Recent Posts

3851

General Software Discussion / Re: BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 06, 2008, 08:58 PM »

Well, I bought BC3 using the discount.

Why wouldn't I follow the recommendations of the smart people here?

FWIW, I'm more than pleased and I've barely scratched the surface of it.

So, thanks for the comments and for the discount 

3852

Living Room / Re: What printer?

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 06, 2008, 08:50 PM »

For printers at a modest price point:

For monochrome laser printing I always choose H-P, and I always use a stand-alone printer, not all-in-one.
I've used H-P LaserJets for years and cannot fault their durability and print quality (currently using a LaserJet 2420).

I'm on my second Canon all-in-one ink-jet (the previous one fried when I carelessly left it connected during a big storm -- it was working perfectly).
The replacement model is a Pixma MX850.  I find the price astonishingly reasonable (around $250 Canadian).  The MX850 copies, faxes, prints, and scans at levels that are perfectly acceptable for small-business use.  It has two alternate paper feeds so you don't have to stop and switch stock.  One is an in-board paper cassette, the other a rear-feed paper tray.  The choice of feed is software or hardware selectable. 

The software that relates to basic functioning works flawlessly, as did that included with the previous version.  (I didn't even investiate whatever other applications came with the machine.)   If you want an inkjet, I can't recommend the Canons too highly.

If you want really good photo reproduction you'll need to go for a dedicated printer that puts that function first (I use Epsons for that).  That said, the Canon is better at photo reproduction that it ought to be at this price point.

Hope you find what you need!

3853

General Software Discussion / Re: Mojave experiment: Vista from a different viewpoint

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 05, 2008, 07:44 PM »

Yep...using Vista is probably just as much fun as eating sand. Or didn't I get it correctly?

-Shades (August 05, 2008, 06:12 PM)

Not a grain of truth in it!

3854

General Software Discussion / Re: Mojave experiment: Vista from a different viewpoint

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 05, 2008, 07:42 PM »

I think it more logical for a man to go to the PX to get dessert, rather than the other way around...

-40hz (August 05, 2008, 05:10 PM)

Now you're pudding my leg!

3855

Living Room / Re: What are your favorite gadgets and gizmos?

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 05, 2008, 07:39 PM »

For general purpose cleaning I much prefer a soapy soft-coated Wheaton Terrier

-40hz

Thanks for the tip. 
A wire-haired fox terrier comes in handy for the brasswork, too. 

3856

General Software Discussion / Re: Strategies for international travellers regarding new US Customs seizure pol

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 05, 2008, 07:34 PM »

it seems like if you get asked by a homeland security guard why you have no luggage, there is only one safe answer guaranteed not to raise any eyebrows: to tell him that the homeland security guard at the previous gate confiscated it 

-mouser (August 05, 2008, 05:16 PM)

Nice one

3857

General Software Discussion / Re: Mojave experiment: Vista from a different viewpoint

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 05, 2008, 04:46 PM »

Mojave -- no reason to desert XP!

3858

General Software Discussion / Re: Strategies for international travellers regarding new US Customs seizure policy

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 05, 2008, 04:14 PM »

I hate all this stuff and the potential for abuse of the system (virtually guaranteed).
It's almost certain to inconvenience me personally sooner or later. The existing strictures have done so before.

That said, as far as I know nobody is doing his utmost to bomb my home town out of existence.
Nobody's forcing me to enter the U.S. and if I do I guess I'll have to abide by the rules.

Anybody feel that taking digital data into China or Russia is a secure thing to do?

We're between a rock and a hard place now.

3859

General Software Discussion / Re: BeyondCompare 3 Released

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 05, 2008, 04:01 PM »

40% discount on Beyond Compare

-cthorpe (August 05, 2008, 02:11 PM)

Well done!

I hope it works out to everyone's satisfaction, users and vendor.

It's not something I really need but at that price I'll buy a copy anyway.
I'm happy and the vendor has a modest sale that might have been a zero.
If enough people climb aboard...

Again, thanks for your effort.

3860

Living Room / Re: What are your favorite gadgets and gizmos?

