new topic

Yeah, I've been thinking about adjusting some categories and I'd also considered a computer-related category as well. For one, CAD/GIS/Scanning was originally lumped together because I wasn't sure what kind of usage each of those would get. As it turns out, the CAD part of it could easily be in it's own category. Sadly, I wouldn't be able to go back and "fix" posts after a category change unless I wanted to spend an eternity fixing each post, one at a time (not gonna happen).

So yeah, let's discuss this a bit. If anyone has any suggestions on category changes or additions, we'll at least consider them. I don't want the category list to become too unwieldy, so please don't be offended if your suggestions are not implemented. If I added a category every time someone asked for a new one, the dropdown on the new post screen would disappear off the screen.

I'm currently considering splitting the CAD/GIS/Scanning category into CAD and GIS/Scanning and adding a Computers/Software category. My only concern here is that many CAD posts may end up split between the CAD and Computers/Software categories.

Thoughts?

Wendell,

I think that Eric's suggestion is a good one. Having said that, I would hate to see your workload increased. I very much appreciate this forum, and want to see it last. Being a solo guy, I know the burnout that eventually comes, and I would hate for that to happen, and this forum go by the wayside.

Only you know how difficult any changes are to this site, and the amount of increased or decreased workload. I try to live by the Keep It Simple method, so do what is best for you and Angel.

The efforts of you both are very much appreciated.

Jimmy

I wouldn't worry too much about going back in time to "fix" category selections.
Hell Man... you could hire a staff of people to do that for a month or so.
Let the past be the past and look forward.

What got me to thinking about this is this new Win8 machine I have now.
I came from XP and this a entirely new world. No doubt I'm not the only one.
it was going from Win2.x to Win95.

While replying to another thread earlier I noticed Win8 is auto-correcting and spell checking while I typed. Being a speed-typist I'm super fast and never look at the keyboard and to know when I type wrong and head for the backspace key. However, this puppy fixes things for me before I lift my hand to hand for the backspace.

Of course, it can't fix my chronic "leaving out words" issue. 😉
E

Really, just changing or adding categories is a breeze. And it won't add anything to the workload except for maybe 5 minutes. Not a biggie. But thank you for your concern! 🙂

> I wouldn't worry too much about going back in time to "fix" category selections.

Exactly. Not going to sweat that one.

> What got me to thinking about this is this new Win8 machine I have now.
> I came from XP and this a entirely new world. No doubt I'm not the only one.
> it was going from Win2.x to Win95.

Yep. My parents just bought one and they are having trouble with it because of the lack of a Start button. I'm going to Win7-itize it for them using a little program called Start8 from Stardock Software.

> Yep. My parents just bought one and they are having trouble with it because of the lack of a Start button. I'm going to Win7-itize it for them using a little program called Start8 from Stardock Software.

Don't do that!!! The former "start button" is the windows key. Or, just float the mouse way down to the bottom left corner.

If I was to stay stuck in the past, I would still have 300baud Racil-Vadic modem dialed into the first super computer I used in college.
Either that or would just Win2.x my cool new 4-core Win8 machine.
Why on Earth would someone do that?
Fear of change? I reckon.

No, in my case it would be because of legacy issues. Vista never played well with any of my old 8 and 16 bit software, XP Pro handled it with zero problems. I'm probably going to upgrade to 8, but still want to run it in an XP shell so my old stuff is still usable.

At the same time I want to be able to run Carlson 2013 and Autodesk 2006 LDD on the same machine at maximum capability, and be able to exchange data back and forth among the various formats.

Is 8 the way to go, or since Microsoft isn't going to force the issue until 2014, do I still need to just stick with my tried and true XP Pro?

