Topics

1

N.A.N.Y. 2012 / NANY 2012 Release: PinPics

« on: December 07, 2011, 01:12 AM »

NANY 2012 Entry Information

Application Name	PinPics
Version	1.1.0
Short Description	View geotagged photos on a map!
Supported OSes	Windows with .NET with WPF (Mono support not tested)
Setup File	http://downloads.aldwin.us/pinpics/1.1.0/PinPics.zip
System Requirements	.NET 4.0
Author Info	http://nick.aldwin.us/
Description	PinPics maps out geotagged photos from a folder.  It's a great way to see where you've been and to bring back old memories.  Try it with the pictures on your smartphone!
Features	Shows a map of the locations where you've taken pictures Four different map types
Screenshots	Click to see more: Spoiler
Installation	Unzip & run PinPics.exe You'll be notified of updated versions when you run the program.
Using the application	The first time you run the program, you'll have to affirm that you have read the license notices. Once the main window is loaded: Click Load Pictures to pick a folder containing your geotagged images. The photos will be displayed in the list to the left.  Check Only Show Geotagged Photos to hide photos with no GPS data. Click a geotagged photo to zoom in on its pin in the map. Double-click a photo to open it in your default photo viewer. Pan around the map by clicking and holding the left mouse button. Zoom into/out of the map using the mouse scroll wheel or the Zoom slider in the upper left. Change the map type (road map, hybrid map, satellite map, or terrain map) using the dropdown in the upper right corner. Click on a pin to zoom into it and highlight the corresponding picture in the photo list. Right click to reset the zoom to view all pins.
Uninstalling	Delete the unzipped files. PinPics also keeps track of whether you agreed to the license dialog, so if you're really intent on removing all traces, you'll find the file in the AppData folder wherever .NET put it.
Known Issues	Skips geographic data in photos with malformed or nonstandard EXIF (this is a library limitation) EXIF doesn't contain GPS accuracy data, so in some cases the pinpoint may be the center of the unseen "accuracy circle" and thus may be a little distance away from the actual photo location (this is the camera's fault, unfortunately). After a long period of use, the process may continue to run for some time after the window is closed.  This may be a cache issue.
Planned Features	Help! Reset Zoom button (right now, use the right mouse button) Show Date Taken under photo Exif Library tweaks to pull out geo data whenever possible (Tentative) Geotag photos from within the application

2

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / NANY 2011 Release: Speed Monitor

« on: December 20, 2010, 08:31 PM »

NANY 2011 Entry Information

Application Name	Speed Monitor
Version	1.0
Short Description	Continuously tracks the loading speed of websites with an adjustable check interval and averages from the last 10, 100, and 1000 tries.  Graphs the last 100 tries.  Idea from mouser's post.
Supported OSes	Windows with .NET
Web Page	Soon...
Download Link	v1.0 - 86K EXE OR Download from Softpedia OR Download from Softoxi
System Requirements	.NET 4.0 Internet Access
Version History	v1.0 - Added drag-and-drop, clear data button, slower default interval, and quick hint v0.9 - Charts added v0.8 - First-time lag removed, URLs no longer require "http://", small other tweaks v0.7 - Save/Load of URLs added v0.6 - Basic functions running (with averaging) v0.4 - Single data point acquisition added v0.2 - Timers added v0.1 - Basic UI
Author	NinJA999 (Nick Aldwin)

Description
Continuously tracks the loading speed of websites with an adjustable check interval and averages from the last 10, 100, and 1000 tries.  Graphs the last 100 tries.
Idea from mouser's post:

Here's a new NANY idea/request:

URL Speed Tracker:

Idea: A utility meant to continuously track the speeds of opening certain web pages/downloading files.

Motivation: It can be important, especially when setting up a new server, to be able to watch the speed and watch for any failures of pages to load.  This program will continuously grab pages and track speeds over time to let you know the health of a server.

• The main interface should be a grid where you can add new urls (of pages or files).
• Then a set of columns for running speed averages, averaged over longer windows (i can elaborate later).
• A button to toggle on/off fetching.

Options:

• 1. how often it should recheck urls
• 2. it should save/load the last set of urls.

