Recent Posts

6301

Living Room / Re: Will you miss newspapers when they're gone?

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 09, 2010, 06:30 PM »

The other thing killing them off, other than their own online editions that is, is outfits like ESPN moving into local sports coverage.  They already have:
http://espn.go.com/losangeles/

As time goes on they'll encompass smaller cities, then smaller towns..
there won't be much for the local weekly to report except what's gonna'
be served in the high school cafeteria for the week.

6302

Found Deals and Discounts / Verbatim DVD+R 16x a quarter apiece

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 09, 2010, 06:25 PM »

I've had good luck with these blanks:

http://www.newegg.co...17-507-003-_-Product

Verbatim DVD+R 16x metallic finish
A quarter apiece delivered.

6303

General Software Discussion / Re: FF 3.6 portable is pretty cool

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 09, 2010, 02:24 PM »

Something I overlooked.  Firefox NoScript lets you export a "white list" of trusted sites.  No need to train the new browser all over again. Run the portable off my external USB to make changes, enable NoScript, import the white list. Now I can have both NoScript and Sandboxie protection without the hassle. I just delete the Firefox folder in the Ramdisk and run the Firefox loading batch to propagate changes into the Ram disk.  Next boot or log on the newest incarnation on the USB drive is loaded in.  No need to save the ramdisk image.

6304

Living Room / Re: Will you miss newspapers when they're gone?

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 09, 2010, 12:14 AM »

The whole bit about journalism reminds me of this radio talk host I used to listen to.  Now and then some kid would call up asking how to get a start in "broadcasting."  The host would say to the kid.. there's no such business as "broadcasting."  I'm in the advertising business.  This stuff I talk about is broadcast because advertisers are willing to shell out to advertise on this medium because I have a lot of listeners.  There's no money in "broadcasting."  Only in advertising. If you want to get into this business, find out about advertising, because that's what it is.  No "broadcasting school" is going to teach you that.

6305

General Software Discussion / Re: Free Pascal - Lazarus?

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 08, 2010, 11:19 PM »

AutoIt3 just released 3.3.6.0

Just thought I'd toss that in since I mentioned AutoIt3 earlier.
AutoIt3 has some good features for creating reusable user defned
functions(better variable scoping than ahk for instance.)

However one thing I really noticed since the recent releases
with code breaking changes, is it doesn't have the equivalent of a
#define or conditional includes.  Makes it just about impossible to
have one source file that spans versions as there's no practical
way to screen out functions not yet in a release from the parser.

You can't do
#if defined AutoIt3660
#include <newstuff.au3>
#else
#include <oldstuff.au3>
#endif

or the equivalent.

But the thing is small enough you copy your entire script folder over
to the new install and just fix what's broken by the new release apparently.

6306

Finished Programs / Re: IDEA: Program to automatically delete files with specified file extensions.

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 08, 2010, 05:42 PM »

You could accomplish the same thing with FreeCommander.  Navigate to a folder. At the bottom status bar there's a small input box that says "quick filter" when you mouse over it.  Put in what you want to delete such as *.jpg or whatever, only those will be shown.  Control-A to select them all.  Hit delete key.  Put in a different filter if you like to continue with another extension.

http://www.freecomma....com/fc_downl_en.htm

Plus the program has a lot of other nice features.  Sadly it's only compiled in 32 bit.

6307

Post New Requests Here / Re: Something like 7Stacks, without the lag

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 08, 2010, 02:24 PM »

Have you tried StandaloneStack 2 ?

I don't honestly know squat about it (XP user), but it looks like similar software.

-sajman99 (March 08, 2010, 02:04 PM)

That seems to work pretty nicely.  Thanks.

6308

Post New Requests Here / Something like 7Stacks, without the lag

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 08, 2010, 12:52 PM »

I was using 7Stacks to reduce the clutter on my Vista QuickLaunch Bar. I already have RocketDock.  But it was neat to have icons for categories like Internet or whatnot and a glass panel slides up with several program icons.

Only thing is, now even if my HD is not busy and even freshly defragged, 7Stacks takes like 10 or 12 seconds to slide up the panel.  Click and I get the twirling mouse cursor for 12 seconds. Totally useless.
(I tried  uninstalling and reinstalling.. no difference.)

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a free alternative that has similar action.  Maybe not Glass but a slide-up panel like how WinAmp opens the equalizer, with a set of icons may be useful.  Right now I'm using a shortcut to a folder but it's not the same.

6309

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: DVDFab Passkey

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 08, 2010, 12:37 PM »

That's a far cry from $50 though.  I took the plunge with MakeMKV.  The author seems determined to update and it has a user forum.  Although it is still good to try these other options, esp. during the freebie period.  Sometimes if one tool doesn't work the other will.

I tried AnyDVD and it seems to work well.  The pricing just puts me off.  Seems like competition is opening up.

