Recent Posts

4501

General Software Discussion / Re: ArtRage 2.5 released - Major update free for registered users of 2.2

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 26, 2007, 10:56 AM »

Go on Ken, treat yourself - ArtRage is all the rage you know - and it is completely different to Zoner Draw ...

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Official Announcements / Re: How to punish DonationCoder if you are angry at being nagged to donate

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 26, 2007, 05:08 AM »

I say this only to say that the software discounts have, instead of saved me money, provoked me to buy software applications I otherwise wouldn't have.  Sure, they're purchases I love--but I'm amused that instead of "taking advantage of" it's more a matter of having been taken advantage of! (Not by DC, of course--just in general, damned sales stickers...)

Ditto ...

It's human nature - long before the internet my grandmother used to love going to the local market to 'get a bargain' ... lots of market boys doing a lot of shouting and knocking down prices to sill levels ... sound familiar. The fact that she brought home a pile of junk didn't upset her ... as with Allen she loved her purchases!

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General Software Discussion / Re: XP or Vista user — take the poll!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 26, 2007, 04:56 AM »

MS/Apple/Linux aren't daft - even if webapps become prevalent for most peoples' use they still want to ship operating systems (no matter how much they may try to slim them down).

I suspect a browser will not be the whole story - just as .NET has become endemic - I'll bet in 5 years time you won't be able to install the necessary versions on Win 9x, 2000, XP, 2003 (or even probably Vista) - and there will be a whole new standards war trying to establish whose is the 'web technology' adpoted.

There are already loads of sites that practically insist on Internet Explorer and either don't render properly or lack functionality in other browsers - and you can bet your life MS will do everything in its power to get as much of the internet community hooked into their technology as possible - including takeovers and bribery if necessary.

Windows (as an OS) will change a lot but MS's need for money will not - and even if Windows becomes a 'front end' for webapps you can bet your life the price will continue to grow (as will the size of the package being shipped!).

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Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Review: ArtRage 2.2 (free and full versions) - Updated with 2.5 info

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 25, 2007, 04:03 AM »

Thanks for the heads up on 2.5 - I hadn't used it for while and so it was a nice treat to play with the new version. A lot of changes - looks really COOL ...

4505

General Software Discussion / Re: XP or Vista user — take the poll!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 24, 2007, 11:44 AM »

Hm, Carol aren't you mixing up line speeds a bit? I certainly wouldn't mind having 512Mbit ADSL :p (current speed limits for ADSL would be 8mbit, 24mbit for adsl2+).

-f0dder (July 24, 2007, 11:27 AM)

Yep I am getting mixed up ... UK is up to 8Mbs (and unlikely to get higher in the near future outside cabled areas or areas where BT are willing to upgrade everything to fibre optic!) whereas I gather Japan has up to 100Mbs as standard. Certainly France is at least 3 times the speed of the UK's fastest (and a hell of a lot cheaper). As usual in a recent survey the UK's offering came out as one of the most expensive broadband countries.

Think not? How about a bare metal OS incorporated in the game package - could be licensed from an OS manufacturer.

-Carol Haynes

Then it's not a "web app" anymore, but runs on the local machine...

That was my point - if you want fast graphics intensive games and computers move ever more to web apps the only solution is to have standalone games that don't require an installed OS. Personally I am amazed that games companies still rely on Windows at all!

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General Software Discussion / Re: XP or Vista user — take the poll!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 24, 2007, 11:16 AM »

Also, I don't see everything moving to web-based apps... just won't happen for games and that kind of multimedia, even when everybody has 10/10 1ms latency fiber connections (although at that time, streaming HDTV content should be doable). Same goes for a lot of "heavy" tasks.

-f0dder (July 24, 2007, 10:22 AM)

Think not? How about a bare metal OS incorporated in the game package - could be licensed from an OS manufacturer. There are lots of advantages for that approach from games manufacturers ... no external OS dependence and so a consistent environment to work in, can use 'effective' (in their terms) DRM/copy protection to protect the discs they distribute from copying and require the disc present to run the app - they could even lock them to one core processor  plus they have a universal system which means Mac/Linux/Doze host OS becomes irrelevant and Doze users can't mock Mac users for not being able to play games.

An alternative approach (with similar vendor advantages) is to simply shift their emphasis to the game platform market rather than a general purpose PC - if users are prepared to pay for Vista Ultimate just to get DX10 they will certainly cough up for a new PlayStation or whatever is coming.

The biggest problem witht he coming webapps approach is that huge numbers of people have no access to high speed internet. It's OK if you live in inner-city Japan or France where high speed access (30-100Gbs broadband) is common enough to be endemic - but in other countries (including the US and UK) high speed connections are not nearly so common or even available. In the UK 8Gbs is just about top speed if you are dependent on the phone system and I can't see BT digging up the entire country to replace copper wires to every premises and lots of rural areas struggle to get above 512Mbs. The US is apparently even worse in rural areas where there are still large communities depending on dial-up (I read a recent article on this but can't remember where I found it).

