Recent Posts

3776

General Software Discussion / Re: So you want to write a review...

« Last post by nudone on September 12, 2005, 02:35 PM »

i'd recommend anyone to have a go at writing a review if they have the urge. all i can really advise is that you make sure that you allow enough time for it.

it sounds like Zaine had a better idea of how to plan his time and broke the overall review process into more sensible chunks - this allowing him to tie it up at the end into a excellent coherent article.

i honestly didn't expect the review i did to take so long, i knew it would take a few days but i definitely ran out of time and energy. i'd say it's a good idea if you can allow a short breather away from it before you try and put it altogether - you'll probably see quite a few things you'll want to change. thankfully mouser came to my rescue and tidied it all up after i submitted it to him as i had pretty much become blind to what i was trying to do - my brain had certainly melted on the last day. mouser really was a lifesaver at that moment.

now, i really am not trying to discourage anyone into having a go - far from it. just be aware that these sorts of things can become bigger projects than you first thought. there are plenty of things i would love to have included in the graphics review but i soon realised that i just wasn't being realistic - not with the time i had allowed, at least. hopefully, next time i'll not make the same mistakes and have more of a preset structure to follow.

other than that, i'd definitely say go for it. like mouser says, it doesn't have to be a detailed long review - something concise that gets the main points across about a relatively straightforward category of software would be just as good to read.

try it. i'm sure there are some of you reading this right now that are just itching to have a go.

3777

Living Room / Re: Mouser will be out of down until Sept. 15

« Last post by nudone on September 11, 2005, 03:21 PM »

"whilst the cats away, the mice will play."

well, maybe not.

3778

Find And Run Robot / Re: Do you want to see F&R with optional skins?

« Last post by nudone on September 09, 2005, 06:37 AM »

has to be up to you mouser, whether you think adding such a feature will draw in more users/donators.

i think the keyword here is 'optional'. if it doesn't interfere with the the find and run performance we've all come to love then it can't do any harm - can it?

if find and run is the sort of app that the majority of skin freaks would like to use then it would be a nice thing for them to have.

also, if these skin freaks have been reluctant to use find and run because it isn't pretty enough then they ought to be making their opinions known.

like i said, though, is it worth your time if they don't appreciate it?

i guess it does open up a whole new audience of user/donator - if the skins are good then you'll get downloads for it just on appearance alone.

3779

Mouser's Zone / Re: Suggestion for forum navigation

« Last post by nudone on September 09, 2005, 01:56 AM »

i thought there was, Carol, i just didn't want to check.

i think really what i should have tried to say is that there are these things called 'mouse gestures' and i get the impression that not many people use them - or don't even know they are there.

pity, as i think it does ease web browsing when you start using them.

3780

Mouser's Zone / Re: Suggestion for forum navigation

« Last post by nudone on September 09, 2005, 01:43 AM »

i don't really know what you 'FireFox' people can do, but with 'Maxthon' you can assign mouse gestures for different actions.

without going into all the ones i've got set, here is what i do with such things:

right mouse button click + drag up = jump to top of page.

right mouse button click + drag down = jump to bottom of page.

obviously this then works with any page - you don't need buttons or keyboards.

3781

Best Archive Tool / Re: New Tool - CompreXX

« Last post by nudone on September 06, 2005, 05:59 AM »

i've been tempted to try CompreXX on a couple of occasions before - but i've always ended up uninstalling it.

maybe i'm just not the user it is aimed at - it looks good on paper but i find it slower and more intrusive to the way it want to work, more than WinRar, at least.

3782

Best Archive Tool / Re: New Review (09/05/05) - Best Archive Tool

« Last post by nudone on September 06, 2005, 03:09 AM »

that has to be the Daddy of all reviews, Zaine.

i learned the hard way how long such things take to do (about 10 times longer than you first believe) so i can appreciate the time and effort involved that you've had to put in to it - it looks like you did enjoy doing it, though.

i think everyone here was expecting something exceptional from you and so it is.

