Recent Posts

426

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox

« Last post by cthorpe on May 16, 2007, 08:09 AM »

I recently returned to Firefox after having used Opera for months.  The main reason for the switch back was that I think Firefox is more useful for web research with integration with notetaking tools, delicious tagging, etc.  For the most part, I haven't lost any of the functions that I used in Opera, and have gained quite a few that I am already making use of.  If Opera were to ever open up an API for extensions, I would switch back in a heartbeat.

Carl Thorpe

427

Official Announcements / Last chance to enter the May Software Giveaway!

« Last post by cthorpe on May 15, 2007, 01:37 PM »

Today is the last day to enter our Software Giveaway for the month of May!

We are giving away licenses for:

• ArtRage 2
• ED for Windows
• Super Flexible File Synchronizer (Pro)
• SynchronizeIt and CompareIt
• ZuluPad Pro

The entry form is over here: https://www.donationcoder.com/Specials/freedrawing.php

To enter, you must be a supporting member.

428

General Software Discussion / Re: Good Screen Recorder Video Editing Software?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 15, 2007, 01:25 PM »

We have a 50% off coupon for supporting members on BB Flashback and BB Flashback Express.  The discount makes the Express version only $20.  You can read a review and comparison of BB Flashback and Camstasia that was written by our very own mouser.

Carl Thorpe

429

General Software Discussion / Re: Faststone Image Capture now Shareware

« Last post by cthorpe on May 14, 2007, 11:44 PM »

But FastStone has a Scree Magnifier!



I don't even know what a Scree is, but I want to magnify one!

430

General Software Discussion / Re: Im sick and tired, and not taking it any more!?!

« Last post by cthorpe on May 14, 2007, 09:42 PM »

Alright.  Looks like it may be what we're looking for.

431

General Software Discussion / Re: Faststone Image Capture now Shareware

« Last post by cthorpe on May 14, 2007, 06:56 PM »

Oh man!  And I already donated 100%.

432

General Software Discussion / Re: Im sick and tired, and not taking it any more!?!

« Last post by cthorpe on May 14, 2007, 06:41 PM »

Edit - Don't think it's what you are looking for, but I'll leave it here anyway

What about this one?
ImageZoom

433

General Software Discussion / Faststone Image Capture now Shareware

« Last post by cthorpe on May 14, 2007, 06:09 PM »

Cybernet News is reporting that FastStone Screen Capture is no longer free for personal use.  Alas, it's true, as seen here:

(from http://faststone.org/order.htm)


Oops, cut off the bottom line.  It states that lifetime license is good for all future versions.

Here's hoping that Screenshot Captor gets the notice it deserves now! 

434

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Bejewled Deluxe for free

« Last post by cthorpe on May 14, 2007, 03:16 PM »

Also, according to Cybernet News, you can enter in false info, as the order number that activates it is given right there on the page after completing the order.  You don't even need to give it an email address that you check.

Carl

435

Found Deals and Discounts / Bejewled Deluxe for free

« Last post by cthorpe on May 14, 2007, 03:06 PM »

You can get Bejeweled Deluxe from PopCap games, the developer, for free until May 23.  Go to the site and enter this coupon code: FREE4MOMS

Note that this is for the original Bejeweled, not Bejeweled2



Make sure you do this when you are "ordering:"

Note your order number because that is used to register the software after you download it.

Source: CyberNet News

436

General Software Discussion / Re: Must-have apps in the System tray?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 14, 2007, 12:01 PM »

Next: Inside Process Explorer I have disabled the graph-windows (I am surprised by the way cthorpe have chosen to do this; one may want to just right-click and click Select Columns), so Process Explorer is not using more than 1½% CPU with the window open, and of course a lot less when minimized to tray icon.

-Curt (May 14, 2007, 11:25 AM)

The reason I just move the column off the screen rather than turning it off is so I can scroll over to see it if I want to check the history of a process.

437

General Software Discussion / Re: Whats the best program to learn typing?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 14, 2007, 07:47 AM »

I found the copy of Mavis Beacon.  Mr. Crispy, if you're still out there and want it, PM me.

