Tag: software

Skycaddie SGX – Review

Posted onAuthorTruXterLeave a comment

Skycaddie SGX – Review
skycaddie in box
Boss asked me to to set up his Skycaddie SGX golf course GPS device from a company called SkyGolf.

So confused as to who would be the provider of such service I said “Sure why not”.
The Skygolf website, to say the least, the website was nothing fun to navigate.
While trying to find prices for the service skycaddie or skygolf (or whatever in the heck their name is) provides, I found old out dated prices and packages and bundles that were “limited time deals only” which were months past their “limited time”.
So I open the box and see


First thing noticed when looking for the USB connection, was a memory card slot.
memslot
Though there is nothing in the box to say what the storage capacity is neither on-board nor memory card max.

It seems the company does not update their website that often because the “extended plan” right on the top of the page says this

For a Limited Time, Buy 3 Years in Advance and Save!

Due to Popular Demand, We’re Extending This Offer Until August 31, 2013!

Here it is December 23 2013.

But I signed up for that specific plan anyway. and wouldn’t you know it. $20 cheaper now.  Total came out to about $100.
So.. okay.
Did the purchase, was prompted to sync the GPS device with the software, so I had to download an install drivers then follow a menu in a pop up that did all of the work for me.
Skycaddie software update and sync
Install and update took much longer than the 30 minutes suggested by the software. More like  3.5 hours.
20131223_144503

Still watching it install.

All-the-while having no idea if the registration and purchase I did was somehow added to the software/firmware I am now installing on the GPS device. When I look at the site, I see that I have no plans. but the install prompt came up after i typed in the credit information. So.. maybe?

Is this place still active?

after a bit of time I get a notice ” your skycaddie does not appear to be associated to an account”
something about an unregistered ESN.

Okay, how do I register it?

Off to figure that mess out.
Tried the FAQ page.. nope… nothing.

Found it, the ESN is located in the settings area under “info”. and to enter that you have to go into “registration”

Keeps losing sync on me though. very frustrating.
Meanwhile I am looking at the screen saying #1 in range finder in golf”
yeah… but can you find the computer you are plugged into?

I get almost done and decide to install specific course. and it keeps  saying there is an issue with Caddiesync Express.

After a few tries, the map loaded even though the computer screen said failed. Not sure how it will turn out. Have to hit the course and see what it shows.

Compared to current devices of today, I would have to say that this device is past it’s prime. The software is poor. The set up is frustration. Use of the device is in no way easy. Just setting the device up for golf course, was a 4+ hours task.
Most of what this device does, is found for free now on Android.

Free Golf GPS & Scorecard Free

GolfLogix #1 Free Golf GPS App Free

SkyDroid – Golf GPS $1.99

GIMP 2.8 Angry Review

Posted onAuthorTech Review Man

Image Editing Software for freeGimp, the Gnu Image Manipulation Program.
The software I have considered the alternative to Photoshop, for many years.
I have Gimp and Photoshop on my home and my work computer. I have always considered gimp the superior, just because of how fast and simple it is to find what you are looking for, the huge list of file types you can save images as.
Gimp has released an update. 2.8
There have been many changes with 2.8. U have to say; I am not happy with any of the changes.

You will not catch me updating any more of my computers with it.
The clone tool, there is no slider anymore for adjusting brush size, It’s now about pressure. Why is pressure, not a new addition, instead of a replacement?
I now have to export my images, instead of saving them.
What happened to antialiasing ? why do my images look so grainy now?
Why is Gimp slaughtering my computer?
I need to find an install of 2.6 and I will just block the gimp website in my hosts file so I never forget and accidentally try and “upgrade” again. EVER!I have found on the “Old Apps” website they list Gimp 2.6.7

The look of Gimp 2.8 is plain by today’s standards. Not worth installing. and functionality is may as well be one button, with acid on it.

I know.. It’s free, but it’s also as useless as rock. and that’s free too.

This goes for 2.8 and 2.8.2

Why not optimize for Mobile

Posted onAuthorTech Review Man

Why not optimize for Mobile
because mobile devices need to evolve and become more compatible with today’s standards. Why would we roll back our current knowledge and technology to be more compatible with the hardware that is half hearted and incomplete but being sold as new technology just because it is touch screen?
Touch screen is many years old and a fail attempt back in the day. Nothing new is going on with touch screen to make it any better than it was 12 years ago. If we have to make our websites have a special section just for certain mobile devices, then the manufacturers of said mobile devices need to get with the times.
The longer we cater to the needs of the hardware manufacturers, the longer we will be stuck in this rut of no evolution.
Time and time again I have to warn you, that software should always exceed the hardware, and hardware manufacturers need to get off their rump and advance or stay on the porch and call their junk beta and prototype and quit pawning it off as current technology and finished product.
There is no reason that I should create a website m.truxtertech.com .
If you are on a mobile browser and can not see this website then your mobile browser sucks and need to get one that works. Try Opera moni browser.

