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6426

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your favorite launch bar? Your favorite features? Missing Features?

« Last post by Darwin on January 09, 2006, 08:40 AM »

Hirudin - well done!

6427

General Software Discussion / Re: Software license upgrade experiences: pricing, support & the stuff that matters

« Last post by Darwin on January 09, 2006, 01:27 AM »

At the moment I am cheesed off with Diskeeper Corp. over their handling of the upgrade to v.10 of their Diskeeper defragmentation software. I received an e-mail advising me that an upgrade was available at the beginning of December, read over the listed improvements, have been very pleased with the three versions I have purhcased so far, and downloaded the trial of the new version. I bought it later that week, being very impressed with the increased speed of both analysis and defragmentation of drives, the much improved GUI and with the improved performance of the "smart schedule" defragmentation (and the associated options).  However, one of the main reasons I was so quick to buy the upgrade is a new feature called iFAAST:

"Intelligent File Access Acceleration Sequencing Technology (I-FAAST) improves  file access and creation by up to 80% (average 10%-20%). Using specially-engineered benchmarks Diskeeper learns disk performance characteristics, and then transparently monitors volumes over time for file access frequency applying proprietary techniques to prevent Diskeeper from being "fooled" by files that have been recently accessed. During special I-FAAST defragmentation jobs, Diskeeper organizes the most commonly used files and applications to increase file access performance. Like other intelligent technologies featured in Diskeeper 10, I-FAAST can automatically adapt to changing usage patterns—so there's no need to reconfigure if the system is transferred to another user. "

Fast forward two weeks and I'm suddenly being offered the opportunity to upgrade from v.10 of Diskeeper Professional to a new version of Diskeeper Professional: Diskeeper Professional Premium, which includes iFAAST (while I am now told my version does not). The price of this "special" upgrade from v.10 Pro to v.10 Pro Premium is the same as the full price of the latest version of Diskeeper Pro, and I've already paid 60% of that to get to v.10. Two things REALLY P*SS me off about this. First, absolutely NOWHERE in any of the advertising e-mails for the upgrade that I received prior to upgrading nor during the purchase process was it indicated that iFAAST was available only in special ("premium") versions of the software. Second, and really much more aggravatingly, my e-mails to general support and to sales about this have been completely ignored by Diskeeper Corp.. I even responded to one of their sales reps who wrote after my initial upgrade to enquire as to my experience with v.10 thus far! One of the points I made was that the upgrade to v.10 Professional alone was about what the cross upgrade to PerfectDisk 7 costs, which includes similar technology to iFAAST, and that requiring me to spend DOUBLE that again to get the same functionality from Diskeeper was excessive. Anyway, faced with their continued silence, I am now in the PerfectDisk camp. I purchased the cross-upgrade and am generally very pleased with v.7. I miss the robusicity of Diskeeper's scheduling and its overall configurability but my computer's performance doesn't seem to be suffering from the switch and even *seems* to be staying less fragmented for longer...

Anyway, that's my rant. I'm considering my next move. I'd just demand a refund from Diskeeper but I've two other machines and have installed the license from my notebook on one of them, replacing Win2k's native defragmenter. Besides, it's not like Diskeeper Professional 10 isn't a great product on its own... I'm just wondering if I should keep after them for a response but am not sure I can be bothered. Pretty disgusted by the cynicism of the company though: they flood my mailbox with spam about their other products and have even contacted me for my opinions about/experiences with Diskeeper 10 but refuse to answer three e-mails asking for clarification of their upgrade policy to Professional Premium (e.g. was the upgrade offer I received based on my ownership of Diskeeper Professional 9 or 10?), even in the face of losing a user/customer.

OK time for my meds and bed. If anyone's read this far, thanks for bearing with me and sorry for the long winded post.

