Recent Posts

8151

Living Room / Re: I Finally Bought a Kindle Book...

« Last post by wraith808 on July 06, 2011, 11:18 PM »

My point is you shouldn't have to do that - when you buy a paperback it is yours to do what you like with. Kindle (and any other DRMed) books are legally restricted to the license. You can get round that if you want to break the law but why should you have to when you have paid for the product, but if you don't you could wake up any morning and find titles or even your whole library gone!

-Carol Haynes (July 06, 2011, 08:10 PM)

I've been buying DRM'd books for years now (since my first windows phone back in 2000), and I've literally never seen that happen.  I had a couple of hiccups from the change from .lit to other formats (I had to download a different format because they stopped being supported in .lit because the publisher withdrew from that format), but even in the face of books being withdrawn from the market, I can still download them.  And even if I couldn't, I backed them up, and they work without connecting to the internet- both in activation and reading.  It's a pain that I have to remember the credit card number they were encrypted with years ago, but I have that old credit card number written down. 

8152

Site/Forum Features / Re: DC Forum Mods Thread

« Last post by wraith808 on July 06, 2011, 11:10 PM »

I've never understood what's wrong with reviving old threads. If your post is appropriate to the thread subject and the older discussion is useful context, then it makes more sense to post to an existing thread than make a new one in my view...

-JavaJones (July 06, 2011, 02:09 PM)

I'm actually the opposite.  Though sometimes it makes sense to post in the original thread, IMO, starting a new thread makes more sense most of the time because of the people moving on or forgetting about the conversation, or just a change in perspective since the original thread.  Also, there might be some things in the old thread that aren't relevant anymore- especially fluff that sometimes gets added to threads.  Just my opinion of course...

8153

General Software Discussion / Re: Help: Spherical timesheet gone, what do I use now?

« Last post by wraith808 on July 06, 2011, 11:07 PM »

I used TimeSprite for a while when I was consulting, and it was pretty cool.  I also used TimeTraces and yaTimer.  yaTimer was the easiest to use (if I remembered) and TimeSprite was the one that had the least impact in terms of tracking (but had a lot of clean up to do at invoice time).

8154

Living Room / Re: Reminder Bear - Single Use Bookmarks

« Last post by wraith808 on July 06, 2011, 01:52 PM »

Hmm... I use Read It Later for this... I wonder if the e-mailing aspect would work better than the check-list aspect...

8155

General Software Discussion / Re: Help: Spherical timesheet gone, what do I use now?

« Last post by wraith808 on July 06, 2011, 12:28 PM »

That looks pretty cool... pricey though.  Glad you were able to get your license key back

8156

Living Room / Re: I Finally Bought a Kindle Book...

« Last post by wraith808 on July 06, 2011, 10:44 AM »

I'm less concerned about DRM that doesn't let me print or lend or copy my books (although that sucks too), but I find the fact the when I buy a book for my kindle, I'll never be able (without hacks) to read it on a different e-reader (should I decide to buy one) rather annoying.

-phitsc (July 04, 2011, 10:37 AM)

You can read it on other devices, as long as that device supports the Kindle Software.  Still limiting, but not as much as that statement makes it seem...

-wraith808 (July 05, 2011, 05:50 PM)

Agreed. I was specifically thinking about ebook-readers though.

-phitsc (July 06, 2011, 01:45 AM)

Considering if you purchase DRM'd music on a device in most cases, you can only listen to it on that device, I'm rather meh about that.  Just as with music, you have to unlock yourself from the beginning, or accept the consequences.  Convenience for you equals lock in for them.  I go to third party sources whenever possible- and this is also the reason that though I buy from Amazon and B&N when necessary, I read on my own hardware, using their software.

8157

Living Room / Re: Lots of New Members

« Last post by wraith808 on July 05, 2011, 06:00 PM »

I got the reference.  But explaining a joke is kind of like death warmed over.

-MilesAhead (July 05, 2011, 03:22 PM)

But does that count if the joke has been resurrected?

8158

Living Room / Re: What annoys you to no end?

