Recent Posts

8601

Living Room / Re: OS Re-install Tips?

« Last post by tomos on April 02, 2009, 02:21 PM »

How to create these images, and what to do with it?

-Coeluh (April 02, 2009, 12:34 PM)

are you looking for something free?
this one - DriveImage XML -  worked for me once - only disadvantage compared to pay software is that you cant do incremental backups
http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm

what to do with it ... you could make a UBCD4Win disk and use it to restore the image of your drive if something screws up (you would have to store the image on another partition/drive/or dvd if it fits - I cant remember can you break it up into dvd sized chunks with DriveImage XML)
funny though I cant get through to their site at the mo: www.ubcd4win.com

8602

Living Room / Re: OS Re-install Tips?

« Last post by tomos on April 02, 2009, 02:10 PM »

wow, busy here isnt it

How do I backup my emails in Thunderbird other than MozBackup?

-siouxdax (April 02, 2009, 01:56 PM)

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_backup

I'd make the OS partition 30 GB - if you're hanging out here you probably like installing stuff
I have 9 GB free out of 30 ...

otherwwise I think you're in the hands of the experts

8603

Living Room / Re: OS Re-install Tips?

« Last post by tomos on April 02, 2009, 08:00 AM »

as I say that above the ideal

here's  40hz's approach from thread above (I added a bit of formatting):-

In a former existence I was responsible for the upkeep of a large number of laptops
...
The most workable solution was to have 3 partitions.

• Partition 1 was the OS and application suite.
• Partition 2 was a 20Gb recovery repository.
• Partition 3 was the userdata & tempfile area.

We did a clean install of the OS; added the SP's; updated any drivers; added the apps suite and updated those - and then ran Trueimage to create a "genesis" image which was stored on Partition 2. That way (come heaven, hell, or Hollywood) we could have anybody back in business in ten minutes no matter what hit them

-40hz (February 27, 2008, 12:48 PM)

8604

Living Room / Re: OS Re-install Tips?

« Last post by tomos on April 02, 2009, 07:53 AM »

Ah. I never thought about that. Good idea. I wish I had done that prior to this re-install. But I'll be sure to do that next time around (hopefully I won't have to).

-siouxdax (April 02, 2009, 07:12 AM)

I guess the ideal would be something like this

• Partition
• Install OS
• Defrag
• Create Image (of OS partition)
• Install programmes
• Defrag
• Create Image (of OS partition)
• Tweak OS (move My Docs etc)
• Create Image (of OS partition)

cant say I did it that way myself though  

8605

Living Room / Re: OS Re-install Tips?

« Last post by tomos on April 02, 2009, 07:02 AM »

 it's also relatively easy to move My Documents onto the second partition - some do, some dont - but it would save hassle for the next reinstall
or
better still, if you use imaging software (a la Acronis True Image etc.) to back up your fresh install you can restore the OS partition in the future much easier than a fresh install (and if my docs + data are on second partition you dont have to worry about them)

8606

Living Room / Re: OS Re-install Tips?

« Last post by tomos on April 02, 2009, 06:36 AM »

as a non expert who did this last year:

• Think about partitions. There's a couple of threads here on the topic
  Should I get my new laptop with hard drive partitioned?
  how I ended up doing the partioning my pc (i.e. what software I used):-
  https://www.donation...32.msg73148#msg73148
  
• Think about nlite to reduce the windows baggage - it's recommended very casually here by people but I had to do a bunch of versions before I was successful with it - IIRC I had problems when I added a password to the install - couldnt access it then - also, I suspect no matter how you install xp there's going to be teething problems, I certainly had a bunch ...
  I have a few nlite links from that time if you're going that road

8607

FARR Plugins and Aliases / Re: What has happened to the Locate32 plugin?

