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Advanced SearchUser Name RestonMacGuy
Member Since 2001-11-08
Total number of Feedback Posts: 44
Total number of comments: 2
Last 10 Feedback Posts by RestonMacGuy [ Search for All ]
CoolWmaWmv 1.5 (Mac OS X)
...on my 1.67GHz G4 PowerBook (10.4.11). I tried a number of different options and files, but although the program suggested it was working (spinning progress bar), no output was created. I even let the program run for several hours on a 278 MB (about 30 minute) video WMV and nothing. Nada. Zilch. iSquint takes approximately the same time as the run time of the movie it's converting, so I certainly didn't quit the program too early. Still needs work. A lot of it. [alert admin]
Read Comments (1) | More Info | 2 of 2 users found this helpful
Sunday, June 08 2008 @ 08:13 AM PDT
AOL Desktop Beta 10 (Mac OS X)
AOL is a perfect example of a company that didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel being the freight train, and thought it was bigger, better and stronger when the truth finally dawned. That AOL has morphed into something differenet, with its ad-based content and web-based services renders the entire desktop client useless for all but the geriatric retirement home set, who can't or don't want to understand rudimentary online basics. For more than 18 years I was a charter subscriber to AOL. After repeated attempts to cancel the service, my credit card expired and they all of a sudden contacted me, trying to wring blood from a stone. I informed them that for the past three years I haven't been able to use their services -- EVEN ON THE RARE OCCASION I WANTED TO (some travels still do not have Wi-fi hotspots or in-room Ethernet. Or their costs are so prohibitive it makes no sense). Nowdays, if I need Internet access, I just put my iPod touch in my pocket, head out to the nearest Panera Bread, grab some coffee and a sandwich and I'm good to go. So why bother with this tired, lackluster, bloated, and STILL BETA software? AOL reminds me of the dinosaur who is so large it keeps moving for a while because it hasn't yet realized its brain has died. But I'm moving on, and when it finally dies, I want to be out of the way when it collapses. [alert admin]
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Thursday, March 06 2008 @ 09:46 AM PST
SyncTogether 1.0.2 (Mac OS X)
I started using this product when it was in ßeta, called MySync. Mark/Space acquired this product in early 2007 and renamed it Sync Together. During the early days, I worked with Martin Redington to improve the product, and found him responsive, hard-working, and talented. Every issue I encountered and reported to him he fixed. For the past year or so, I have used Sync Together to sync Address Books and iCalendars on two different machines, and it didn't even blink when I upgraded one to Leopard. The documentation lists the many issues surrounding synchronization between Macs. For those who are having problems, I suggest they read this information carefully. When the product has reported sync problems (and offers to resolve them in a number of ways), it's usually because I have mis-typed something, or in one case, Apple added a field to the contact list that did not exist in the older version of iCal. This program may not be for everyone. But it does exactly what I want it to do, and thus I'm a happy camper. [alert admin]
Tuesday, February 19 2008 @ 12:00 AM PST
Flip4Mac WMV 2.2.0.49 (Mac OS X)
After trying all day to listen to my weekly audio streamcast (Music From the Hearts of Space), I decided to try another computer, and found that it was not the source but my Mac. Each time I tried, Safari would lock up tighter than a drum, requiring a force quit. Unfortunately, the Flip4Mac web site's links to older versions are broken, and the site is unmanned until December 26. I did manage to find version 2.1.3 in a backup set, but the pref pane had to be installed using 2.2.0.49. This results in some odd error messages, although I was able to listen to my program. Running PPC Mac OS 10.4.11 with the latest security patch on a 1.67 GHz 15" Powerbook. This isn't the first time Flip4Mac has gone kablooey on my computers. I hope I can get the older version and wait until Telestream updates to another, more stable version. [alert admin]
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Sunday, December 23 2007 @ 08:50 PM PST
Mini vMac 3.0.4 beta (Mac OS 9, Mac OS X)
Very Nice Stroll Down Memory Lane 
I'm not sure why I downloaded this; I have a fully-functional Mac SE/30 stashed away in my basement! :-) But I wanted to see what the old Plus looked like, so I downloaded this emulator, fired it up, and began the upgrade to 7.5.5. I found I can use Disk Utility under OS X to create hard disks that I can use to boot the emulator and to install software. I -knew- there was a reason I kept my old Mac floppies all these years (I still have a System 1.0 boot disk!). Crystal Quest. HyperCard. My old FileMaker databases... Fun stuff. Good work, and hats off to the developers! [alert admin]
Post a comment | More Info | 1 of 1 users found this helpful
Saturday, November 10 2007 @ 02:00 PM PST
Runner's Log 1.0.1 (Mac OS X)
I have tried a number of programs to help me track and evaluate my running. The perfect one for still does not exist. Runner's Log is a nice start, and it has some interesting features. It's a 1.0 release (1.0.1, actually), and it could be interesting to see it mature. Here are some quick suggestions: (1) When displaying the run totals in the main window, I would prefer to see the time displayed as (hours), minutes and seconds, and not in decimal values (for example, 57:45 rather than 57.75). (2) I would also like to see a shortcut key for "next/previous lap" in the entry screen. When entering laps it's a hindrance to have to take my fingers off the keyboard to click the arrow key to move to the next lap. Since I use a Garmin when I run, it would be nice if this program supported importing Garmin data (it supports importing iPod Stopwatch data). But I know that's asking a lot... The unlicensed version only allows for 10 entries. I'm not sure that's enough to give me sufficient criteria to evaluate the product, and I think US $19.95 may be a little steep for this program (iRun 1.3.2 and TrackRunner are free). But it's a nice start. I give it three and 1/2 stars. [alert admin]
