Reinke Faces Life

It begins reloading all mail again.

Argh!

# # # # #

RE: SNOW LEOPARD

Mine went smooth. Don’t believe the estimates it spouts. I got the PACK with Snow, iwork09, and ilife09. Took about an hour each. Only surprise was TextExpander and Scrivner needed a refresh. Only grip is that it left iwork08 and iwork09 behind. Other that that it was a non-event.

# # # # #

Argh!

And, I don’t know where it kept them.

Argh!

And I didn’t keep a list of them.

Argh!

# # # # #

http://www.nambu.com/  

The Nambu Network

The Nambu Network is just that: a network of services for social messaging, integrated seemlessly into our client software to maximize the integration and user experience.

And, best of all, everything Nambu is free.

Nambu is emerging as the best social messaging experience for OS X, only just starting with Twitter and FriendFeed. Tell us what you want us to work on. We need your input to help us build the software that we all want to use.

# – # – #

Jury’s still out on this.

# # # # #

http://support.microsoft.com/ph/2530/en-us/?sid=139&aid=3&GSA_AC_More3

***Begin Quote***

You cannot send e-mail messages from Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
Explains that the Send To command on the File menu and the SendMail method in VBA may not work when you use Word, PowerPoint, or Excel. Includes a workaround where you can use Outlook or Outlook Express to send e-mail messages.

***End Quote***

Argh!

I am leaving Microsoft. But before I go, I have my latest novel at chapter 56 of 100. Can’t leave before that’s done.

(I don’t think!?!)

Anyway, I email my doc after every major session. Now it’s hung up. I can’t email it and can’t get away from the screen to email it.

Argh!

I get ‘unspecified error’ and I can’t find anything online about getting out of it.

Argh!

# # # # #

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080523-court-smacks-autodesk-affirms-right-to-sell-used-software.html

Court smacks Autodesk, affirms right to sell used software
By Timothy B. Lee | Published: May 23, 2008 – 12:21PM CT

***Begin Quote***

If Jones’s ruling is upheld on appeal, it will have important consequences for the software industry, where the legal fiction that software is merely licensed is widely employed. In addition to discouraging the market for used software, software firms have also attempted to use the “licensed, not sold” theory to enforce restrictions on reverse engineering that would otherwise be fair use under copyright law. If software is sold, rather than licensed, then no license is required to install and use the software, and the terms of shrink-wrap licenses may not be legally binding.

The Autodesk case is not the only case regarding the first sale doctrine working its way through the courts. Another lawsuit filed last summer concerns another eBay seller who sells used promo CDs. Like Vernor, the plaintiff in that case faced repeated DMCA takedown notices and sued to vindicate his right to sell used merchandise online. EFF is representing the plaintiff in that case, and McSherry tells Ars that while there are important differences between the cases, the opinion bodes well for EFF’s case because “it affirms that copyright owners can’t use license restrictions to strip away first sale rights.”

***End Quote***

About time this fictional non-sense was brought to a halt.

This will be a boon, and boom to software developers and users in general.

# # # # #

Had to disable it. Next step figure out why it’s not working and fix. Or into the can.

# # # # #

Well, BLOGDESK doesn’t allow me to tag my Jasper Jottings posts with class year. I’d have to go into the blog on WordPress to add them. That’s too much like work. Soooo, maybe there’s a better tool?

WLW is slow in keyboard response.

# # # # #

http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/glossary/glossary.html

How to create a glossary in Microsoft Word

***Begin Quote***

Word has no built-in mechanism to create glossaries. You can type one by hand, use hyperlinks, or use the Table of Authorities functionality.

To create a glossary across several documents, use RD fields and the Table of Authorities functionality.

The simplest way to create a glossary is to type your glossary by hand at the end of your document. Word has no built-in method of creating a glossary automatically, but you can use hyperlinks or the Table of Authorities functionality to create a glossary for one or more documents.

***End Quote***

Arghh!

And, doing it manually is a productivity enhancement?