« Last post by tomos on April 02, 2009, 04:43 AM »

I know that it's offered via dcupdater
https://www.donation...r/Updater/index.html

EDIT/ says "got version" but doesn't actually really offer it (at the moment)

8608

The Getting Organized Experiment of 2009 / Re: The Getting Organized Experiment of 2009 - Preliminary Planning

« Last post by tomos on April 02, 2009, 04:39 AM »

my favourite idea from the other thread is still:

each individual would pick a "theme" or two - maybe a problem point or something they want to improve. Or they could even choose to try out a system - e.g. Forsters new Autofocus system. Whatever.
They start a thread about it where they announce their plans and discuss. Others can chip in with comments, help, ideas and the thread is used to record progress (or lack of same ).

It's practical, requires minimum organisation, doesnt even require theory lol
How many people would be willing to commit themselves to doing something like this?

I think it's a good idea to focus on specifics, but it should be up to each participant which specifics that should be. For instance, email or my physical desktop are pretty much the only things that I don't consider a mess... ok, a bit of an overstatement, but you get the idea

A better idea, IMHO, would be for each participant to publicly list which specifics he/she would like to focus on and maybe make regular posts about the progress. How often? I don't know, but let's say an update every week or so. Obviously you're not responsible for this to anyone but yourself, but I imagine that for me at least, it would be an extra incentive to get things done if I'll have reveal my progress. It's not too cool seeing everyone else making huge strides towards getting organized if I still can't get anything done. This way, we can also give each other tips and ideas along the way.

 

-TucknDar (October 10, 2008, 01:28 PM)

my list (themes) would be something along these lines
clearing backlog - mostly stuff in boxes
à la my post above - expectation/sense of obligation -> procrastination (avoiding/reacting because of pressure from self or others)
Again, I cant remember the third ... (organisation comes to mind as another theme!)

And because it would be individual projects it really doesnt matter how many or how few get involved - obviously nicer to have a bunch of people involved though

-tomos (November 18, 2008, 03:11 AM)

8609

Screenshot Captor / Re: TIFF file size question

« Last post by tomos on April 02, 2009, 03:29 AM »

there's something funny going on all right

my full screen shots are about 3MB
They are same size whether 8 Bit or True Colour - actually I dont think that's funny - just that your "TIFF's" are so small ...

My ancient Photoshop 5.5 cant open the 8 Bit or the larger true colour TIFs which surprises me cause I usually work with TIF scans from various sources and have no problems maybe I just need to reboot ..

Photofiltre has no problem with either
both programmes can save a much smaller TIFF version than S.C. (in Pshop if LZW compression is selected, in P'filtre via default save)

EDIT/btw:
 the problem with opening the tiff seems to be with the system here somehow (now having problems with other tiffs with another programme)

8610

Screenshot Captor / Re: TIFF file size question

« Last post by tomos on April 01, 2009, 04:20 PM »

I can only speculate -
possibly that when you save it in photoshop it has a different colour depth or a different compression (TIFF has - or can have - lossless compression)

8611

Post New Requests Here / Re: Automatic text flipper (180 degree) aka upside down

« Last post by tomos on April 01, 2009, 03:30 PM »

why are people starting to use email addresses as their whachamacallit name-tag? (that's the second new participant I've seen with an email address in the last week)

apologies for going directly off-topic but I have a paranoid streak

8612

Living Room / Re: Gmail's "Custom Time" April Fools Feature!

« Last post by tomos on April 01, 2009, 03:15 PM »

Jiffy Express

-mwb1100 (April 01, 2009, 11:01 AM)

- genious!

-Curt (April 01, 2009, 11:56 AM)

that's a truly great business idea

8613

General Software Discussion / Re: What's your preferred File Manager

« Last post by tomos on April 01, 2009, 10:50 AM »

....  and the breadcrumb navigation in AC Browser Plus is just perfect - this is the way it should be !!!   