The Dj Booth

Posted onAuthorTruXter

Two Pieces of software I use on the iworkwithmusic website to edit music from live events, and to add back ground music to videos I record, that really do not have any content worth listening to. Like when shopping and I video the display rack in a store. Who wants to hear crowd noise?
Music Editing Software
Music editing Software
Magix Music maker. I have the first released version of Magix when it came bundled with a video editor. I also have Magix music maker 16 and the latest HD video editor (not currently at home to tell you what exactly I have). With these two I can make some very high quality videos of shows and concerts. Like here is my friend’s band Sexion 8. I had to record all of these on a cell phone and then bring up the sound, if you will notice in the middle of the Iron Maiden song, the mic blows out on the cell phone. Even though the music suddenly high pitched, I actually was able to bring that from a crackled distorted hiss of a whisper, to a sound that allows you to at least hear that the band was on cue and on mark and the lyrics are understandable. At the mark when the mic blows out, the audio quality changes tragically. but again, if it was not for Magix 16, I would have never gotten that far. I do believe they have a music restore software, but I currently can’t look that up on their site

Digital DJ
Music - virtual mixing

Digital Dj has a huge tray of sounds and loops that can be used to make tons of music and creative work that can keep you listened to, and your crowd happy for hours.
I myself am no dj. Not in the least bit

but I pulled this off

Rage against the Machine Cover

Re-Mixed

The video editing in the first and second, was using the first edition of Magix (I’m fast with that one, been using it forever). The audio mix added to the second video was using Magix Music maker 16 and Digital Dj.

Yes the links on this page are sponsored. Took me forever get with these guys. I have been sending Magix some free traffic for quite a long time. because I recommend Magix for just about everything video and audio related.I have done this for years.

Top 5 all time best free software

Posted onAuthorTruXter

Time to do another BEST post. This time its about the top five free software programs to download and install. Of course this isn’t for “all time” or win amp would be on the list. Thuis list is about free software that is out now. Winamp has done nothing new, and well, aol killed it pretty much.

5. VLC – video Lan Client. Media player that plays about every media format.
4. A-squared – free virus and malware scanner Emergency Kit.
3. Mozilla firefox – the only web browser there is that works.
2. G.I.M.P. – image manipulation tool, for crteatimg and editing images with a huge list of capabilities and tools.
1. Linux – operating system. It actually comes bundled with some of these, except of course asquared. Virus issue is a micrtosoft issue.

Posted via Android. Dont mind the typos. I’ll fix them later.

Mac or Linux Or Windows?

Posted onAuthorTruXter

Mac or Linux Or Windows?

Which one do you think is better? Which one do you think is safer?
[poll id=”5″]
The question that comes up more than Star Trek or Star Wars, “Which is better Mac Windows or Linux?”. The question that people really want answered now is which one is less likely to get a virus. Mac would like you to believe they are completely and entirely 100% virus proof. That is not even close to the truth. Mac has less people writing a virus for it simply because there aren’t enough users on that system. it’s like spending 200 hours creating a pill that makes people with smiley face looking freckle patch beneath their left pinky nail, have a bad day. why would you do that? Unless you were attacking that one specific person. o a $1000000 Car modification that lets people with a smiley face patch of freckles below their left pinky nail, get good gas mileage. Why would you? no one to use it. Same thing goes for Linux. but imagine that one of the eyes on the smiley face are winking.
On that same note, if there are less people to infect on an operating system, then there are less people to write software for to market them. So lots of software that is available for windows. might not be available for Linux or mac, (under the same license). Linux of course is full hobbyist programmers working more and more to add more software for Linux and make it more useful. So for just about every single piece of software out there for Windows or Mac, Count on the Linux community creating something that is very similar and just as effective, for free.

Pros

Mac
Software is written to match the operating system
operating system is written to match the hardware.
hardware is written to match the software need
All software can be downloaded now like aps for a cell phone
Looks really nice.
The available software works very well and crashes less.
Mac specific repair, so you know your mac computer will be fixed right.

