Recent Posts

4901

General Software Discussion / Re: What the Heck is Happening to Windows? Article on Windows 8 Disaster

« Last post by wraith808 on March 18, 2014, 09:09 PM »

They're actually going in the reverse of what you said- WinRT is destined for the bin.  Which was one of the main reasons that I sold my tablet.  I can't have confidence in it if they don't.  I got bitten by that twice before with MS, and just as I was ready to give them another try...

...that said, after using iOS, it does still feel in its nacency to me.  When I was returning it to factory, the screen would only go portrait, though all of the dialogs were wider than that, and you couldn't adjust at all.

They're a company trying to do everything, and succeeding a little when it comes to mobile devices IMO.

4902

Living Room / Re: OneNote now on Mac as well, +FREE everywhere, + Cloud service powered.

« Last post by wraith808 on March 18, 2014, 09:07 PM »

Given that evernote desktop is a fraction of that size, I'm not sure that I'm even going to try it on the computers that don't have it.  That's just way too much space for what it does.

4903

Living Room / Re: Against TED talks

« Last post by wraith808 on March 18, 2014, 05:47 PM »

so TED does something other than facilitate public forums on random topics?

then there's a certain irony in the latest (?) presentation

Daniel Reisel studies the brains of criminal psychopaths (and mice). And he asks a big question: Instead of warehousing these criminals, shouldn’t we be using what we know about the brain to help them rehabilitate? Put another way: If the brain can grow new neural pathways after an injury … could we help the brain re-grow morality?

-Target (March 18, 2014, 05:20 PM)

If they don't, then why does it cost $6K-8.5K to attend?  Where does that money go?  That's a *lot* of money to think that they only "facilitate public forums on random topics".

4904

Living Room / Re: Against TED talks

« Last post by wraith808 on March 18, 2014, 03:43 PM »

I don't think it's towards the speakers if I'm reading right. It's towards the aims of TED as an organization.  And Ren's not the only one to question on that front.  It's quite valid in the case of these things to question the motives of the organizer.

A friend organized several user groups in several different locations- he'd get them going, and then turn them over.  Was it just for the good of the area?  No- it was because his one payment for doing so was that he was able to always get right of first refusal to introduce a speaker.  So in the end, it was to raise his capital.  Not a bad thing- but definitely an ulterior motive.

Is the organization sponsoring these talks out of a philanthropic gesture?  Or is there something else behind it?

That's a valid question to ask- especially as any organization gets actual power...

4905

Living Room / Re: OneNote now on Mac as well, +FREE everywhere, + Cloud service powered.

« Last post by wraith808 on March 18, 2014, 03:35 PM »

For example (comment at OutlinerSoftware.com):

OneNote for Mac on the horizon...
Posted by Alexander Deliyannis
Mar 18, 2014 at 01:35 PM

Stephen Zeoli wrote:
>However, it causes me to worry that
>innovative apps like Outline and MagicalPad are just going to die out
>because they can’t compete with Microsoft—especially if OneNote is
>free everywhere.

I agree, this is called unfair competition in my book.

-IainB (March 18, 2014, 10:07 AM)

The funny thing about this comment is that Outline uses OneNote- it was just to get an editing platform on iOS.

4906

Living Room / Re: What happens when Hollywood gets involved with a Kickstarter

« Last post by wraith808 on March 18, 2014, 01:08 PM »

And iTunes is as rabid about DRM and proprietary platforms as the studios are.

-40hz (March 18, 2014, 01:01 PM)

On some things (and movies are one of those things, as far as I can see).  But on others, they've loosened the reins.  I'm actually able to buy music from iTunes now and get the non-DRM'd versions, so that's a win for me.

4907

Living Room / Re: What happens when Hollywood gets involved with a Kickstarter

« Last post by wraith808 on March 17, 2014, 08:12 PM »

* wraith808 raises hand

Not one of the surprised, but one of the backers.  I thought that perhaps since it wasn't a major motion picture release, and most of what they were putting up was PR and distribution, it might slip by.

silly me.

but...

If Veronica Mars proves to be the thing that finally bring down Flixster and Ultraviolet, it will officially be the most successful Kickstarter campaign yet.

...and another gem...

Hanlon's razor at work?

“I will not be supporting anything VMars related in the future, and may never support a similar Kickstarter project again.”

Given the studios really hate services like Kickstarter for providing creators means of funding that doesn't require them to sign all of their rights over, I have to wonder if part of what drove this latest disaster was an attempt at poisoning the well for other creators looking to get funding for their films, funding which, being crowdsourced, wouldn't come with tons of 'strings' other than 'provide backers, and others, with film when finished'.

A few bait-and-switch 'projects' like this, and you'd likely have a whole bunch of people swearing off movie/film kickstarter projects altogether(although a smarter move would be to do the same, but limit it to just studio-based projects).

