There was no PowerPoint presentation for this session, nor was there a handout. This post will have all the links referenced during the session.
The session opened by informing all that IE (Internet Explorer) 9 and Firefox 4 (both full and portable versions) were released during the week. Also advised that IE 9 does not work on MSWindows systems lower than Vista, so if XP is being used you will have to stick with IE 8, but make sure to keep updated.
The main portion of the session for the evening dealt with some freeware for working with text.
The three shown were:
StripMail
A portable utlitiy for cleaining up email text for easier reading and use of information. I say portable because, there is no need to install as it is run from the .exe file.
Version 0.99h was the version shown, a newer version is available at the link, along with a more in depth explanation of what it is and what it does.
Download
The link to obtain your own copy of this freeware utility is:
http://www.stripmail.net/
Information From Other Sources
If you would like to read what some others have said about StripMail, check out the following links to a couple of blog postings:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/remove-unwanted-formatting-from-text.htm
http://download.cnet.com/StripMail/3000-2369_4-10892623.html?tag=mncol;1#editorsreview
NoteTab Light
A portable freeware Windows Notepad replacement, featuring tabs, runs off USB Drive, no installation, libraries for HTML, XHTML and CSS for blogging and website development, and much more.
The version used was 5.7b, a newer version is available at the link.
Download
Direct link: http://www.notetab.com/downloads.php (At this time it is the third download button on the page (Download | light)
Quickly, I went over how easy it is to use for using quick HTML tags in a blog post, and how I use it all the time for things like that. Also, showed how I can have a bunch of different TXT files open at one time, so I can switch back and forth.
Information From Other Sources
Blog posts about NoteTab Light:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/ditch-your-windows-notepad-for-notetab-light/
http://johnbmarine.blogspot.com/2011/03/notetab.html
PhraseExpress
A freeware text replacement utility, install or portable version.
This particular piece of software shown in response to a question about text replacement at the February session.
The version used was PhraseExpress USB v8.0.127 (the portable verion), also available are a desktop install version, and a network edition.
Download
The downloads can be found at: http://www.phraseexpress.com/download.htm
This was explored in depth, as there was no previous information available.
We went through setting up a snippet of text to be used in an email signature, assigned a hot key, and set up for autocomplete.
We copied text to the Windows clipboard from various locations and then saw how they were all listed. If you close PhraseExpress before saving the clips somehow they will dissappear, as the utility does not autosave. But, it is still better than the Windows Clipboard, in that it keeps all that was copied while PhraseExpress is running, instead of each replacing the other in Windows Clipboard.
There is lots more that can be done with PhraseExpress, but we did not have time for more than just an overview.
Information From Other Sources
Blog post about PhraseExpress:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-cool-applications-productive-text-editing/
Other Items Discussed
BRCS Special Interest Groups
When told that the links to the freeware discussed would be posted on this blog, it was found that very few knew how to access the blog.
This prompted a short review of the http://brcs.org Special Interest Group page, reachable by clicking on the Special Interest Groups button of the homepage. This has information regarding the current Special Interest Groups with links to further information about each.
The link to this blog, was pointed out.
Also, all were encouraged to comment on any of the posts, and/or to email me at the address shown under the Freeware/Open Source SIG listing.
April 28, 2011 Session
No specific topic is scheduled for the April 28, 2011 session, suggestions are welcome.
May 26, 2011 Guest SIG Leader
The May 26, 2011 session will be led by Paul Nappo, during my abscence.
Steve Costello
Retired, grandfather, blogger, participating in creative writing prompt blogs, and love to read.