Author Topic: Your most used SPECIAL programs (Read 221,860 times)

Curt · « **Reply #50 on:** August 21, 2008, 11:03 PM »

@ vixay - regarding Synergy: Can you disable / modify the common screensaver start/stop feature, so you have one or more screensavers running while you are working on one of the other screens at the same time?

f0dder · « **Reply #51 on:** August 22, 2008, 02:30 AM »

40Hz: is LilyPond, by any chance, built ontop of TeX?

40hz · « **Reply #52 on:** August 22, 2008, 11:41 AM »

Quote from: f0dder on August 22, 2008, 02:30 AM

40Hz: is LilyPond, by any chance, built ontop of TeX?

Yes it is. Good catch!

That gorgeous output quality is a dead giveaway isn't it?

(P.S. I checked the source code just to be sure.)

f0dder · « **Reply #53 on:** August 22, 2008, 01:05 PM »

Nice output quality yeah, but it was the syntax that tipped me off

. Does this mean that the program installs as many weird-ish programs "all over the place" and that it's pretty big? Or have they managed to condense and "self-contain" it? (I've used miktex on windows, and that felt... alien. Kinda like a unix program backported to windows

).

cranioscopical · « **Reply #54 on:** August 22, 2008, 01:35 PM »

Tom Rokicki's AmigaTeX was a nice implementation. I wish I could find something as nice for Windows. MiKTeX didn't seem as smooth but I did pour a lot of stuff through it. The commercial versions of TeX (at least those at which I've looked) seem to be a bit expensive. For most TeX stuff I've always found myself resorting to a lazy configuration of LaTeX, driven by a handful of external macros (which were a breeze to set up on the Amiga, using ARexx).

40hz · « **Reply #55 on:** August 22, 2008, 01:50 PM »

Quote from: f0dder on August 22, 2008, 01:05 PM

Nice output quality yeah, but it was the syntax that tipped me off . Does this mean that the program installs as many weird-ish programs "all over the place" and that it's pretty big? Or have they managed to condense and "self-contain" it? (I've used miktex on windows, and that felt... alien. Kinda like a unix program backported to windows ).

As far as I can tell, it installs everything into one folder and comes in around 56Mb if you load all the options. Whoever did the Windows port did a nice job. I'm not familiar with miktex, but it's nothing like LyX if that's what your worried about.

Once installed, LilyPond creates a shortcut on your desktop.

There is NO user interface. Drop a file with the .ly extension on the shortcut and it creates a .log .ps and .pdf file - and you're done.

You can put the shortcut into a folder or move it anywhere you want. The postscript and pdf files get generated in the same location as the .ly file. The log file always seems to go to the desktop. If I were a real pro I suppose I could go in and find a way to change that, but it's easier just to trash it, so that's what I do.

40hz · « **Reply #56 on:** August 22, 2008, 02:00 PM »

Quote from: cranioscopical on August 22, 2008, 01:35 PM

Tom Rokicki's AmigaTeX was a nice implementation. I wish I could find something as nice for Windows. MiKTeX didn't seem as smooth but I did pour a lot of stuff through it. The commercial versions of TeX (at least those at which I've looked) seem to be a bit expensive. For most TeX stuff I've always found myself resorting to a lazy configuration of LaTeX, driven by a handful of external macros (which were a breeze to set up on the Amiga, using ARexx).

You might try looking at LyX: http://www.lyx.org/Home :

Quote

LyX is a document processor that encourages an approach to writing based on the structure of your documents (WYSIWYM), and not simply their appearance (WYSIWYG).

LyX combines the power and flexibility of TeX/LaTeX with the ease of use of a graphical interface. This results in world-class support for creation of mathematical content (via a fully integrated equation editor) and structured documents like academic articles, theses, and books. In addition, staples of scientific authoring such as reference list and index creation come standard. But you can also use LyX to create a letter or a novel or a theatre play or film script. A broad array of ready, well-designed document layouts are built in.