« Last post by wraith808 on July 05, 2011, 05:54 PM »

"The Witcher 2" with fabulous graphics and no possibility to take a screenshot*.

*) Except buying FRAPS or taking the risk with with ATI TrayTools.

-fenixproductions (July 04, 2011, 03:09 AM)

Could you not use Steam or Raptr or Xfire?

8159

Living Room / Re: I Finally Bought a Kindle Book...

« Last post by wraith808 on July 05, 2011, 05:50 PM »

I'm less concerned about DRM that doesn't let me print or lend or copy my books (although that sucks too), but I find the fact the when I buy a book for my kindle, I'll never be able (without hacks) to read it on a different e-reader (should I decide to buy one) rather annoying.

-phitsc (July 04, 2011, 10:37 AM)

You can read it on other devices, as long as that device supports the Kindle Software.  Still limiting, but not as much as that statement makes it seem...

8160

General Software Discussion / Re: Google+

« Last post by wraith808 on July 01, 2011, 12:47 PM »

Anyways, I don't see how anyone with two brain cells can't figure out how to lock down their Facebook profile from unwanted eyes (though I have a lot of friends with one brain cell, apparently).

-wreckedcarzz (June 29, 2011, 07:59 PM)

It's not about figuring out how to do it- it's figuring out how to maintain it over all of their changes and resetting you to the lowest security setting.

8161

Living Room / Re: When you make your 100'th Post

« Last post by wraith808 on June 28, 2011, 12:45 PM »

JennyB gets an irate 200th

8162

Living Room / Re: What's up with Google Groups?

« Last post by wraith808 on June 28, 2011, 12:43 PM »

What does that mean?  I'm on groups and have had posts since then...

8163

Living Room / Re: I Finally Bought a Kindle Book...

« Last post by wraith808 on June 28, 2011, 12:42 PM »

^ What book is it?

8164

Living Room / Re: Anyone Using Bitcoins Yet?

« Last post by wraith808 on June 27, 2011, 06:47 PM »

It seems that the point I am making is being missed, either through my inability to communicate it, or some other reason.  It seems obvious if there is already a disproportionate distribution of wealth, that if there is a limit placed on the economic growth without placing a similar limit on population growth, the haves will accumulate more, while the have nots won't- and infinite population growth is not a necessity to make this happen.  But I guess not.

8165

Living Room / Re: Anyone Using Bitcoins Yet?

« Last post by wraith808 on June 27, 2011, 02:17 PM »

Population growth is largely self-limiting in developed ("1st world") countries. Unchecked population growth only ultimately leads to the saturation of Earth as a habitable space, regardless of its cause. So clearly growth without limit is untenable, and any system that relies on it as a fundamental principle is not sustainable long-term. One can make the argument that it might make sense as a short-term strategy for various reasons, but pretending it can achieve sustainable long-term viability is not only foolish but dangerous. The physical laws of the universe itself are ultimately standing in the way, but much sooner than they will rear their head the limitations of our own comparatively tiny world and resources will do so. Not acknowledging that eventual reality and *planning for it* is irresponsible in the extreme. Our current economic models have no answer or solution to that "end game".

-JavaJones (June 26, 2011, 08:59 PM)

That still doesn't address the fact that there is no limit on population growth.  It's all well and good to say that population growth is limited in 1st world countries, but if you go to extremely rural or extremely urban areas of the U.S., it would quickly become evident that this is not true.  And I wasn't saying that there shouldn't be a limit on economic growth- only that limiting it without limiting population growth takes the ability of any limited economic system to support the (still) growing population.

8166

N.A.N.Y. 2012 / Re: NANY 2012 Idea Suggestion: Online Game Night Manager

« Last post by wraith808 on June 27, 2011, 02:08 PM »

^  think he meant boardgames, not RPGs...

8167

Living Room / Re: Have You Wanted Books You Discarded?

« Last post by wraith808 on June 26, 2011, 06:59 PM »

Gaming books.  When my wife and I consolidated, I even had an extra month to move things.  Even with that I left a mountain of books in my condo- my landlord was nice enough to say that he would get rid of them.  I used to have as many gaming books as a shop - just one of each.  Now I only have half the shop...  