It's either that, or just another indication that the major studios and those that run them are just as brain dead, and full of contempt for their 'customers' as ever I suppose.

... and a laugh...

I love Ultraviolet, at least when included with Blu-ray combo packs. This means I get a Blu-ray copy for myself, a DVD copy to give to someone I like, and an Ultraviolet code to give to someone I secretly loathe. It looks like I'm giving them a gift, but they have to deal with Ultraviolet digital copies. I will never use an Ultraviolet code myself.

Personally, the only reason I use it is because my TV and blu-ray player support it.  I'd never install that PoC on my computer...

4908

General Software Discussion / Re: OneNote is now free

« Last post by wraith808 on March 17, 2014, 07:45 PM »

So, is this an Evernote-killer or is it too late or not enough for that?

-mwb1100 (March 17, 2014, 04:41 PM)

Don't know if it is or not.  Onenote is more flexible in my opinion; not being able to access it where ever I was was the big reason I've used Evernote for so long.

4909

Living Room / Re: Against TED talks

« Last post by wraith808 on March 17, 2014, 11:19 AM »

I think with TED, there's the best of intent on some levels.

... but I think that there's a quote that talks about that from someone much more sage than I.

"L'enfer est plein de bonnes volontés et désirs"
-  Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

4910

Living Room / Re: Knight to queen's bishop 3 - Snowden charged with espionage.

« Last post by wraith808 on March 14, 2014, 04:59 PM »

^ I think he meant the invasion as in the alien invasion of Earth.

4911

General Software Discussion / Re: jv16 PowerTools - using Indiegogo to 'fund'' open-sourcing it

« Last post by wraith808 on March 14, 2014, 01:41 PM »

Maybe they set the goal so high because they dont want to reach it?

-tomos (March 14, 2014, 03:24 AM)

I hope not. Because I'd consider that an attempt to game or co-opt the system - much like Canonical's ludicrous $32 million IndieGoGo campaign for the Ubuntu Edge smartphone was.

Although Kickstarter often gets criticized for how strict and arbitrary its rules sometimes seem, at least it make it tougher for less than ethical people to play games with it.

-40hz (March 14, 2014, 03:55 AM)

And that's the reason I don't back flexible funding projects.

4912

Living Room / Re: Cute jokes' thread

« Last post by wraith808 on March 14, 2014, 01:40 PM »

^ From http://www.hitfix.co...se-faith-in-humanity

Another funny one:

Name something you really can take with you if you have a big enough casket.

A Pet.

You're dead, so you're going to kill your pet because you didn't make it?

4913

General Software Discussion / Re: jv16 PowerTools - using Indiegogo to 'fund'' open-sourcing it

« Last post by wraith808 on March 13, 2014, 08:29 PM »

But be aware!  This crowdsource fundraiser will immediately charge you for a pledge, even if the goal is never met.  I'm not very experienced with these things, but it was my understanding that the usual rule was that pledges didn't get charged unless the goal was met.

-mwb1100 (March 12, 2014, 10:40 PM)

Good point! But it's important to note that that's primarily Kickstarter's rule. And since Kickstarter was the earliest and most successful crowdfunding aggregator, it has (mostly) become the norm for crowdfunding in general. But it's not a legal requirement.

Different aggregators can adopt whatever rules they want. And those rules can be expanded (i.e. made "flexible") or change with little notice. So it's always good to read the fine print - as many an unsuccessful Kickstarter project learned to its dismay when it discovered it was still on the hook for the percentage Kickstarter charges to host a campaign. Because Kickstarter is a business - not a public service. It gets its fee regardless of your campaign's success or failure.

-40hz (March 13, 2014, 06:18 AM)

With Indiegogo, they have a couple of different ways of setting up your project.  The traditional Kickstarter manner is called Fixed Funding.  But this particular campaign is under Flexible Funding.  Right under the donate button on any project on indiegogo, it will tell you the manner of funding.

CONTRIBUTE NOW ▶
Flexible Funding
This campaign will receive all funds raised even if it does not reach its goal. Funding duration: January 22, 2014 - March 23, 2014 (11:59pm PT).

Unless it's something that I don't really care about- like charity, which Kickstarter doesn't let you do so a lot of those end up here- I wouldn't pledge to a flexible funding campaign.  It shows that they don't have the confidence to really run their campaign- they're just trying to get money.  And I have no faith that the afterwards won't end up the same way.  In this case, because of the way the rewards are set up, I think it's valid.  But in most cases, I stay away.

4914

Living Room / Re: Does anyone here use Bitcoins?

« Last post by wraith808 on March 13, 2014, 12:13 AM »

Bitcoin is not a unit of account as no price of goods and services is set in Bitcoin unit nor it ever will.

Wrong.  There are several legitimate businesses that accept it as a form of tender.  And there are more than a few that accept only bitcoin.

And given its volatility all who accept it convert it right back into $/€/¥

That's patently incorrect.

