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1051

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 17, 2008, 11:22 AM »

I'm not much use with legal advice so i'll leave that to others.
But from the ethical/morality standpoint, make sure you very clearly give the authors of these programs credit and provide easy access to their websites, etc.  That will go a long way to making the authors happy.

-mouser (February 17, 2008, 02:10 AM)

OK, I was going to do that but I will make sure it is 100% clear what is doing what and who made the program that does that.

So, if I have WindowsCare Pro I cannot use your upcoming program? 

-Curt (February 17, 2008, 04:56 AM)

No, far from the truth! This is just my way of integrating everything so that everyone doesn't have to install all the programs themselves! That way everything is ready to go just when SnapSuite installs.

I don't think asking other people for there interpretation of the EULA is the right way to go about it. The only safe method is to write the authors of each of those programs explaining to them what you are doing, how you are interpreting the EULA and see what they have to say. Make sure they explicity give you authorization.

-jazper (February 17, 2008, 10:16 AM)

OK, I might send off some emails today then.

Thanks everyone!

-Brandon

1052

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 17, 2008, 01:47 AM »

OK, here I have a touchy subject that I need feedback on.

What I want to do is be able to bundle CCleaner, CleanUp, and everything else INTO SnapSuite, so that the user doesn't have to install them all manually.

Now, the problem is that I want to confirm I can do this without legal crap going on. I have read all the program EULAs (JkDefrag/NTREGOPT does not have one) and everything looks fine, but quite frankly, I want to make sure I don't screw myself here.

Here is the rundown:

CCleaner states that, basically, I can make and distribute copies of it as long as I include the EULA (not a problem)

By using or distributing this software (or any work based on the software) you shall be deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions set out below.
[...]
Piriform grants you a limited non-exclusive licence to use this software for any purpose, including commercial applications and redistribute it freely, subject to the following restrictions:

1. The origin of this software must not be misrepresented; you must not claim that you wrote the original software.
2. You must not alter the software, user licence or installer in any way.
3. This notice may not be removed or altered from any distribution.
4. You may not resell or charge for the software.
5. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, derive the source code of or modify [or create derivative work from] the program.
6. You must not use CCleaner to engage in or allow others to engage in any illegal activity.
7. You may not claim any sponsorship by, endorsement by, or affiliation with our company.
8. You acknowledge that Piriform owns the copyright and all associated intellectual property rights relating to the software except to the extent that the software includes identifiable separate components originating from the Yahoo! Toolbar.

CleanUp! states no restrictions on distribution, as long as I don't make it "my own" or edit it

* You may not alter this software in any way, including changing
   help and text files.
[...]
 * You are hereby licensed to make any number of backup copies of
   this free software and documentation. You can give the copy of
   the software to anyone or distribute the freeware version of the
   software providing that no additional fee is charged and the
   package files are not modified in any way.

WindowsCare says that you cannot distribute it, however this is ignored via paragraph 4 where it clarifies that, while not saying it in these words, basically it only applies to the Professional edition whereas a license is given.

Particularly, it is prohibited to make copies thereof (with the exception of making copies to be used as a backup).
[...]
4. Assignment Restriction. This license is provided personally to you and for that reason it does not allow you to make any duplicate (copy) to be sold, borrowed, assigned, leased or transferred in any manner whatsoever to another person. Any transfer executed in violation of this provision shall be deemed invalid and constitute a reason for termination of your license validity.

JkDefrag is covered under the GNU general public licence, and carries no EULA. I have been distributing this for a while now.

None

NTREGOPT has no EULA or license agreement of any type.

None

IMO, I think I am safe. But I would like some stable confirmation before continuing on. Anyone?

-Brandon

1053

Living Room / Re: Cooking my PC: what NOT to do

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 16, 2008, 10:37 PM »

Yes, I got lucky on that one. I just checked, and I am now riding at 49-50C, so definately a major drop. Crysis, anyone?

[offtopic]

Back in November, about a week before my birthday (I do the same with Christmas), I went on some sites with my dad's login, and found out what I was getting on my little day.

-wreckedcarzz (February 16, 2008, 10:27 PM)

Man, gone are the days when kids used to check under their parents' bed for their Christmas presents! Being a naughty boy has definitely gone high-tech![/offtopic]

-Darwin (February 16, 2008, 10:34 PM)

Hehehe, quite the creative one, I am. And they have no idea...

