Recent Posts

9526

Word Processor Roundup / Re: Textmaker (Softmaker/Ashampoo Office) 2008

« Last post by tomos on June 05, 2008, 08:48 AM »

I'm waiting impatiently for DataMaker to be released

-Darwin (June 05, 2008, 08:27 AM)

looks interesting - I havent a clue about databases though, guess I'm learning a bit using SQLNotes
Of course, you'll get academic pricing - Softmaker Office is dirt cheap with that
(- just realised that's how come you can afford to indulge your software habit without going bankrupt )

9527

General Software Discussion / Re: Data recovery software suggestions?

« Last post by tomos on June 05, 2008, 08:03 AM »

well after deleting a backup which I shouldnt have & it mysteriously not being in the Recycle Bin
I tried these on my backup partition

Recuva 1.14.321 - found absolutely nothing
Handy Recovery 1 -the free version linked to above by Braham - didnt seem to find anything - not what I was looking for at any rate
Back2Life - found absolutely nothing
File Recover 6.2.0.20 (PCTools) found a bunch of stuff, unnamed, no details about what they were, wouldnt restore them because it was a trial (again, a case of hiding the fact it had to be paid for*, never mind the price, not stating trial limitations clearly - on principle I've decided to avoid software that does this, unless I'm desperate )

I threw in the towel at that stage, went & redid my lost work - I lost more time this morning faffing around with these than I actually lost with the deleted file

* on the page I went to at any rate -
found it from an add actually, & thought I'd try it cause PCTools are supposed to be good (I think)

9528

Word Processor Roundup / Re: Textmaker (Softmaker/Ashampoo Office) 2008

« Last post by tomos on June 05, 2008, 05:12 AM »

and a service pack for Softmaker/Ashampoo Office

Service Pack 490 for SoftMaker Office 2008 for Windows

9529

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: NTI Shadow 3 free till June 8

« Last post by tomos on June 05, 2008, 05:07 AM »

anyone used it - any comments?

9530

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

« Last post by tomos on June 04, 2008, 02:12 PM »

Are you sure you have read this thread?
Nothing to do with SQLnotes can be too long or tedious for us. 

-Dormouse (June 04, 2008, 01:17 PM)

SQLNotes (will be renamed, to perhaps SliceAndDice or Dimension)

-PPLandry (June 04, 2008, 10:08 AM)

any comments on those names?
anyone?   

or, post here on the SQLNotes New Name thread

9531

General Software Discussion / Re: What is the currently best Desktop Search software?

« Last post by tomos on June 04, 2008, 02:08 PM »

but then what would I do about the 15 file managers that I have installed, the multiple file/folder compparators, and the numerous reg-ex/text search and replace apps that I have installed. Then there are the office suites and the note takers/web archivers. Nope. Too many decisions 

-Darwin (June 04, 2008, 10:54 AM)

must make it a very expensive laptop Mike!

9532

General Software Discussion / Re: Unallocated drive space

« Last post by tomos on June 04, 2008, 02:45 AM »

you could also try one of the free Open Source partitioning and imaging Solutions like gparted http://gparted.sourceforge.net/ (only for partitioning) or parted magic http://partedmagic.com/ (does imaging too) -- you'll need to dowload (about 50mb, I think) and burn them on a CD. Gparted is easy to use and reliable. I must admit that I have never used the Open source imaging solutions though (only on parted magic), only the partitioning one.

-Armando (August 16, 2007, 08:57 PM)

I used that [sorry! EDIT: Parted Magic] for the partitioning
with the help of this tutorial
it was very easy

-tomos (August 23, 2007, 08:27 AM)

Parted Magic (based on gParted I think) has an impressive list of formats it can read -I havent used it for imaging but you could use it just to see can you find the hidden partition

9533

General Software Discussion / Re: Software for use with scanner?

« Last post by tomos on June 04, 2008, 02:18 AM »

thanks to all for the new tips!

this morning tried ScannerCopier (see post #3) which is called Copier when installed
looked very promising - can select area you want scanned, simple clear interface,
it can do a preview  but is unable to actually scan with my scanner...
more

@Steeladept, with PaperPort they do actually have a non-"pro" version hidden away on their website (hate when people arent upfront about prices & what they offer but seems the norm these days) for 99.99
Definitely didnt see any free version

will try another this evening..

9534

General Software Discussion / Re: Software for use with scanner?

« Last post by tomos on June 03, 2008, 03:34 PM »

Documalis out the window 
I had great hopes there for a simple document scanner (even though I was originally looking for a bit more) - it seemed to work but wouldnt save as PDF, wouldnt scan when set to jpeg, insisted on doing a "preview" every time even though I couldnt see anything it would have allowed you to change at that stage of the process (you set the settings in preferences first) I gave up at that stage ...
To complicate things there's a certain amount "Lost in Translation" - poorly translated in spots, not at all in others
If you've fluent French try it out in original, you might do better than me

9535

General Software Discussion / Re: Software for use with scanner?