6428

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Possible Large Directory Opus Discount

« Last post by Darwin on January 08, 2006, 09:40 AM »

OK, here's what we have so far. The developer has responded http://resource.dopus.com/viewtopic.php?p=6745#6745 to say that this isn't an option currently but is in the works for a future version. One of the moderators also responded to Hirudin's question about Win-E and asked that I pass on his remarks:

"I noticed another question within the same thread. Please could you pass back my answer:

Quote:
I have a layout that I would like to be opened every time I open DO, no matter if I press WIN+E, double click the desktop, open with the tray icon, or with a shortcut. How do I use the same layout for everything?

If you go to Preferences / Double-Click / Desktop there are options which allow you to set the desktop double-click and the tray-icon double-click to open a specific layout.

To create a shortcut to a layout go to Preferences / Layout / Saved Layouts and drag the layout from the list to a directory.

That leaves the Win-E shortcut which you cannot change. Win-E always goes to My Computer by definition. This isn't an Opus thing but a Windows thing and, as far as I know, cannot be changed. I think if you try and override Win-E then it won't work (Windows gets to and swallows the keypress before anything else).

Opus does let you define other hotkeys which can be system-global (i.e. Opus doesn't have to be the active program when you press them) and which can open a layout or do whatever you want. If you go to Customize / Keys in Opus you'll see there's already a Win-O hotkey which opens a new lister (go new). You could change this, or add a different hotkey, to open a specific layout.

If the layout is called "moo" then the command to open it would be Prefs LAYOUT=moo"

Hope this helps clarify things for Carol and for Hirudin.

6429

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Possible Large Directory Opus Discount

« Last post by Darwin on January 08, 2006, 12:14 AM »

Hi Carol, I see what you mean... I've always liked that display too. However, I've never made much use of Windows Explorer in XP, having purchased DOpus while I was still running Win2k, and was unaware that that you could display anything other than "my computer" this way. I'll try to find out about this on the users forum and will get back to you here.

6430

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your favorite launch bar? Your favorite features? Missing Features?

« Last post by Darwin on January 08, 2006, 12:03 AM »

Innuendo: I purchased the released version of WB 5 at the end of November, but two beta releases subsequent to that have been made available via the Stardock Central program...

Mouser: hmmm.... I think that the MOST important/attractive thing about TLB for me is, as Innuendo has already noted, that it works flawlessly "out of the box" (the aforementioned "show desktop" quibble excepted. Given that I am more likely to hit win-d this is a very minor consideration). In addition, there are about 20 plugins that extend the functionality, many of which are ACTUALLY really useful and well executed. There are calendars, battery monitors, a memory optimizer, to do lists, etc. Finally, and my favourite feature, there is the menu/virtual folders feature. This lets you define a folder to link to and TLB turns it into a navigable menu - you just click on it and select the file you want opened. It's EXTREMELY convenient for me in accessing files relating to my PhD and to work (teaching intro university classes - bonus points to anyone who can figure out what my specialty is from my avatar ) quickly and naturally. To contrast this, I've tried using ObjectDock's flyout menus feature to do the same thing and while it LOOKS interesting it's pretty annoying!

Sidenote: I've *just* reinstalled TLB this evening after leaving it off my system while I played around with ObjectBar and the show desktop "thing" seems to have vanished... I can't think what I've changed on my system in the last two weeks that might explain this, which is a pity as I'd like to be able to let the developer know. Sigh... Still, it's early in the installation and if memory serves the behaviour came on gradually.

6431

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your favorite launch bar? Your favorite features? Missing Features?

« Last post by Darwin on January 07, 2006, 05:44 PM »

I use Truelaunchbar Pro, too... I love it. My only complaint, and the developer is looking into this, is that the "show desktop" icon is infinitely slower in switching to the desktop than it is using the QuickLaunchBar. For the record, the same behaviour occurs when I have ObjectBar loaded (installed for that matter...) instead of the default taskbar.

Innuendo, I actually agree with you about Stardock. I like their ideas/apps in principle but there is always something that doesn't quite work right. Currently, I only have Window Blinds 5 installed (latest beta), though I have access to the entire ObjectDesktop suite and also own ObjectDock. I just don't find that, in the case of ObjectDock, there is enough there that isn't available using the taskbar. I *do* like window blinds though...