1054

Living Room / Cooking my PC: what NOT to do

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 16, 2008, 10:27 PM »

My stupidity often overrides my logic. It is just me. It cannot be explained. This is a prefect example of what NOT to do when messing with your CPU.

Back in November, about a week before my birthday (I do the same with Christmas), I went on some sites with my dad's login, and found out what I was getting on my little day. One of them was a Thermaltake Blue Orb II CPU fan I had asked for. Upon opening the box and acting as surprised as possible, I found that the thing was about 1 CM to big for my case (it was a small form factor case, and I didn't take the time to measure it). So waiting another week and after receiving the case, I continued to attempt my new case swap and fan replacement. I spent 4 hours getting 2 little standoffs out of the legs that attached to the motherboard (this made the heatsink + fan too high, not touching the CPU, and thus emitting a siren-like sound upon boot, followed by an emergency system shutdown).

After getting that done, I screwed the heatsink into the slots, and booted it up. Success! It works!

Coming to about 4 hours ago, I was testing my system boot time, and noted that it took longer than usual to boot. I went into the BIOS and changed the hard drive to the primary boot device; but I also decided to take a look at the system fan speeds and temps.

CPU temp     67C

I about wet myself- 67C?!?!?! Thats roughly 153F!

After thinking for about 5 minutes what could be causing the heat problem, I remembered that I, for whatever moronic reason, did not apply thermal grease to the CPU!

I kept it in my drawer of computer supplies, so I pulled it out and got to work disassembling the thing. After 45 minutes of work, I plugged everything back in to find that it would not boot. Another 30 minutes of troubleshooting revealed that if I remove all USB devices, it boots (I have not yet rebooted with them plugged in).

With the new fix, the computer seems to run a little faster and a little cooler, although I am going to stress test it for the next few hours on some of my games.

Moral: Follow instructions- not your stupidity

-Brandon

1055

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / LONG Feature list

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 16, 2008, 06:38 PM »

I got kind of bored after gaming today, and wanting to make progress towards a final 1.0 release on SnapSuite, but not wanting to bug-fix, I came up with this (quite impressive) feature list for SnapSuite. Granted, the FastNote and KidDraw parts may still be pulled, but the list itself can give reason for those weary of the program to try it and see if they like it. And it makes it a whole lot easier for me to explain when someone asks "what does it do?".

Here goes...

SnapSuite 2008 Visual Basic Edition

SnapSuite 2008 is packed with so many features that you can do just about anything on it- it is an all-in-one program made to get work done in minimal time with minimal effort.

Features:

• Quick start - the program starts typically in 2-3 seconds
• Automatic updates - Keep getting more, better features- at the click of a button!
• AppLaunch allows you to start programs such as Firefox, Safari, Thunderbird, Outlook, Windows Media Player, iTunes, and much more! Even request new programs to be added by using the built-in request button: just type in what you want added, and where it is located, and I will add it in the next program update!
• AutoType allows keyboard fanatics to easily and quickly assign text to hotkeys. It also has a built in Instant Message cleaner, for conversations that don't need to be seen by others around you.
• DateMaker allows users to quickly sketch out plans for the future via an 8 month calendar and 3 time drop down menus.
• FastNote is a fully featured text editor that can make, open, save, and print documents, as well as having Cut, Copy, and Paste functions.
• KidDraw is a small drawing board made for doodles. You can make, open, and save images.
• MediaControl is a specialized program allowing you to control media playback and volume levels.
• SmartBrowse is a complete web browser, with back, forward, stop, reload, and home buttons, as well as AutoComplete functionality!
• SnapScreen is an extremely basic section that, at the click of a button, takes a screenshot of your computer's desktop(s), opens Paint, pastes the data in, and opens a save dialog.
• SystemCare is the specialist of the group. SystemCare can take care of your PC at the click of a button, or you can run specific programs and actions individually. All processes are automatic and everything is very simple to use.
• In addition to all of this, SnapSuite has basic text help at the bottom of every program tab, a full Support area with contact information, FAQ, forum, website and bug list.
• Also, every person that helps me with SnapSuite is featured in the program's About tab, so everyone gets credit.

Bet you didn't know SmartBrowse had AutoComplete now

(Note: A couple of the features in that list, including the hotkey option for AutoType, are still in beta (only on the beta upload folder) so they are not guaranteed to work).