LyX is for people who want their writing to look great, right out of the box. No more endless tinkering with formatting details, “finger painting” font attributes or futzing around with page boundaries. You just write. On screen, LyX looks like any word processor; its printed output — or richly cross-referenced PDF, just as readily produced — looks like nothing else.

LyX is released under a Free Software / Open Source license, runs on Linux/Unix, Windows, and Mac OS X, and is available in several languages.

This is what I use when I'm working with TeX.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #57 on:** August 22, 2008, 07:58 PM »

Quote from: 40hz on August 22, 2008, 02:00 PM

You might try looking at LyX: http://www.lyx.org/Home :

Thanks. Tried it once, had some issue that I can't now recall and drifted back away into never-never land. I'll look again.

fenixproductions · « **Reply #58 on:** August 22, 2008, 11:23 PM »

2cranioscopical
Try maybe this one:
http://www.latexeditor.org/

It requires some "coding" but it was real pleasure to learn the syntax with it. I remember how I was pissed that I found this little guy AFTER I wrote my thesis using "Win-something" shareware

LED is the best LaTeX editor I've ever used.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #59 on:** August 23, 2008, 02:50 AM »

Quote from: fenixproductions on August 22, 2008, 11:23 PM

2cranioscopical
Try maybe this one:
http://www.latexeditor.org/

Thanks, I'll follow up on that.

Curt · « **Reply #60 on:** August 23, 2008, 05:40 PM »

@ wyrwolf

Quote from: wyrwolf on August 16, 2008, 01:23 AM

It was REAL easy to figure out which were my SPECIAL apps - ... FileMappBB, ...

The dogkennels.net domain is for sale, and FileMapp is nowhere to be found.
Would you please tell some more about this specialist?

- it sounds to me as if it most likely is part of your security setup?

40hz · « **Reply #61 on:** August 23, 2008, 06:43 PM »

Quote from: fenixproductions on August 22, 2008, 11:23 PM

2cranioscopical
Try maybe this one:
http://www.latexeditor.org/

It requires some "coding" but it was real pleasure to learn the syntax with it. I remember how I was pissed that I found this little guy AFTER I wrote my thesis using "Win-something" shareware LED is the best LaTeX editor I've ever used.

I downloaded latexeditor after I read your post. I'm just beginning to explore it and already I'm impressed.

Excellent find. Thanks for sharing it!

PhilB66 · « **Reply #62 on:** August 23, 2008, 06:44 PM »

@Curt

FileMap by BB info + download from Softpedia @ http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/FileMap-by-BB.shtml

Curt · « **Reply #63 on:** August 23, 2008, 06:51 PM »

- strange how important a p can be...

Thanks, PhilB66

tomos · « **Reply #64 on:** August 23, 2008, 08:47 PM »

Quote from: 40hz on August 22, 2008, 01:50 PM

... but it's nothing like LyX if that's what your worried about.

that sounds negative ...

Quote from: 40hz on August 22, 2008, 02:00 PM

You might try looking at LyX: http://www.lyx.org/Home : :Thmbsup

that sounds positive

??

Quote from: fenixproductions on August 22, 2008, 11:23 PM

2cranioscopical
Try maybe this one:
http://www.latexeditor.org/

It requires some "coding" but it was real pleasure to learn the syntax with it. I remember how I was pissed that I found this little guy AFTER I wrote my thesis using "Win-something" shareware LED is the best LaTeX editor I've ever used.

when you say "coding", do you think a non-coder could manage without staying up all night or something?!!! :-)

to clarify, I'm looking for a programme that can produce a pdf with embedded fonts (whether opentype or TrueType, document mainly type -layout important- and possibly with some illustrations) and without huge learning curve. I've heard and read about Tex, but you know the way, just reading doesnt really help sometimes ...
(Thanks

)

fenixproductions · « **Reply #65 on:** August 23, 2008, 09:54 PM »

2tomos

Quote from: tomos

when you say "coding", do you think a non-coder could manage without staying up all night or something?!!! :-)

Sorry for measuring people by my own scale

Quote from: tomos

to clarify, I'm looking for a programme that can produce a pdf with embedded fonts (whether opentype or TrueType, document mainly type -layout important- and possibly with some illustrations) and without huge learning curve. I've heard and read about Tex, but you know the way, just reading doesnt really help sometimes ...

