Messages

201

Living Room / Re: Interesting Links

« on: August 09, 2006, 09:17 AM »

Oh, and by the way...
A chinese maxim says:
Dont burn a firework all at the same time!

So i think, getting your links in handy portions is better than getting a whole list at once.

Keep going please, but piece by piece!
Thx. again
JoTo

202

Living Room / Re: Interesting Links

« on: August 09, 2006, 09:14 AM »

thunder, drunkwalk make me really laugh! 56 meters!
Yodeladiüh! Come on Baby over here!

Thanks!

203

General Software Discussion / Standalone HTTP-Server running from CD/USB without installation

« on: August 04, 2006, 03:17 AM »

Hi DC-Folks,

If you are in need to distribute and/or use a full website or web application that runs offline directly from a CD or USB-Thumbdrive without installation on the local computer, there are a lot of such standalone webservers out there.

But today i stumbled upon a new "product" that was new to me and looks very interesting:

Server2Go (http://www.server2go-web.de/index.html).

Server2Go v 1.3.0 is based on WampOnCD and extends it with features that Wamp is lacking. It uses Apache 1.3.35 (there is a version for Apache 2.0.58 in experimental state too) provides access to PHP 5.1.4, SQLite and MySQL 4.1.20.

The user of the CD only needs a browser installed on the local PC. And for donators there is even a very small, simple browser available that can be put on the CD too, so nothing has to be installed on the local PC. This simple browser has no controls and no possibility to enter the url or use back/forward functionality. So you have full control over the user actions from within your application and makes the usage of your app for the user very simple.

Oh, and if i forgot to mention : Of course Server2Go is FREE for non commercial use and Donationware for commercial use and people that want to donate. Donators, the author suggests a donation of only Euro 10,00, get an user id and password for accessing some non-public pages of the site with some more programs that can be used to add more whistles and bells to Server2Go or to make it more easier to configure and build your customized version of Server2Go.

From the authors website:

What is Server2Go

Server2Go is a Webserver that runs out of box without any installation. That means it is a webserver that can run directly from cdrom, usb stick or from any folder on harddisk. Server2Go allows you to create a standalone working web site or PHP application on a CD-ROM. Server2Go was primary developed for the usage on CD-ROM but there is no problem use it from other drives too. Using a web browser, a user can run php programs as well as view html files on the CD-ROM. He only need to insert a CD with Server2Go under the supported Windows operations systems. The server starts automaticly and opens a browser with the Website of the CD-ROM.

Server2Go was build to replace a tool called WampOnCD that lacks some important features and isn't activly developed.

Server2Go supports PHP5, SQLite and MySQL.

Features

* Free! No royalties
* Complete WAMPP Server
* Runs directly from CD-ROM, USB Stick or Harddisk without installation
* Full featured webserver (based on apache)
* PHP 5.1.4 support with many extensions installed (i.e. gd)
* Supports SQLite databases
* Running on all Windows Win 98 and newer
* Support for MySQL Databases
* Supports many PHP extensions (GD-Lib, PDO...) by default
* Support for Perl 5.8

Hope this will be interesting for some of you.

Greetings
JoTo

204

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Finding Mousepointer Utility

« on: July 21, 2006, 02:01 AM »

Hi PitrPaulus,

It seems that the connection between the icon and SC is broken. Maybe you installed SC at another location as before and the old icon is pointing to the old location.

Question: Does SC start up when you doubleclick the "wrong" icon? If not, my a.m. suggestion seems right.

If so, then RIGHT click the wrong icon with the mouse and select "Properties" in the context menue. Go to "Shortcut" tab and look in the field "Target". Compare this with the location where you installed SC. If it doesn't match, klick the button "Find Target" and browse for the SC executable "ScreenshotCapture.exe" (maybe the .exe is missing at your pc if you have enabled the windows option to hide known extensions) at the location where you installed it. Select OK on all open dialogs and wait 1-2 seconds. If you've done all right, the icon should change to the normal one.

Hope this will bring back your "right" icon! If my suggestion is wrong and the target path in the shortcut match the installation location, then we have to search further. I need more information then.

CU
JoTo

205

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Finding Mousepointer Utility

« on: July 20, 2006, 01:28 AM »

Dear PitrPaulus,

i am glad that it works soon for you.

