Recent Posts

451

Official Announcements / Re: March 2011 DonationCoder.com Fundraiser Celebration -- Ideas for Special Events?

« Last post by jgpaiva on March 01, 2011, 12:55 PM »

Out of curiosity, where does the 6000$ value come from? (you probably already explained it elsewhere and I'm just not finding it).
Also, I think this explanation should also be here: https://www.donation...oder.com/fundraiser/

452

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Block/Unblock all network traffic button (one-click)

« Last post by jgpaiva on March 01, 2011, 09:50 AM »

4wd: just to make sure that people find their answer quickly in this thread, maybe you could edit your first post and add the file to it instead?

453

General Software Discussion / Re: Opinions on System Utilties Suites

« Last post by jgpaiva on March 01, 2011, 09:02 AM »

From what I understand, the person posting this announcement looks like he is a developer of software similar to what you mentioned. Maybe you could ask him?

Personally, I have never found much use for such programs, and when I tried them (in the win98 days), they really made more harm than good which causes me to always be suspicious of such "performance improvers".

454

General Software Discussion / Re: Trying to switch to Opera: Need help, tips

« Last post by jgpaiva on March 01, 2011, 08:50 AM »

I haven't had the same experience as Paul Keith regarding the stability of Opera 11.
Even though I'll say it's unstable, I don't think it is more so that any other version

I've been using opera 11 as my main browser ever since it came out in alpha version and honestly I think it's pretty good. Also, I've been using NoAds for a while and had no problem other than occasionally it blocking some scripts it shouldn't. (when this happens, go to the bottom right corner of the page, and click the button so that it'll stop blocking scripts)

Opera wand really has always been very closed, but maybe lastpass will work for you. (Disclaimer: I've never tried it)

455

General Software Discussion / Re: Using WinWget to back up a WordPress.com site?

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 28, 2011, 03:01 PM »

I thought WP had backup function built-in? It's in my menu - although to be fair, my WP is supersexy customized 

-timns (February 28, 2011, 03:00 PM)

Isn't that what doctorfrog refers as "export the XML file"? (I know nothing about wordpress, so I'm just guessing )

456

General Software Discussion / Re: Using WinWget to back up a WordPress.com site?

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 28, 2011, 02:55 PM »

I have previously used httrack successfully to download full sites.
If it's something you don't mind running using a visual interface, it might solve your problem. IIRC, it can even store "projects" which allow you to re-download the same data later on.

457

UrlSnooper / Re: PSA Squash swf file

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 28, 2011, 01:29 PM »

Even though I love squash, I can't even open the site...

458

Official Announcements / Re: UnReplied Topic Fridays on the DonationCoder.com Forums (URT-Fri)

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 28, 2011, 12:57 PM »

Also, a few requests to make it simpler:
1 - please remove the "moved" posts from there, they take a large percentage of the list
2 - maybe we could have a "show only topics started by new members" thing (where "new" would have some sensible definition), since most of the threads in that page are really started by long-time members. [edit] wraith beat me to this one [/edit]

459

Official Announcements / Re: UnReplied Topic Fridays on the DonationCoder.com Forums (URT-Fri)

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 28, 2011, 12:51 PM »

Ok, I just did my part (sorry, too easy to let this one go by)

[edit]
And now my contribution to this thread:
I really like the idea, and will try to help with this as much as I can (even though I'll probably ignore the "fridays" part and do it when I need to procrastinate from work )

460

General Software Discussion / Re: A plea for help from a VS developer...

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 28, 2011, 08:13 AM »

Jimdoria: if the trouble is fixed, maybe you could post in the blog a link to this thread?

461

JGPaiva's GridMove and Ahk Tools / Re: Weird behavior in remote desktop

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 24, 2011, 12:24 PM »

Stoic Joker: I think the problem is not related to hotkeys, but rather with window focus. After pressing win+g, apparently the window focus is not in GridMove's overlay, but in the other window (thus the number is typed into the window).

462

JGPaiva's GridMove and Ahk Tools / Re: Weird behavior in remote desktop

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 24, 2011, 10:51 AM »

I'm not sure why that happens, but you may try using the direct shortcuts for each grid element (win+1, win+2, etc).
Does this work?

463

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: gridmove forum

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 24, 2011, 10:49 AM »

Actually, it's lack of organization on my part, you can find the board here: https://www.donation...ndex.php?board=173.0

464

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 23, 2011, 12:03 PM »

I have one more advantage for the new system: no more confusions with "free keys", which apparently make people think we have keys to programs other than DC's apps, and sometimes makes them believe that these keys last forever.

One more note: it should be clear (in that same dialog) that after a donation, the program gets automatic updates that only alert when there really are updates.

Regarding nags on manual updates, maybe we could do this: when the program is updated, it can display a one-time nag when it starts up, asking to considered donating.

465

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 23, 2011, 10:15 AM »

Just to add some perspective, here's how what we have now works:
   for donors: download, insert key, never worry again
   for non-donors: download, get nag after 1 month, sign up for forum, get key, insert key, get nagged again in 6months, get key, never worry again

As for what we are now looking at:
   for donors: -pretty much the same thing-
   for non-donors: download, get nag after 1 month, ignore or check for update, get nag again in 1month (repeat)

Now, isn't this system even more annoying than what we have now? I'm starting to think that if we go this way, DC's software might turn into crippleware. Actually, now that I think about it, what we have now is more annoying since if the user does not insert the key, he gets a nag until he does, right?

466

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 23, 2011, 08:41 AM »

I don't think this is a good idea, especially for people who have lots of DC apps and are already a donor.

