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451

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Teaser screenshot

« Last post by kfitting on August 04, 2005, 08:36 AM »

A few comments from the screenshots:

- Wow.  Lots of functionality here!  I hadnt even thought about automatic filing/purging.  Excellent!
- What is the "Windows Spell Object?"  (First options screenshot)
- Clipnaming: you have %windowtitle% in the textbox, should this be on the info label as well?  What are the options as far as bringing up a window to manually name the clip on a copy command (in the case of something you definitely want to keep track of? (ie, clipname, groupname, etc))
- Spelling error: on the backup/maintenance tab, BackUp Detials should be BackUp Details!
- Will there be a hotkey to bring a "quick paste menu" a la clipomatic?
- GUI looks nice.  I must say, it looks a whole lot cleaner than before.  I still think a few views would be helpful for newbies, but the screenshot you show is definitely more usable.


That's all for now.  Very impressive.  I will be waiting for it on Monday!  Incidentally, at work they have decided to get a little more rigorous about installing programs on machines.  Any way you could make this not-need-to-be-installable?  If not, dont sweat it... just asking.

Kevin

452

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Teaser screenshot

« Last post by kfitting on August 02, 2005, 03:44 PM »

Concerning the GUI.  There are two main things that confused me about the GUI in the screenshot:

1. Couldn't you combine the TreeView and the Form view (Upper right view)?  in other words, couldn't the treeview have all the clips in it as the lowest level?  I think the second view (more database like) is excellent for searching or filtering, but it makes everyday usage kind of clunky; you have to choose the clip catagory on the left, move and find the clip up top, then do whatever action on the bottom.  If you simplify the main view down to the treeview and the editor view you can choose clips and edit them immediately.  If you need an advanced search based on criteria, open up a seperate window and get the "raw data" from the "database" view.  Just an idea to reduce the amount of stuff on the screen

2. The misaligned toolbars.  I realize that each toolbar is above the section that they control... but it would be nicer if they were at least on the same level.  This may be alleviated if you get rid of the one view from the main window.

Obviously, GUI layout is crucial (something most open-source projects don't seem to understand, but fortunately, people on this site seem to!).  I think you're close.  You have a lot of functionality to squeeze into a small space.  Once people can get their hands on it and use it in actual working conditions I think you'll get a better idea of where things need to go.

Kevin

453

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Teaser screenshot

« Last post by kfitting on August 02, 2005, 01:10 PM »

I'll think about your GUI comment... but, concerning the format conversion.  What I've imagined (throwing reality to the wind, mind you!) is the ability to copy a clip from a plain text editor and paste it as rtf into word or keynote.  Or, the ability to copy something out of an internet browser with html formating and paste it into word in rtf format (I personally prefer rtf over plain text!).  But, that's the idea.  In my thinking, I imagined that you would have a button in the format window to convert between formats.

Two problems I see with my vision of format conversion:
1. When do you stop?  If you take this to the end, you'd essentially be writing a WYSIWYG program!  Perhaps restricting to just text, or doing something default-ish with pictures.  Converting text or tables could be native though.
2. What about programs that dont copy formats?  For example opera doesnt give the html formatting.  Could CHS apply html formatting to clips copied from opera?  How would CHS handle excel?  Word?  Random program no one knows about?

The idea with format conversion is to be able to copy as much or as little formatting as you wish, with the option to put it into the format that suits your purposes.  If I'm just archiving a random clip of data, I want plain text.  If I'm archiving a full article, I'd like to preserve formatting.

Those are my ideas.  I'm sure this could balloon into something unwieldy... like being able to choose exactly what things you want to stay formatted, etc.  But, I personally think that a general conversion button would be fine.  As far as keeping all different versions of a clip at all times... seems kind of wasteful to me.  Generate them as the user demands them.

Kevin

454

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Teaser screenshot

« Last post by kfitting on August 02, 2005, 10:52 AM »

Right, I dont think you're going in the wrong direction, I just think you're "advertising" got out of line with what you're making!  I personally think that a clipboard tool with the search/archive features you are including is a great idea.  Two ideas, probably been mentioned before, but that I think help bridge the gap between your concerns:

- The format conversion stuff (RTF,text, html blah blah) could be selectable.  IE, default to pasting in text.  Or default to RTF, or default to whatever the original format is.  This allows you to always have clips come out as text with the option of the others if something comes up.