6432

Find And Run Robot / Re: Another similar app (disclaimer: I haven't tried it)

« Last post by Darwin on January 07, 2006, 05:32 PM »

Hi nontroppo,

Like you, I never got the control panel to display and I gave up on Colibri and uninstalled it shortly after I posted my last note here. Also, like you, I found its footprint to be excessive (but in line with AppRocket). That would be acceptable if Colibri was more configureable and it's footprint didn't bog down my computer (which I found to be the case with AppRocket - particularly on startup). I don't know if its footprint bogs one;s computer down or not, but given that its functionality is impaired by its apparent lack of configureability, I didn't leave it on my system long enough to find out I'm waiting on a later build to be released to reserve judgement.

Thanks for the description of Quicksilver by the way - that goes some way to explaining the fuss and only makes me want it running under windows more!

6433

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your favorite launch bar? Your favorite features? Missing Features?

« Last post by Darwin on January 06, 2006, 06:36 PM »

Stardock's ObjectBar is pretty configureable, (though I can't in honesty be bothered with it!) and completely replaces the windows taskbar.

Nudone: I purchased WB 5 and it's worth the $19.95. I liked it so much I upgraded to ObjectDesktop but probably should have stopped at WB... OD comes with a raft of apps that you can use to tweak the appearance of your entire system but I find that I don't use many of them. Amongst them is an app called Enhance Dialog, which allows you to modify your open/close, save, etc. dialogs a la File-Ex and XFilesDialog.

Anyway, give WindowBlinds 5 a try - the glass effects are really something. Of course, I might just be easily impressed having religiously stuck with Windows Classic and the themes service disabled for the last three years! Note, my system actually seems more responsive with Windows skinned under WindowBlinds. Maybe that's just me trying to rationalize the expense, though!

6434

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Possible Large Directory Opus Discount

« Last post by Darwin on January 06, 2006, 06:17 PM »

Hi Carol,

Is this what you're looking for in DOpus? (Or have I misunderstood? It's happened before...). I'm attempting to attach a png file but preview isn't telling me if it's going to work or not. So, fingers crossed...

6435

Find And Run Robot / Re: Another similar app (disclaimer: I haven't tried it)

« Last post by Darwin on December 30, 2005, 04:40 PM »

Just want to clarify that the app that didn't last on my system, and that lacked both customability and documentation was Colibri, not F&RR! F&RR is a great app, has thorough documentation and is easily customised.

I wish I knew more about Quicksilver. I've read about it, but for me the learning process involves playing around with whatever I'm trying to get to know. Thus, not having used it, I can't really comment on what features I'd like to see implemented in F&RR. My sister has an iBook but it's running a version of OS X that is too old to run Quicksilver AND she's in a different city. C'est la vie.

6436

Find And Run Robot / Re: Another similar app (disclaimer: I haven't tried it)

« Last post by Darwin on December 30, 2005, 01:55 PM »

OK it's loaded and running next to the latest build of F&RR (which I haven't had loaded since the late summer). Initial impressions are that it is fast but frustratingly difficult to customise. For example, I have my documents on drive F: and I can't get Colibri to search anywhere other than C: drive... This is compounded by the link to the "help" file taking you to the "what's new" page on the author's website. F&RR, however, is a dream to customise. It's quick, though and seems to find more "hits" than F&RR, but I'm not sure this is necessarily a good thing. I don't *think* it's any quicker than F&RR, either. Overall, my gut feeling is that it's not going to last too long on my system, given it's lack of customability (is that a word?) and poor documentation...

