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451

Living Room / Re: You like science fiction, don't you? Of course you do!

« Last post by rjbull on October 09, 2014, 05:22 PM »

^ looks like two of Sir Terry Pratchett's books are in similar vein:

• The Science of Discworld
  When a wizardly experiment goes adrift, the wizards of Unseen University find themselves with a pocket universe on their hands: Roundworld, where neither magic nor common sense seems to stand a chance against logic. The Universe, of course, is our own. And Roundworld is Earth. As the wizards watch their accidental creation grow, we follow the story of our universe from the primal singularity of the Big Bang to the Internet and beyond. Through this original Terry Pratchett story (with intervening chapters from Cohen and Stewart) we discover how puny and insignificant individual lives are against a cosmic backdrop of creation and disaster. Yet, paradoxically, we see how the richness of a universe based on rules, has led to a complex world and at least one species that tried to get a grip of what was going on.
• The Science of Discworld II: The Globe
  The acclaimed Science of Discworld centred around an original Pratchett story about the Wizards of Discworld. In it they accidentally witnessed the creation and evolution of our universe, a plot which was interleaved with a Cohen & Stewart non-fiction narrative about Big Science. In The Science of Discworld II our authors join forces again to see just what happens when the wizards meddle with history in a battle against the elves for the future of humanity on Earth. London is replaced by a dozy Neanderthal village. The Renaissance is given a push. The role of fat women in art is developed. And one very famous playwright gets born and writes The Play. Weaving together a fast-paced Discworld novelette with cutting-edge scientific commentary on the evolution and development of the human mind, culture, language, art, and science, this is a book in which 'the hard science is as gripping as the fiction'. (The Times)
   

452

General Software Discussion / Re: Recommend image comparison tool, please?

« Last post by rjbull on October 09, 2014, 04:45 PM »

Thanks, folks - especially tomos, interesting suggestions.

I could have been clearer.  What prompted the query was a desire to decide on my personal preferred ISO rating, and I wanted enough images visible at once, and as big as possible, to do that; and also later to compare compositions.  I wasn't looking for a duplicate detector (yet), and didn't want to buy Lightroom if I could help it; it's enough trouble to stop AdobeARM running all the time

I agree that four images is adequate, though I'd have liked six if possible.  Of course, then they get smaller.  I see the well-liked BreezeBrowser Pro only gives 2, 3 or 4.  It looks like ExifPro Image viewer offers a large subset of the features of BreezeBrowser, at a much lower cost

453

General Software Discussion / Recommend image comparison tool, please?

« Last post by rjbull on October 07, 2014, 04:36 PM »

I'm looking for a simple image comparison tool.  That is, if I make several variations on a digital photo, I'd like to be able to see them all on screen at the same time, in their original aspect ratios, tiled, and sized so as to fill the screen as much as possible (i.e. be as big as possible, rather than thumbnails).  The attached image is from Faststone Image Viewer 5.2, the first such application I've seen though 4 images is the maximum.  Are there any alternatives, please?

454

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for a EXTREMELY basic Multi Clipboard software

« Last post by rjbull on October 07, 2014, 02:44 PM »

I find sometimes certain clipboard managers give me problems, such as freezing, etc.  I have lots of 3rd party utilities running in the background, so I assume there's sometimes a conflict.  ArsClip was one of these.

-kunkel321 (October 06, 2014, 03:53 PM)

In earlier versions of Windows the clipboard chain sometimes broke, but I wouldn't blame the clipboard manager for that.  I haven't had any problems with clipboard managers in Vista.  The only other conflict I've seen is with some versions of Typing Assistant, a text expander that appears to work solely through the clipboard, but they seem to have cured that problem with the very latest full release  (6.1).

455

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for a EXTREMELY basic Multi Clipboard software

« Last post by rjbull on October 07, 2014, 02:38 PM »

> ArsClip bloated?  When its .exe is under 4 MB?

While this probably is good programming, it has tons of features and settings that I don't need,

-David.P (October 06, 2014, 03:06 PM)

I'm surprised, because I've always felt that ArsClip hits the sweet spot.  Basic features are quick, easy and fuss-free.  The many advanced features, critically, don't get in the way of the basic ones.  Indeed, you have to go looking for them, and I've even wondered if advanced features are too well hidden.

and OTOH it is not able to simply show a no frills popup next to its own tray icon, but instead puts its window all over the place on my triple monitors 

-David.P (October 06, 2014, 03:06 PM)

Hovering over the tray icon shows an abbreviated copy of the current clip, as does the Clipboard Bar if enabled.  I agree that I would prefer popup location to be predictable, as I find its jumping about seemingly at random disconcerting.  The location of the Clipboard Bar can be fixed and I would like that extended to the popup.

