Messages

126

General Software Discussion / Re: Easy remote access to my home pc?

« on: September 03, 2008, 06:27 PM »

> Up her in New England/NY CrossLoop is very fast and responsive.

I guess LogMeIn spoilt me. I've never seen a fast CrossLoops session.  Especially with slow upload speeds Crossloop is almost unuseable. At least that's my impression. (I'm living in Austria. My sister in law in Ireland. She has a terrible slow upload. Using Crossloops it took ages to get LogMeIn installed. Once I could access the computer via LogMeIn + switched to grayscale mode everything was fine.)

With good uploads Crossloops is useable, but I still install LogMeIn. It's very easy to lose connection in Crossloops (just log off or restart) and then I can't connect at my own.


>I like LogMeIn fine for remote access to my machine, but the free version doesn't work too well for assisting someone else (at least the last time I tried it).

A drawback of the free version is, it's not that easy to install on remote computers. Using the $$$ pro version I could send just an e-mail. User clicks a link and voila, I have remote access. That's why I use Crossloops to install LogMeIn.

127

General Software Discussion / Re: USBDLM -- deserves a thread!

« on: September 03, 2008, 05:59 PM »

> it's $20 though, isn't it ?]

Not in Euros.

Back then I asked about their license details. The license is lifetime (also for all new major releases) + you're allowed to use the same license on all your private PCs at the same time.

128

General Software Discussion / Re: USBDLM -- deserves a thread!

« on: September 03, 2008, 04:46 PM »

but not really "permanently" assigning letters to specific volumes in relation to specific criteria, etc.

It permanently assigns drive letters. It doesn't write ini files, but I think it just remembers the hardware id.






I guess they started with making it easier to remove/eject drives, and then kept adding related features. Here're some more:

- Assign drive letters to devices
- Mount drive as folder
- Prohibit assigning drive letters (like network drives)
- Global hotkeys for each drive
- Always hide devices from "remove list"
- Hide devices if empty (card readers)
- Optionally disallow ejection of card readers
- Re-enable removed devices
- Disable devices if removing/ejecting is not supported (my PCI SATA controller does not support removing drives)

129

General Software Discussion / Re: Easy remote access to my home pc?

« on: September 03, 2008, 04:13 PM »

My steps to setup a remote access to computers

0.) Go to http://www.logmein.com and create an account (free)

1.) Call on phone and through installing Crossloop, start it and tell me the number on screen, click on connect and accept an incoming connection request. Takes some minutes only.

2.) Once I have a remote connection (which is usually dead slow in Crossloop (using VNC) I go to http://www.logmein, log into my account and download + install "LogMe In Free" + set a password.


Now I can connect to the PC whenever I want, from any computer as LogMeIn runs in a browser. I see when they're online. I can log into remote computers if they're in the log on screen, so even if I restart a computer, I don't need remote assistance to log in again. The speed is excellent. On slow lines I can reduce the color depth down to grayscale.

The free version of LogMeIn doesn't allow any extra features, like file transfer or printer sharing, but it's still very, very useful. I hope they'll continue to offer the free version for a long time, as I know no substitute and the pro version is way too expensive (for me). As you can see, I'm using it quite often in remote assisting friends.

130

General Software Discussion / Re: USBDLM -- deserves a thread!

« on: September 03, 2008, 07:08 AM »

For anyone who works a lot with USB devices, I can only recommend USB Safely Remove.

It's like USBDLM just with a fancy GUI and some extra features, like disabling devices (even ones which don't support disconnecting).

131

Living Room / Re: What the hell is this -- charge me to remove crapware?

« on: August 31, 2008, 09:58 AM »

>the end user doesn't have to install any of it
>Maybe all PC's should come with this bundle on CD.

An experienced PC user formats his OEM installation and installs a blank OS.

The typical end user has no idea of what to install or not (Like "What is Acrobat Reader and why do I need it for PDF files?") I guess such users are quite happy if their Windows installation comes pre-configured with software and codecs which cover IMHO basic functionality any desktop installation needs. He/she just wants to click and it should work. If something's not working they'll just give up, complain, or try to install the software all alone (like Flash), and probably also install a toolbar or two and Google Desktop search while doing so.

To get my point, here're two examples of user experience level I consider as "typical end user":
a.) The Windows XP search assistant is annoying. Can it be disabled?
b.) If I open a avi file i just hear the music in Media Player, but see no video.

