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4051

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: (another) Linkman Review

« Last post by superboyac on March 24, 2010, 07:17 PM »

I read the earlier posts about Powermarks and Linkman but decided to stick with Diigo (having converted from Delicious a few years ago).

After reading this review however, I gave it another try.  I love the live search.  It also makes it easier to switch browsers and still be able to add bookmarks with a keyboard shortcut (one of the reasons I switched to Diigo).  I use tags to organize all my bookmarks, but with 11,000 that's becoming less manageable.  Being able to search them all quickly is probably the best way to go.

I imported all my bookmarks and the import and search performance is impressive.  How will we find out about the free Pro licenses?  You may have a convert 

-jaden (March 24, 2010, 04:32 PM)

jaden, thank you so much for this comment.  i almost felt like no one was reading these.  I am a little embarrassed to admit how much effort I put into these reviews.

Yes, the search window is really cool and was the focus of my comments to Linkman in the past couple of years.  I'm glad I was able to express that effectively to you.  I know my review articles are a little odd in that I don't go into many of the program details.  I like to just highlight the couple of features that REALLY make the program special to me.  My intention is to do exactly what you're doing, which is generate enough interest for you to explore the program yourself.

As for the giveaway:  Linkman has donated 20 licenses, which is an enormous amount.  Whenever the next giveaway happens here, just submit your entry as usual and hopefully you will win.  I don't know exactly when that is.  Mouser will know, and there's someone else here who is in charge of the giveaway effort (it slips my mind who, right now).

4052

Multi Photo Quotes / Re: Changed settings don't all get implemented?

« Last post by superboyac on March 24, 2010, 02:46 PM »

The quote fonts still don't get applied to the message override font.  In other words, there is no way to control the font for the message override.  If you ask me, it should follow the same settings as the quote fonts.

it's supposed to -- something strange is malfunctioning that is causing it not to.

-mouser (March 24, 2010, 02:36 PM)

is it repeatable on your setup, or is it just me?

PS slight feature suggestion:
Can you make it so when the prompt shows up, it already shows the last away message that was picked instead of being blank?

4053

Multi Photo Quotes / Re: Changed settings don't all get implemented?

« Last post by superboyac on March 24, 2010, 12:54 PM »

can you see if the latest beta fixes it:
https://www.donation...PhotoQuotesSetup.exe

-mouser (March 24, 2010, 12:40 PM)

The font for the time setting is working now.

The quote fonts still don't get applied to the message override font.  In other words, there is no way to control the font for the message override.  If you ask me, it should follow the same settings as the quote fonts.

4054

Multi Photo Quotes / Re: Changed settings don't all get implemented?

« Last post by superboyac on March 24, 2010, 10:03 AM »

And the checkboxes are enabled for those 4 fonts? Note that it will reduce the size if it has to.

-mouser (March 24, 2010, 09:48 AM)

Yes, all the checkboxes are enabled.  All four boxes have different colors, none are white.  However, whenever the screensaver starts, the white font is always shown.  The other fonts are never used.  This is ONLY when the message override is being used (which I am using exclusively).  If the Quote Book is used, the fonts are applied correctly.  For the override, it seems like it's going by a default setting that is not available anywhere in the options.

4055

Multi Photo Quotes / Re: Changed settings don't all get implemented?

« Last post by superboyac on March 24, 2010, 09:38 AM »

OK, I got the setup working the way I described above.

But the font style is still not working right.  As you know, instead of quotes, I'm using the message override, so maybe the font styles don't apply to it.  Anyway, I've changed to 4 fonts in the "quote fonts" section.  These don't seem to get applied to the message that displays.

I've also changed the font style for time in the "Custom Date/Time Display" area.  But that setting doesn't stick.  If you change the font, then go to another area in the options and come back, you will see that the change reverts back to default.

4056

Living Room / Re: Can search of donationcoder.com be improved?

« Last post by superboyac on March 24, 2010, 09:26 AM »

Haha!  Yeah, that is rather interesting.  it reminds me a little of the Liar movie with Ricky Gervais.  mixed up with a little of catch-22.  I don't know...

4057

Living Room / Re: Can search of donationcoder.com be improved?

