Recent Posts

701

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your preferred File Manager

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 06, 2010, 02:21 PM »

Neither x² nor XY are "rather like DO"; that's why they are actually used by, at least, me. 

-Tuxman (May 06, 2010, 01:47 PM)

Well, let me say what I especially like and don't like about DO.  Among the things I don't care about are its ftp and zip capabilities.  I have separate programs that I prefer for both of those.  And, obviously, I don't like the fact that it takes a while for DO to open some of my directories.  Also, I wouldn't at all mind if it were a bit simpler to use.  Having a zillion features and settings that I don't need just adds to my frustration when I'm trying to figure out how to do something.  There's so much stuff to plough through to find what I need.

What I value in DO are
1) its dual pane structure, with the possibility of switching to single pane or images pane.
2) the ability to put my cursor on a graphics file and see a thumbnail of the file (this was one of the features that won me over to start with)
3) the File Collection feature--essentially a virtual directory into which I can put files and directories from all over my computer
4) the ability to put program icons on the toolbar so that if I highlight a file and click on, say, the Photoshop icon, the file will open in Photoshop.

These are features I use all the time.  There are probably lots of other things I value about DO, but these are the ones that come to mind most quickly.  Once I found DO, I was hooked, so I haven't bothered to look at other file managers since then.   Am I simply going to have to stay with DO?

702

Site/Forum Features / Re: Discussion: How can we Improve DonationCoder?

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 06, 2010, 01:33 PM »

Awesome!  I really didn't know that existed.

-alivingspirit (May 06, 2010, 12:40 AM)

Me, neither!    I even posted earlier in this thread about how much I liked the "Unread Posts" feature and how I use it all the time....duh. 

703

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your preferred File Manager

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 06, 2010, 01:25 PM »

For some time I've been a user of DOpus....
However, over the past few months I've found that it slows to a crawl when opening and sorting the contents of one particular directory (and not that large of one, with just a couple of hundred items). This has become enough of a frustration to me that I've mostly switched to XYplorer.

-CWuestefeld (May 04, 2010, 12:34 PM)

Gee, here I've been thinking that DO's taking a long time to open several of my directories was my fault.  Now you've got me wondering whether I should be looking at other options before the next new ver$ion comes out.  I've been impressed by what I've read about XYplorer and xplorer2.  Basically, if I were to change, I'd want a program rather like DO but more agile.  Hmmm....

704

General Software Discussion / Re: Clipboard Managing-Which one?

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 06, 2010, 09:28 AM »

When I looked, I found ClipMate the best, and I've never seen anything to give me any cause to reconsider.

-Dormouse (May 06, 2010, 04:52 AM)

+1

705

General Software Discussion / Re: Hard drive Cleaning, which one you use?

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 06, 2010, 09:23 AM »

Then I find out Hard Drive Powerwash(http://www.harddrivepowerwash.com/), this to clean hard drive from junks, well the free version do this but the premium shareware goes more

-ha14 (May 06, 2010, 03:23 AM)

I tried Hard Drive Powerwash not long ago and was rather unimpressed.  I kept having to re-enter all my settings each time I used it.  It wouldn't remember them from one use to the next.  Also, it looked for my Firefox cookies in the wrong place.  Two years ago, when Firefox came out with version 3, it changed where the cookies were stored, but Hard Drive Powerwash still looked in the location for version 2 and then reported that it couldn't find them.

706

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for a "last accessed - with date" application

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 03, 2010, 06:14 PM »

It is Microsoft and Windows, so you can of course not fully trust the results...

-Curt (May 03, 2010, 05:28 PM)

Yes, I think this warning should be in red.  I have found the information about "last accessed" provided by Add/Remove Programs to be absurdly unreliable.  I'm basing my statement mostly on WindowsXP but also to some degree on Windows 7 (I've never used Vista, so I can't comment on that).

707

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for a "last accessed - with date" application

« Last post by cyberdiva on May 02, 2010, 10:24 AM »

I wanted to get on with the usual Spring clean and erase stuff that I've downloaded, tested and then forgotten about

-joiwind (May 02, 2010, 08:25 AM)

The freeware Belarc Advisor lists every software program on your computer and puts a little icon next to it that indicates how long it's been since you last used it: a one-bar icon indicates used within the past 7 days, 2 bars is used within the past 90 days, 3 bars is within the past year, and 4 bars is more than a year ago.  If you put your mouse over the icon, it tells you exactly when you last used it.  I find it useful for identifying programs I've forgotten about.  