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General Software Discussion / Re: XP or Vista user — take the poll!

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 24, 2007, 09:06 AM »

Webapps seem to be the way things are going ... it's not too strange when you think of it. MS can't convince people (other than large companies) to move to a subscription based license of software and neither can other companies. It isn't strange then when webapps start to appear which use a subscription model (or will in the future). Webapps are the future cash cow.

What no one seems to have thought about is that when webapps become the de-facto office standard who will need fast hardware? Software sppeds will depend on the server rather than the client computer so only a basic system will be required - and will effectively run forever on the cheapest OS available. MS will still tie people into buying new versions of windows (the only way to install .Net v510 and WebApps 379.2) but anyone with a brain will long since have shifted to a new OS that just runs a browser and will have left MS's inferior webapp system.

I seriously think this may be the demise of MS if they are not careful - their web presence has never been a happy experience for users whereas other web providers (even small ones) produce rather better web based apps and websites.

Trouble is by the time this all shakes out Linux will have been fragmented so far and be so tied up with proprietary stuff as companies try to customise it in non-standard ways (within the GPL system) that Linux will probably die before it ever gets into wide circulation - or remain a geek-haven.

As to this topic - I can't see me moving on from Windows XP until I absolutely have to. Vista adds nothing that will benefit me (and great deal that will do the opposite) and the way things are going Windows 7 will be even worse in the pros/cons balance. Anyway 2010 will probably be too soon.

I am going to have to start thinking about Linux as an alternative in the medium term.

Who knows maybe Jobs & Co. will see the light and make MacOS available to PC users - then I might be tempted, but I don't want to get locking into Apple hardware (or prices).

4508

General Software Discussion / Re: WOW - Zoner 90% discount on all titles ... this is VERY good value ...

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 22, 2007, 01:25 PM »

Panorama Maker is redundant if you have Studio Pro as it is fully incorporated.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Real time video mixer software needed

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 22, 2007, 07:05 AM »

Not sure what is around for free - but generally you seem to get what you pay for in the video world.

One program that can do all you require very well and easily (and isn't ridiculously expensive) is Sony Vegas Movie Studio ($80) which is the cut down home user version of the full blown Vegas software. Note that it also includes DVD Architect studio which is excellent DVD Authoring software (the home version of the full DVD Architect).

There is a trial download here

There is also a platinum version. See the product comparison page here

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General Software Discussion / Re: TechSmith release Jing (free at the moment)

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 20, 2007, 06:34 AM »

OK - hadn't seen that page but when I look at my account on www.screencast.com it shows this:

which is a bit confusing if you haven't read the FAQ page.

Anyway it is clear where they are likely to be heading with this - neat free app to suck you into a subscription service.

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General Software Discussion / Re: WOW - Zoner 90% discount on all titles ... this is VERY good value ...

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 20, 2007, 05:55 AM »

Just bumping this to remind people to take a look.

Photo Studio Pro 9 is quite nice as a photo organiser/editor and has built in simple panorama software. It also deals nicely with RAW images.

I also decided to give their Draw program ago (at <£3 it seemed worth buying without even trying!). It looks quite neat and does a lot - definitely worth a trial download if you are interested in vector graphics.

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General Software Discussion / Re: TechSmith release Jing (free at the moment)

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 20, 2007, 05:41 AM »

Seems to work for me now - I have to say I think it is really neat and quick.

OK you haven't got all the thrills (and spills) of SnagIt or Camtasia but it is a really easy, quick and dirty way to share screen grabs and video (including system audio) in Flash format.

Ah - just discovered the catches ...

1) Graphics are restricted PNG format
2) Video is restricted to SWF format - and there are apparently no controls you can set other than the region of the screen to capture.
3) They want your money ... (surprise, surprise). Jing may be free but it only interacts with Screencast which isn't! When you sign up you get a 'trial account' which expires in 60 days after that there are charges to pay:



Having said that it could be very useful here as you can post SWF files - so if you want to include a little video to illustrate a problem it is ideal!

4513

Word Processor Roundup / Re: Writing Software

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 19, 2007, 04:47 PM »

Aside ... how to do fancy URLS

If you want URLs to appear just type them thus: http://www.test.com and it will automatically be recognised as a URL

If you want to be a bit fancier you can use the "Insert hyperlink" button in the message editor. It will pop up a bit of code with URL and /URL in square brackets [ and  ]. To get a fancy link like this: test the easiest way is to type the word 'test' (the link text), highlight it with the mouse and then click the 'insert hyperlink' button and the following will be inserted into your message:

[Select]

[url]test[/url]

Now before the first ] type = followed by the URL so it looks like:

[Select]

[url=http://www.test.com]test[/url]

and that is it.

