PaytonPlace » Computing

Everything Portable Finds Files Fast

~SP — Sun, 17 May 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Windows only: Everything, a super-snappy file finder that's one of our Top 10 tiny & awesome Windows utilities, offers a new portable version that's just as speedy as its standard-installation sibling.

Everything's portable version takes a few seconds on launching to build a database of all the files on an NTFS-formatted drive, saves it in whatever folder you've saved the application, then brings up a single text box to type into, and a big white space without any files listed—yet. As soon as you start typing in file names, regular expressions, or boolean-style operators (like ! in front of "not" phrases), Everything almost instantly pulls up the files matching that search. And there's a lot that's been added to a new version earlier this month, including support for USB/removable drives, shortcut keys, and a claim to improving search performance by 30 percent. There's also a host of nifty options you can enable, like an HTTP server for remote file searching—hit the MakeUseOf link below for a peek at a few of those value-added items.

Everything portable is a free download for Windows systems only.

Stupid Marketing Images

~SP — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:46:11 +0000

Who in their right mind lays prone, in business casual wear, with their laptop computer on an airport waiting bench? This is so ludicrous that I just cannot fathom an advertising agency that would ever consider this as a realistic scenario. But unrealistic scenarios are everywhere on the internet.

iConvert – Multiple Platforms Conversion

ShowMeMO — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:00:00 +0000

iConvert is a web-based application for converting icons from the format of one operating system into another and from image files into new icons.

The iConvert interface is straight forward, select a compatible file from your computer and upload it. There is no editing or tweaking just a straight conversion into a slew of compatible formats. iConvert supports the following file types: .icns, .ico, .png, .svg, .tif, .jpg, .bmp, .tga, and .cur and outputs to .hqx, .icns, .ico, .png. If you're new to tinkering with icons, the output files are flagged by which operating system they go to making it even easier to grab the correct format for your system.On caveat: iConvert shows a constantly updated banner of the most recent conversions across the bottom of the site interface. Proceed knowing the icons will be available for public viewing and downloading.

VortexBox Turns Your Old Computer into Music Server

ShowMeMO — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

VortexBox is an open-source CD ripping and media server solution. Based on Fedora 10, VortexBox is capable of streaming in multiple formats allowing you to hear your music on your other computers, iTunes, media centers, slim devices like squeezeboxes and other media devices. Installation is straight forward, download the ISO file, burn it to a disc, pop the disc in the unused computer you want to turn into a jukebox and you're on your way. Once the installation is complete you can access the box remotely with the build in web server. Ripping is completely automated, just pop in the disk you want it to rip and it rips, tags, and gets the cover art. VortexBox is an open-source linux-based media server.

Back Up Your Files to Google Docs Automatically

~SP — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:30:39 +0000

Right now there's no easy way to sync your office documents back and forth to Google Docs (uh, hello Google?!), but if you're comfortable at the command line, developer site Webmonkey details how to automatically back up your files to Google Docs using a Python script. The universal Google data backup and sync app is a long time in coming—someone build it, please!

xobnI ruoY lortnoC

~SP — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:06:29 +0000

Locate a mirror and read it that title again! I spelled it this way because that’s just what Xobni Corporation chose to do with their new product, Xobni (Inbox spelled backward), an Outlook plug-in designed to help you get a better understanding about why your Inbox is flooded. Control Your Inbox! I suspect you are …

Excel 2007 File Format Error?

~SP — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:37:31 +0000

An upgrade to Microsoft Office 2007 for my corporate laptop was an option I had last week. This new software update was preceded by a dialog box asking if I really wanted to install it? Of course I did. My inner response was, “Are you kidding me? I asked for it. Why wouldn’t I want …

Most Amazing (OS) Crash Ever!

~SP — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:51:24 +0000

Following hot on the heels of?my recent posting,?”Most Successful Release Ever!” I have another fun?clip to show you. Although unlikely to impress Mac Fan Boys, you must admit that it’s quite humorous. Featured in the clip is Chris Prillo, the founder and maintainer of Lockergnome. Chris hosts videos on several internet sites, including CNN.com, YouTube …

Most Successful Release Ever!

