Recent Posts

2051

General Software Discussion / Re: HDD primary partition not able to resize!

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 20, 2015, 01:40 PM »

Then created new partition and restored the old backup. All went fine.

-hulkbuster (May 20, 2015, 01:18 PM)

Glad you got it configured.   

2052

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Tray Management Utilities Mini-Review

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 20, 2015, 01:36 PM »

I'm not sure if this is the same thing you are experiencing but I just reinstalled Windows 7 and have had problems with icons not showing in the tray when I start up. Some googling found that this is an "intended feature" of Windows. Basically, Microsoft never thought Windows would start up as fast as modern hardware has allowed it to, so they hardcoded in a length of time upon booting in which, if any programs open up, their icons will not show in the tray.

The suggested solutions I found are to slow your computer down. Or wait a full minute after the OS boots before loading your startup programs (sounds like a good use for App's Lacuna Launcher from NANY 2009!). Or rebuild the icon cache. Or edit some DLL file to make Windows not so stupid about this.

-Deozaan (May 20, 2015, 12:29 PM)

I didn't run W7 x64 for any length of time so I don't know if my issue with W8.0 x64 is the same.  What happened to me is just clicking the check box "show all icons and notifications" did not cause all the tray icons to show.  Every time I run a new program I seem to need to open the options, uncheck the show all check box, then individually set every icon to both thow icon and notification, then recheck the check box.

It may be easier to delete the icon cache using a batch file.  
The other thing that bugs me is how they jump around during startup.  If you want to click a tray icon while stuff is still loading you end up clicking the wrong one as the target is moving.  

2053

Living Room / Re: Robert A. Heinlein - atmospheric processor question

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 20, 2015, 11:10 AM »

It took me awhile to track down the name.  My memory can block on me.  It was Richard C. Hoagland  He claimed NASA had pictures of "giant bridges" on the Moon left by extraterrestrials.  He sounded pretty reasonable on the radio.  I got the book he published but it was pretty boring.  A whole bunch of stuff about measurements between this and that lump on the surface of Mars(the stuff about the face with the helmet.)

Whether archeologists use such measurements as he claimed I have no idea.

It can be weird when people get involved in searching for strange stuff.  I worked with a scientist at a small research company.  He was definitely not crazy.  But you could think so once he starts displaying photographs take by dolphins strapped up with cameras and strobe lights, of the Loch Ness creature.  His specialty was high resolution films.  Being an expert in that field for decades I guess it was natural for him to take a stab at getting Nessie on film.  He showed me some pics of dolphins standing up on their tail fin in the water with cylinders about the size of flashlights strapped to them.  One cylinder had the strobe light, the other the camera.  They uses dome sonar gadget to fire the camera automatically when the dolphin came close to something with sufficient mass.  Unfortunately they didn't get any really good pics.  But the pics of the dolphins themselves were interesting. 

2054

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Volume Mixer instead of Master Volume Control

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 20, 2015, 08:47 AM »

Here is the script with a few enhancements and a custom icon, compiled to exe.
The source and icon are included.  I added a global hotkey, control shift v
to open the volume mixer.  Also single clicking on the SoundMixer.exe tray icon
will do it.

See about command in tray menu and/or Readme.txt file included in the .zip

You may download SoundMixer.zip from my page:
http://milesaheadsoftware.org

Edit: seems the upload is corrupt.  The connection died in the middle.  I'll add another edit when I get the file to the page and check the MD5 to make sure it's OK.

Edit2:  Been trying since 8:47 AM to upload a 365 kb zip file.  Goes all the way until I click Upload Button.  T"hen it's time for the spinning circle.  I'll let you know if it ever gets there.  

Edit3:  I finally got through.  I downloaded and the MD5Sum is a match.  I'm running the program from the download now.  It should be OK.  

Edit4: I am back in the same boat.  I tried to upload a revised zip file and it connects just long enough to corrupt the file on the server.  As soon as I try to upload then I cannot upload or download anything.  All I get is the dreaded spinning circle.  If I get the file on I'll post Edit #5.  


Edit5:  OK. Uploaded new zip.  Download it and checked MD5Sum.  Seems we are good now. 

2055

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Volume Mixer instead of Master Volume Control

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 20, 2015, 07:14 AM »

I havent used this script so not sure what it does.

-tomos

I forgot what it did myself.  After trying it I remembered.  If it is running and you click the mouse on the speaker in the task tray, as soon as the volume control comes up it sends alt x to make the mixer come up.  Then if you click somewhere else, like on the desktop, it closes the mixer window.  Hmmm, I think I should add that to my general purpose hotkey file and use it myself.  


Edit: I see where I didn't use the variable GotFocus for anything.  I guess I should check it before bothering to close SndVol.exe.  I'll edit the script. 

2056

Living Room / Re: Robert A. Heinlein - atmospheric processor question

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 20, 2015, 05:41 AM »

I read a SciFi novel maybe 6 months ago.  I don't recall the author or title, but it was all about diverting comets to Mars to get the water from the ice.  