3783

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

« Last post by nudone on September 03, 2005, 04:23 AM »

like mouser, i hate apple. absolutely everything they do, without exception. i can't wait for ipods to become the most uncool item on the planet - in around 12 months i'd say.

as for Photoshop, as i use it all the time, it just feels natural. the abundance of keyboard controls are obviously there to make the work flow quicker (toggling between functions without having to keep flicking around the screen clicking on buttons).

using the alt key to reset, that mouser pointed out, does seem like taking things too far but i guess it just seemed natural for the adobe design team as they were so used to incorporating keyboard controls.

it looks to me that Adobe know their customers. they expect them to be using something like Photoshop day in and day out and therefore will be wanting the most efficient way of performing a task. if that means using both hands to get it done then so be it. if it means having to memorise keyboard controls then it's worth it as it speeds up the work flow afterwards.

Photoshop has acquired buttons over the years to accommodate non keyboard controls but i have to admit things like hit alt for reset are still strangely dominant. in defence of not having a button for every possible function i'd have to say try using something like 3D Studio Max or other 3D apps. if you want to see how many buttons can fit on an interface at one time then they are a good place to look.

i know Photoshop isn't an intuitive interface at first glance (or several glances) but after making the effort and treating it as a serious application that may even require training to use, it does become intuitive and quite natural to work with.

let's not forget that all sophisticated programs are completely unintuitive to the newcomer. i have no idea how to navigate around any code writing software but i wouldn't expect them to be any less complicated in their layout. i respect that all/many complex applications can't be mastered within a couple of sittings and that the designers behind them never intended them to be.

high end progs that do clever things require time to be understood. they aren't aimed at the casual user so it seems unfair to me to expect them to have a simple interface. the balance that they strike between usability and functionality no doubt seems skewed in the wrong direction to the novice user but after a few hours/days/weeks the same user will appreciate why the interface is the way it is.

having said all that, i still don't know why alt means reset in Photoshop. Maybe it's like an initiation process to the Adobe clan. if you don't know about such things then you obviously haven't earned your stripes - it's a way of making people like me think i've got some kind of superior knowledge over people that haven't read the manual.

3784

Screenshot Captor / Re: Coming soon.. Arrows, callouts, textboxes

« Last post by nudone on September 02, 2005, 08:48 AM »

  the new screenshot captor looks like it's going to be the bees knees, mouser.

3785

Living Room / Re: calling all bored cat lovers

« Last post by nudone on September 02, 2005, 05:20 AM »

trust a cat not to get into the festive spirit. they sure are moody.

3786

Living Room / calling all bored cat lovers

« Last post by nudone on September 02, 2005, 04:35 AM »

i don't have a cat but after seeing this website i might get one. it's rad...

http://www.stuffonmycat.com/

(thought you might like this link as i know there are quite a few cat owners around here.)

3787

Finished Programs / Re: DONE - IDEA: Display mouse clicks and key presses

« Last post by nudone on September 02, 2005, 02:38 AM »

excellent.

i wouldn't be surprised to see the feature being built in to some of the screencaster progs when they finally wake up to the idea.

3788

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

« Last post by nudone on September 01, 2005, 08:26 AM »

Is that as in, Alport Castles?

er, i don't think it is but i could well be wrong.

might be near by????????

3789

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

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

this isn't the view from my window but it's not far away - Alport Heights, Derbyshire, England.

the scenery is typical for around where i am but without the standing stones. oh, and several million houses popping up out of nowhere every couple of years.

the dude in the picture is 'Reado' a friend of mine - he's now gone missing in the good old US of A. in the unlikely event that you come across someone by the same name with an English accent (he's from Derbyshire, so he'll say things like 'Eyup me duck' and swear a lot) can you tell him to get in touch with someone back home. ta.

3790

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: ITSD Organizer keeps your notes at hand

« Last post by nudone on August 31, 2005, 08:37 AM »

yes, bonsai seems to be palm only.

i'll have a quick go with ListPro.

3791

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: ITSD Organizer keeps your notes at hand

« Last post by nudone on August 31, 2005, 08:25 AM »

thanks, rjbull. i'll check bonsai out now.

3792

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: ITSD Organizer keeps your notes at hand

« Last post by nudone on August 31, 2005, 05:16 AM »

if anyone knows of an organiser that will sync with a pocket pc then i'd like to know, please.

i'm currently using outlook and agenda fusion but i wouldn't say that it's a perfect combination.