« Last post by tomos on June 03, 2008, 11:44 AM »

thanks steeladept and dspelley

I think VueScan has a great reputation esp for scanning photos, negatives, - there's another one that's supposed to be good at that,
Silver-something (-fast?) - VueScan seems quite reasonable cost considering reputation but not really the direction I was looking for..

PaperPort is supposed to be great as you say steeladept for office use but @ $199 it's definitely overkill for what I want.
Scanitto is reasonable cost but may as well try the free one's out first!
Documalis has a free version - I find it very difficult (=gave up trying) to find cost of standard or pro versions -
so I'll start with the free version see how I get on
download page is (seeing as I took a while to find it too...)
http://www.documalis...echargements.htm#bas

thanks again people

9536

General Software Discussion / Re: Software for use with scanner?

« Last post by tomos on June 03, 2008, 04:18 AM »

Ack!  I agree.  Is this a TWAIN compliant device?  If so, most 3rd party scanner software will work well with it.

-steeladept (June 03, 2008, 03:54 AM)

yes, TWAIN
problem is I dont know any 3rd party scanner software & am looking for tips

I've downloaded iCopy from source forge but think that's more aimed at making a photocopier of your scanner
http://graphicssoft....opy.sourceforge.net/

It's difficult to search for - keep getting "scan your drive for this or that..."
Scanner Copier (also OS) looks like might be better - can scan multiple pages to one document
http://sourceforge.n...ects/scanner-copier/

9537

General Software Discussion / Re: Software for use with scanner?

« Last post by tomos on June 03, 2008, 03:36 AM »

it also wins a prize for the "ugliest interface I've ever seen"

9538

General Software Discussion / Software for use with scanner?

« Last post by tomos on June 03, 2008, 03:31 AM »

Need:
USABLE software that will work with my/any scanner (I have an old Benq SZW 4300U)

I dont want to do anything fancy, straightforward scanning, mostly greyscale.
The Benq software has gotten worse with time -
was having problems with their older software & updated to newer version that "works" better but whose interface is even worse which I hadnt thought possible

So, something free or reasonable priced would be great, nothing fancy required, just a usable interface please !

9539

Word Processor Roundup / Re: Textmaker (Softmaker/Ashampoo Office) 2008

« Last post by tomos on June 02, 2008, 05:00 AM »

this may be of interest to some

------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now available: SoftMaker Office 2008 for Pocket PCs ------------------------------------------------------------------------- After extensive beta testing, we are proud to announce that SoftMaker Office 2008 for Pocket PCs is shipping and ready for purchase. This new version of our mobile office suite has significant advantages: NEW: SoftMaker Presentations, the mobile alternative to PowerPoint NEW: PDF export in all Office applications NEW: Printing from all applications (JETCET PRINT is bundled) NEW: Many new features in TextMaker 2008 and PlanMaker 2008 If you wish to edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files on the Pocket PC without losing formatting or content, SoftMaker Office is your only choice. There is no other mobile office suite that reads and writes your Office documents as faithfully as SoftMaker Office 2008. Find out more: http://www.softmaker.com/

-
any further comments from those of you testing Word><Textmaker formatting -ah,
I just found Toms Colvin's review

TextMaker: Why It Excites Me Published by Tom Colvin on May 14, 2008 11:25 pm under 6-Alternative Office Suites, 4-Alternatives to Word

http://becoming-a-wr...r-why-it-excites-me/
&
an update/some follow-up comments from Softmaker
http://becoming-a-wr...on-softmaker-office/

9540

Found Deals and Discounts / Scanahand on Bits du Jour

« Last post by tomos on June 02, 2008, 03:00 AM »

Scanahand Basic Edition - Fontify Your Handwriting! Deal Available: Monday 2 June, 2008 Deal Price: $9.00 List Price: $29.00 You Save: 69% Ok, now this is a fun little utility! Scanahand enables anyone with a scanner to turn their own handwriting into a fully-compatible TrueType font.

http://www.bitsdujou...ahand-basic-edition/

9541

Living Room / Re: Annals of Self-Experiment - Seth Roberts is His Own Mouse

« Last post by tomos on June 02, 2008, 02:18 AM »

hah
I thought you meant he somehow became his own (computer) mouse &
was physically moving his body in order to move the arrow
...off to read...

9542

Living Room / Re: Drinking Vinegar?

