Recent Posts

5601

General Software Discussion / Re: The Fifth Element: back to basic?

« Last post by Curt on June 20, 2008, 07:21 PM »

I must say that my impression is less impressed... but I cannot be certain if all the malfunctioning situations were caused by my unstable PC or by outdated programs. Anyway, I am sure I will not have any of the programs placed in Start, but I will take some more days to see if maybe some part of this package will suit me.

By the way, it is 'an odd bunch'! 

5602

General Software Discussion / Re: Office suite for my mom?

« Last post by Curt on June 20, 2008, 07:10 PM »

 

 

5603

General Software Discussion / Re: How to convert a bootable CD into a bootable Flash USB

« Last post by Curt on June 20, 2008, 06:10 PM »

I am not much of a google master, so I didn't find an answer to you request, but I *think* it may take a lot more than just a conversion. You better STUDY this TechRepublic page.

5604

General Software Discussion / Re: Let go of your bookmarks!

« Last post by Curt on June 20, 2008, 05:27 PM »

The hardest part of using Google is to create just the right search... and I very often fail to do so! So: Hurrah for bookmarks! But of course: To "let go of >some< bookmarks" I quite often email site addresses (to myself) in order to remember to study their content. Right-click > Send Mail > Send. This is almost as fast as bookmarking, but I am a lot more certain that I actually will re-visit the page, this way!

5605

General Software Discussion / Re: WPS: the best replacement of MS Office, free for none-biz

« Last post by Curt on June 20, 2008, 05:15 PM »

- you have to register. As with any other Office pack you will have to give it a/your name as Author before creating your first document, and that is all - that is the registration - they don't even ask for an email address. But you cannot fill out "Organisation", because that will move the license from Private freeware user to company shareware user.

Read also https://www.donation....msg117758#msg117758

5606

Living Room / Re: When you make your 100'th Post

« Last post by Curt on June 20, 2008, 05:06 PM »

cmpm: #400

5607

General Software Discussion / Re: Office suite for my mom?

« Last post by Curt on June 20, 2008, 04:34 PM »

... my mum has been on a diet for years!

-Darwin (June 20, 2008, 11:13 AM)

Women... what can you say?!

---

SoftMaker is running a minor email campaign to make Ashampoo Office users upgrade to Softmaker Office - normally for €34.95, or for U.S. and Canadian customers: US$ 39.95 - but >> As a user of an older version of Ashampoo Office, you can now upgrade to the full SoftMaker Office 2008 for Windows package for the low price of just EUR 24.99 (worldwide) or US$ 27.99 (United States and Canada only) <<

5608

General Software Discussion / Re: Office suite for my mom?

« Last post by Curt on June 20, 2008, 09:19 AM »

Well, Mike, if you re-read the title of this thread, you'll realize that it really isn't important if your PC is on a diet or not, because the Kingsoft application is meant for a mom!! 



I quite often email site addresses (to myself) in order to remember to study their content...

>> Did you email your mom today? <<

5609

General Software Discussion / The Fifth Element: back to basic?

« Last post by Curt on June 20, 2008, 06:29 AM »

http://www.ssuitesoft.com/

Here's one I found some time ago.
Could take a look at it and see if you like it.

-cmpm (June 20, 2008, 05:13 AM)

- so I took a look at it, and, Boy, was I surprised!

This is not high tech design, but you may call it efficient design!

All this in merely 48 MB installed freeware:

http://ssuite5elemen.../thefifthelement.htm

Application's list for the release version of 1.1 of SSuite Office - The Fifth Element:

Personal Productivity Software:
#
WordGraph - { Updated - Now with Document Zoom }
#
Accel - { Updated }
#
Netsurfer - { Galaxy Class II  - Now with Popup / Advertisement Control }
#
My EZMail  - { Updated } Send and Receive - POP3/SMTP
#
PDF Memo Creator
#
WordFormat 2
#
SpreadForm One

Communications:
#
Instant Lan Messenger - { Updated }
#
Instant Lan Scan
#
Instant Lan Chat
#
VOIP PC Phone - LAN and Internet Compatible

Graphical Software:
#
EZDraw
#
EZDraw Photo Editor
#
Quick Photo Album Viewer

Multi-Media:
#
Wave Player - { Updated - Play wave, mp3, and wma files }
#
Wave Recorder
#
CD Wave Ripper - Rip to Wave, MP3 and Ogg Vorbis format's
#
Trinity - { New Application - Ogg Vorbis Music Player with album playlist}
#
Moving Pictures Player - Media Player

General Utilities:
#
Search and Find Desktop Search Engine
#
File Printer - { Updated - Print to any printer on your system - *.prn files }
#
System Information Overview
#
Envelope Printer - { Updated }
#
Clipboard Viewer
#
Address Book
#
IntroChess
#
The Sorting Machine

Security:

    *  Agnot Security Box - { New Application - Secure any file with a password or delete it without a trace }

Desktop Enhancements:
#
Mac Dock for PC - { Updated to Handle more System Utilities }
#
Floating Desktop Clock
#
Floating Recent Documents Viewer - { New Application }

You will not want their clock to be placed in Start, and this auto-hide toolbar simply MUST be made smaller - mind you, this is merely a thumb-nail image, but then again it may be just what the visually impaired would need...:



!! Can you see it?