And as mouser said...you are always welcome with your questions here.

But always remember. The donations and/or donationcredits you send are always at your own choice. We dont help here expecting money. If it feels right for you, do it. If don't, its okay too.

Its more important, at least for me, that you feel you comfortable here in our "family" and you'll take an active part in the forum (writing posts and replys) and in our podcast (recording a short segment about sth. you like to report to others) or write some little reviews about programs you like/dont like and you have tested or whatsoever.

In other words, it is also very acceptable if you "pay back" sth. in this form. And be sure...there will be an issue were YOU are the expert and can help others.

You won't believe how some hints or also warnings/donts, that i've read here from others, come helpful to me. How many hours of fun i have had from website findings the DCs made and posted here, with games and/or free utilities.

You can't calculate this advantages i got from here in money.

CU
JoTo

206

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Finding Mousepointer Utility

« on: July 19, 2006, 05:50 AM »

Hi PitrPaulus, welcome to the forum!

.... everytime when I reboot the computer I have to find the program in My Firefox Downloads > start it and then it works.
How can I make it start up right from the start of the computer?

-PitrPaulus (July 19, 2006, 05:21 AM)

Move the File with the Windows-Explorer from your MyFirefoxDownlads directory to somewhere else where it better fits for a program that you want to keep and use. E.g. make a new folder in C:\program files with the name MouseMark and move the file there in.

Then grab the program in the explorerwindow with the RIGHT! Mousebutton and DONT release the button. Hold the button! Then move your mouse over the start button from windows in the lower left corner of your screen, wait until the start menu pops up, move the mouse (still hold the right button!) to "programs" and wait again until it pops up, then move the mouse over "autostart" and wait until it pops up (have you still pressed down the right button? - This is important! :-) ), then move the mouse IN the popped up autostart group. Finally release the right button NOW! In the now popping up context menu select the entry "create a shortcut here". Then rename the new created shortcut (right klick on the entry name and select "rename" in the context menu) to MouseMark.

Youre set! The next time you boot up, MouseMark will start automagically. :-) By the way...every program you put a shortcut for in the autostart folder will start automatic when windows starts.

HTH
JoTo

207

Developer's Corner / PHP Compilers to make standalone PHP-Exes

« on: July 10, 2006, 04:05 AM »

Hi DCs,

our great mouser found another free PHP-Compiler to achieve standalone executables from php scripts. As he is in deep meditation now about the new blog portal feature of our great site, he wished, as he knows that i am interested in this sort of programs, that i'll do the job of looking at them and post about my very first opinion and experiences.

mouser found (so far) the following alternatives:

- Roadsend PHP Compiler
seems to be the best and completest, but it is commercial and very expensive (about $139 for a personal licence) (see: http://www.roadsend.com)

- phc-win
A compiler that goes together with winbinder (see: http://winbinder.org/), a windows api binding for PHP. (See: http://winbinder.org.../viewtopic.php?t=282)
It confuses me a little, at the first look, but it sounds interesting. And its free. Cons: It needs beside the application exe at least some extra dlls in the appdir (a php-dll and the winbinder.dll). So you have not really a single, stand-alone application. But there is no need to install sth. Just deliver the dlls with your app and you're set.

- bambalam PHP Compiler
Another free PHP Compiler that sounds interesting. It is based on PHP 4.4.x (5.x will come as the author states) and has some php-libs statically linked within the "core". It creates a really single, stand-alone file of your app that dont need any further files. If you need php-extensions, you have to have a own php.ini with the php-extensions variable set with relative paths and the neccessary php-files in the app dir too. Then bambalam claims, that it can compile a single file exe, (including php.ini and the extension libs) that can access these extensions like the builtin ones. Exes can be compressed automatically (via a commanline option) with upx to get smaller results.
(see: http://www.bambalam.se/bamcompile/)

Both free compilers can compile multi-script applications. You can compile a whole directory of php-scripts of an application together in one executable. Then you have to tell the compiler which script is the main/startscript.

I have quick-tested both free compilers only with a single phpinfo-script yet. Both worked for me. Pro for bambalam over PHC, it was really only a single EXE-file, while phc needs more "helperfiles" (dlls). Not tested Roadsend, because i feel it is too expensive to purchase when there are free alternatives.