And, you wonder why I think Microsoft is more of a problem than a help?

# # # # #

http://www.openworkbench.org

***Begin Quote***

We are pleased to announce a complete Open Workbench site upgrade in time for the release of Open Workbench 1.1.6 – a new stand-alone version of the popular free project scheduling software sponsered by CA Clarity. Over the past couple of months, we have worked hard to deliver version 1.1.6 to the Open Workbench community. We thought you would enjoy and improved site experience in addition to the latest release. The upgraded site includes a new look and feel as well as upgrades to the code for increased security in our forum.

***End Quote***

Good bye, Microsoft Project.

# # # # #

http://weblog.infoworld.com/gripeline/archives/
2008/03/not_a_class_act.html

March 18, 2008
Not a class Act!

***Begin Quote***

Many people have mixed feelings about class action lawsuits, seeing as how the only real winners are usually the lawyers. But is such litigation more justified against a software company that keeps putting out a buggy product? That was the question confronting one reader when he received notice of a settlement involving Sage Software’s Act! 2005.

***End Quote***

I don’t even fight any more. My defense is Open Source Software. A huge criteria to “invest” my time and effort, which is worth far more than the little bit of money I spend on software, hardware, or services, is can I get my data in and out. I can’t — goodbye. I spend ZERO on anything that I can’t escape from. I’ve been locked in by the best of them most notable Microsoft and I’m going to escape that trap this year. No Vista for me. It’s a failed meme to use tools that trap you into upgrade cycle hell or steal your time and attention away from profitable activities. I’m moving to the zero foot print computing that the web — most notably Google — is offering. As long as I can export my data to Open Office, I’ll be OK. More than one way to skin a class action lawyer.

# # # # #

Microsoft Office, (Have I mentioned lately how much I hate Microsoft Office and Outlook?), specifically WORD2003, threw me a curve this weekend. I was doing my Jottings Sunday morning and was hit by a strange bug or data error.

Everything on the page was coded as a hypertext link.

I was hooked bad. On deadline, I really didn’t need that hassle. Tried to clear the format in any way I could think. New doc. New file. Cut’n’paste. Even went through the doc and “removed hyperlink” on every paragraph.

Nothing worked.

Fired up Open Office. Removed one page of links. Saved it. Uploaded it. Still screwed up.

Fired up NVU and opened the page. It allowed me to globally nuke the link and save it.

Argh!

Two hours down the tubes.

I hate Microsoft Office.

# # # # #

FROM A RECENT EMAIL

***Begin Quote***

We’ve had a “national outbreak” of the “reply all” virus.

It’s really not a virus. But it might as well be.

It’s when, to get off a distribution, some poor soul — usually in a fit of pique — does a “reply all” and says “take me off the list”. Others respond with a “reply all” to either chime in about getting off the distribution, or castigate the transgressor. If the distribution list is really large and / or there are lots of computing centers involved, it can create an overwhelming “fire storm” of messages that can overwhelm an infrastructure.

It usually takes some one in Leadership saying politely “shut up”, or the equivalent, to stop it. I’ve appended an attempt to damp it.

I just thought you’d want to pass along a warning about the use of “reply all”.

Lest it be followed with the “pink slip” virus. :-)

***End Quote***

I don’t blame people. I blame poorly designed software.

How hard would it have been to say “Confirm reply all to a distribution list”?

# # # # #

http://portableapps.com/apps/development/nvu_portable

KompoZer Portable 0.7.10 Revision 2 Released
Submitted by John T. Haller on December 5, 2007 – 6:35pm.

***Begin Quote***

KompoZer logoKompoZer Portable 0.7.10 Revision 2 has been released. It’s the popular KompoZer web editor bundled with a PortableApps.com launcher as a portable app, so you can edit websites on the go. This new release fixes a small bug that would cause a single file to be left behind on certain PCs. In addition to the full install package, there is a small upgrade package that will upgrade an existing 0.7.10 install. It’s packaged in PortableApps.com Format for easy integration with the PortableApps.com Suite. And it’s open source and completely free.

