Recent Posts

7551

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

« Last post by tomos on September 08, 2010, 02:20 AM »

one of the catch22's with wikipedia is that any info in there requires a 'reliable' source.
This is understandable (I dont have a better solution) but it's abused a lot by people with agendas. Well it was abused in my brief personal experience discussing a wikipedia page:
"That source isnt good enough", "you need more sources", "more reputable sources" etc etc. It's very odd to be in a situation where you know something is true but people wont accept it.... (I gave up)

my emphasis:

The threshold for inclusion in Wikipedia is verifiability, not truth—whether readers can check that material in Wikipedia has already been published by a reliable source, not whether editors think it is true.

http://en.wikipedia....ipedia:Verifiability

7552

DcUpdater / Re: LATEST VERSION INFO THREAD - DcUpdater - 1.27.01 Beta - Aug 31, 2010

« Last post by tomos on September 07, 2010, 08:22 AM »

no problems here either - I really didnt keep track before but it was crashing at least once a week for the last while and has been okay since this beta

7553

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

« Last post by tomos on September 07, 2010, 04:35 AM »

my internet seems to confuse speedtest.net a little

Fist I got



so I tried again and got



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.

7554

Living Room / Re: The Weather...

« Last post by tomos on September 07, 2010, 04:22 AM »

I moved to Germany 8 years ago now & I've lost track of the weather records that have been broken (I'm not 100% sure of some of these):

• highest temperature on record
• hottest summer on record (?)
• hottest August
• wettest August
• most rain in 24 hours
• mildest winter(s) (?)

and like the rest of europe we got an extra cold winter last time round but dont know if it actually broke any records here

only a couple of those listed here Geschichte des Wetters und der Wetterbeobachtung

7555

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 - Backup Verification Utility

« Last post by tomos on September 03, 2010, 07:59 AM »

great idea!
Re Name, how about:

"Double Proof"

- not sure why 'Double' (I guess cause you're checking the backups) but I like the sound of it anyways... but maybe too much like whiskey though?

7556

General Software Discussion / Re: Stupid question time, "Any way to *prevent* crapware loading on new box?"

« Last post by tomos on September 03, 2010, 04:09 AM »

Is it true that if you buy a Dell business machine that it doesn't come loaded with crapware?

7557

Official Announcements / Re: August 2010 Giveaway - VueScan - Winners Posted Aug 31, 2010

« Last post by tomos on September 02, 2010, 03:10 AM »

Winners of 'VueScan' (5):

• MasterGeek
• HeinM
• stewcam
• Darwin
• cranioscopical

-mouser (September 01, 2010, 11:44 PM)

congrats all

7558

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

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

[...] Just thought it would be nice to be able to ask questions of other users on a forum.   

-J-Mac (September 01, 2010, 01:10 PM)

Yes, that would be very nice.
It's great that there's so many options in SFFS, but even though the help is fairly good, there's times I just dont know how to approach a backup. Speaking of which...

The interface on SFFS is pretty crummy.  I was really hoping Tobias was going to revamp it for version 5.  I feel it needs the same type of overhaul DOpus went through for it's options dialog a couple of versions back.  There are too many options to sort through all those tabs.  It's overwhelming.  That needs to be done in a different way.  And the thing you mention about the grid showing the backups...yes, that could definitely be improved.  I also really think he should change the dialog where you select the individual folders you want backed up (with checkboxes).  For as long as I've used it, he's done that in a really funky way with radio buttons, which makes no sense to me.

-superboyac (August 31, 2010, 03:42 PM)

He did change it for version 4 (?) but it wasnt much of an improvement IMO - in the older version it was actually easier to get an overview. I've forgotten already exactly how it was done - it wasnt that it was that good either. As you say, I think it needs a complete overhaul. I wouldnt know how to approach it myself there's so much there.
Funny, it's easy to say where a GUI is crappy, but if it came to a complete overhaul I just wouldnt know where to begin...

7559

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: drag window to edge automatically resizes it

« Last post by tomos on September 01, 2010, 06:20 AM »

e.g. there are times when i just want to center a window on my main screen - but the size is perfectly adequate so doesn't need fitting to a grid.

-nudone (September 01, 2010, 03:36 AM)

have you looked at MilesAhead's TicTac ?

No, it doesn't play the game. It just positions the active window to a section that would correspond to a tic tac toe position.  The positions visually correspond to the NumPad number keys.  3 is Bottom Right, 8 is Center Top etc..