Carl Thorpe

438

Living Room / Re: Ask Leo: How do I fix this high CPU usage svchost virus or whatever it is?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 13, 2007, 11:29 PM »

According the latest Windows Secrets newsletter (paid version) there is a viable interim fix available with a solution being promised in the near future. The fix allows you to use Microsoft Update (instead of the older verions, Windows Update).

The interim fix involves applying two patches, in order:

First download and install the fix from KB 927891.

Second download and install this update to the Windows Update Client.

Apparently, even if you don't use, or plan to use, Windows Auto-update feature, you need this new engine to run Microsoft Update.

I haven't tried this as I am perfectly happy using Carol's fix (reverted to Windows Update and using Office Update to update my Office 2003 installation). I don't have auto-update enabled so this really doesn't bother me.

-Darwin (May 13, 2007, 10:51 PM)

I tried the Windows Secret's fix, and it didn't help me.  I left my PC on the Microsoft Update page for at least half an hour and it was still at 100% cpu and trying to detect needed updates.

Carl

439

General Software Discussion / Re: Must-have apps in the System tray?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 13, 2007, 09:46 PM »

Here is process explorer with the CPU graph showing on screen after scrolling up and down then waiting a few seconds:


And here it is with the CPU usage graph column moved off the screen to the right after scrolling up and down then waiting a few seconds:

440

General Software Discussion / Re: Must-have apps in the System tray?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 13, 2007, 07:12 PM »

Process Explorer only eats CPU when the CPU history graph column is onscreen, and only then is it noticible when the System Idle process graph is scrolling.  Put that column all the way to the left and resize columns so it is off screen, and you will see PE take less than 1% of CPU.
C

-cthorpe (May 12, 2007, 10:24 PM)

I should have said put the history graph all the way to the right.

441

General Software Discussion / Re: Must-have apps in the System tray?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 12, 2007, 10:24 PM »

"Process Explorer uses too much CPU" !!!


Well; now I have said it. Are you going to mock me? Stone me (if you could)?

When absolutely nothin is going on inside the PC, Process Explorer (PEx) will use some 4-5% CPU. This is by itself maybe a little too much, but not the real problem. But if you have PEx placed to start with Windows, as I used to have it, you can watch the most of the PC starting procedure and see how much CPU each program will use. And you can see how they all battle each other to have the little power most machines have available. And see how some programs still uses a lot of CPU after they seemed to have done opening, because they must configure or whatever. If you watch this procedure and then notice the CPU usage of PEx watching over them all, then you may understand my point: Normal machines with many programs cannot afford to have a program like Process Explorer being placed early in the starting procedure, because it uses some 25% CPU during the entire startup! There is no reason to give these 25% to PEx, because the program is really not needed during start, only after the procedure have finished - and you can hardly spare so much CPU at this crucial moment.

-Curt (May 12, 2007, 06:48 PM)

Process Explorer only eats CPU when the CPU history graph column is onscreen, and only then is it noticible when the System Idle process graph is scrolling.  Put that column all the way to the left and resize columns so it is off screen, and you will see PE take less than 1% of CPU.

C

442

Living Room / Re: Cached pages in IE - help please!

« Last post by cthorpe on May 12, 2007, 06:27 PM »

Try this one:
http://www.progsoc.uts.edu.au/~timj/cv/

443

General Software Discussion / Re: Must-have apps in the System tray?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 12, 2007, 01:53 AM »

But what are these arrows telling?

-Curt (May 11, 2007, 08:42 PM)

That just means that I've expanded my tray.  I usually have most of those icons hidden using XP's built in functionality.

444

General Software Discussion / Re: Must-have apps in the System tray?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 11, 2007, 08:15 PM »

Oh, I almost forgot.  Here is my tray.



