Recent Posts

1426

General Software Discussion / Re: What is the best LINUX software?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 14, 2007, 06:37 PM »

I would have to say that, both on Linux and Windows, I find Firefox, Thunderbird, Pidgin and especially OpenOffice.org to be the programs that are the most handy. They work well on both platforms and are very reliable. I use all 4 almost every day.

1427

Living Room / Re: Why is the 'N' key always the first to go?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 14, 2007, 03:38 PM »

I agree, that would be interesting to find out what key is most used.
I have an HP laptop and I had the I and X keys go out like a week after each other. I never use X, so that was just strange for me

1428

General Software Discussion / Re: old software + dual core = ???

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 13, 2007, 09:52 PM »

I have a dual-core "family" PC that I bought with my dad recently and I am not happy with it. Just my personal opinion, based mainly on the lower GHz and that most apps still don't take advantage of it. I have a Celeron D 3.5Ghz (single core) in my personal desktop and it works perfectly. Fast and no problems.
Just my opinion.
-Brandon

1429

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online (tune-ups, customization, etc)

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 13, 2007, 09:44 PM »

Bump/info/input requested post...

I am looking at changing the registry cleaner back, as the current one doesn't seem to do as good of a job (correct me if I am wrong). Should it stay as-is or change back to Free Registry Cleaner? Or maybe even try the one in CCleaner?

I am thinking about changing the IObit SmartDefrag to JkDefrag. JkDefrag is a lot smaller, more configurable and easier to use, but I don't know how good of a job it does (I am testing it on my desktop computer at the moment).

Anyways, anyone in need of repair or anything? I have been working on my computers here at home a lot lately, and (As soon as I say this its going to come back and bite me...) I now have a couple of days open if anyone needs help.

As far as hardware goes, I can now help out with buying/installing/exchanging:
RAM
Graphics Cards (AGP and PCIe)
Power Supply Units
Optical Drives
Hard Drives
Setup Wireless/Wired LAN networks (I am not sure about Static IPs, however) (this can be done remotely, via CrossLoop)
and others (sound cards, for example).

And as far as Linux/Windows goes,
I can now help you upgrade and get used to Windows Vista/some Linux distributions and get ready for a PC crash or disaster. (These have to be explained through Instant Messages, because I can't remotely insert RAM, install an operating system, or format a hard drive ).

Happy computing,
-Brandon

EDIT: And also you can add me onto your AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)/WLM (Windows Live Messenger)/Yahoo!/Xfire buddy lists. I use Pidgin (http://www.pidgin.im/) and I am almost always online on all of the above (unless I am sleeping or away).

1430

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 13, 2007, 09:28 PM »

Well, I have some bad news...
Seeing as I am going on vacation in about 10 days, and the fact that I can't get hold of my friend Rion who told me he would make me some more levels over the summer, I am going to attempt to get a few good levels up and make some improvements soon. I will have a new version up by the time my summer ends (3 weeks max). I am trying to get 50 single and 25 dual player levels, but its not really easy having to make a new idea for each level, that works with the last and the next, and gets increasingly difficult. The next version will have at least 45 single player and 15 dual player levels, guaranteed however.
Sorry for the delay,
-Brandon

EDIT: I have re-done the graphics (yay!) as I wasn't happy with copying work I did not do, so the graphics are all new and I think they look good. I have kept the same old Red-on-Black theme, and will update the site soon. This version also will now feature a couple things I did on-the-fly...
Aside from more levels, I plan to tune the little Player Assistant (or maybe simply remove it) and I have already made the buttons "pushed" when clicked. There might also be lasers in this version, I am unsure at this time.
-Brandon

1431

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: AcroLiminator 0.2 Beta - Contains preview download of AcroDictionary inside!!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 13, 2007, 01:08 PM »

I went ahead and was the 1st to download (yay!) and it has...a ton of acronyms. It starts up in about 1 second on my PC, so that makes me happy. This makes it more convenient to tell what "sum pplz r teh syn" in instant messages .

1432

General Software Discussion / Re: Is the Windows start menu dead?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 11, 2007, 03:06 PM »

I hardly think the Start menu is dead. Its basically all I use. My desktop is just that; a desktop. If there are icons, its only 1-5 of them. Being on Vista, I organized my start menu to basically simply clicking on the button and hovering over "All Programs". I basically take everything out of its folder (the actual program shortcut, nothing else) and put it in ABC order in the menu. Takes me like 15 minutes on a fresh install, and its really worth it. I have tried Launchbar Commander, FARR, RocketDock, Object Dock, and a few others, and the problem is that either I don't use them (I forget that its there) or I cant put all my programs onto the dock (or it makes my startup time longer then I like, and I am extremely picky about that).
I don't think I will ever leave the Start Menu. Even though it no longer says the "Start", its still my must used and favorite part of Windows.

