Recent Posts

1226

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Use scroll lock LED as hard drive indicator

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 16, 2007, 11:28 PM »

What do you mean when you say "did not work reliably"? I am running it right now (gotta love the blinking lights ) and it seems to work fine (wired keyboard, didn't touch a line of code within the script so it is as-is from the net). Very handy for me, I didn't even have a mobo LCD to show HDD usage.

1227

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 15, 2007, 05:44 PM »

OK, all is working well.

- I tuned how EasyControl utilizes IE (7 only) to check for MS Updates. It should work a lot better now.
- I removed a line of code when running an Automatic Optimization with EasyProtect Disabled where it would tell you that it is starting JkDefrag. Not sure how that slipped away from me.
- I made all the tray bubbles silent w/ little icons on them
- I seem to (still) have a problem with the EasyClock icon (as both an icon and in EasySuite). It does not show up for some reason, and I am 100% sure it is not a programming problem. I will have to talk to Ham and see what the deal is.
- When you now Update via the built-in updater OR save the setup program to your desktop when installing/updating, EasySuite cleans up after itself by deleting the setup file!

OK, I am uploading it now. I didn't find any bugs and all looks well, so this is officially "CompuTech EasySuite 2.2"

TTU (Time To Upload):
Approx 5 minutes

Enjoy (with no embarassing bugs this time!)
-Brandon

(FYI I will be removing all images above to save bandwith/DC webspace, just with this one picture below)

EDIT: Yes, I did notice that it still says 4.0. I JUST CAN'T WIN!!!

1228

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 15, 2007, 04:48 PM »

OK, back after school with some less embarassing news

I found and fixed the small bug, and was able to (finally!) add some old (as in lying around for a while) vista-style pictures to EasyControl, making it more pleasing to the eye. I am going to test EVERYTHING in the next hour or so, and make sure that there are NO problems. HOPEFULLY, all goes well.

1229

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 15, 2007, 12:54 AM »

OK, problem fixed. You will need to update manually this time, but after this it should run fine.

Make sure to close all (CompuTech) programs before running the installer! An uninstall is not needed.

EDIT: Never mind, I have problems out the wazoo here , I will work on it tomorrow- sorry again!

1230

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 15, 2007, 12:17 AM »

DOH! We have a problem!

Please do NOT use the built-in updater, it will FAIL. I know the problem and am working on it now. Sorry about that .

1231

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Beta Build! :D

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 15, 2007, 12:15 AM »

OK, beta build time.

I am uploading a beta version of EasySuite that includes several updated components. The main updates are...

New EasySuite GUI
New GUI uses Comic Sans MS 12 point font
FileHippo.com Updater bug resolved
EasySuite now uses the selection "dot" buttons in place of the large, bulky buttons
EasyControl now runs quieter, CleanUp! is now silent (and will now FINISH cleaning before continuing operations ) and there are less traytips
Removed annoying traytip "Please donate" countdown on first run. Had Vista bug where it would flash (VERY annoyingly).

There are a couple things here and there but thats most of it.

This version removes a lot of useless code and whatnot so it *should* be smaller (I have not yet checked, but logically it should be).
WOW...it is a whopping 1KB smaller


The link on the website WILL go to the beta setup, so you CAN get EasySuite to update normally and get the beta. There are a couple things I need to change in the next day or so (setup versions, cleaning old GUIs out, etc) but it is there if you just HAVE to get it .

Link:
http://mazecraze.dci... EasySuite Setup.exe

Website:
http://www.incredisims.com/

EasyUpdate (<-- I couldn't resist , I have a serious problem with the word "Easy" )
Click your Update button in EasySuite and let it do the work!

Enjoy!
-Brandon

1232

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 14, 2007, 09:26 PM »

Ah, ok. I might be able to develop a type of news-system or something in a window to the side that presents information like that, depends on how well it works out.

1233

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 14, 2007, 01:21 PM »

Compromise?