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 05, 2008, 12:45 PM »

Or if you have any kind of floor and one or more beagles.
(Just because they're little and cute doesn't mean they're not evil.)

-40hz (August 05, 2008, 12:14 PM)

Evil they may be but it seems a bit hard to sweep the floor with them   

3861

Living Room / Re: Skimp or splurge?

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 04, 2008, 10:42 AM »

IMHO Oxo makes some of the best, and most reasonably priced, kitchen equipment on the planet...
Now if somebody could just figure out a way to convince them to build cars...

-40hz (August 04, 2008, 08:41 AM)

Yeah, Katie says they could call 'em OxO cubes 

3862

Developer's Corner / Re: Quantity Always Trumps Quality - Short But True Blog Post

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 03, 2008, 03:26 PM »

Most projects do need some theorizing/thinking-through before you start mindlessly churning out code. Otherwise it's way too easy to code yourself into a corner where you have to do massive re-factoring

-f0dder (August 03, 2008, 03:02 PM)

The voice of reason!   

3863

Living Room / Re: Skimp or splurge?

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 02, 2008, 03:10 PM »

Here's one for lion-hearted males.

Try skimping by buying your wife a pair of rubber gloves and a bottle of dish soap instead of the pearls she wanted for her birthday.
Better be prepared to splurge on alternative accomodation though.

 


[Edit -- Still can't spell]

3864

Living Room / Re: DVD Drive eject issues

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 02, 2008, 03:03 PM »

Glad it's fixed.  What a time-waster!

3865

Find And Run Robot / Re: Getting Error=5 Access denied when launching a result from FARR

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 02, 2008, 08:26 AM »

what happened to me today

-JoTo

And thank you for taking the trouble to post!

That Mouser, he's a rascal 

3866

Living Room / Re: Skimp or splurge?

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 02, 2008, 08:22 AM »

Never skimp.

Always buy the best quality you can (that's best quality, not most expensive).

If you can't find satisfactory quality don't buy at all.

3867

General Software Discussion / Re: Your most used SPECIAL programs

« Last post by cranioscopical on August 01, 2008, 02:48 PM »

fSekrit by f0dder bolsters my increasingly dodgy memory by safely reminding me of important, private data.
Unlocker says "Let go!" when a file is locked and you know that it's safe to loosen the grip.

3868

Living Room / Re: A heartwarming video with a big kitty!

« Last post by cranioscopical on July 31, 2008, 06:50 PM »

Long, long ago I bought my pet rabbit from Harrods.
We named him Harrod, being full of originality.
He used to live in a spare bedroom.
Our dogs were used to him and would look out for him when we all went walking on Hampstead Heath (on the northern side of London).
Never met a lion.
Did come across a chimpanzee walking with its owner one early morning, about 5 a.m.

The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there.

3869

Living Room / Re: Dual operating systems 32- and 64-bit. Need advice on possible XP memory issues

« Last post by cranioscopical on July 29, 2008, 03:58 PM »

Thanks for the input, Lashiec!

And thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread.

It's been extremely helpful to me, especially at a time when I'm meant to be concentrating on other issues than computers.
Excellent advice all round, and all from people whose judgment can be trusted.  For what more could one hope?

As for the card, I think I'm going to walk a safe path and opt for a BFG 9600GT OCX.

After all, a video card is a quick, easy, and relatively cheap item to swap.
In six months to a year who knows what'll be available at bargain prices?

I'll leave 64-bit Windows aside for now. 
Probably the box on which to play with 64-bit is the one that's about to become my principal redundant machine.

3870

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Let's Bundle Our Orders For Software995 Toolset

« Last post by cranioscopical on July 29, 2008, 12:26 PM »

cranio - I used Software995 for years and it is definitely a decent group of applications.

-J-Mac (July 29, 2008, 12:34 AM)

Thanks for the input Jim.  As I recall it was putting items into c:\program files.  This was a while back now.  I know I went round the circuit twice as I figured I'd just missed the entry to specify a path.  My first assumption with any error is that it's caused by yours truly.

Appreciate the response 

3871

General Software Discussion / Re: Nero - WHY?