[Edit at UK time 2014-10-07, 21:18:-]
Oh    Delving into Configuration, I find various settings I didn't know about that may help fix the popup location.  Viz.:
 
Configuration > Popup Hotkeys > Alternatives > Mouse

Show Popup ...
[X] when mouse button is held Right Click / Middle Click / Left + Right Click
Short Delay ----X---- Long Delay
The [Per-Program Options] can override this setting.

This appears to popup where the cursor is.

 
Configuration > Popup Hotkeys > Alternatives > System Tray Icon

Show Popup ...
[ ] on foreground window when icon double clicked
[ ] on foreground window when icon single clicked
[X] on icon when double clicked
[ ] on icon when single clicked

This appears to popup above the tray icon.
 

Configuration > Popup > Behaviour > Screen Position:

Display Method
[X] Automatic (Recommended)
The popup is shown as dose to the pasting location as possible.
[ ] Mouse Cursor
The popup is shown near the mouse cursor.
[ ] Program Corner
The popup is shown near the corner of the foreground program. 

You might prefer the last option.
[/Edit]


BTW, if you go with CLCL, don't overlook earlier DC postings.  In particular, lanux128's post Re: Must-have apps in the System tray? points to AbteriX's two threads giving a tutorial, and compilation of reviews, on CLCL.  They too are on DC.

456

Living Room / Re: Who is your Favourite "Doctor"?

« Last post by rjbull on October 06, 2014, 04:18 PM »

I'm torn; Tom Baker was the Doctor, but I enjoyed the flamboyant exuberance of Jon Pertwee.

As for companions, the luscious Leela has been mentioned, but I also loved Jo, the super-scrumptious Katy Manning in Jon Pertwee days, and liked Nyssa, Sarah Sutton, too.  Some people thought Adric was a pain...

The villains; yes, some of them were terrifying to look at, but some of the more "normal" ones were maybe worse.  Viz., Roger Delgado's elegant megalomaniac The Master, delighting in destruction; and I found the insane militarist the Graff Vynda-K chilling.

I've only watched a few of the "modern" episodes and haven't found them anything like as enthralling.  Perhaps that's rosy-tinted nostalgia, but it just isn't the same show that I used to enjoy so much.  Much more slick production, of course, but what use is that?  It looks much like any other slick modern made-for-TV film.  People used to snigger at the cheap production of classic Dr. Who, but maintaining any sort of willing suspense of disbelief of a big ask with a show of this kind.  I thought the rough and ready, make do and mend look of the cheap production actually helped by making things more like real life.  Now, things seem too bright and colourful; everybody is too well turned out in designer clothes, too clean and tidy; even the modern cybermen look like they're fresh from a cyber boy band.  The classic "big ears" versions were more scary because they were humanoid but a travesty of humans.

457

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for a EXTREMELY basic Multi Clipboard software

« Last post by rjbull on October 06, 2014, 02:56 PM »

Drifting off topic, but I had to respond - this is one of the subtle uses of AdBlock - it lets you hide pictures you don't like. There are a few people whose avatars annoy me too. Fine - just adblock them away and then they just vanish!

-TaoPhoenix (October 06, 2014, 11:58 AM)

I use the DC forum profile setting to not see avatars and sigs.  Saves lots of screen space, as well as avoiding annoying animated avatars.

But, re the OP...  ArsClip bloated?  When its .exe is under 4 MB?

458

General Software Discussion / Re: IDEA: a software that makes normal windows apps more touch friendly.

« Last post by rjbull on September 26, 2014, 04:37 PM »

And just for the record, if you lost your stylus, you could use any old object that had a tip with the Palm. Not that it saved them from ending up on the scrapheap of technological history

-dr_andus (September 25, 2014, 06:31 PM)

I'm still using my Palm T3...  and if you want styli, take a look at Cult Pens stylus search
I thought there was a difference, though.  Aren't Palm screens resistive, which needs a stylus (though it does usually work with a finger), whereas mobile phone/tablet screens are capacitative, which expects fingers?

459

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PrintableCal 100% Discount Giveaway on September 22

« Last post by rjbull on September 22, 2014, 03:38 PM »

I noticed the question on your site, where you answer that PrintableCal is not compatible with Softmaker Office.  I take it your program is integrated with Microsoft Word and Excel - not capable of working with CSV and RTF files?