As i said earlier: Have not tested very much and have not digged in very deep in both free compilers so far. But i will test both more deeply in future and report.

Maybe there are more experiences with this by other users who will contribute with informations. If there are more free PHP-Compilers out there, this will be a helpful information too.

CU
JoTo

208

Living Room / Re: Too Funny

« on: May 16, 2006, 08:39 AM »

Hi,

dunno if the "stupid user" story is a hoax or not.

BUT...after 18 years working in the helpdesk i can imagine that it CAN be true.

And, believe it or not, the story at the a.m. site with sending XEROX copies of a floppy to the helpdesk instead of a copy of the floppies itself has happened to myself long time ago, when computers weren't so wide spreaded than today. I said to the customer: send me a copy...and i received a copy...a xerox copy! And that's TRUE i swear!

CU
JoTo

209

UrlSnooper / URL Snooper Beta Version - 2.06.03 Discussion split

« on: May 04, 2006, 05:11 AM »

German Translation is in progress from me. Ready soon!

CU
JoTo

210

Developer's Corner / Can you read and understand C? :-))

« on: May 02, 2006, 09:30 AM »

Hi,

13 Years ago in 1993 there was a special programmers contest. The goal was to write the obfuscated C-code ever written. At that time i downloaded the winner code from the contest page.

If you want to have fun, look (like me) at the code and try to understand. I am willing to admit, that until today i never have understand that pointerstew. 

But i promise the following:

- The program can be compiled unmodified (at least the core functionality - maybe you have to adjust some compiler instructions and/or includefiles) with a normal C-Compiler with no errors and only one ignorable warning. A "ready to build" Microsoft Visual C++ .NET 2003 solution is included in the ZIPfile.

- The program creates an understandable output in the console window. (Its a console app, so open a commandprompt window first and start it from there). I will not reveal the output, try it by yourself. 

Click me to see the code

[Select]

// Code93.cpp

#include "stdafx.h"

rmain(int t,int _,char* a)
{
return!

0<t?
t<3?

rmain(-79,-13,a+
rmain(-87,1-_,
rmain(-86, 0, a+1 )


+a)):

1,
t<_?
rmain(t+1, _, a )
:3,

rmain ( -94, -27+t, a )
&&t == 2 ?_
<13 ?

rmain ( 2, _+1, "%s %d %d\n" )

:9:16:
t<0?
t<-72?
rmain( _, t,
"@n'+,#'/*{}w+/w#cdnr/+,{}r/*de}+,/*{*+,/w{%+,/w#q#n+,/#{l,+,/n{n+,/+#n+,/#;\
#q#n+,/+k#;*+,/'r :'d*'3,}{w+K w'K:'+}e#';dq#'l q#'+d'K#!/+k#;\
q#'r}eKK#}w'r}eKK{nl]'/#;#q#n'){)#}w'){){nl]'/+#n';d}rw' i;# ){nl]!/n{n#'; \
r{#w'r nc{nl]'/#{l,+'K {rw' iK{;[{nl]'/w#q#\
\
n'wk nw' iwk{KK{nl]!/w{%'l##w#' i; :{nl]'/*{q#'ld;r'}{nlwb!/*de}'c ;;\
{nl'-{}rw]'/+,}##'*}#nc,',#nw]'/+kd'+e}+;\
#'rdq#w! nr'/ ') }+}{rl#'{n' ')# }'+}##(!!/")
:
t<-50?
_==*a ?
putchar(31[a]):

rmain(-65,_,a+1)
:
rmain((*a == '/') + t, _, a + 1 )
:

0<t?

rmain ( 2, 2 , "%s")
:*a=='/'||

rmain(0,

rmain(-61,*a, "!ek;dc i@bK'(q)-[w]*%n+r3#l,{}:\nuwloca-O;m .vpbks,fxntdCeghiry")

,a+1);}

int _tmain(int argc, _TCHAR* argv[]){

rmain(1,

0,NULL

); return 0;
}

For those that don't want or can't compile the code itself, i upload a ready to run compiled windows exe too.