« Last post by superboyac on March 24, 2010, 12:02 AM »

Slightly OT:  Why does it use Orwell's "Animal Farm" as the example...doesn't seem like a post that would be found here...at least, id hope not haha

-Stephen66515 (March 23, 2010, 07:27 PM)

Well...it wouldn't until your post. 
 (see attachment in previous post)

-40hz (March 23, 2010, 09:04 PM)

Oh my goodness, 40!  That's the funniest thing I've read all week!  I'm seriously cracking up.

4058

Multi Photo Quotes / Changed settings don't all get implemented?

« Last post by superboyac on March 23, 2010, 10:34 AM »

I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or if there's a bug:
First off, I have UltraMon running also, and there are screensaver options there also.  I don't know if they interfere, but UltraMon has certain options for multimonitor.  However, I don't have "Ultramon" selected as my screensaver in the Display Properties, so I think that means Ultramon won't be used.  I have "Multiphotoquotes" selected there.  Also, if you look in Ultramon's list of screensavers, the name is renamed to "ssMultiphotoquotes".

OK, here are the settings that are not sticking:

--I changed the fonts and I'm using all 4 options.  There is no white font anymore, but everytime the screensaver starts, it's a white font.

--I've split each monitor into a 2x1 grid.  However, it seems like it's still a 1x1 grid (the initial setting).  I also have "at least one image should be full screen" selected.  This is not working.  In fact, i have no images showing.

--I have my own directory for "additional directories for default images".  None of these are showing up.

Basically, the setup I want is this:
--on the first monitor, I want my custom message in one row, and the time on the other row.
--on the 2nd monitor, I want a full-screen image from my own directory

4059

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: (another) Linkman Review

« Last post by superboyac on March 23, 2010, 09:33 AM »

Very nice 
Direct link to review -> http://aram.dcmember...om/software/linkman/

-mouser (March 23, 2010, 09:29 AM)

Whoops!  Image link is working now, sorry...

4060

Mini-Reviews by Members / (another) Linkman Review

« Last post by superboyac on March 23, 2010, 09:28 AM »

I wanted to inform you that I have put up a new review for Linkman.  I don't want to take away anything from KenR's excellent review which introduced me to the program, but I like to write reviews for software that I use a lot:

Also, as mentioned at the end of the article, stay tuned for a Linkman giveaway here soon.

Of course, Linkman is now officially part of my recommended software list:
http://aram.dcmember...erior-software-list/

4061

General Software Discussion / Re: Screensaver program to display text (read for explanation).

« Last post by superboyac on March 23, 2010, 09:21 AM »

I was thinking of Skrommel's 'Tray Screensaver' as well.
The screensaver can be set to 'none' and it will still start a selected screensaver from a list that pops up from the tray when clicking on it.
So if you have more then one screensaver that will display a message, that could work.

https://www.donation...html#TrayScreenSaver

And thanks mouser, I forgot about your 'Multi Photo Quotes'.
I don't run a screensaver personally, I have the monitor shut off after 30 minutes of idle.

-cmpm (March 23, 2010, 07:34 AM)

i tried this yesterday, it's good.  Great way to quickly switch your screen saver on/off.

4062

General Software Discussion / Re: Software that displays text on the monitor saying where you are in the building?

« Last post by superboyac on March 23, 2010, 07:39 AM »

"Instantly Set a Screensaver Away Message" via Lifehacker.

• http://lifehacker.co...ensaver-away-message

-lanux128 (March 22, 2010, 11:24 PM)

https://www.donation....msg199483#msg199483

Could you merge the two threads?

-PhilB66 (March 23, 2010, 12:44 AM)

I could, but I don't have that kind of "power". 

4063

Multi Photo Quotes / Re: Feature Request: Quickly set desired slide

« Last post by superboyac on March 22, 2010, 09:10 PM »

my plan is to add it this week.
the way i plan to do it is this:

you will invoke MPQ through a shortcut that passes a commandline paramter that says to query the user for the text to use, or you can pass the actual text to use.  if you pass the text string to use, it wills start and use that text string.

if you pass it the commandline arguement saying it should ask you, it will present first a quick dialog where you can select from preset text items you have configured within the program, or recent history, or something new, and will then launch, showing that text just as it shows text currently (i.e. in one of it's boxes mixed with optional photos and date/time if configured(.