Comic Sans MS font (same as EasyControl) so that it is easier to read?

1234

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Minimalistic GUI update!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 13, 2007, 06:42 PM »

OK! In a week packed with midterms, gaming and testing of random programs () I have managed to come up with a small update to the GUI of EasySuite that I may make on all the programs. It is very minimalistic and compact, but that lets users with low resolutions work with the programs, and doesn't overtake your screen when your multitasking. Oh, I fixed the embarrassing FileHippo Update Checker problem, too.

I have attached screenshots (3) comparing the current, idea 1 and idea 2 GUI setups (idea 2 is all go unless someone thinks otherwise...).

Also, one last thing- Some of you may have noticed my posts about learning C++ (amongst other things); I will continue to be working in AHK for a while (a year or so I say, to say the least!). This doesn't limit anything I am doing/planning to do, so I am not having to put off features until "I can do that in X/Y/Z". So no worries there.

See screenshots and give opinions, please
-Brandon

EDIT: (Don't forget, I am still helping with computer woes over the net)

1235

Developer's Corner / Re: Best way to start learning C++?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 11, 2007, 07:53 PM »

as there is next to no free alternative

-Ehtyar (October 11, 2007, 07:09 PM)

What about Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Express? That's free. It's C++.

-Deozaan (October 11, 2007, 07:15 PM)

I just downloaded that (am getting ready to install the service packs now), it looks good but it IS Microsoft

I feel the need to add that regardless of which method you choose to learn, start work on a project that *you want to build*. The project will motivate you to learn without making it feel like you are learning. Just learning to learn, is sometimes hard. Practice exercises aren't always interesting. If you have a pet project you will want to work on it and the learning will come naturally.

-tinjaw (October 11, 2007, 07:17 PM)

That is the main reason I am working at this

Buy a book.

-mouser (October 11, 2007, 07:30 PM)

Might do that, there is a college just down the road that teaches computer programming, and my dad gets dicounts at the library...

1236

Developer's Corner / Re: Best way to start learning C++?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 11, 2007, 06:54 PM »

Windows (Linux/Unix in the future possibly) and I am using the Dev-C++ compiler, and most likely .NET due to it being (as I have heard) the easiest to work with.

A little reading, a little off-on-my-own, a little reading to fix the 5 problems is how I learn.

1237

Developer's Corner / Best way to start learning C++?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 11, 2007, 06:43 PM »

Hello all,

Trying to get a basic understanding of the C++ (or C in general) programming language, and have read a couple tuts, but I am kinda lost. Does anyone have any tips on getting a basic "program" made, or links to tutorials that might be helpful? I can already make extremely basic "programs" but I am looking for a more solidified basis to work with before getting into (anything) complicated.

Ideas? Help? Links?
-Brandon

1238

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 08, 2007, 03:58 PM »

OK, I fixed a couple bugs and improved a comple misc things (not really noticable), but look what I found (see attatchment).

Kinda wierd that no one (including myself) noticed that- it said "CompuTech EasyControl" on every launch of EasyChatClear

But all is well, I need to compile all the programs, make the installer, then upload. About 5 minutes. All done! (for now)

1239

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 08, 2007, 03:20 PM »

It will be an hour or so more, I am going to work on a couple more things here, I am rushing through and forgetting things left and right.

1240

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 08, 2007, 02:32 PM »

Tomorrow ... you need to...

-wreckedcarzz (October 08, 2007, 12:52 PM)

"Tomorrow"
I am going to upload and update the website in a few minutes, however. As far as I can tell everything is OK, so I might as well.

Check the site in about 30 minutes for the new version (if its not there, clear your cache)

P.S. You can also use the button in my sig to get to the site instead of manually typing it out

1241

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 08, 2007, 12:52 PM »

EDIT: INCORRECT DATA, give me a moment to fix this! Data fixed. See bottom for info.

OK, another infobit here. This one is very important.