-Lutz_ (March 28, 2009, 12:09 PM)

curious how that is

8614

General Software Discussion / Re: System Restore Cleanup

« Last post by tomos on April 01, 2009, 10:46 AM »

I've had the same experience as cyberdiva (but have used it less often)

I'm curious about responses to the original post:-

Even though my 140Gb disk is only 40% used, I figgered it was time to clean up, I knew the trick of reducing the % allocation.  Looking at the XP stuff I got a couple of surprises.  Before I reduced the 12% (18Gb..ugh) I noticed that was 90 days, maybe 150 restore points !   And I only want a couple.  Normally I had heard of reducing to 5% or so, but it was clear that 1% should be a good try.  And even that .. left about 20 days of restores ! .  What was perplexing was that 0% , the 200 mb minimum, resulted in the same number of points, none were taken away !? ... hmmmm

Anyway, then I wanted the 15+ Gibabytes to show up .. somewhere.  I tried Auslogics Disk Defrag, but the numbers were unchanged. Same with WinDirStat, and their numbers agree with XP Computer Management.  So either .. the Restore Points were not picked up as disk space, or it needs a reboot to wake up the numbers.  That is where I am now.  I'll report back after the reboot, it would seem strange that these programs would not consider System Restore space as used space, if that is the case.

-Steven Avery (April 01, 2009, 08:15 AM)

or how you got on after the reboot?
I only have less than 20 restore points with 3% of C partition as setting (979 MB of 30GB) so maybe it's just the reboot that's needed ...

8615

General Software Discussion / Re: When was your last BSOD? I'm betting it was a long time ago

« Last post by tomos on March 31, 2009, 03:46 PM »

When was your last BSOD?

-zridling (March 31, 2009, 03:29 PM)

about two weeks ago (and reasonably regularly too unfortunately) - problem is with the drivers for graphics or for sound - cant figure which

But with my last computer (with 5 years more or less daily use - sound & graphics were onboard) I cant remember any BSODs - there may have been one or two but not more

(both with XP)

8616

General Software Discussion / Re: Freeware Image Organizer (Especially Tags/Keywords)?

« Last post by tomos on March 31, 2009, 05:37 AM »

isnt xnview more of a viewer and not an organiser?

I would say ExifPro is great for looking at an image collection that isn't organised - it loads thumbnails very quickly and has a good viewer as Jim says
but:

I discussed the matter of the IMHO way too limited tagging option with the programmer years ago. It's obviously not one of his top priorities.
Create several tag files, but not too many, don't get tempted to use tags as keywords. Use other software to add exif keywords instead.

-Maggy160 (January 15, 2008, 03:38 PM)

I think the tagging in ExifPro is to help you select images for printing or moving etc (i.e. short term, limited)
I think (but not sure any more at this stage - haven't used it in over a year) that the cataloging ability is mainly to help thumbnails of images load quicker

8617

Official Announcements / Re: MARCH 2009: It's the 4th Anniversary DonationCoder.com Fundraiser

« Last post by tomos on March 30, 2009, 12:47 PM »

Ooooh You give me fever Fever ooh OOh You give me fever Fever in the morning Fever when it's late at night You give me fever ...

(12,666)

8618

Official Announcements / Re: MARCH 2009: It's the 4th Anniversary DonationCoder.com Fundraiser

« Last post by tomos on March 30, 2009, 03:48 AM »

woo hoo!

8619

Official Announcements / Re: MARCH 2009: It's the 4th Anniversary DonationCoder.com Fundraiser

« Last post by tomos on March 29, 2009, 07:32 PM »

don't be silly, you can only get a bailout if you destroy a few hundred thousand people's lives while you conduct financial fraud and engage in criminally reckless behavior in a pursuit of absolute greed.

-mouser (March 29, 2009, 06:00 PM)

very well said there mouser ...

8620

Official Announcements / Re: MARCH 2009: It's the 4th Anniversary DonationCoder.com Fundraiser

« Last post by tomos on March 29, 2009, 12:41 PM »

We're going to send out one last newsletter tonight.. i think that will help push us over the $10k goal 

-mouser (March 28, 2009, 12:36 PM)

OMG it's nearly @ $11,000 = that worked mouser!

8621

Living Room / Re: Should we have a yearly Best Avatar award on DC?

« Last post by tomos on March 26, 2009, 01:35 AM »

Then there's this to think about  (see attachment in previous post) from Josh

-cranioscopical (March 24, 2009, 10:36 PM)

that should be Brett's - well he had it first but dont know did he "make" it himself either ...