References to 'code' can be ignored, they are just there to force the forum to display the BBCode tags rather than use them to display URLs etc.

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General Software Discussion / WOW - Zoner 90% discount on all titles ... this is VERY good value ...

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 19, 2007, 10:53 AM »

Check out Zoner's summer sale -- currently 90% discount, but it decreases by 20% each week.

That makes Zoner Photo Studio 9 Professional £4.64 (UKP), ie. about $8.95 US.

It is a useful suite to have knowcking about - give it a trial and buy quick to take advantage of this price.

Go to www.zoner.com for details

4515

General Software Discussion / Re: TechSmith release Jing (free at the moment)

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 18, 2007, 09:19 AM »

No I can't test it out ('cos I can't get it to run on my system) but it seems to be an app that allows you to capture regions of the screen as stills and movie sequences and then upload them to blogs or IM them to friends.

Check out the blog for more info:

http://blog.jingproj...ht=385&width=505

(just click the video)

It looks a bit like a cross between SnagIt, Camtasia and the FlickR website (except they use screencast.com)

Basically you capture the bits you want from the screen and then Jing uploads it to Screencast and gives you a link to share via IM or email etc. Looks quite neat.

For once there are multiplatform versions too.

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General Software Discussion / Re: TechSmith release Jing (free at the moment)

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 18, 2007, 05:11 AM »

Hmmm ... tried installing this and all I get is "Jing has encountered an error and must exit !"

Tried repairing the installation and reinstalling but no luck.

Anyone else having problems?

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General Software Discussion / TechSmith release Jing (free at the moment)

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 18, 2007, 04:48 AM »

This looks an interesting idea from TechSmith - I am downloading as I type so I haven't tried it yet.

Here is the email I received from them:

You can download the app for free from:

http://www.jingproject.com/

and there is a blog by the developers at:

http://blog.jingproject.com/

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General Software Discussion / Re: Best jukebox that is NOT iTunes?

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 16, 2007, 07:46 PM »

I bought a Creative ZEN and installed Creative MediaSource Player on my laptop.  Immediately I experienced the worst crash I've ever experienced.  Thank goodness for XP's rollback feature.

Since the crash, I've been at a loss about how to proceed with the ZEN.  Any ideas?

BTW, I've reviewed relevant threads here and have downloaded mp3tagr and XMplay, which I'll install momentarily.  So much for my other projects today...

-TomColvin (July 15, 2007, 05:50 PM)

I know it isn't helpful but I have never had a problem with the Creative Zen software package - it even auto updates from their website like Windows Update (except that you have to visit).

If you don't want to use the Creative software you don't have to - Zen Players (with Play for sure firmware installed) work fine in Windows Media Player 10 and 11. If you connect the player and open WMP you should find it under the Sync tab. If you don't check the firmware installed in the player and see if there is an updated version available at Creative's website.

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General Software Discussion / Re: MS-OOXML Fails to Gain Approval in US

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 16, 2007, 11:07 AM »

Isn't ISO a French organisation - I thought ANSI was the US equivalent?

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General Software Discussion / Re: Text Maker Software

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 14, 2007, 02:11 PM »

Very widespread - you even get £1 (UK) = $1 (US) at times which is even worse.

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General Software Discussion / Re: old software + dual core = ???

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 14, 2007, 02:06 PM »

If an app does have problems why not simply limit it to one core? Just change affinity in Task Manager by right clicking on the process.

4522

Living Room / Re: By the time you read this, Internet Radio will be dead

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 13, 2007, 08:19 AM »

What is required is a 'real' radio and TV response banning all new songs from broadcast. If that were allied with DRMed music distributors refusing to take new releases ...

If they don't get new tracks aired they can't promote/sell them and would soon climb down.

4523

Living Room / Re: Flash game/fun: The Cadaver Calculator

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 13, 2007, 04:47 AM »

$5275

Where do I sign up - I need to pay off my credit cards ... and they can't get a pound of flesh once I am 'distributed'

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General Software Discussion / Re: "XPLinux" Running Windows XP and Kubuntu on one joint desktop

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 11, 2007, 12:33 PM »

VMware is the way to go if possible. Version 6 works great.

-zridling (July 11, 2007, 10:32 AM)

Is there much advantage upgrading from VMWare Workstation version 5.5 to version 6?

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General Software Discussion / Re: "XPLinux" Running Windows XP and Kubuntu on one joint desktop

« Last post by Carol Haynes on July 11, 2007, 09:17 AM »

Thanks for those links Zaine, but I am more interested in how to run Linux and Windows concurrently on the same desktop.

I know how to set up a dual booting system (I have done it many times before) but it isn't an option for me in this case as I can't get Linux in native mode to behave with my WiFi hardware.