460

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for calendar software

« Last post by rjbull on September 16, 2014, 03:50 PM »

I tried Rainlender, and it would be great if I were looking for a basic attractive desktop widget, whose sole purpose was showing me the month at a glance (and filling my desktop with eye candy), but for what I need, even with looking through a collection or 2 of skins, I couldn't find anything that made it a large enough window to be functional. (I am not running 800x600 here)

-app103 (September 05, 2014, 06:18 PM)

I agree an option for a bigger window would be nice.  As you're an artist, had you considered making your own Rainlendar skin?  I don't know what's involved in that, though.

461

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for desktop calendar software that can sync with Google Calendar

« Last post by rjbull on September 14, 2014, 04:15 PM »

Rainlendar should work; you'd need the Pro version, but it's under $15 at the time of writing.

462

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for desktop calendar software that can sync with Google Calendar

« Last post by rjbull on September 14, 2014, 12:03 PM »

I think EssentialPIM (EPIM) can do what you want, though you might need their Supplementary Apps EPIM Synchronizer.  However, it's a full PIM, so might be more than you want.  At least there's a free version to try.

As I recall it, cranioscopical is a big fan of VueMinder.  You might try searching DC for earlier posts.

463

Living Room / Re: ‘Cyborg Unplug’ Is a Personal Jammer Against Drones, Glassholes

« Last post by rjbull on September 10, 2014, 03:35 PM »

if you're filming me without my knowledge/consent...then you're violating my privacy.

-Stoic Joker (September 10, 2014, 11:49 AM)

As wraith points out, here in the UK we are constantly surveilled.  On the other hand, and as I understand UK law, if you're in a public place, your face is photographically public property.  "Public" is underlined because a lot of places you'd think are public, aren't; commonly shopping centres that are privately owned.  Despite the law there's been much aggravation in recent years from over-zealous police citing terrorism and from anti-paedophile vigilantism.  UK magazine Amateur Photographer has been campaigning against police abuse.

464

General Software Discussion / Re: Way to hide a desktop icon temporarily?

« Last post by rjbull on September 07, 2014, 04:02 PM »

Has anyone found an easy to use replacement Daemon that doesn't have all the baggage and instabilities/quirks of Task Scheduler?

-MilesAhead (September 03, 2014, 02:52 PM)

I don't know if these would solve all your problems, but have you tried:

• Searching DC for previous threads    Several mention alternatives.
• PowerPro
• Kirby Alarm Pro Payware; there's also a cheaper Lite version I haven't tried, and an old free version.

PowerPro worked a treat on Windows XP, but wasn't ready for UAC at the time I bought a Vista laptop.  Because it was awkward back then I changed to Kirby Alarm Pro, which worked perfectly well even with UAC On.  Since then there have been first workarounds, then improvements to PowerPro itself.  Given those, and that PowerPro is free, you might look at it first.  The scheduler module in PowerPro and Kirby Alarm Pro look to me to have very similar functionality, except that KA can run as a Windows service, if you need that.

465

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for calendar software

« Last post by rjbull on September 05, 2014, 04:47 PM »

If you're happy with eM Client, great.  FWIW here are a couple of belated thoughts:

• EssentialPIM
  Free and payware versions; a bit "cloudy"
• Rainlendar
  Excellent; free and (dirt cheap) payware versions; not so "cloudy"    don't overlook the galleries, as the skins make a big difference to appearance, and I think some have more features than others.
   

466

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Please help me find that utility - "Something" To TXT ?

« Last post by rjbull on September 05, 2014, 04:26 PM »

Pity people didn't adopt the DESCRIPT.ION near-standard from 4DOS 

467

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for calendar software

« Last post by rjbull on September 05, 2014, 04:20 PM »

The FindmySoft link: http://monocalendar.findmysoft.com/

-IainB (September 04, 2014, 12:41 AM)

WOT gave that site a terrible rating; correct, or overkill (not unknown with WOT)?

468

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for calendar software

« Last post by rjbull on September 02, 2014, 05:25 PM »

Does anyone happen to know of some desktop calendar software (freeware) that can display events with a date range, as stripes similar to this

-app103 (September 02, 2014, 02:47 AM)

I run Vista Home Premium, 32-bit, UAC On, user account; it has a calendar built in that looks like a cut down version of Outlook's.  It doesn't look as good as your WordPress plugin or eM Client, but it might be worth a quick look.  Mine resides in location  c:\Program Files\Windows Calendar\WinCal.exe

469

Post New Requests Here / Re: Finding the path of a file on your computer

« Last post by rjbull on September 01, 2014, 03:20 PM »

I suggest you investigate Listary Pro, but you would indeed need the Pro version ($19.95, life-time updates for free for all future versions).  Left-click on my Listary Pro tray icon, click Recent:

Take a look at the plethora of detailed screenshots and videos on their web site.  Listary Pro has a built-in file search that works with Windows Explorer.

