On the DEWLine 2.0: Dwight Williams

Software Dilemma

2024-06-25T01:46:57Z

I'm not going to name the item in question at the moment, because the issue's bound to come again with something else later. I figure that this is going to be an "evergreen" sort of question.

Anyway.

There's a piece of software I'm considering buying an update for tonight, because severe discount on offer, limited time offer.

Complication: I don't have the hardware needed to run it right now. I don't know when/if I'll be able to get that hardware. I *do* like using the software's older version with the hardware I *do* have at the moment.

Thoughts?

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Facetime

2023-07-09T19:30:22Z

And now I know for certain that Facetime works on my current computer. Just had a brief and entertaining chat with people on the Pacific coastline.

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Design: Brushes

2023-06-26T00:18:29Z

Good evening, everyone.

Digital artists: you've all found yourselves gravitating to specific brushes in whatever programs you use, haven't you.

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ByMUG: Presentations

2023-05-05T01:45:44Z

So I'll be doing a presentation over Zoom this upcoming Sunday.

https://bymug.ca/may-7-2023-meeting-information/

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Space Software: Some Good News

2023-04-10T22:03:50Z

Gaia Sky is finally working for me as the designers intended! #Planetariumware #astronomy

I do, of course, have ideas for new features...

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Upgrade Question

2023-04-02T22:19:24Z

I now have a computer that runs on MacOS 10.15. I need a way to keep accessing my Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iWeb, Garageband, iMovie, etc. files on this machine. Upgrading to the current version of MacOS is not going to be an option any time soon.

Suggestions?

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Call for Opinions: WhatsApp

2023-03-12T22:09:28Z

Should I add that one to my current cellphone?

Why or why not?

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New Cleverphone

2023-03-02T02:40:26Z

This will be cleverphone # 4 of my life thus far.

Still getting used to it. Ditched the Netflix and Amazon apps ASAP, and added CBC News, the Guardian and AP, flawed as those organizations all are.

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Clip Studio Paint: Question re: 3D Props

2022-10-08T02:03:10Z

I'm trying to find 3D models of the kind of cookware you'd use for heating up scalloped potatoes in the oven. Yes, it's inspired by an Inktober prompt.

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SOLVED: Job Search: Spreadsheet Rescue

2022-10-04T00:43:54Z

~~Trying to figure out how to rescue a job search diary created in Numbers (iWork '09) without using Numbers to re-open the file...because when I try, the program stalls.~~

Looks like downloading and using LibreOffice solves the immediate problem. I can then save it as *.xls, and then re-import the file back to Numbers, it seems.

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Clip Studio Paint: What Is Celsys Thinking?

2022-08-25T19:58:59Z

I have to wonder, given this context re: Clip Studio Paint...

https://www.creativebloq.com/news/clip-studio-paint-subscription

Yes, Krita exists as an option and so does Affinity Photo...but I bought CSP for specific reasons of comics design suitability. So did many others.

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Memory Books and RAM

2022-07-19T00:35:42Z

I started fiddling with that memory book project in Affinity Publisher today. More and more, I'm wishing that this machine I'm building it with had more RAM installed. I've been advised that I should have pulled out the hard drive, replaced it with an SSD, and put whatever files would not be actual programs onto an external hard drive instead. Well, if I had a steadier income, I'd have considered that.

On an unrelated note, where my left earlobe attaches to my skull...occasionally feels blocked or itchy, or whatever form of irritation seems guaranteed to keep me from thinking clearly about whatever else should be occupying my brain.

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dewline @ 2022-05-29T20:57:00

2022-05-30T01:13:37Z

It's been a quiet day here for the most part. Watching Clip Studio Paint-related webinars on YouTube, taking phone calls, shopping and exercise walks, listening to the radio. Even got some practice time sketching in Clip Studio Paint just before supper, which I'm in desperate need of.

Still feels like I'm getting nowhere helpful. Not right now.

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Job Search: Back to Routines

2022-03-16T16:56:50Z

Okay, I think I've got my short- and long-form "base" resumés for office work updated. I'm checking back with my most recent client about specific software-used details before I start sending copies to the various temp agencies and other prospective employers.

Also, I need to make time today for illustration/design practice with the Cintiq. Absolutely essential that I do this every day. I will continue to apply for "standard" office jobs - records management, information analyst, testing analyst, data entry, and so on - but if I mean to apply for graphic design and illustration work as well - I have to make as much time as possible to practice the relevant skills with the software I currently have available to me. This is vital, too.

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Cell Phone: New Complication, SOLVED

2022-03-09T23:35:57Z

I needed to get rid of WhatsApp to get back to "normal".

Now to get back to my other problems.