-mouser (March 22, 2010, 07:27 PM)

That sounds pretty damn good.  You're the best.

4064

Multi Photo Quotes / Re: Feature Request: Quickly set desired slide

« Last post by superboyac on March 22, 2010, 07:23 PM »

ok i'll add it.

-mouser (March 22, 2010, 07:07 PM)

Whoo!!  Sweet.  It really is useful.  I had my screensaver set up today and my supervisor quickly found out where i was.  Thank you.

4065

Multi Photo Quotes / Re: Feature Request: Quickly set desired slide

« Last post by superboyac on March 22, 2010, 12:52 PM »

Well, sadly, I haven't been able to find anything to do what I'm asking.  I've settled on using powerpoint for now.  I have a bunch of different slides for different situations, and I'll just display the appropriate one for the given situation.  That's the most efficient solution I've come across so far.

One of the main problems with that is the multi-monitor support.  I'd like one monitor to display the message and the other to be blank.  Or have both monitors showing the same slide.  But I can't do that.  Either the slide is shown on one and the other is not affected.  Or I can use "presenter mode" and the other one shows some fancy navigation tools (this is the method I prefer because it covers up the windows underneath.)

Anyway, if you were willing, I think this software still has room to grow!  The simplest way to possibly accomplish this is to allow the user to manually select the quote (or any text phrase) in some kind of quick way (drop down).  Maybe in that text override area, have a drop down for saved text snippets.

4066

General Software Discussion / Re: Screensaver program to display text (read for explanation).

« Last post by superboyac on March 22, 2010, 12:45 PM »

How about a different approach? Write messages on your desktop... http://www.pointofix.de/download.php allows you to save your messages too (via TPFC)

-PhilB66 (March 22, 2010, 12:28 PM)

That's not bad (and a cool application).  But it's also too many steps.

4067

General Software Discussion / Re: Screensaver program to display text (read for explanation).

« Last post by superboyac on March 22, 2010, 12:12 PM »

Add a drop down for often used text, etc.

That's what it needs for different messages.

You could use your photo screensaver, and set it to use screenshots of messages typed in Word or some other editor. In the settings have it point to that folder where the screenshot message is saved.

But then you still have to change the setting of the screensaver for different messages.
Just a thought.....

-cmpm (March 22, 2010, 11:46 AM)

Yeah, I was thinking about that just now also.  But it's too many steps.  It needs to be a one click thing, or else it's not worth it.

4068

General Software Discussion / Re: Screensaver program to display text (read for explanation).

« Last post by superboyac on March 22, 2010, 10:52 AM »

Well, it seems like something exists for this, kind of:
http://lifehacker.co...ensaver-away-message

I'm going to use this for now.  It would be nice if someone could spruce this up a bit.  Add a drop down for often used text, etc.

4069

General Software Discussion / Software that displays text on the monitor saying where you are in the building?

« Last post by superboyac on March 22, 2010, 10:46 AM »

Is there anything that's made to show some custom text about where you are?  I'm looking for a very quick, kind of one-click solution to this.  Here's the situation:

I'm in my cubicle and I have to go to places all the time (meetings, other rooms in the building).  People come by my cubicle to see where I am.  It would be nice if the monitor was showing in big letters "I'm in Room 999".  I'd like to have many such phrases prepared in advance, and choose them quickly from a drop down menu.  This would show full screen and in big letters on the monitor.


I was looking for a screensaver program to do this, but I couldn't find any.  So I was hoping something else would exist.  Essentially, it's just a custom phrase display in a special way.

4070

Multi Photo Quotes / Re: Feature Request: Quickly set desired slide

« Last post by superboyac on March 18, 2010, 02:39 PM »

Well, yes, I am primarily interested in the text part.  But once I saw your program, i got other ideas!  For instance, I do have two monitors.  I also like the options for splitting the monitor up in grids.  I can put arrows and stuff on it.  And I like the idea of having pictures in some of the cells or something.  So your program has given me ideas.

I haven't been able to find anything else as of now, with what I'm asking.  if you wanted to do it, I think it would be a cool, useful feature.

