Recent Posts

551

General Software Discussion / Re: web clipping

« Last post by cyberdiva on June 07, 2011, 07:47 AM »

I use CintaNotes for fast clips of short bits of text because it is so fast and convenient. For larger articles and stuff that includes images and formatting I use Surfulater.

-Jibz (June 07, 2011, 03:12 AM)

I use Surfulater for everything, even the small things I used to put in CintaNotes and several similar programs.  The main reason I didn't respond to suggest Surfulater is that the O.P. seemed to be looking for something that would work well with Opera.  Surfulater used to be able to do so, thanks to some instructions in Surfulater's old forum.  However, as far as I can tell, those instructions no longer work with Opera 11.11 (the current version).  According to some messages in the Opera forum, the problem began with Opera 11.01.  It's a pity, because Surfulater is a terrific (though admittedly rather pricey) program.

552

General Software Discussion / Re: Goodbye OpenOffice, Hello LibreOffice

« Last post by cyberdiva on June 04, 2011, 09:42 AM »

I actually prefer using SoftMaker's wordprocessor TextMaker over Word on older laptops or PCs without much RAM.

 

-40hz (June 03, 2011, 09:33 PM)

I prefer SoftMaker's TextMaker over Word, period.    I had the free SoftMaker 2008 on an old, slow desktop running WinXP Pro, and I now have SoftMaker 2010 on my Toshiba netbook and my new, fast Dell XPS 8300 desktop. (At some point SoftMaker made me an offer I couldn't refuse and I upgraded to the 2010 version.)  I've been very pleased.  Admittedly, much of the time I use a text editor (UltraEdit) rather than a program like TextMaker or Word, so my needs may not be as complex as those of some people who use Word all the time, but I've found that TextMaker2010 meets my needs very well with less bulk and a lower price than Word.

553

Living Room / Re: Microsoft unveils new UI prototype - Windows 8?

« Last post by cyberdiva on June 01, 2011, 08:43 PM »

Looks like a cool interface for a wall mounted art display or a pad-based infotainment device.. and a painfully horrid general interface for an operating system.

-mouser (June 01, 2011, 07:55 PM)

Yes!  I totally agree.  I can't imagine wanting to move to Windows 8.

554

Living Room / Re: General Poll: What should there be more of on DonationCoder?

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 28, 2011, 10:10 AM »

I didn't vote.  I like the site as it is.  Sure, it would be nice to have, say, more software reviews, but they're quite time-consuming, and since I'm not willing to write one, I don't think I should ask that others do more than they're already doing.  I had similar feelings about most of the other options as well.  The site already offers a lot that meets many different people's needs.  I'm happy with it as it is. 

555

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Download SoftMaker Office 2008 for free, and SoftMaker donates money!

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 23, 2011, 06:11 PM »

I thought I'd mention that a year or so ago, I installed SoftMaker Office 2008 when they were giving it away for a limited period.  I liked it quite a bit and stopped using Microsoft Office.  In July 2010, I got an email from SoftMaker telling me that as a registered user of an older "free version," I was being invited to upgrade to SoftMaker 2010 for €29.95 or US $34.95.  Moreover, for a few days they were offering an extra 15% Soccer World Cup discount on the already discounted price.  So I wound up buying SoftMaker 2010 for $29.71.  I've been very happy with it. 

I mention this because it's quite possible that the company will again make special offers to registered users of SoftMaker 2008. If they do, you may be able to upgrade to SoftMaker 2010 for a lot less than the current upgrade price.  Also, if you are a student or teacher, you don't have to wait for a special offer; the company's academic price is €29.95 or US $34.95.   I don't know whether that price includes the VAT.

556

General Software Discussion / Re: Anyone using Silverlight?

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 16, 2011, 06:47 PM »

what's the general consensus on Silverlight? Also, your take on Adobe Air...

-nosh (January 27, 2008, 01:42 AM)

I've never used Silverlight, as far as I know, but I did briefly use Adobe Air.  Someone asked me to give him feedback on a language-learning program he had developed, and it required Adobe Air.  All I remember now is that the EULA for Adobe Air troubled me.  IIRC, it had me waiving all kinds of rights to privacy, etc.  As soon as I had put his program through its paces, I uninstalled both the program and Adobe Air.