708

Site/Forum Features / Re: Discussion: How can we Improve DonationCoder?

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 28, 2010, 01:57 PM »

The forum too doesn't show the depth of things, it needs to be arranged, or get a better start page.

It probably takes a new framework, but then we could have tags, clouds, likes and dislikes, Facebook integration and whatnot.

-skrommel (April 28, 2010, 08:41 AM)

I feel very differently from Skrommel about the forum's structure.  I've been amazed at how easy it is for me to find all the new topics/messages that interest me.  I simply click on the "Unread Posts" button, mark all the entries as "read," and then go down the list and uncheck any that interest me.  I then get rid of all the "read" entries, leaving me with just the ones I want to read.  It takes me almost no time to do this.  As far as I'm concerned, the forums work VERY well, and if they ain't broke....

And I confess I have no interest in tags, clouds, likes, dislikes, etc.  And I'm VERY wary of anything having to do with Facebook, which each week seems to find new ways to erode users' privacy.  

I love the DC site, and especially the forums.  It was the forums that brought me here about three or four years ago.  I think there was a thread about my email client, Mulberry, that I probably found via Google.  I joined so I could post a message in that thread, and soon I discovered that DC was a software lover's dream site.  Lots of knowledgeable and civilized folks offering their opinions of current software, news about new programs, alerts to discounts and special deals, intelligent reviews and useful commentary, and much more.  Eventually, I began to take advantage of some of the impressive donationware from the DC site, but what brought me here and has kept me hooked are the forums.

709

General Software Discussion / Re: Process Tamer speeds up my games & internet speed!

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 25, 2010, 10:26 AM »

Hi Cyberdiva, well this fight between malwarbytes and iobit started since iobit proposed to their users to make a comparative reports on how iobit security 360 manage infrctions alerts, so they started to make reports and test against free antimalware softs, such as superantuspyware, malwarebytes antimalwre... and reports camed that iobit behaved well compared others and also the testers used themselves virus files for testing and iobit didnt provided those, but sure iobit has also virus database that are updated if users sends some new ones.

-ha14 (April 23, 2010, 04:48 AM)

Hi, ha14.  It's certainly true that Iobit would be updating its database in response to user submissions.  However, as I recall, there were certain aspects of the evidence that Malwarebytes uncovered that seemed pretty compelling.  It's been a while since I read the discussions both on the Malwarebytes site and elsewhere, but if I recall correctly, Iobit did remove certain parts of their database after the Malwarebytes' accusation, and Iobit's performance fell substantially without those parts.  I confess, though, that I didn't pay a LOT of attention to this issue, so it's very possible there are aspects I know nothing about.  

710

General Software Discussion / Re: HyperSnap now installs toolbar, without asking?

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 21, 2010, 06:48 PM »

I'm not going through that again, but what I think is, installation-as-portable correctly doesn't offer to install the toolbar because it knows that you don't want that on a portable installation.  Then it goes ahead and does it anyway.  But, author Greg Kochaniak has said he'll look into it.

-rjbull (April 21, 2010, 03:28 PM)

I've found Greg to be very responsive to reports of problems.  I suspect he'll sort this out quickly.

711

General Software Discussion / Re: How to remove ">>>" characters from mail and rewrap mail text?

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 21, 2010, 12:23 PM »

TextMonkey Pro is one of the best for the job, but is $30

-Curt (April 21, 2010, 06:54 AM)

I was about to recommend this, since I too use and like it, but I see Curt has gotten here first.

712

General Software Discussion / Re: HyperSnap now installs toolbar, without asking?

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 21, 2010, 12:20 PM »

I'm curious - was yours a portable version? Or a Windows-installed version?

-J-Mac (April 20, 2010, 10:50 PM)

Jim, I think Curt has answered your question.  I installed mine on my desktop, and to be honest I probably couldn't have answered your question without Curt's response, since I paid no attention to the possibility of installing HyperSnap on a flash drive or other portable media.   But I agree with Curt, and his screenshots are also what I saw--including the set-up page devoted to the toolbar.  It's hard to miss.