-MilesAhead (July 30, 2010, 03:22 PM)

AFAIK it doesnt support multi-monitor but he might be able to help all the same


[edit] although upon reflection I think it's pretty different and might not be any help - sorry! [/edit]

7560

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

« Last post by tomos on September 01, 2010, 03:00 AM »

I never did join that forum myself - never got around to trying to join it I mean. It was on my list, but my list is long and I keep ignoring it
Luckily - as I said above - the author (Tobias Giesen) is, in my experience, extremely responsive and very quick with fixes, if necessary. Email details here:
http://www.superflexible.com/contact.htm

7561

DcUpdater / Re: Crash on XP Pro SP3

« Last post by tomos on September 01, 2010, 12:10 AM »

jaden is helping me test the new build.. new version to be uploaded this week  

-mouser (August 30, 2010, 11:51 PM)

I'm trying that as well  
Been getting crashes after coming out of hibernation recently (XP home SP3) - dont know if that's related but I will let you know if I've any problems

7562

General Software Discussion / Re: Yet another application tapping into the "cloud" market.

« Last post by tomos on August 31, 2010, 11:48 PM »

I'm very opposed to paying for an application, and then paying again for a monthly service.  Then what?  It will be more like what Dopus does with some of it's extra features (secured ftp, usb mode) where they charge a few dollars extra for those features.  Then what?  how about we select the features we want a la carte?

You see how silly it is?  It's funny.  These software companies will go a la carte to make more money, and the tv companies will NOT go a la carte to make more money.  Whatever makes more money.  And I get that!  I truly do, I am not opposed to companies trying to make a buck.  I just don't like it as a consumer, and I am becoming increasingly frustrated.  I guess I just want all of us to be aware of it, that's as much as i can do.

-superboyac (August 31, 2010, 06:01 PM)

There's a fine line there between wanting to make more money and thinking "we'll screw the customers for all we can get". It's probably very subjective but when they go over that line I very much resent it and move on when & where I can

7563

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

« Last post by tomos on August 31, 2010, 03:43 PM »

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)

Hi Armando,
I'm doing the same for my IQ database but I have "standard copying" mode selected as opposed to mirror. Otherwise my settings are similar:

• VSS used to copy locked files
• Partial File Updating ON

I'm not having any problems.

I'd recommend reporting directly to the author and sending the related log file(s) that sounds like a pretty serious bug. He is very responsive and quick to fix things if broken.... Version 5 is very new so it's possible there's some bugs still


[edit] dont have any experience with "Run profile as soon as drives or volumes involved become available" [/edit]

7564

Living Room / Re: Post Your Funny Videos Here [NSFW]

« Last post by tomos on August 30, 2010, 10:23 AM »

There's a trend in Europe (started by Ryanair) of flights being advertised *very* cheaply and when you actually go to book there's fees for everything imaginable (and lots you hadn't imagined).

Some helpful info before viewing:

• This song is about getting a flight from Stanstead (listed as 'London-Stanstead UK' on the airline site) to Tralee (Co. Kerry, Ireland).
• 'Jacks' is slang for toilet in Ireland (and in Shakespeare actually). Apparently Ryanair planned to bring in charges for using the 'Jacks' in the plane (I dont know has it happened/would it be allowed - probably not but that wouldnt stop them trying it!)
• Not offensive at all - but there's a bit of cursing so NSFW I guess
• There's a bit of waffle at the end of the video.

FASCINATING AIDA - Cheap Flights

7565

Living Room / Re: Should I buy a tablet pc, ipad, netbook, or other?

« Last post by tomos on August 29, 2010, 03:33 AM »

well I was curious and looked at a review on youtube http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=OnROHKjvXKA -
there's a related link with a deal where you get an upgraded version for $800 (no idea if that's particularly good or not)

This deal: $1,004.99 - $150 off - exclusive web-use $50 coupon code = $804.99 plus FREE shipping. This is the best price for loaded TouchSmart tm2 with Core i3.

7566

Living Room / Re: Simple way to connect two computers (both XP) ?

« Last post by tomos on August 28, 2010, 02:57 PM »

thanks jdd, I think I'm going to keep going (for another while) with the epic network-style connection. I wouldnt mind setting up a network at some stage and reckon I'm learning a lot of the basics here

@4WD
my god that was a helpful, but a very painful link there lol

If you want step-by-step instructions then I don't think it's going to get much more step-by-step than Lee Indy's tutorial - all 48 steps at one step per page, (makes me want to chew my arm off but hey ).