However, so far I am all in all impressed - again... Now, begin testing!

http://ssuite5elemen.../thefifthelement.htm

5610

General Software Discussion / Re: Let go of your bookmarks!

« Last post by Curt on June 20, 2008, 05:50 AM »

- good points, Jimdoria.

I like the bookmark manager in Firefox 2 combined with:

- 2 Pane Bookmarks 0.4.2008052701
   {FD61379B-066A-4afc-89DE-89FB24D907C2}
   http://piro.sakura.n.../xul/bookmarks2pane/
   Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
   shows the Bookmarks sidebar panel with 2 pane style like 0pera.

 and

- Locate in Bookmark Folders 0.2.5
   {06652CB6-16D0-4e7a-BF2D-E0037A87E57A}
   http://alex.muntean.name/
   Firefox 1.0 - 2.0.0.*
   Locates a bookmark in Bookmarks Manager's folders tree or in the Bookmarks Sidebar, complementing the Bookmark Search feature of Firefox.


But maybe the page doesn't even need to be bookmarked, so I also use:

- Read it Later 0.80
   [email protected]
   http://www.ideashowe...ctive/read-it-later/
   Firefox 1.5 - 2.*
   Save pages to read later, then maybe bookmark.


If it is just a short article or a few quotes, I will mark the lines, and up will pop the context menu, and I will copy to file. This is surprisingly quick, if you use HyperWords:
- Hyperwords 4.0
   {9A752782-D706-479b-98F8-3F66BF921692}
   http://www.hyperwords.net
   Firefox 1.5 - 3.0.*
   Makes every word on the web interactive.

Anyway, the most visited pages all becomes my homepages:

- Speed Dial 0.7.1
   {64161300-e22b-11db-8314-0800200c9a66}
   http://speeddial.uworks.net/
   Firefox 2.0 - 3.0.*
   Direct access to your most visited websites

5611

General Software Discussion / Re: Office suite for my mom?

« Last post by Curt on June 20, 2008, 04:31 AM »

Try Kingsoft Office.. English version.. just released

-rob wood (June 20, 2008, 01:19 AM)

I am not too sure about "just released" (Edited: Sorry, I said that wrong, yes, the English version was probably just released, but to me the program itself bares no sign of having been update for at least half a year), but otherwise I am surprised by the well-known design of Kingsoft Office 6 (2007) - in a good way, that is. This Chinese is sheer MS Office 2003 - also in a good, and updated, way - but with a smaller footprint.



Did this use to be shareware? Just ignore, and click Trial. As with any other Office pack you will a little later have to give it a/your name as Author before creating your first document, and that is all - that is the registration - they don't even ask for an email address.

But they do claim to update:


Familiar look:





I am *almost* certain it did not install any fonts, even though this is a Chinese program and I have no Chinese fonts.

They say the program leaves no traces when removed.

They also make the very fine Kingsoft Internet Security 9, which is VB100 certificated.

Also read the other thread, WPS: the best replacement of MS Office, free for none-biz - I didn't notice it before I posted here.

5612

General Software Discussion / Re: Quizo QTTabbar

« Last post by Curt on June 19, 2008, 07:20 AM »

... this old favourite of mine.. DMEXBar 11, ...

-lanux128 (April 09, 2007, 09:35 PM)

The one at Simtel is now version 13, so briefly something did happen!

-Curt (February 06, 2008, 06:26 PM)

- since April it is version 14

Version 14:
- New DMEXStart utility. Autorun applications on certain system events (e.g. resume from suspend or arrival of drives)
- DMEXSync enhanced
- Multi monitor support for the explorer align functions
- Align with... function
- Cosmetics: Correct use of system fonts
- Translation of Setup and DMEXMenu to German

But still you download a downloader at the same deranged SIMTEL
- so you might prefer PCWorld

Anyway, I still cannot get DMEX and Quizo to co-operate 

5613

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: White Smoke 70% off

« Last post by Curt on June 19, 2008, 04:34 AM »

They are in the field again, this time with an even better offer, in co-operation with PC Tools:


click thumb:

5614

General Software Discussion / Re: Review of File Renamers — let's make a list

« Last post by Curt on June 18, 2008, 08:25 AM »

Métamorphose-1 was just updated to version 1.1.1, and Métamorphose-2 to version 0.4.3 Beta.

