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4051

General Software Discussion / Re: software recommendations - photo/graphics editors

« Last post by tomos on December 19, 2013, 04:52 PM »

that's pretty much my reaction to most graphics tools.  Even if I think I know what they are I probably don't know how to use it

-Target (December 19, 2013, 04:16 PM)

I've used a few and still struggle with new ones...

This one looks very user friendly:

Fotor is well worth a look, it does sophisticated things really easily, perfect for someone who knows what they want but don't want to get bogged down in menus.

http://www.fotor.com/windows/index.html

-elvisbrown (December 10, 2013, 02:55 AM)

To do an online test-drive:

• go to the link
• click on "Features" on the top bar
• Start with Basic Edits >Tap Enhance => then click "Get Started Now". A flash window will open with the tools/options on the left-hand side
• you will have to repeat steps to try out some of the different aspects

IIRC Paint.net gets recommended for ease of use as well, but havent tried it myself.

4052

General Software Discussion / Re: In search of an alternative to InfoSelect ...

« Last post by tomos on December 19, 2013, 04:52 AM »

For the second query, as mentioned previously, I'm using Syncless.  It does real-time sync w/o any delay that I've discerned, but it loses the target if the target is not available when Syncless starts.

-barney (December 19, 2013, 03:53 AM)

okay, I wasnt clear that that was real time. (But would have realised if I had read more at the link. Sounds like a very interesting implementation.)

<sidenote> I tried InfoQube, but it just didn't measure up to my needs.</sidenote>

-barney (December 19, 2013, 03:53 AM)

ah yeah - I was going to recommend it if you hadnt tried it. If you have tried it - you like it or you dont; it does what you want or it doesnt

4053

General Software Discussion / Re: software recommendations - photo/graphics editors

« Last post by tomos on December 19, 2013, 04:28 AM »

LifeHacker are currently running a "what is the best Photoshop replacement" thread, which may throw up some interesting suggestions.

-Ampa (December 13, 2013, 09:27 AM)

Results here:
http://lifehacker.co...ernatives-1483312519

What's The Best Photoshop Alternative? (Poll Closed)

GIMP  54.82%  (3,810 votes) 
 
Pixelmator  11.4%  (792 votes)  [Mac only]
 
Paint.NET  16.2%  (1,126 votes) 
 
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom  10.98%  (763 votes) 
 
Pixlr  6.6%  (459 votes) 
 
Total Votes: 6,950

4054

Site/Forum Features / Approach to Spam threads

« Last post by tomos on December 19, 2013, 04:08 AM »

Partition manager software - EaseUS Partition Master

EaseUS Partition Master is a best partition manager for both 32 bit and 64 bit Windows systems. It can perform basic and advanced partition operations on your hard drive without data loss, including: resize and move partitions, copy partition, copy disk, copy dynamic volume, convert partition, split partition, merge partitions, etc. Moreover, EaseUS Partition Master can extend NTFS system partition without reboot and be booted from USB drive to manage your hard drive partitions.

-jclrita (December 19, 2013, 12:52 AM)

(link removed)

It's sort of okay (even if it creates a bad impression due to the spammy style) posting something like this in the Announce Your Own Software board (which jclrita already did).

I'm suprised EaseUS has resorted to this type of advertising...
I know something like this would normally be removed (not 100% sure in this case?), but I'd nearly suggest leaving it, and marking it as SPAM. Would it not then be negative advertising for EaseUS? (or is there no such thing as bad press...?)

4055

Living Room / Re: Interesting "stuff"

« Last post by tomos on December 19, 2013, 03:46 AM »

Weird Al Yankovic Wiki - "Don't Download This Song"

funny, the video doesnt seem to be available on YT (I didnt waste too much time on it, but presumed the og version would be on first search page). Wonder if there's a story behind that...

Video here on myspace:
http://myspace.com/w...d-this-song/60113761

4056

General Software Discussion / Re: In search of an alternative to InfoSelect ...

« Last post by tomos on December 19, 2013, 03:36 AM »

After trying - and cursing - several alternatives, I've pretty much settled upon MyInfo.  I'm a bit disappointed with the tag system, but it works well enough for most usages.  The interface has a few foibles, e.g., the interface doesn't always retain changes from one (1) instance to the next, but it's the best I've found to date.  I am still looking, however.  In the process, there needs to be a transparent, almost instant backup system for the portable version.  Right now I'm using Syncless, but it tends to lose the sync instruction if the synched folder/files be missing when it is started.