-Brandon

1056

General Software Discussion / Re: "Interrupts" - killing my CPU!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 16, 2008, 11:26 AM »

I hit 7-20% CPU usage idle, and all programs are sitting in my tray except Firefox, Windows Task Manager, Pidgin and Xfire. I don't see how you can get such a low CPU usage, f0dder

1057

General Software Discussion / Getting more desktop for free

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 15, 2008, 09:08 PM »

On my old CRT monitor, back in the days of Service Pack 1 (and now, 2) for XP, I was able to make my resolution MORE than my monitor supported. This turned the monitor into a scrolling window type of deal, where, upon "pushing" the screen with the mouse on an edge, it would slide over and show other windows/objects/etc. I was able to take a 1024x768 max monitor and make it like 2500x2000 (or something like that, very big). It was very useful when someone walked in and something on screen was undesirable in the current situation... - Just slam the mouse to an edge and its gone

I want to do this with my LCD, but Windows (Vista) won't seem to let me. There was a setting somewhere, but I can't find it. Does anyone know how to do this?

NOTE: I did not use TweakXP, it was just a "right click desktop > Properties > Tinker with settings" job

-Brandon

1058

JGPaiva's GridMove and Ahk Tools / Gridmove refuses to work with Songbird

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 15, 2008, 08:42 PM »

Gridmove will not recognize Songbird as a window (I assume it sees it as an object or something) and therefore does not allow me to dock it into my grid configuration. The grid does not appear. Other programs running at the same time as Songbird, however, such as Pidgin, will dock normally.

It is notable that Songbird runs and has totally different window setups via skins- so fixing this may be quite tricky (I am using a skin where the buttons and layout are VERY different from the default installed skin). The program window name can change dynamically, too. (Mine scrolls every 400ms to show another character in the song name, artist, and current time into the song).

You can get Songbird here if you want to see if you can get it working: http://www.songbirdnest.com/

I will watch this topic and provide what I can to see if this can be resolved

-Brandon

1059

Living Room / Re: Free Polo Shirt From Microsoft for answering Vista quiz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 15, 2008, 04:09 PM »

Kind of constant, not-so-well-hidden advertising there, especially in the videos (particularly the last, where "we're looking to upgrading to something faster, more reliable, and safer. And I have heard of this thing called Media Center that lets you watch TV on your PC!"...

It was funny just clicking the actual answer to have it come back with some not-so-thought-out response saying you are wrong.

1060

DC Gamer Club / Re: Lets get organized so we can get gaming!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 15, 2008, 03:58 PM »

Ah, yes - I have a LIVE gamertag as well (silver, I cant afford Gold )

I only use it for Halo 2, seeing as I don't own a 360 (but it's still useful for chat and whatnot)

"Wreckedcarzz" (as if it would be anything else )

http://live.xbox.com/member/wreckedcarzz
OR
http://profile.mygam...ard.net/wreckedcarzz

1061

DC Gamer Club / Lets get organized so we can get gaming!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 14, 2008, 07:01 PM »

OK, thanks to some help from wordzilla, I was able to locate many fellow gamers here at DC. Unfortunately, we have not setup a good system in order to cooperate and whatnot (Hamachi was good, don't get me wrong, but there is room for improvement).

In my spare time, if I am not coding, I play games. Lots of games. 50+ GB of games. But no one here has any of the games I have (and vice versa). What we need to do is make sure everyone has the same games so that we can all play.

Solution: Use Xfire to make a DC Gamer clan and utilize that to converse. "Xfire" is basically MSN/AIM (whatever you choose to think of) with voice chat, in-game instant messaging (no alt-tab ), and one-click-game-join (if I am in a Halo game, and Deozaan wants in, he can just IM me and let me know, then click a button and be in my game in seconds).

Obviously, this is an improvement over the tedious setup and working of Hamachi. Hamachi is only good, IMO, for setting up virtual LAN games (that is good, but why not play a clan game vs other people around the world?).

You can catch a copy of Xfire here (freeware): http://www.xfire.com/ - Just download it, and it will help you sign up when it launches.


To get things going on making sure everyone has some games in common, here is my current list...

