Recent Posts

5826

ProcessTamer / Re: Is Cacheman similar to Process Tamer?

« Last post by superboyac on October 31, 2006, 12:59 PM »

Sorry, I can't find the thread on the USB adapters.  Anyway, yes mouser, you're correct that it costs about the same as a good enclosure (~$25).  I still would get just because it's so handy.  I'd stick it in my toolkit just in case something happened.  I would never use it as a permanant connection.

fodder, I'll take a look at cacheman a little more.  I don't know much about processes and cache, but maybe I should learn.  I understand process tamer is one of mouser's more popular software.

5827

ProcessTamer / Is Cacheman similar to Process Tamer?

« Last post by superboyac on October 31, 2006, 11:34 AM »

Is Cacheman the same kind of program as Process Tamer?  Or are they for different things?

There is a cool, very interesting device I just found:
http://www.newegg.co...Item=N82E16812197002

It attaches to the back of any internal hard drive and converts it to a usb drive.  That's freakin cool.  However, a couple of the users mentioned something about getting errors, and someone else responded by saying cacheman would take care of it.  So it got me thinking about process tamer and if they're the same thing.

Also, someone else said to format drives using Quick Format for NTFS because it's better somehow.  Is this true?  Whenever I format, I do the long way, not the Quick Format.  I always thought it was a better format, but I have no reason to believe that.

5828

Living Room / Re: Where to find barebone case with 5.25" bays?

« Last post by superboyac on October 31, 2006, 12:06 AM »

Hmmm...

Old computer frame + hacksaw...

 

Those old PI and PII machines could sometimes hold like 4 cd drives. (I have at least 5 of these in my basement)

-Edvard (October 30, 2006, 06:03 PM)

Yeah, I was just thinking that also.  My cousin is good with this stuff, maybe I can modify the frame that holds the bays and put it in a nice box or something.

What about a case intended for CD multiple duplication?

-cranioscopical (October 30, 2006, 11:30 PM)

I looked for a similar item, but the closest I could find was something designed to hold a couple ide devices (cd or hard drive).  I'll do another search, thanks.

5829

Living Room / Re: Where to find barebone case with 5.25" bays?

« Last post by superboyac on October 30, 2006, 05:36 PM »

Ok, I've thought about a couple other options...if it rings a bell with something you are familiar with, please let me know.  Again, I'm looking for something that can accomodate two 5.25 bays and a normal sized computer power supply.

Here is something from Icy Dock that resembles what I'm talking about.  What I don't like about it is that it is already pre-configured for SATA drives.  I'm looking for just a frame that holds any 5.25 devices, no electric components on it.  But the look and size of this thing is similar to what I want:
http://www.icydock.c...duct/mb561us-4s.html

Here are some pictures of something that is the perfect size (it's from Shuttle).  The problem, again, is that all the components are inside this thing, I just want the bare frame.
http://global.shuttl...e/SD37P2-Gallery.asp

Another thing I have heard of is a "half-rack".  Racks for computer equipment ar 19", and a half-rack apparently is half of that width.  If I can find some kind of half-rack case that has room for two 5.25 bays and a power supply, that might be perfect.  But I can't find any cases the size of a half rack.  I found full width racks that can hold 2 or 3 5.25 bays, but I want them stacked vertically, with a shorter width and taller frame.

Any ideas?

5830

General Software Discussion / Re: 12 Windows Explorer Alternatives Compared

« Last post by superboyac on October 24, 2006, 06:06 PM »

I actually think the roundup is pretty good.  Yes, it's not in-depth and complete, but it's pretty good for what it is.  I have a sympathetic perspective since writing the notetaking roundup and understanding how much work it is do do a comprehensive review.  I think the file-manager category is even harder to review than notetaking (more programs, more general purpose...nightmare for reviewing).

My two favorite file-managers are Directory Opus and Total Commander.  If I only had to choose one, it would be Directory Opus, because nothing comes close to it's power and customizeability...I dare anyone to find a program with more features.  Total Commander is really fast, but it's not like the other programs are so slow that it makes them unusable.  I've never really understood that argument, unless it applied to really bloated software.  But most of the software on that list are pretty fast and efficient, and a few milliseconds is not going to affect my bottom line decision that much.  Another thing about TC, yes it has tons of plugins, but very little documention, and also, most of those plugins are not of any use to the average joe.  But there are several plugins that are very useful.  Finally, the one feature that made me discover DOpus when I was using TC was the lack of a directory tree.  In DOpus and most of the other programs, you can have a directory tree AND the two panes, but not in TC.

