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9051

Older Newsletters / Re: DonationCoder.com Article - One Year Report on our Experiments with Donationware

« Last post by tomos on October 24, 2008, 11:32 AM »

sounds great mouser
how about the repeat donor gets the option to get a second key they could give to someone else -
(maybe not a lifetime one?) - not sure myself if it's good idea but just throwing it out there anyway.

I've recommended stuff from here to people but know they wont bother, this could be a way of spreading the word - say someone gets a liscence for a year or 6 months, then they can come and donate or not as they see fit

9052

Living Room / Re: Tea anyone - Bubble Tea that is....

« Last post by tomos on October 23, 2008, 02:54 PM »

Sounds like it's not even tea, necessarily:

Tapioca is distinctive, chewy and ultimately addicting.

-http://www.bubbleteasupply.com/index.php?page=components.html

-Deozaan (October 23, 2008, 02:21 PM)

so what's the score here, pushing addictive substances on dc

Sounds like the're all sweet - but it does sound like it could make a very good savoury drink (I like my chocolate sweet but not drinks)

p.s. moderater, I'm very disappointed my anti-bubble-tea-spam post was removed -  
it's not often I get a chance to make a post like that !

9053

Official Announcements / Re: New Visitors to Our Forum - Please Read This First

« Last post by tomos on October 22, 2008, 01:12 PM »

I'm new and I just wanted to say Hi to everybody.   

Hope I can come back and play/learn/grow/etc., and get to know some people at this Forum.

Are there any other new people just starting here?  

-Amada (October 21, 2008, 05:09 PM)

I not new by a long shot but sure I'll say a quick hello and Welcome

9054

Living Room / Re: Things your kids will never know - old school tech!

« Last post by tomos on October 22, 2008, 08:37 AM »

I have seen a tube based TV

-wreckedcarzz (October 22, 2008, 02:18 AM)

definitely a very different generation

45[rpm] = single - they are played at 45 revolutions per minute as opposed to LP's which play at 33(&1/3)rpm
LP = Long playing [record], .. need I say music maybe!

You can have great fun playing 45's at 33 and vice-versa

9055

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

« Last post by tomos on October 21, 2008, 08:28 AM »

Menu: View > Grids = is a fairly akward way of accessing grids = what you see on the left (tabbed grid list)
Menu: Grids           = settings for your grids
Personally, I think a big icon (maybe with grids written on it!) that would show a dropdown alphabetical list would suffice - or maybe a list on the left that autohides like the other panels can?

Re sorting - I believe there is a way of saving a manually organised order (or maybe it's just been requested)
I find on restarting programme or refresh it defaults to sorting by the number column on the very left (I dont like that myself - it means sorting by the order that items were added to the grid)

I would have thought "save item state" in the Grid submenu should save your ordering but it doesnt. Maybe Pierre will comment here ?  It will save the state of the grid if you refresh in the sense if you have expanded some items and others not (refresh is still necessary if you make certain changes)

9056

General Software Discussion / Re: split PDF files - context menu program?

« Last post by tomos on October 21, 2008, 04:34 AM »

pdftk - PDF toolkit can split PDFs into separate files for each page, and there's a pdftk Builder Windows GUI shell, but I don't know of any context-menu integration.  However, I seem to remember seeing various forums and Web sites devoted to PDF tools,maybe they'd be the place to search.

-rjbull (November 06, 2007, 09:07 AM)

had to quickly combine PDF's - the GUI version has everything in one install, has been updated a few times this year and
worked a treat, thanks rj 

9057

Living Room / Re: Eggnog season is upon us!

« Last post by tomos on October 20, 2008, 03:54 PM »

Hehe - this post went from "I love Eggnog" to a "I like this beer" and 4 people voting to dump eggnog down the sink.
 

-Edvard (October 20, 2008, 10:30 AM)

but it's 5 to 7 now in the beer versus eggnog fight - the eggnog supporters are many but quiet. The beer lovers are loud but off-topic - how will it turn out this round DING DING .....