470

Living Room / Re: CMD-commands

« Last post by rjbull on August 24, 2014, 04:01 PM »

The free version of 4DOS is TCC/LE by JP Software.  Here's a DC thread on it:  Take Command Console LE from JPSoft
For a free powercmd-alike (I think) here's a DC thread on Console:  console: a great CMD.exe replacement application.

471

General Software Discussion / Re: simple file (dll) searcher

« Last post by rjbull on August 22, 2014, 03:29 PM »

yes the 'wildcard' option works!
where do you put the filename you're searching for?

-spacedad (August 20, 2014, 05:22 PM)

That's where you'd put it, in the Files Wildcard box that I marked in the image.  But I see all is lost; you have been assimilated by FARR of Borg...

472

General Software Discussion / Re: [Solved] Easy way to mark file as done

« Last post by rjbull on August 21, 2014, 05:08 PM »

It would still be nice to have an optional way of colouring "done" or read-only file differently from the rest.  Maybe there are ways to do that in advanced file managers...

473

Developer's Corner / Re: best code snippet tool that works with any program

« Last post by rjbull on August 21, 2014, 04:56 PM »

Any other suggestion similar to this?

-kmkmdon (August 20, 2014, 05:50 PM)

[Edit at UK time 2014-08-22, 11:06:-]
Better suggestion than below: just try searching DC for snippets.  That will find numerous existing threads.
[/Edit]

The obvious one is PhraseExpress, which is free for personal use.  I've not actually used any free ones that use templates or macros, that you don't know about already.  However, some suggestions:

• Comfort Keys
  Shareware.  I only briefly tried its template feature and seem to recall I found it a bit limited for what I wanted at the time.  Try before you buy...
• TwinkiePaste
  Shareware, modestly priced.  Not tried by me.
• AceText
  Shareware by the author of the famous EditPad editors. Not tried by me.
• Text Accelerator
  Shareware, modestly priced, by the author of True Launch Bar.  Not tried by me. 
• NoteTab Light
  This is an indirect solution.  NoteTab Light is a free text editor. You need the payware Pro version to get the full macro language, with extended clipboard functionality, but the free version should be enough to see if it's feasible to use it to make your own templates and snippets and send them to the clipboard.

Why not review some of DC's many threads on text expanders?  Here are some older ones to start you off:

jgpaiva's abbreviations importer
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=2598.0

link to jgpaiva's AHK tools
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=3461.0

Harrie's review of Instant Text, and following posts
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=2631.0

Word AutoCompleter
https://www.donation...1036.msg6713#msg6713 (mentions IntelliComplete, AutoTyping, LetMeType, AllChars, Type Pilot)

Auspex
https://www.donation....msg231091#msg231091

474

Developer's Corner / Re: best code snippet tool that works with any program

« Last post by rjbull on August 20, 2014, 05:07 PM »

other option is ArsClip http://www.joejoesoft.com/vcms/97/ but it is more of a clipboard manager application though it has permanent clip feature with variables and also hard to grasp at once.

-kmkmdon (August 20, 2014, 02:58 PM)

ArsClip is great, but I haven't tried it with variables.  There are many threads on DC about text expanders...  some of them heated.

There does not seem to be any simple dedicated free snippet code manager with variable support out there.

-kmkmdon (August 20, 2014, 02:58 PM)

You might check out Konrad Papala's Ka Type In, which is free, but I don't know if its concept of variables matches yours, and it's getting quite old:

Ka Type In lets you define frequently used text snippets, ready to be typed into any application, document, web form. Just create a set of items, like e-mail addresses, zip code, phone number, etc. and you'll never have to type it again. The application can also auto-complete sentences, for example you can enter "Bes" and hit Ctrl+; (customizable) to expand it to "Best regards...".

In addition, you can create more sophisticated templates - with variables, which will cause a form to be shown, enabling you to setup those variables.

475

General Software Discussion / Re: simple file (dll) searcher

« Last post by rjbull on August 20, 2014, 04:50 PM »

Here's an example using Nir Sofer's freeware SearchMyFiles, which uses separate windows for parameters and results: