As I have also said elsewhere, anyone who wants to be a Software Hero of the People should write a notetaking file conversion program    Something of the sort should be possible, no doubt with limitations.

If all notetaking programmes agreed to export to xml it'd be relatively simple to transform that into an import xml file for a different notetaking programme.

KeePass seems to me a good and useful tool, as long as you accept that it's narrowly-focussed

Just had a look at KeePass and it does infact look excellent: very similar to PINs (my current standard). PINs has a better Auto-Text entry and URL definition, but KeePass could produce better trees (deep).

Quote from: pmowbray on April 06, 2006, 12:13 PM

If all notetaking programmes agreed to export to xml it'd be relatively simple to transform that into an import xml file for a different notetaking programme.

Two things.  One, as I understand it, XML may be an open format, but it isn't necessarily easy to work with.  You rapidly run into an alphabet soup of acronyms.

Sure, but the XSLT would be specific and transform one format to the other format. User doesn't need to see the xml.

Two, the original post wanted a way to store registration information, so any format should be encrypted, which would mean it wasn't true XML any longer (OK, the app should be able to export in a clear format, or at least to have encryption removed).

That's right: the Apps database would be in its original (encrypted) format and it would only export the data as XML.

Quote

Just had a look at KeePass and it does infact look excellent: very similar to PINs (my current standard). PINs has a better Auto-Text entry and URL definition, but KeePass could produce better trees (deep).

How much better auto-text?  Also, how complex does one really need?  Is a RoboForm fan going to jump in here?

It's got it's own field (not part of notes) and has a pop-up to insert the various variables and constants for you (means I don't have to remember what's what). So not more complex, just easier to use. 

Similarly the URL is in its own field in PINs not part of the notes as in KeePass.

BUT I really liked the ability in KeePass to have n-Deep Trees!! ...and chose your own icons!!

pmowbray,

Quote from: rjbull on April 06, 2006, 01:16 PM

Two things.  One, as I understand it, XML may be an open format, but it isn't necessarily easy to work with.  You rapidly run into an alphabet soup of acronyms.

Sure, but the XSLT would be specific and transform one format to the other format. User doesn't need to see the xml.

But I don't know what an XSLT is...  see what I mean about alphabet soup?  I wouldn't expect to have the know-how to do the conversions myself.

Oh, just remembered; the author of Treeline says it can be used as a "crude" (his word) XML editor, if that's any use to anyone.

It's got it's own field (not part of notes) and has a pop-up to insert the various variables and constants for you

So, simply more powerful, then.  I think I very briefly looked at PINS but dumped it.  Probably didn't look hard enough, and came to KeePass after I'd more or less forgotten the others...

So not more complex, just easier to use. 

I didn't make that clear, again.  I was wondering aloud how complex the tasks of logging in would/should actually be, which is some of what dictates how complex the program needs to be to match.

Wow, all the threads today have the same theme!

Again, I use Evernote to track all my SW reg codes. I like having all my data in one place, readily available. I'm using Evernote to track all my contacts, web passwords, sw registrations, recipes, etc.

I use Password Agent from Moon Software

http://www.moonsoftware.com/pwagent.asp

I've also downloaded something from Comodo (iVault I think) but haven't tried it out yet.

I keep the info in 3 places:

• Save original email in a folder just for license info emails.
• Save a plain text file of the info with the archived setup file for the application. (don't need anything special installed to read it)
• Save the info in Keepass. (I also keep CD keys here)

I used to keep the info on tiny pieces of paper taped to the bottom of my keyboard, back when I didn't have that much software. This method was actually suggested by the first company I purchased software from, as they will charge you to retrieve lost keys after the 3rd time. At the time I thought it was a smart thing and did it with all my software.

But after my collection grew larger, and I had to replace a keyboard, this became impractical.

I have a separate "safe" clip collection and keep everything there in addition to saving the emails as txt files...

Speaking of safe (har), I would suggest purchasing a small, fire-proof, WATER-proof fire-safe for storing discs that cannot be easily replaced.  The smaller ones are not expensive, maybe $90 at an office supply chain.  Size of a bread box, and capable of storing a few dozen DVDs.

"Media safes" are more expensive, but guarantee the internal temperature will not exceed a safe threshold and melt your DVDs.

"Water proof" is important, since if worse comes to worse your place does catch fire, what'll they use to put the fire out?  Yeah.  A fire-fighter buddy clued me in about this essential requirement.  These safes have a rubber gasket around the door and really aren't intended for deep-sea diving; they just keep the rain out.

Sometimes you can get a bargain on damaged safes.  I got my 24" cube media safe for $110 USD because the lock is broken.  Who cares?  Thieves don't want my family pictures.

Anyway, if you don't have a small safe -- look into it.  It's like Murphy's law: if you have one, you'll never need it.

Quote from: f0dder on March 19, 2006, 12:25 PM

You could use my fSekrit to store registration keys :p - I personally use it for passwords for various things now.

I have an fSekrit file with all my registration keys in it; another with various website logins.  Good stuff.