Recent Posts

8026

Living Room / Re: U.S. East coast quake - Everybody OK?

« Last post by wraith808 on August 24, 2011, 12:19 PM »

In VA.  Work is about 30 mi from epicenter; house  about half that. A bit of shaking, but no damage; precarious things were still perched as normal the only evidence was my sons Lego minifigs were overturned. Aftershocks last nit and this morning; again, nothing major.

8027

General Software Discussion / Re: Cnet's Download.com and the installer scam

« Last post by wraith808 on August 24, 2011, 10:22 AM »

P.S. I wonder what happens to the apps that already bundles crapware toolbars within the installers, will the end-users end up with two toolbars trying to kill each other in the same browser? LOL.

-lotusrootstarch (August 24, 2011, 06:42 AM)

I hope it would be like Highlander meets Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.  There can be only one!  Two toolbars enter...one toolbar leaves. 

I'd pay to see it.   

-skwire (August 24, 2011, 08:30 AM)

Except then the toolbar that won would absorb all the evil power of the defeated toolbar. Making it an ultra powerful evil toolbar that can't be uninstalled and leaves behind traces in the registry and other folders.

-Deozaan (August 24, 2011, 09:33 AM)

Maybe there'd be a not-quite-evil toolbar that would go around killing bad toolbars one-by-one in an episodic nature?

Nah... to fictional for even SyFy to take it on.

8028

General Software Discussion / Re: looking for a [i]single[/i] pane file manager

« Last post by wraith808 on August 23, 2011, 09:43 PM »

+1 on xyplorer.  Xplorer2 and Directory opus work for that also- just turn off the other pane.  But my choice is XYplorer, even though my day-to-day choice on my desktop/laptop is directory opus.

8029

General Software Discussion / Re: Cnet's Download.com and the installer scam

« Last post by wraith808 on August 23, 2011, 09:39 AM »

The response to my email to them telling them to remove all donationcoder software was to tell me to purchase their premium service if i wanted to remove their bundled installer crap.  In other words this is one big extortion racket.

-mouser (August 23, 2011, 09:16 AM)

Wait a minute...they won't remove your software from their site?

-app103 (August 23, 2011, 09:32 AM)

I think it's a matter of it going to a person that didn't understand your request, or an automated reply system.  What e-mail address did you send it to?

8030

Living Room / Re: how does your <insert device here> stack up?

« Last post by wraith808 on August 22, 2011, 03:00 PM »

*I* get it, I think...

Question and possible hint...

Spoiler

John Connor^w

8031

General Software Discussion / Re: Implement features that are known to be loved in other programs, on your own

« Last post by wraith808 on August 22, 2011, 06:35 AM »

Although there are many differences when talking about a piece of software, where many features can be disabled or set in options, I think many of the points you are making can be seen at work in some of the most elegant software applications -- where authors really do consider themselves like architects -- trying to keep everything consistent and elegant and striving to create something with an artistic vision.

-mouser (August 22, 2011, 03:36 AM)

When designing a building, there are also several options that can be 'turned on and off' in a manner of speaking.  It's not as simple as flipping a switch, but it is relatively as easy as that in comparison, i.e. colors of paint, or tiling, or other such things.

I think that NinJA999 is right on with a lot of his analogies; though many software developers are just trying to get things done, I think that most that are in the field are trying to better themselves, and write software that shows this.  I've been architect on a few projects in a few locations (don't currently have the title at my current position, but I am doing the work of one, and hoping for a promotion soon), and when in that position in an enterprise, you have to take such things into account- at least if you want to maintain your position.  Because once all is said and done, whatever framework ("foundation") you've put in will limit what can be built on top of it.

8032

DonationCoder.com Newsletters / Re: --> Newsletter for August 21st, 2011 - "What's New With You?!"

« Last post by wraith808 on August 21, 2011, 06:14 PM »

Being my first one, I must credit Mouser for most of the work, I had missed a fair few topics that should have been in

-Stephen66515 (August 21, 2011, 04:59 PM)

Ah... but what matters is that you stepped up to help! 

8033

General Software Discussion / Re: Implement features that are known to be loved in other programs, on your own

« Last post by wraith808 on August 21, 2011, 12:05 PM »

In the end, using a program is a contract between a developer and the user community.  Both have an investment in the product, and the developer has to have a certain amount of buy-in to implement features, because he has a great responsibility to his product in order to keep the vision and the direction.  If he doesn't see what the value of a feature is, and doesn't see what it will add to the life of the product/it doesn't fit his vision, then I don't think that's a failing of the developer necessarily- it's just a change in the direction of the product that he doesn't want to make.  Then it becomes the user's responsibility to either make a more compelling case with the help of the rest of the community, accept that this feature will not be in the product, or start to look into different products.

