post by kfitting on September 06, 2005, 04:46 PM »

Is there a command to specify folders implemented yet?  If so how would one use it?  If not, no worries!

Kevin

391

Find And Run Robot / Re: v1.07.01 beta - with regular expression commands

« Last post by kfitting on September 06, 2005, 04:31 PM »

Just downloaded to start testing... two real quick "bugs" (nothing to do with regex!):

- Despite your screenshot, the OK and Cancel buttons are slightly cut off in the version I downloaded.
- Secondly, if I open FindRun by hitting the pause break key, then put the focus on another window, I have to hit the pause/break key twice.  Alt-Tab does not bring FindRun up while its in the limbo state.  (I have focus control set to regain focus only after launching apps)

Will try to test and see if anything else jumps out.

Kevin

392

General Software Discussion / Re: Worst. Interface. Ever.

« Last post by kfitting on September 04, 2005, 03:35 PM »

Worst interface?  ... hmmmmmmm, there are a bunch that aren't that great.  Seems like most of my bad experiences are with programs I use for work (PTC Intralink v3.4 being a prime example of having to click the mouse 40 times to move a file around a server).  Although I must say that many Open Source programs I've used for Linux have to be contenders in this area as well.  I don't know if it's just because the people that write them only pay attention to function and not usability or what, but they are downright ugly and obtuse.  Thinking here of gSchem (circuit layout), PCB (printed circuit board layout software), etc. 

Overall, as someone pointed out above, most current windows apps aren't too bad.  They don't tend to go out of their way to be obvious, but they aren't all that obtuse.  One thing that annoys me is how many different places people put the program options.  Some like it under 'view,' others like it under 'tools,' still others under 'Files - preferences" ... sheesh. 

I can't say I'm a big fan of Photoshop/Gimp interafaces... could be because I've only used them a couple times!  They just seem to clutter up the screen. 

Good discussion.  This is one area I cannot believe M$, Apple, and Linux Developers haven't addressed yet.  Seems interface improvement would be a huge advancement for the personal computer.

Kevin

393

Find And Run Robot / Re: Feature Request V2 — Adaptive History...

« Last post by kfitting on September 04, 2005, 06:16 AM »

Heh heh... I'll be honest, I thought FindRun already did this!  Oh well, live and learn!

Kevin

394

Living Room / Re: OK - lets het to know each other a bit ... where do we all come from ...

« Last post by kfitting on September 01, 2005, 06:54 AM »

Well, grew up in Pennsylvania, but now I design flight simulators (NOT equivalent to the average M$ PC flight sim!).

Kevin

395

Find And Run Robot / Re: Feature Request v2 - custom commands

« Last post by kfitting on September 01, 2005, 06:22 AM »

What about only searching specific folders?  For example, at work I'm doing a specific project, I would like to constrain my search within folders for that project.  This would speed up my search and make it possible to name files similarly in different places.  If this is addressed, it would be handy to be able to specify whether the search is recursive or not.

Kevin

396

Find And Run Robot / Re: Feature Request v2 - custom commands

« Last post by kfitting on August 31, 2005, 09:16 AM »

Yeah preconfigured would be awesome and cut down on obtuseness (yes, it's a new word), but is their any way to make a gui?  Or a wizard? or something for complete newbies to regex (myself included)?  I remember there was a discussion elsewhere on this site for a regex helper (started by Scott I believe... not sure).  Perhaps something like this, or even simpler could be implemented.  The gui wouldnt have to translate from normal english to regex, just give different places to fill in the various parts.  Just a few quick ideas...

Kevin

397

Find And Run Robot / Re: Feature Request: Super Context...

« Last post by kfitting on August 31, 2005, 09:07 AM »

Well, I'll try to help... though on features and things that I want I tend to go overboard myself!  Oh well, checks and balances I suppose.  I will continue commenting on the regex stuff in the appropriate topic!  Read on...

Kevin

398

Find And Run Robot / Re: Feature Request: Super Context...

« Last post by kfitting on August 31, 2005, 07:58 AM »

Your ideas make sense mouser... I especially agree with the idea of less user involvement up front.  One of the problems with this app is that it has SO many customization options it will become rather overwhelming for newcomers.  Customization is great, dont get me wrong, but intuitiveness is key; whether this comes in the form of a well-written helpfile or user-friendly GUI, I dont know.  Besides, if a freak accident occurs and you dont get a chance to save your settings you will spend a long time getting everything back! 

For example, the regular expressions are going to be confusing to new users (if they arent familiar with them to begin with).  Now, I know they arent critical to using FindRun and a new user could get by without them, but they will make FindRun so useful it would be a shame to have people just give up on them (or FindRun) because they see a big confusing piece of software that will take a lot of time to learn and get running.  (I will reiterate: regular expressions are going to be helpful and I am NOT saying they shouldnt be included!!) 

<<rant>> That is one of my biggest disagreements/peeves with the whole Open Source movement: sure, the software is free, but often you get what you pay for in terms of gui and documentation!  I played around with Linux and came away unimpressed for the simple reason that the GUI for many of the programs I was using (some engineering apps) was downright pathetic.  This isnt to say that all OS programs are trash, I just get upset when I read places like Slashdot (the comments section... the news is still good!) and people will bash a program solely because it costs money, while advocating an OS alternative.  Usability usability documentation!!! <</rant>>

So, all that rambling to say, it's worth giving a few less options in certain places if it will make a program more user-friendly.  Obviously, the question is "where is that line?"  I dont know, and since mouser is the one writing the software, he gets to answer it as he goes! 

Kevin

399

Find And Run Robot / Re: Feature Request: Super Context...

« Last post by kfitting on August 30, 2005, 12:14 PM »

I agree with nontroppo as far as usability is concerned... that would be a simple (workflow wise) way to do things.  But, is a split pane viewer required?  Could a menu be made to update?  This would require less modification, it seems to me, and also not wreck the simplicity inherent in FindRun's gui.  Worth looking into, though ctrl/alt/win modifications would still work. 

Kevin

400

Mouser's Zone / Re: New setup/installer system

« Last post by kfitting on August 30, 2005, 05:40 AM »

I also would like to say thanks for the new installer... very very handy!

Kevin