Recent Posts

7526

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: Response to Question: Can shareware be released in the NANY event?

« Last post by tomos on September 20, 2010, 04:39 PM »

I'd be open to the idea (but have no strong opinions either way)

as you suggest "give all current DC members a free license" - this would actually be very good advertising for any app, mind you they'd lose out on all the software junkies here...
or
something like a license for a year with upgrading pricing after that ?

7527

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Pledge: VeggieWorld(?) - Children's Game

« Last post by tomos on September 20, 2010, 04:28 PM »

What's the target age group? "FYI - the target age is +/- 8 years old"


Smell could be important - I dont know can plants smell (?)
but how about:

Ooooohh! you smell nice :-)
or
YEEEeeeuuuaaaahhh  SMELLLLL BAAAADDDD  :-D

It's tempting to give them adult characteristics (I dont mean anything risque) but dont know would this be interesting for kids (depending on the age group).

7528

General Software Discussion / Re: extracting info from pdf

« Last post by tomos on September 20, 2010, 04:16 PM »

This may depend on the file - but with adobe reader I just selected an image in a pdf (via drag + select the area around it, then "copy image" in the context menu). I was able to paste the image in Evernote and MS Paint.

I dont think even the pdf reader will give you the option to show images at their original resolution - I suspect there could even be images with different resolutions within the one file. So I think you cant expect Screenshot captor (or other) to do that (I mean considering it's the pdf reader has the file open/displayed)

7529

General Software Discussion / Re: Another reason to drop Kaspersky?

« Last post by tomos on September 20, 2010, 08:17 AM »

tomos - I still have a 3 machine license for VIPRE Premium and overall like it. However, I'm running MS Security Essentials on all but my own computer and MS Security Essentials seems fine to me.
[...]
[off-topic]Hope you are well![/off-topic]

-Darwin (September 17, 2010, 03:38 PM)

Yeah, I'm starting to feel like why should I pay for something that just doesnt work so well - and from the comments lately, people are complaining about all the antivirus apps including the one that have been popular over the last few years with those 'in the know'. I complained about Avira (paid) elsewhere here

PS I'm very well thanks! 

7530

Living Room / Re: Awesome photos

« Last post by tomos on September 20, 2010, 08:03 AM »

they're great photos all right!
it says they're from colour slide - i.e. no 'colourised' photos

7531

General Software Discussion / Re: Another reason to drop Kaspersky?

« Last post by tomos on September 17, 2010, 02:39 PM »

I dont know about Kapersky, but I'm considering going the Microsoft Security Essentials route when my AV (Avira AntiVir paid) runs out.

According to the first reply in "All Replies" in this MS Answers thread it is "for personal or home business use".

It's supposed to not get too many false positives and if a real virus does get in I'll probably just restore OS partition from an image backup anyways...

7532

Living Room / Re: The Story of Stuff - Cosmetics, Bottled Water...

« Last post by tomos on September 17, 2010, 09:54 AM »

Here,
you pay for a bin for the rubbish and you are then given two 'free' bins - one for paper and one for compost. I have no idea what's done with all that compost but at least it doesnt matter so much as the other stuff...

7533

Living Room / Re: The Story of Stuff - Cosmetics, Bottled Water...

« Last post by tomos on September 17, 2010, 09:20 AM »

But the videos are really well done! I wish them the best and all the success in the world. It would be a better place.

-Renegade (September 17, 2010, 09:11 AM)

Absolutely.

And I take your points - I didnt mean to give you a hard time btw Renegade (well not too hard a time anyways). Was just writing my rambling thoughts, etc. and I was complaining more about uninformed apathy as opposed to informed, eh... what shall we call it - disgust with the system - I guess covers it...

7534

Living Room / Re: The Story of Stuff - Cosmetics, Bottled Water...

« Last post by tomos on September 17, 2010, 07:23 AM »

Great videos thanks!

> Most "recyclables" cost MORE energy to recycle than they save.
I'm curious about that - it's often said but I'd like to see 'proof'

Plastic bottles now have a 25c deposit on them here - I wonder what happens to them when you bring them back...

> That kind of stuff is why I simply refuse to give a s**t about anything anymore. There is no hope...
Your choice. I disagree :p :-)

There is a huge apathy about recycling in general I find - and I'm not talking about informed apathy, although I suppose this kind of info does filter down.
For example it's not that difficult to separate food stuff for the compost bin (if you have one). I'm shocked though when I see what people actually put in there - high salt/ cooked or processed foods/ etc. etc. etc. You may as well not bother really cause you're just wrecking the compost and wrecking other peoples efforts.
This in the (supposed) land of recycling (Germany).
Ironically, although germany 'recycles' the most, they are also (I've read) the biggest producers of rubbish in Europe. I reckon that's why they had to start recycling in the first place

Is there not a problem with where landfills go in the states? Maybe because it's so big there's lots of space for landfills? Location of new landfills was a major problem in Ireland over the last while. The population is well spread out in the countryside & no one wants a landfill in their backyard...