TL;DR - just because it's easy to implement, doesn't mean it's right for the product, IMO.

8034

Developer's Corner / Re: A bit of help C# and MySql

« Last post by wraith808 on August 20, 2011, 07:35 AM »

I'd agree with SJ on this one.  It appears like a syntax problem with the DLL you are using rather than a C# problem.  I tried to find a reference online to that DLL and maybe documentation and found something, but I can't download without registering.

It seems that there is source on that site that uses it in this thread.  I can't download it to see since I'm not registered, but I'd recommend downloading it and taking a look to see what the syntax should be from the source.

Also, if you're just trying to use MySQL and can't get this to work, you might look into MySQL Connector/NET.  There's a good tutorial on using it here.

 

8035

Living Room / Re: Patent Wars: Apple Hits Samsung in EU

« Last post by wraith808 on August 19, 2011, 08:42 PM »

So... this whole thing was because it *looks* like it?  WTH?!?  That's just ... incomprehensible.  They aren't made out of the same type of materials.  The size is obviously different- and if it isn't, that means the bezel is.  And it doesn't have the same controls.  I don't see where this was even a case...

8036

Living Room / Re: Patent Wars: Apple Hits Samsung in EU

« Last post by wraith808 on August 19, 2011, 05:33 PM »

Oh, I wasn't saying that there was no comparison.  It's just that the comparison that they put forth was half-baked at best.  They don't even really give any reasons for who won.  Just a chart, and some few blurbs after.

8037

Living Room / Re: HP announces it's discontinuing all WebOS device development

« Last post by wraith808 on August 19, 2011, 05:30 PM »

The thing about it is it probably wasn't a token effort- just bad timing.  I think it was the earnings overall more than anything else that caused it, and to please the stockholders that they were taking action, they had to make a complete direction shift, no matter how much they were throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

8038

Living Room / Re: HP announces it's discontinuing all WebOS device development

« Last post by wraith808 on August 19, 2011, 10:26 AM »

I've always had good luck with HP printers.

-Renegade (August 19, 2011, 09:53 AM)

I have one that's 6 years old and is a network printer, and it just works.  I had an HP Laptop, and I used it for years with no problems, and passed it down and it's still in use.  And I'm still using the tc1100 as I said before.  All consumer products, all very well done and in extensive use.  Other than the price of their cartridges, I've nothing but good things to say about HP consumer products.

8039

Living Room / Re: Patent Wars: Apple Hits Samsung in EU

« Last post by wraith808 on August 19, 2011, 08:30 AM »

What was the lawsuit about?

Apple worried - especially as all the reviews say it is better than iPad2

Apple iPad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v: Tablet showdown
http://www.goodgearg..._1v_tablet_showdown/

-Renegade (August 19, 2011, 05:29 AM)

As one of the comments said: "This is the worst Comparison I've seen."

8040

Developer's Corner / Re: A bit of help C# and MySql

« Last post by wraith808 on August 19, 2011, 08:25 AM »

Where is your MySQL Dll from?  Is it yours, or did you get it from somewhere?  If you got it from somewhere, I'd suggest placing a link to where.  If it's yours, I'd suggest posting source instead. 

Why?

Well, not to be a cynic, but you have one post.  I'm not going to download anything I'm not totally sure of from someone with one post.  Sorry, but that's a sign of the internet times.

8041

Living Room / Re: HP announces it's discontinuing all WebOS device development

« Last post by wraith808 on August 19, 2011, 08:21 AM »

Just my tuppence.  

-40hz (August 19, 2011, 08:07 AM)

I'll throw in a couple more towards your pot.

And Shades post below made me post something else about why I'd miss them.  They have great potential.  They just have changed into a company that's a shadow of what they were, and it's infecting the rest of their business.

I *still* use my tc1100 that I purchased a while ago.  Why can't they make something as revolutionary now?

8042

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by wraith808 on August 17, 2011, 07:07 PM »

Good point about the political aspect by zridling as it is a major factor in how things tend to go down. I got a friend doing 10 for a gun he didn't even have. But hick towns just love bank robbery trials. The law is on your side alright, Your Back-Side...

-Stoic Joker (August 17, 2011, 06:11 PM)

Another thing to remember is that the truth won't set you free.  And not only is the prosecutor out to get you, your defense attorney doesn't care as much about you as they would have you think.  In the end, facing a judge is a lot like facing death.  Everyone does it alone.

8043

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by wraith808 on August 17, 2011, 05:31 PM »

I've sat through such hearings, and I never do think the law is on my side.  I've made that mistake before (thankfully only in civil court).  And I've personally seen someone who had no choice and who had nothing to do with pulling the trigger railroaded because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the wrong person carjacked him.  But this isn't "terminator" talk, at least in my case.  It's the talk of someone who'd rather avoid those situations, but knows all too well that in that split second when it's them or you, it had better be you, especially if someone who doesn't have the same respect for life is involved.