~SP — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:17:26 +0000

While viewing my “Friends Timeline” through TwitterBerry,?I noticed a post?by Mahalo Daily host Veronica Belmont about ETech 2008. Once I followed that post I was intrigued by a previous post I missed entitled, “The Steve Jobs 90 Minute Keynote In 60 Seconds.” This keynote address was part of MacWorld 2008 and with such a headline, …

Vista Capable versus Vista Competent

~SP — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 13:33:30 +0000

A recent article at TechRepublic reports Dell web site qualifications of a PCs running Windows Vista. It appears a new branding category is emerging as a method to sell legacy hardware for use with Vista. Dell’s interpretation of “Windows Vista Capable” definition adds the following description for such hardware: “… the ability to boot the …

Windows Desktop Grid

~SP — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 18:25:11 +0000

I’ve been experimenting with dynamic desktop content my company machine. Considering the fact I’m one of those “clean desktop” kind of guys, I wish for just a few strategically placed objects on my desktop that perform key applications that define the use of my machine in a global sense. The only rub is that since …

Hashed Windows XP Shell Icons?

~SP — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 20:37:58 +0000

I am searching for a way to restore hashed Windows XP default shell icons to their correct state. One of my OS variants improperly displays the application icons throughout the entire file system. This occurs even with native applications for which the associations have never been altered. It is most annoying when when I fire-up …

Apple iPhone Announced!

~SP — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 14:29:00 +0000

After months of speculation about Apple‘s rumored mobile phone, Steve Jobs announced the new device this week at CES. Slated to go on sale next month, it will be most interesting to read reviews about its performance and usability. It looks so incredibly cool . . . Click the image to visit Apple’s official site …

Battling Spam?

~SP — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 16:02:14 +0000

I recently scripted a rather long-winded message to one of my sisters about methods to combat spam and thought it would be helpful reading. Her initial question was: I’ve been getting 3-5 messages daily from first name only senders trying to get me to download some new program. The following is cut and pasted from …

You CAN take it with you?

~SP — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 17:11:15 +0000

For much of my life I’ve listened to many discussions about the various merits or fallacies of acquiring material goods. Depending on your perspective, such acquisition is either a good thing or a bad thing. But regardless of your judgment call on such matters, there’s no tellin’ how many times I’ve heard the phrase, “You …

The New Office 2007 File Formats

~SP — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 11:25:01 +0000

It is true this information is a few months old. Although not late-breaking news (released in April 2006), I wanted this information stored here for future reference. The original article came from Aviran’s Place. Office 2007 is due to be released sometimes on 2007. Office 2007 will have two major changes to the office file …

Visual Simulations @ Digg Labs

~SP — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:58:40 +0000

Digg.Com is an amazing repository of information and commentary. It is by far my favorite social networking and news site on the internet today. I listen to the Diggnation Podcast regularly because I get a real kick out of hearing to the interaction between Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht. They provide a summary of the …

If Operating Systems Were Airlines

~SP — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 17:18:32 +0000

This short diatrible exhibits humorous satire that’s worth the read . . . With comparisons of the imaginary UNIX Airways, Air DOS, Mac Airlines, Windows Air, Windows NT Air, Windows XP Air, and Linux Air, you’re sure to get a kick out of the operational styles. My favorite quote relates to “Linux Air”: ?You had …

Ultra Thin Windows Media Center

~SP — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 12:46:52 +0000

Here is one manufacturer that is finally getting with the program. Acer is forging ahead with development of digital media centers for consumer use. The Acer Aspire Idea 500 Windows Media Center is nice and thin. It is a two rack space device and is much more likely to fit into small entertainment centers than …

RSS Reader for Outlook

~SP — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 20:32:10 +0000

Attensa is a free (for now) news aggregator with hooks to Outlook, Blogger, Internet Explorer and Firefox. Thus far, it looks like quite a package and comes very close to satisfying the need which sent me searching for similar applications! ~SP