Recent Posts

8176

Living Room / Re: CPU Question: More Mhz per core or more cores?

« Last post by 40hz on February 17, 2011, 01:11 PM »

Is there any good freeware (or inexpensiveware?) that does a good job creating drive images and restoring them?

-Deozaan (February 17, 2011, 12:06 PM)

It's now built right into Windows 7.

You can create a system image, which contains a copy of Windows and copies of your programs, system settings, and files. The system image is then stored in a separate location from the original programs, settings, and files. You can use this image to restore the contents of your computer if your hard disk or entire computer ever stops working.

Link to full info with video here.

Other good free 3rd-party choices are:

•  Macrium Reflect
•  Clonezilla Live
•  PING
•  EASEUS Disk Copy

------

re: Moving user data directory look here.

How to move user data folder to non-system partition in windows 7/vista
May 16th, 2009

As you know,windows 7/vista put all system data and user data on the same partition,normally it’s drive C.Under this condition we must backup our user data every time we re-install our windows 7/vista. From windows vista, Microsoft supply us a tool mklink which can create a symbolic link under windows 7 or vista just as the command ln under unix/linux. Below is an example about how to put user data on non-system using mklink in windows 7.

This step-by-step article might be easier to follow.

Move Windows 7 user data folder to non-system partition and re-use after reinstalling
By Belmile | November 21, 2010

When planning to reinstall Windows 7 and re-use the previous user data and configuration, you don’t need to backup and restore the user data folder everytime. Just move the normal user data folder to a non-system partition and create a hardlink, then re-use it after the fresh operating system’s been set up.

 

8177

Living Room / Re: Apple: if we get you subscribers, we deserve a cut

« Last post by 40hz on February 17, 2011, 12:53 PM »

FWIW, I don't have a problem with Apple's technologies - even if their most significant were either 'borrowed' or acquired rather than developed in-house.

I have a big problem with Apple's business, legal, and marketing practices. And I have an even bigger problem with their resident demigod, Mr. Jobs, who is the most significant single factor that's keeping Apple from becoming something truly great.

 

8178

Living Room / Re: We are doomed: IBM's Watson debuts on Jeopardy today (14 Feb 2011)

« Last post by 40hz on February 17, 2011, 12:30 PM »

yet the Apple fans mock it because they feel IBM is lumbering and "so yesterday."

-40hz (February 17, 2011, 09:28 AM)

That's because IBM used the wrong name and avatar for their project. They should have given it a cutiesy name and a doe-eyed fawning imbecile avatar. Then the Apple crowd would have bought millions of them overnight.

-Stoic Joker (February 17, 2011, 11:54 AM)

No they wouldn't: No fruit on logo =  No sale!

P.S. What's wrong with using a doe-eyed, fawning avatar? In Japan they call that "Fan Service."

(True, I'd prefer a hint of attitude...and her being more on the subtle-flirty geek-girl side.. but that's me.)



 

8179

Living Room / Re: CPU Question: More Mhz per core or more cores?

« Last post by 40hz on February 17, 2011, 11:58 AM »

re: partitioning

I'd suggest you make a separate partition for system recovery and a separate partition for her personal data.

Once you're completely set up, create a disk image of your system drive and store it on the recovery partition. That way, if she ever roaches her OS, she can quickly recover it by writing back the image. You'd still need to reinstall some apps and updates. But that's still a much better way than to go hunting down drivers plus downloading ALL the initial OS updates a second time.

If you move all her personal stuff over to a separate partition, it makes her data backups a complete no-brainer. No need to fiddle with folder or subfolder selections. Just backup or sync the entire partition to an external drive (or cloud service) and be done with it.

iDrive works well for web-based backups. It's very secure, fast, and reliable. Also cheap if you need more than the free 2Gb space they'll give you just for signing up. I recently began using iDrive as a secondary backup for all my personal machines. I picked it after testing several competing products. Highly recommended. (Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with iDrive. However, this is one product I actually might consider getting involved with for my business clients.)

After system, system recovery, and user data partitions it's up to you how complex you want to get.

Like f0dder, I'd suggest the fewer partitions the better. Especially if it's your sister's machine and she's not geeky like us.  

Luck!

8180

Living Room / Re: Apple: if we get you subscribers, we deserve a cut

« Last post by 40hz on February 17, 2011, 09:40 AM »

^ Exactly!  It worked for Ironman.

(Way to go Aram! )

8181

Living Room / Re: We are doomed: IBM's Watson debuts on Jeopardy today (14 Feb 2011)

« Last post by 40hz on February 17, 2011, 09:28 AM »

The result of the Jeopardy match doesn't surprise me all that much.

When it comes to 'hard' science and bleeding-edge research, few beat out IBM.

While its business operations are distinctly open to criticism, its R&D has always been first class.