Windows
You can install the operating system on any computer you build
Every electronics store has multiple times more software in stock that works with windows.
Most hardware you buy, is windows ready when upgrading.
Very Customizable.
Large selection of computer repair specialists that are prepared to help you. So you can price shop for help.

Linux
You can install Linux on any computer you build, even outdated ones.
There is a unique version of Linux for every need.
You can even install Linux to a thumb drive and use it on any computer without effecting that computer’s current settings.
More developers for Linux than for any other operating system.
Linux is Free (most distributions) you just download it.
Millions of programs and software available, and different variations
influences all other operating systems while being influenced by other operating systems.

Cons

Mac
You have less ability to customize.
Upgrading your computer could lead to issues since every piece of software is written specific for the hardware.
Not a whole lot of software
The creator of the phrase “Sad Mac”
Only mac employees can help you fix your computer.

Windows
The creator of the phrase “blue screen of death”.
Every time you upgrade, you have to buy new stuff.
Patches like crazy bloat Windows down and makes it slower.
So many different malware written for Windows
They invented the phrase Malware.

Linux
Huge learning curve for people who are used to one of the other operating systems.
Nearly no repair companies want to touch your computer, not even your internet provider.
You have to install the operating system and all addons yourself, almost no computers come preset-up.
Maybe to large of a variety of software and programs, can be overwhelming to figure what one is best for you.
Though more and more hardware companies are compatible with Linux these days, just not near enough.

What is Traitorware? | Electronic Frontier Foundation

Posted onAuthorGregSnippets

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/12/what-traitorware

Gentlemen, I have had men watching you for a long time and I am convinced that you have used the funds of the bank to speculate in the bread stuffs of the country. When you won, you divided the profits amongst you, and when you lost, you charged it to the bank. You tell me that if I take the deposits from the bank and annul its charter, I shall ruin ten thousand families. That may be true, gentlemen, but that is your sin! Should I let you go on, you will ruin fifty thousand families, and that would be my sin! You are a den of vipers and thieves.

Andrew Jackson

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/12/what-traitorware

Personal Budget Software re-Review

Posted onAuthorTech Review Man

A few months ago I found a free budget management software. I was quite pleased with what I found. At the time, the Software developer didn’t have any traffic That i could detect. I was skeptical about downloading the budget software.  I decided to run a few  scans form virscan.org. Clean. Not one issue with the budget software at all. So I installed the free software I got from TZIsoft.

I have written a few things on the net about how I am looking for a bank that has a better online banking interface, simply because I am not very good at keeping up with my records and budget. so I was quite desperate to locate a good safe personal budget software that wouldn’t  break me. Again, I can not keep record worth a darn. TZIsoft personal budget software, has been nothing but pure help. I really do appreciate all of the times I could just pop open this software and see exactly what my current spending range is. I have not had MS office on my laptop on years, but I have had open office on the laptop for quite a while, the personal budget software allows me to export my budget report to an MS Office file that is easily opened with open office. I then put the office file on my Droid phone and leave the house. I can then make adjustments through the day, to take the file back with me when I go home. Sometimes I email the thing to myself throughout the day with updates. Sure there are probably easier way of doing that part, but its cool to just know what could happen.

Free Personal Budget Software download page. Look at all of the acknowledgment  the coder has now received. You have to scroll to the bottom, that part is like an easter egg for you for you to find after the coder briefs you on the capabilities of the budget software.

Remember, this is a free budget keeping software. This software is not the be all end all software and will not prevent you from doing things you should not do. The writer of this budget and record keeping software made it to help you document your transactions and calculate your current spending limits. Anything you do not input into the budget software is on you. So if you mis-spend outside of your limit, the software maker nor I can be held responsible. Nothing is guaranteed by me other than I liked the software, it was free, and the budget software helped me greatly. I have not been paid to link to the free software nor have I been paid to leave my review. I have never met the coder but i did send a big thank you email and a copy of my first review of personal budget.

http://www.tzisoft.com/

Look around, there are more downloads and more software to try out from there.

Good Bye Limewire

Posted onAuthorTruXter

Limewire has been ordered to shut down by a federal court.U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood.
Recording Industry Association of America – RIAA Headed the law suite.
Mark Gorton the Founder of Limewire has been pointed as the one person liable and accountable.