7535

Living Room / Re: On Wikipedia, Cultural Patrimony, and Historiography

« Last post by tomos on September 17, 2010, 05:32 AM »

Those are some broad stereotypes which of course are not true, rxantos.

-Deozaan (September 16, 2010, 03:33 PM)

I believe what he says (below) is often the case - well, if you leave out the word only from his statements and add sometimes or often. Oups, are we getting into taboo territory here

Government only purpose is to protect the Government. Church only purpose is to protect the Church. The press only purpose is to protect their money. All organizations care about themselves more than of the truth.

-rxantos (September 13, 2010, 01:59 AM)

7536

Living Room / Re: If historical events had Facebook status updates...

« Last post by tomos on September 17, 2010, 05:17 AM »

 

7537

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for a portable document and info management tool

« Last post by tomos on September 16, 2010, 10:03 AM »

About the portable version they say

"can run from a USB stick/disk, tags files only on the support it runs from."
and
"Can tag only on the disk it runs from, no tabble sharing."

not 100% sure what that means - "Can tag only on the disk it runs from" -
is it that it can only tag on files the disc where the exe is?

http://tabbles.net/p...abbles.html#portable

7538

Living Room / Re: Is Antenna Climbing the Scariest Job Ever?

« Last post by tomos on September 16, 2010, 04:59 AM »

wow,
that got the adrenalin going - I'm a bit scared of heights

There were a few stages there - going from one section to the next - that looked relatively difficult.

7539

Site/Forum Features / Re: Idea: DC Cody Tshirts customized for an interest area

« Last post by tomos on September 14, 2010, 03:48 AM »

I think a grey TShirt would be better -
but you're still going to have the problem "are you going to see the image. does the bowl need to be a different (lighter) colour." I have no experience here so cant answer those questions...

I know there are different methods for printing on Tshirts (but only know that from looking at them!)

7540

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Mini-Review

« Last post by tomos on September 12, 2010, 12:25 PM »

Thanks Tom. I actually found 2 logs that would show the problem. So I guess I just need to send the logs to him ?

-Armando (September 12, 2010, 11:26 AM)

well if you're willing I sent you a PM with some more details (dont know if you've uninstalled, but if you can remember the name of the backup, give him that too - mind you you're logs are probably fairly short if you only trialling it...)

7541

General Software Discussion / Re: TicTac 1.6.0.0

« Last post by tomos on September 11, 2010, 02:42 PM »

a very minor thing re TicTacLite and TicTac

if a window is already full screen height*, TicTac either shifts it up or down a few pixels (with all keys), meaning one edge gets very slightly cropped. Not a big deal but reporting anyways - so only fix if you like!


* (edit) I also use GridMove and often work with windows that are full height but maybe a third or 2/3 of screen width

7542

Living Room / Re: Do virus scanners need to get stupid again?

« Last post by tomos on September 11, 2010, 01:31 PM »

Is there any antivirus that have a good record in this regard? - Sorry that's probably veering off-topic (and may be discussed elsewhere?)

Re Avira I've complained in their forums three or four times now about how difficult it is to report false positives on their website. Each time they ask me for the link or file and report the thread as solved. In my latest effort Still having problems reporting false-positives at Avira website, I have stuck to the topic (i.e. not given anyone on the forum the details of the false positive) and am now simply getting no response. I get the impression there are a couple of employees who's job it is to reply on the forums and they work on a commission basis per threads marked <Solved>. (And solving that just doesnt seem to be on Avira's agenda...)

When my year with Avira run out (or maybe sooner) I'm moving on...

7543

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Mini-Review

« Last post by tomos on September 11, 2010, 01:12 PM »

Thanks for the follow up, Tom. No, I didn't report this. That kind of bug reporting takes time as many parameters are involved... But if you want to send Tobias an e-mail, sure.

I gave up on SFFS for now, even if it seems very promissing . My SyncBack License is valid and I like the interface, so I'd need a good reason to switch (my main incentive : the speed of the backup) and I want a painless set up.

SFFS did a few weird things right from the start and so I'll wait for another moment -- when I have more time -- to retry it. That is, if it's possible to reinstall the trial and get extra days ??

-Armando (September 08, 2010, 01:35 PM)

I reported it but he said he cant do anything without the log file (I forget where they stored by default, prob in the documents & settings/user). In my experience if there is a problem, he has figured it out from the log file so there was minimal work in reporting bugs. He did say he couldnt reproduce it, might try it myself as well if I get around to it.