Maybe use DTP tool (such like Scribus) then?

[attachthumb=#]

tomos · « **Reply #66 on:** August 23, 2008, 10:02 PM »

Quote from: fenixproductions on August 23, 2008, 09:54 PM

2tomos

Quote from: tomos
when you say "coding", do you think a non-coder could manage without staying up all night or something?!!! :-)

Sorry for measuring people by my own scale

- I'm presuming that means I'd have to stay up all night

Quote from: fenixproductions on August 23, 2008, 09:54 PM

Quote from: tomos
to clarify, I'm looking for a programme that can produce a pdf with embedded fonts (whether opentype or TrueType, document mainly type -layout important- and possibly with some illustrations) and without huge learning curve. I've heard and read about Tex, but you know the way, just reading doesnt really help sometimes ...

Maybe use DTP tool (such like Scribus) then?
(see attachment in previous post)

I've tried that & will try it again, had some things that bothered me that are actively being worked on but using windows I'm always a version or two behind,
but also then, what I read about TEX - it sounds like it's much better/more advanced when it came to text & creating a layout & then adding the text (if I understood correctly)
Also not wanting to take the thread off-topic

40hz · « **Reply #67 on:** August 23, 2008, 10:52 PM »

Quote from: tomos on August 23, 2008, 08:47 PM

Quote from: 40hz on August 22, 2008, 01:50 PM
... but it's nothing like LyX if that's what your worried about.
that sounds negative ...

Not actually.

I was responding to f0dder asking if LilyPond threw a huge number of files up on your hard drive. It doesn't. LyX is a huge install and does. But I am happy with the way LyX works.

LilyPond = small & neat = good.
LyX = big & sprawling = good.

Hope that clarifies.

Curt · « **Reply #68 on:** August 23, 2008, 11:00 PM »

Quote from: tomos on August 23, 2008, 10:02 PM

.... Also not wanting to take the thread off-topic

- you are all within the frames, I would say:
the programs you are debating are SPECIAL, and you are telling how you are using them! [attachimg=#]

Armando · « **Reply #69 on:** August 23, 2008, 11:16 PM »

Quote from: 40hz on August 23, 2008, 06:43 PM

Quote from: fenixproductions on August 22, 2008, 11:23 PM
2cranioscopical
Try maybe this one:
http://www.latexeditor.org/

It requires some "coding" but it was real pleasure to learn the syntax with it. I remember how I was pissed that I found this little guy AFTER I wrote my thesis using "Win-something" shareware LED is the best LaTeX editor I've ever used.

I downloaded latexeditor after I read your post. I'm just beginning to explore it and already I'm impressed.

Excellent find. Thanks for sharing it!

Ditto. An interesting program.

fenixproductions · « **Reply #70 on:** August 24, 2008, 12:35 AM »

2tomos
"Measuring by own scale" means that I've always though that if there is a need for some thing which requires hard work at the beginning BUT will give time back after it, then... you can do it. You can learn almost everything if you only want to.

You "problem" is that you are looking for the solution which imho cannot be solved in 100%. You can learn TeX and gain great results but it will require some hard time. You can also try something easier, got good results but sooner or later you'll be limited to chosen tool's features. Your choice is similar to web developing beginners. They can make web sites easily using WYSIWYG tools (i.e. Nvu / Komposer) or little bit more advanced ones (Dreamweaver) but the best after some time this is not enough. They end up with hand-coding.