-4wd (August 26, 2010, 12:40 PM)

*now* I understand about the chewing the arm off comment - is he trying to maximise his advertising views or what... Ironically the layout makes it very difficult to follow & he often has comments before the Step ## instructions which I didnt notice for a while..

But the step by step thing did make me realise:
the one XP is in German and the other English. I dont think this should cause a problem (maybe I should have said it sooner though) and I did check the workgroup names (but at different times) and was simply thinking, yeah, they're both default.
I was so bogged down with everything I didnt look at them side by side
Of course the German one is in German... and the English one .... is in English

So I will have another go soon(ish) & report back

7567

Living Room / Re: Simple way to connect two computers (both XP) ?

« Last post by tomos on August 27, 2010, 04:04 AM »

thanks 4WD for that link
I'll work my way through those (steps)

after finishing transferring/comparing files/directories I would recommend you unshare ALL directories (folders) you might have shared from the respective systems.  (You really only have to share folders on one system and just use the other to browse/copy any files/folders.)

-4wd (August 26, 2010, 12:40 PM)

-
I'm not worried about making the one pc totally insecure cause it doesnt get connected to the internet and would just be temporarily connect to other pc. It's just sitting there so I thought I'd use it for backup at least but there's also some older stuff I want to copy off of it. But I will keep that in mind ;-) (with security I'm reasonably careful - I think anyways...)

7568

General Software Discussion / Re: Readability - Get rid of the clutter so you can read!

« Last post by tomos on August 27, 2010, 02:41 AM »

Ahhh, I know what the problem might be - I have it set that a new tab opens when I use the addressbar of the current tab (maybe a TabMixPlus option, cant remember offhand). That would screw up the java script I reckon (like the way you cant open java scripts in a new tab).

I'll stick with the bookmarklet (actually I've added it to my homepage - that way I can use the homepage icon & dont need another toolbar open)

-tomos (August 26, 2010, 05:38 AM)

I have mine configured the same way, except I am using Tabkit.

You may still be able to use it with a keyword from the addressbar. Try using alt+enter to make it work in the current tab instead of using just enter, which causes it to open in a new tab. (or just click the little green arrow on the far right of the addressbar after typing in the keyword, instead of hitting enter)

This is far better than a dedicated button, since a button can only do a single thing, while you can use keywords for all of your frequently used bookmarks, without cluttering up your toolbars.

-app103 (August 27, 2010, 12:13 AM)

Yes! that works! thanks app

7569

Living Room / Re: Simple way to connect two computers (both XP) ?

« Last post by tomos on August 26, 2010, 10:39 AM »

can you confirm that the PCs are ping-able?

-lanux128 (August 24, 2010, 09:41 PM)

no!

From this page Using Ping to Troubleshoot Network Problem I first tried this:

4) Key in ping 127.0.0.1 in Command Prompt window. This is network card loopback address. If you receive Reply from 127.0.0.1, it works.

this worked on both machines -
presumably meaning the network cards are in order, but when I pinged the IP address of the other PC it timed out in both directions.

Remember the LAN network connection is using the Option "Obtain IP adress automatically" on both pc's and the Alternate Config is 10.1.1.1 & 10.1.1.2 for the rwo machines.

Is there any point in trying Simple Way to Check IP Address in Microsoft Windows. Is there any point in trying to create a new LAN connection?
Internet work on both machines (when connected - I have to unplug the DSL cable in order to use the cross-over cable)

7570

General Software Discussion / Re: SQLNotes...what is it exactly?

« Last post by tomos on August 26, 2010, 09:36 AM »

I usually need a good reference for (almost constant!) referral, like a comprehensive manual or a good Help file. When it is all on the forum or a wiki-type help system I flounder quickly and then drift back to my current standby info manager.

-J-Mac (May 16, 2010, 03:51 PM)

Jibz made a downloadable help file which is a direct copy of the online manual * (occasionally synced/updated) available here (direct download link): IQ Manual.

* that means this help file is also a work in progress! But it certainly is a joy to use compared to the online manual  

7571

General Software Discussion / Re: Readability - Get rid of the clutter so you can read!