Sunday, May 27 2007 @ 08:07 AM PDT
WeatherSnitch 1.1.1 (Mac OS X)
I'm a happy user of WeatherDock, so I'm not really inclined to switch. But if there's a better mousetrap... A couple of comments: First, I have had it running on my PowerBook (G4/1.67GHz/10.4.8) since I downloaded it earlier today, and have not seen a single "nag notice." Perhaps the developer removed it in this version? I'd have to say the comparison between this and WeatherDock go to which side of the bread is buttered. I like WeatherDock's icon/font display slightly better, and it uses the degree symbol rather than F(ahrenheit), so it uses less menu space. My biggest problem is that it does not allow me to "name" my location -- I entered my zip code and weather.com seems to believe that zip belongs to a town eight miles away. It would be nice if I could create "home," "work," "Mom's" and so on. The windoids for the current details and forecast are nice. I also like the fact that I can specify how often WeatherSnitch performs its checks -- something WeatherDock cannot do. WeatherDock has more features, but not everyone will want to use them (speaking the weather, dock icon, desktop icon, etc.). All in all, I'd say it's a toss-up. Chances are, if you already have a weather-menu tool, you'll stick with it. If not, WeatherSnitch may be just what you want. [alert admin]
Post a comment | More Info | 4 of 4 users found this helpful
Friday, January 12 2007 @ 12:48 PM PST
Abyss Web Server 2.4 (Mac OS X)
I wanted to set up a web server for my internal network. I use a perl-based web calendaring system that I wanted my mixed-platform environment to use. I also wanted to be able to punch a hole in my firewall to allow me access to my calendar when I was traveling. Apple's Apache implementation is just a bit too daunting for me. Along comes Abyss and, presto! Now I have my system! I've never had a problem with it. I've moved it from one Mac to another (10.4 to 10.3), I've upgraded it twice. I run it on startup, and it operates in the background as it should. I've never had a problem with it. The documentation is straightforward, as is the configuration. This is one of the best *free* pieces of software I've ever used! [alert admin]
Post a comment | More Info | 1 of 1 users found this helpful
Thursday, January 11 2007 @ 08:11 PM PST
Backup Action 1.0 (Mac OS X)
I'm not sure what the purpose of posting this "utility" is. These are simply two Finder actions that already exist in Automator (I'm running 1.0.4 under OS X 10.4.8). The download results in an image file named FolderAction.dmg, and when mounted, has two folders (Dutch, English) which contain an Automator workflow and a documentation file. The workflow simply contains the two Finder actions strung together, and the docs say to edit the source and destinations to suit you. Then you are to save as "iCal Reminder" (my choices allow only "iCal Alarm"). OK, so far, not so bad, but hardly unique. My problem is that the resulting process makes flowing molasses seem like supercharged lightning. I set up four folders to copy to a connected hard disk. The total size of these folders combined is approximately 16Gb. I set this process to begin at 1:58 in the morning, and I'm typing this at 4:29 in the same afternoon, and the copy process has not completed! I can get better results using PsyncX (and do). Therefore, I find it very hard to recommend this "program." First, one can build the exact same workflow without downloading this file, but why would one want to? [alert admin]
Post a comment | More Info | 3 of 4 users found this helpful
Saturday, November 18 2006 @ 01:31 PM PST
Dashboard Manager 1.1 (Mac OS X)
I have little use for this app. Almost as little use as I do for Dashboard itself. Thus, I thought I'd try it, just to see if it works. It does. It's a minimalistic interface, but who needs glitz when the sole purpose of the app is to start and stop Dashboard? From my tinkering (using Activity Monitor), it does this, and does it well. You start it, select the action you want it to take, it does that action and then quits. What else can one ask? Five stars from me. Mac OS X 10.4.6, 1.67Ghz PowerBook, 1Gb RAM. [alert admin]
Monday, April 24 2006 @ 05:49 AM PDT
Last 10 Comments by RestonMacGuy [ Search for All ]
From MacOSXHints - July 22, 2002
A much more complete and elegant solution exists and may be found on the MacOSXHints web site: http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20020722081156794&query=Quicktime+full+screen I produce it here to show how *scripting* works: (* Full-screener! by Mikey-San. http://www.mikey-san.net/ If you make changes, add a comment below and keep the ones above! *) on open theMovie tell application "QuickTime Player" activate set request to display dialog "Select a scaling, fool!" with icon ¬ …
Original feedback item : Read More(1 words)
Sunday, May 21 2006 @ 07:55 PM PDT
I'm afraid I agree with the original poster. Out of curiosity I downloaded this program and compared it with other scripts that do the same thing. I have a script dated 2002 that reads: on open fileName tell application "QuickTime Player" activate open fileName present movie 1 end tell end open And another dated August 2005 that reads tell application "QuickTime Player" present front movie scale screen end tell Now, how is your code different? You use a simple, single statement that uses no variables, properties…
Original feedback item : Read More(1 words)
Sunday, May 21 2006 @ 07:47 PM PDT