Also, I like to use both the free ReNamer by den4b and the pretty $20 File Renamer Deluxe by Kristianix.

5615

General Software Discussion / Re: XPPro SP3

« Last post by Curt on June 17, 2008, 06:21 PM »

MuvEnum Address Bar is the ultimate replacement for the missing address bar in Windows XP SP3. It recreates the experience of the original address bar with auto-completion while adding many new features that allow you to quickly open webpages, navigate to favorites, start programs, search the internet, and more from you Windows Taskbar!

http://www.muvenum.c...e/#muvenumaddressbar

5616

General Software Discussion / Re: File Managers! Windows Explorer replacement! Come one, come all...

« Last post by Curt on June 17, 2008, 05:38 PM »

More than 90 % of the time I will use QT Tabbar / XP's Explorer. Yesterday I decided to sort 800 MP3 files and move them from a temporary download folder and into folders the same way it is done when you record a CD: My Documents > My Music > Artist > Album > Tracks. For this I would of course need drag&drop and a dual pane browser, and my choice was Q-Dir Unicode (Quadro-View) because it uses the <- back-button<- in a clever way and always returns to the proper position. Try it and you'll know what I mean.

http://www.softwareo...amp;language=english

5617

General Software Discussion / Re: FileBox eXtender now works under Vista

« Last post by Curt on June 17, 2008, 12:51 PM »

That is really cool news that it's gone open source.  Now anyone have any ideas for features to add to it?

-mouser (April 09, 2008, 12:16 PM)

I am not asking for new features yet,...

-Curt (April 10, 2008, 10:58 AM)

- it is good that I remembered to add "yet". I wrote the author and explained my wish for Filebox eXtender to co-operate with QT Tabbar:

(...) I am also the happy user of QT Tabbar, and it saddens me that Filebox eXtender (FbX) always will open folders in a new window. QT Tabbar makes it possible to open all folders in tabs, and it would be so wonderful if FbX could co-operate with QT, so folders will open in tabs via the FbX also (...)

His answer came today:

(...) I will consider it next time I work in FbX code. Please note that I also release all the source code of FbX on my web site. If you are by any chance a C++ programmer, or know someone who would be interested, I would welcome any improvements to that code!

Many DC members are coders
and many DC members are using Filebox eXtender
and many DC members are using QT Tabbar

- but do we have any coders using both QT Tabbar and Filebox eXtender ??

5618

General Software Discussion / Re: What is the currently best Desktop Search software?

« Last post by Curt on June 17, 2008, 01:59 AM »

LookDisk trial version's features are limited - you have to purchase it with a 30 day money back guarantee - so I didn't care to install.

5619

General Software Discussion / Re: What is the currently best Desktop Search software?

« Last post by Curt on June 16, 2008, 06:15 PM »

.. I just received the Iconico newsletter announcing this

We're happy to announce the release of LookDisk.

-Darwin (June 16, 2008, 11:27 AM)

I received this letter from the author:

Hi Curt,

Glad that you like LookDisk (I'm the author).

In the current version LookDisk can only find text within 'plain' textfiles and PDFs but not within RTF/DOC. To be precise it will find text within RTF/DOC as long as it's not formatted text (e.g. in bold or italic) as the text would be interspersed with formatting characters. Nevertheless, support for RTF/DOC is something I'm planning to implement soon.

As for Vista support, unfortunately it's not a straightforward port from XP so that might take a longer...

Regards,
Vincenzo

Promising - but for now, I think $30 is too much.

5620

General Software Discussion / Re: Tiny Windows goodies from Blue Yonder

« Last post by Curt on June 15, 2008, 12:19 PM »

I have now tried the seven files that I downloaded, but I must say that I will not be keeping any of them... "goodies" is such a big word.

BTW: GeoClock is 16 bits, and SpotDiff is for 800x600 

5621

General Software Discussion / Tiny Windows apps from Blue Yonder

« Last post by Curt on June 15, 2008, 11:42 AM »

Most of these goodies edit: apps  are from year 2005, but a small number are still updated. I found seven programs that I simply must try out...

http://www.gwnt00030...o.uk/uklife/gdys.htm

Most programs offered here are updated from time to time. Check the version number to make sure you have the latest versions!

