Recent Posts

226

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: View FULL txt file in tooltip

« Last post by wr975 on October 08, 2006, 04:12 PM »

Stuff that InfoTag Magic displays, but larger, and even scrollable by up and down movement of the mouse (no scrollbars). With delete and edit button included.

-tmpusr (October 08, 2006, 09:05 AM)

Try xplorer² with Quickview (CTRL+Q) activated...

227

General Software Discussion / Re: What's wrong with XP's built-in firewall?

« Last post by wr975 on October 07, 2006, 04:35 AM »

Actually one of the things I am finding a bit frustrating with Outpost is that AdMuncher has dozens of connections open with MSN Messenger and Firefox - it isn't surprising that my system is slow at times !

-Carol Haynes (October 06, 2006, 06:49 PM)

IMO the connections would be there without AdMuncher, so it can't be the cause of a slow system. If your system gets slow, try restarting Firefox.

228

General Software Discussion / Re: What's wrong with XP's built-in firewall?

« Last post by wr975 on October 05, 2006, 02:57 AM »

due to lack of outbound control.

There is no outbound control.

See the tests here:  http://www.firewallleaktester.com/

After seeing it, I deinstalled Sunbelt Kerio and tried Comodo Firewall (too bad they tested such old version). But it made me pretty much insane in learning mode (AdMuncher + StrokeIt: code injection galore).

Then I wondered, why I'm torturing myself if a clever written software could bypass a firewall anyway. So I decided to stop using software firewalls (for outbound connections). My router is firewalling incoming connections quite OK (grc.com says stealth).

So when I got a new computer I decided it wasn't worth my time to decide to block every cookie or not.

Same here. I accept all cookies and configured my "system cleaner tool" (I'm using CrapCleaner) to erase cookies but keep certain ones. So whenever I "clean" my system, all unneeded cookies are gone.

229

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Why do unzip apps have to be so complicated?

« Last post by wr975 on October 01, 2006, 06:43 AM »

Hey, thanks!   

I wasn't very happy with overwriting files, but ... ehm... too lazy. Anyway, here's a new version which won't overwrite anymore, ever. Please let me know if it works.


EDIT: 53 downloads... neat.  New version posted, see Reply#35

230

Living Room / Re: HD noise distracting

« Last post by wr975 on September 30, 2006, 06:30 AM »

hard drive noise drives me insane. i went crazy a few months ago and bought all the 'quiet' kit i could afford. so, two samsung spinpoints (meant to be super quiet) and two raptor drives (quiet spinning but super loud clicking).

-nudone (August 22, 2006, 06:27 AM)

I read about it recently. There's a tool from Samsung to change the acoustic noise level of Spinpoint drives.

http://www.samsung.c.../utilities/hutil.htm

231

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Why do unzip apps have to be so complicated?

« Last post by wr975 on September 29, 2006, 03:32 PM »

can i just make sure you guys when you say "erase archive" you are making sure the archive gets deleted to the recycle bin until you are REALLY sure everything is working as planned - i'd hate to see someone end up wiping their drive by using this incorrectly.. please make sure you are doing any checks possible to avoid mistakenly deleteing huge amounts because of user error.

-mouser (September 29, 2006, 03:02 PM)

Older versions deleted the files. My bad. The current version puts them in the RecycleBin.

Three conditions must be valid to make the script recycle a file. Someone would need to rewrite the script so it'd wipe a drive...

232

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Why do unzip apps have to be so complicated?

« Last post by wr975 on September 29, 2006, 03:13 PM »

I updated the script a bit (better handling for folders/subfolders with one file) + commented it.

-wr975 (September 28, 2006, 05:36 PM)

Good work! It looks perfect, I'll now look at the code and then add it to my context menu too

I think that lanux128 raized a good point, maybe it could have a gui (that would only appear if some command line flag was activated) to be able to decompress the file to a place different from its current dir.

Other than that, i love it!   

-jgpaiva (September 29, 2006, 10:30 AM)

Thanks for the nice feedback. I just trial and error my way into a working script.

About your suggestion. The original idea was hands-free extracting. Just drag & drop or right-click and it's done. Selecting a different target folder doesn't feel right somehow. It'd be faster to double-click the archive, select 'extract all' and select the target folder... Anyway, just IMO.