- Bridging the gap between notes managers and the clipboard is often overlooked (in fact, until we started discussing this program I hadnt really thought about it much!).  Keynote 1.x has this in a very basic form, but I havent seen it too many places.  This is why I think you could realistically target CHS as a clipboard extender AND an in-between program: from clipboard to notes manager.  That's why I beat the "export to notes manager formats" idea to death (sorry!).  If a piece of text is just a clip, let CHS store it.  If it's a little bigger, but not that important, let CHS store it.  If it fits in with something you have in another one of your other notes programs, copy it and format it in CHS, then transfer it to your "official" notes manager.

Those are just my thoughts on the matter.  I think your interface is good (maybe a tad busy, though I dont see how you will get away from that entirely!!) and your intentions are fine.  Just gotta figure out this in-between stuff!  (and please everyone, of course Yeah, right.........)

Kevin

455

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Teaser screenshotsw

« Last post by kfitting on August 02, 2005, 10:06 AM »

i do intend for this tool to be a complete hierarchical note taking + clipboard tool, able to compete with the best of them.

So this won't be a "clipboard extended" with a more advanced clip management system?  This will be a notes manager with a more enhanced clipboard integration?  If so, I think the interface should reflect that.  Right now, it still seems to be more for managing little chunks of data.  One discussion over on the Keynote forum is from writers who want advanced text-editing qualities in a tree structured note manager.  I'm NOT saying you have to incorporate these features, but if you release this as a hierarchical notes program, manual text entry/editing will have to become a bigger piece of the puzzle. 

In other words, it seems the goal has changed, but only some of the features have changed to support this goal.   Dont get me wrong, I'm not saying you shouldnt create a notes program, or anything of the sort.  Just pointing out that if you are trying to "compete" (said loosely here!)  with the other note programs other features will be requested (creating/importing tables, picture support, picture in text support, printing, paragraph/font styles, etc).

Overall, keep up the good work!

Kevin

456

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Teaser screenshotsw

« Last post by kfitting on August 02, 2005, 09:01 AM »

Looks nice.  A couple of questions, basically just some functionality questions.

- Is the filter going to apply only to the node you are in?  In other words, if you are in a node and want to search all clips are you going to have to click on the "ALL" node and then search? (maybe you could have two buttons for filtering, one for all and one for current node... I dont know)
- Is there any way to delete clips?  Based on criteria?
- What about having a hotkey that, when pressed, copies something to the clipboard and brings up an input box so you can enter in desired info (eg. clip group, clip title, etc)?  Ctrl+c would STILL be a normal copy and CHS would capture it and use the default settings specified in the options dialogue.  However, if say ctrl-alt-c (user defineable) were pressed, the user would be able to specify that data.  This would be helpful if you were collecting articles from the internet or any other time you wouldnt mind the extra time if it makes finding the data easier!
- What are the clip criteria (sorry cant think of what databases call them... maybe fields?) stored in the database?  (eg. windowname, date/time, etc)  In other words, what can you filter on?
- (not an interface question)  You had mentioned at some point about making CHS talk nicely with other notes managers.  Any further info on that?

Awesome screenshot!  Cant wait to see this implemented!

Kevin

457

Find And Run Robot / Re: an idea about an alternative to multiple configuration files

« Last post by kfitting on August 01, 2005, 05:55 AM »

I also agree with your explanation of the flip out panel for filter groups mouser.  Will you be able to have it only come up when you press the button (as opposed to remembering the last state of the window)? 

Yeah, full-text search as a plugin would be awesome.  Features, features, features.