(Freeware games are in bold, to help with choosing games if you are strapped for cash)
(URLs to game info are next to game names)


Action/Shooters:
Counter Strike 1.6 http://www.steamgame...p;AppId=10&cc=US
GTA San Andreas (Multi Theft Auto) http://mtavc.com/
Halo http://www.microsoft.com/games/halo/
Halo Custom Edition http://hce.halomaps....rg/index.cfm?fid=410
Halo 2 for Windows Vista http://www.microsoft.com/games/halo2/
Sauerbraten http://sauerbraten.org/

Driving:
Drift City http://drift.ijji.com/index.nhn
Live for Speed (Demo is available) http://www.lfs.net/
Midnight Club 2 (DEMO) http://www.rockstarg...s.com/midnightclub2/
Need for Speed Underground 2 http://www.ea.com/of...nfs/underground2/us/
Test Drive Unlimited http://www.testdriveunlimited.com/

Online (MMORPG):
Second Life http://secondlife.com/
There http://www.there.com/


-Brandon

1062

Living Room / Re: Would anyone want a free DonationCoder.com bumper sticker?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 13, 2008, 11:43 PM »

Would it be possible to be able to have each member have their DC name on it, so if we happen to see another DC'er we know who it is? Could be quite fun... (although mine may not fit on one sticker )

I don't drive for another ... 15 months but I would happily put one on my car.

1063

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 13, 2008, 05:58 PM »

My NANY mug came in today via UPS, because as most of you know SnapSuite 2008 (AHK, not VB) was in NANY 2008 last month

You can view my (pretty bad) image here: https://www.donation....msg101713#msg101713

-Brandon

1064

Developer's Corner / Re: It's time for NANY and GOE mug pictures!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 13, 2008, 05:55 PM »

Not exactly my best photo, but my mom had no idea how to work the camera (that, and I was kinda holding it awkwardly...)

Really cool mug design, I must say

(Note the Geek Squad shirt - I just noticed that...)

-Brandon

(Edit: Note HUGE resolution...download and view with Windows is probably better... )

1065

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Updates and improvements

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 11, 2008, 05:57 PM »

Two happy improvements that you will see in the next update...

1) SystemCare is now complete. 100%, done. It now launches programs systematically and not all at once. This may change, however if I find something else to add. But at the moment "consider it done"
(This was thanks to mwb1100's help in the Developer's Corner here at DC)

2) SmartBrowse will now accept your Enter keystroke (kind of...)
I have looked into setting up SnapSuite to accept hotkeys via Visual Basic. Lets just say that that isn't happening anytime soon. So, using AHK (yea I am still trying to get rid of AHK EXEs, but this way I get the whole thing working for now) I used a new command to watch when you press and release the Enter/Return key. Basically, it works together with VB like so:

• User clicks SmartBrowse tab. Google.com begins loading in the window.
• User clicks in URL bar. URL bar highlights contents so Backspace does not have to be utilized.
• URL bar tells the AHK program to start. AHK gives the user 10 seconds to type their URL before timing out
• (this was done so it is long enough to type something like Https://www.mylongurlontheweb.co.uk/ but short enough not to disturb the user if they browse elsewhere before completing the URL/if they click Go manually)
• User types URL.
• If URL is typed within the 10 second limit, when Enter is released, Go is clicked via the AHK program.

It is fairly simple, if you look at it.

These will be in the next update, at least 2-3 days. I am hoping to get FastNote's save and open features working (at least somewhat) by later tonight.

-Brandon

1066

Developer's Corner / Re: Waiting for program completion in Visual Basic 2008

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 11, 2008, 04:52 PM »

Yes, exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!!!

1067

General Software Discussion / Re: XP Toolbar menu sort order

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 11, 2008, 12:40 AM »

Windows XP is supposed to now be able to organize everything by alphabetical order, so it is really a "feature". If I were you I would just grab mouser's LaunchBar Commander and set that up as a toolbar at the top/bottom/as a window/whatever with your folders and whatnot.

1068

Developer's Corner / Waiting for program completion in Visual Basic 2008

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 11, 2008, 12:20 AM »

I am trying to run multiple (anywhere from 2 to 6) programs after the user clicks a button. I can do that just fine, with the exception of them all starting at once. I have tried using the Shell command and using that to Wait, however VB9 doesn't allow that to do anything, so I am stuck with Process.Start("myprocess.exe").

I need to know how to wait for the first program to complete its work and close before executing the next (I don't want to get into loops or anything timer based, if that is possible). I don't want it to time out and run the next program- it has to wait for the program to close to work properly.

Anyone?

-Brandon

1069

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 09, 2008, 12:42 PM »

Little update here, new beta being published as I post (available once you read this, here http://mazecraze.dci...%202008%20Prerelease)...

I am working to get rid of all the AHK EXE's that I can. If I can eliminate them, it makes it easier not only to update and install, it makes it easier for me to work with. Plus a smaller program size.

Right now I have a total of 20 files that have to be installed. This is significantly lower than previous versions, where I had over 40 files that had to be installed. I am going to keep working to get as little files as I can.

