It's nice having a new laptop, now that it's almost sort of working the way I want.
What will I use it for?
Tinkering is always an attractive diversion, and maybe everyone with a bit of an interest in computing does that, so, what else.
The two big uses are writing and drawing; drafting, really.
There's also a lesser use, but one that helped the decision. The latest version of Bibleworks just won't run on my old machine, so new one on the way. And what a treasure trove of capability it is!
I don't do much drafting for money these days, did in the past, but I still find uses for that skill. To that end I've installed my old workhorse Datacad, now version 14. It slides into Win7 very nicely.
Another CAD package that I was very familiar with, and used more extensively than Datacad is Microstation. Years ago Bentley systems offered home licenses for users at no cost, as long as your employer had a license that you used at work. That was me! I just have to see if the 1995 key still works.
More of my time goes to writing these days; and has for some years (with a bit of an excursion into financial and cost modelling in Excel).
As soon as someone says 'writing' the reaction is "ah, word processor: Microsoft Word?" Well, no. Creative writing, of whatever sort is not served well by a conventional business word processor. These are best for either short documents, or creatively uneventful works.
For creative writing, and I don't mean stories, I mean non-fiction, technical and such like, there are better tools.
My preferred is Scivener. I'd used it on the ol' Mac, and was pleased to see a Windows version recently come to market.
I also use a couple of freeware packages from time to time, depending on what the task is.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Add-on utilities
I've started loading the add on utilities: Recent X, Powermenu are the main ones.
I've used both years ago, but came to the wonders of Power menu through my experience of building mouse menus in Microstation pre-v 95. I was using an old machine and view manipulation was a real pain, interrupting the work flow, so mouse menus to the rescue, especially making and accessing temporary views during drafting.
So, new office, new role, and I was again on a dog of a computer (probably a slow 386 running Windows 3.11 for workgroups; now thats old). So I installed Power menu to get a right click context menu that was application specific: a great help.
I was also dogged by the fact that I and computers think about work differently. Computers think 'folders' I think 'when did I do this'. So Recent Docs, a now defunct application to the rescue. Recent X does a similar but better job, but with both I can get to files I've worked on in order of what I've done, not where the computer stores them.
In fact, storage is a big issue, and I'd prefer to use a dynamic tagging arrangement, where I could put files in any number of 'sets' based on what I wanted to do with them. But, more on this later.
I've used both years ago, but came to the wonders of Power menu through my experience of building mouse menus in Microstation pre-v 95. I was using an old machine and view manipulation was a real pain, interrupting the work flow, so mouse menus to the rescue, especially making and accessing temporary views during drafting.
So, new office, new role, and I was again on a dog of a computer (probably a slow 386 running Windows 3.11 for workgroups; now thats old). So I installed Power menu to get a right click context menu that was application specific: a great help.
I was also dogged by the fact that I and computers think about work differently. Computers think 'folders' I think 'when did I do this'. So Recent Docs, a now defunct application to the rescue. Recent X does a similar but better job, but with both I can get to files I've worked on in order of what I've done, not where the computer stores them.
In fact, storage is a big issue, and I'd prefer to use a dynamic tagging arrangement, where I could put files in any number of 'sets' based on what I wanted to do with them. But, more on this later.
XPmode #2
Downloaded and, I think, installed XPmode.
The trouble is, Microsoft's website and installer give unclear info as to whether it is installed or not. I'll have to check of course, but as far as the sequence of screens told me, I've downloaded XPmode and the virtualiser, the virtualiser might be installed, but I'm completely unclear that XPmode is. All I've been told by computer is that it has downloaded. Of course, machine rebooted, and it looked like XPmode got installed. But its unclear.
Message to Microsoft: clarity of information to users is paramount. When you prepare your screen messages, get a neophyte to tell you if they make sense.
The trouble is, Microsoft's website and installer give unclear info as to whether it is installed or not. I'll have to check of course, but as far as the sequence of screens told me, I've downloaded XPmode and the virtualiser, the virtualiser might be installed, but I'm completely unclear that XPmode is. All I've been told by computer is that it has downloaded. Of course, machine rebooted, and it looked like XPmode got installed. But its unclear.
Message to Microsoft: clarity of information to users is paramount. When you prepare your screen messages, get a neophyte to tell you if they make sense.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Getting to XPmode
Ah, the long and torturous path.
I went to the local library to do the upgrade from Home Prem. to Pro, so I could get XPmode.
At least the hook up to the wireless network was painless: three cheers for Unwired!
But the Anytime Upgrade: not. A couple of attempts and finally the message: it can't be done for your version of Windows. "Rubbish!" Check my system details. Check upgrade email from supplier. All OK.