7544

General Software Discussion / Re: TicTac 1.6.0.0

« Last post by tomos on September 11, 2010, 01:02 PM »

TicTac Lite is available from the same page. It works the same as TicTac, but instead of using a Tray Icon Menu, it just uses an invisible window and hotkeys. I implemented it as a vc++ Win32 message loop with no icons or other resources to keep it small.

When run, if it loads successfully you should hear a chime. Press Alt-F1 for About box(with opportunity to donate.)   Press Win-NumberPad0 to get a Quit confirmation dialog.  Win-NumPad1 - 9 moves the active window same as TicTac.

-MilesAhead (September 10, 2010, 07:23 PM)

that will suit me better, thanks Miles

7545

Living Room / Re: What's Your Internet Speed/Reliability SATISFACTION?

« Last post by tomos on September 10, 2010, 04:21 AM »

my internet seems to confuse speedtest.net a little

Fist I got
 (see attachment in previous post)
so I tried again and got
 (see attachment in previous post)
I think the best actual download speeds I've seen were a little over 2MB/s. Connection is supposed to be 20MB/s and apparently is very good at street level but the cable leading up to the house is bad bad & needs to be replaced - still a lot better than many people here are getting.

-tomos (September 07, 2010, 04:35 AM)

I get consistently huge download speeeds from speedtest.net - the lowest so far was Dublin with 85MB, lets see Moscow gets 190; Frankfurt (automatic choice of speedtest for my location) gets 258 today.

Lets see, is there anywhere else you can check your speeds - this site (http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk/) give me:
5656 Kbps / 935 Kbps
I've never noticed getting even that download speed 5.5MB but then I usually find download speed is related to wherever I'm downloading from...

7546

General Software Discussion / Re: Portable apps suites - is there a good one?

« Last post by tomos on September 09, 2010, 02:24 PM »

That's not accurate either. You can download the PortableApps Launcher separately from any other apps.

Ok so you got me there.  Most of the ones I have checked will have a suite of apps that come with the launcer.  Some of those default apps I may not want.  And yes, I probably could just download the launcher only and then pick and choose.  But that's not what I want.  If I get the "complete" package it could have open office plus a whole bunch of stuff.  I may not want open office but want the other stuff.

-techidave (September 09, 2010, 01:51 PM)

seems to me if you're fussy about what you want you're going to have to download the launcher and the apps seperately i.e. have a little bit of work
Or I guess you could download a package and delete what you dont want

7547

Backup Guide / Re: Well I'd like to have shared some ....

« Last post by tomos on September 09, 2010, 03:24 AM »

if buy from http://www.neatnettricks.com/store/
prices are lower : USD 29.60, 52.80, 74.40 resp
(unsure if one has to first be a member  @ USD 12.00 or not)

SKA

-SKA (September 09, 2010, 12:29 AM)

prices on thier own site have also been reduced $29/52/74
http://www.altaro.com/backup-buynow.php

7548

Living Room / Re: tc1100 tablet pc dies before i've even set it up

« Last post by tomos on September 08, 2010, 02:40 AM »

> i just thought £80 for a tc1100 couldn't be ignored - i mean, i'd enquired about having the broken
> machine repaired and that was going to cost, at least, £80. so, i've saved money, haven't i... right?
lol,
you're sounding like my mum now


> i'm still waiting for the other tablet (motion) to arrive ... maybe the motion one will get sold???

from the looks of the motion one it might be hard to let go of it - keep us updated...

7549

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Super Flexible File Synchronizer Mini-Review

« Last post by tomos on September 08, 2010, 02:34 AM »

1- In the "exact mirror mode" when "partial file updating" option is ON, larger "in use" files like my Outlook PSTs or IQ DataBase are 1- copied and then... immediatly after... 2- deleted ! This seems to happen once every 2 backup.

-Armando (August 31, 2010, 03:17 PM)

Armando, did you get a chance to report this - or did you give up on SFFS?
(if you did give up/uninstall I'll send Tobias a link to here anyways, so he knows about the problem)

7550

General Software Discussion / Re: Synchronizing a few folders between two machines?

« Last post by tomos on September 08, 2010, 02:29 AM »

Darwin says he's impressed with Oops!Backup

I'm running the trial of Oops!Backup now.
[...]
If OB stays stable over the coming weeks, I'll be buying a license for sure.

-Darwin (September 07, 2010, 09:45 PM)

also does delta copying, with a twist (it's not clear though if the file is copied in it's entirety and the older version is then 'delta-ed'):

With ReverseDelta, the latest version of a file is always made available in its entirety and not as a delta file. This means that if you require the latest version of a file, it is possible to access it directly from your backup drive without having to rebuild the file from delta files. The delta files are only used if you want to build a previous version of the file, building one delta file at a time for each version as you travel back in time in the reverse direction.

http://www.altaro.co...kup-reversedelta.php

seems reasonably priced at $29