9058

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

« Last post by tomos on October 20, 2008, 08:05 AM »

# Columns/Fields are simply a way of storing info about your item - you can sort by the columns (first by one, then by another, etc, etc). Probably more important - you can filter by column/field and by the content of the field.
Fields can be numerical, date, text, yes/no tick-boxes, or drop-down - where you can select from a drop-down list.
Examples could be | Cost | Date | Date Checked | ToDo by date | Project | Topic | Related to | etc, and Tick-box ones: | Finalised | Checked | Forwarded | Lyrics attatched | ToDo | Error | Reg.Key attatched | etc, etc.
You can set up tick-box fields to change the background colour of the item when ticked (ToDo & Done fields do this already)

Thanks. I think this is why it confuses me. I'm used to something more... tag cloud based but not really a tag cloud. Something like sort by most edited or most viewed and a much clearer indicator of whether I'm viewing from least to most or most to least than the up and down arrows which I'm not used to but mostly I'm more used to the Tag Cluster Folder way of having a predefined folder that shows only certain tags that have been marked to it or a requirement of showing only items that have all marked tags attributed to it.

I think this is more filtering but I'm just more comfortable being able to create a column of sorts of this in the chance that I mess up my column orders and just want my default order back.

-Paul Keith (October 19, 2008, 08:39 PM)

I dont follow the last sentence there ?

# A Grid is a view - the Grid view is dictated by the "source" field which is usually a tick-box field - if something is ticked in this column it is shown in the grid.
If you create a new grid, say called "LOLCats", a new field is automatically created called "LOLCats" - top-level items in this Grid have field "LOLCats" ticked.

Yes, I get this but it's still kinda confusing at first due to there being a grid submenu too. It's just hard getting used to this. I know the sidebar is there by default to make it easier but it's less about the easeness but more along the lines that it creates doubt when exploring options because I'm not really sure if there's other options that are like these. Earlier in the thread PPLandry did say that there were some hotkeys under options and there were other hotkeys in right click - customize so that's one of the confusing parts about the program. I know this is the norm for Microsoft Office and OpenOffice interfaces but that's why I could never customize both of those programs' toolbar to have more of a Wordpad + some more features ever and just gave up on the idea.

-Paul Keith (October 19, 2008, 08:39 PM)

by grid "submenu" - I guess you mean the list of grids shown as tabs on the side ..
It's not really a sub-menu in the sense that the programme has to use a (any particular) grid to show your info.
So it's a list - not sure does that help clarify grids as opposed to programmes that would have everything in a tree outline there on the left.
I've been using it so long now, I forgot that's a fundamental difference. So, for example I have a Music grid with various different info about tracks I like, or I'd like to buy, or songs I'd like to learn, etc, a Software grid which seems to be expanding into a hardware grid and a record of windows/etc errors as well, etc.
Fairly clear boundaries with most of my stuff - with work I have grids that overlap a lot more:
-
# Drawings - the files I work on (this one has columns like check date/checked/approved/finalised
# Billing (=Invoice grid) - time spent on whatever, including drawings (start time/finish time/duration/cost/Invoice#)
# Current Billing = Billing grid filtered in a way to show current project - this could be created on the fly with filters but if using a lot it's easiest (for me) to create separate grids

This has evolved - isn't necessarily the best way but hopefully gives you some idea of how things could be structured

I've followed Armando's example and created a button which shows a drop down list of your grids in alphabetical order - now have this placed on top. I find it less confusing then the tabs on the left - my main problem with them is they dont show all grids & it can get very confusing



see post bottom of page change this setting
http://sqlnotes.net/...dpage/5/Default.aspx

9059

General Software Discussion / Re: How to get rid of the restart prompt afer win update?