132

Living Room / Re: What the hell is this -- charge me to remove crapware?

« on: August 30, 2008, 06:10 AM »

They charge you to clean and optimize your Windows installation. A lot of people have problems with their installation and don't know anyone who can help them, so it's quote okay. I know some "PC Help" services which come to your house and charge more for an hour...

>What, if anything should be loaded onto a new computer other than the operating system?

PLENTY!

Here's freeware software I install + configure on each PC here at my workplace (won't list commercial ones like Office, DVD Player, Archiving utility, etc...):

Spoiler

Plenty of tweaks and configuration changes. Most of them get applied with my own XP installation CD (using nLite)
Newest drivers
IE7 + WMP 11
Offline Post-Service Pack
Microsoft Update + full update for Windows + Office + what else
CCleaner
TweakUI
Flash Player
Shockwave Player
Quicktime Alternative
Real Alternative
DivX Play (just the Codec, for all MPEG4)
Sun Java SE Runtime
VLC Media Player (no integration, only in context menu)
IrfanView + Plugins
Adobe Reader
PDF Creator
jkdefrag + full Defrag (sorting/organizing Startmenu while defragging)

133

Finished Programs / Re: IDEA: Keyboard & Mouse cleaner

« on: August 19, 2008, 11:19 AM »

AFAIK Skrommel has been asked several times to recompile his scripts using a newer version of Autohotkey. Guess he has no interest.

Here's a recompiled "ToddlerTrap". Icon extracted using IrfanView.

134

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: send a stickey note to another Windows account/desktop

« on: August 01, 2008, 02:27 AM »

The next time I logon using the Admin Account, I am presented with the postit/stickey note which was posted with the other account.

-jammo (July 31, 2008, 09:57 PM)

Just write yourself an email? That's what I do.

It would be even better, if this same little application could send messages to other accounts. For example, to my wifes desktop/account: HUNNY, I TOOK YOUR CAR KEYS TO WASH YOUR CAR. I LEFT THE COFFEE POT ON

Use psexec with this little compiled AHK script. The idea I got here (https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=14245.0) can be used for many things.

[Select]

psexec \\{Computername} -u {username} -p {password} -d -c -v -i message.exe "{message}"

Example:
psexec.exe \\pcn06 -u Michi -p michi -d -c -v -i Message.exe "HUNNY, I TOOK YOUR CAR KEYS TO WASH YOUR CAR. I LEFT THE COFFEE POT ON"

Enclose message in quotes (""). The message box is always on top and can't be missed.

message.exe is attached to this post

Get psexec here:
http://technet.micro...ernals/bb897553.aspx

Spoiler

AHK source of message.exe

[Select]

#NoTrayIcon
if 1 <>
msgbox,4160,Remote Message,%1%

135

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA - Tool For Turning CAPS LOCK On/Off - REMOTELY

« on: July 31, 2008, 03:16 AM »

Tested it at work to remotely change a Windows2000 and Windows Vista system. "psexec" needed some more parameters, especially the "-i" one, but it works. Now wrap a GUI around it and you've an own application.

psexec parameters:
-u Username
-p Password
-d Don't wait for application to terminate
-c Copy program to remote system
-v Don't copy if same version already present
-i Run as desktop application on remote system

136

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA - Tool For Turning CAPS LOCK On/Off - REMOTELY

« on: July 30, 2008, 04:20 PM »

I thought so, but this is something I can't do.

But a very small Autohotkey script together with PsExec can do it.
(See attachment)

Create a shortcut or run it this way:

[Select]

psexec \\{Computername} -u {username} -p {password} -d -c -v -i SetCapslock.exe {On|Off|AlwaysOn|AlwaysOff}

Example:
psexec \\Moya -u Aeryn -p Sun -d -c -v -i SetCapslock.exe On

Example #2 (if you want the console window to stay open)
cmd.exe /k psexec.exe \\Moya -u Aeryn -p Sun -d -c -v -i SetCapslock.exe On

Please let me know if this works. Can't really test it here on a single computer.... but if it works, it could be quite a prank tool (just send ...SetCapslock.exe AlwaysOn) *g*


Psexec:
http://technet.micro...ernals/bb897553.aspx

Used AHK script:

[Select]

#NoTrayIcon
#SingleInstance force
if 1 <>
SetCapsLockState,%1%
If 1 contains Always ; Anti Prank
Menu,Tray,Icon

137

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA - Tool For Turning CAPS LOCK On/Off - REMOTELY

« on: July 29, 2008, 02:39 PM »

Hmm... quite an interesting request. I'm sure there'll be better solutions and this one might be quite dumb, but start this Autohotkey script on the computer and remotely create a blank file called "CapsLockOn" or "CapsLockOff" to enable/disable Caps Lock. (Use "SetCapsLockState,AlwaysOn" or "SetCapsLockState,AlwaysOff" if you don't want to force the CapsLock state.)

[Select]

;#NoTrayIcon
#persistent

SetTimer, CapsLock, 1000
return

CapsLock:
IfExist,C:\CapsLockOn
{
FileDelete,C:\CapslockOn
SetCapsLockState,On
}

IfExist,C:\CapsLockOff
{
FileDelete,C:\CapslockOff
SetCapsLockState,Off
}

138

Living Room / Re: Flash Game of the Week: Typing Ninja Hunter

« on: July 14, 2008, 08:34 AM »

Oh, I already own "Typing of the Dead". It's almost ten years old, but still one of my favorite games (together with a windows port of "Doom" and "Jagged Alliance 2"). Just a new version with enhanced graphics would be nice.

139

Living Room / Re: Flash Game of the Week: Typing Ninja Hunter

« on: July 12, 2008, 04:13 PM »

Nice find! Thanks.

PS: Looking forward to an English version of this game: http://media.pc.ign....5/945650/imgs_1.html

140

Living Room / Re: Where's my TCP/IP?

« on: July 09, 2008, 07:48 AM »

I'd also say possible malware infection...

Did you try another network card / cable?

If it's a registry/Windows issue, this tool could help: http://wiki.lunarsof....net/wiki/Dial-a-fix.

141

Developer's Corner / Re: Autohotkey script help

« on: July 03, 2008, 08:08 AM »

This one works fine for me... you've to change it a bit, as I've a German version of Excel

[Select]

SetTitleMatchMode, 2

#IfWinActive, Excel

^DEL::
send,+{F10}
send,f{enter}
send,w{enter}
return

#IfWinActive

line #1: Search for partial window names 
Line #3 and #11: Only activate this command block if the current window title contains Excel. This means, if you press CTRL+DEL in Excel, it'll execute this code. If you press it somewhere else, you'll send CTRL+DEL to this application.
line #6: send shift+F10
line #7: send f and enter (key combination for paste special in German)
line #8: send w and enter (key combination for values in German)

142

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox - Searching cached content

« on: July 02, 2008, 09:56 AM »

There's an add-on for everything...

I'm using this one and it's quite OK...

https://addons.mozil...S/firefox/addon/2489

143

Developer's Corner / Re: Programatically determining your IP Address...

« on: June 30, 2008, 08:59 AM »

Now, only left to do is figure out how to grab a web page's source code programatically.... Once I get this done, ill upload a sample executable to see if the String routine will work correctly with different IP's...

-Codebyte (June 27, 2008, 08:20 PM)

Try this URL: http://www.netikus.net/show_ip.html

Just the IP. Nothing more (no source code to search).

Autohotkey example:

[Select]

UrlDownloadToFile,http://www.netikus.net/show_ip.html,%a_temp%\myip.txt
Fileread,IP,%a_temp%\myip.txt
msgbox,your IP is %ip%

144

General Software Discussion / Re: IDEA: CD-RW/DVD-RW emulated drive?

« on: June 13, 2008, 02:16 AM »

I actually want to burn discs from things like Windows Media Player and Audible Manager so that I can rip the DRMed stuff back to MP3 (or WAV) without having to burn a disc.

-Carol Haynes (June 12, 2008, 02:16 PM)

Ever tried Tunebite? It plays DRMed stuff in high speed and saves it unprotected.

http://tunebite.com/...emove_drm/index.html

Tunebite's up to 27x speed recording process (High-Speed Digital Dubbing) lets you automatically free up to nine music tracks from DRM copy protection simultaneously at turbo speed (actual speed is dependent on your Windows version and PC performance).

145

Living Room / Re: American Psycho

« on: June 03, 2008, 02:30 AM »

I don't know if you want an answer to this question. If you don't want to spoil the book or movie, you should continue reading/watching.

SPOILERS
SPOILERS
SPOILERS
SPOILERS

Spoiler

I've only seen the movie but it's pretty clear Bateman killed no person. He's only day dreaming about it, that's why his "killing rampages" get wilder and wilder, yet he never has to deal with cleaning up the mess (like in "Sopranos" it's a major problem to get rid of corpses).

The second part of American Psycho (the movie) is just bad. It pretends Bateman actually killed people. Avoid at all costs.

146

Living Room / Flash game: Lt. Fly vs the Spiders from Above

« on: May 30, 2008, 06:38 PM »

Guess it's a bit older, but I found this game via in4mador.com and enjoying played it from start to finish (needed two tries).

http://jayisgames.co...iders_from_above.php

Lt. Fly vs the Spiders from Above is a combination puzzle/shooter game that will leave your head buzzing. On the left side of the screen (company, left face!) is a block puzzle with a light twist. At the top left of the board is a fly holding a block of one color. Clicking anywhere within the grid will replace that block with the color designated. If you create a cluster of four or more similarly-colored blocks, they will disappear, leaving the rest of the blocks to topple down into place, and possibly cause some delightful combo action. Also in the grid are special blocks with bullets, flamethrowers, and bombs. If you work these blocks to the bottom of the screen, they get added to your arsenal of ammunition.

That ammunition gets used on the other side of the screen (company, right face!). Using the fly-operated cannon at the bottom-center of the screen, simply aim and fire at the spiders descending from the sky! You'll have to be careful, since your cursor will disappear once you cross into the right side of the screen. Keep an eye on the angle of the cannon's elevation (or just get used to blindly mousing around), or else you'll waste precious bullets. If you defeat enough spiders, you'll move on to the next invasion, where more of the creepy-crawlies await!

http://www.teravisio...om/fly/indexAds.html

147

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Disktrix's UltimateDefrag V1 released as freeware !

« on: May 30, 2008, 05:26 PM »

@Curt
Perhaps you should remove the rapidlinks.co.uk link. 

I think UltimateDefrag is a nice piece of software, but quite complicated to use. It's no surprise to me they added a "Auto" function after some 1.x version numbers. Also I'm not sure if it's really such a performance issue if I move some files to the inner track of the HD, some files to the outer track, and so on. It looks great on the interface to see where it places my files, but my system never felt faster. Anyway, I settled with freeware "jkdefrag" + an external GUI. The standard settings does all the thinking for me (Folders first, unused space hogs last, and so on). That's all I need.

148

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Why do unzip apps have to be so complicated?

« on: May 30, 2008, 09:47 AM »

Hi, I've sent you a PM.

149

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Modify Creation Timestamp for Files/Folders Alphabetically

« on: May 28, 2008, 09:37 AM »

Here's a quick and dirty AHK tool. Only files, no folders. Hope it's still useful. Just drag the files on the GUI.

Spoiler

[Select]

#SingleInstance force
#NoEnv
OnExit,GuiClose

Appname = Sort and TimeStamp files
GuiText = Drag files here...
Idle = Ready...
Work = Working....

Menu,Tray,NoStandard
Menu,Tray,Add,%appname% &close,GuiClose
Menu,Tray,Tip,%appname%

Gui +AlwaysOnTop +Owner
Gui, Font, S10 CDefault, Verdana
Gui, Add, Text, x16 y17 w250 h30, %GuiText%
Gui, Font, S08 CDefault, Verdana
Gui, Add, StatusBar,,%idle%
Gui, Show, x297 y258 h65 w250,%appname%
Return


GuiDropFiles:
SB_SetText(work)

Loop, parse, A_GuiControlEvent, `n
{
If TheList=
TheList = %A_LoopField%
else
TheList = %TheList%`n%A_LoopField%
}

sort, TheList
zeit := a_now

Loop, parse, TheList,`n
{
FileSetTime,%zeit%,%A_LoopField%,M
FileSetTime,%zeit%,%A_LoopField%,C
FileSetTime,%zeit%,%A_LoopField%,A
zeit := zeit +1
}

SB_SetText(idle)
return

GuiClose:
Gui,Destroy
ExitApp

150

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: synchronise and store desktop files online - exclude "large" files

« on: May 24, 2008, 03:18 AM »

SyncBack SE can do almost everything you want. For free. You'd need two profiles.

If you get to your computer, you'd start profile one: Sync Desktop with FTP - erase files on Desktop which are not on the FTP.

Then you'd start profile two: Sync Desktop with FTP - erase files on FTP which are not on the Desktop - background / run this profile every 1 minute - exclude/include file types as needed.

Only excluding large files will be a problem. I don't think this is possible in SyncBack (at least the free version).