Best method for saving settings

What is the generally accepted "best" way to store a programs settings? I was thinking of just using a text file as its easy to implement, is there any reason i shouldn't do this?
Cheers
J
EDIT:
Lets assume im not saving any sensitive data, just fluff.
Edited by: JamesBarnes on Jun 8, 2010 12:33 PM

Encephalopathic wrote:
One possible solution: Properties
Some more:
- Object serialisation
- XMLEncoder/Decoder
- Preferences (for storing, for e.g., the path to the application Properties file)
- For JWS and plug-in2 applets, the PersistenceService.
- ...

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What is the best method for saving files off of the hard drive?

I would like to save music files and photos somewhere other than my hard drive (eg. CDs, DVDs, zip disks). What is the best method for doing this?

It rather depends on how paranoid you are
External hard drives protect you from hard disk trouble on your machine.
Optical media (CD's, DVD's) protect you from trouble with magnetic disks - such as external hard drives and the HD in your machine. Optical disks are thought to be more reliable that magnetic disks for long term storage.
Off site back-ups will protect you from fire or theft at your home or office.
How paranoid are you? Personally everything is backed up across three diferent external HD's. And maybe twice a year I burn a copy of my photos onto DVDs and they go to a relative's house across town.
Regards
TD

Best Method for Saving Data to File?

Hi,
We're using labVIEW 2009 to acquire data from our instrument. In the past we have used the "write to labview measurement file" express configuration tool to save data to a file. However we had some issues with our VI - occasionally we would lose data or column headers somewhat erratically and were never able to sort out the problem. We would like to rewrite our VI with the best possible solution.
Here's a summary of what we would like to do:
Save 30 variables at a rate of roughly 1 Hz. We would like one set of column headers per file so that the data can be easily imported into labVIEW with the variable names intact. We will be collecting data continuously, so we would like to divide the data into 3-4 files per day. Ideally, the program to start new files at the same times from day to day and the filename could be configured to include the date and time/file number.
I am hoping that users can provide a little feedback about methods that were most successful and reliable. From what I have read there are a few different ways to do this (express VI, tdms, "write to text file"). Any thoughts or relevant examples would be quite useful for us!
Thanks for your help!

Meg T wrote:
Is it correct to say that in your method, the indexing results in building up the data into one large array of data before saving it to the file with the column headers and filenames appended? If we are writing data at 1Hz for 6 hours of time, will we run into an issue being able to store all the data?
Yes the indexing will build up one large array. If this is a problem due to array size and memory, you will have to write more often. You can write every second, that should not be a problem. You should still write the column names to the file first, and have the append input set to False (or nothing wired in since the default is false). This will create a new file with the headers only. Then the data write has a True wired in so that the append takes place. If running for 6 hours and gathering data once per second, your array will contain 36,006 rows of data. I'm not sure if that would cause a memory problem or not.
Meg T wrote:
it also seems difficult to incorporate headers into express VI if you are writing the data continuously as a part of a loop with the "append" option.
If you write the headers before the loop as I have shown, and use append inside the loop, you will not have problems.
- tbob
Inventor of the WORM Global

What is the best method for saving the client sequence file revision in the database \ report?

