Total Commander is Total Bliss!

  I first started using "Windows Commander" when a neighbor (in the EU) installed it on my computer in '03 to make it easier for him to transfer other files onto my computer. At that time (and for several years afterward) I saw it as a useful and more stable tool for file management. So on my workhorse desktop (which I use for most of my media downloading, burning, ripping, etc) I've rarely had to open windows explorer ever since, and I've always been pleased with the performance of Windows Commander.  The program never froze (as Windows XP used to do all the time!), it rarely caused file transfer problems (only about 1-2 times/year, and then only because I was doing something weird like transferring from two different hard disks to my one external at the same time).  It was always VERY fast, both opening and running, and it's a very convenient way to see file details, permissions, and other settings instantaneously. Also, the option of "Overwrite all older..." for batch copying files from one directory to another made it a lot easier to synchronize directories. But I never saw it as particularly cool. Just a useful tool to replace explorer for file management.

  About a year ago I realized there was a newer version and I upgraded to "Total Commander Ultima Prime" (TCUP, see screenshot above)... I know, I know, it sounds pretentious.  But I can honestly say I have never before been so surprised and impressed by a piece of windows software. Much like its predecessor, Total Commander is impenetrably stable and fast.  And right away I noticed the ability to create "tabs", as is standard in browser software these days, which I found really exciting.  In fact, since the program remembers which tabs were open the last time it ran; I have cut down my file search time by orders of magnitude!  I usually have about 15-20 tabs open in TCUP, of my most frequently used directories (i.e., "Downloads", "Music", "Videos", and various directories specific to research projects I'm working on), so I need only to click on the correct tab and find the file I want!!! [I still use Vista's search for more infrequently used files]

  Okay, okay, so you're probably thinking: "File Management... Wow. That's not very exciting..." TCUP doesn't just integrate standard aspects of windows explorer (like adding network drives, etc), it also performs SFTP transfers (right in your directory windows!) and allows for the installation of open-source plugins like T-pot. No this isn't Russel's Teapot, but rather the TC for your iPod or iPhone... A lot of people have "hacked" or "pwned" their iPhone or iPod Touch since their release; but a pretty common problem among users is their inability to get files into the right places on the device (Apple firmware tries to keep you out of any directory you might mess with something serious; which includes where NES roms have to go, etc). I guess most users solve this by using SSH to a server on their computers; but T-pot allows you to enter your device as though it were a disk, and manage files from within TCUP (where you manage the rest of your files anyway)!

Finally for those people like me with big and especially ecclectic media libraries, and more than one computer from which you'd like to access your media... this has got to be the coolest feature. TCUP has a built-in function for what we used to do manually, but got too busy to do when the libraries got big: Synchronize Directories.  Just bring up your iTunes or Music directory in one window, the external hard drive's in the next, and share!  The feature can take a while to compare everything (i have about 50 GB, and my last sync took about 20-30 min to analyze).

These are just a few of the wonderful powers of TCUP; I'm afraid I've only learned maybe 10% of the capabilities of this program and they've already had several version updates since I obtained this one!!! I'm upgrading to 7.04a this weekend, so expect an update on this review in the future!

How Long Does a Laptop Last?

We are currently considering replacing a Sony Vaio VGN bought in 2004, and my partner was shocked that her laptop only lasted ~3.5 years.  I was shocked it lasted that long, but I suppose I ride my machines harder (not only operation-wise, but I tend to knock them around physically a bit).  In my experience a decent (good) laptop lasts around 3 years, and a lame (budget Dell or Gateway) laptop lasts around 2 years, if you work at it.  I once managed to keep a Dell running for 3 years because I inherited a full-service warranty which lasted that long...

After trolling the internet I've found a number of conflicting opinions.  Some users, for example, who never let their laptop out to play on the internet have had VERY long lives.  Some (mainly mac-users) claim their laptops should last a minimum of 3 years, and usually max out at about 5, with the average lasting somewhere near four years.  I would expect something like a Sony Vaio, or a high-end HP to last that long on the PC side; but then again, I don't know if anyone has had that experience.  I'm on my first HP laptop now, less than a year old; so I will update this post once a year with a check-up; but in the meantime I invite the readers to vote on your experience. How long does your (average) laptop last??? (See poll on right)

Inaugural Post

Many of you might have been directed here from my personal blog... I primarily created this one to serve as a forum for my less personal tirades of a more political and/or scientific nature. Those who know me understand that I am deeply passionate about political views and policy issues surrounding new technologies and scientific breakthroughs & discoveries. In recent years these issues are becoming more and more visible; correspondingly I have found the need to communicate my views increasingly more powerful.
But this is meant to be a forum with feedback, so please feel free to leave comments to any or all posts herein. I will not edit any comments for qualitative content, but will remove those with 'universally objectionable' content. In other words, no cursing or hate-speech... and definitely no advocating the violent overthrow of the government... (only legal ways to overturn the administration, please).