3793

Mouser's Zone / Re: Any new ideas for small utilities?

« Last post by nudone on August 21, 2005, 02:28 AM »

Hitting Return does it for me ?

using your thumb to hit 'Enter' on the numerical keypad is even quicker as your mouse is likely to be about 2 inches away from it (unless you are left-handed).

i'd still like the diolog boxes (etc) to come to me and not me to them.

3794

General Review Discussion / Re: Best Archive Manager Review: Suggestions

« Last post by nudone on August 16, 2005, 04:42 AM »

thought i better try TUGZip being as you guys have praised it.

have to agree, appears to be an excellent app. especially like the explorer layout - i think it beats winace.

going to keep it as the default archive tool for a few days and i wouldn't be too surprised if it stays that way.

(also like the ace/rar compression ability if you add the right files, oh, and the .nrg file support.)

3795

Living Room / windows explorer mods

« Last post by nudone on August 15, 2005, 03:27 AM »

i still use windows explorer (shame on me) even though i have directory opus installed too.

but there are certain things i've always thought explorer ought to be able to do with a little extra help from a few tweaks.

shellcity had this link today http://www.msfn.org/....php?showtopic=52524 which appears to have quite a nice list of explorer shell extensions.

(note i said windows explorer, not internet explorer).

as an example you if you install some of these you will be able to turn view file extensions and hidden files on and off with a right click menu selection. i've been waiting for someone to make something like this since i was born!

some might also be of interest for mouser's right click menu project...

3796

Living Room / Re: Fan Created 45 minute star wars movie, free download

« Last post by nudone on August 15, 2005, 03:10 AM »

can't remember where i came across it but i remember watching it a couple or so weeks ago.

like you say, special effects are first class - but then they should be as they were done by industry professionals.

i had to keep fast forwarding it as the novelty factor lasts about 10 minutes. with the amount of time and talent that went into making this thing i would have expected a better plot and better performances. can't really comment on the direction as most of what i saw was in fast forward mode.

best thing i can say about it is that it shows what can be done. i'm sure the next major effort (or the one after that) will be of a higher overall standard. this one was just the trial run - i hope.

3797

General Review Discussion / Re: Best Archive Manager Review: Suggestions

« Last post by nudone on August 15, 2005, 03:01 AM »

i use winrar so i'd have to agree with everything mouser said.

i've not tried winzip for a number of years - is it now capable of making a self extracting archive within one operation or does it still have to produce a standard zip file first?

the only thing i can suggest that might be worth looking at whilst comparing the different archivers is their ability to create 'user friendly' menus with their respective self extracting archives: mainly options that allow you to mimic a standard installation process. i know winrar sort of does this as you can have shortcuts automatically created in various places and other commands performed.

3798

Living Room / Re: How-to: Install OS X x86 natively on your PC!

« Last post by nudone on August 14, 2005, 04:00 AM »

has anyone around here tried the vmware method.

i might be tempted to try in that direction just so that i can have a play around (or confirm how much i dislike apple's stuff).

3799

General Software Discussion / Re: Anyone know of a good File splitter app?

« Last post by nudone on August 11, 2005, 04:08 AM »

i may not really have understood the problem here but if you are using winrar to split things up (using no compression if you just want to save time and cut the file into chunks), then why not make it a self extracting archive then anyone can rejoin the split files without the need for winrar?

sorry if i didn't quite get the point.

3800

ContextMenu Commander / Re: ContextMenu Commander

« Last post by nudone on August 11, 2005, 04:04 AM »

i can't really think of any novel features to add but i'd certainly like to see some kind of option that allows you to remove items from the right click menus.

i've tried a few tools that are meant to do this already but they don't appear to work 100% or can lead to other problems.

the right click context menu that appears with internet explorer (although i use Maxthon) is particularly annoyingly full of crap.

i know a lot of this unwanted junk appears because of the programs i've installed but some of them don't provide you with a choice of whether you want them to add things to the right click menu - they just do it without your permission and with now way of disabling it.

can we have a way of regaining control of the context menus please?