713

General Software Discussion / Re: HyperSnap now installs toolbar, without asking?

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 20, 2010, 06:03 PM »

I too recently upgraded my copy of HyperSnap to version 6.80.01, and I was DEFINITELY asked whether I wanted to have the toolbar installed.  There were also links to the additional EULA and privacy policy that would be in effect for the toolbar.  I almost NEVER want an extra toolbar, and I get upset if the software makes a toolbar necessary.  Fortunately, in this case, it seemed clear that the toolbar was by no means necessary, and I chose not to install it.  I am 100% sure that I was told about the possibility of the toolbar and given the option not to include it.

714

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Start Menu 7 Pro giveaway

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 20, 2010, 07:17 AM »

I haven't tried Start Menu 7, but I've been using Vista Start Menu Pro for several years and like it a lot.  I found it much more configurable than Windows XP's built-in start menu, and I've also found the developer very responsive.  As I have it (VSM) set up now, new programs that I add are automatically put in alphabetical order, so I can find them very easily.   As I say, I haven't tried Start Menu 7, but if it's like VSM, I would recommend it highly.

715

General Software Discussion / Re: Alternatives to AnVir Task Manager

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 18, 2010, 07:07 PM »

Hi, Alexey.  I used AnVir Task Manager Pro for a while.  What I especially liked about it was the single icon I could put in the system tray that would monitor and offer information about both CPU and memory usage.  Every now and then I still use it for that purpose.  However, for startup management, I much prefer WinPatrol Plus.  It does what most good startup management programs do--tells you what's starting at startup, allows you to add, remove, or disable items or to arrange to have them start at delayed startup (to avoid conflicts with other programs).  It will warn you any time a program tries to insert itself into the startup menu, and helps you get rid of it.  It also provides some helpful information about each program, including advice about whether it's safe and whether you can safely remove it.  Unlike AnVir, WinPatrol gives information that is pretty reliable, unlike the rather flaky "security risk" assessments offered by AnVir.   Another nice thing about Win Patrol Plus is that you can use it on all your computers, and once you've bought the Plus version, ALL upgrades are free.  WinPatrol Plus is one of the first programs I install on any computer.

One other program you might want to take a look at is The Ultimate Troubleshooter.  I no longer use it--I don't recall why not, perhaps because I felt WinPatrol Plus was enough by itself.  But I liked The Ultimate Troubleshooter better than AnVir.

716

General Software Discussion / Re: Process Tamer speeds up my games & internet speed!

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 18, 2010, 03:26 PM »

Iobit advanced system care has a game mode function that can help you in that aiml.

-ha14 (April 18, 2010, 01:45 PM)

Well, after the discussion on the Malwarebytes forum some months ago about Iobit's stealing Malwarebytes' proprietary database and using it in their software, I wouldn't touch anything Iobit produces or claims to produce.  For more information about this, see, for example, http://malwarebytes.besttechie.net/2009/11/02/iobit-steals-malwarebytes-intellectual-property/ and http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=33217.

717

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: FREE Ashampoo Burning Studio 2009

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 13, 2010, 08:45 AM »

Curt, I may have to resort to that.  I haven't, since I thought it would be a good idea to receive messages from them that dealt with either problems or specific updates to the program I have.  Typically, such messages would come once every few months.  But the constant barrage usually has nothing to do with the program I have.  Even if it did, the frequency would be oppressive.  To be honest, I was surprised when I tried the program (quite a while after I got it for free, probably via GAOTD): I assumed from the absurd number of emails that it was a piece of junk, but it turned out to work quite well.  They're shooting themselves in the foot, I think.

718

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: FREE Ashampoo Burning Studio 2009

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 12, 2010, 06:18 PM »

One other disadvantage of Ashampoo is that once you get one of their products, you'll be bombarded with emails offering you upgrades, other products, ad nauseum.  I'm not talking about a monthly email, or even an every-few-weeks email.  I'm talking about email messages just about every other day.  I don't have a problem with the quality of Ashampoo Burning Studio 2009, which I think I got during a free offer.  But the constant assault of emails has turned me off.