8168

Living Room / Re: Anyone Using Bitcoins Yet?

« Last post by wraith808 on June 25, 2011, 03:18 PM »

And what's wrong with limiting economic growth? Everything else in the *real world* has limits, so eventually economic growth must also be limited. We're just putting off the time line of that limitation artificially for the short-term gain of a few.

-JavaJones (June 25, 2011, 12:48 PM)

Limiting economic growth without limiting population growth?  You *really* want to talk about the haves and the have nots.

I don't agree with every(most- even)thing that has been done financially, but this I will say... getting off the gold standard was the best thing that has been done in concept, and going back to it is pretty much a no-go, even talking fiscal responsibility.  Basing your economy on a limited resource limits your economic growth.

An article on why we shouldn't go to the Gold standard, and an alternative standard to replace the USD.

-wraith808 (June 24, 2011, 04:09 PM)

That is a horrible and bogus article that doesn't even understand the concept of money.  It is precisely BECAUSE it is scarce that it is a good source to base the monetary system on.  The reason everything fluctuates so much is because it is being debased by the controllers of the system.  Gold's price fluctuations are not the effect of the value of gold, but rather the relative value of gold.  In other words, the reason the price of gold changes so much is because of the amount of fiat currency people are willing to take in it's place.  When there is more currency, we call it inflation, and it takes many more dollars/pounds/whatever to buy it.  When there is less, or when it is based on a solid relatively fixed quantity commodity, it takes less to buy it.

Think of it this way.  In 1950, just for example, it took approximately 20 oz of Gold to buy an average car.  That same car cost about $400.   (As a side note, in 1950 the dollar was on a gold standard pegged at $20/oz IIRC).  Today, it is still about 20 oz. of Gold to buy an average car that cost - what?  About $30,000?  That, to me means that the price of gold has stayed the same, but the value of the dollar has dropped (not gold going up!).  Something to think about...  

-steeladept (June 25, 2011, 01:53 PM)

You didn't really read the whole thing, did you?  To base the entire world's economy on one material of limited supply that has no intrinsic value is the part that is the problem, and most economists agree with that point.  Just because the system has been abused doesn't mean that leaving it was a bad thing.

8169

N.A.N.Y. 2012 / Re: NANY 2012 Pledge & Early Beta: Kyrathaba's Hangman

« Last post by wraith808 on June 25, 2011, 11:37 AM »

Does anyone know what exactly I'd need to change in my Inno Setup script so that the "File Version" info (as shown in the screenshot) is correct?
 (see attachment in previous post)

-kyrathaba (June 25, 2011, 09:51 AM)

Does it get it from your assembly information, perhaps?  Is the version number in your assembly correct?

8170

DC Member Programs and Projects / Re: GameShui Launcher

« Last post by wraith808 on June 25, 2011, 10:43 AM »

doctorfrog linked to darkadia which claims to get information from http://www.giantbomb.com - although giantbomb.com has a bit of an identity problem - it has its own content, plus user generated content, but the database is theirs and might, perhaps, be made available free for non commercial projects... Which pretty much makes me wonder: why would I, a user, take time to put content in your app, perhaps even with a paying membership, and then you will keep the information in a black hole unless paid for?
Almost makes me want to restart my old DB on my old website...

-iphigenie (June 25, 2011, 10:19 AM)

They do have an API, and the content is accessible from it for non-commercial non-competing use.  But they have a paid option for subscriptions, which makes me wary of them going the way of MobyGames.

Also, I just generated an API key, and the terms of service are sort of restrictive- you can only use the data by online requests, i.e. you can't use it offline or store it for offline use.