> No, in my case it would be because of legacy issues. Vista never played well with any of my old 8 and 16 bit software, XP Pro handled it with zero problems. I'm probably going to upgrade to 8, but still want to run it in an XP shell so my old stuff is still usable.
>
> At the same time I want to be able to run Carlson 2013 and Autodesk 2006 LDD on the same machine at maximum capability, and be able to exchange data back and forth among the various formats.
>
> Is 8 the way to go, or since Microsoft isn't going to force the issue until 2014, do I still need to just stick with my tried and true XP Pro?

I can't speak to all that directly. I can speak from experience both from Microsoft's point of view and my own experiences.
16-bit programs are likely out the window.
32-bit programs are likely to become legacy as you said.
64-bit is the way of the future. [period]

My new machine has 4 processors and unless I write my programs to specifically take advantage of them, I might as well be writing BASIC for the TRS 80. Back in the day it was called "vector programming" and in today's parlance it's called "threading". I guess my point is, I don't care what kind of horse power your machine has. It depends on how they [the programmers] dealt with it - if at all.

In any case, I would say another vote for yes on the topic.
IMHO

> > No, in my case it would be because of legacy issues. Vista never played well with any of my old 8 and 16 bit software, XP Pro handled it with zero problems. I'm probably going to upgrade to 8, but still want to run it in an XP shell so my old stuff is still usable.
> >
> > At the same time I want to be able to run Carlson 2013 and Autodesk 2006 LDD on the same machine at maximum capability, and be able to exchange data back and forth among the various formats.
> >
> > Is 8 the way to go, or since Microsoft isn't going to force the issue until 2014, do I still need to just stick with my tried and true XP Pro?
>
> I can't speak to all that directly. I can speak from experience both from Microsoft's point of view and my own experiences.
>

• 16-bit programs are likely out the window.

>

• 32-bit programs are likely to become legacy as you said.

>

• 64-bit is the way of the future. [period]

>
> My new machine has 4 processors and unless I write my programs to specifically take advantage of them, I might as well be writing BASIC for the TRS 80. Back in the day it was called "vector programming" and in today's parlance it's called "threading". I guess my point is, I don't care what kind of horse power your machine has. It depends on how they [the programmers] dealt with it - if at all.
>
> In any case, I would say another vote for yes on the topic.
> IMHO

Most of what you just said was a little over my head; I'd like to learn more.

Cast another vote in favor of the category

cheers
radar

> Most of what you just said was a little over my head; I'd like to learn more.
>
>
> cheers
> radar

What would you like to know?
I'll be happy to explain. It might get serious technical.

( I have a feeling I just opened up a can of worms )
I'll do my best anyhow.
E

My suggestion would be that Cad should be in the same category with Software, since most everybody here is using Cad Software. I'd have one for computer issues, and leave GIS/Scanning together. Not sure if there is really much posted under either one of those anyway.

Oh, and you'll need a North Arrow category.

> Don't do that!!! The former "start button" is the windows key. Or, just float the mouse way down to the bottom left corner.

Normally I would agree with you. In this case, my Dad has Multiple Myeloma and doesn't have a promising future, as the doctors have told him to "get his affairs in order". So we are trying to do whatever is comfortable and make him as happy as possible.

Would you make one for vacation and or travel, pretty please?

> What would you like to know?

What is the meaning of life?..;-)

> I'll be happy to explain. It might get serious technical.

I like reading this board for knowledge about things I don't even know I want to know.B-)

Thanks for posting here Eric, I've learned a lot from you.

Dugger

"..so please don't be offended if your suggestions are implemented."

Thoughts?

I'd be ok with that. 🙂

I like

GIS/Scanning (Although they are very different fields. In the future you may have to look at splitting them up)

Cad/Computers/Software

Whoops 😉

The Hell...

> Normally I would agree with you. In this case, my Dad has Multiple Myeloma and doesn't have a promising future, as the doctors have told him to "get his affairs in order". So we are trying to do whatever is comfortable and make him as happy as possible.

Now maybe some of these guys will understand the utter hell we have been going through the past month and now past few days with our sick parents and maybe the mean ones will ease up on their scathing emails and threats. :-@