Try again. No good.
Ring Toshiba. Happily I didn't have to give many details and didn't have to pay. They should it should work, but maybe I'd need a CD.
Email to supplier, with screen shots.
Very good service; advice came back that I might need to reboot.
So, ran the upgrade again, typed key in, instead of cut and past.
Then restarted.
Worked!
The validation did its work during the shutdown, and after re-start kept going.
Now XP mode.
Not quite so simple.
First the system frigged about with browsers. IE8 is still way too gluggy, so I installed Firefox.
I seemed to then go around the mulberry bush on Microsoft's website. The little utility that checked compatibility would download, but not run from Firefox. Back to IE8.
Ran OK. Then said everything was hunky dory, and started do all sorts of stuff I didn't want, as though I was a newbie. Wanted to download the Microsoft Security suite; which was OK, until it told me to ditch all the other security crud that came with the laptop; which it itself I was OK with.
I did, but that required another reboot. And so, I lost my place on the XPmode journey. By now it was too late in the day to keep going, so I'll have to run this little circus again later. Pest!
I went to the local library to do the upgrade from Home Prem. to Pro, so I could get XPmode.
At least the hook up to the wireless network was painless: three cheers for Unwired!
But the Anytime Upgrade: not. A couple of attempts and finally the message: it can't be done for your version of Windows. "Rubbish!" Check my system details. Check upgrade email from supplier. All OK.
Try again. No good.
Ring Toshiba. Happily I didn't have to give many details and didn't have to pay. They should it should work, but maybe I'd need a CD.
Email to supplier, with screen shots.
Very good service; advice came back that I might need to reboot.
So, ran the upgrade again, typed key in, instead of cut and past.
Then restarted.
Worked!
The validation did its work during the shutdown, and after re-start kept going.
Now XP mode.
Not quite so simple.
First the system frigged about with browsers. IE8 is still way too gluggy, so I installed Firefox.
I seemed to then go around the mulberry bush on Microsoft's website. The little utility that checked compatibility would download, but not run from Firefox. Back to IE8.
Ran OK. Then said everything was hunky dory, and started do all sorts of stuff I didn't want, as though I was a newbie. Wanted to download the Microsoft Security suite; which was OK, until it told me to ditch all the other security crud that came with the laptop; which it itself I was OK with.
I did, but that required another reboot. And so, I lost my place on the XPmode journey. By now it was too late in the day to keep going, so I'll have to run this little circus again later. Pest!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Mac launchers #2
Trawling back through some old utilities, I decided to give Himmelbar a go.
Loaded up, but no, just one long undigested list of the applications folder. Well, I can do that my self, from the Dock.
A web search found a little launcher called, 'alauncher', although a misspell has it as aluncher.
Its great! Lets one pull applications into categories, will show folders, and seems to have a prettly low system overhead; that is, its fast.
My only complaint is I don't want to launch it everytime, and so would like to sit it in the Dock. No can do. I'll have to do a little script for that and sit it in the Dock I think.
But quite happy for now.
Loaded up, but no, just one long undigested list of the applications folder. Well, I can do that my self, from the Dock.
A web search found a little launcher called, 'alauncher', although a misspell has it as aluncher.
Its great! Lets one pull applications into categories, will show folders, and seems to have a prettly low system overhead; that is, its fast.
My only complaint is I don't want to launch it everytime, and so would like to sit it in the Dock. No can do. I'll have to do a little script for that and sit it in the Dock I think.
But quite happy for now.
Friday, December 23, 2011
A better Mac launcher
I've always been fascinated by utilities that launch applications or nifty little processes that make computing faster, simpler, more reliable and satisfying because effective.
One day I might give a bit of my history in this area, but for now. The Mac experience.
Spotlight was, and is, useful and effective, as far as it goes. But, it doesn't seem to go far enough.
One thing I want to do is easily launch applications to let me do the productive work I want to. Spotlight wants to do everything. I really just want to start applications and sometimes other little tasks.
Oh for the XP start menu. Not brilliant, but effective.
First stop on the Mac was Quicksilver. Its understated subtlety hooked me immediately; and I may even go back to it. However, I didn't like that it left everything hidden; I needed to know what I was after; and could I get the name of that rarely used, but now sought after application right. No, of course I'd be prodding around in futility for ages.
Quicksilver: just too slippery.
I bought Launchbar. It seemed to be stronger, I liked its configurability better. It was less a dark art than Quicksilver. But now tired of it. I usually want a quick start and short use of the computer, and Launchbar added a loading lead time that was irritating, there was lots of other mucking around selecting stuff, getting the sequence right, and so on. Not quite me.