« Last post by cranioscopical on July 29, 2008, 12:17 PM »

Rumor has it you should be home free if your shipment smells like peaches.

-f0dder

Interesting tip!

Unfortunately, I don't know the Geldof's that well...

3872

Living Room / Re: Dual operating systems 32- and 64-bit. Need advice on possible XP memory issues

« Last post by cranioscopical on July 29, 2008, 12:08 PM »

FORGET anything about 8800 cards and passive cooling. 9x00 cards are supposedly a lot better

-f0dder

That's helpful to know.  Thanks for the response. 

The point about the two cards I quoted is that they are NOT passively cooled -- each has a fan in addition to a fair-sized heat sink.  It looks as though that combination runs the 9600GT OCX at around 60C while under sustained load. 

fan/sink

I don't really care about fan noise when the system's under load.  When it's under load I'm working with it anyway, not just in the same room trying to read a book or whatever.  I really don't want to hear a machine when it's either idling or running only moderate background stuff.

I'm not joking when I say I believe I could fry bacon on it.

-f0dder

With your help I'll try to ensure that my choices become no rasher.

[edit -- can't spell]

3873

Living Room / Re: Dual operating systems 32- and 64-bit. Need advice on possible XP memory issues

« Last post by cranioscopical on July 28, 2008, 09:55 PM »

Anyway, from your needs - I guess you don't need games? Could be feasible to go for a fanless GPU after all, just make sure you choose something pretty low-end. I definitely miss the quiet from my passively cooled GF7600, this 8800GT is a monster.

-f0dder (July 28, 2008, 09:24 PM)

I'm a bit concerned about heat in a small (mid-tower) case, and anxious to control noise.  So, one of these cards seems a good compromise.
Neither is remarkably 'hot' in performance terms but each has 'cool' running temperatures and so is relatively quiet, too.
BFG 8800GT OCX or
BFG 9600GT OCX
Some data here

I've been known to play a game or two.  Why, in god mode and with a range of cheat sheets, sometimes I can even reach the second level.  That maze of twisty little passages is tough, though!

3874

Living Room / Re: Dual operating systems 32- and 64-bit. Need advice on possible XP memory issues

« Last post by cranioscopical on July 28, 2008, 09:23 PM »

I also know, from personal experience, that it is possible for us to contact that Xorgoblath mother ship

-40hz (July 28, 2008, 03:24 PM)

Thanks to you I now know that essentially the same equipment lets me contact what you seem to call Earth (a Midzyinthyan crystal chip, a Golloidinan armpit flute, and three custard creams).  And a lovely sight it is, from up here on the bridge!

3875

Living Room / Re: Dual operating systems 32- and 64-bit. Need advice on possible XP memory issues

« Last post by cranioscopical on July 28, 2008, 09:10 PM »

Thanks for the site links 40hz.

I don't know anybody that actually needs 64-bit Windows.

Perhaps I don't need it but I won't know until I experiment.  I'm locked into Windows for reasons that don't matter here.  I've always found that more RAM speeds up and simplifies a lot of stuff and 64-bit systems seem to be the gateway to more RAM.

What are you going to use it for if you don't mind my asking?

If I'm working I'll typically have a bunch of hefty files open in CS3, flipping them between Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat, as well as several MS-Office components and WordPerfect (both GUI and [gasp!] DOS versions, and some custom-written stuff that has to run (or think it's running) under DOS. Plus I'll be downloading and looking at some T.V. spots.  And there's a whole bunch of other stuff going on.  I want as much as possible to stop the machine from touching the disks, which is annoying.  Generally speaking I try to keep one HDD for the O/S, another for program files, one for data, and one for downloading.

The system will replicate what I have now except that, since I'm forced to create a replacement, it'll have a somewhat faster CPU and, also, I'm trying to get the damned thing to be as quiet as possible.  My days of being on the bleeding edge are over, I stay behind the curve; that being so, it doesn't take long to lose touch with what's hot.  Up until the machine that I'm about to replace I've had all-SCSI systems which I've found rather more solid when it comes to multi-tasking, and when adding hardware devices.