« Last post by tomos on October 19, 2008, 04:17 PM »

In XP Pro, I use the Group Policy Editor (Start>Run... gpedit.msc, OK)

-J-Mac (October 18, 2008, 12:07 AM)

looks great,
doesnt work in home version unfortunately ..

9060

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

« Last post by tomos on October 19, 2008, 01:05 PM »

lots going on here
from skimming the last two pages:- (apologies if repeating stuff)

# the new item key doesnt work if the programme isnt open (should it Pierre? or has it been requested?)

# Paul, I'm not great on calculations and dont follow what you want to calculate, but maybe someone who understands both better can help you.

# Columns/Fields are simply a way of storing info about your item - you can sort by the columns (first by one, then by another, etc, etc). Probably more important - you can filter by column/field and by the content of the field.
Fields can be numerical, date, text, yes/no tick-boxes, or drop-down - where you can select from a drop-down list.
Examples could be | Cost | Date | Date Checked | ToDo by date | Project | Topic | Related to | etc, and Tick-box ones: | Finalised | Checked | Forwarded | Lyrics attatched | ToDo | Error | Reg.Key attatched | etc, etc.
You can set up tick-box fields to change the background colour of the item when ticked (ToDo & Done fields do this already)

# A Grid is a view - the Grid view is dictated by the "source" field which is usually a tick-box field - if something is ticked in this column it is shown in the grid.
If you create a new grid, say called "LOLCats", a new field is automatically created called "LOLCats" - top-level items in this Grid have field "LOLCats" ticked.

# Filtering is easier to explain with examples I find, one exapmle would be using the field "Invoice ID" and filtering for all items with an InvoiceID of 2080  [InvoiceID = "2080"]. Again with filtering others will have to help - I think easiest way to learn would be with concrete examples

gotta go here, bye

9061

Living Room / Re: Tech News Weekly: Edition 42

« Last post by tomos on October 18, 2008, 03:47 AM »

Number 11: The Australian internet filters story is just scary. It won't be long before the Aussies have no idea what Tiananmen Square^w was all about either.

-Deozaan (October 18, 2008, 12:08 AM)

Australia sound like a bit of a crazy place these days ..

9062

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

« Last post by tomos on October 18, 2008, 03:29 AM »

I think you'll definitely have to clarify this one Paul

one of those tree-based outlining notetakers

Re notetaking:

but besides the HTML pane, it doesn't seem like this is something that supports an essay length article. Even the help files were composed of at most a few paragraphs.

-Paul Keith (October 18, 2008, 01:28 AM)

hmmm,
as Superboyac says, essay length articles go in the html pane -
there is a field/column which indicates if the item has html ("ItemHasHTML")
The grid then, where your items are, can show lots of information, in the manner of excel table (or of database I presume - I've never worked with any other database programmes)

In that sense it might not be ideal for notetaking [writing] [edit: I was thinking along the lines of creative writing here when I wrote that] - I havent really used it that way so cant say either way. [I do use it for webcapture]
But for essay length stuff it would seem okay
what had you in mind when you say "besides the HTML pane" ? (which prpbably brings me back to first request above)

[edits in square brackets]

9063

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

« Last post by tomos on October 17, 2008, 02:59 AM »

You mean that you replaced the contents of your previously installed version with the contents of the Portable download?

-J-Mac (October 17, 2008, 02:36 AM)

No no!
hi Jim

actually I simply deserted the installed version
I have all portable apps on a different drive so I put the portable version in there
Then

Once it's setup as I want it, I just copy updates into the "install" folder - (making a dated copy of contents first). Settings are retained.

I think I confused you with the "install" word there

So basically:

~ uzip somewhere you happy with
~ create shortcut
~ before updating, copy contents (in case) or just the files Pierre mentions in quote above(they from the installed version )
~ update by copying contents of update into folder where the exe file is

hope that's clearer now!


edit/ added quote at the top - corrections

9064

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

« Last post by tomos on October 17, 2008, 02:25 AM »

Barring that, how do I install the portable version semi-permanently? And not lose my current data?