1433

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: AcroLiminator 0.1 Beta - Now with the ability to add your own acronyms!!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 11, 2007, 02:35 PM »

Try the new Maxthon 2.0 (RC4 is what I have). I haven't tested it but give it a whirl.

1434

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 04, 2007, 07:51 PM »

Hello all,
I am :)VERY:) happy to announce that it appears I will be able to have a more professional manner of downloading the game, as I have contacted a couple people at Headlight Software (http://www.headlightinc.com/) and explained what I have been doing (making Maze Craze) and, amazingly, they have very generously given me a free license for their new program GetRightToGo. If anyone here has used the GetRight download manager then you will be familiar with the simple interface. This should help out those who multi-task and mainly those on dial up, as you can pause and resume your downloads easily. I am planning to have it ready for the next release, but no promises.
-Brandon

Edit: I updated the game itself a bit, mostly internal stuff, and posted the new download/updater in place of the direct link (so now just run the program from your computer and it will download the update). Unless you want to, there is no real need to download this update. It fixes the readme a bit, some version problems, adds 2 Dual Player levels, and a couple more fixes. Nothing big (yet).

1435

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 03, 2007, 06:51 PM »

Yea the idea is more difficulty, but it still should be fun. I can't make it "scroll" (I don't think) but I could expand the window's size to allow a larger distance that you can see around the ball. If I do put it in it will probably just be the last few levels (40 to 50, for example) so you are at least (very) used to playing the game before reaching that point. I will play around with it and see if I can make it scroll like you said once I get a chance (just installed Debian, and having some strange problems). The next version will, if all goes well, be out in about 2-3 weeks (updating a few things that should have been added long ago).
-Brandon

1436

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online (tune-ups, customization, etc)

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 30, 2007, 01:11 PM »

I haven't personally experienced problems with it - with Windows Vista I have had some odd bugs though, but I haven't really linked them to a source yet. I just (right now) looked through CCleaner's list of things to clean/delete and I didn't see anything about startup options (unless it fixed them in the registry cleaning part).

If you just use the Cleaner part of the program, then check for and install any updates and see if that fixes it.

If you use the registry cleaner part of the program, then make sure your running the newest version, if not then update and check to see if it is fixed, otherwise if you have the new version and it still does it then open up CCleaner, click the little Issues tab (with the big registry icon block thing) and uncheck the "Run at Startup" scan. Then see if that works.

I will look at EasyClean - see if that does a better job then CCleaner.

-Brandon

EDIT: I found a program called EasyCleaner, and it looked like a really good program but I can't test/use it because it isn't compatible with Windows Vista . And it apparantly hasn't been updated in a while, as the website shows (according the the site, he uses the Sygate firewall, and I also used that before Norton bought Sygate about 2 years or so ago (maybe 3, I'm not really sure).

1437

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online (tune-ups, customization, etc)

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 30, 2007, 01:05 AM »

Right - CCleaner updates can be installed right over the old install, but some like IObit's Advanced WindowsCare, run the uninstaller before letting you install the new version. No programs have to be uninstalled before installing the AutoMaintenance app- if you already have CCleaner 1.4.0 (or what the new version is, I can't remember off the top of my head) then when the setup program goes to the download, simply cancel the download and skip the instructions until the next program download appears. Also, you configure the programs during the setup program - I have it tell you the settings I recommend for best performance/cleanest system, but you can set any options you would like - simply ignore the messages.

Currently, the AutoMaintenance app uses the following programs (you can uninstall any old versions/all of them if you like, simply to ensure the most up-to-date programs, or to avoid installing a program twice).

CCleaner
Windows CleanUp!
Eusing Free Registry Cleaner
IObit Advanced WindowsCare V2 Personal
IObit SmartDefrag Beta 3
NTREGOPT (NT Registry Optimizer)

FYI: I have no connection to any of these companies, just if anyone was wondering. The programs just seem to do the best job in the most user-friendly manner and in a short period of time. I change programs if they go bad/become "adware" or "spyware" supported, become shareware, or any other problems. Just wanted to let everyone know that, some people may be suspicious as to why I pick these specific applications.