With regard to tracking over longer averages:

• A really deluxe version would be able to plot the speeds over time of a given url.
• But short of that, what one wants is some indication of avg speed over different time windows.  So for example it would be nice to know last speed (avg over 1 try), and then over maybe the last 10 tries, then over last 100, over last 1000, etc (the last value would give you a true baseline).
• Rather than keeping track of every download speed (needed if you want to graph), a simple heuristic solution to these would be to keep track of, for each url, a decaying average with a different decay rate.  ie DisplayValue = DisplayValue*Decay + NewValue  where Decay is from 0 to 1, and the lower the value the shorter the time window for averaging.

I could really use such a thing.. any takers?  if not i may code it.

Bonus:
I can see how this would be useful for cross-platform environment, and specifically if it could be run continuously in commandline mode on a linux server.  But for me right now a windows-only version would be fine.

-mouser (December 18, 2010, 06:55 AM)

Features
Multiple websites
Minimizes to tray
Editable frequency
Last 1/10/100/1000 averages
Enable/disable switch
If a website is unreachable, time turns red (and reads -1)
Automatic saving/loading of URLs
Charts of the last 100 measured times
Drag-and-drop for URLs
Easy data reset

Planned Features
Timeline on charts
Better operation (less memory-intensive, etc.)

Screenshots



Usage
Installation
Run the EXE

Using the Application
From Help->Explain This!

Use this tool to monitor the average length of time it takes to load a webpage or file.

Enter a URL into a row, then click "Enable Fetching" to start gathering data.

The last duration (in milliseconds) will appear in the "Last (ms)" column, the average duration over the last 10 tries will appear in the "Last 10" column, and so on.

Click the "Chart" button to see a line graph of the last 100 measured times.

You can change the frequency of tries (in seconds) by editing the value in the "Frequency" text box and clicking "Set".

Each time you add a new URL, a new blank row will appear.

To delete a row, select it and press the [DELETE] button on your keyboard.

You can also add a URL to the list by dragging it and dropping it onto the list.

To clear all time data for the URLs, click "Clear Data".

If you minimize the program, it will disappear to the small icon in the system tray.  Double click the icon to restore the window.

URLs are persisted between program runs.

Uninstallation
Delete the EXE and the smu file.

Known Issues
Initial time always seems to be too high.  Fixed!  It was a silly .NET bug.

NOTE to those experiencing warnings from their security software:
There is no malicious code in this program.  It may be flagged due to its high amount of network traffic; this high level of traffic is due to the nature of the program.

This program has been rated 100% clean by Softpedia.

It has also been verified as clean from any malware by Softoxi.

3

N.A.N.Y. 2010 / NANY 2010 Final Release: Reimbursement Tracker

« on: December 22, 2009, 07:00 PM »

NANY 2010 Entry Information

Application Name	Reimbursement Tracker
Version	0.4.6
Short Description	Tool to help manage a list of reimbursements, with support for printing to a thermal printer.
Supported OSes	Anything with .NET (only tested on Windows)
Web Page	This thread, for now.
Download Link	ZIP 329KB
System Requirements	.NET (optional) Thermal Printer
Version History	0.0.1 - Started 0.1.0 - Basic list functionality 0.2.0 - Printing to thermal printer added (specifically Custom Neo's), saving and loading added. 0.2.5 - List redone with DataGridView. 0.3.0 - Added icons from famfamfam.  Fixed "new" bug. 0.3.5 - Misc. tweaks, release to NANY (note: this is still really beta.) 0.4.0 - Printing support added (note: it does receipt-style printing.  invoice-style printing, if desired, will come later.) 0.4.5 - Receipt Printer code upgraded - serial port option and checking now implemented 0.4.6 - Fixed receipt printing bug
Author	NinJA999
Screencast	https://www.donation...ursementtracker.html YouTube: http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=DvWny1I3uMQ

Description
Keep track of the money others owe you! This is a tool created to help a user manage his/her reimbursable expenses and designed to create an attractive, easy to read, and easy for the boss to understand list.  It has the ability to print, or to print a professional-looking receipt to a thermal printer (receipt printer).

I created the application to help me keep track of my expenses for my robotics team (I spent over $600 of my own money last year, I believe) and drama club (I spent $100.01 on one play, as can be seen in the screenshot below!).  I happened to have a thermal printer and thought it would be awesome to have a "receipt" of my own to give to people so I could get that money back.  (That's why the receipt printing was one of the first things done!)  I know not many people have thermal printers, but hopefully this will be useful to others regardless!