« Last post by tomos on August 26, 2010, 05:38 AM »

thanks App -
that's how I did it, but it's not working here
e.g. this is what I get

Spoiler

javascript:(function(){readStyle='style-newspaper';readSize='size-large';readMargin='margin-wide';_readability_script=document.createElement('SCRIPT');_readability_script.type='text/javascript';_readability_script.src='http://lab.arc90.com/experiments/readability/js/readability.js?x='+(Math.random());document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(_readability_script);_readability_css=document.createElement('LINK');_readability_css.rel='stylesheet';_readability_css.href='http://lab.arc90.com/experiments/readability/css/readability.css';_readability_css.type='text/css';_readability_css.media='screen';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(_readability_css);_readability_print_css=document.createElement('LINK');_readability_print_css.rel='stylesheet';_readability_print_css.href='http://lab.arc90.com/experiments/readability/css/readability-print.css';_readability_print_css.media='print';_readability_print_css.type='text/css';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(_readability_print_css);})();

Ahhh, I know what the problem might be - I have it set that a new tab opens when I use the addressbar of the current tab (maybe a TabMixPlus option, cant remember offhand). That would screw up the java script I reckon (like the way you cant open java scripts in a new tab).

I'll stick with the bookmarklet (actually I've added it to my homepage - that way I can use the homepage icon & dont need another toolbar open)

7572

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox Tab Candy will change the way I use a browser for good

« Last post by tomos on August 26, 2010, 04:28 AM »

BarTab is great if you keep a lot of tabs open

I gave up on this one - Auto-hide taskbar - too jerky for my taste. It did change my habits though - I now keep the tabs on the bottom... Might try this Tabkit next!

I typically have around 50 tabs loaded.  Using TabMix Plus, I have them on the bottom of the browser in rows of 8.  Then I use this auto tab bar hide CSS styple (http://userstyles.org/styles/4435) so that the tab bar is out of the way.

-jojo99 (August 14, 2010, 11:06 PM)

well I'm trying this & like it so far (it would drive anyone crazy with the tabs on top so I moved them down as well).
I see you made a request there asking about toggling it - did you have any success with that?

-tomos (August 17, 2010, 10:49 AM)

7573

General Software Discussion / Re: Readability - Get rid of the clutter so you can read!

« Last post by tomos on August 26, 2010, 04:22 AM »

It's very much worth it's own thread

If you're using Firefox you can give the bookmarklet a keyword (I set mine to "read"), then type the keyword in the address bar when you're on the page you want to clean up.
[...] Summary: Ctrl-L, type keyword for bookmarklet and hit enter.

-jaden (August 25, 2010, 02:19 PM)

~
I cant seem to get that to work here - where exactly do you type the keyword? Does it go before/after/replace the address? I presume the quotes arent part of the keyword? (I did do a quick search and most related info is re searching..). Thanks...

7574

Living Room / Re: Simple way to connect two computers (both XP) ?

« Last post by tomos on August 24, 2010, 03:43 PM »

Are both computers in the same workgroup?

-Deozaan (August 24, 2010, 03:12 PM)

I dont really understand this question - isn't a workgroup a network?
If so, the answer is no. Just two 'free-standing' computers I thought I was hoping to connect

Tomos,
why don't you use Teamviewer to connect the two computers, assuming both computers have internet access (your explanations were not entirely clear to me) *or* are connected via crossover cable with IP numbers assigned.

-brahman (August 24, 2010, 07:37 AM)

No, I'm afraid only one has internet connection which is fine by me - but on reading about setting up a network I see they tend to presume you want all machines connected. I'm not going the network route anyway cause I reckon if I can't get this to work (crossover cable), I wont be able to get a network to work. I'm simply as the title says, trying to connect two pc's.... I'm going to get the 'special' usb cable and if that works I'm sorted. If not I'm screwed but it's no big deal

7575

Living Room / Re: Simple way to connect two computers (both XP) ?

« Last post by tomos on August 24, 2010, 05:23 AM »

I'm learning lots but still not getting there. I'm on XP home techidave.

I set new admin accounts on each pc, both with the same password but that didnt work either...
It seemed to take a lot longer to think about it when I tried to access it but in the end the message was that it couldnt find...

At this stage I'll probably give up, and in future I'll avoid tweaking sh!t (I dont even know if tweaking is the cause of the problem, but it makes the possible causes just too much in terms of narrowing things down, and not having to spend the whole week rebooting)

Thanks again for all the help people!