557

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: 50 licenses for Novapdf professional giveaway

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 13, 2011, 08:44 AM »

I clicked on your link to view your YouTube video, and I watched the video all the way through, but the number recorded remained at 32.  Did I have to have an account and log in first?  If so, sorry.  I don't have an account.

558

Living Room / Re: My own posts showing up in Unread Posts - Am I the only one experiencing this?

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 11, 2011, 07:28 AM »

I too generally use only Unread Posts to see what's new since the last time I looked.  But I don't recall seeing my posts show up there.

559

Living Room / Re: The internet in 1990 -- holy smokes!

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 03, 2011, 03:20 PM »

1990?  Where did all those graphics come from?  My screen was text only for several more years.

560

Living Room / Re: Nifty Gmail feature

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 03, 2011, 07:35 AM »

Yes, it's very useful.  My email client, Mulberry, has had it as an option for many years.

561

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 10

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 02, 2011, 04:12 PM »

Last night, I sent an email message to the company asking how long the 40% discount offer will last.

-cyberdiva (May 02, 2011, 03:14 PM)

Jeez - what's up with the following a rational, logical way to get an answer to this?  Now we can't speculate wildly.

-mwb1100 (May 02, 2011, 03:18 PM)

Of course we can!  When have we ever let mere facts stand in our way? 

562

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 10

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 02, 2011, 03:14 PM »

I don't know exactly how long the 40% offer will exist for but I'd be surprised if it was only for two weeks. A lot of people won't even realise Opus 10 is out in that amount of time.

-Nudel (May 02, 2011, 10:39 AM)

Last night, I sent an email message to the company asking how long the 40% discount offer will last.  I got back a very prompt and pleasant response telling me that it would last for 6 months. 

563

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Free WinX DVD Copy Pro Apr.23 to Apr.25

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 26, 2011, 02:42 PM »

Not that I ever put much faith in 'Facebook opinion' to begin with.

But seriously, if that offer is still running, it's a very good deal.

-40hz (April 26, 2011, 11:28 AM)

Except perhaps for those of us who want nothing to do with Facebook 

564

Living Room / Re: Karen Kenworthy RIP

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 26, 2011, 11:16 AM »

Yes, I too received the letter that her brother sent out.  I was stunned and saddened.

565

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Babylon discount

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 24, 2011, 05:31 PM »

Shades, thanks VERY much for the tip and instructions about Cameyo.  Certainly if the virtual XP option is a resource hog, it wouldn't be acceptable for my needs, at least not for Babylon, which I use very frequently.  Hence,  I'll definitely keep Cameyo in mind as a possible solution if I can't get Babylon 6 to work on Windows 7 64-bit.   

566

Living Room / Re: Happy Birthday Renegade!

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 23, 2011, 09:19 PM »

I am now 4.

-Renegade (April 22, 2011, 11:17 PM)

we're all getting there!

-lanux128 (April 22, 2011, 11:24 PM)

Some of us have already been there. 

Hope you have a happy birthday and many more. 

567

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Babylon discount

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 22, 2011, 07:53 PM »

Thanks, Curt, for this information.  I can see how it could be very useful, but probably less so for me.  Much of the time, the words I'm looking for aren't in my browser but elsewhere.  Also, from what I could tell from the web page link you provided, the add-on uses Babylon's dictionaries, whereas what I find most useful for me are the much more extensive listings offered by the Vox Spanish/English dictionary that I bought as an extra when I purchased Babylon.  The Vox gives me a much better sense of the many ways in which a word is used, as well as an impressive listing of expressions using the word.  I haven't found any other dictionary that I like as much, which is why I'm hoping to be able to continue with Babylon on my new (and as yet undelivered) computer.

568

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Babylon discount

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 22, 2011, 01:33 PM »

Thanks, Curt, for your reply and for all the interesting information about Babylon Pro.  As far as I can tell, there's no reason for me to upgrade from Babylon 6 to to Babylon 9 (or any other version) unless Babylon 6 won't work with the new computer I've ordered, which runs Windows 7 64-bit.  I think I'll give it a try before even contacting Babylon.  My experience with their customer support has been very mixed, and I share your distrust of what they say.  That's why I don't even think I'll bother to ask them whether version 6 will work on Windows 7 64-bit. 

