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Newsletter for May 15th, 2008 - Codename "Feathered Friends"
mouser:
Newsletter for May 15th, 2008Codename "Feathered Friends"
"If you read nothing else on our site, read our BLOG"
(new rss feed with images)
1. Newsletter Editorial
Hello and welcome to another edition of the newsletter. It's been three weeks since the last one, but we will be shifting back to a twice-monthly schedule very soon. I'm going to try to introduce a new random section into the newsletter with each edition, just to keep you on your toes. This time we lead with a special section on some cool new websites, including a sparkling new re-launch of Gizmo's Tech Support Alert newsletter.
On the software front, after a long period of dormancy, during which I was focused on earning a living, you can expect to see some substantial updates to my software programs in the coming weeks and months. I'll be initially focused on adding features to my Find and Run Robot (FARR) plugin interface, in recognition of all the amazing work that plugin writers (especially czechboy and ecaradec on the DC forum) have been doing. If you haven't taken a look at the program yet, now might be a good time - and feel free to make a post requesting a new plugin or feature.
Lastly, the mods and I feel that this is a good opportunity to remind everyone that we take the issue of fake-post spamming on the forum very seriously. We recently caught someone pretending to offer unbiased advice in response to a planted question, which in fact was just an attempt to get people to buy a product for which they receive a commission. You can read the thread here and see how the issue was dealt with: we identified the the culprit and filed a complaint against them to the company whose product they receive a commission. While we welcome company representatives to post on our forum, consider this a reminder that we have a strict policy requiring users to disclose any financial relationship with a product when posting about it.
2. Website Discovery Safari
In this newsletter, we're focusing on some fun new sites that have been mentioned on the DonationCoder forum recently.
* Gizmo's Tech Support Alert Site Gets Wikified and it Looks Gorgeous
* VeryShortList.com - Cool site that makes one media recommendation per day
* Take 9: A New Game Blog from the Writer at Ghacks.net
* JJJunk: another cool blog that likes DC Software
* Two nice technology/software blogs with nice words about DonationCoder software
* Studeous: Free web service for teacher+student collaboration
3. Your Input Requested
A warm welcome to all the new members who have joined over the last month. Here are some good topics on which to make your debut post. Don't be shy, just jump right in, we are always happy to hear from new people.
* What makes software 'good'?
* Your Find and Run Robot (FARR) Plugin Requests?
* Super lite PIM? Address book?
* Your favorite audio CD burner?
* Your favorite Firefox Extensions?
* Pirating abandoned content?
4. DonationCoder.com Software and Issues
Things are just starting to warm up on the software development side at DonationCoder after a slow period. Expect serious updates to some of our programs in the coming months, and some new program surprises as well..
* New DC Forum Live Chat Web Interface
* An idea for the forum regarding disclosure
* DesktopCoral v1.02.01 Released
* FARR Plugin Idea Holy Grail - DQSD (400 searches)
* FARR: How can I enter 2 separate arguments?
* New FARR Plugin: Timer
* FARR Tutorial by sri
5. Mini-Reviews by Members
Mini-reviews are a great resource for people researching software solutions and may be found on the dedicated Mini-Review Board. Please remember to acknowledge the efforts of the reviewers with a few donationcredits if you find their reviews interesting and/or helpful.
* Wez's Evil Shell - A shell replacement
* Mini-Review InfoLayout
6. Fun, Games, and Humour
One of the things that makes the forum a nice place to hang out is that there is a good balance between serious expert discussion and just plain silly fun (and everything in between). There are always a few truly sublime discoveries posted by DC members each month, and this month was no exception.
* Xeno Tactic: Flash Game of the Week (Tower Defense Style)
* Typeracer: Flash Game of the Week
* Flash Game of the Week: Rollercoaster Creator
* Flash Game of the Week: Armed with Wings - Beautiful Atmosphere
* Elite Forces Defense, another hero TD
* Commercial Games Gone Freeware
* Gorgeous Homebuilt PC Mod with instructions: Victorian Steampunk All-in One
7. Living Room
The Living Room section of the forum is where we discuss general issues that don't really belong in the other, dedicated sections. It's kind of a catch-all section -- lots of website discoveries and recommendations, etc. This makes it a great place to explore - you never know what you're going to find!
* Fred Langa bows our (and bikes off in to the wide blue yonder ...)
* LifeHacker Blog: Top 10 Amazon Power Shopper Tools
* SkyScraperPage.com: For those that appreciate art & architecture
* LibriVox: Free Audiobooks
* Pixel art by the bucketload
* Linux Journal: Readers' Choice Awards 2008
* Linux Shootout: 7 Desktop Distros Compared (InformationWeek)
8. General Software Discussion
Almost half the posts on the forum fall into the category of general software discussions, questions, recommendations, etc. This is one of the most active sections of the DC forum and a great resource if you're trying to solve a software or hardware related problem. We get so much traffic on this board that we've split the recent content into to sections in the newsletter - genearl software and specific software discussions.
* Database Design Software Recommendations
* Software to change tooltip settings in XP
* Good Flowcharting Recommendations
* Batch image resizing, dimensions fixed, quality dependent on eventual file size?
* Schedulers - Automatize, JIT, Smooth Program, Advanced, Hi-Base
* Thorough harddisk checking?
* Full date in the tray clock?
* Streaming audio across a network to multiple PCs?
9. Specific Software Discussion
This section of the newsletter draws attention to some of the standout discussions about specific programs that have been started since the last newsletter.
* FastExplorer: Create your own Context Menu Items (Freeware) - A Must See!
* Office 2007 Search Command add-in - Very Nice!
* Found: Firefox Plugin to Open dropped local files Using Local Server URL and more
* CheckFox Firefox Extension - Manipulate multiple checkboxes at once
* MS Office Ultimate for only $59
* firebug-killer? dragonfly (opera web developer tool) released
* Track a Stolen PC with Freeware LocatePC - Cybernetnews Essay
10. Developer's Corner
A pretty thin set of posts in the Developer's Corner section this month -- why is that? Remember that this section isn't just for computer programmers, it's for entrepreneurs of all kinds to discuss the issues involving creating things and running a small business.
* Free Software Magazine Essay on Google App Engine: Is It Evil?
* Build Dynamic LayoutMap with its parts hyperlinked from an Image file
* What XML editor do you use?
* Procedural Game Coding Contest (May 5 to June 2)
* 10 Dirty Little Secrets about the IT profession
* Sourceforge grief
* Fifty Habits of Highly Successful People
Darwin:
Great newsletter, mouser (though I had an advance viewing!). I like the random section idea - breaks things up a bit and makes reading more interesting :Thmbsup:
cranioscopical:
Thanks for the effort that you put into this newsletter, mouser.
after a long period of dormancy, during which I was focused on earning a living, you can expect to see some substantial updates to my software programs-mouser
--- End quote ---
It is a farr, farr better thing that you do...
Armando:
Thanks for this nice newsletter. I probably spend in average an hour a day here, and... yes, I do go through the newsletter each time it comes out! ;D
mouser:
Glad people like the newsletter -- as always your suggestions of ways to improve it are always welcome, either posted here or emailed to me in private ([email protected]).
ps.
One of my biggest frustrations with the internet is how hard it can be for the little guy to get recognized. If you feel like there is something that should be in one of our newsletters or on our blog, please don't hesitate to contact me about it.
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