Kevin

458

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: A new name

« Last post by kfitting on July 31, 2005, 07:33 PM »

Clip and Note     (a la Find and Run)
Clip-o-nator      (hopefully you don't take this one seriously)
ClipTools
Jack of all Clipboards
TextToNote



Kevin (my signature, not a name suggestion)

459

Unfinished Requests / Re: IDEA: mouse location launcher

« Last post by kfitting on July 31, 2005, 05:39 PM »

I too would like to hear more.  I don't quite have a full fledged idea of what you're talking about (I HAVE to be able to see something before I understand it!!) but from what I do understand, this is a powerful concept.  The only major caveat I see is what happens to those of us who use 90% of our windows maximized (like myself!).  Also, how would this apply to say a word processor, internet browser, or file manager (some of my most used programs).  Interesting concept though... definitely worth looking into.

Kevin

460

Find And Run Robot / Re: an idea about an alternative to multiple configuration files

« Last post by kfitting on July 31, 2005, 12:50 PM »

Interesting discussion.  I like it.  One question: Cracksloth, what were you talking about when you said this?

anyway, i hope this was helpful.  for the record, i do not want the checkboxes you mentioned for selecting configs to be a part of the main interface.  i would rather that the screen popup when i enter a specific keywork into f&r (like "config" or something).

I thought the checkboxes would work like the folder choosing method currently implemented, not that you would see the checkboxes on a daily basis.  I think it's an interesting idea that you could type config (or some other alias) to bring up the options... seems interesting for all those keyboard lovers!  I was just confused by the quote above.

Also, I just want to insert a reminder that there should be a quick way of looking at all the filter groups (correct terminology?) from the main window.  I envision this as a small window that would popup at a hotkey command and show the alias, folders, and whatever other info we choose.  It wouldnt steal focus but as soon as a number is pressed (basically, a file is chosen) it vanishes along with FindRun.  Sorry, I know I sound like a retard for repeating this, and no, I dont think it's been forgotten, but I know if I make a bunch of filter groups I will completely forget what I have made and not use them.

But, overall, excellant ideas.  mouser, I was just thinking about the whole mp3 tag scanning option last night, but thought maybe it was too ambitious... would be an awesome addition though!  Now, if you could get ogg support, that would be even more worthwhile!  One question on this direction: what are your plans as far as scanning inside files?  Will plugins allow you to look inside pdf, doc, rtf, html, etc?  Will FindRun have to resort to indexing?  These are questions that arise naturally once the scanning inside tags idea is brought up.  I, for one, am not real thrilled about having FindRun keep an index of a bunch of files.  However, I think it would be neat to be able to look inside certain file types, or be able to.  Also, maybe an index method could be made that doesnt take up a ton of disk space.  I dont know, something to kick around.

Kevin

461

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: A new name

« Last post by kfitting on July 31, 2005, 12:38 PM »

Now that... that is a name worthy of... laughing at!! Nice!

Kevin

462

Find And Run Robot / Re: an idea about an alternative to multiple configuration files

« Last post by kfitting on July 30, 2005, 12:34 PM »

Precisely!

Kevin

463

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Feature Request ...

« Last post by kfitting on July 30, 2005, 12:07 PM »

Hey mouser, where do you stand on the whole rtf-html-text conversion thing?  If this were implemented you could easily save your clips into whatever format you choose.  We had discussed this at one point, just seeing where things are heading.

Kevin

464

Find And Run Robot / Re: an idea about an alternative to multiple configuration files

« Last post by kfitting on July 30, 2005, 12:05 PM »

I see your point better now.  I think because of the flexibility of your system, I could easily use my system... which is one reason why you should actually yours! 

As far as the list is concerned, I wasn't talking about showing the list in the options dialog.  I mean when you hit pause/break you should be able to easily invoke another "window" (maybe a notice or alert box or something) with a listing of your config setups.  The idea is to make it easy to recall what you have setup.  You shouldn't have to go into the options dialogue to invoke this listing, however.

Just an idea,

Kevin

465

Find And Run Robot / Re: an idea about an alternative to multiple configuration files

« Last post by kfitting on July 30, 2005, 11:10 AM »

I think your idea about turning config files into more advanced weighting is a good one.   I see it as a different way of reaching the same goal as the config files, since the config files would have contained the same info as your weighting idea.  Further, perhaps "config files" would have given the user the impression they could change more than that leading to confusion.  I like your idea here.