6437

Find And Run Robot / Re: Another similar app (disclaimer: I haven't tried it)

« Last post by Darwin on December 30, 2005, 01:36 PM »

PS I've downloaded Colibri 8a and it's about 650kb. Haven't decided whether I will load it or not... I've posted about F&RR in the Quicksilver forum before (http://forums.blackt.../viewtopic.php?t=731 - I'm "Huxley" over there as Darwin was already taken ) and it seems to have been well received, albeit by one poster... The reigning favourite Win application with Quicksilver users *forced* to use Windows boxes at work still seems to be AppRocket 1.2 (http://www.candylabs.com/approcket/), though...

6438

Find And Run Robot / Another similar app (disclaimer: I haven't tried it)

« Last post by Darwin on December 30, 2005, 01:26 PM »

I monitor the Quicksilver forum at Blacktree.com (http://forums.blackt...om/viewforum.php?f=8) despite the fact that I own/have access to neither a Mac nor OS X... However, I am always on the lookout for Quicksilver users' suggestions for Windows equivalents of Quicksilver (which garners fanatical support and rave reviews), primarily as I'd like to understand what all the fuss is about. One I've not heard of before was posted yesterday and is called "Colibri": http://colibri.leetspeak.org/.

Anyway, just thought I'd post the link here so that Mouser can take a look and possibly add it to his list of alternative applications in the F&RR help file.

6439

General Software Discussion / Re: Keynote Closes...

« Last post by Darwin on December 11, 2005, 09:42 AM »

I wish I could write as eloquently in English (my first and only language) as Marek has in what is evidently his second langauge. What a thoroughly decent and honourable human being!

6440

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: My new favorite pen

« Last post by Darwin on December 10, 2005, 09:05 AM »

Yeah, I wanted to keep this *somewhat* sane so didn't mention my MontBlanc Meisterstruck 149, Sheaffer PFM I (circa 1959, in black, my current favourite), Pilot Vanishing Point, vintage Parker 51 or my numerous vintage Parkers and Sheaffers. Another sweet one is a newish Watermans with a buttery nib. I'm not sure of the model name.

Of course, John, the holy grail for me is a Pelikan. Currently I favour big pens and silver rather than gold so an M805 would probably be right for me, though I've yet to handle one and can't be sure where in the 600/800/1000 range I would fit. At the moment I have far less disposable income than I have enjoyed in the past so must hold off indulging myself. Something I haven't done, but must if I ever get around to it, is to pare down the watch and pen collections (the watch collection crushes the pen collection for sheer quantity so I should start there, but I do have a wealth of Sheaffer snorkels and touchdowns that I don't use).

I absolutely hear you about the joys of filling fountain pens and loving them. Having a good quality fountain pen in your hand and writing with it is SUCH a treat. My only complaint is that I usually have too little to write!

6441

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: My new favorite pen

« Last post by Darwin on December 10, 2005, 12:33 AM »

I hear you. Unfortunately, in addition to being a fool for software I am a fool for pens and watches...

6442

Find And Run Robot / Re: TalkAboutShareware thread

« Last post by Darwin on December 09, 2005, 05:57 PM »

WTF is wrong with these people? I hear what mouser is saying and would like to take his calm, rational approach, but I am appalled by the nit picking, posturing attitude that is evident on the thread. I am too pissed off to write anything over there that won't start a flame war (maybe this will, anyway). My membership at donationcoder is something that I am very proud of and I hate to see the whole thing being trashed by self-righteous, grasping people with nothing better to do than to sit around getting "angry" about semantic distinctions. Look at me I'm sitting around getting angry about semantics... oops! The OP on that thread really likes F&RR and claims not to be averse to paying for software but is morally affronted by the lies and deceptions on this site? He can't get beyond his claustraphobic tunnel vision and make a 50 cent donation giving him the right to unlimited use of a program that he claims to do what he wants it to do. What a moron. And he's finding support for his position over there! Crap. There I go again. Time for my meds. Please excuse this diatribe. I am not very active here but donationcoder really, really resonates with me and has changed my perspective on a lot of things.

Shaking my head in disbelief and dismay.

