HELP DESK
I hope you will permit me to address you as Wanda, since I have benefited greatly from your columns since the days of DOS and Windows 3.1.
I also hope that it is still true that, "Wanda never gets tired while dancing." I wish I could say the same.
I'm writing in response to an AppShot item in Database in which you commented on the shortcoming of Burnaware Free Edition in that the files must be converted to correct CD/DVD format before burning.
A few weeks ago I discovered a nice freeware application, DVD Flick (at http://www.dvdflick.net), which does just that. I have to admit I've only used it once to burn a DVD, but it worked easily if slowly. I had a movie downloaded as an .AVI file. As I recall it was about 750MB in size. You create a "project", add the desired file(s) to it, and tell the program to encode. Once encoding is finished the documentation says you can click on the "Burn" button to burn it to disc. In fact, if memory serves me, I had already put the blank DVD in the burner and the program went right ahead and automagically burned the DVD.
I will say you have to have some patience. The encoding process takes time - it's recommended to let the job run overnight, but I recall that my project took about three hours while I continued using my computer for other things (I'm running Windows XP Pro, which I must admit does multitasking better than my beloved Windows 98). I've used other encoding (or "authoring") software which was slower.
Hope you can find some time (or delegate it to your unpaid child labourers) to review this program. (Full disclosure: I don't have any connection to this software project nor benefit from it in any way).
ROGER
Database replies: Wanda Sloan replies: First, thank you for reading Database. We love to hear from readers. You can call me Wanda, of course. You can call me anything except "late for ladies' night."
Thanks for sending along the link to DVD Flick. I'll have to try to give it a go. As I said in a complementary column to the DVD-burning review, I think you are better to have an all-in-one utility unless you are a specialist and/or doing a lot of video burning, but it is always nice to have choices.
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Missing user
Please give me your thoughts on this one: Recently my task manager, under the user's tab, fails to list the user; ID; Status; Client Name; or Session. When I go to view, select Columns, the user name is faded out leaving the user information box empty.
Any ideas where the fault lies?
I've checked Services and the Fast User Switching is on automatic. The welcome screen is on, but checking the Fast User Switching box will not effect a change.
Again, this may be a problem I created myself.
DON ROSS
Ratchathewi
Database replies: Wanda Sloan replies: That's a new one on me. I presume your computer is otherwise working normally - but if you try to save a document, whose name is the default folder under?
Open My Computer, click and open the C: drive, click and open Documents and Settings, and whose name or names do you have? Open Control Panel, User Accounts and see what your accounts are. It sounds like you may have deactivated yourself. Open the Task Manager, click on Shut Down, then "Switch User". (Or press Winkey-L). What are your options in switching the user?
I don't wish to scare you, but of course there are dozens of types of attack software that take over your machine, too, so take steps to make sure the PC is clean, as well.
Let me know if you discover anything at all.
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De-duping
I have several copies of the same photo(s) strewn all across my HDD.
Is there any utility I can use to find every location of the same photo or any other duplicate files, then decide which ones I want to keep and delete the duplicates. Please guide me. I remember having read about it in one of Wanda's articles.
Wanda's articles are the "diamonds" of the Database section, as they are extremely useful. Thank you for all the research you do for us and all your guidance.
SETHI
Database replies: Wanda Sloan replies: Yes, I have reviewed this program twice in the past year. I hope it helps.
ImgSearch finds duplicate photos and lets you delete them. If you own a digital camera, you may be surprised how many you have. The utility not only can find photos which are almost the same. It can find photos that are exactly the same except for their size. The web page is a little obscure, but this program may be worth the hunt. Go to http://www.kolmck.net then click on Downloads, and then click on Apps. Look down the list and your should find ImgSearch fairly close to the top.
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