-MilesAhead (March 20, 2015, 05:40 PM)

The physicists at the Thunderbolt Project have illustrated that comets have no ice. Just a fun fact. It's interesting how they explain things.

-Renegade (May 20, 2015, 12:25 AM)

Here is the SciFi Novel in question:  Mining the Oort by Frederik Pohl

Speaking of Mars I heard an old radio interview with some dude about the "face with the helmut" on Mars.  I forget the dude's name.  I think he has one book published.  Anyway according to this dude NASA has known all along intelligent extraterrestrials exist.  If this should be true I have to wonder if the "rock with the cellular life fossils" was NASA checking the public's reaction to the possibility of other life in the Solar System.

With the luck mankind has if there is life on Mars they are probably big cockroaches. 

2057

General Software Discussion / Panda Free Antivirus 2015 anyone using?

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 19, 2015, 09:45 AM »

Panda Free Antivirus 2015 anyone using?

It got a favorable review from PCMag

Just wondering if anyone has experience with it. Generally I don't like real time shield av.  But if it has a good scanner I may try it out.

2058

Living Room / Re: Rethink Smartwatch

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 19, 2015, 08:54 AM »

just came across this today:



http://xkcd.com/1420/

-tomos (May 19, 2015, 08:29 AM)

If I have to wear a watch I want one like the Predator.  Setting it to overload is way more fun than a mere alarm. 

2059

Clipboard Help+Spell / CHS featured in Softpedia tutorial

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 19, 2015, 08:36 AM »

Make the Windows Clipboard Hold More Entries

2060

Living Room / Re: Any difficulty in doing knots?

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 19, 2015, 05:58 AM »

a video of The One Armed Man(tm) tying knots might be interesting

-MilesAhead (May 18, 2015, 05:29 AM)

It seems armless enough to me.
 

-cranioscopical (May 19, 2015, 02:33 AM)

I guess you could say the villain single-handedly kept the audience tied to their TV sets.

2061

General Software Discussion / Re: Bargain Watch software?

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 18, 2015, 04:34 PM »

Specifically for video games:

Is there any deal?

-Deozaan (May 18, 2015, 04:28 PM)

Thanks. 

2062

Living Room / Re: Any difficulty in doing knots?

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 18, 2015, 04:00 PM »

It's probably a compound knot.  That just looks like a double-line hitch.  It would be nice if they told you "hey- tie a double line hitch right here- see here for instructions." or something similar.

-wraith808 (May 18, 2015, 03:52 PM)

Yeah, those pics are kind of like step by step instructions for painting the Mona Lisa.  Step 1 blank canvas.  Step 2 portrait complete paint dry. 

2063

General Software Discussion / Re: Bargain Watch software?

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 18, 2015, 05:31 AM »

Thanks for the suggestions. 

2064

Living Room / Re: Any difficulty in doing knots?

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 18, 2015, 05:29 AM »

Puns, what puns? This may come as noose to you but according to the panel you made a slip.

-cranioscopical (May 17, 2015, 09:30 PM)

Well I'm no Boy Scout nor am I Richard Kimble.  Speaking of which a video of The One Armed Man(tm) tying knots might be interesting.  

2065

General Software Discussion / Re: HDD primary partition not able to resize!

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 17, 2015, 04:34 PM »

Did you run Acronis from Windows or from a boot disc?  I haven't used Acronis but I have used EaseUS ToDo Backup, Macrium Reflect and Paragon Backup.  In all cases when restoring the boot partition you either need a "backup capsule" hidden partition with the restore image, or you boot a disc/usb with the restore program and then restore the image to the boot partition. If you boot to Windows off the HD and run the restore you are trying to restore files that are in use.

I would try not to panic.  You may be able to get the restore image to go on.  I would post on Acronis forum.  Somebody there was likely in the same boat at some point and may know the easiest way to right the ship.

2066

General Software Discussion / Bargain Watch software?

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 17, 2015, 11:30 AM »

Does anyone know of a "bargain watch" software?  I find myself searching every day for giveaways for particular software applications.  Naturally it occurs to me how cool it would be if one could just specify a list of software with minimum version numbers and get an email when something on the list is available for free.  Pperhaps even an email with a different subject line if it is only a discount for the item.  It would save a lot of looking around.  Not to mention avoiding expired giveaways.

2067

Living Room / Re: Any difficulty in doing knots?

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 17, 2015, 11:23 AM »

Until I saw the puns I feared this thread would be for naught.

2068

General Software Discussion / Re: Delayed Cuts 1.3.2.1

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 16, 2015, 08:25 AM »

Delayed Cuts 1.3.2.1 Updated Donate to new homepage.  Updated DelayedLoad to enable
skipping load of an application by clicking the close 'x' in the corner.

Updated link in first post.