I have tested out limewire numerous times, and I have gotten many many of a virus using limewire

I could care less for limewire it’s self. but what it is needs to be protected from the vultures and the non tech savvy judges who listen to the lies they make up as they go. What this means is, the internet would still be on 56k if it was not for people who download free software and media. just as computers would not be where they are if it was not for computer video games, console gaming machines would not be where they are if it was not for the steady upgrades that gaming pc computers had to go through. Itunes would have never existed if it was not for limewire,kazaa and the like. if somehow Itunes existed on some magical conception, it wouldn’t have any competition and that of course reduces innovation and creativity. Itunes would be uploading one song per user per day and it would be the lowest bit rate possible. If it was not for people who used Limewire, got what they wanted as fast as they wanted yet with a few land mine virus files, Itunes would be all we have. There would be no choice, no selection, so we would be happy with what we get.
Many things were created because of the illegal methods of media transfer.
On that note
Let’s look at how much Itunes charges for one song
and then look at the cost of one cd that has 12-18 songs on it with hard case cover lyrics and the pleasure of a physical possession.
Compare the cost.
Now go ahead and research how much a musician makes per cd sale.
Now imagine that everyone who makes money for the cd manufacturing and all plastic parts involved Imagine if you could remove the all of that expense. Ask yourself… who is actually ripping off the musicians.If Itunes lowered their price for the transfer of music, the pirate sites would be useless. The people making a huge profit off of the musician’s work, or the guy who is freely getting something he wouldn’t have bought anyway, and his reception of said item did not take said item out of another person’s possession?
Like there is a stadium 6 blocks from where I live. They have fireworks that people pay to park on their lot and see. They have bands that people pay to park on their lot and listen. I walk outside and lay on my roof, watch and listen. I did not break into someone’s stadium and obtain these items freely. They are just in the air. Who has the right to say what is allowed on the internet?

Farewell limewire, one person here knows what you have done. One person has done more than act like a candy inflicted child with a new toy. I stopped, I analyzed and looked at cause and effect.  No one will notice what happens because they have nothing to compare it to. You will be missed.

Tiny 7 Users – You need to know

Posted onAuthorTips Of Tech46 Comments

For the few 200-300 searches I see a day looking to fix an install of Tiny7, I have some information that is going to help you. Help you a whole lot. You need to hear (read this) because the answer is right in front of you but you somehow just can not see it.
Windows 7 is an operating system created by Microsoft.
Tiny7 is not.
Tiny 7 is a copy of windows 7 that has had so much stuff stripped out of it, you get a faster running machine because there are a whole lot less resources being used by the typical running software.
Some things you install may not work because the software that it depends on, will not be on the machine. So you have to search for that software on the internet and get it installed so your machine can run the process you are needing. Trust that this software has a potential of making your computer a tad bit slower.
On that note. Windows Tiny 7, is not a full legal version to install and run as a computer. The guy that distributes the software, Makes it clear that he is just trying to see how little of processes he can make it to before the operating system is none functional. His goal is to run the operating system with as few resources and processes as possible. He is uploading the software for you to look at what he did, and then give him ideas as to what to do next. He has no intentions of you making this your primary operating system on your primary computer. I think that is why he stopped working on the project after tiny vista was fully complete.

On that note. DO NOT try and register tiny7. That is not what he intended for you to do. DO NOT try and get updates to Tiny 7. It will check with WGA (windows Genuine Advantage), see it is a pirated copy of windows, and then it will lock you down. You will then be locked out of your own computer, simply because you have not been logical.

You can change the cd key of the install of your copy of tiny 7 by just calling Microsoft’s hot line. Do not bother with doing the voice recognition thing, it is frustrating . I just yell into the phone “blabble zabble deepledorf” repeatedly while crackling plastic wrap next to the mic until a human gets on the phone. Works like magic. Tell them what ever it takes to prove that you are not out to rip anyone off and you just like the version you have and would like to register it with a new key. It will work. be persistent and insistent that it is the best operating system you have ever used and is better than any other operating system Microsoft offers.

There are tons of ways around WGA. But they always get stopped and Microsoft fixes those tricks. Really I have no idea why you would download an operating system from a stranger and then worry about security patches. In 12 years only one single service pack that Microsoft distributed didn’t slow your computer down more than it already was. In fact service pack 3 on Windows xp, made most computers faster. Then patches that came later, slowed them all right back down.

Ignore the fear mongers that tell you some virus is in the wild and without some Service pack, your dog’s fur will fall out. Don’t believe them when they say the latest service pack will make my computer faster. It’s a trap.

The right thing to do is just out right buy windows 7. You can get the OEM version of Windows 7 at less than half cost.

Or quit trying to register something you know is not legal.

Quit trying to patch something you have no rights patching.

and if your  machine has you locked out, lol .. NEWBY.