Features

• Keep track of date, location, description, and price of each expense.
• Negative prices (e.g. returns or rebates) supported.
• Print to thermal printer!  (Serial Port selectable)  (Note:  only the Custom Neo's is officially supported right now -- as it's the only printer I own to test on!  However, I am working on a plugin-like system to allow other printers with different commands to be easily added.  Most printers share similar serial commands, so this should not be a big problem.)
• Printing to actual printer (currently receipt-style; invoice-style coming soon!)

Planned Features

• Plugin-like system for other thermal printers (see above!)
• Management system for thermal printers (to allow user to change the current printer from the plugins, to change the serial port to use, and to do a test print) -- this one is drawn out, and will be implemented very soon.
• Undo/redo (again, the buttons are there but don't do anything yet)

Screencast

Screenshots

Receipt generated from above list:


Usage
Installation
Currently, just unzip the zip and run the exe.  Once I implement the plugin system, it'll probably become slightly more complicated (but only slightly; I want it to be as easy-to-use as possible!).

Using the Application
Well, most of the actions are pretty self-explanatory.  Enter reimbursements into the table in the main part of the application.  Lists are saved as .reb files.
There'll be more instructions once I complete the more complicated features.

Uninstallation
Currently, delete the exe and dll (and the settings xml).  Again, it may become more complicated later.

Known Issues

• No actual invoice-style regular-printer printing yet.
• Your thermal printer may not work with it yet.
• Undo and redo do not work yet.

Can anyone think of a better name?  Any input is appreciated!

I am releasing this as-is.  However, it is still  a beta program.  The thermal printing will only work if your printer is compatible with the Custom Neo's.  I didn't have as much time to work on this as I thought (College Applications can be a pain), but the basic functionality is there!  "Final Release" means final for NANY, not final forever.  Feedback appreciated!

I've updated it to be much better (including printing!).  Sorry the updated version wasn't released till after NANY was over.  But still check it out if you get the chance!

4

N.A.N.Y. 2010 / NANY 2010 Withdrawn: Countdown

« on: December 14, 2009, 07:18 PM »

NANY 2010 Entry Information

Application Name	Countdown
Version	0.0.25
Short Description	Simple, unobtrusive, movable, resizable countdown clock.
Supported OSes	Anything with .NET (Not yet tested with Mono)
Web Page	Not yet...
Download Link	Eventually...
System Requirements	.NET
Version History	0.0.1 - Started 0.0.10 - Basic graphics + countdown created, movability & resizability added.  Added teaser. 0.0.25 - Menu added, basic commands created.  Fixed colon bug.  Added screenshot.
Author	NinJA999

Description
Simple, unobtrusive countdown app which counts down to a user-selectable date.  Resizable and movable, so it can sit anywhere on your desktop.  Countdown options range from DD:HH:MM:SS to just DD, and everything in-between.
Created because I love counting down to dates and times, and I'd like to have a small app sitting on my desktop doing exactly that.
Plus, it has cool red led graphics!

Features

• Counts down to a date, is resizable and movable.

Planned Features

• Add user menu: date switching, always on top, countdown format, etc.
• Save date
• Do something after countdown switches

Screenshots

(Ugh, that border looks terrible.  The screenshot removed the pretty aero, I guess.  It doesn't look that bad on Vista, 7, or XP, I swear!)

Usage
Installation
Run the exe!

Using the Application
Application starts by default with a countdown to 5 days in the future.  Change all settings by right clicking.  Left click to drag.

Uninstallation
Delete the exe!  (But why would you ever want to? =P)

Known Issues
See planned features

This is hopefully the first of at least two NANY apps - stay tuned!


NOTE I'm looking around the web for a cool, shiny, free clock icon.  Any links?  Or anyone want to make one?  That would be pretty cool!

I have withdrawn this application -- there was not enough time for me to complete it to an acceptable standard.  My other application, Reimbursement Tracker, is being released.

5

Find And Run Robot / Network access?