However, I still advocate a delimiter.  If you include a special character, you essentialy have a delimiter... which, as I think about it, probably defeats my argument because then those who want a delimiter can have it while those who don't aren't forced to.  One thing though, why do you allow spaces?  How can you determine if someone is typing in a multiple word search or config options?  Is it because you must choose names you won't search?  Basically, my arguement is that I don't see why you wouldn't use a delimiter, though I suppose as long as you allow special characters and ;:'".,/\<> then I don't have a major complaint.  What about filetype searches?  Will those allow special characters as well?  I would love to be able to type something like     .xls:personal budget    to force an xls extension in my "personal" config options. 

One other suggestion.  Could there be a way to quickly pull up a list of configured search criteria (for lack of a name for the concept we are trying to discuss)?  If I'm trying to do a search, I will more than likely forget some of the options I have.  Maybe a hotkey that will bring up a list of the options.  I don't know.  I just have this feeling that I'll configure a bunch of settings and then never use them because I forget they're there. 

I'll admit, at this point I'm talking in circles here.  Mainly because at this stage I'd need something to play with to see how it works in actual practice.  Therefore I advocate a beta to try it all out!  (Easy for me to say!)  But, further discussion should also continue.  But, I need something to "hold" at this point.

Kevin

466

Find And Run Robot / Re: an idea about an alternative to multiple configuration files

« Last post by kfitting on July 29, 2005, 05:44 PM »

How does mydocs fit into your non-seperate-config-file idea?  I see how for extensions it would be nice, but if you have arbitrarily named search settings how would this work?  Also, what are your ideas on delimiter?  You used "+ " two characters.  Would this be configurable? 

I would argue (just so the board remains interesting!) that while extension settings should work as you suggested, the user could make their own config files.  I always envisioned these as only controlling extension and folder, not an entire configuration duplication.  The problem is that sometimes there are mp3s in folders that I don't want to enter the results at all (eg from games).  Merely having a weighting system allows me to still find files in those folders.  Or, using your way, would you have seperate weighting configurations?  The way I see it you need some kind of different setting "style sheet" if you will. 

Interesting ideas though!

Kevin

467

Find And Run Robot / Re: an idea about an alternative to multiple configuration files

« Last post by kfitting on July 29, 2005, 02:27 PM »

I'll admit, when I first read your idea, I didnt really care for it, mouser.  But, after having thought about it a little bit, I love it.  Perhaps you could make it something like this:     mp3:Artist    would return all files that have Artist in them and fit the already configured mp3 config file.  Or, C:help        would find all files wtih help in them based on the C config file.  Here the ":" is used as delimiter but you could choose one that doesn't require shift or make it customizable.

Another idea along these same lines and something that was talked about before, was the idea of file extension searching.  I think this is already implemented but it could follow very similar syntax.  eg, ogg.artist would find all ogg files with artist in the title or xls.budget would find all excel files.

Both of these ideas use a prefix to determine how to search... this makes more sense to me because FindRun searches as you type.  It seems weird to type in the search, get a bunch of hits then restrict them by extension or config file.  Better to load the config and then do the search.  Also, multiple config files could be loaded at once by doing something like ogg.mp3.artist or C:mp3:artist. 

Just some thoughts.  Let me know if i don't make sense!

Kevin

468

Living Room / Re: We're going to try something new with our software downloads

« Last post by kfitting on July 29, 2005, 08:55 AM »

Fair enough.  I like your ideas there!

Kevin

469

Living Room / Re: We're going to try something new with our software downloads

« Last post by kfitting on July 29, 2005, 07:37 AM »

The ONLY problem I see with this method concerns what happens if (for whatever reason) people are unable to get a key from the site.  The main concerns I see here are if the site is taken off the web.  Granted, perhaps people should have donated in the first place!  I just hate the thought of requiring something on the extremely fluid WWW in order to run a piece of software.  I'm not saying this idea shouldnt be implemented, just stating a concern.

Kevin

470

Living Room / Re: Scripting utility suggestions?