Quick clarification -- I meant to say that such messages would not be shown to donors who have put in a license key.

-mouser (February 23, 2011, 08:28 AM)

What you mean is that donors get automatic update check (with no nags), whereas the "free users" need to manually update (and get a "please donate" message when they do?)? That actually doesn't sound half-bad

467

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 23, 2011, 08:30 AM »

Paul: Now that you mention that, I've seen something very interesting somewhere about program usage frequency.
mouser: we could also add a "you've used this program for X hours" message to show the person how important the program is to them

468

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 23, 2011, 08:21 AM »

Let's just assume we no longer have any use for the free license keys that people now donate -- all of the software new and old, big and small, runs without needing any license key at all, and has no date at which it will start "nagging" you to get a new free license key or donate.

Instead..

If you haven't run an update check in the program since the last 30 days, it will pop up a box that suggests that you run an update check and that you consider donating. (If you have run an update check every 30 days or so, you will see no messages).

-mouser (February 23, 2011, 08:08 AM)

I don't think this is a good idea, especially for people who have lots of DC apps and are already a donor. You wouldn't want them to be frustrated with constant "update and donate" nagging. Consider the idea that the largest DC donor has 10 DonationCoder apps installed (not really that hard!): He'd have an "update and donate" popup coming up every 3 days! And on top of that, he already donated a lot. Honestly, I think it's hard to avoid the "free key", as you can't be nagging people who already support the software.

469

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 23, 2011, 08:15 AM »

The discussion is definitely turning fruitful!
I like how you defined it now. My only problem is what happens for apps that get frequent updates.
I personally would go mad if I had to update an app 3 times in a week (with stuff I might have never noticed) and insert the key each time. I think I'd go with something like:
1) major version updates require key update
2) regardless of updates, free keys last no more than 2 months

1) would keep people from having to get a new key 3 times in one week, and 2) would work for the apps that don't get frequent updates. The only problem is that the developer needs to mark an update as a "major" version. Also, this wouldn't stop the following situation: today I download FARR, tomorrow mouser releases a new major version and I have to go through the hassle of getting a key, etc.
Another interesting mechanism might be:
1) regardless of updates, free keys last at least 1 month
2) regardless of updates, free keys last no more than 2 months
3) if the app is updated in this period, user needs new key

This design does not help with making it less confusing, though

[just noticed you made a new post, I'll read that now]

470

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 23, 2011, 05:37 AM »

Even though the new version->new key sounds well, I think I'm very much against it, as I believe it will have a very negative effect on DC. Vlastimil made a very good point: "regular" users (I don't mean regular DC folks, I mean non tech-savy people) will never update the software and will just ignore nags indicating a new update is available, but might be donors if remembered after 1month of application use.

mouser: maybe this decision would be simpler to make if there were some stats on what percentage of your software downloads are Upgrades, and how many people really donate through the "get your key after 1month" page.

471

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 22, 2011, 06:35 PM »

Another possibility would be:

• 1. Click here to get a license key that will last until you upgrade the program to a new version
• 2. Or donate any amount to become a lifetime member and get a permanent license key.
• 3. If you are part of a non-profit organization, or are a freeware author, or have considered the ideas of the site and have decided that you will not be donating for whatever reason, send us an email describing why and we will send you a non-expiring license key.

The change here would be that instead of requiring a new license key every X days, you need a new license key when upgrading.  And no need to sign up for a key, you get one just by visiting the page.

This seems like it would be less annoying for most people.. the downside would be that it might lead to more irritating upgrades and people less likely to want to upgrade, and perhaps less donations.

-mouser (February 22, 2011, 01:50 PM)

The idea sounds good because it is not just a random date and it gives the user a nice feedback on how much work is being done on the app: "if the software is not updated, I don't need to get a new key, but if I need to get a new key, then at least I also get a new version". I like the "win-win" situation, but I also fear that it might cause people not to update in fear of the work the update might involve. It'd be nicer if we could find a better way to do something similar to this.

Also, It just occurred to me that the "there's a new update available" dialog is a good opportunity to remember the users of how much effort is put into the software. Maybe something along the lines of "This developer is working for you and there is a new version available of this free software! Care to donate?" could be added for non-paying users. I believe that a user that sees this message frequently might be compelled to donate

472

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 22, 2011, 12:14 PM »

I really like that idea, but I think it might go against the motto that people who can't pay could have access to a fully-working copy. Personally I really like the "tell us how we can improve our software (or site?) and get a 6-month working key" option, it might bring some nice karma.

-jgpaiva (February 22, 2011, 11:39 AM)

But can't pay even a dollar to help support the site?

-timns (February 22, 2011, 12:02 PM)

I was one of them  
At the time, I had no way to actually send money to the site, as I did not have money in Paypal, nor was old enough to have a credit card (now I already am, but still don't have one ).

473

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 22, 2011, 11:50 AM »

I think option 3 transmits to the user that good warm feeling we all have for being a part of DC

474

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 22, 2011, 11:40 AM »

Also, I'm not sure about this, but does the link on the application take people directly to the key page? I think this would remove the "I can't find my free key" complex we see sometimes around the forum.

475

Site/Forum Features / Re: Revisiting the idea of simplifying the DC big app license key stuff

« Last post by jgpaiva on February 22, 2011, 11:39 AM »

I really like that idea, but I think it might go against the motto that people who can't pay could have access to a fully-working copy. Personally I really like the "tell us how we can improve our software (or site?) and get a 6-month working key" option, it might bring some nice karma.