« Last post by tomos on June 02, 2008, 02:13 AM »

Deozaan, - alcohol is actually good for your digestion too!!
(you can tell digestion is a theme for me )
Although I remember reading a claim somewhere that the combination of fatty meats & alcohol causes a particularly high rate of liver damage (cirrhosis)
Also supposed to be good for the heart - in moderation naturally

9543

Living Room / Re: Drinking Vinegar?

« Last post by tomos on June 01, 2008, 02:24 PM »

Well, my father once had a bottle of wine that tasted like vinegar, apparently he left it in the barrel for too long. And still he claimed it was great

-Lashiec (June 01, 2008, 12:28 PM)

Vinegar:
apparently (from what I've read & I'm not quoting/digging up sources ) cider vinegar is the good one
It's the only vinegar that actually stimulates digestion/digestive juices - all other vinegars actually inhibit digestion.
Apparently it's good for lots of other things - but I couldnt for the life of me tell you what but, if I'm making a salad dressing that's always the first ingredient

I misread the the poll as simply drinking vinegar (as opposed to "drinking vinegar?")
Never heard of that (the "drinking vinegar?"), but then never thought I'd see "green tea" soft drinks in the corner shop either...

9544

Living Room / Re: Hosting options for new website

« Last post by tomos on May 31, 2008, 04:06 PM »

! We only provide free php hosting to all active members of our forums. You need at least 5 quality posts before requesting a completely free web hosting account.

-Silverchip (May 30, 2008, 11:35 PM)

no shortage of forums there to post in

9545

FARR Plugins and Aliases / Re: Farr Alias: nircmd alias

« Last post by tomos on May 30, 2008, 06:22 AM »

Okay here's how to add it so that it shows up when you type CMD. In the list of NirCMD aliases, edit CMD. Down at the bottom, add this line.

Hibernate Computer | restartsearch Hibernate /ICON=nircmd_icons\Standby.ico

After that it will show up and run if you type CMD first. But like I said, it's much quicker just to type the alias name rather than type CMD first.

-davidma22 (May 30, 2008, 06:02 AM)

got that, thanks

9546

Living Room / Re: flash-card programs to learn a new (human) language. What's the best?

« Last post by tomos on May 30, 2008, 03:47 AM »

I found:
http://www.flashcard...hange.com/tag/german

But you need to pay to download the stack. Any free alternatives?

http://how-to-learn-any-language.com is a great site, thanks for posting it.

-urlwolf (May 30, 2008, 02:33 AM)

I'm not sure what flash-cards are
but
just wanted to mention dict.cc for online german/english dictionary translation & you can add your new words to a vocabulary box which you can use to help you learn
http://www.dict.cc/
http://my.dict.cc/ for vocab trainer

9547

FARR Plugins and Aliases / Re: Farr Alias: nircmd alias

« Last post by tomos on May 30, 2008, 03:36 AM »

oooops yeah like tomos says shell32   sorry 

-Grorgy (May 30, 2008, 03:35 AM)

noo nooo, you got there first 

9548

FARR Plugins and Aliases / Re: Farr Alias: nircmd alias

« Last post by tomos on May 30, 2008, 03:34 AM »

Thanks. Another question for ya. I added an alias that uses nircmd's emptybin function to empty my recycling bin, but I can't find the recycling bin image on my computer anywhere... any idea where I would look for that? Thanks.

-davidma22 (May 30, 2008, 02:55 AM)

is it under
C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll  [missed your reply there Grorgy]
(I've messed around with my icons -got the Tango pack to replace all windows icons so not quite sure if that correct location)

I'm afraid the hibernate alias doesnt show for me -
I tried it in FARR as you recommended mouser
Duplicated Standby, changed name and added your alias David

I notice FARR options show Reboot & a bunch of others under the nircmd alias that dont show in FARR window - anyone got any ideas there?

9549

FARR Plugins and Aliases / Re: Farr Alias: nircmd alias

« Last post by tomos on May 29, 2008, 03:44 PM »

Not in the plugin directory, in the Aliases/Installed directory.

-mouser (May 29, 2008, 03:34 PM)

sry, just read "plugin" & started typing

9550

Living Room / Re: Why do children love CAPS LOCK?

« Last post by tomos on May 29, 2008, 03:21 PM »

Yeah, it's easier to read.

-f0dder (May 23, 2008, 10:44 PM)

Not. All-caps is the hardest to read.

long spans of text in all upper-case are harder to read because of the absence of the ascenders and descenders found in lower-case letters, which can aid recognition.
http://en.wikipedia....apital_letters#Usage

-CWuestefeld (May 29, 2008, 03:07 PM)

the worst type of small-print is in all caps
cause as you say, it's more difficult to read (scientifically proven to be)
I dont see it that often, but it probably means there's something very important in there