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Drivers for Tablets

2022-03-08T02:55:07Z

Hoping I picked the right driver version for the Cintiq to download. Since I'm doing day-job work at the same desk I expect to use the Cintiq with, it's going to be a few more days before I can test it.

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Checking In - 31 August 2021

2021-08-31T20:59:39Z

Things that got done today:

Kept up the job search.
Tried to push onward with CPAP acquisition paperwork.
Mowed the front lawn.
Got some sketchbook time in.
Got walking exercise.
Updated my Affinity design software.
Returned an overdue book to the library without drama.
Stayed in touch with family.
Stayed in touch with friends.

Adding tonight:

Watching an interview of a respected author of political satire (Terry Fallis).

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One More Software/OS Annoyance

2021-05-27T13:01:03Z

New annoyance that I've been dreading. I've only had this machine running MacOS 10.13.x for about a year. Gifted by a friend from my Mac user group. Now this news re: one of my favourite pieces of software:

https://support.clip-studio.com/en-us/faq/articles/20210042

I know, I know. It was coming eventually...

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Scriptwriting Software Surprise

2021-04-17T22:00:27Z

I bought an upgrade for Final Draft 11 last August. Just found out via Twitter this afternoon that they've gone "live" with sales of version 12 this past week.

Will have to look into the changes they've made after supper before I make a go/no-go decision.

(Scriptwriting/Drama was my best-graded subject when I studied Animation for TV at Algonquin College. Have never followed up properly on that, sorry to admit. My fault.)

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Frustration with Gaia Sky 3.0.3

2021-03-29T02:13:55Z

I've been trying to update the data sets I want to work with repeatedly over the last two days. eDR3 and the Gaia Nearby Stars Catalogue, specifically. Yes, the former file is 3 GB, and it takes a couple of hours to download and then the extraction process fails.

I'll have to take it to Github at some point this week to see if anyone's already resolved the issue before I ask any questions.

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dewline @ 2021-03-17T19:48:00

2021-03-17T23:55:16Z

Shoulder still hurts.

Of course.

And filed in the folder marked "It isn't about you, Dwight!", I see there are still fools seeking to make the world burn. In Atlanta for example. That shooter. And that sheriff's department captain with his "one bad day" speech turning out to be a walking, talking, Trumpist-tee-shirt-hawking bonfire on legs. Senator McConnell bouncing back and forth between Washington and Tennessee. The people pushing vote-suppression legislation across the States. Premiers who look very much like they're trying to screw up the COVID file in seven provinces while disguising themselves as people who give a damn.

I'm trying to register page templates in Clip Studio Paint through the arm pain.

Maybe I should take a break and watch Coroner instead?

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MARVEL: Tech Thinking (SPOILERS re: Eternals + X-Men titles)

2021-03-12T03:26:28Z

It now occurs to me that Tony Stark is playing technological catchup with both Krakoa and the Eternals.

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COVID-19 Plus One Year

2021-03-11T14:43:46Z

This morning, The Current is marking the first anniversary of the World Health Organization's official declaration of Pandemic. That's what I'm listening to via CBC Radio One right now.

This afternoon, I'm doing my regular mental health check video chat.

Job search, self-training with assorted software, exercise, shopping, financial management, house chores are expected to take up the rest of my Thursday.

More as it comes to mind.

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A List for the End of February 2021

2021-02-26T14:11:32Z

1. The job search continues. As I type this, I'm looking at Indeed and Jobilico. I expect to check several federal commissions, departments and agencies, a couple of crown corporations, GC Jobs, the federal Job Bank, and at least ten temp placement companies (yet again) over the rest of today.

2. I hope to listen to Ontario Today at noon, because Perseverance on Mars is the topic of the day.

3. Downloading new updates for Affinity Designer, Photo, and Publisher.

4. The Affinity suite is still on sale from Serif.com at half-price as I type this. About C$35 for each of the three programs in the suite.

5. Inkscape and Krita and the like are also still useful freeware, so why not get those too?

6. Listening to The Current right now. The discussion in progress as I type this entry?

Letter-writing. Actual letters through the paper-mail system. Apparently, this is making a come-back among many who have the time and enough other resources.

7. More later today as I think of it.

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JOBS: Self-Training In Progress - Feb. 2021

2021-02-09T17:42:23Z

Wrapping up the contract today, I expect. Tomorrow it's back to looking for work.

Data entry, research clerking, records management, systems testing...

Graphic design, illustration, writing fiction in prose or script...

All of that. The appropriate authorities should expect me to be training on these programs (among others):

Final Draft
OpenOffice
iWork '09
Brackets
Clip Studio Paint
Affinity Designer
Affinity Photo
Affinity Publisher
Typetool 3
Inkscape
Krita

In addition to other job-search measures I expect to keep undertaking.

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