8622

Living Room / Re: Linux vs. Vista for an absolute beginner? (+related Vista/hardware query)

« Last post by tomos on March 25, 2009, 10:42 AM »

Boy!  I've seldom seen a unanimous response like this to a question here (or anywhere else).
All good, sound advice with partisan leanings set aside in favour of informed common sense based on the situation described.

    

-cranioscopical (March 25, 2009, 08:06 AM)

hear hear -
I've been away for the day and just just passing through now - it's great to get such a bunch of good & helpful responses -
thanks all

so, the verdict is clear in favour of windows - makes good sense to me -
btw, I'd prefer XP but cant get it with that laptop here
@Lutz_ unfortunately newegg etc isnt an option for me here in germany

8623

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Paragon Total Defrag 2009 For Free - Powerful but controversial

« Last post by tomos on March 24, 2009, 11:03 AM »

But there are options to choose.
You can put your directories at the beginning or end of the drive.
Ascending or descending.
Or you can leave the directories where they are.

-cmpm (March 24, 2009, 09:04 AM)

does it recommend any of those?
JKDefrag offers



which is based on files rather than directories but I never could see the logic of it - especially to end of disk - unless you want to get them out of the way...

8624

Living Room / Linux vs. Vista for an absolute beginner? (+related Vista/hardware query)

« Last post by tomos on March 24, 2009, 10:41 AM »

Two and a half questions ... sort of

1) How would Linux ("Linpus" it's called) be for an absolute beginner (more or less) as compared to Vista

2) Would the specs of laptop below be comfortable with Vista (VHB) for basic use ?

3) there's also the aspect that I'll get called on if there's a problem - while I might cope with Vista, I've never used Linux so have no idea how that might be

they want to buy this - they dont even know (or understand) about the Linux option yet
-

Acer Extensa 5230E-581G16 CM585 1GB 160GB 15.4" WXGA non-glare TFT Celeron-M 585 2.16GHz 1024MB Speicher 160GB Festplatte DVD+/-RW DL Intel GMA X4500HD (IGP) max.1759MB shared memory USB 2.0/Modem/Gb LAN/WLAN 802.11bg PCMCIA Typ II und ExpressCard/54 Slot Card Reader 15.4" WXGA non-glare TFT (1280x800) Windows Vista Home Basic

-
Seems like a good deal for just over €400 but I'm afraid Vista might be too much for this machine?
so another option would be
-

Acer Extensa 5230-571G16_Linux 15,4 Zoll WXGA Notebook Intel Celeron M575 2,0GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Intel GMA 4500MHD, DVD +/-RW DL, Linux (Linpus)

-
for €70 cheaper

Considering I'm the person who'll be helping them out in times of trouble but also with learning word-processing and internets
and keeping in mind I'm no expert in windows but generally just research if there's a problem.
There's also Acer's very poor reputation for service and more importantly repair but I couldnt find any other similar size laptop at that price

Any opinions ?
- better to go for the Vista or the Linpus Linus ?
Damn, they've a flash site so I cant link to the page - how stupid. This page is as near as I can get if you want to look - it's the Extensa 5230)
thanks!

8625

DcUpdater / Re: DcUpdater v2 Preliminary Flirtations

« Last post by tomos on March 24, 2009, 07:00 AM »

i can see the confusion.  the second level grouping would make more sense as

    * Applications: FARR
    * Applications: Other
basically what it's doing is giving a "folder" to anything with more than 1 item, and then putting all other singletons in the "Other" folder.

Let's not get too hung up on this grouping option -- i think i agree with the general sentiment that it just makes things more messy and hard to take the information in.  it's main value will be when navigating very large listings -- perhaps if one were viewing potential applications that could be installed or something like that.

-mouser (March 23, 2009, 07:05 AM)

okay, (not to get hung up on it) but in case you do go ahead with it -
my point was that I thought there was no need to group at all at the second level (apart from stuff like FARR plugins). In fact I think it would just make it harder to see clearly