-J-Mac (October 17, 2008, 02:00 AM)

data or settings ? (or both?)
Data is all in the file

from the "other" forum

PPL wrote
If you want to use the portable and retain your settings

   1. Copy it anywhere (I recommend against Program Files since the OS may protect it)
   2. Start it (default user or set your own user)
   3. Close it
   4. To get your previous settings:
         1. Copy files from c:\docs & settings\UserName\SQLNotes\user.vb to PortableFolder\Users\UserName
         2. Copy files from c:\docs & settings\All Users\SQLNotes\user.vb to PortableFolder\AppData\UserName

-http://sqlnotes.net/Forums/tabid/54/forumid/18/threadid/4710/scope/posts/Default.aspx

I ended up taking the oppurtunity to start from scratch settings-wise
Once it's setup as I want it, I just copy updates into the "install" folder - (making a dated copy of contents first). Settings are retained.

9065

Living Room / Re: c-base - the amazing space station

« Last post by tomos on October 16, 2008, 08:40 AM »

sounds great housetier
Any pictures of the space(s) ?
whats the deal with the "space station that crashed 4.5 billion years ago" 

9066

Living Room / Re: Eggnog season is upon us!

« Last post by tomos on October 15, 2008, 04:42 PM »

Anathema! Outrage!
One does not put the word 'lager' in the same sentence with ale, porter, or stout. It is simply not done.

-40hz (October 15, 2008, 10:31 AM)

but "Lager" and "Snakebite" do go together...
Love the Autumn Ale label!

btw, did you look at the Hobgoblin link in f0dder's post? (also an impressive label)
from there:

What's the matter Lagerboy Afraid you might taste something?

Good luck finding champagne in some of my old haunts, or Guinness in others, depending on which part of town

-cranioscopical (October 15, 2008, 03:53 PM)

a man of many worlds

9067

Living Room / Re: Eggnog season is upon us!

« Last post by tomos on October 15, 2008, 07:35 AM »

Snakebite?

-f0dder (October 15, 2008, 06:40 AM)

hmm, Snakebite is Cider and Lager (as opposed to ale or porter/stout)
but maybe that was the name I was thinking of all the same
It is/was popular to add a dash of the ("Absolute awful") blackcurrant cordial to the mix but usually only on demand ...

I didnt actually like cider & guinness mixed myself but tastes a lot better than a Snakebite imo!

9068

General Software Discussion / Re: How to get rid of the restart prompt afer win update?

« Last post by tomos on October 15, 2008, 07:26 AM »

There's various ways to configure windows update. One is notify only, once is download+notify, and the last is download+autoinstall.

-f0dder (October 15, 2008, 06:48 AM)

I have it set to notify, then I have a look see what's on offer
It usually notifies when downloaded and offers to install but this time it didnt - it did that thing where it waits till you go to shut down then offers "Install updates & shutdown" as default option -
I'd seen that on other computers but not on this one (have I posted about this before [head-scratching-smiley] -getting strong sense of dejavu...)

9069

General Software Discussion / Re: How to get rid of the restart prompt afer win update?

« Last post by tomos on October 15, 2008, 06:16 AM »

wierd,
then when I click install updates (after selecting) it takes an absolute age to update. Again if I remember correctly the first phase is simply download - then there's an install prompt so the delay is with the ms site cause I have fast broadband here
... I need to reboot anyways but waiting for the updates ....

Ohh, there are updates for Windows?

-Curt (September 12, 2008, 03:17 AM)

 

9070

Living Room / Re: Eggnog season is upon us!

« Last post by tomos on October 15, 2008, 03:29 AM »

and
seen as halloween comes first



[got it in the mail - it's doing the rounds so I cant credit it ..]

9071

Living Room / Re: Eggnog season is upon us!

« Last post by tomos on October 15, 2008, 03:21 AM »

gallons and gallons of superb (locally produced) cider

-40hz (October 14, 2008, 05:16 PM)

Half-and-half with Guinness...