And it isn't safe given hacking of it.

Repeat after me.  Bitcoin has not been hacked.  There have been no instances of Bitcoin itself being hacked.  The exchanges and markets have been hacked, yes.  But that's a problem for people who didn't store their funds safely.  It's like saying that the dollar isn't safe because some people had their funds stolen from/by an investment firm.

I'm not a bitcoin apologist.  As with any currency it has upsides and downsides.  You have to make a risk assessment and go in with your blinders off.  But I hate so called experts spreading FUD with a stamp of their expertise.  I hate that on anything, truth be told.

Deal in the unadulterated facts, and if you don't know the facts and aren't willing to do research on it, then you aren't qualified to weigh in.

4915

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by wraith808 on March 11, 2014, 03:44 PM »

So it's fair that they gave you your own money back?

4916

DC Gamer Club / Re: GoG and Regional Pricing

« Last post by wraith808 on March 11, 2014, 12:23 PM »

Not all around.  But it does satisfy the squeaky wheel.

4917

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by wraith808 on March 11, 2014, 12:20 PM »

To which one reply is ...
"... And you think they'd come out correctly and fairly?!"

Shades of 1776!

-TaoPhoenix (March 11, 2014, 10:10 AM)

To which another reply is "where does fair come into it even now?"

4918

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 11 Released!

« Last post by wraith808 on March 09, 2014, 11:57 AM »

I wonder when they added that.  As I said, I have 9, don't have it blocked from the internet, and don't see any access like this.  Unless it's so infrequent that I just missed it.

4919

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 11 Released!

« Last post by wraith808 on March 08, 2014, 03:57 PM »

Right.  I don't call that "phoning home".  I call that "checking for news and product updates".  Especially since you can easily disable it.

-wraith808 (March 08, 2014, 11:04 AM)

I know the difference between checking for updates and phoning home and I'm here to tell you that the program indeed does phone home. Yes, if you have "checking for news and and product updates" enabled, it will happily check a server located at si-sv2378.com which is a is registered to a company called Server Intellect. They are a webhosting company and where DOpus downloads news & updates from. Turn off the setting in preferences and this server will not be contacted again.

However, regardless whether or not you have that setting enabled, every so often Directory Opus will reach out to a server located at cbf02m01-in-fl121.1e100.net. It appears e100.net is registered to a company called MarkMonitor.com. Browsing there it seems to be a company devoted to brand protection and fighting piracy. Directory Opus phones home there to check for blacklisted serials and such and if relevant information is found then appropriate action is taken.

So I will say again, Directory Opus does phone home regardless of what the user has set in preferences. This behavior may have changed since the release of v11, but this was what occurred with v10.

I would not have stated

-Innuendo (March 08, 2014, 02:18 PM)

I meant no offense.  I've not noticed the same behaviour.  I have version 9, so perhaps there's a difference in versions.  But I run all of my requests through OpenDNS, and searched through my logs and see no mention of that particular domain.

4920

Living Room / Re: Recommend some music videos to me!

« Last post by wraith808 on March 08, 2014, 02:19 PM »

4921

Living Room / Re: usa job stats

« Last post by wraith808 on March 08, 2014, 12:34 PM »

Have you searched on a search engine?  You might also look at the Jobs site.

4922

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 11 Released!

« Last post by wraith808 on March 08, 2014, 11:04 AM »

If "check for news and product updates" is enabled it "phones home" to check that once a week (or whatever your setting says).
You can disable it if you want to.

-myarmor (March 08, 2014, 10:03 AM)

Right.  I don't call that "phoning home".  I call that "checking for news and product updates".  Especially since you can easily disable it.

4923

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 11 Released!

« Last post by wraith808 on March 07, 2014, 07:27 PM »

In general, if they have de-registration and such, I agree.  DO is actually pretty easy to move and I've done it several times.  It doesn't deal with machine footprints and calling home, which is the part I hate.

4924

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 11 Released!

« Last post by wraith808 on March 07, 2014, 12:23 PM »

Also, if you can't compare a file manager to other file managers, what is the point then?

-Jibz (March 07, 2014, 10:30 AM)

You *can* compare a file manager to other file managers.  It's just that comparing them *only* based on price is faulty reasoning, IMO.  If I compare a Fiat to a Lamborghini based only on price, the Fiat is going to win all the time.  Not saying that the difference between the software is that extreme- just stating that for an analogy.

4925

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 11 Released!

« Last post by wraith808 on March 07, 2014, 09:52 AM »

An interesting comparison, but are all these prices in the same currency?  I know that DOpus's prices are in Australian dollars, but I don't know about the others.  For an accurate comparison, they should all be in (or converted to) the same currency.

-cyberdiva (March 07, 2014, 09:06 AM)

Agreed.  And I really don't think you can compare one SW package to another solely on pricing- the benefit for you really weighs into the decision to buy at any price for a lot of people.