719

General Software Discussion / Re: Helicon Filter won't work on my computer!

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 12, 2010, 09:17 AM »

Seems to have got an excellent response. And they'll hold the BdJ price for you until the problem is sorted. And they want you to try Focus out too.

-Dormouse (April 12, 2010, 08:16 AM)

Thanks, Dormouse, for letting me know.  I kept checking before I went to bed last night, but the message hadn't been posted.  By then, I had pretty much decided not to invest more time in Helicon.  I'll have to think a bit before responding to them....right now, I've gotta run.

720

General Software Discussion / Re: Helicon Filter won't work on my computer!

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 12, 2010, 08:36 AM »

@ CyberDiva -
maybe I over reacted when saying I wouldnt re-install after uninstalling. But then the fact this has happened to others makes it sound like it will happen again if you reinstall... (although it might be okay if you just install the beta? - Skwire had the problem with the free version too)

-tomos (April 12, 2010, 07:23 AM)

Alas, it happened again even though this time I tried to install just version 5.

btw, the BDJ offer is for a lifetime license (so it's still tempting aaaaghh!):

Yes, sigh, I too saw the message on BdJ.  It's the lifetime license that really makes the offer hard to resist.  But my frustrating attempts are strengthening my resistance.  

721

General Software Discussion / Re: Helicon Filter won't work on my computer!

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 12, 2010, 08:31 AM »

You say that there were two exe files at the same time. But Helicon only runs one exe at a time, so this proves that the first one didn't close properly before you started the second one; Hence the freeze. Remove them both thoroughly (REVO > "moderate") and try out version 5.0 again.

-Curt (April 12, 2010, 02:52 AM)

Yes, I had the same thought.  So I used a restore point from before I had installed either program and then tried again to install the beta 5 version.  Same problem as before.  I didn't look to see whether there were again two copies running, though I probably should have, though if there were, it wouldn't have been from the free version's not having been successfully removed.  I was so disappointed and annoyed that all I wanted to do was get rid of HF.  This time, I used Revo with its Moderate setting.  Even after Revo had zapped it and the Registry entries, the [expletive deleted] splash screen was still there!  I had to reboot to get rid of it.

722

General Software Discussion / Re: Helicon Filter won't work on my computer!

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 12, 2010, 08:26 AM »

Did you try to disable your "security software" (antivirus etc..) during the install process?
No problems here on XP SP3.

-Lutz_ (April 12, 2010, 01:21 AM)

Thanks, Lutz, for your response.  No, I didn't disable my security software (AV, firewall, anti-malware, and WinPatrol Plus).  I have rarely had to do this, and IIRC never before with any graphics program.  But it's something I'll keep in mind. 

723

General Software Discussion / Re: Helicon Filter won't work on my computer!

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 11, 2010, 09:33 PM »

Nope, never figured it out because I never looked into it.  I just uninstalled it.  *shrug*

-skwire (April 11, 2010, 08:49 PM)

Ah, why can't I be so sensible?

724

General Software Discussion / Re: Helicon Filter won't work on my computer!

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 11, 2010, 08:40 PM »

Thanks very much, Dormouse, for your interesting responses.  I'm really glad you commented on the two active HeliconFilter.exe files.  That seemed to me highly suspect.  I don't know whether I had a corrupt download of the beta5, or whether Windows didn't actually succeed in uninstalling 4.93, though it said it had, and somehow both files were running.  No, that sounds too bizarre.  I've now used a restore point from earlier today to purge all aspects of both versions from my computer.  The question is, what to do next.   Since skwire had similar problems with 4.93, I'm no longer so sure that the problem is peculiar to my computer.   I guess I should just be patient and wait to see if my message ever gets posted on the Helicon forum, and if it does, whether it gets a reasonable response.  Your first message helped me realize that it's not the end of the world if I don't get to take advantage of the 50% off offer tomorrow.

Again, thanks very much.

725

General Software Discussion / Re: Helicon Filter won't work on my computer!

« Last post by cyberdiva on April 11, 2010, 07:50 PM »

Skwire, this is VERY interesting!  Did you ever figure out why this happened?  What did you decide to do--just get rid of the program?  Or did you finally get it to work?