For some programs you will also need a file called BWCC.DLL which you probably already have. If not click here to obtain the latest version as BWCC.ZIP.

Some Useful Windows Programs (and some just fun!)

ZapNums.exe, (Ver 3.2 November 2005) NEW Are you tired of mp3 and similar files having filenames that start with numbers? Well, this program will run through a whole directory and its subdirectories searching for such files and removing the leading numerals for you! Various files types can be specified or all files examined. To download version 3.2 of ZapNums Click here (200 KB)

NoNums.exe (Ver 3.0 Sept 2005). Is very similar to ZapNumbs (above) but has added entertainment! To downwoad NoNums (750 KB) click here

Setsongs.exe, (Ver 2.30 October 2005) Tired of the Microsoft 'Brooom' as Windows loads ? Put a copy of this program in your Startup Folder and have a selection from the tunes of your choice played instead! Or, as an alternative have the date and time announced in (for now) a rather bizzare voice. Download (1.1MB) by clicking here.

Easter.exe, (Ver 5.00) November 2007 This program will not only calculate the dates for Easter and many other 'festivals' and details of the Psalms Appointed for any day but also includes the full text of the Psalms and search routines. Click here to download (326KB)

New SpotDiff.exe (Ver. 1.30 April 2007) is a small game of 'Spot-the-Difference). There are 10 pairs of pictures each with 10 differences. (NB. One picture contains nudes (non-pornographic)). Because of the graphic content, this is a large file (5MB plus). To download SpotDiff.zip click here

Biblos.exe, (Ver 2.73) This little program is for keeping track of your books round the house. Do you know which shelf the book you want is on? And do you know who you lent it too if it isn't there? This version is a trial version with no 'help' files and no ReadMe file (yet). Click here to download (290 KB). Do report back any comments.

Genbak.exe, (Ver 1.0 July 2005) Provides faster and reliable backup of material from directories (folders) and their sub-directories and has provision for making 'Action Lists' for regular backups of mixed groups of data. You must have a facility to format your CD to prepare it for writing before you can use this or most other writing-to-CD program. Note that 'Nero' software does not allow advance formatting of CDs but all the 'Roxio' software, such as 'Easy CD/DVD' does. Download version 1.0 (beta 300KB).

Grafmkr.exe (Version 4.1 February 2005) This little program draws simple graphs which can be saved or printed. It does not do equations! Version 4.1 allows up to three, different coloured, curves, each of up to 250 points, on the graph. Do not expect marvels of this program! Click here to download (117 KB). NB: If you have graphs created with Version 1 or 2 of this program, you will not be able to use them with this version. You can, however, convert them with 'Convert2.exe' which can be downloaded. Full instruction for the use of Convert2 are included in its readme file.

NEW BCPIndex.exe (Ver 2.0 July 2007) This application contains the complete 1662 version of The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) together with facilities to search the book. This is a 32-bit application suitable for Windows-95/98/NT/XP Not tested on Vista. (480KB)

QuidNunc.exe (Ver 3.0 - July 2004) This is a simple Alarm Clock which will alert you to an appointmet at the scheduled time. QuidNunc uses both sound and vision and overrides anything else you may be doing at the time! . This version works on Windows-95/98/XP or NT.  (127KB).

Slidex.exe (Ver 2.1 Feb 2005) This little program is to catalogue your slides/photos or other items. It assumes your slides are held in Boxes containing one or more Trays each holding up to 100 Slides. Search and Printing facilites are included.

Memo2050.exe (Version 4.63 - June 2008). This is a simple Diary for Windows which will automatically display the events for your week ahead. Entries can be made for any date up to 31/12/2050. Memo2050 does many useful tricks and has the advantage simplicity over many other available diaries. If you also download the memosnds.zip file Memo2050 will be even more fun! (92KB) or (212KB)

New Pinit.exe (Version 1.55 February 2008) Will pin a little note to your desktop with any message or reminder you set. The note will remain on top of any other pages you may have open.  (90 KB)

Winsplit.exe (Ver 1.5) Will split any large file, (Max about 140 MB), into smaller sections (Default 1.44 MB) to fit onto floppy discs etc. It also generates small DOS batch (.BAT) programs to reassemble the segments and to cleanup. (200KB)

NEW CatsKeep.exe (June 2008) version 8.86 Is a program to assist in the magagement of a Boarding Cattery or, perhaps, a Boarding Kennel. It keeps full records of all the Pets and their owners and Prints Arrival and Departure sheets as well as Invoices and Pen-Labels etc. Download version 8.86 by clicking here.