Have fun!
CU
JoTo

211

Podcast Radio Show / Re: Podcast Audio Radio Show - Upcoming Show Planning

« on: May 01, 2006, 05:11 AM »

As a native german audio submitter to our DCPodCast #1, i first must thank you for all the kind words about our "german-english". That was my biggest concern, that i only make you laugh with my spoken english. Err, okay...with my "Just for Grins" segment i wish that i have made you laugh of course. 

I really enyoyed the podcast and love it. The in-between music is great (Thx. SuperBoyAC) and can't say enough, how much i must agree with the "free but only  free downlad" and the "bulky-skin" rants. Never heard of groklaw so far...but i sure will visit them soon.

It was real fun to hear the voices behind the scenes. And last but not least i am glad to hear, that i am not the only "computer dinosaur" here in the community. 

Thanks to all other contributors for giving our first podcast such a good start. Hope we can make it a regular thingy here for a long time.

Only one wish to the native english speaking people from me: Please talk a little bit slower. Almost for me i often have to hear a segment multiple times to get it all because it is spoken a little bit too fast. No offense here. It's only a wish. TIA!

CU
JoTo

212

General Software Discussion / Re: AutoHotkey fund idea - split donation with AutoIt?

« on: April 27, 2006, 06:30 AM »

mouser have you ever thought about going into diplomacy work? :-)

I can really live with your plan. So i'll go and donate now for AHK Fund.

And to be clear: I never said, that AHK STOLE Code (as cited above). All AHK is absolutely legal in my opinion. And i'm not against AHK, i'm only ALSO pro AutoIt.

Thanks mouser for such a salomonic solution.

CU
JoTo

213

General Software Discussion / Re: AutoHotkey fund idea - split donation with AutoIt?

« on: April 26, 2006, 02:03 AM »

I think it is good to split the pot.

1. AHK based on old code from AutoIT but it IS definitely based upon.

2. Some code and parts of AHK bases on the NEWER AutoIT3 Code as well (as long it was open source) not only on the old AutoIT2 Code.

3. Some of the Ideas that are now in AHK is from the new AutoIT3 even it is implemented in own Code of the AHK-Author (i.E. DLLCall). Sure there are many features in AHK that have nothing to do with AutoIT but there are definitely some that has to do.

4. I, for example, use AutoIt as well. Every program has it advantages and disadvantages. There is definitely no "one and only". Its every time a question what to use for what task.

5. Cant agree with brotherS that the AutoIT Forum/Mailinglist is less helpful or kind than the AHK one. My experience tells me, that Jonathan, Larry and many other regulars there ALWAYS are willing to help out when kindly asked for and the question is in a well formed state. No bad results for me from that side.

Maybe we find another split point, because more people here use AHK than AutoIT. But splitting in itself i think is a good idea.

How about: 30% AutoIt / 70% AHK.

Maybe than we all can live with it and sleep well.

Just my 2ct.
JoTo

214

General Software Discussion / Re: Find and Run Robot got an Award

« on: April 11, 2006, 08:00 AM »

For those who are interested in the article and not able to understand german, i've translated it in english:

[QUOTE:]
Find and Run Robot 1.09.04

Fast search and program starting tool for the startmenu.

Find and Run Robot searches the start menu for specified entries and shows these results. The program window starts with a press on the "break"-key on the keyboard.

A click on a result entry and the link or program will be started. The software helps especially to keep the overall view when there is a big startmenu.

Notice:
The program is freeware in itself, but sometime a nagscreen appears in which you can enter a license key. This license key is available, after a free registration, from the homepage and can then be entered there. The generated key is valid for 180 days, but you can repeat this procedure unlimited times. If somebody won't do this, he can click on the "dismiss"-button and use the program further with no limitations.
[/QUOTE:]

Hmmm...it says only 1% of FARR. There is MUCH more they could have said about it. :-(( But better this than nothing.

CU
JoTo

215

General Software Discussion / Re: Find and Run Robot got an Award

« on: April 11, 2006, 07:46 AM »

FARR is the best. So it must come sooner or later! :-))

Wooohooo! Congratulations to mouser and again thanks for one of my all time, every day, most important tool!