I killed it this evening, even tho' I'd paid good big AUDs for it.
Now, Butler has been hanging around my system for ages. Let's fire it up. Hmm. Out of date for 10.5. It seemed to hang in the configuration window, and I couldn't see clearly what to even do to get the simple drop down menu of applications.
I've killed it too. But maybe will go back to it some time.
A nice application I tried a while ago was more visual: Overflow. One could arrange applications into named panes. I had panes for words, graphics, etc. Was pretty easy. But it seemed to have too much system overhead, was too big on the screen, and didn't do the little tasks that Butler, Launchbar and QS could do. So it went too.
So, for now, I'm back to the Dock, Applications folder, and Spotlight.
I'll keep you posted.
One day I might give a bit of my history in this area, but for now. The Mac experience.
Spotlight was, and is, useful and effective, as far as it goes. But, it doesn't seem to go far enough.
One thing I want to do is easily launch applications to let me do the productive work I want to. Spotlight wants to do everything. I really just want to start applications and sometimes other little tasks.
Oh for the XP start menu. Not brilliant, but effective.
First stop on the Mac was Quicksilver. Its understated subtlety hooked me immediately; and I may even go back to it. However, I didn't like that it left everything hidden; I needed to know what I was after; and could I get the name of that rarely used, but now sought after application right. No, of course I'd be prodding around in futility for ages.
Quicksilver: just too slippery.
I bought Launchbar. It seemed to be stronger, I liked its configurability better. It was less a dark art than Quicksilver. But now tired of it. I usually want a quick start and short use of the computer, and Launchbar added a loading lead time that was irritating, there was lots of other mucking around selecting stuff, getting the sequence right, and so on. Not quite me.
I killed it this evening, even tho' I'd paid good big AUDs for it.
Now, Butler has been hanging around my system for ages. Let's fire it up. Hmm. Out of date for 10.5. It seemed to hang in the configuration window, and I couldn't see clearly what to even do to get the simple drop down menu of applications.
I've killed it too. But maybe will go back to it some time.
A nice application I tried a while ago was more visual: Overflow. One could arrange applications into named panes. I had panes for words, graphics, etc. Was pretty easy. But it seemed to have too much system overhead, was too big on the screen, and didn't do the little tasks that Butler, Launchbar and QS could do. So it went too.
So, for now, I'm back to the Dock, Applications folder, and Spotlight.
I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The new laptop
I've been hunting for a new laptop for some time now; I mean months (seriously, you could say years if you include 'vague aspiration' in 'hunting').
One stimulus to actually get one was my wife also looking; for a Macbook. She uses an iMac for her work and wants to also have a Macbook so she can work away from the office...or so she says. I think she just wants another piece of crisp Apple machinery.
So, I want to be more mobile too, and am tired of my limping old ex-office laptop, so old that it had a Y2K sticker on it. It is still reliable, but the batteries get tired easily, its too small (screen, RAM and HDD) and seems to have a faulty memory location, which always makes loading the media player (it runs XP) a non-starter.
That's the background.
So, I've been checking out JBL Hi-Fi, Dick Smith and Officeworks for the machine, with the occasional dip into other shops, and thought I'd started to get a handle on just what to look for.
When I got to buy-time, I saw in Dick Smith a Toshiba Satellite for a good price, ah, but they wanted me to PIN on my debit card. No way. Officeworks doesn't have that inconvenient rule (no steal-able PIN for me) and they had, for, admittedly, a higher price, a demo machine with right RAM, right HDD, built in TV tuner (OK, but not essential, I'd have preferred built in DAB+ radio) and also a Toshiba Satellite. My experience with Toshiba, from laptops to giant power generators has been a good one.
That was the simple part. I noticed that the machine came with Windows 7 Home Premium; should be OK, I thought, as I didn't need the facilities that I'd imagine attached to the Professional version. Silly, me, coming from the world of Mac!!
One thing I'd wanted to run on my new commodious HDD was the good 'ol software I'd loved in the past (loved software! well, you know, familiar, nice functionality, and earned my living). Here's where it started getting fruuustraating.
My old software, so old, would probably require XPmode. Good, free download. Hop onto the superfast internet at work after hours and head to Microsoft. Problem 1. It all has to be downloaded to the target machine, not to a file then applied, which I had planned. Next problem, virtualisation didn't work on Home Premium. Rats. Now I've got to upgrade. And, of course another vendor has a similar machine on sale for a lower price, with Professional! Bigger Rats.
So, buy the anytime upgrade, and that kills the whole cost advantage exercise, and I'm starting to get really peaved at the user-viciousness of this game.