But both programs are fantastic in their own right, and I use both still...however I use DOpus much, much more.  And a lot of those other programs are great also.  This is one of those categories where there are many really great choices, isn't that always great!

PS Navigation, especially keyboard navigation in TC, is the best.  For you keyboard gurus, TC is the app for you.

5831

General Software Discussion / Re: Mp3 catalog/database programs

« Last post by superboyac on October 24, 2006, 11:53 AM »

What do you guys miss in MediaMonkey, that other MP3 catalog programs have?

-brotherS (October 20, 2006, 04:28 AM)

Sorry BrotherS...here's my response:

I looked at MediaMonkey.  It's very, very nice and handles cataloging very well, especially considering it's a free app.  I still have to say it doesn't have the power of MP3 Collector.  I think it depends on how much importance you place on cataloging vs. a person who is just looking for a convenient way to keep track of his music.  Personally, I am very anal about my catalog, down to every filename, directory structure, disc labels, id3 tags.  MP3 Collector allows me to customize exactly how I want to process all that information, with customization to spare.  MediaMonkey doesn't have the options MP3 Collector has, but if you are not cataloging to that extent, then it's a great tool for playing and keeping track of your music.

I'll try to put it in a way which I think most people will approach the situation:

--You have a bunch of mp3 files on your hard drive and/or cd/dvd.  You use Winamp or some other jukebox to play the music, and these programs have the inherent ability to keep track of your music library (whether they are any good or not is another question).

--You start getting the itch to have a little more control of your library, so you look for some more powerful applications to play/catalog your music.  If this is the case, go to MediaMonkey because it looks to be the best application I've seen for this (and it's free).

--If you still feel you need more control of your library, I think it's time to start thinking about separating the player for the catologer.  It's time to go to MP3 Collector, because I don't think there's a comparable application.

I've separated my player and cataloger long ago, as I was never close to happy with any of the bundled players/catalogers (this is long before MediaMonkey was available, so I didn't have a good alternative).  Now, I use foobar to play my music (definitely the most customizeable and powerful music player) and MP3 Collector to catalog my files (arguably the most customizeable and powerful cataloging software).

So those are my thoughts.

PS  As of now, the only feature request I have for MP3 Collector is the ability to have open multiple databases simultaneously (which is a common request for most database-like software these days).

5832

What's the Best? / Re: Software to check for available domain addresses

« Last post by superboyac on October 24, 2006, 10:52 AM »

sb, I use www.domaintools.com and www.nameboy.com.  DNSStuff is a very handy site as well. www.dnsstuff.com

-nevf (October 24, 2006, 06:50 AM)

Those websites look good, thanks nevf.

5833

General Software Discussion / Re: Thunderbird forks to become next Eudora?

« Last post by superboyac on October 23, 2006, 02:01 PM »

All the software mentioned here are excellent email programs.  I've presonally tried Courier, Pocomail, Thunderbird, Eudora, Pegasus, and the Bat.  Courier and Pocomail are great.  I liked Thunderbird the least.  I used Pegasus from 1996-2005, and then I switched to the Bat.  That was a big deal for me, but the Bat is awesome in almost every way.  Eudora was the very first email program I ever used, and if I'm not mistaken, it used to be the king of email.  I liked it, but Pegasus was too powerful to pass up.

5834

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

« Last post by superboyac on October 23, 2006, 01:07 PM »

I've used Flash Renamer before, and found it quite good.

But holy mother! There are just soooo many. It would be easier for me to create my own than to review them and choose a decent one.

So - for lazy/busy ol' me - what's the final verdict? Directory Opus looks a bit ugly... Is the power worth it?

-Renegade (October 23, 2006, 10:19 AM)

I love Directory Opus, but I have to say that I can't figure out the renamer tool, it's just too wild and complicated.  All those (./*) symbols I couldn't figure out, nor could I find much help in the help file about it.  I can do simple things, but as soon as I start tweaking and needing to use those symbols, I'm lost.  It's one of those things where the programmers have felt that to maximize the power of the renamer, they have to make it as raw as possible.  Actually, if there is a concise tutorial about the DOpus method, I'd be very interested.  But emphasis on concise.