Jotter.exe (Ver 3.5 June 2004) This little application will take instant notes for you should you, perhaps, get an important 'phone call while you have another application running and can't find pencil and paper! Version 3.5 has improvements which now allow copying to clipboard and is worth downloading! Great little very fast program for one-line notes. Includes viewer of course!


NEW Sunrise.exe (Ver 5.2 April 2008 ) Plots a graph showing the variations in day length through the year, Sunrise and Sunset times, Longest and Shortest days etc for any latitude and longitude.. It includes facilities to save configurations for different locations. (112 KB).

Mymusic.exe (Ver 1.2) Is a simple Windows cataloguing program to help keep track of your various tapes and discs. Download version 1.2 by clicking here. Later versions will, of course, have more facilities. (91 KB)

Timetill.exe (Ver 5.0 - September 2003) Ever wondered how many more years, days or even minutes till you go on holiday, retire or some such? Or, perhaps how long since your last cup of coffee or payrise? Timetill will keep you informed automatically if you put a copy in your Windows' Start-up group.

LotNums.exe (Ver 1.2) Pick your winning lottery numbers with a program with a difference. This application will pick from 1 to 8 numbers from a total of from 24 to 50 numbers so can be used for many types of lottery. The recently reported apparent effect of the phase of the moon on the distribution of winning numbers in the UK lottery is optionally considered.  (90KB)

FCmon.exe (Ver 2.55) How much time do you waste playing 'FreeCell' ? Too much I expect! This little program will monitor your performance and suggest remedial fines if your score falls below 60% wins! This version works on Windows-95/98/2000/NT/XP etc

Note that the newer versions of Freecell included in Windows-95->XP will not work with Freeskil. The easy way to overcome this is to download the older and identical version of Freecell.


Addrsbk.exe (Ver 2.55 January 2005) Is a simple but effective and easy to use address book with superb search facilities. Two separate sets of data, for example: Home and Business can be created. Version 2.55 allows longer e-mail addresses. (203KB).

GeoClock.exe Gives a pretty window with up to 16 clocks showing the time of day in different cities of the world. Cities can be selected and new ones added easily and the wallpaper changed. (127KB).

CashBook.exe (Ver 3.11 August 2004) This is just a simple cash-book. You can have several different accounts to which you just credit or debit items and CashBook keeps a running total for you. Just right for the kids' pocket money! Version 3.11 is a beta version update of the 1996 original. (28KB)

Txtrev.exe (Version 2.2 November 2004) This program reads a simple Text File and reverses the contents, either line by line, or as a single block. The result can be saved in a file and subsequently loaded into MS-WORD or sililar application. A TrueType font RSTimesMirror is included to print reversed characters and produce a full Mirror Image of the text. (450KB)




Snob.exe (Ver 1.2) is a bit of fun to try and tell you a little about the English 'class' system which is still very much alive. To see how you might fit in, click here

http://www.gwnt00030...o.uk/uklife/gdys.htm

5622

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: 75% rebate on PPTMinimizer from Balesio

« Last post by Curt on June 15, 2008, 03:15 AM »

You are absolutely right - I took it, but didn't check properly on the name or on the features - it is 'merely' the GAOTD version of the Album thing, not worth and not listed "€199", but €25. Sorry!

But still I think I would like to have the AllCapture - there is a mighty big diff between €169 and $50

GERMANY -
ALLCapture has been nominated for the "Innovative Product Award 2008" in the category of "Online Marketing"

5623

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: 75% rebate on PPTMinimizer from Balesio

« Last post by Curt on June 14, 2008, 05:51 PM »

I took the offer, and also got TurboDemo for free, listed price €200. I wish I also had $50 for their last offer, AllCapture, listed price €169. Nice programs, really! Updated for Vista but otherwise properly almost abandoned - well, I don't know, but their offers really are mysteriously low priced!

5624

General Software Discussion / Re: Educators/Teachers software...

« Last post by Curt on June 14, 2008, 04:34 PM »

Tools for Academics

Related Blog

I've started a blog named "Academic Tools" that I'll slowly fill with more detailed reviews of these programs as well as other issues using involving tools in education. You are welcome to comment on the tools there. I'll incorporate such feedback here. You can subscribe to an "RSS feed" there using Google Reader or other feed reader. Note that where an expanded review exists it is linked from the tool description in these pages.

-AEngineer - Tools for Academics

I cannot reach this Academic Tools blog - I am merely getting this WordPress > Error
http://jcm2044.net/wp/at/

5625

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Another Bits du Jour version

« Last post by Curt on June 14, 2008, 01:22 PM »

- yes, of course. If the visitor clicks the top head mounted "Buy Now" (not the big green button) he will not be offered to purchase today's offer, but the WiseCleaner Pro products.