6310

Found Deals and Discounts / DVDFab Passkey

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 07, 2010, 10:37 PM »

If you call 2 months free usage a deal, then I guess it's a "deal."

http://www.videohelp...tools/DVDFab_Passkey

Works just like AnyDVD.  They say it's free as long as it's in beta.  I don't know what they plan on charging when it's out of beta, but the About box says it's good to May 7 and I installed it today.

I tried it on one BluRay.  About 19 GB of stuff on the disk. I just did an explorer drag & drop copy.  It copied the entire contents to my HD in about 28 minutes.

Seems comparable or maybe a bit faster than MakeMKV.  MakeMKV when it goes out of beta is going to be $50 one shot "lifetime" license.  It may be a better deal in the long run.  Every other BluRay solution I've seen they want another $$ fix every so often.

6311

General Software Discussion / Re: FF 3.6 portable is pretty cool

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 07, 2010, 02:20 PM »

Hmmm, at least with DataRam Ramdisk, I found it easier to forgo the disk image and just use a .cmd batch to xcopy the Firefox stuff into the drive.  Seems if you have it associated with a disk image, it's not always so nice about letting you stop the ramdisk even if you saved the image contents.

It seems to create the disk with the same drive letter every time.  Just simpler to use the batch file with the xcopy command.

Also since NoScript stuff isn't going to be saved when you allow a site there's no sense using it.  I set it to Allow Scripts Globally, then just run the browser sandboxed using Sandboxie.


edit: finally found a good use for WinPatrol delayed start.  Dragged a shortcut to the xcopy batch file to the Startup folder.  Then used WinPatrol to put a 30 second delay on it.  Seems to be working really well.

6312

Living Room / Re: Will you miss newspapers when they're gone?

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 06, 2010, 08:46 PM »

so i guess for me, i miss the idealized fantasy of a good newspaper to read every day.. but i don't miss the actual loss of the actual newspapers of record.

-mouser (March 06, 2010, 08:32 PM)

Since Art Buchwald died, it just ain't the same.

6313

Living Room / Re: Will you miss newspapers when they're gone?

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 06, 2010, 07:48 PM »

@ljbirns I went through a "news junky" phase when the major newspapers all started putting out online editions. I was regularly reading a dozen or more U.S. newspapers online and maybe 12 or 18 more around the world.  This dude bangs on my door and tries to interest me in a freebie promotion for the local paper which also has an online edition.  He says "but we'll give it to you free for 6 weeks!"  I said, "Man I woudn't take it if you paid me!!! I don't want to haul out all that recycle every week!"  I tried to tell the guy I read his paper online everyday.  He just didn't get it.

But there is something to be said for hard copy.  Prolly the only reason I subscribe to TV Guide is I don't have a terminal in the john like the kid in Max Headroom.

@JavaJones I'm with you. I'm done with my "news junky" phase.  I find my disposition much improved since I'm not constantly bombarded with the latest tally of slayings, rapes, celebrity scandals, natural and unnatural disasters, stock market disasters and yadda yadda.  It's not like I could do anything about them. There may be too much carbon dioxide, but I really can't hold my breath for more than a minute anyway!!!  Jeez!!!

6314

General Software Discussion / Re: FF 3.6 portable is pretty cool

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 06, 2010, 07:06 PM »

I decided to give the ramdisk another go.  I'm using Dataram RAMDisk freebie.

I made the mistake before of setting it to auto save the image on shutdown.  This resulted in horrible shutdown times.  What I'm doing now is only saving the image manually if I have some significant Firefox update, like updating a bunch of AddOns.  My bookmarks and passwords I can save with SyncPlaces instead of saving in the image.

It may not load much faster than standard FF off a fast HD, but if your HD is busy, like doing a video mux, then this method kicks ass.

The configuration tool for the Ramdisk doesn't have a setting to autoload on Windows startup, but I just put a shortcut in the Startup folder and have it set to load the image file when the ramdisk starts.  The thing opening on the desktop will remind me to start the Ramdisk.

6315

General Software Discussion / Re: Professional Autorun Creator

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 06, 2010, 05:34 PM »

This looks like it may be worth checking out.  It's freebie/donationware:

http://www.hamradiou...mpactautorunner.html

6316

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows XP to Vista to Windows 7 Upgrade advice

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 05, 2010, 06:20 PM »

The fly in the ointment may be if the installed custom software has some copy protection scheme.  It may be simpler just to leave an XP partition on and boot to that to do the work with those apps.

6317

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows XP to Vista to Windows 7 Upgrade advice

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 04, 2010, 02:05 PM »

There must be a hardware test you can get to see if the machine will run XPmode once W7 is on. If that passes, you could install 7 and try to run the custom apps in XP mode.  If you have the disk space I would leave the native XP on until you find out what's what.

If all indications are she can run XPmode I would slice off some HD and put W7 on in evaluation mode.  That gives you time to try the XPmode in actuality(assuming evaluation mode isn't in some way hobbled to prevent it) with the apps.  If you know it's going to work, then you can make decisions about which W7 to buy or use depending on upgrade options of the machine.