-barney (December 17, 2013, 05:39 PM)

wondering:

• which alternatives you tried (and cursed) ?
• what do you mean by a "a transparent, almost instant backup system"?

Re backup. With InfoQube, I can set it up to backup every 'x' minutes. If these backups are also timestamped, I can auto-delete all but one per day (after 'n' days). That still adds up, so I clear out the backup folder manually occasionally. Web content is saved in a subfolder. This has to be backed up by another app, or manually. (Text versions of web content are saved in the main file.)
Not perfect, but a good start.

If you want instant backup have you tried some backup software that will monitor the file/folder? (Dont know would that disrupt use of the file(s)...)

4057

General Software Discussion / Re: In search of an alternative to InfoSelect ...

« Last post by tomos on December 18, 2013, 03:29 PM »

After trying - and cursing - several alternatives, I've pretty much settled upon MyInfo.  I'm a bit disappointed with the tag system, but it works well enough for most usages.  The interface has a few foibles, e.g., the interface doesn't always retain changes from one (1) instance to the next, but it's the best I've found to date.  I am still looking, however.  In the process, there needs to be a transparent, almost instant backup system for the portable version.  Right now I'm using Syncless, but it tends to lose the sync instruction if the synched folder/files be missing when it is started.

-barney (December 17, 2013, 05:39 PM)

For the record: MyInfo on offer on BDJ @ 51% off on the 19th Dec
https://www.donation...344682;topicseen#new

4058

Screenshot Captor / Re: Unexpected delay of capturing

« Last post by tomos on December 18, 2013, 01:34 PM »

Is it every screenshot - or just the first after an inactive period?
If only the first, the second paragraph below might help

First, check to make sure you don't actually have the delay option enabled.
You can find that in the tray menu under Capture Options -> Use Delay.

Assuming not, see if it's only the FIRST capture that is slow, after not having used SC in a long time, with subsequent captures being fast.  If so, you should try the option that cmpm mentioned about changing the "Inactive Memory Use".  In this case it could also be a hard disk that's sleeping, for which there is no easy fix.

-mouser (December 13, 2013, 09:16 AM)

(see also previous post for more details)

4059

Screenshot Captor / Re: Cannot Grab Current Screen after Update

« Last post by tomos on December 18, 2013, 09:58 AM »

I reread you post and think I got it wrong - have a look anyway at what's in the spoiler below:

Spoiler

Some questions:
1) are you saying in the OP that you have *two* SC icons in the system tray?
2) how did you update SC?

It sounds to me like you might have the portable version and the installed version running at the same time - both starting with windows.
(Or, was there a bug a while back with two instances of SC running?)

If you have two icons in the tray, via right-click check the 'About' for each to see if they the same version.

• For a quick fix, just right-click one and exit it. The other should work then.
• For a medium fix, make sure only one started with windows (via preferences).
• For a proper fix... do you have dcupdater installed? I have ideas - but it's possible it is a bug so maybe wait see what mouser says.

Right-click the tray icon >After Captures show >Post-capture popup
Will give you the post capture options dialogue.

I'm not sure what you mean by blank in reply #3. Blank = Empty?

4060

Screenshot Captor / Re: Cannot Grab Current Screen after Update

« Last post by tomos on December 18, 2013, 02:59 AM »

^ I'm not very clear on this - are you able to open the SC main window?
And if so, you cant see the image there.

I wonder if you hear a click, if a shot is being taken, but being saved somewhere else - had you customised your 'Screenshot' folder location?

4061

Living Room / Re: What books are you reading?

« Last post by tomos on December 17, 2013, 03:58 PM »

Civilisation - Niall Ferguson

-Redhat (December 17, 2013, 02:11 PM)

sounds very interesting - would be great to hear what you think of it when you get through it!

4062

Living Room / Re: Does anyone here use Bitcoins?

« Last post by tomos on December 17, 2013, 03:45 PM »

Why Bitcoin Will Never Be a Currency—in 2 Charts - Matthew O'Brien

More argument.