Anyway, that done, a close look at a few sites to learn about XPmode and virtualisation. Oh another hiccup. Does my machine provide hardware support for virtualisation?
I don't know!
Check the downloaded PDF manual from Toshiba. No help. Check the support website. It ain't an FAQ. So I can e-mail or phone. E-mail might do it. But no, I've got to supply serial number and model number in precise detail. Well, that's not convenient either. Machine is locked away in my office for the night, and I don't really want to haul it out and have busy-bodies drop in to see what's on. No, I'll phone. Hey, what a surprise, a computerised menu, just the thing to take the shine of the call.
Well, I won't bore you with the slight irrationality of a basically OK navigation system, but I ended up still needing to supply serial number and model number for a very simple "does it have hardware support for virtualisation?" and I'd have to pay! Ye gods, what is this world coming to? Manufacturers can't give you all the details of their gear, so you've got to pay to get it. Try that with your fridge..."how do I open the door"..."that'll be $5."
Now, all this is by far simpler in the world of Mac. Gee, maybe I should return the computer as not fit for purpose (fitness limitations not displayed at shop) and follow my wife to the Apple Shop (yes, I know they say 'store', but I don't).
But, no. I'll tell you why-Windows in another post.
One stimulus to actually get one was my wife also looking; for a Macbook. She uses an iMac for her work and wants to also have a Macbook so she can work away from the office...or so she says. I think she just wants another piece of crisp Apple machinery.
So, I want to be more mobile too, and am tired of my limping old ex-office laptop, so old that it had a Y2K sticker on it. It is still reliable, but the batteries get tired easily, its too small (screen, RAM and HDD) and seems to have a faulty memory location, which always makes loading the media player (it runs XP) a non-starter.
That's the background.
So, I've been checking out JBL Hi-Fi, Dick Smith and Officeworks for the machine, with the occasional dip into other shops, and thought I'd started to get a handle on just what to look for.
When I got to buy-time, I saw in Dick Smith a Toshiba Satellite for a good price, ah, but they wanted me to PIN on my debit card. No way. Officeworks doesn't have that inconvenient rule (no steal-able PIN for me) and they had, for, admittedly, a higher price, a demo machine with right RAM, right HDD, built in TV tuner (OK, but not essential, I'd have preferred built in DAB+ radio) and also a Toshiba Satellite. My experience with Toshiba, from laptops to giant power generators has been a good one.
That was the simple part. I noticed that the machine came with Windows 7 Home Premium; should be OK, I thought, as I didn't need the facilities that I'd imagine attached to the Professional version. Silly, me, coming from the world of Mac!!
One thing I'd wanted to run on my new commodious HDD was the good 'ol software I'd loved in the past (loved software! well, you know, familiar, nice functionality, and earned my living). Here's where it started getting fruuustraating.
My old software, so old, would probably require XPmode. Good, free download. Hop onto the superfast internet at work after hours and head to Microsoft. Problem 1. It all has to be downloaded to the target machine, not to a file then applied, which I had planned. Next problem, virtualisation didn't work on Home Premium. Rats. Now I've got to upgrade. And, of course another vendor has a similar machine on sale for a lower price, with Professional! Bigger Rats.
So, buy the anytime upgrade, and that kills the whole cost advantage exercise, and I'm starting to get really peaved at the user-viciousness of this game.
Anyway, that done, a close look at a few sites to learn about XPmode and virtualisation. Oh another hiccup. Does my machine provide hardware support for virtualisation?
I don't know!
Check the downloaded PDF manual from Toshiba. No help. Check the support website. It ain't an FAQ. So I can e-mail or phone. E-mail might do it. But no, I've got to supply serial number and model number in precise detail. Well, that's not convenient either. Machine is locked away in my office for the night, and I don't really want to haul it out and have busy-bodies drop in to see what's on. No, I'll phone. Hey, what a surprise, a computerised menu, just the thing to take the shine of the call.
Well, I won't bore you with the slight irrationality of a basically OK navigation system, but I ended up still needing to supply serial number and model number for a very simple "does it have hardware support for virtualisation?" and I'd have to pay! Ye gods, what is this world coming to? Manufacturers can't give you all the details of their gear, so you've got to pay to get it. Try that with your fridge..."how do I open the door"..."that'll be $5."
Now, all this is by far simpler in the world of Mac. Gee, maybe I should return the computer as not fit for purpose (fitness limitations not displayed at shop) and follow my wife to the Apple Shop (yes, I know they say 'store', but I don't).
But, no. I'll tell you why-Windows in another post.
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