8171

DC Member Programs and Projects / Re: GameShui Launcher

« Last post by wraith808 on June 25, 2011, 08:38 AM »

Going back to the autodetect, there is a lot of information about games that is both useful and global. I for example spend time figuring out what needs to be backed up so that my configs and saved games can be migrated to another computer (or sync'd). Some games nicely put savegames in clear places, others hide them in systems folders. Sometimes there are additional ones or stupid things hard coded in like paths... I bet 20% of the people who play any game will do the same... Now we have several sites online which have huge DBs of games and reviews etc. do any of them have an API? DO any of them track this kind of more practical information (where are saved games? screenshots? what are the basic keys for basic things?). Being able to check and get information, or share information back up....
in short, is there a public, open GDDB?

-iphigenie (June 25, 2011, 03:35 AM)

There was... until MobyGames sold out.  I've been thinking along those lines also, and about this app and my intentions.  It's going to change quite a bit... as soon as I get a chance, I'll have more info.

8172

Living Room / Re: Anyone Using Bitcoins Yet?

« Last post by wraith808 on June 24, 2011, 04:09 PM »

We just need to get back to the gold standard.

-Deozaan (June 24, 2011, 03:34 PM)

Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. The whole deficit spending program most governments function under would come to a screeching halt if they actually had to base the rubber checks they were writing to themselves on something that existed in the real world.

Which is unfortunate. Because they have a bear by the tail with that one. The current economic situation can't go on indefinitely without a crash. And if they try to reform it, it will provoke a an even more rapid crash.

Small wonder so many politicians  throw the problem as far into the future as they possibly can and then hope they'll be dead before the day of reckoning arrives.

-40hz (June 24, 2011, 03:43 PM)

I don't agree with every(most- even)thing that has been done financially, but this I will say... getting off the gold standard was the best thing that has been done in concept, and going back to it is pretty much a no-go, even talking fiscal responsibility.  Basing your economy on a limited resource limits your economic growth.

An article on why we shouldn't go to the Gold standard, and an alternative standard to replace the USD.

8173

Living Room / Re: Sean Connery ain't Apple's bitch!

« Last post by wraith808 on June 21, 2011, 09:50 AM »

And also- for anyone that couldn't tell- it's fake.  It would have been pretty cool, though.

8174

Living Room / Re: Should retailers be held accountable for recommendations?

« Last post by wraith808 on June 20, 2011, 11:47 AM »

As for the free returns: It turns out that was a benefit of signing up for ShopRunner (http://www.shoprunner.com/) when I made a recent online purchase of an extremely heavy and bulky dehumidifier.  ShopRunner is like Amazon Prime but it works at various online retailers.

-cthorpe (June 20, 2011, 12:20 AM)

Ah... that's a major difference then.  All of my returns using Prime have been cross ship, and have used UPS to be trackable.  But it still sounds cool- I've been thinking about it because I use Prime so much...

8175

Living Room / Re: XBOX 360 with Kinect or Wii?

« Last post by wraith808 on June 19, 2011, 08:23 AM »

Well, I'm thinking about getting an XBOX 360 with Kinect or a Nintendo Wii. I really don't care about games, but hopefully it will help me get some exercise. So, that's my #1 and only goal - EXERCISE.

Which would you recommend?

-Renegade (June 19, 2011, 12:33 AM)

360 with Kinect.  That's what I have, and I got it because it can actually sense your body.  The Wii can't.  It only senses the location of the wiimote (I feel like I lost a few brain cells just typing that).  So it can't see if you're using the correct movements.

Software-wise, I have the EA Sports Active, and it's very good!  I've heard (after the fact) that the Biggest Loser is better, but I've been satisfied with Sports Active.  And the other games give you a fair amount of exercise too- it's just that they have larger rest times between events (whether that's a dance or an activity) so you get into this startup/cooldown every few minutes that isn't as conducive to weight loss IME.  EA Sports Active also has a heart rate monitor that apparently doesn't come with the Wii version, and it has resistance bands included; it also has an accessory pack with weights and such, though I haven't splurged on that yet (for me- it's more than the game; it's $40, where I only paid $20 for the game itself).

Also, to use online features, you don't have to give CC info.   I buy my subscriptions on cards in the store or online, and buy points in the same way.  CC is easier, but you can be totally protected and still use online features.