From left to right:

SnagIt 8 - Screen capture program (sorry mouser)
Wakoopa - Social software tracker.  See this thread.
Altiris SVS Trinket - Controls Altiris SVS (see my review of SVS)
TapTap Hotkey Extender - lets me trigger Find and Run Robot with a double tap of the Ctrl key (thanks mouser!)
ClipMate 7 - Clipboard manager (sorry again)
NoteZilla - Sticky note program.
Find and Run Robot - Best program launcher ever
Miranda IM - Multi-protocol messenger
Process Tamer - We know what this one does.  Makes working on my P3 866mhz machine bearable
Locate32 - Ultra fast file searches.  Reviewed here
AutoHotkey - Hotkeys, scripting, and more.  Check out Skrommel's One-Hour Software right here on DC for examples of what can be done with this program
Volume Control
Process Explorer - Task manager on steroids.  The first program I install when I work on a machine for the first time
NOD32 Anti-Virus - Lightweight and effective virus protection
UltraVNC - Remote control software.
FirstDefence-ISR - Automatic system recovery.  See my review at https://www.donation...index.php?topic=7189.  (note that Raxco is no longer selling this application.  I've provided the link to the developer of the technology behind the program.  There are other vendors of the program)
System Safety Monitor 2 (full version) - Controls processes, monitors registry changes, and generally keeps everything safe and secure
sTunnel - A small proxy that lets me encrypt arbitrary communications
Jetico Personal Firewall v 1 - Lightweight, highly configurable personal firewall

445

General Software Discussion / Re: Must-have apps in the System tray?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 11, 2007, 01:31 PM »

Good to hear.  That's one of the first things I get rid of when reinstalling XP.  I don't use any of the advanced features of my vid card and on the few occasions I need to change any display properties, it's not too much trouble to right click on the desktop and select properties.

Carl

446

Living Room / Re: PC World Editor Resigns - Bravo!

« Last post by cthorpe on May 11, 2007, 10:13 AM »

And PC World has decided to run the 10 things we hate about Apple list here.

They are also running a 10 things we love about Apple list here

Also, Harry McCracken has returned to the magazine.

There's a story about this on Cybernet News (http://tech.cybernet...we-hate-about-apple/)

447

General Software Discussion / Re: Whats the best program to learn typing?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 11, 2007, 09:29 AM »

Somewhere I have a retail copy of Mavis Beacon (it may be a version or two behind the current edition) at home.  If I can find it, I'd be happy to send it to you.  I installed it, tried it out a couple of times, and decided that it wasn't for me.


Carl

448

General Software Discussion / Re: Must-have apps in the System tray?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 10, 2007, 11:41 PM »

Go ahead and uncheck all three of those, then do this:

Start -> Run -> type    services.msc

Then scroll down and look for a service name that has something to do with nvidia.  On my machine, I have this:


Double click on it, and set the startup type to Disabled.


Then reboot and see if it makes a difference.

449

General Software Discussion / Re: Must-have apps in the System tray?

« Last post by cthorpe on May 10, 2007, 09:54 PM »

I think there is a nVidia service that you need to set to disabled and stop.  Try that, then reboot and see if the icon reappears.

450

General Software Discussion / Re: soft and hard links in ntfs

« Last post by cthorpe on May 10, 2007, 07:09 PM »

I use links (junctions) extensively on my machine (probably 8-10 exist at this time).  I run FirstDefence-ISR and have my machine in a frozen state.  That means that when I reboot, everything reverts to that frozen state.  Installed programs disappear, registry settings vanish, and program configuration changes are undone.  Some programs, such as my broswer, have settings that I want to retain after rebooting.  Many times, I can tell the program to store its config info on a second partition that is not frozen.  Some programs, however, don't have that option.  I use links to get around that.

Let me illustrate with a made up program:

I have a program called Browser.  Browser does not let me change where it stores its bookmarks, cookies, history, saved passwords, etc.  It saves everything in Local Settings under Documents and Settings\My Username in a folder called Browserconfig.  Every time I reboot my computer, all of those things I just mentioned are gone.  What I can do, is exit Browser, move the entire Browserconfig folder to my D drive, and then create a ntfs link in Documents and Settings\My Username\Local Settings.  That link will look like Browserconfig to Browser, and all of my settings will be saved there, but they are actually being saved to my D drive.  I then freeze the system with that ntfs link in place, and my problem is solved.


Oh, and I use sysinternal's junction program to create links.

http://www.microsoft...ndDisk/Junction.mspx