5835

What's the Best? / Software to check for available domain addresses

« Last post by superboyac on October 23, 2006, 09:45 AM »

The latest offering on Bits du jour made me aware of a software category I didn't even know existed.  Apparently, there are software out there that will check to see if certain domain names are available (in case you wanted to make your own website).  Also, they will help you pick a name depending on words you wish to include.  Pretty cool!  I know one time I wanted to see what was available and I started typing things in one by one...it was kind of annoying.  Anyone ever used one of these?  The ones that I've seen so far (just by a quick google) are:

Available Domains Pro
http://www.alphacoms....com/avdomains-p.htm

Domain Name Analyzer Professional
http://www.domainpun...com/products/dnapro/

5836

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

« Last post by superboyac on October 23, 2006, 09:23 AM »

I feel your pain, Z.  These reviews are hard work.

5837

General Software Discussion / Re: Mp3 catalog/database programs

« Last post by superboyac on October 19, 2006, 03:10 PM »

Thanks superboyac, I'll give MP3 Collectorz another try giving it more time between searches (jk)..

Have you seen MPEG Audio Collection (link above) ? It's the one I'm using at the moment.

-Dr-Leech (October 19, 2006, 02:28 PM)

I just tried MPEG Audio Collection right now.  I can tell you right away that it's pretty good for basic catolging, but not very flexible at all.  It doesn't have many features at all.  It does feel pretty lightweight, which is good, but it just doesn't have enough customizability for me.

One of the great things of MP3 Collector is how easy it is to change the way you "view" the database.  You can quickly change from looking at the database by location/artist/album/individual tracks, very easily using the dropdown bar on the right pane.  This is very handy if your library is spread out over many discs (for example, I have over 200 cd's/dvd's)I haven't seen another software do it that easily and with that many options.  And as I mentioned before, it's importing options are far beyond the capabilities of any other software.

5838

General Software Discussion / Re: Mp3 catalog/database programs

« Last post by superboyac on October 19, 2006, 01:49 PM »

So, I've just been trying out Music Label 2006, and here's what I can tell just based on a few minutes of experimentation.

While Music Label is much more polished than MP3 Collector, I don't think it has nearly the feature set of collectorz.  Overall, ML does much more than just catalog mp3 files--it also does regular cd's and has a loan manager for lending out cd's, and some other extra features.  Actually, if you're familiar at all with my reviews, you'll know that I don't like it when a software tries to do more than what it was initially meant for.  So ML has a lot of extra features, but it doesn't have the capability to do what MP3 Collector can do as it strictly relates to mp3 cataloging.  One thing I noticed right off the bat was the importing capabilities of Music Label...not that great.  Sure, it imports the tags of the mp3 files, but if you try out MP3 collector's import routine, you will see how much insanely more powerful it is (I won't go into all the detail). 

One thing I like about collectorz software is how they have separate software for mp3's and another one for cd albums (Music Collector).  Their philosophy behind it (and I agree) is that albums are a cohesive unit of songs, whereas mp3's are individual files (even if you can have several mp3's from the same album).  the point is that they need to be catalogued differently, and it would be difficult to mix the two mediums in a way that maximizes both of their characteristics.  Because of this separation of software, I believe collectorz has more ability to include more powerful and extensive features than Music Label.

Anyway, that's my real quick review of it.  Sorry, Dr. Leech, but I think MP3 Collector is the best as far as cataloging mp3's, especially if you have them on many cd's instead of the hard drive.  I haven't seen another software come even close to it.  The speed issue...well, personally, I just suck it up because I haven't found anything close.  However, I used to be active on their forums...sometime, I'll go back and ask them what is the reason for the slow speed and if there is anything they could do to improve it.  In the past, they have been very responsive to user suggestions.

5839

General Software Discussion / Re: Mp3 catalog/database programs

« Last post by superboyac on October 19, 2006, 12:48 PM »

If you can get past the initial shock of pricing system, check out Music Label 2006/2007 (http://www.codeaero.com/).  It is by far the best out there for cataloging music. Otherwise, I would say Where is it? (http://www.whereisit-soft.com/).

-vegas (October 19, 2006, 11:35 AM)

Nice find, vegas!  Never came across this one.  I will have to check it out.  The price isn't that bad, I think it's almost the same price as the collectorz software.  Perhaps when I have the heart, I will do a shootout of the music catalog software.  I agree, Whereisit is a great catalog software for files in general, and I think even if you use it for just mp3's, it's not half bad either.  And I think it's fast enough to satisfy our friend Dr. Leech.