6443

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: My new favorite pen

« Last post by Darwin on December 09, 2005, 05:10 PM »

You're correct - all the office and stationery supply stores near me (Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada) sell Fisher refills that will work in other manufacturer's pens (Shaeffer, Parker, Cross, etc.). More details available from the Fisher website http://www.spacepen.com/cdn-english/index2.htm. For what it's worth, my current favourite pen is the Fisher 2010 Millenium - guaranteed not to run out of ink during the purchaser's lifetime and gorgeous to boot: http://www.spacepen.com/cdn-english/index2.htm.  *added in edit: sorry, just realised that my link takes you to the main page (and that there's nothing to be done about it... so, (for those who are interested) click on "products" -> "unique" and then "millenium pens".

6444

Official Announcements / Re: ANNOUNCING - DonationCoder.com Logo Contest

« Last post by Darwin on November 19, 2005, 04:32 PM »

OMG! I can't believe I missed this entire thread for so long. I'm really impressed by the ideas posted here and, like everyone else, am in love with nudone's drawing of "Codie" (like that name, too;)). The latest version is a keeper, I'd say.

Carol's idea of having major currencies displayed on the coin depending on the geographic location of the viewer's ISP address is a good one, and one that I hope isn't too difficult to implement.

6445

General Software Discussion / Re: ClipCache Plus 3.xx Preview...Don't Get Too Excited

« Last post by Darwin on November 18, 2005, 09:46 AM »

OK, I understand now! To my knowledge, ClipMate does NOT do this  It allows you to switch between folders easily enough, but as far as I can tell does not feature the expandable menus that you describe.

This sounds like a very useful feature - one I had not considered before. Perhaps I'll peruse the Clipmate forum and see if it is an active suggestion. If not, I'll add it.

Thanks for clarifying that.

6446

General Software Discussion / Re: ClipCache Plus 3.xx Preview...Don't Get Too Excited

« Last post by Darwin on November 18, 2005, 12:34 AM »

Plus it's not that I'm looking for more features, it's missing the ones I like: the expandable menus from the tray and hot key popup for example...the one big reason I never went to ClipMate

-Nighted (November 17, 2005, 10:39 PM)

Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're describing, ClipMate does this in both version 6 and 7 (can't remember back to 5...).

6447

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: CCleaner / Crap Cleaner - easily remove Windows ballast

« Last post by Darwin on November 17, 2005, 09:59 AM »

I have been using a similar tool - CleanCache - for years. It's highly customizable and even lets you overwrite data so that it's unrecoverable.

It's donationware and can be found here:

www.buttuglysoftware.com

The author's statement about donations:

"If you like my programs and would like to donate towards future development and the bandwidth for my site please click on the PayPal icon to the right. 

Please note that donating is strictly voluntary."

6448

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Free world-time, calculator-calendar alarm clock

« Last post by Darwin on November 03, 2005, 09:26 AM »

Bet they won't send one to the UK ...

-CarolHaynes (November 03, 2005, 06:34 AM)

They won't send one to Canada...

6449

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Startup Delayer

« Last post by Darwin on November 02, 2005, 12:03 PM »

OK - next source of embarrassment - how do I end quoting another poster and start my own comments on a white background?

-Darwin (November 02, 2005, 11:43 AM)

Just start to type AFTER the last quote tag

Suggestion: Quote a quoted post just to see how it looks there, don't save it.

-brotherS (November 02, 2005, 11:54 AM)

Thanks BrotherS! I'd thought of that but hadn't "thought it through" - I was thinking I'd have to post my message and didn't want to waste eveyone's time! Why I hadn't remembered the "preview" button escapes me. This is shaping up to be a bad day... 

6450

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Startup Delayer

« Last post by Darwin on November 02, 2005, 11:43 AM »

I would guess the reviews on the page you posted should give caution.

Ouch! I feel like a complete fool - PCMag usually has a forum for each of its apps and I am used to reading comments there. When I didn't see the usual link beneath the download link I looked no further 

OK - next source of embarrassment - how do I end quoting another poster and start my own comments on a white background?

-CarolHaynes (November 02, 2005, 10:26 AM)