In the beta update, I have added a program that helps setup the programs you need to run maintenance operations (if you are getting a new PC, reformatting, etc). It is a basic wizard, but much improved over the old way of just installing whatever wasn't detected without much notice to the user.
The SystemCare basic tab has been much improved, allowing for faster fix-ups. The button sizes and fonts have been changed as well- it looks much better now.

I still have no progress on FastNote, and I am unsure how to integrate KidDraw. Other than that, I am making good progress finishing everything else up.

-Brandon

1070

General Software Discussion / Re: Process Tamer.. The Drink

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 08, 2008, 09:04 PM »

I've decided that all of my software programs will now come with official cocktail recipes.

-mouser (February 08, 2008, 01:15 PM)

Sounds like a good idea, just as long as we don't end up with mouser drinking "just one" too many, and Screenshot Captor turns into the new Windows ME

1071

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: Tab to Submit

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 08, 2008, 08:22 PM »

Hit Alt+S

shortcuts: hit alt+s to submit/post or alt+p to preview

(from the extended Post Reply window)

1072

Living Room / Re: Making a dream PC for cheap (as possible) - help anyone?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 08, 2008, 08:15 PM »

Lashiec, here is my little info-bit on my experiences with my 2 nVidia cards. Both were OEM machines, 1 card per PC, usual midrange computer that you buy at the local shop kinda deal.

nVidia GeForce 2 FX 32MB (used from back when XP was like less than a year old, up until about a year and a half ago)
nVidia GeForce 7300 LT 256MB (used for about 4 months in my dad's HP, switched to ATI card about 3 months ago)

Both cards gave (and this includes old games for the old card) about 10-15FPS in well cooled environments, with no computer issues. The hard drive would have to go nuts with its SWAP file on the old GeForce 2 (256MB of RAM, GTA III, music playing, high-resolution mods (at the time, they were)).

Neither one could keep going for a long time w/o losing FPS gradually, and the 7300 did HORRIBLE at video playback while AERO was on (it was average on XP Media Center 05).

Both lagged enough to be annoying, and it is just weird that even over time both cards do just enough to get by running the OS, and maybe light games.

-Brandon

1073

Living Room / Re: Making a dream PC for cheap (as possible) - help anyone?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 08, 2008, 07:54 PM »

I always go ATI: 100%, will not buy another nVidia no matter what. I have had 2 nVidia cards and both have badly disappointed me (low FPS, low resolutions, uses system RAM for graphic purposes...). All my ATI's are great. You can get both of them, even high end models, fairly cheap - just gotta look around.

Of course if your like me and you make your Christmas lists early (starting around December-January ) you go for the new, shiny, fast stuff. This card, for example (http://www.newegg.co...Item=N82E16814129103) has caught my eye. But that is the highest of high end. And in 2 months time it will be outdated. But after that you can find it in the discount center at ATI.com...

1074

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 08, 2008, 05:43 PM »

"Oh my freaking god it works!!!" (yes, I said that out loud)

 

I figured out how to run a program via VB with command line parameters!!!!! Now I can take off like 5MB of pointless EXE's for SystemCare!!

 

-Brandon

EDIT: Also, I am dropping support for the Abexo Free Registry Cleaner in the next update. It seems to cause more damage than it solves (if you look at the results, programs end up having to reset their file types because of it) and the latest version drops freeware Vista compatibility .

EDIT 2: I finally got a beta area setup and all new "nightly" builds will be available to friends, anyone at DC, and anyone that asks. You can get the latest build at http://mazecraze.dci...uite 2008 Prerelease

Just an FYI though, anything I upload to that folder it strictly test material, and it may not work at all/may cause damage to data. It is just what I have at the moment; nothing more. Don't expect it to have everything working fine and for it to run perfectly on every computer you try it on.

EDIT 3: I did some light updating of http://www.incredisims.com, with a news update and updated information on SnapSuite. Not much.

1075

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on February 08, 2008, 05:28 PM »

Good news!

I have safely put VB Express Edition back onto my desktop (and checked it for any weird stuff conflicting with other programs). I am working on the next update right now.

I also locked down the project files using a key, but I forgot the key... and had to delete it. So they are no longer locked, but it doesn't really matter.

Right now all I am trying to do is get rid of all the stupid AHK EXE's that I have to use. They take up more space than the VB exe

(If anyone knows how to run a program with command line switches, or what the Program Files variable is in VB 2008, I would be overjoyed if you could tell me...)

-Brandon