-cranioscopical (October 14, 2008, 07:27 PM)

presume you mean alcoholic cider (? european cider!) - there's a name for that mix .. cant remember it though
Was popular with teens in Ireland when I was growing up: with strong cider - get drunk quick

Remember visiting people once who made mulled cider with cinnamon sticks & cloves and god knows what else - it was good
Funny, with all that (american) cider in New England, that they never got into producing the alcoholic variety.
Was just reading lately that the first Puritans who landed in New England brought thousands of gallons of beer so we cant blame the Puritans (mind you, in fairness, in those days water wasnt safe to drink unless taken directly from a spring or well so beer was a convenient solution .

9072

General Software Discussion / Re: Battle of the Free Online Storages

« Last post by tomos on October 14, 2008, 04:04 PM »

This service looks interesting; up to 25 GB free storage; I believe it has not been mentioned on DC so far:

http://humyo.com/

It won the comparison test of the german CHIP magazine:
http://www.chip.de/a...latten_32846847.html
Disadvantages are: no Linux client, data transfer encryption is only available in the paid version.

-Lutz_ (October 13, 2008, 11:25 AM)

says for free version

Features     
    * 25GB storage for media files
    * 5GB storage for non media files
    * Access via web browser or mobile phone

not sure how they define or differentiate between media/non-media files?

Basic paid version is 50euros (with special offer at the mo for under 40 euro) for 100GB -
this much cheaper than e.g. dropbox which I think is $99 for 100GB (cant find out on their website) and I've seen roughly that price ($99) on other online backup sites too.

They have quotes from good reviews in English papers (Guardian, Independent) and pc mags

9073

Site/Forum Features / Re: Using Anchors Within Posts

« Last post by tomos on October 14, 2008, 02:05 PM »

just wanted to point out -
if you link to an anchor in a different post, it wont work in preview mode but will (should!) when you've posted

9074

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: AirObic/ Aerobic Vertical mouse - first impressions

« Last post by tomos on October 14, 2008, 02:04 PM »

thanks for your response bzeng -
it's good to hear the mouse is helpful if you have wrist problems
Me, I've given up on this mouse because of my shoulder pain - to be clear: it only ever said it could be helpful for wrist pain (& maybe elbow?)

I've updated the review, in particular the Conclusions

Conclusions from reply #12 below: The best thing about this mouse is the comfort of the hand support that allows complete relaxation of your hand. The wrist soreness has completely disappeared since using this mouse ... Unfortunately, because all motion is with the arm and wrist and not with the fingers, this mouse design does not allow for fine control of the cursor on the screen. Also, as you point out, the position and action of the buttons is awkward. so, helpful if you have wrist problems (as Cranioscopical says, well worth it if it helps) with the drawback that it's not suitable for fine work and see next point - if you have shoulder pain/problems DON'T buy this mouse - your shoulder has to do the movements that you probably previously did with your wrist/lower arm

9075

Living Room / Re: Eggnog season is upon us!

« Last post by tomos on October 14, 2008, 01:21 PM »

Usually the Glögg you buy has a very low (if any at all? been a while) alcohol content, and isn't really suitable for drinking as-is. Not sure it's meant to be, anyway. So you heat it, mix with red wine, raisins and almonds. Works pretty well on a cold Scandinavian winter day. Spicy stuff.

-f0dder (October 14, 2008, 12:54 PM)

ahh, Glühwein - I haven't seen it with fruit & nut. Very popular here in the evenings at the outdoor christmas markets.
Apparently it used be made (in England at any rate) by sticking a hot poker from the fire into your glass of wine and throw in a couple of spices - but that could be a myth of course

They've had the christmas stuff in the shops here for weeks now .. got a right shock seeing all these Lebkuchen and Stollen in SEPTEMBER

Eggnog I've only had once or twice, with alcohol it was nice - ish