-MilesAhead (March 26, 2015, 11:21 AM)

Note that the zip file now just includes a readme.txt and a program DelayedCutsSetup.exe.
Running DelayedCutsSetup will not overwrite files in the current folder.  So it is necessary
to either delete the exe files first or unzip to an empty folder as noted in the readme.

The reason for the setup program is to copy either a 32 bit or 64 bit version of DelayedLoad.exe
to your system.  Otherwise if a shortcut points to a 64 bit program in Program Files, Windows
will redirect it to Program Files (x86) and the program you are trying to run is not there.

2069

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Dayu Disk Master Pro giveaway

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 15, 2015, 11:04 AM »

Speaking of giveaways, I got a copy of Power ISO from Windows Deal

It's not something I need.  At least I don't think so, since W8 can mount iso images.  But I'm curious if anyone likes it.  I don't mess around with video anymore.  I don't have much occasion to wish to get all the files I can off the damaged DVD etc..

2070

Living Room / Re: Movies or films you've seen lately

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 15, 2015, 05:36 AM »

Tokkan is a 10-episode situation comedy drama starring Inoue Mao.
I hope nobody gets annoyed with me posting Japanese multi-show dramas or films; nobody likes duds, and I am trying to be as careful as I can to post only what I think are really good ones.
One of the best ways to find them is to browse the host web filmographies of top stars, and Inoue Mao is another awesome film star in Japan who always delivers.
"Miki (Inoue Mao) is run ragged each day as ruthless tax investigator Kagami’s assistant to collect taxes from tax defaulters." (see attachment in previous post)Inoue Mao

-bit (May 15, 2015, 12:57 AM)

The first show I saw her in was Hana Yori Dango

She was way cute.  Although the dancing boxing bit got old after awhile.  Still, it was kind of fun.  I have been on jdorama.com and d-addicts.com for years.  Although I rarely post.  As for me please post series you enjoy.  Especially if they can be accessed online for free with English Subs.  

2071

General Software Discussion / Re: Utility to allow keeping only the newest copy of several files on a drive

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 14, 2015, 09:50 AM »

Sounds like it would be easy on VMS.  A DEC guy wrote some Windows command line utilities to simulate some of the VMS file features like copy with version number stuck on.  For example the VMS command
purge /keep=1

would remove all files except the newest.

I don't know how useful it is but it's free so might be worth a look:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/glindra/

2072

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 13, 2015, 03:23 PM »

This is why discount stores still sell plenty of pairs of crappy $15 sneakers that fall apart in a month.

-app103 (May 13, 2015, 09:58 AM)

Heh.  First time I read this I saw speakers and thought about how my crappy $15 speakers lasted a few years.    I agree on the shoes.  Rockport Walking Shoes were the best I ever owned.  I wore them all day every day and used no other shoes/slippers.  Got 10 years out of 'em. 

The worst is when I see people on the street who have had their shoes stolen.  You can tell because they are wearing socks with $1.95 flip flops.   

2073

General Software Discussion / Re: ON/OFF TaskBar button for Automatic log-on and connect to Internet.

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 13, 2015, 07:56 AM »

Another way to skin the cat using ipconfig:

http://answers.micro...88-a268-4a3c929d74d2

basically using release to give up your IP address and renew to get it back(for broadband at least.)

2074

Found Deals and Discounts / Hawk Host Shared Hosting bargain

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 13, 2015, 07:20 AM »

If in need of shared hosting I would take a look here:
https://www.hawkhost...m/shared-web-hosting

Hawk Host has 25% off coupons for shared hosting here:
https://www.hawkhost...web-hosting-specials

When I signed up 3 months ago they honored a coupon for 25% discount.  So I assume it is legit.

If you sign up and wish to cite me as a referral that's cool. But it's no big deal since the initial plan I had was quite economical.  Also I must say any query I made to support was resolved quickly and competently.

I've been there just about 3 months.  I haven't noticed any downtime or other problems that I could not easily resolve by contacting support.  Also just yesterday they emailed me to notify me I could increase my total storage from the current 3 GB to 6 GB at no charge.  I can't complain about that. 

2075

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 13, 2015, 05:40 AM »

The other thing to consider is with W8 and later you take the plunge with GPT and UEFI.  Better technologies for the future sure.  But the transition is no fun. I've been trying to boot VHD OSs with W8.0 and so far only Windows 2012 Server R2 has worked.  At that I would have to install all the drivers for my Laptop.

From what I am told Windows 7 flavors that support VHD booting. it just works.  Also the only "modern" app I use is Weather.  I have a web browser that does the same thing.  I am carrying around all that Start Screen and App layer of crap just because MS wants it there.  I don't even own a smart phone.

One of these days I'll put W7 Pro on this thing if I find I can do the VHD bit with it.

Thirdly I don't know how many PCs are broken in the forums by auto updates.  I think the percentages say that if I leave Windows Update on automatic it will break my system much sooner and more surely than some virus coming down the information highway.

They should have stopped at lucky 7. For a few more years anyway.