Too bad more of it doesn't make its way into their products more quickly.  

Kind of amusing. Apple comes up with a pretty case for a consumer product with a major engineering flaw and the press calls it breakthrough innovation. IBM does what it does, yet the Apple fans mock it because they feel IBM is lumbering and "so yesterday."

Love it.  

8182

Living Room / Re: Apple: if we get you subscribers, we deserve a cut

« Last post by 40hz on February 17, 2011, 09:08 AM »

@40Hz - If only it were that simple...

-Renegade (February 17, 2011, 07:35 AM)

It's as simple as you let it be.  

Or is until your pacemaker becomes dependent on your owning an iPad.  

8183

Living Room / Re: Apple: if we get you subscribers, we deserve a cut

« Last post by 40hz on February 17, 2011, 07:30 AM »

Such are the realities of dealing with a closed software ecosystem.

And such is the high tariff some feel we should all be made to pay for what amounts to little more than convenience when shopping.

Fortunately, the solution is very simple.

If you don't want to live with: arbitrary policy and decision-making,  predatory business tactics, 'rules' based on (and changed at) whim, high nonnegotiable pricing, blatantly unfair and constantly rewritten licenses -  then stop doing business with companies that make no bones about the fact that's exactly what they're going to subject you to.
 
Your single, most effective response to a bad deal is to walk away.

8184

Living Room / Re: CPU Question: More Mhz per core or more cores?

« Last post by 40hz on February 16, 2011, 07:36 PM »

+1 for Antec PSUs.

Also very good choice. Especially if you can get it in a combo deal with one of their cases. Newegg runs those every so often.

8185

Living Room / List of Top 100 Design Websites

« Last post by 40hz on February 16, 2011, 06:06 PM »

It's always nice when somebody (in this case Ms. Crystal Bernia) did a great deal of research so we didn't have to.

Design Blogs - Top 100 Design Blogs
   DesignCrowd, 2/11/2011

In this article, DesignCrowd designer Crystal Bernia reveals the Top 100 Design Blogs ranked by traffic and categorized by topic.


~
...the 100 top design blogs ranked based on Alexa.com traffic statistics and categorized by niche or focus.  Naturally, we've excluded our own design blog from this list and filtered out some blogs that we considered poor quality (or ruined by pop-ups and advertising)

All the "regulars" plus a curated selection of quality "lesser-knowns" you might not know about. Check it out!

Link to full article here.

 

8186

Living Room / Re: [FOR FUN] Stupid Questions

« Last post by 40hz on February 16, 2011, 05:46 PM »

ok...my true story.

My older sister is an artist. So she's used to seeing 'reality' the way she wants to see it.

I once met her for lunch where she ordered a BLT Club Sandwich.

When it arrived, she took a bite out of it, studied it carefully as she chewed, turned it upside down, removed the lowest layer of bread, and then proceeded to dump half a shaker of salt on it.

When I commented I couldn't believe she was putting all that salt on bacon, she replied: "I'm not putting it on the bacon. I'm putting it on the lettuce and the tomato."

This isn't the only tale I could tell about her form of logic...or perhaps more correctly: para-logic.

 

8187

Living Room / Re: [FOR FUN] Stupid Questions

« Last post by 40hz on February 16, 2011, 02:40 PM »

I took this picture yesterday while visiting Madison Square Garden in NYC.



Maybe it's just me, but this sign struck me as being unintentionally hilarious.

8188

Living Room / Re: The White House Asks: What's Blocking Innovation in America? Answer: IP Laws

« Last post by 40hz on February 16, 2011, 02:22 PM »

After stupidity, I'd definitely agree it's wrangling over IP legalities.

8189

General Software Discussion / Re: program to create automatic fully unattended installations of software

« Last post by 40hz on February 16, 2011, 10:01 AM »

re: Almeza Multiset.

Yikes! At $99 USD for a home user license, it's a pretty expensive solution.  

I could see it being useful for businesses or support organizations who can recoup costs via labor savings or service fees.  But at that price, it's kind of a waste for occasional or single PC use.

8190

Living Room / Re: CPU Question: More Mhz per core or more cores?

« Last post by 40hz on February 16, 2011, 09:54 AM »

re: PC power supplies.

I've been very pleased with supplies from PC Power&Cooling. I've been using various models for years in new builds as well as for replacements. Never had a single problem or failure.

Website:  www.pcpower.com

8191

Developer's Corner / Re: Registrations on Websites: User Chosen Password vs. Assigned Password?

« Last post by 40hz on February 15, 2011, 08:34 PM »

In the end, I think most places that need high levels of security will opt for a combination of https and a two-step authentication mechanism.

Google already offers it as an option for GMail users. More info on Google's system here and here.

8192

Official Announcements / Re: March 2011 DonationCoder.com Fundraiser Celebration -- Ideas for Special Events?