I took about 30 minutes for me to change the setup (for the 3rd party programs for EasyControl). It is now backwards, and is a lot more logical then before.

It works like this:
Setup verification:
User installs EasySuite. Opens EasyControl.
EasyControl looks for all the 3rd party programs it relys on, and if it doesn't find them, it downloads and installs them. (See "Setup "sequence"" below)

Setup "sequence":
EasyControl will ask the user if they are on Windows XP (or below) or Vista. Once this has been answered EasyControl will either
A) XP or below will skip this
B) Vista will disable UAC

Once that is done, EasyControl will begin downloading programs that it DOES NOT FIND. This is a HUGE problem that I did not understand how to deal with. Say, if Bob has CCleaner, Abexo and NTREGOPT, but not Advanced WindowsCare or CleanUp, he would end up installing them ALL over again, on top of themselves. This has now been fixed, where if it finds the program it goes on to check for the next program.

Once it has checked for and
A) found
B) downloaded & installed
all the programs, it will ask you to check the boxes that you want Disk Cleanup to clean.

Thats it!


So, why is this all important to me?
Well, this will make it easier for new users to setup EasyControl, and advanced users will get the Disk Cleanup settings box so they can use the Disk Cleanup option under Clean & Optimize. It is just a lot easier now (and there is one less button on the main menu, so its cleaner too!)

I am ready to test, check and compile everything and upload the new version, however this one you will need to follow the old-fashoned-way when updating.

Tomorrow (most likely, unless something goes bad) in order to update (the update button will not work in EasySuite, it is a new installer) you need to...

Uninstall EasySuite (via Control Panel or C:\Program Files\CompuTech EasySuite\Uninstal.exe)
Delete the EasySuite Folder (C:\Program Files\CompuTech EasySuite)
Download the new version of EasySuite (http://www.incredisims.com/
Install the new version
Run EasySuite & Enjoy!

P.S. Don't forget skrommel's DelEmpty is also included in EasyControl, under the Clean & Optimize section!

Feedback wanted
-Brandon

EDIT: Sorry, I know this post was confusing, but (don't ask me how) somehow I made EasyControl more intelligent then I thought, and I had typed this up and posted it when I tested it out, and it didn't work the way I thought it would. So I had to come back and frantically fix it. But no big deal, it works better then planned.

1242

Living Room / Re: Whats on your desktop?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 08, 2007, 10:39 AM »

What did the cat die of? Curiosity!
I was number 21 to try to check out the >>size: 0 KB<< picture file...   

- or was icekin really that smart: "plain and simple" = blank  ??   

-Curt (October 08, 2007, 09:46 AM)

I was #25 to open it, although I noted the 0kb size first.
Thats how you make it plain, all right

1243

General Software Discussion / Re: Isn't it ironic?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 05, 2007, 11:58 PM »

 

Thats different, definitely worth a laugh

1244

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 05, 2007, 09:49 PM »

OK, I have done a considerable amount of work on EasyControl and fixed a couple bugs in EasySuite, and it is a LOT easier to not only use, but understand and interact with as well. I just typed up a quick summary of everything...

ClamWin will NOT be included in this release, but I might include it later on. Depends.

I have attached a screenshot of what EasyControl looks like now, and I am just finishing up on everything and re-compiling it all. It looks a lot easier and a lot more basic then it did, and more causal thanks to 12 point Comic Sans all over the place.

When you launch EasyControl now, it loads a lot faster and opens a lot faster (loading being the loading BAR, and opening being the actual GUI interface). The defragmentation is silent and automatic, and it just notifies you via a traytip when it starts.

I really hope this lets people use the program more confidently, and that they can clearly and easily understand what they are reading. It had become a big concern of mine.

Anyways, I am still working hard to finalize the whole thing and roll it out and prepare so that everyone can update.
(You will NOT be able to use the normal update button this time- sorry, but it is a totally new setup that I am trying so please stay with me here )

Basically...
No ClamWin/anti-virus
New GUI
Easier to use
Simpler
Makes sence
Faster
Quieter

 

-Brandon

1245

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 04, 2007, 07:43 PM »

Working for the last few hours (including in class at school) on several of my programs, and got home a couple hours ago.