***End Quote***

Free!

# # # # #

http://portableapps.com/news/2007-11-21_-_toucan_1.2

Toucan 1.2 Released
Submitted by Steve Lamerton on November 21, 2007 – 6:18pm.

***Begin Quote***

Toucan 1.2 has been released. Toucan is a tool for advanced users that allows you to sync, backup and secure files on your device. This new release includes a number of small improvements as well as AES encryption (read on for important details on decrypting existing encrypted files). It’s packaged in PortableApps.com Format for easy use from any portable device and integration with the PortableApps.com Suite. And it’s open source and completely free.

***End Quote***

And, free!

# # # # #

http://www.workingcogs.com/interruptron/

Interruptron

***Begin Quote***

In the attention economy, what matters is your attention. Modern life is plagued with interruptions, some self-imposed (do you have a popup that lets you know when new mail arrives?), some not (phone ringing, people knocking on your door). The axiom is simple: your productivity is inversely proportional to the number of interruptions per hour. There exist psychological research that proves that doing two tasks -A,B- in an alternating sequence -ABABAB- is a lot harder than doing them on batches -AAABBB-. This is called task switch cost. Some research on economics proves that the same concept –switching tasks often is bad for productivity- is true organizations.

This is so simple it’s staggering. We thought: well, we don’t know how often we are interrupted, but we should! That’s how the interruptron was born.

The modern knowledge worker has a very short average time between interruptions. Some estimates are as low as 10 minutes. We need to be aware of when we have been interrupted and try to stretch time between interruptions as much as possible. Also, it’s important to be aware of when we are floating into ‘unproductive time’ and have some method to nag us back to work. This is the goal of the interruptron. Run it always, and you’ll have a good gasp of where your time goes.

***End Quote***

It’s impossible to get any serious thinking done in the office with all the noise and interruptions. This will just help you quantify it. Now if it could just get you into the “zone”.

Donation ware, so how big a risk can it be?

# # # # #

text

http://www.donationcoder.com/Forums/bb/index.php?topic=11163.msg87431#msg87431

Timer Assist

***Begin Quote***

I work at a hospital and have to chart the patient’s vitals every 15 minutes after surgery. This has to be done at 15 past the hour, 30 minutes past the hour 45 minutes past the hour and on the hour.

I need a timer that will sound a user chosen wav file (some sounds can be irritating to recouping patients so one that is tolerable has to be used) on the 15’s, display a user defined message that will only go away after acknowledgment and continue counting happily away without user intervention. That is it will alarm at the next 15 even if the message is not acknowledged.

Most timers will not auto continue after sounding.

***End Quote***

Donation ware — how can you go wrong?

# # # # #

text

tiny

http://www.donationcoder.com/Forums/bb/index.php?topic=11169.msg88769#msg88769

HowLong2It

***Begin Quote***

HowLong2It is a way to keep track of how many days since some date in the past and how many days until some date in the future. The applications is always only a click away. Click on the tray icon and the status window will popup to show you the dates/tasks you are tracking.

***End Quote***

Might be useful if you have a real deadline. Donation ware!

# # # # #

http://www.appsapps.info/anotheronedone.php

AnotherOneDone

***Begin Quote***

AnotherOneDone
What it does:
Helps you keep track of your progress with a numerical goal, such as the amount of books you want to read, blog posts you want to make, batches of cookies you want to bake, etc.

Features:
* Autosaves the amount of your goal.
* Autosaves how many you have done.
* Calculates the remaining amount left to go.
* Copy info to clipboard.
* Progressbar.
* Stays on top.
* Minimizes to tray.
* Access to some controls from tray menu.

How to use:
* Enter the amount of your goal in the top box.
* Click the Set button.
* Each time you complete one towards your goal, click the Add 1 button.
* Once you have reached your goal, click Reset and begin again to set a new goal.

***End Quote***

Donation ware. Sounds useful.