I wouldn't put too much hope in the in place upgrade option.  But if the install(when you finally put on the one you are going to activate) allows a Custom Install option, I've had good luck with that method.  Everything under Program Files is gathered up and stuck in Windows.old but at least you still have the files to mess with.  Many "portable" apps if located in another folder, will work just by making a new shortcut.  Stuff with registry settings will need to be reinstalled.  But that's why I suggest if at all possible to keep a working XP partition until you are certain you can migrate the custom apps or run them in XPmode.  She may have to boot into XP for awhile until you see what the deal is with XPmode, or migration etc..

6318

Developer's Corner / Re: A story about "real programmers"...

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 03, 2010, 03:52 PM »

I didn't plow through the whole article because it brought back painful memories! I can remember my fingers aching after a day of hard coding.  Punching all those little holes in paper tape.  If the tape rips in the middle of a program, all the lights in New Jersey go out!! And then there's the paper cuts!!

6319

General Software Discussion / Re: Toggle2 v. 1.5

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 03, 2010, 12:36 PM »

Toggle2 v. 1.5

For application windows, position info is checked and if the 2 positions are the same, the dialog will prompt to move/size the window when toggled.

6320

General Software Discussion / Re: Toggle2 v. 1.4

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 02, 2010, 03:32 PM »

Toggle2 updated to v. 1.4.

Minor code changes.  Updated icons.  Functionality and usage is the same.

6321

General Software Discussion / Re: Video player: What's the quickest (fastest/lightest)?

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 01, 2010, 01:27 PM »

Splash Lite has updated to 1.3.  I think it's mostly small bug fixes.

http://mirillis.com/splash.html

6322

General Software Discussion / Re: Open Source Uninstaller Windows 7?

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 01, 2010, 01:25 PM »

I've used MyUninstaller from NirCmd author.  I haven't benchmarked it or anything but it's nice to have things the same on various Windows flavors instead of trying to remember how each different version of stuff works.  It's a freebie:

http://www.nirsoft.n.../utils/myuninst.html

6323

General Software Discussion / Re: Toggle2 v. 1.3

« Last post by MilesAhead on March 01, 2010, 01:21 AM »

Toggle 1.3  Now Toggled application windows will have positions saved to Toggle2.ini file.  Programs such as Firefox, Notepad, EditPadLite will automatically have their positions saved to Toggle2.ini if you toggle them.

The .ini file capacity is only about 32KB but this should be large enough to hold a reasonable list of applications.  When you Toggle the active window, if it's not explorer, and has no position info stored, a dialog will pop up and wait for you to move/size the window.  The path of the program is pruned down to the basename as key to store the info.  For example if the program window you are toggling is Firefox and the path is c:\program files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe it is truncated to just "firefox" and used as the index in a dictionary.  The culprit is MS Scripting.Dictionary.  It comes in handy.  The contents of the dictionary are saved to the .ini file in the [AppList] section.

If you look you will see entries like:
[AppList]
firefox=285#366#992#536#285#167#992#735#0

The hash marks make it easy to split the string out into an array of numbers, which is the window position info.  I advise not editing by hand unless you delete whole lines as it's easy to break the ini file reading scheme.  But if it's hosed just delete the .ini while Toggle2 is not running.  It will recreate it.

You can still toggle Explorer windows, but the info is discarded at the end of the session.
Because the Explorer window is not stored to file, it doesn't make you wait until the
window is positioned.

This is just a convenience toy.  If you want full desktop layout control where every window is opened to a given position every run then I suggest using auto-positioning control utilities instead.

6324

General Software Discussion / Re: Which Linux For Non-Techie Windows Users?

« Last post by MilesAhead on February 25, 2010, 08:10 PM »

If it feels good, do it.. as the saying goes.

It's nice that it's still there.  For me it's a bit of been there, done that.

Unless there was something specific I needed to run that was only available there why would I go back?  If there's no smarts needed to configure it anymore then I might as well keep Windowing on down.

If you haven't done it then I definitely think it's worth the journey.

6325

General Software Discussion / Re: Should I pay to go from 3.0 to 3.1?

« Last post by MilesAhead on February 25, 2010, 04:25 PM »

I agree with Mouser that the label/version # doesn't really mean anything. I'm on another board where a beta application that has allowed free usage is going to go commercial.  The program works in its major functions.  All programs have some bugs.  But some of the denizens of the forum don't want to pay for "beta software" on principle.  That's fine but it's just going to be a relabel to V. 1.0.

To me the programmer has perfect right to charge if the program works and it is stable. If it's a "beta" because it keeps crashing, that's another matter.  But if it's just a "beta" so people can try it and report their experiences, I don't know why they would be sad if it works but the about box doesn't say "1.0" on it!  It must be the placebo effect.