I'm trying to figure out the best way to store the sequence file Revision in the database. That is, if I have the Revision (SequenceFile.AsPropertyObjectFile.Version), where (e.g. what table / field) should I put it if I'm using the SQL Server schema that ships with TestStand? How do I get it there?
Certified LabVIEW Architect
Wait for Flag / Set Flag
Separate Views from Implementation for Strict Type Defs
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Ok LabBEAN,
Here is my tutorial. It is actually easier than I thought:
Step 1: Configure>>Database Options and uncheck the Disable Database Logging.
Step 2: Click the Data Link tab
Step 3: Make sure the Connection String Expression is pointing to the right location. Should be a public directory with a .mdb file if you are using TestStand defaults. Click the View Data button to verify. It should open the Database Viewer so you can look at the tables. Leave the Database Viewer open.
Step 4: Click the Schemas tab
Step 5: With the Generic Recordset (NI) selected click the Duplicate button.
Step 6: You should now see a copy of that schema. In the Name box name it MyRecordset and make sure it is checked
Step 7: Click the Statements tab and highlight STEP_SEQCALL. NOTE: you must always do this before clicking on the Columns/Parameters tab
Step 8: Click the Columns/Parameters tab
Step 9: Highlight the SEQUENCE_FILE_PATH item and click the Copy Button
Step 10: Highlight the new entry and change the Name to SEQUENCE_FILE_VERSION
Step 11: MOST CRITICAL STEP: Change the Expression to RunState.Engine.GetSequenceFileEx(Logging.StepResult.TS.SequenceCall.SequenceFile, 107, ConflictHandler_Error).AsPropertyObjectFile.Version It is better to do it this way because you never now where a sequence file call will be made and not all sequence calls are made to the model client sequence.
Step 12: Hopefully you left the Database Viewer open from Step 3. Go to it.
Step 13: Right click the STEP_SEQCALL and select Add Column.. Name the new column: SEQUENCE_FILE_VERSION. Basically you need a column that matches the one you created back in the Columns/Parameters tab. Set it up with the same type and size. NOTE: there is an alternate way to do this using the Execute SQL View in the Database Options but you need to create it. You can create it from the Schemas tab back in TS by clicking the Build .sql File.. button.
Step 14: Back in TestStand click OK to save and close the Database Options.
Now run your sequence and you will see the new data in your database.
jigg
CTA, CLA
teststandhelp.com
~Will work for kudos and/or BBQ~

Best method for incremental replication to backup xserve?

I was just trying to figure out what would be the best method for routinely incrementally replicating a primary xserve. I have a secondary that has the same hardware. I thought about using scheduled tasks with Carbon Copy Cloner over say a Crossover cable to the secondary xserve. However, doing this backup would continually wipe out the network settings for the secondary mac? I could do the replication to a secondary drive and then just make that drive the boot drive in the event of data corruption on the master server?
Where I'm at now is that the primary server runs Raid1, so in the event of a single drive failure or a hardware failure, I could swap the drives into the backup server. However, I'd like some sort of protection against data corruption on the primary xserve.
Any general thoughts on a better way to do this? Or is there software that does this well?
Thanks

Our primary is an XServe RAID. In addition it has an external 2TB drive that I CCC all the user accounts to every night. I then setup a Mac Mini Server as a replica.
If the primary XServe has a catastrophic failure, I simply connect the 2TB drive to the Mac Mini and point the replicated user accounts to the cloned data on the 2TB drive.
I haven't tested it. But this scenario seemed like the best solution.
Message was edited by: MacTech_09

Best Method for transfering iTunes library from Windows 7 to Mac OSX

I just bought a MacBook Air and am in the process of preparing my file transfer. The only data on my computer I really care about is my school/work files, (which are very easy to transfer), and my iTunes library. What is the best method for transfering music?
I was going to use an external drive and simply drag and drop everything. Last time I did this I needed a special file in order to keep my playlists, top rated, and playcount. Is there an easier and faster method now? I have about fifty gigabites of music so I think it might take longer over wifi.
I also have an iPhone and have already transfered all of the recent purchases. If I export my library, will all my iPhone backup data stay there as well?
If anybody has some insight or a link that outlines all of this that'd be great. Thanks in advance.

Here's a pretty comprehensive "how to"
http://myfirstmac.com/how-do-i-move-my-itunes-library-from-pc-to-mac-and-keep-my -settings-intact.html
Make sure the external drive is foratted so both the pc and the mac can read and write to it.
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57401784-285/the-best-ways-to-format-an-exte rnal-drive-for-windows-and-mac/
good luck.

Best method for rounded corners?