« on: January 04, 2009, 09:35 PM »

Hi,

First off, let me say that I love FARR.  I use it religiously--I think the last time I touched my Start Menu was before I installed FARR (not even remotely kidding).  I use it for EVERYTHING.  I especially like how I can quickly navigate to a folder:
Type: C:\Pr
Tab: C:\Program Files\
Type: C:\Program Files\Fin
Tab: C:\Program Files\FindAndRunRobot\
etc.
This speeds up my workflow greatly.
One feature FARR seems to be lacking, however, is the ability to access other computers/servers on the network.
I have a couple of computers, between which I often transfer files.  I can access one computer from another by opening windows explorer and typing \\computer2 or \\computer2\somefolder\, etc.
However, when I try to do this in FARR, it does not work.  This makes me sad, because I can do virtually everything else in FARR, but to browse another computer/server, I must do it in the much slower Explorer.
Is there something I am missing?  Or can I request this feature?

6

N.A.N.Y. 2009 / NANY 2009 Release: PowerCircle

« on: December 31, 2008, 05:00 PM »

NANY 2009 Entry Information

Application Name	PowerCircle
Version	1.0
Short Description	Circular battery monitor
Supported OSes	Windows with .NET
Web Page	http://powercircle.aldwin.us/
Download Link	http://powercircle.aldwin.us/PowerCircle_v1.2.zip
System Requirements	Windows (probably 2000+) .NET
Version History	12/31/08 - v1.0 Released v1.1 Released v1.2 Released
Author	NinJA999/Shaken Software

Description
I needed a battery monitor that fit into my desktop.  While I use RainMeter and like some of those meters, I figured I'd make my own.

Features
It's easy to monitor battery remaining with PowerCircle, complete with:

• Transparent Background
• Different Sizes
• Color Customization

PowerCircle easily blends into a desktop.

Planned Features
Maybe a low-power alarm or something.

Screenshots


Usage
Installation
Unzip it and run PowerCircle.exe

Using the Application
Left-clicking allows one to move the application.
Right-clicking allows one to access the menu.

Uninstallation
Delete the files

Known Issues
The transparency doesn't work perfectly on the text.
(not really a program issue) I didn't have time to make the website awesome.  Right now it's just the picture above and a link.  

7

Finished Programs / DONE: Photo Downloader Kiosk

« on: October 04, 2008, 12:36 PM »

EDIT: Link to the PhotoKiosk made by Skrommel and modded by me:
http://aldwin.us/PhotoKiosk/PhotoKiosk.exe
To the AHK file and other files (the exe extracts the images etc but if you want to play with the AHK here are the files)
http://aldwin.us/PhotoKiosk/

EDIT: I just realized that this post is really long.  I have bolded the idea itself if you want to skip to just that.

Hello,

My robotics team runs a tournament every year for younger kids.  An idea of mine for this year's tournament is to have a continually running slideshow of pictures on one of the projectors.  It would be great if I could have a computer set up with a media reader where people (coaches, spectators, etc) could insert a card and download their pictures to the computer to be immediately added to the slideshow.  So, here's my idea:

a kiosk-like program that allows a user to download all or some photos from a memory card (I've got one of those read-all-card-types readers that maps to four drives) to a folder that I specify in a config file (probably on a networked computer e.g. \\mycomp\slideshow\) in a datetime-stamped folder (to avoid name conflicts) with a minimum of user effort.  Kind of like one of those photo kiosks that can be found at Walgreens, etc, but much simpler.  Just a spash screen, a photo-select screen for once the user has inserted a memory card, a copying screen, and a done screen.  Or something.

I am a programmer, and if nobody is interested I will code this myself, so don't spend a lot of time on it.  But, the members of this forum are much more talented than I am and so I'm sure you could whip something up easier than I could.

Thanks,
Nick

EDIT: I would also be happy if there is already a program which can do this.  I had found xkiosk, but it is too complicated, since it is built for photo processing labs.
EDIT: I just realized that this post is really long.  I have bolded the idea itself if you want to skip to just that.

8

Post New Requests Here / IDEA: Group windows for easy minimizing/maximizing

« on: June 15, 2008, 07:41 PM »

Hey,

So here's my idea.  Basically, I like to chat with a lot of people.  I hate using the chat window with tabs, so I have each conversation in its own little window.  Behind these I keep my browser.  But, whenever I bring my browser into focus, then want to go back to chatting, I would like to bring back all the little windows at once, rather than having to bring each one up one at a time.  It would be really cool if there was a tool that let me select windows that I wanted to be grouped together and that would maximize/minimize at the same time.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Nick