-Arizona Hot (December 17, 2013, 11:50 AM)

I'm actually a bit stunned how bad that article is. It's from Matthew O'Brien, a senior associate editor at The Atlantic covering business and economics. He doesnt even acknowledge that there are different schools of economic thought. I'm even wondering was the guy just trying to troll a bit, and upset as many Bitcoin fans as possible - which would actually make it a very amusing article.
Funny how the world is sometimes...

4063

General Software Discussion / Re: In search of ... assistance with a tenacious BHO ...

« Last post by tomos on December 16, 2013, 04:51 PM »

I got rid of that for a relative - but with the help of a german language forum, but this post may help:
https://www.donation....msg341593#msg341593

Took a long time, but it worked...

4064

Google Boomerang / Re: Any chance for a Translator Boomerang update?

« Last post by tomos on December 16, 2013, 04:48 PM »

Possibly to do with this?

Due to Google discontinuing their translation API, this application will stop working on December 1, 2011. (sorry, out of my control  )

-app103 (May 28, 2011, 04:40 PM)

4065

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by tomos on December 16, 2013, 04:34 PM »

This is interesting: NSA surveillance critic Bruce Schneier to leave post at BT | Ars Technica

Seems to send a pretty clear message out to other, potential critics of the NSA regime.

-IainB (December 16, 2013, 04:14 PM)

in fairness, that's probably more a reflection of a corrupt, sorry, I meant a corporate approach there.

4066

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by tomos on December 16, 2013, 04:30 PM »

If you want to take part, got to the Demand Progress website and sign up http://act.watchdog.net/login

-IainB (December 15, 2013, 04:59 PM)

the link there is for a login page - watchdog.net goes to the login page as well...
Did you forget a demand progress link there Iain?
I dont see anything though on the demandprogress site:
http://www.demandprogress.org/
 
____________________

-tomos (December 16, 2013, 07:51 AM)

I gather that watchdog.net is a Demand Progress website. (Look down to the bottom of that login page to see "© 2013 Demand Progress".)

-IainB (December 16, 2013, 04:06 PM)

yeah, but it only allows me to log in - it doesnt allow me to register
And any variation of that page address sends me to the login page...
So,
how do I 'support the cause' (but I can understand if you dont know either!)

4067

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by tomos on December 16, 2013, 03:18 PM »

I don't know why Asylum in Germany is "worse" for them than him hanging out in Russia or China.

-TaoPhoenix (December 16, 2013, 02:37 PM)

Yeah, good point.
Guess the question from the German POV is whether it's worth the possible tensions that might be caused by it.
I could imagine it happening ...
...
I'd enjoy it happening ;-)

4068

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by tomos on December 16, 2013, 01:42 PM »

NSA officials consider Edward Snowden amnesty in return for documents

...

-wraith808 (December 16, 2013, 12:25 PM)

they dont want him getting asylum in Germany maybe...
(could be a bit problematic)

4069

Living Room / Re: Best Cameras 2013

« Last post by tomos on December 16, 2013, 01:04 PM »

Best entry level DSLR is
[..]
Price:    $579.95
[..]
Would be an expensive hobby  

-rgdot (December 16, 2013, 11:57 AM)

yep!
best camera was 2.5K or something like that

This one (below) sounds interesting for $300 - but yeah, that's a lot of money too. And really, anything with interchangeable lenses is overkill for most people. OTOH, if you're interesting in quality images, you'll have to pay a lot too for a decent compact camera. I got a nice compact one a couple of years ago for ~$200. Image quality is great but the camera still drives me mad at times it's so slow. But I still use it much more than my "interchangeable lens" camera...

Camera of Distinction, Outstanding Value: Canon EOS M

With kit prices starting around $300 and image quality similar to the Canon T5i, the Canon EOS M is a stellar value. Its metal body construction lends the camera a solid, substantial feel in the hand that belies the camera's budget price. The EOS M is a particularly good choice for Canon DSLR owners because a simple EF-mount adapter provides compatibility with the plethora of Canon glass. Although there are few lenses native to the new mount, the 22mm f/2 STM and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 STM lenses are both great options. The original list price of $800 was a little steep, but $300 is flat-out incredible for all the EOS M offers.