Hi all,
Can someone please share the best method for creating rounded corners similar to the menu interface in Leopard? Actually the best representation I've seen, is in the Motion 3 Tutorials - Working with 3D. The Matte Shape filter in FCP is close, but not quite the cigar I'm looking for.
Thanks!

Hi Jim,
• Select Clip
• Add 4 point Garbage Matte
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• Adjust settings to your desires.
As an example I used:
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• Choke = -47
• Feather = 2
Worked like a charm.

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I'm new to Final Cut Pro and am tryin to figure out the best methods for importing artwork via Illustrator. So far, I've been saving the artwork as a transparent PNG, but I feel like there should be a better way. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Hi:
Ussually I have to rebuild in AI the company logo (I use to work for industries) to include in FCP edit.
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- Select your work (i.e. the final logo) in the AI canvas and copy it.
- Paste it in the empty PSD file as "vextor information" (I don't remember right now the exact words!). That way you can resize it in the PSD file without loosing quality.
- The better ir deciding the size NOW in Photoshop, or create sveral version in different sizes. Yuo'll get better quality id you make the resizings in Photoshop rather that doing a scale in FCP timeline.
- Once your logo is in the right dimension into the PSD file, save a copy and flatten all layers keeping the transparent background. If you don't need the layers during editing in FCP, you better have all layers flattened.
- Import that file in FCP.
That's my workflow, but probably you'll find different flavors here!
Alberto

What is the best method for backing up photos in IPhoto?

I have over 10,000 photos in IPhoto and am looking for the best method for doing a backup (or an archive?). I'm now using ICloud and it appears it's just photo streaming and does not have storage capability. External hard drive, copying to a DVD, other suggestions?

Most Simple Back Up
Drag the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to another Disk. This will make a copy on that disk.
Slightly more complex:
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My Routine
My Library lives on my iMac. It’s Backed up to two external hard disks every day. These disks are permanently attached to the iMac. These back ups run automatically. One is done by Time Machine, one is a bootable back up done by SuperDuper
It’s also backed up to a portable hard disk when ever new photos are added. This hard disk lives in my car. For security, this disk is password protected.
I have a second off-site back up at a relative’s house across town. That’s updated every 3 or 4 months.
My Photos are backed up online. There are many options: Flickr, Picasa, SmugMug etc. However, check the terms of your account carefully. While most sites have free uploading, you will often find that these uploads are limited in terms of the file size or the bandwidth you can use per month. For access that allows you to upload full size pics with no restrictions you may need to pay.
Every couple of months I test the back ups to make sure they are working correctly. It’s very easy to mis-configure a back up application, and the only way to protect against that is to do a trial restore.

When bouncing- what's best method for smallest file size/highest quality?

I am in the process of embedding 3 mp3's into a PDF to submit as a portfolio. The PDF also has text, and two scores included, and with the 3 embedded mp3's it can't be more than 10mb.
So my question is: When bouncing a project out of Logic, what is the best method for getting the smallest file size, but retaining the best audio quality? And once it's out of Logic and it is an mp3 or other type of audio file, is there a best format for compressing it further, and still maintaining the relative quality?
I bounced out the three projects into wav's. Now I am using Switch for Mac to compress them down to smaller Mp3's. I basically need them to be about 3 mb each. Two of the recordings sound OK at that size, but they are just MIDI(one project is piano and string quartet, the other is just piano- all software instruments. The recording that combines MIDI and Audio and has more tracks (three audio tracks and 10 Midi/software instrument tracks)and sounds completely horrible if I get it under 5 mb as an mp3. The problem is that I need all three to equal around 9mb, but still sound good enough to submit as a portfolio for consideration into a Master's program.
If anyone can help I would really appreciate it. Please be detailed in your response, because I am new to logic and I really need the step by step.
Thank you...