Can't wait to get V2 in my fingers. *SLURP* :-))

CU
JoTo

216

General Software Discussion / Re: I want to learn how to make a webpage. Where can I start?

« on: April 10, 2006, 05:41 AM »

Hi Jgpaiva,

for a more technical "How To" but still for newbies you can visit:

http://www.w3schools.com/

There you'll find hundreds of tutorials about everything concerning the W3C Standards (HTML, CSS, XML, XSL, RSS, ...).

Every tutorial is written from basics to advanced in sections and often break with some questions/tests at the end to proofe if you understand the former things that have been explained.

I learned XML and XSL from there and i liked it very much.

For a good HTML-Editor you can (beside NVU mentioned above) try the free HTML-Kit (http://www.chami.com/html-kit/) with a good editor and hundreds of selectable plug-ins for automating tasks and helpers for specific tasks. You can select which plugins you want to install and so build your "own" HTML-Kit that fit your needs.

HTH
JoTo

217

Older Newsletters / Re: Newsletter for April 3, 2006 - Codename 'Happy Birthday to Us'

« on: April 07, 2006, 01:26 AM »

@momonam and All:
  Sorry to all. Your wish is my command -> DONE!

I haven't thought of that, and another reason is for sure that english is not my native language. I could have used "man" in the context of "mankind" i think. But this is to much pathetic, isn't it?

My intension was surely NOT to discriminate someone for his gender, religion, race, politic interests, skin color, food preferences, IQ, profession, home country, home planet, home galaxy, ..., ..., ...

I also promise that NO animal was tortured or killed while producing this poem and i will have an eye at the political correctness of my future posts as good as i can.

Now let's go on with the birthday party and greetings.
Yours
JoTo

218

Older Newsletters / Re: Newsletter for April 3, 2006 - Codename 'Happy Birthday to Us'

« on: April 06, 2006, 10:56 AM »

DC's Anniversary

A year ago, yes that is true,
a site in the web was really new.

DonationCoder is it's name.
You haven't heard that? What a shame!

A great idea and a handful of women and men
start to do, what ever they can.

To get the site, to what it's today,
20000 Users, Reviews, a place to talk and play.

Discounts, Software and GiveAways,
making this site a really great place.

Information and kind people you can't find anywhere,
makes your visit here most valuable, i swear!

But always remember, *WE ALL* are the site,
without working together, our star won't sparkle bright.

So contribute as much as you can,
and tell everybody that you are a DC-Fan.

And keep in mind: We never have won!
We must steadily care, to make DC "THE NUMBER ONE"!

***

Thanks and congratulations to mouser and the members of the first hour of DC and all the others that do the hard work here.

JoTo

219

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Finding Mousepointer Utility

« on: April 06, 2006, 02:35 AM »

Dear Robert,

i know the XP-Feature and i tried it. But as the Logitech-Software, that have a similar feature as well, it is too less intrusive for my bad sighting. I need a THICK BOOM SLAP IN THE FACE thing that stays at the same place for the long time i need to recognize it. I have to search for it at the screen, and this takes a while. So a moving, one-shot circle is not enought for me.

Skrommels MarkMouse give me the opportunity to select the size and thickness as well as color and a changing, stay in place but intrusive crosshair-circle.

Maybe the XP-Feature can help better sighting people, but for me it isn't helpful at all.

You haven't posted the URL for Lecture-Pen. So i can't try it and say my opinion for this. You alse haven't mentioned if it is free like Skrommels MarkMouse.

But thanks for the hints anyway. Maybe others will like XPs Feature more or find LecturePen and find it more useful. Even i will try to find LecturePen and try it out. I'm always interested in new programs.

CU
JoTo

220

General Software Discussion / Re: Foxit Reader (fast pdf reader alternative)

« on: March 30, 2006, 07:21 AM »

The best feature of FoxIt-Reader for me is, that it has not being installed in any way. Just copy the files somewhere and start it.

I carry it with me on my thumb drive and I'am always prepared to read a PDF Manual or sth. like this when i'm on a foreign pc.

CU
JoTo

221

Official Announcements / Re: MARCH SOFTWARE DRAWING RESULTS - POSTED!

« on: March 30, 2006, 06:46 AM »

Yesss! I am really happy that I've won! Thank you very much!