4071

Multi Photo Quotes / Feature Request: Quickly set desired slide

« Last post by superboyac on March 18, 2010, 01:02 PM »

Mouser, I had no idea about this program.  But I just made this thread:
https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=22154.0

But since this program is already made, I wonder if you would be willing to add the features here.  Here's what I am suggesting:

When I'm at work, I have to go to different rooms and meetings all the time.  I'd like someone to know where I am if they come to my cubicle and I'm not there.  So if my monitor was showing in big colorful letters where I'm at, that would be perfect.  So, if your screensaver can be configured where I can quickly pick from a list where I am, that would be perfect.

I'm thinking something in the task tray where I can click on, a list pops up, I choose the room where I'm at, and the monitor immediately goes to screen saver mode and shows the desired text.  No slide changing or anything.

Is this possible?

4072

General Software Discussion / Screensaver program to display text (read for explanation).

« Last post by superboyac on March 18, 2010, 09:28 AM »

I'm looking for a screensaver that I can set up at work to show on the monitor where I am in the building when I'm not at my desk.  So if i were in a meeting in Room X, it would say "Aram is at a meeting, Room X" and stuff like that.  I would also like it so I can have a bunch of premade phrases ready to go at the click of a button, like ones for lunch, different rooms, etc.

Do any of you know about something like this?

4073

General Software Discussion / Re: Someone MUST make a new PowerMarks program.

« Last post by superboyac on March 18, 2010, 08:56 AM »

You should have contacted support. Any freeze problem indicates something gone awry during installations (Microsoft VC++ redistributable, LinkmanFox.xpi etc). We can see what's wrong when you send the errorlog file which Linkman creates. As to the splash screen, it displays at most for 1.7 seconds, I don't think it's too long (unless it did not go away because it was related to the freeze problem you had). It can also be disabled in the Pro version.

-Outertech Support (March 18, 2010, 06:22 AM)

I can attest to this.  Outertech really works hard to solve any little bug that comes up.  The developers are one of the most responsive that I've ever come across.

4074

General Software Discussion / Re: What is best program to create a DVD from any video file?

« Last post by superboyac on March 17, 2010, 08:57 AM »

you know dealing with video is the hardest and most frustrating thing I have ever tried on a computer.  I have tried practically every tool out there and it seems find but when you play it back on your DVD player, glitches, sound out of sync etc.   Even when you think You have it right you then take the DVD with you and try to play it on a Friends DVD player and you discover it was only ok for playing on yours! 
Out of all the progs I tried, including Tmpgenc, converttox, winavi Xilisoft dvd creator  etc etc,   only DeVeDe  created DVDs played back fine on MY DVD player, cant vouch for anyone elses.
These days however I tend to just use a device that can take my usb straight from my pc and I dont have to convert.

-delwoode (March 17, 2010, 08:29 AM)

I agree.  Dealing with video is often an exercise in frustration.  Part of the problem is that there are tons of video software out there that are just junk after junk after junk.  What's worse is that searching for it on your own in google or forums or whatever very often leads to nonsense threads and articles that have little value.  Video software is weird that way.  It's one of the most popular categories of software, so I think a lot of people make programs just for the traffic or some quick bucks or something.
What's worse is that video is complicated.  So it's very popular and complicated.  It's like a perfect storm.  You have to wade through tons of crap to find the needle in the haystack.

Man I've been through this with video.  Playback programs, splitter programs, conversion programs, recording programs.  All those videohelp forums with their 10-year-old tutorials.  Lots of stuff about VLC, Vobsub, tmpg...most of them not too helpful.  You try things and end up with enormous files with crappy quality.  The whole video experience can be very frustrating.

4075

General Software Discussion / Kaspersky IS: How to optimize speed?

« Last post by superboyac on March 15, 2010, 08:56 AM »

I've been a devoted Kaspersky user for several years now.  While it's my favorite antivirus suite, I'm convinced that it slows my computer down significantly.  I know this because when I disable it, the internet goes faster and the computer just feels lighter.  And when I talk about speed like this, I mainly mean mouse-click response times.  For example, when i click on a URL, how quickly does the new screen appear and load.  With kaspersky, you can feel it "thinking" before everything actually happens, and you can even see the icon animation in the tray showing that it's working.

My question is, do we really need all this scanning to be safe?  What modules can be turned off safely?  I've already turned off anti-spam and anti-banner, because I have two programs that do it better (Antispamsniper, ad muncher).  But what about the other ones?