« Last post by kfitting on July 28, 2005, 08:39 PM »

Yeah, I think it's cool how "easy" it is to code using scripting languages.  Makes it more accessible to the layperson or young people, to get them into coding.  Sort of like the electronics kits my dad talks about... back in the 50's and 60's electronics kits were almost as good quality as the stuff you could buy.  You could buy a kit, get a decent quality product, AND have the fun of burning your fingures with solder!  Scripting gives the same type of idea. 

I agree with mouser... use the tool that fits the job.  We have about 30 software guys working on the project at work and it amazes me at how much of an art coding really is.  I have a lot of respect for the guys who do more than just write fileexists(c:\genericfile).  All the higher levels and interfaces... blah blah.  To go one step further, there are guys like Steve Gibson of www.grc.com who writes in assembly language.  Yeah, that's nuts!  I know cause I had a class in assembly in college.  We didn' t write anything special, just moved bits around and toggled lights, but it gave an appreciation for coding at that level. 

I'm glad I don't have to worry about all the background stuff.  I'm also glad people like mouser, grc, etc are around to make apps that are clean, efficient, and coded correctly (bugs aside  

Kevin

471

General Software Discussion / Re: Unlock files because of sharing violations

« Last post by kfitting on July 28, 2005, 05:35 AM »

I've used unlocker... works well.  I've also just recently downloaded mst software's mstIsUsedBy (http://mstsoftware.c.../c_mst_IsUsedBy.aspx) though I havent actually had a reason to use it since I installed it so I dont know how well it works.  Unlocker works pretty well though!

Kevin

472

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Clipboard Help+Spell Version 1.02.04 is now avilable on members page

« Last post by kfitting on July 27, 2005, 11:10 AM »

Just saw the post, mouser, and replied.  However, while we're talking about CHS, figured I'd bring up a visuals bug.  I think it's even reproducible!  Copy a long text string from a word processor (or any program really).  A clip long enough that you have to scroll in the right hand pane.  Now make sure it has a bunch of spelling errors in it.  As you scroll up and down, there is a certain point where the red lines shift up a line.  If you stop the scrolling, the lines are all weird as you highlight them with your mouse.  It's almost as if they are offset from where they should be.  If you grab the scroll handle and scroll slow enough you should be able to actually see the jump occur.  Let me know if you need more info.  Oh, and this occurs with the latest version, 1.02.04).

Kevin

473

Living Room / Re: A free software prize goes to.. kfitting

« Last post by kfitting on July 27, 2005, 11:04 AM »

Dont really know what to say (though that wont stop me from saying something!).  Personally, I think mouser deserves most of the credit here.  It really is almost like being able to write your own software, something that in this day of liscencing and conivery is refreshing.  Especially the ability to have people point out errors in your suggestions... many of the suggestions I make are refined by others (cracksloth, mouser, to name two) and it is exciting to see programs being developed that are actually useful, intuitive (trying to be anyway), and different.  Sure there are other launchers, but something like FindRUn?!?  That isnt bloated?!?  My hat goes off to mouser and his dedication for fixing bugs, putting up with picky requests, and thinking of new ideas...  I will continue to report the bugs, rest assured

That being said, mouser I would prefer the VMware if you still have it.  If not, that's fine, I'll wait for a little while to see if anything pops up.  Thanks again,

Kevin

474

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Clipboard Help+Spell Version 1.02.04 is now avilable on members page

« Last post by kfitting on July 27, 2005, 10:02 AM »

Sorry, being retarded here, should have included this in the last post.  Is there an option to either get rid of tabs or convert them to spaces?  I know there is the Find Replace bit, but how do you tell it to look for tabs? (This question addresses tabs occuring within a line, not a prefix or suffix tab)

Kevin

475

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Clipboard Help+Spell Version 1.02.04 is now avilable on members page

« Last post by kfitting on July 27, 2005, 09:58 AM »

Hey mouser, could you look into that scrolling bug in the clip history window as well?  It makes things pretty confusing when you have a lot of clips.   Quick history: the scroll bar moves you to a different clip (rather than scrolling the listbox) when using the mouse.  Not a big issue, though I have no idea what the fix involves!  Whatever you deem worthwhile,

Kevin