Of course, if the upgrade price were more reasonable, I might not be so reluctant to upgrade (though there's still the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" consideration).  But apparently it will cost me at least $71 to upgrade, and perhaps more if they're going to charge me extra AGAIN for the Vox Advanced Dictionary Eng-Spa-Eng, which I paid extra for when I bought Babylon back in 2006.  Even with the extra, the total then came to $63.50 (for my new copy, not an upgrade).  It bugs me that they now want $71 (or more) just to upgrade.

I LOVE my version of Babylon Pro, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed (though that makes typing rather difficulty    ). 

569

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Babylon discount

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 22, 2011, 10:17 AM »

-my "love" for Babylon has been cooling down ever since version 5 or 6 - I just haven't found anything better (and I have several of the kind). One problem regarding Babylon is that they launch major upgrades just as often as Ashampoo!! This year is no exception: After 11 months with Babylon 8, Babylon version 9 is ready. And bloody expensive it is. Well, kind of; it's a Lifetime license, (or Monthly Subscription: $9.7). At least this will be the last upgrade needed, but man, the upgrade is $71 !! Bundled with the Oxford Dictionary + Thesaurus set it is "merely" $77 , which may be okay for a lifetime license, I guess. Normal full prices are $118 (or $128 incl Oxford). But as I said, it is a lifetime license, so in theory this should be the last upgrade needed...

-Curt (March 23, 2007, 11:55 AM)

Hi, Curt.  I came back to this thread thanks to your current message about Babylon not working with Firefox 4.    This is very distressing news to me, though presumably they're working on a fix?    At any rate, I'm curious about what you've said above.  I LOVE Babylon--version 6 has been immensely helpful to me as a resource for Spanish/English translation.  But I don't understand what you mean by a lifetime license.  Do you mean that each upgrade will be free if you have a lifetime license?  That's normally what I think of, but you then said "so in theory this should be the last upgrade needed..."  Do you mean the last upgrade you'll have to pay for, or is Babylon not planning ever to upgrade again?

I've been concerned about whether Babylon 6 will work on Windows 7 64-bit (I've just ordered a new computer), but now I see there are issues even with version 9.  Hmmm....  I don't think I have any need for version 9 if version 6 will work on Windows 7 64-bit.   Do you or anyone else know about whether version 6 OR version 9 will work on Windows 7 64-bit? 

570

Site/Forum Features / Re: I think we should close the Company Complaints and Compliments Section

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 21, 2011, 04:17 PM »

Yeah thats why i say lets just so away with that special section -- whether its dedicated to compliments or complaints or both, it just attracts spam and animosity.  and while there is definitely some good that come out of warning people about bad practices or praising good ones -- we don't have the resources or temperament to do the objective behind the scenes work to verify claims that would make such a section truly valuable and trusted.

-mouser (April 21, 2011, 03:38 PM)

Mouser, I think I agree with your arguments for closing down the section.  However, I doubt that closing it down will end the uncivil exchanges of messages that have taken place recently both in that section and in at least one other.  I think the problem (at least the current one) has more to do with one software developer who goes on the offensive whenever his company's software is mentioned in anything less than glowing terms.  He is relentless, apparently feeling some obsessive need to respond over and over and over again.  His extreme defensiveness makes it hard to have a civil, productive discussion of his software.

571

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PhraseExpress v8, Pro Edition, on BdJ, Tuesday 12 April, 2011

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 16, 2011, 11:44 PM »

I fully understand that start-up time can still be an issue for some people these days. What I cannot understand is how anyone can want to run a program like PE without having it start with Windows? The whole point of the program is to have it there all the time so you can use text replacement in all programs.

-johnk (April 16, 2011, 08:25 PM)

I usually don't need to do text replacement as soon as Windows starts.  Indeed, there are plenty of things that I do on the computer that don't involve text replacement--e.g., reading my RSS feeds, listening to podcasts, working on my websites, writing in other languages, tweaking my sieve scripts, using photo-editing software, watching videos, etc.   Even when I write, I often make so many changes that I find it easier not to use text replacement software.  And with PE I had the added problem of its trying--and failing--to predict what I wanted to say.  That was one reason I eventually stopped using it.