222

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: PageSpy - A swiss army knife for web-developers

« on: March 25, 2006, 03:54 AM »

Hi nontroppo,

i was searching a long time for a free HTTP-Debugger. Found only commercial ones with much too high price that i am willing to pay for a util i only have to use for my hobby in a very special case.

Found one (dont remember the name anymore) that is free, but it crashes and stops my IE from working correctly, so i deinstalled it asap.

Haven't heard about fiddler. I'll give him a try, even it is a .NET based application, which i HATE.

Thanks for the link.

CU
JoTo

223

Finished Programs / DONE: Finding Mousepointer Utility

« on: March 20, 2006, 02:32 AM »

Boy oh boy, skrommel! YOU ARE THE MAN! Thank you soooooo much. It is exactly what i want and need. And so fast (just one day from wish to delivery).

Dunno if you are so good that you made it in the first shot or if my description was so good *LOL* Just Kidding!

No further change needed! Leave it as is for me! It is just right running on my first machine now. And it works perfect.

Dunno if it is by design or a "bug". You built in a feature that i really havent thought of, but it is helpful. If i press first my special key of the hotkey (i.E. CTRL) and then the other key (i.E. M), mousemark will mark the mouse and keep it marked as long as the Hotkey is pressed.. If i release then the other key first and AFTER that the special key, marking will stop as expected. So far as i thought it should work.

But now i discovered, if i FIRST release the Special-Key and THEN the other key (just the other way i described above), behaviour is another. The marking is now something like "locked" or "hold". Marking goes on even when i press no key at all. Marking stops, when i press the Hotkey again and releasing it in the "normal" way.

That feature is, as i said, very helpful too. Imagine i have to navigate a lot with the mouse to different places where i cant see the mousepointer very good. So i can lock marking ON and navigate and do what i want until i dont need marking any longer. If i only want to see where my mousepointer is, the normal marking will show me it quick and dont disturb any longer. PERFECT!!!!

Please do me a favour and accept my just made donation to you, and when it arrives at your account go out for a beer or two. I'll do it too here and so we can drink virtually a beer together.

WOOHOOO!!!! GREAT! I'm glad! *Jumping around*

Greetings
JoTo

224

Finished Programs / DONE: Finding Mousepointer Utility

« on: March 19, 2006, 09:11 AM »

Dear Community,

as a visually impaired i really miss a feature that i have had in earlier versions of Matrox-PowerTools (the graphicdriver-suite from Matrox).

There was the possibility to activate with a Hotkey a blinking circle around the mousepointer with arrows pointing to the mousepointer. I used this feature a lot if i have my mousepointer lose out of the eyes or if it is positioned on a color i cant recognize it very well. So i pressed the Hotkey and Voila! i know again where my mousepointer is sitting.

In the new version this feature is missing. *SNIFF*

My Logitech Software has such a feature, but i have a problem with this. If i press the Hotkey, only a one-shot circle is moving from big to small to the middle of the mousepointer. There are two problems: 1. The circle is too thin for me to see and 2. as it is a one-shot and very fast, i cant see it also.

What i wish to have is a utility that when a (customizable) Hotkey is pressed draws a thick circle around the mousepointer position in a small distance.

Extensions (if possible it would be GREAT!!!!):

- A blinking circle with two switching colors would be a big help. So the cursor can be easily seen on different background colors.

- It would be nice if the thickness, blinking colors and diameter of the circle could be adjusted.

- Wonderful will be, if the circle could blink until the hotkey is released and move together with the mousepointer when the mouse is moved. So i can track the mousepointer to get to a certain control where i want to click i.E.

I think it is not an easy to realize wishlist. But if someone knows a freeware or a reasonable priced shareware util that do that, or can implement/create such a util i will have luck tears in my eyes. You can't imagine what this will mean to me and how it will make my life easier in private and in my job.

If you have any suggestions, please help.

Very thankful in advance...
JoTo

225

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: PageSpy - A swiss army knife for web-developers

« on: March 19, 2006, 07:10 AM »

@Carol: Write to the author Victor Sembelidis (mailto:[email protected]). For me he was very kind and responsive. Maybe he is planning something like that. Dunno!

Greetings
JoTo