8044

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by wraith808 on August 17, 2011, 01:30 PM »

They're too easy to use, too indiscriminate, and take away lot of the personal investment in the violence that you're intending to inflict.

-wraith808 (August 17, 2011, 12:31 PM)

  I did not know you were supposed to savor these moments...

-Stoic Joker (August 17, 2011, 01:07 PM)

Personal investment =/= savor.  Personal investment as in "I'm about to potentially take a life."  If you have to have the visceral experience of actually using muscle power to force an item through flesh from close range where you can experience it with all of your senses, versus the simple act of pulling a trigger, the impact of what you have done is going to be much greater.  The same thing goes into causing harm personally vs. ordering others to inflict it.  You aren't as personally involved.  That's why we sanitize our speech when referring to such acts- to remove ourselves even further from the mental impact of the action, i.e. Collateral Damage < Civilian Casualties < We dropped a bomb on a family < We dropped a bomb on Mr & Mrs Adham and Little Faisal.

8045

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by wraith808 on August 17, 2011, 12:31 PM »

I've never been in a situation where I thought a gun would help me.

-tomos (August 17, 2011, 07:26 AM)

And may you never be in such a situation.  I personally have no guns, and have defied a county ordinance to have a gun in the house once upon a time.  They're too easy to use, too indiscriminate, and take away lot of the personal investment in the violence that you're intending to inflict.

But that said, I've been in a couple of situations where having a gun would have been of use, even though I still refuse to go that route.  One being pinned down behind a brick wall as someone fired at me after having jumped back over the wall and feeling the sting of cratering rock impacting my cheek as someone on the embankment below the bridge was breaking into my car that had stalled in the wrong place at the wrong time.  At times like that, a thought does go through your head about how having a gun of your own would have proven useful...

8046

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by wraith808 on August 17, 2011, 09:24 AM »

I simply like to keep available a trump-card for those odd times when negitiations completely break down.

-Stoic Joker (August 17, 2011, 06:44 AM)

If someone breaks into my house, negotiations have already broken down...

-wraith808 (August 17, 2011, 06:51 AM)

That doesn't mean you can't lead with a joke:

Wraith: Knock Knock
Burglar: Who's There
Wraith: Jesus
Burglar: Jesus Who??
Wraith: Bang!

-Stoic Joker (August 17, 2011, 07:18 AM)

Nah, you have it wrong. 

8047

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by wraith808 on August 17, 2011, 06:51 AM »

I simply like to keep available a trump-card for those odd times when negitiations completely break down.

-Stoic Joker (August 17, 2011, 06:44 AM)

If someone breaks into my house, negotiations have already broken down...

I do keep a .357 Magnum revolver loaded with hollow-points in my car glovebox.  The car stays locked, even when I'm at home.

-kyrathaba (August 16, 2011, 07:31 PM)

Be careful of that and check the rules of your local municipality.  That can be considered carrying concealed, and if you get stopped, no matter if it is or not, it does tend to make the constabulary a bit twitchy.

8048

General Software Discussion / Re: Implement features that are known to be loved in other programs, on your own

« Last post by wraith808 on August 16, 2011, 10:48 PM »

My experience has been that it's rarely the time-to-implement that kills you..  It's the maintenance over time and added complexity and potential for unforseen interactions that does it.

-mouser (August 16, 2011, 03:53 PM)

My experience has been the opposite.  I meant print it out because he puts what I've experienced more succinctly than I ever could.  Though maintenance is a consideration, except in extreme cases, I haven't seen it be the primary consideration.

8049

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: 40% off on Notezilla Sticky Notes Program only on 17th August

« Last post by wraith808 on August 16, 2011, 03:51 PM »

I really didn't like them dropping the weekly e-mail, and still can't understand why they insist on daily ones.  When I saw something I wanted, I planned to go online on that day, and clicked through to the deal from their site, as the only way to get the deal anyway.  Can't see their problem.

-rjbull (August 16, 2011, 03:10 PM)

I think to up their daily visitor count.  While it is an inconvenience, I know from trying to set up discounts and such that the companies want to see a significant daily visitor count.  So if you make it so that people don't have to visit, then you have less leverage to get companies to offer their software at a discount, let alone a significant discount.

If they said this up front and explained it, maybe people would be more understanding.

8050

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by wraith808 on August 16, 2011, 03:46 PM »

The right to defend your property only works in Texas and maybe one or two other places. Here in NJ, a person is legally required to take all possible steps to avoid use of lethal force. You're only allowed to use lethal force when you reasonably believe that your own, or another's, life is in danger.

-CWuestefeld (August 16, 2011, 02:26 PM)

I think more than one or two other places.