« Last post by 40hz on February 15, 2011, 10:18 AM »

What about a special event for the fundraiser called "Stump the Cranioscopical".

For a 6 hour period, donors are invited to challenge Chris to come up with puns on demand to random concepts. If he fails you get your money back, if he succeeds you have to double your donation

-mouser (February 14, 2011, 02:12 PM)

Better budget for doubling your pledge if you take Mouser up on that one. 

8193

Developer's Corner / Re: Registrations on Websites: User Chosen Password vs. Assigned Password?

« Last post by 40hz on February 15, 2011, 09:51 AM »

I think it's kind of moot if you allow them to change it.

Most people opt for simple, obvious, and readily hacked passwords.  

If you don't allow them to change it, they either forget and constantly keep requesting it be resent or reset - or - they write it down somewhere handy. Usually a post-it stuck on their monitor. And so much for security.

It's a no-win situation either way.

We need to look outside the box. Passwords aren't that workable a security mechanism for most people or applications.

Time to rethink...

8194

Living Room / Re: OK - lets get to know each other... who are you, what do you do, where from?

« Last post by 40hz on February 14, 2011, 09:03 PM »

@Gailin - welcome an well met!  Always a pleasure to hear a new voice entering the conversation. 

8195

General Software Discussion / Re: What does it mean when I say "successful freeware"?

« Last post by 40hz on February 14, 2011, 08:49 PM »

Still man...from freeware to Miyamoto...this thread has indeed gone a long way

-Paul Keith (February 14, 2011, 05:37 PM)

indeed, it seems to have gone from being in danger of veering off topic to jumping the fence and running screaming into the trees

-Target (February 14, 2011, 08:18 PM)

That tends to happen whenever Renegade joins the discussion. He raises all those Big Questions y'know?

(@Renegade - kidding...just kidding. )

8196

General Software Discussion / Re: What does it mean when I say "successful freeware"?

« Last post by 40hz on February 14, 2011, 08:44 PM »

It still seems that the underlying principle in your approach is to be suspicious.

-Renegade (February 14, 2011, 07:23 PM)

That is not at all what I'm saying. Suspicion has no place anywhere in this schema.

Being "open" as a requirement is very much a burdened concept.

Why would it be a requirement?

It's not a requirement at all. It's a suggested stance or process. Think in terms of it being an outlook or perspective rather than a rule. As such, it's liberating. It basically says "I have nothing to be afraid of because, come what may, I know I can deal with it."

Which is a good thing. Because even if we can't "deal" with something, we end up dealing with it anyway.

Simple truth: we each play the hand we're dealt - as it's dealt us.

I can only see suspicion as the motivation.

I think we all, to a greater or lesser extent, see what we allow ourselves to see.

If we're intrinsically suspicious, we see suspicion everywhere. If we're intrinsically open and non-judgmental, we allow ourselves to see many more possibilities.

There has to be some kind of motivation/reason to be open.

There is. My motivation for being open is that I've learned it works far better than its alternative. Your mileage may vary.

Now I can see someone being open simply as a matter of fact/interest, but that's a very different thing from what you're suggesting.

Um...yeah. What I'm suggesting is to do it for real.

As a tool to sway suspicion, being open has 2 primary cases:

* The author is malicious and needs to convince visitors
* The author lives in a world where much is malicious, and needs to cut through the suspicion caused by malicious authors

I'm not sure where you're getting that. How would I (or you for that matter) know what this hypothetical software author is up to? Or how he sees the world. FWIW, I don't think most people are all that suspicious most of the time. Nor do they perceive their world as being that way. They wouldn't be able to function or interact socially if they were walking around in a constant state of Defcon-2.

Talking about the first there is simply futile, as bad people will be bad, and there's nothing to be done about it.

Disagree.

There's actually quite a bit you can do about bad behavior. You can:

• Ignore
• Educate
• Admonish
• Correct
• Minimize
• Neutralize
• Preempt
• Prevent
• Stop
• Eliminate
• Eradicate

That's a pretty broad range of possible responses. The only time you can't do something about it is if you choose not to do something about it. And the simple decision not to act also represents a choice made.

It always comes down to personal choice and motivation. There's just no getting around it. 

I should note that I am not opposed to being open. In fact I think it's a good thing. My concern is for the motivations behind it.

The motivation for being "open on all sides" is simply to be open on all sides.

My personal take is that it's fancy a Zen-sounding way of saying "I don't have to be afraid all the time." 

8197

General Software Discussion / Re: What does it mean when I say "successful freeware"?

« Last post by 40hz on February 14, 2011, 07:43 PM »

I wasn't around at the time though so I might be wrong. My impression was that bulletin boards were so disjointed and small back then that it was easy for a small group of elitists to have their say on what good freeware was but they were mostly the same guys who reject talks regarding usability, regarding design, and it was more of a "at least you are getting something functional for free and how dare you question this developer's hard work" and it was mostly shareware who tried to do more of the quality software.