I (to my surprise) redid my entire Incredisims.com website (http://www.incredisims.com/) AND am working on all the above tasks.

Well, as I stated above, I have began to use Inno Setup. It is a great program, and I will be sticking with it. However, it is through this that I found something quite upsetting...

ClamWin takes a little more then 75% of the EasySuite folder size!

I found this out when I removed Install Creator and was booting my file computer to delete the install creator setups and replace it with the one Inno Setup setup.

I decided to right click it and see how big it was. - 20MB!
Obviously 20MB isn't a small size, and I have a set of "standards" I go by that doesn't allow an installer to be larger then 15MB. So, I copied the EasySuite program files folder and pasted it back into Program Files (therefore, making 2 folders). I renamed the new one with NO ANTIVIRUS and deleted the ClamWin folder.

Ahh...a mere 10MB.

But that doesn't solve my problem. It is still too large and compression doesn't do anything (standard Windows Vista .ZIP that is).

I am going to spend the evening pondering this, and hopefully will get a solution soon.

1246

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 04, 2007, 12:31 AM »

... better to specialize in one thing well then try to do it all ...

-wreckedcarzz (October 02, 2007, 07:17 PM)

You said it 

One last question:
About the donation box (on the first run of EasyControl)...

(Reply with all that apply )

1) It is annoying

-wreckedcarzz (October 02, 2007, 07:17 PM)

Yes, it is!

- and maybe even a little disappointing as well, because only a few ever will donate anyway, and those who will   will look for the donate button. In my time I have removed quite a number of programs  because the author asked a little too pushy for donations, and maybe I didn't feel the program was all worth it. But the buttom line is that only a few ever will donate, so you must decide if your program is FREE or ... 

5) It should be replaced with the DonationCoder.com donate dialog (not sure if this can be done, but I could always try!)

-wreckedcarzz (October 02, 2007, 07:17 PM)

IMO this is a good idea!

Best of luck!

-Curt (October 03, 2007, 11:36 AM)

Thanks for the reply Curt!

I figured it was annoying from the start, but it works (sometimes)

I will PM mouser and see if it is possible to add the DonationCoder donation system into EasySuite so if you donate to DC then it won't nag you. Not sure if it can be done, but it could probably be jury-rigged at least.



(Everything below is a joke, hope it gets some laughs)

[Select]

;New donation method (joke)

Loop
{
If %Donate_Lots_Of_Money_To_Mouser% = true
Send :-* :)
else
Send donate_to_me_now.exe
}
Return

I love the new donation idea! *adds into programs*

-mouser

 

-Brandon

1247

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / This is one big update...

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 02, 2007, 07:17 PM »

OK, guess its time for my 1/2 week update this week. I'm not exactly happy today (well, quite frankly, I'm pissed off, but thats another story).

I have yet ANOTHER program in development, that will most likely be merged with (I really have to change this name...) EasyChatClear.

Walt (Loki15) was nice enough to add expandable, multi-level tray menu options to EasyOpen, and I will have to remember to update the code included with it too.

I am/have been redoing EasyControl from the ground up AGAIN, making it simpler (again). What I have changed is...

 - Removed buttons/text/etc for Spyware Terminator/Spyware Blaster
 - Cleaned up main menu
 - Made main menu a lot easier to read
 - Making everything easy to understand for normal people
 - Made the main menu more casual
 - Updated JkDefrag's operations a bit more
 - Working to make JkDefrag not show at all
 - Trying to get more and more things to run hidden via command line switches

Among those, I have also gone from the ad-supported Install Creator to the (open source?) free Inno Setup, this is why...