I gave my opinion, now it's your move to decide.

fenixproductions · « **Reply #71 on:** August 24, 2008, 01:02 AM »

I've decided to write my few thoughts in this thread because of two reasons:
1. I think that what I want to write about is pretty SPECIAL,
2. Even if I have plenty of time I am not in the mood to write a big review lately.

The thing I want to discuss is something I built up by my own which I call "fenix platform"

The main idea was to have nice set of tools related to general design and Information Architecture work which I would like to do in the future. The basic goal was to have good compatibility between various application and of course: for free. The best way to achieve that was trying to look for some ready answers in the Internet or building something from puzzles. And that is what I have already did. I've realized that XML (and files formats created using this mark-up language) is something worth to be investigated. After that it wasn't hard to find out what I should be using:

1. OpenOffice - office suite (documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings),
2. Inkscape - vector graphic editor,
3. GIMP - raster graphic editor,
4. Scribus - DTP tool,
5. Synfig - 2D vector animation.

Wide range of open source tools with possibilities to use XML (SVG) files as formats for export or import. They allow to design almost everything in any way you want to. Easy to learn, easy to use, easy to download. Imho the only way to have "suite" with similar possibilities is to buy whole packages from Adobe or Corel but it would rip off my pocket for sure.

I don't want to write detailed description for each tool because many of these are already known but I want to share an idea for setting up small "design studios" for free, for your owns only.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #72 on:** August 24, 2008, 02:02 AM »

That's an interesting point of view, and food for thought.

Thanks for posting it here.

vixay · « **Reply #73 on:** August 29, 2008, 05:19 AM »

Quote from: Curt on August 21, 2008, 11:03 PM

@ vixay - regarding Synergy: Can you disable / modify the common screensaver start/stop feature, so you have one or more screensavers running while you are working on one of the other screens at the same time?

Yes, you can, I disable the common screensaver and it works fine for me no problem

.

Curt · « **Reply #74 on:** March 23, 2009, 02:30 PM »

Quote from: Curt on August 01, 2008, 10:57 AM

As an example, and as the first post:

I have recently taken interest in HDR images from Flickr, so at the moment I use Bulk Image Downloader every day. It was merely $17.95, but makes it so easy for me to download all original sized photos by any photographer at Flickr's (and of course many other sites), in just a couple of clicks.

Some of the photographers at Flickr don't care to give their visitors the large dimensioned files, but merely uploads big thumbnails... (in my opinion, 500x375 pixels is not an image, but a thumbnail, if you know what I mean). For this reason I also use Image Compressor 2008 Pro - obviously not for compressing, but for enlarging. It gives a very fine quality, but if I hadn't received it from Giveawayoftheday, I wouldn't know about it, because the listed asking price is $99 - so I cannot afford to update...

One of the problems I have with my new Vista is, that I don't have a first class image enlarger. Image Compressor was fairly good, but when I tried Reshade Image Enlarger I came to realize the difference between being fairly good and being the best. I have been very impressed with Reshade. And shouldn't I: The normal asking price is $150 !!! which I cannot afford.

However:

Quote from: Bits du Jour

Reshade Image Enlarger
- Resize Images Without Quality Loss

Deal Available: Friday 27 March, 2009
Reshade Image Enlarger provides accurate, high quality, and realistic enlargements at any zoom factor. Enlarge up to 2000% without appreciable quality loss!

Deal Price: $74.50
List Price: $149.00
You Save: 50%
Full Details

But still it is a very big mouthful, and probably even plus 25% VAT. So I came to ask if any of you guys know about a more reasonable priced IMAGE ENLARGER that is far better than average?

XnView, PhotoScape, BetterJPEG, Avance Paint Pro, Ashampoo Photo Commander 7, FastStone Photo Resizer, GIMP 2, MirDotNet Photo ReSizer, PaintDotNet, Photobie Design Studio, and Project Dogwaffle are all fair to me, but not quite good enough for this particular niche.