MUYconfundido wrote:
I am in the process of embedding 3 mp3's into a PDF to submit as a portfolio. The PDF also has text, and two scores included, and with the 3 embedded mp3's it can't be more than 10mb.
So my question is: When bouncing a project out of Logic, what is the best method for getting the smallest file size, but retaining the best audio quality?
The highest bitrate that falls within your limits. You'll have to calculate how big your MP3's can be, then choose the bitrate that keeps the size within your limit. The formula is simple: bitrate is the number of kilobits per second, so a 46 second stereo file at 96 kbps would be 96 x 46 = 4416 kbits / 8* = 552 kBytes or 0.552 MB. (*8 bits = 1 Byte)
So if you know the length of your tracks you can calculate what bitrate you need to keep it within 10 MB total.
I consider 128 kbps the lowest bearable bitrate for popsongs and other modern drumkit based music. Deterioration of sound quality is often directly related to the quality of the initial mix and the type of instruments used in it. Piano(-like) tones tend to sound watery pretty quickly at lower bitrates, as do crash and ride cymbals. But don't take my word for it, try it out.
And once it's out of Logic and it is an mp3 or other type of audio file, is there a best format for compressing it further, and still maintaining the relative quality?
You can only ZIP the whole thing after that, but that is just for transport. You'll have to unzip it again to use it. And no, you cannot compress an MP3 any further and still play it.
I bounced out the three projects into wav's. Now I am using Switch for Mac to compress them down to smaller Mp3's.
That is silly, you could have done that in Logic, which has one of the best MP3 encoders built in. And how good encoders are will especially come out at bitrates around or below 128, which you might be looking at.
I basically need them to be about 3 mb each.
So, one more scrap of info we need here: how long are those three pieces, exactly? I'll calculate the bitrate for you - but please bounce 'm directly out of Logic as MP3's. They will very probably sound better than your WAV-conversions made with Switch.
!http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4996323899_071398b89a.jpg!
Two of the recordings sound OK at that size, but they are just MIDI(one project is piano and string quartet, the other is just piano- all software instruments. The recording that combines MIDI and Audio and has more tracks (three audio tracks and 10 Midi/software instrument tracks)and sounds completely horrible if I get it under 5 mb as an mp3. The problem is that I need all three to equal around 9mb, but still sound good enough to submit as a portfolio for consideration into a Master's program.
Length of the piece? And does the .Wav bounce you have sound OK?

Question: Best method for mounting drives at log-in time?

I would like to know what others consider the best method for mounting drives at log-in time is? I can see a few methods such as start-up items on the client, start-up items on the server to managed users and possibly a start-up script. One wrinkle in the scenario is that users can log-in directly to the server so the method should allow that to happen gracefully. Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi Bigsky,
You are asking some really fundamental questions that require quite a lot of explanation. Luckily Apple has some great documentation on their server software.
You will be able to find your answers here by diggin in a bit:
http://www.apple.com/server/documentation/
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Best method for flv playback in flash 8

group,
i am currently trying to get to grips with flv playback with
flash 8. i have come across a number of methods for flv playback
within flash 8 and am curious to know the difference between
methods and ultimately if there is such a difference discover which
is best. I have had a few issues with some methods and was
wondering if it was because that method sucks.
In particular i am looking for the best method for allowing
custom skinning of the player with the ability to have a player
somewhere on stage without it being stapled to the darn flv file.
METHOD1:
var nc:NetConnection = new NetConnection();
nc.connect(null);
var ns:NetStream = new NetStream(nc);
theVideo.attachVideo(ns);
ns.play("testmovie.flv");
METHOD2:
import mx.video.*;
this.attachMovie("FLVPlayback", "my_FLVPlybk", 10,
{_width:360,_height:240,x:0, y:0});
my_FLVPlybk.skin = "SteelExternalAll.swf"
my_FLVPlybk.contentPath = "testmovie.flv";
my_FLVPlybk.autoSize=true;
my_FLVPlybk.autoPlay=false;
what are the differences??
any help would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time and
expertises,
Flash fan.