-http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2013/12/11/cameras-of-the-year-2013-best-affordable-dslr-mirrorless-compact-cameras#best-value

4070

Living Room / Re: Mid-range DSLR Camera Recommendations

« Last post by tomos on December 16, 2013, 11:14 AM »

Mirrorless is the way to go.  Even there, the autofocus of the olympus and panasonic top models is almost, almost already equaling the phase detection based AF systems of DSLRs.
I would suggest to dump the annoying mirror, for usable autofocus in video, real live view, focus peaking, and much better portability, touchscreen UI, etc. There is no way I would want to go back to mirror flapping systems.  The sony alpha DSLT cameras (working with minolta and sony lenses; they have a non-moving mirror) is a great compromise, though for sports and birding like demands.

-Lutz_ (March 23, 2013, 10:39 AM)

(my emphasis)

The Sony (Alpha) AR7 gets best camera 2013 from Imaging Resource's Best Cameras 2013 (dc link).
The Sony A7 shares second place with the Olympus E-M1.

Of course there are cheaper recommendations.
Thankfully

4071

Living Room / Best Cameras 2013

« Last post by tomos on December 16, 2013, 11:04 AM »

Imaging Resource's Best Camera of the Year is actually the starting point for a whole series of articles.
At the bottom of that page, there's a bunch of links:



Some interesting reading (also at that link above) about about technological advances in video focusing and anti-aliasing (used to prevent moiré patterns).

A lot of the camera choices are expensive - but if you're looking for something with interchangeable lenses, their Best Value Cameras has a couple of interesting options for $300 to $500.

4072

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by tomos on December 16, 2013, 07:51 AM »

If you want to take part, got to the Demand Progress website and sign up http://act.watchdog.net/login

-IainB (December 15, 2013, 04:59 PM)

the link there is for a login page - watchdog.net goes to the login page as well...
Did you forget a demand progress link there Iain?
I dont see anything though on the demandprogress site:
http://www.demandprogress.org/
 

4073

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for a Foto Resizer that follows (multiple) shortcuts

« Last post by tomos on December 15, 2013, 02:57 PM »

Would you mind computing the MD5 checksum for the Resize.exe you have just to make sure this hasn't been modified?  The one from the above download is: 01353FE34350AB6B7CBD503C7545AD54

-skwire (December 15, 2013, 02:29 PM)

01353fe34350ab6b7cbd503c7545ad54 (mine)
01353FE34350AB6B7CBD503C7545AD54 (yours)

Looks good?
Can also upload, it's small

4074

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for a Foto Resizer that follows (multiple) shortcuts

« Last post by tomos on December 15, 2013, 02:18 PM »

I'll try this with the Resize app I mentioned in OP (where I can dictate the output folder) and will let you know how I get on.

-tomos (December 15, 2013, 01:20 PM)

did a test run - worked a treat

Changed exe/path in the script - ran it
Dropped shortcuts on GUI
'Resize' opened with the correct filepaths showing
Settings are saved so new images output to specified folder

Many thanks skwire - I seem to be sorted


For anyone interested in the 'Resize' app - the website in screenshot below no longer exists.
I just found this version from 2008 but I haven't tried it yet (about.com link) [seems to be same version as mine]
It's portable - version I have doesnt remember Jpg quality setting on restart but otherwise works well [Win7 x64]

   

4075

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for a Foto Resizer that follows (multiple) shortcuts

« Last post by tomos on December 15, 2013, 01:20 PM »

Here you go.  I used vlastimil's PhotoResize for my tests.  However, you could use this script with almost any app that accepts a filepath on its command line simply by changing the path on the first line of the following:

-skwire (December 14, 2013, 08:45 AM)

Okay, this is interesting - it works - but there's a 'but' for me:
Photoresize says that the resized photos are created - but they go to the original folders - i.e. where the fotos actually are.
The problem is that the fotos are from all over, so this kind of defeats the purpose for me (I have to find the source folders in order to get the resized images).

Would it be possible to -   No, it's not possible for you to dictate where PhotoResizer saves it's output.
I'll try this with the Resize app I mentioned in OP (where I can dictate the output folder) and will let you know how I get on.
Will be later or tomorrow.