-Brandon

1438

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online (tune-ups, customization, etc)

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 29, 2007, 05:56 PM »

Has anyone else got a number of memory errors during the registry scan? One of my desktops get anywhere form 1-15 errors during the scan...I plan on doing a reinstall but want to see if anyone else has gotten this problem.
-Brandon

1439

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 28, 2007, 05:09 PM »

OK, the Maze Craze Camera Beta 1 is available below. When you open it it explains itself, but basically its Maze Craze (just a revamped Level 1) in a 240x240 window and you have to navigate through it. More challenging and interesting, and the small size great if the boss is walking by . This isn't a full version, but it should still be a quick couple minutes of fun. Post opinions for or in the poll at the top. All votes will be reset so if you voted to see it first then you can now vote for yes or no.
Link: http://mazecraze.dci...ze Camera Beta 1.exe

Enjoy!
-Brandon

1440

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 27, 2007, 12:59 AM »

OK I will setup a demo one and have it up tomorrow or Thursday

I have lasers that are going to be added I am just not sure where to add them in - expect them in the next little update though.

1441

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 26, 2007, 10:57 PM »

  The old site went down with my recent reformat, but I will be doing a few little changes to make it look less...text-based I guess is how I would refer to it. Ex: Putting a download arrow/ball/something is one of my tasks.

I added a screenshot, but just a note to everyone that if you don't want to lose the surprise of seeing what Level 35 looks like (the 2nd to last level at this point) then ignore anything below the top "window" on the website. The site looks best in 1280x1024 or above, otherwise you may have to scroll to see it all.

(FYI: Maze Craze will not go above the 1024x768 resolution unless everyone (that votes/is active here) votes that their computer goes above that one).*

* See below question

Question for opinions/ideas: Would it be more interesting if all levels above, say, 40 (so 40 to 50) were only visible for a short distance from the ball (to make it less of a pathfinder and more of a maze)?
To explain, it is like the game camera is positioned directly over the ball (like it is now). However the camera is zoomed in to show only...350x350 pixels. So it follows the ball but you cant see very far away. This would enable MUCH larger mazes and would remove the pixel by pixel restriction. I experimented with it and it isn't very hard to do, so just want to know what people think of the idea.

Please give me your opinion on this, I think it will be a cool way to aid the difficulty of the game and make it more exciting.
To include it in a test-game and see how it works
or
to just ignore it altogether.
(Vote in the poll above)

Thanks for the input mouser, I totally forgot about a screenshot
Look for small updates to the site soon
-Brandon

1442

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 26, 2007, 08:46 PM »

OK, as much as I want to make this update bigger, I think it is a good one as-is and am going to go ahead and release it. Everything (seems) to be working properly, however I was not able to get the LAN/Internet play setup.

You can get the new version 3 ways...

Click this link: http://mazecraze.dci...mazecraze_latest.exe
Go to http://mazecraze.dcisv.com/ and click the download area (where it says "Download the latest version" - just click that)
Use your updater (new version soon, hopefully) and it will download the latest version

Hope everyone enjoys it!

-Brandon

1443

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 21, 2007, 11:46 PM »

Quick (or not) update...
Walt is leaving the Maze Craze team to make another game with one of his friends - he is still working on it for another week or so to allow me to get 2.3 out and available (it is mostly done already). This now means that I have some competition to work with so I expect to be giving out more frequent and larger updates to keep up with his game (from what I have been told its a fast-paced 3D shooting game). I won't be changing Maze Craze much at all (3D, huge overhauls of the game, etc) unless people want me to do so.
Anyways...
Maze Craze 2.3 is coming soon, just wanted to give everyone a preview. It takes a couple of Windows Vista program windows and uses them as menus, as does the website (http://mazecraze.dcisv.com/). I have (obviously) edited them to reflect the game and it seems to work seamlessly. 2.3 is named Maze Craze "Vista" Edition because of the menus and the existing color scheme (conveniently, being similar to Vista).

If I could get a couple people to look at the new site and tell me if its good or not that would be great - as well as any other suggestions/input/ideas. The Maze Craze site has the contact page if you don't want to PM me here on the forum.

Thanks all,
-Brandon

1444

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 18, 2007, 11:41 PM »

That would still be fun - its not like it labels your vote or anything

Ill set it up in a few

Update: There we go (obviously I checked the last option as I know all the tricks so I can reach the end easily )

Update 2: I am posting yet again another version on the site momentarily - you do not need to update unless you want to. It is simply an icon update.

1445

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 18, 2007, 10:37 PM »

12...12 12...oh yes...

Wait till the last level - if someone beats that they deserve a big platinum medal and about $100,000

1446

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 18, 2007, 10:10 PM »

There are 36 I believe - I am going to update the icon with a much better one now so when I do I will check the number.
OK, I will see about adding the spacebar reminder into the Main Menu (and rearranging it also so people READ IT - you know who you are )
Also, I am aware of the button failure, but I can't fix it - just keep clicking until it works.

Update: Or what about if you don't have a savegame (or an up-to-date one) you are REQUIRED to run the tutorial? At least give you some practice before going out (or into) the maze.