Adobe has announced that it has ceased development of Flash for mobile phones (in favour of HTML5, and due to the opposition of both Apple and Microsoft to allow support of Flash for their mobile operating systems), so from that direction neither Microsoft nor Nokia is going to get any help.
If the Adobe Flash Video format specification is publicly available to use or to license (I don't know if it is), then at least Microsoft could implement support for it, if they wanted to (Nokia might not have sufficient rights from Microsoft to add new codecs to Windows Phone).
So, you might direct your question primarily to Microsoft, rather than Nokia (of course, a Microsoft representative will probably read this, too, but whether they'll response or not is another matter).

Best method for refreshing a component's data?

What's better when you want to refresh the content of an object? Should you just replace your JComponent with an entirely new one, or should you try to get access to the data and then remove the items and then re-add them.
In my example, I have a JTree and am not sure which would be the best method to use. Should I try to remove all the nodes, or sometimes I think it would be easier to just remove the tree component from my panel, create a new tree and re-populate it?
Thanks for any advice.

pjbarbour wrote:
I'm not quite sure what would be the best method for this. My client is using a 4x3 screen and SD projector at a large meeting, and they want me to just create a DVD that is letterboxed. I have one Premiere CS5 project that's 1920x1080, and another project that's 720x480 widescreen (1.2). I created a new sequence in both projects that is 720x480, 4x3 (0.9), and what I do is just scale the timeline down so that it's letterboxed. Is this the best method for achieving this? Or would you do something else? I don't like the idea of scaling my timeline down in Premiere.
Hello.
As Jim so rightly points out above, you do not need to do anything.
Just use your normal 16:9 widescreen footage, and author as normal.
Your player will letterbox automatically when it is connected to a 4:3 screen in setup (just make sure "Pan & Scan" is not also there)

Best method for keyframing with 3d camera 1 shot....

Hi I have a project I am working on and basically I am finding the key framing a little frustrating because I cant get the camera to do what I want. Ususally I have no problem in FCP but with Motion it doesnt seem as easy. Bascially what I have done is put up 7 of the same clip all in 3d spread down. What I want the camera to do is zoom close to one. Pause while you read what is on the clip then pan and zoom to the next one. The method I am doing is I hit the record button. Start the zoom to the first object then move timeline to where I want the camera to stop the zoom. I hit the record button again..wait a few frames and then hit it again so I can zoom to the next object. What seems to hahppen is the camera just starts moving to the other object and wont pause for those frames. I would like to know the best method for making this possible.Thanks

hi,
edit them all! Just select them all and choose linear from the control pop up.
if that doesnt work, maybe you could try setting keyframes manually, like you would in FCP. You dont turn on the red button at all, but add keframes for the parameters you want to animate in the Inspector window.
Sometimes I find I have to add two keyframes a frame apart to give that definite stop. This also allows me to play with the timing of the pauses. So set a keyframe where the camera starts to move and one where it stops. Then a frame on set another keyframe without changing the values, then go to the next point you want the camera to move and set another keyframe.... and so on.
hth
adam

Best method for dynamically populating PDF on the web?

Hi there,
I'm trying to find a web-based solution to populate text within an existing PDF with a person's name (using a name variable within the PDF body copy in several spots). I know that LiveCycle Designer is the best method for creating dynamic PDF's but since I'm on a Mac, LiveCycle Designer wasn't packaged with my CS5 Suite / Acrobat 9 and I'm not eager to run windows in parallel and pay for acrobat pro a second time just to have it on windows for the LiveCycle functionality...CS5 wasn't cheap ha.
So I'm trying to find out if there are alternative ways to achieve this without going down that road. I don't mind writing PHP or using some other programming language to set it up online, but I just seem to be finding many different methods coming up and cannot find the most straightforward solution.
Any help is greatly appreciated!

LiveCycle Designer won't do what you want. It requires server software: LiveCycle Forms will do the trick.
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Best method for saving settings

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