I do find these kinds of programs very useful, but I probably use them in a more limited way than you do.

572

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PhraseExpress v8, Pro Edition, on BdJ, Tuesday 12 April, 2011

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 16, 2011, 06:40 PM »

Of course you want a program like PE to start with Windows, otherwise it loses its purpose. And unless a progam is badly written and takes up 100s of MB of disk space or RAM, I don't care about those details. Those are Windows 95 debates.

-johnk (April 16, 2011, 01:35 PM)

I wish it were the case that concern with startup time was no longer an issue, but I'm afraid it's still very much a concern for me.  I've tried Phrase Express and have also used several programs similar to PE, and I haven't seen a need for any of them to be in my start-up menu.  My computer (which runs WinXP Pro SP3) has very sluggish startup time.  I thus try to keep to a minimum the number of programs that start with Windows.   Judging from the excitement generated by Soluto last year, I'm not the only one eager to reduce the number of programs that start with Windows. 

(FWIW, I didn't find Soluto to be an effective answer to the problem.)

573

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PhraseExpress v8, Pro Edition, on BdJ, Tuesday 12 April, 2011

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 16, 2011, 06:20 PM »

I read through the review, and I feel that they do have some valid points, but a lot of their negative comments seem excessive and repetitive.

-cthorpe (April 16, 2011, 11:04 AM)

As far as the repetition goes, that may be the down side of having six people each writing an independent review.  But I've also often found value in the repetition.  If just one person complains about something, I might dismiss his complaint as idiosyncratic, but if four people have the same complaint, I'm likely to take it more seriously.
 

For example, they harp on the fact that PE autostarts with Windows constantly throughout the review.  In addition, they have inserted responses from the developer throughout their review, but did not take his responses into account and edit their review in any way.

Well, as someone who tries to have as few programs in my startup menu as possible and hates it when a program puts itself there without at least asking me if I want it there, I'm very sympathetic when other people have this complaint. 

I've read the NNT software reviews for a number of years and have bought some programs thanks to their recommendations.  I applaud NNT's practice of giving the software company the opportunity to comment on the review and having the company's comments included with the review.

Other complaints seem downright silly ("One needs also be aware that while it is only a 3.7MB download, it requires 8.3MB of space on the hard drive").

I agree with you.

The conclusion reached by most of the members of the NNT panel is that they will not continue using the program as they do not have a use for it.  It left me wondering why they would spend so much time and energy reviewing a program and being so "nitpicky" if they aren't the target audience in the first place.

When I read reviews on the NNT website or in various computer magazines, I assume that the reviewers write reviews of programs that other people might want to know about, not necessarily the programs the reviewers themselves need or want.  In the case of the NNT review of Phrase Express, three of the six reviewers simply flat-out said no, they wouldn't continue to use it.  And several of the NNT reviewers said they wouldn't continue to use it because they had a program that they thought was better.  That's quite different from saying they had no use for PE. 

574

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PhraseExpress v8, Pro Edition, on BdJ, Tuesday 12 April, 2011

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 16, 2011, 05:40 PM »

^ OT... but do you have a subscription to neat net tricks premium?  I was wondering what the differences were, as this seems like a pretty cool site!  It's already turned me on to a new program to try.

-wraith808 (April 16, 2011, 10:31 AM)

Hi, Wraith.  Yes, I've had a subscription to NNT Premium for a number of years.  When you ask about the differences, do you mean differences between it and the current free version of the newsletter?  (I say "current free version" because what is now NNT Premium started out as a free newsletter, IIRC.)  I think that, on the whole, the Premium version presents somewhat more interesting software, and it also usually includes one or more interesting short articles or editorials.   

575

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PhraseExpress v8, Pro Edition, on BdJ, Tuesday 12 April, 2011

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 16, 2011, 09:49 AM »

Though I probably should have posted this before the Bits du Jour offer expired, I think it might still be useful to mention that last year, the Neat Net Tricks software review panel reviewed the $139.95 version of Phrase Express.  Six panel members submitted their reports, which were in general rather negative.  Their review (with responding comments by the software developer) can be found at http://www.neatnettricks.com/?http://www.neatnettricks.com/SoftwareReviews/2010/review_Phrase-Express-Pro.html.