Update 2: IMPORTANT! IF YOU DOWNLOADED A NEW VERSION EARLIER TODAY PLEASE USE THE NEW 2.2.1 FROM THE SITE - it fixes the tutorial (it seems I need one of my own to train myself keep track of everything that I do )

1447

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 18, 2007, 08:18 PM »

OK I am uploading the new file in about 10 minutes - those of you with updaters can run those and everyone else just head to http://mazecraze.dcisv.com/ and click the button with the beg red ball
Hope everyone enjoys it - (this is a highly recommended update; EXTREMEMLY so for those with slow/low-end computers)
-Brandon

Update: The game is up - ENJOY!
Update 2: Just FYI, I added the Vista Orb in the Intro screen because it looks similar in size and (obviously) shape to Maze Craze's, I made this version on Vista (testing to see if there are any problems) and to get the word out to anyone out of the loop about Vista (not really for people here at DC, but I spread this to everyone I can, so it helps them out - clicking it takes you to the Vista site).

1448

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 18, 2007, 07:32 PM »

Yea I brought that up in an IM with Walt (graphics designer) and forgot the post lol - ill leave it for laughs

1449

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Maze Craze - Fun 2D game by Wreckedcarzz

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 18, 2007, 05:51 PM »

Exciting post here - I had (finally) gotten Game Maker Pro so I have continued work on Maze Craze. 2.2 will be released later today as an edit to this post, so refresh, and refresh often (I am finishing it off as you read this). The main aim of 2.2 is to reduce lag, update small spelling errors ans such, and improve the loading speed and file size. It removes a couple bugs, many interface bugs, updates the Help Center, the Main Menu (new names also), makes itself more user-friendly, has a little better graphics, a new 2 player level (yes, just one, but like I said the aim of this one is to reduce/remove lag so other versions will not have problems), new system requirements/recomendations, updated help file, new icon, and a few unspecified fixes (full list in the readme). I hope everyone enjoys it - we are already worknig on new levels, new graphics and I have plans for tuning the Player Assistant (the Num 5 key deploys, Num pad arrow keys control, for those who don't know).
Thanks everyone,
-Brandon

1450

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online (tune-ups, customization, etc)

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 17, 2007, 08:30 AM »

AHH; yes I am sorry about that - I worked on it until 1AM last night (it is 6AM now...so yea - not much sleep). That, as well as 1 more bug, HAS been resolved (forgive my misleading "bug-free" statement ). It should NOW work properly on all computers, but I am not 100% sure.

Download below

If you are using the new version and are going to try to help me out with fixing some problems...
Specifically I just need to know if the programs wait to long to to something (the timers need to DECREASE) or if it does the next program before finishing (the timers need to INCREASE) or if it clicks in the wrong place on your resolution or (most likely) the new registry optimizer fails. The last scenario I have encountered numerous times - the program will fail to optimize a registry hive and will say so, but require the user to say Yes (continue on with the next one) or No (cancel all optimization). If this occurs you may see some odd results...try to catch it quickly as you don't want it popping up and AutoMaintenance's timer runs out (because the program SHOULD be done) and it tells it to restart (several keystrokes). This (I *think*) is caused by the fact that it is already fragment-free - so only run this like once a week.

If you have version 1.1, just replace your CompuTech AutoMaintenance.exe with this new one (BETA Version 1.2).

Times:
Just so everyone knows how long this process takes, here is the timing of all the programs (and the process basically)...it took some work NOT typing in AHK
If you don't understand this - copy, paste and print out this post, then run the program and watch/read.

CCleaner - open
Wait 1 sec
Run Cleaner
Wait 10 sec
CleanUp! - open
Wait 2.5 sec
CleanUp!
Wait 10 sec
Close
Wait 1 sec
'No' to logoff prompt
Eusing Free Registry Cleaner - open
Wait 1 sec
Close registration box
Wait 1 sec
Start scan
Wait 1 1/2 min (90 sec)
Repair
Wait 60 sec
Exit
IObit Advanced WindowsCare V2 Personal - open
Wait 10 sec
Click Scan
Wait 4 minutes (240 sec)
Click Repair
Wait 45 sec
Click Close
IObit SmartDefrag Beta 3 - open
Wait 1.5 sec
Click Manual Defrag
Wait .5 sec
Click Defrag All Volumes
Wait 10 min (600 seconds)
Click Close (on the View Report/Close box)
Wait .5 sec
Click 'X' (the little X to close the window)
NT Registry Optimizer - open
Wait 1 sec
Start optimization
Wait 2 min (120 sec)
Restart PC

Enjoy!
-Brandon