5840

General Software Discussion / Re: Mp3 catalog/database programs

« Last post by superboyac on October 19, 2006, 12:56 AM »

Exact, I don't like Collectorz bc it's so slow.. I have around 200 cds with mp3s and it's almost impossible to browse with collectorz, and search.. uff.. takes centuries.

And about MP3Rat seems to be no so much user-friendly to manage CDs and DVDs, because it doesn't sort by volumes but categories and tags.

I'm currently using MPEG Audio Collection, it's nice, fast and ok, but I'm looking for an alternative and that developers continues upgrading/supporting.
Just looking for alternatives..

-Dr-Leech (October 18, 2006, 07:00 PM)

Well, I will admit that MP3 Collector is kind of slow, but I wouldn't say it's unbearably slow.  But that's subjective.

I'm sure there are alternatives, but I haven't tried any.  There's this one:
Advanced MP3 Catalog
http://www.wizetech.com/amc/

There was this program that I mentioned in post#3 of this thread, but the company's website is gone and so is all traces of the product.  I remember the programmer being focused on simplicity and speed.  I still think MP3 Collector is your best bet, despite the speed.  I don't know what the programmers can do about the speed, maybe it's inevitable when the amount of files gets so large, i don't know.

5841

General Software Discussion / Re: Mp3 catalog/database programs

« Last post by superboyac on October 18, 2006, 06:34 PM »

oh, yes..

forget to say "another software"
bc I don't like collectorz..

And the other software here discussed is just for on-HD and I need to catalog thousands of cd/dvd with mp3s

-Dr-Leech (October 18, 2006, 05:27 PM)

What is it that you don't like about collectorz?  Because that info will help us make better suggestions.  Mp3 Collector will do exactly what you're asking, so I need to know what you don't like about it.  My only complaint about MP3 Collector is that it can be a little slow for large libraries, and it's filter feature is especially slow (at least for me).  But I have a relatively old computer and a large library.

MP3Rat is a really nice program, but it's old and hasn't been updated, and it may lack certain features.  But it can't be beat as far as it's searching feature.  MP3rat is actually designed around it's search engine (same for it's sister product Powermarks).  That's cool, because it's a great search engine and a lot of programs could use something like it.

I can't remember other products off the top of my head that will do removeable media like CD/DVD. 

5842

Living Room / Re: Forum Discrimination....

« Last post by superboyac on October 18, 2006, 09:29 AM »

Forums are a different kind of world.  People act very differently when they are masked behind anonymity.  A lot of the people who are very aggressive and short-tempered on forums may be very shy and meek in the real world.  Some people who write a lot in posts may seem to be not that sociable in person.  It's just a different world.

This DC forum is the only forum I've been on that has remained civil from day one until now.  I can't put my finger on why, but it's a testament to mouser and the people here.  When I write on forums, I try to word things the way I would actually speak in real life because I am personally self-conscious about these things and I don't want someone who meets me in person thinking I'm a totally different personality online.

In my attempt to reduce my time online, I've stopped posting in forums, except this one.  I used to post on this Lakers forum before, but I've stopped because every thread would eventually get hijacked by a wiseass or juevenile comments.

Well, there's my vent.

5843

General Software Discussion / Re: foobar...honestly...WTF?! WTF?!

« Last post by superboyac on October 17, 2006, 12:01 PM »

Of ourse the other way to use Foobar is like I do:

Install.
Open
Drag files frmo Explorer into Foobar window.
Press Play and shrink to taskbar.
Listen to the music.

-herbiman (October 17, 2006, 07:39 AM)

Ah...a practical person!

5844

General Software Discussion / Re: Mp3 catalog/database programs

« Last post by superboyac on October 17, 2006, 11:51 AM »

Nice, and anyone knows a good catalog software to save Data CD/DVD information like backups and that?


Thanks

-Dr-Leech (October 17, 2006, 11:15 AM)

Well, if you mean keeping track of all sorts of files in general, I don't think anything beats Whereisit.
http://www.whereisit-soft.com/

It's a great program, one of the first programs I ever bought.  Free upgrades for life. 

5845

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: I can't figure some things out in this program

« Last post by superboyac on October 14, 2006, 05:07 PM »

open up the main CHS window, right click on Quick Paste group and say Edit this group

Look where it says:
(IsFavorite=true) OR (NOT (IsInRecyleBin) AND (ModificationDateTime>=DateTimeMinusOneHour))

This is what defines what clips qualify for quick paste.