# # # # #

text

http://www.donationcoder.com/Forums/bb/index.php?topic=11171.msg89147#msg89147

Evaluweight
Having trouble justifying a decision?
Stop procrastinating and start using Evaluweight !

***Begin Quote***

This started out as a little fun and bit of effort to scam mouser of one of the legendary Cody Mugs. In the end it is a interesting insight into how we come to a conclusion.

Theory: Each decision you make, is a 100 percent commitment. Therefore, that decision can be broken down into categories, and each category represents a part of that 100 percent commitment.

So “evaluweight” lays this all out in a nice and easy grid format. Simply give each category/feature a percentage mark of how it would impact your total commitment.

Now add the product that you want to compare, and in each category, mark that product out of 10 on how it meets your expectation.

***End Quote***

I remember using this to “sell” Leadership on making decisions. As part of my pitch, I’d get them to state what was important and how important it was. Then, we’d go thru each factor and give it a weight. And, poof there would be a “decision”.

Then, they’d decide they didn’t like the answer and made their own decision.

Little did they realize that I could have cared less WHAT they decided. All I cared about was that they DECIDED something. Anything.

So here’s a tool. Donation ware — you decide how much it’s worth.

# # # # #

http://apnews.myway.com//article/20071125/D8T4S5FG0.html

Anti-Copying Programs May Slow Piracy
Nov 25, 1:43 PM (ET)
By BRIAN BERGSTEIN

***Begin Quote***

If the experience of the world’s largest software vendor is any guide, the industry’s best hope for reducing piracy rests with anti-copying technologies rather than in policing the legalistic user agreements that restrict how software can be used.

While a copyright crackdown by the Business Software Alliance and other industry players has been in force for years, piracy rates – as measured by BSA-commissioned studies – have stopped falling. So a few years ago, Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) began concentrating harder on locking software down through a program it calls its Genuine Software Initiative.

The technology has provoked some hostility, because it enables Microsoft to remotely examine user computers. After analyzing such information as the computer’s manufacturer, hard drive serial number and Windows product identification, Microsoft can block access to certain software functions if it suspects the product was illegally copied.

***End Quote***

Well, I would disagree.

MSFT excludes big businesses from their copyright checking. And, as yet, their self-help has NOT been challenged in court. In the marketplace, I’d suggest you see and out and out revolt.

Do you think the non adoption of Vista except on new hardware is surprising. Or the trend of people to retreat to XP on new hardware when faced with one of Vista’s “features”. Of the cutting edge folks moving to Linux or Mac.

No, I think this is gasps and flings of a dying behemoth.

We haven’t even begun to strike the surface of the WebOS and Google Apps.

Look at the new appliance tops that run Linux and cost under 300$!

No, I’d say that MSFT, and it’s buddy INTEL, have finally let the rodents escape the wheel of hardware / software upgrades. Instead of focusing on making the user experience flawlessly transparent, MSFT treats its Customers as criminals.

It, like the RIAA, will find itself voted off the island.

imho

# # # # #

It’s bad enough when a big giant takes over a software product. It’s bad enough when it insists it’s going to do stuff it’s way. It’s bad enough when it takes all the file associations for its own. But, today to listen to an MP3, it decides on doing a mandatory upgrade. No explanation; just goes off an does it. Never mind that I don’t have time for it now. Never mind that I may not necessarily want their “upgrade”. Never mind that it fires up YIM which I don’t want up. Argh! And, it wants a mandatory reboot. Double Argh!

# # # # #

http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/web/2007/1105web2.html

Social networking integration
Flock integrates social networking Web services
Web Applications Newsletter By Mark Gibbs, Network World, 11/07/07

***Begin Quote***

Flock has taken the framework of the Mozilla Firefox browser and provided integration with a number of social networking Web services including Flickr, Del.icio.us, Technorati, Photobucket, RSS feeds, and a number of blogging services.

***End Quote***

Well, I put up FLOCK and it doesn’t do LinkedIn. Seems like it HAS to do LinkedIn to be considered as a “production quality” offering. It does give one a hint of what it could become.

# # # # #