-Paul Keith (February 14, 2011, 04:02 PM)

I don't recall it being like that at all.

For openers, there were no core groups of elitists that had any influence worth mentioning since the BBS world was not as connected as the web is today. So while you may have had some sort of "wonk" status on a local BBS or in a mega-portal discussion group over at Compuserve or Delphi - it was still a far cry from the amount of clout a blogger might garner today.

Most of the "elite" (if that's even the correct term) were paid magazine columnists like John Dvorak, Jerrry Pournelle, Bob Ciarcia and Don Lancaster.

BBS systems were local out of necessity because you accessed them via a dial-up POTS connection. So if you didn't want to go broke paying toll or long-distance charges, you restricted your online presence to boards that could be reached via your local phone exchange.

I know this might be hard to imagine for people who grew up with the Internet. But it really was a very different world back then. So much so that when I look back on it, I'm amazed I'm still walking on the same planet.

As far as software went, most authors were very good at supporting their "product." Those that wanted to make some money usually opted for releasing their work as shareware. Shareware was basically an honor system. If you liked and continued to use something, you were supposed to pay the requested license fee.

Freeware was freeware. Notable examples of quality freeware were: FidoBBS, RBBS-PC, QModem, and (later on) DR-DOS.

Commercial software was usually copy protected so there was no confusion about the fact you were supposed to pay  to use it. The biggies back then were Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect, XYWrite, DBaseIII & IV, Clipper, Foxbase, RBase, Borland's TurboPascal, Paradox, and Sidekick, HarvardGraphics, and a host of others.

For the most part, what we'd categorize as "office productivity" apps today, were all commercial software - although PC-Calc and PC-Write were popular shareware alternatives.

Most of the communication software (terminal emulators, modem tools, mail clients, chat tools, etc.) that was worth using was all freeware or shareware. There were commercial offerings out there. But everybody pretty much standardized on QModem for logging onto bulletin boards.

BBS software was mostly free. Fido was the dominant force out there since it had a rudimentary e-mail network routing system that allowed messages to be sent free of charge by doing a sort of bucket brigade store & forward (albeit via dialup) that anticipated some of the technology found in our current messaging protocols. Check out wikipedia if you're interested in the details.

If you want to have a real chuckle, and possibly gain some insight into how things used to be, check out these two historic vids over at YouTube:

Connect: A Look At Bulletin Board Systems

BBS The Documentary

 

8198

General Software Discussion / Re: What does it mean when I say "successful freeware"?

« Last post by 40hz on February 14, 2011, 11:48 AM »

It seems to me that the underlying assumption is that unless you "confess", you must be up to no good.

-Renegade (February 14, 2011, 09:39 AM)

Not at all. It's merely some of us suggesting transparency as a means of avoiding misunderstandings.

There's no reason at all to be up front about what you are doing and why.

-Renegade (February 14, 2011, 09:39 AM)

Actually, there are many very good reasons why you might want to do so. (see above)

Very few people do that.

-Renegade (February 14, 2011, 09:39 AM)

From my experience, a good many people do. Regularly.

It doesn't make them dishonest.

-Renegade (February 14, 2011, 09:39 AM)

Agree. No more than being completely candid guarantees someone's honesty.

In the end, it all comes down to the intent that guides the behavior.

In my case, I've discovered being completely open with people is the most effective and easiest way of dealing with others. Probably comes from my martial arts background.

Try thinking about a saying attributed to Miyamoto Mushashi who was possibly the greatest swordsman that ever lived: Open on all sides, nothing can oppose me.

He often argued for something that has since come to be known as the open stance.

In his youth, when he had the reputation for being a formidable and exceptionally talented Samurai, he was often pictured like this:



In his later life, when it was universally acknowledged he had become totally unbeatable, he was often pictured in the open stance.



Draw what conclusions from those two pictures you will.  

8199

Living Room / Re: I'm so old, I remember when people paid Microsoft to use their software

« Last post by 40hz on February 14, 2011, 10:58 AM »

8200

Living Room / Re: I'm so old, I remember when people paid Microsoft to use their software

« Last post by 40hz on February 14, 2011, 10:31 AM »

I hope Android becomes better for tablets and can do something about the fragmentation.

-superboyac (February 14, 2011, 09:55 AM)

The problem is the telcos all decided they were no longer going to get consigned to doing nothing other than provide the conduit like AT&T does for the iPhone. Most telcos thought AT&T "sold out the industry" when it caved in on Apple's demands in order to get an exclusive on the iPhone.

So in light of this, I'm afraid 'droid fragmentation is going to continue as long as Android needs the telcos more than the telcos need Android.