So if you want clips to last longer, edit that line.  The Help box has more info if you scroll down.

You might try for example:
(IsFavorite=true) OR (NOT (IsInRecyleBin) AND (ModificationDateTime>=DateTimeMinusSevenDays))

-mouser (October 14, 2006, 12:32 PM)

Beautiful!  Thanks, that works great.  I set it to datetimeminusthirtydays.  Now everything is back!

5846

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: I can't figure some things out in this program

« Last post by superboyac on October 14, 2006, 12:18 PM »

if you check the "favorite" checkbox for a clip it should always appear in quick paste.

the sentence case type stuff are from the Text Formatting Presets (which you can add to by the way).
if you dont want them shown in Quick Paste menu, go to Quick Paste tab in options and in far right select "Dont Show" or "Show as submenu".

as far as missing icon, i've heard of this before but i guess i have to investigate a bit more.

-mouser (October 14, 2006, 11:40 AM)

Is there a way for the items to remain in the quickpaste without having to check them as favorites?  Like, can it use something like the options for automatic filing where every certain number of days, the items would get cleared out of the quickpaste?

Thanks for the text formatting options, I can't believe I didn't see that.

5847

Clipboard Help+Spell / I can't figure some things out in this program

« Last post by superboyac on October 14, 2006, 11:32 AM »

So, I've been using CHS for several months now, but to be honest, I'm having some trouble figuring certain things out.

--I pretty much only use CHS for the quickpaste feature, I don't use clipboard managers for anything else, really.  That being said, I like the items to remain in the quickpaste drop-down menu for a pretty long time.  But they keep disappearing.  I've unchecked all three of the "move to old after _ (hours,days)" automatic filing options.  However, the clips keep getting moved out of the quickpaste group.  If I could get them to last in there between system boots at the least, I'd be happy.

--Is there a way to disable the "default" items in the quickpaste (linebreak76,sentencecase, etc)?

Anyway, that's pretty much it.  If I could just get a handle around the quickpaste, it would be great.

Also, I don't know if it's just my computer, but the CHS icon rarely (less than 10% of the time) shows up in the system tray of my computer.  There is space there for the program, but the icon is almost always blank (see the attached pic).  This doesn't happen on my work computer.

Thanks

5848

Living Room / Re: Where to find barebone case with 5.25" bays?

« Last post by superboyac on October 13, 2006, 04:45 PM »

So... do you want a computer case for 2x5.25 and a motherboard etc, or *just* 2x5.25 devices and a powersupply, but no computer?

-f0dder (October 13, 2006, 03:38 AM)

*just* the 5.25 devices and powersupply, no computer.  If there's nothing like that, but there are some that also hold a motherboard, that's fine also.

http://www.directron.../dualenclosures.html

-mouser (October 13, 2006, 04:13 AM)

Thanks mouser, but those are "dual purpose" enclosures instead of dual bay enclosures.

5849

Living Room / Where to find barebone case with 5.25" bays?

« Last post by superboyac on October 13, 2006, 03:23 AM »

I can't seem to find what I'm looking for, please offer any suggestions.

I'm looking for a completely barebones alumnium case that has two 5.25" bays in it and room for a power supply box.  I don't need anything else it it, like adapters for sata, usb or anything like that.  Basically, I just want the alumnimum box with slots in it the right size to put in any 5.25 device (hard drive, dvd, anything).  Maybe I can't figure out the proper term for this, that's why I can't find it on the web.  The only thing I run into are hard drive enclosures and other things pre-adapted for a specific use.

You know how when you buy a tower for your computer, it comes with nothing except the tower and sometimes a power supply?  Something like that, only really small and just big enough for two 5.25 devices.

Thanks!

5850

General Software Discussion / Re: foobar...honestly...WTF?! WTF?!

« Last post by superboyac on October 11, 2006, 09:19 AM »

Maybe we can create a foobar2000 ColumnsUI configurations design group (proudly sponsored by DonationCoder.com ) and sweep the floor with all those cocky users showing their configuration in the Hydrogenaudio thread

I'm all for that 

-tinyvillager (October 11, 2006, 05:32 AM)

Me too.

I'm really glad I got into foobar, it's a great mp3 player.  Now that I think about it, in the 9 years that I used Winamp, there were only 4 skins that met with my approval as far as having an efficient design.  That's kind of ridiculous considering how many skins there are.

Anyway, I'm going to try to contact this one guy that has an awesome status bar code.  Then, my foobar will be perfect!