 - NO ADS!
 - Easier to make
 - More logical
 - Better options
 - Simpler for the user (3 buttons and it starts installing)

And I am also in the process of adding a brand new virus scanning ability to EasyControl! If I get permission from the ClamWin developer team, here is how it is setup...

 - It is 100% integrated - NO INSTALLS, NO DOWNLOADS!
 - It auto updates
 - It runs silent scans (WORK IN PROGRESS)
 - It auto-removes viruses, unloads them from memory, etc. Does whatever it needs to get it gone.
 - Resides away from the main files (cosmetics + no hacking into it and messing it up like some people I know...)

I am also dying to make a help file, and I finally started today, but the 2 sentences that I was able to get out during class are now residing in my garbage can. It is, nonetheless, progress.

Also, just to clear up any confusion here...
Loki15's newly made "AcroSuite" is not connected to my "EasySuite" in any way (other then we collaborate and work on each others programs). They will not harm each other* while residing/running on the same PC.
*I have not fully tested everything from either Walt nor myself yet, but there should be no problems.

Whats the difference, then? Why have two things that could easily be merged?
To be honest, I am not sure. He is working on AcroDictionary and AcroLiminator, as well as a new program. He seems to do things that speed up time-consuming tasks while using the computer; while I make things that are useful for certain things (and certain things only) and automatic (usually for use while away from or busy multitasking with the computer). I guess it is better to specialize in one thing well then try to do it all poorly.


One last question:
About the donation box (on the first run of EasyControl)...

(Reply with all that apply )

1) It is annoying
2) It should be moved to the top left corner of the screen
3) The traytips should go but the box should stay
4) The traytips don't close themselves (bug on 2k/XP it appears)
5) It should be replaced with the DonationCoder.com donate dialog (not sure if this can be done, but I could always try!)

(As always...)
Feedback?
-Brandon

1248

General Software Discussion / Re: Question: Does the GPL allow program redistribution?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 02, 2007, 06:02 PM »

OK, I am still unsure so I just sent an email to them to see what their take is on it. I'm not getting my hopes up, though

1249

General Software Discussion / Question: Does the GPL allow program redistribution?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on October 01, 2007, 06:45 PM »

Hi all!

Here with a question, its kinda strange, but I can't understand half of what I am reading about it, so here goes.

I am trying to use a GPL program (ClamAV - ClamWin specifically) and install it with another program (without using the "official" installer, BUT also without modifying any of the program's files).

I have skimmed the GNU General Public License before, and seen a few of the update/amends to it, but half of it just makes my eyes spin.

So basically all I need to know is, Yes/No can I include the full (unedited) version of ClamWin within another program, without breaking the license?

I would assume so, as it is open source, but I want to make sure first.

Thanks in advance!
-Brandon

1250

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Update - Version 2.0 is here!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on September 29, 2007, 11:33 PM »

Yet another update, this 2 week one was a really nice improvement.

Not my most professional post, but I am short on time and wanted to keep this short and to the point.

Features all things listed above, along with...

Now downloads latest CCleaner release (be sure to use EasyControl's updater to update it )
Fixed update bug with EasySuite (untested, but I am 100% certain I have it correct. I ran it looking for the problem enough!)
Couple misc changes (yada yada yada)...

Please use the update button in EasySuite (100% automatic update, except clicking Close and Reboot at the end) if you are an existing user, otherwise...

CompuTech EasySuite FULL (broadband) version...
http://mazecraze.dci...ite Install Full.exe

CompuTech EasySuite MINI (dialup/bandwith limited) version...
http://mazecraze.dci...ite Install Mini.exe

CompuTech EasySuite PORTABLE (USB drive) version...
http://mazecraze.dci...Portable Edition.zip

You can also get it by clicking the "Get the latest version!" button on my website at...
http://www.incredisims.com/

Hope you enjoy!
-Brandon
(Feedback welcome)

(NOTE: If you need help with it, you can get in touch with me at http://www.incredisi...s.com/contactus.aspx and I will be more then happy to help you. A help/FAQ file is coming soon!)