Feel free to change the script + add this feature (that is, if you can read into my strange source).

233

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Why do unzip apps have to be so complicated?

« Last post by wr975 on September 29, 2006, 02:54 PM »

New version.

If the program is started without parameter, a simple drag&drop GUI appears. The GUI allows to configure the "erase archive" option.

I also figured out the command line for 7zip (Freeware) + adjusted the script to accept it. See the configuration file for an example. Please note: Use the full version of 7zip (installer), not the command line.

I've tested it a lot + fixed some bugs. AHK's function to move folders seems a bit buggy (if the folder exists it won't overwrite, but moves in the existing folder). It's not serious and probably happens in test situations only.

Again, short instructions:

a.) download the attachment and extract it. (source included)
b.) open the .ini file in Notepad and configure path and decompressing parameters of your archiving utility.
c.) integrate the .exe file in your right-click menu (important: "%1") or in the toolbar of a file manager (like xplorer²) or drag archive files on it or just start it.

EDIT: Removed attachment. See post below.

234

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Why do unzip apps have to be so complicated?

« Last post by wr975 on September 28, 2006, 05:36 PM »

Don't forget you can add it to the context menu, just like winrar does, on folder options -> file types.

-jgpaiva (September 28, 2006, 04:55 AM)

That easy? I've never tried it. .... And you're right. Thanks.

Now with right-click working I really started to like this idea/script. I didn't think I'd ever use it (just a script experiment), but now I don't want to miss it anymore.

I updated the script a bit (better handling for folders/subfolders with one file) + commented it.

235

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Why do unzip apps have to be so complicated?

« Last post by wr975 on September 28, 2006, 04:48 AM »

...if nobody makes it, maybe i'll give it a go.

-jgpaiva (September 28, 2006, 03:52 AM)

Tell me what's wrong with my AHK script, and perhaps I can change it (or you can, or whoever.)

236

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Ultra CPU Monitor

« Last post by wr975 on September 28, 2006, 01:48 AM »

Thanks for the info.

237

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Why do unzip apps have to be so complicated?

« Last post by wr975 on September 27, 2006, 02:19 PM »

Edit: Years later and I still in use... at least on my system. If you're interested in my "Smart Unpack" script, head to the latest version, with instructions how to get in in the context menu: https://www.donation....msg113894#msg113894

Solution:
I would like to see an application do all the work for me.  Double click a zip file, the application determines:
1) If there is a single file, extract it on the same level folder as the zip file
2) If there is single folder in the zip file with multiple files in that folder, extract it and put that folder on the same level as the zip file
3) If there is multiple files in the zip file without being zipped with a containing folder, create a folder with the zip filename and extract the files to it.
Then, it deletes the zip file.  The only user input is the initial double click.

Unless someone comes up with a better solution, you could try this simple AHK script (see attachment for compiled exe).

It'll use - of course - an external unpacker, so it's not limited to ZIP files only. Please configure the ini file.

Erasing the archive files can be configured. See the ini file. If the unpacker reports an error, it'll never erase the zip files. No matter what you configured. Right now, it won't erase multi-part archives.

I don't know how to integrate it in the right-click menu. So drag&drop archive files on it, or put it in your send-to menu. Making it the default for archives is not recommended.


Edit: small update
Edit: new version posted below

238

Living Room / Re: DonationCoder.com wallpapers (set 01)

« Last post by wr975 on September 27, 2006, 10:28 AM »

Nice! Thank you.

239

General Software Discussion / Re: How to add/delete files of an installer?

« Last post by wr975 on September 27, 2006, 06:14 AM »

I don't know if there's a freeware to change an existing InstallShield setup.

Perhaps it would be easier to create an own installer using InnoSetup + ISTTool (http://www.jrsoftware.org/isdl.php#qsp). If you just need to install some files and perhaps create a shortcut, you can use WinRAR (self-extracting image).

240

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Screen Dimmer

« Last post by wr975 on September 26, 2006, 06:07 AM »

Pretty much every other CRT in the place is set at the default of 60hz and it bugs me so much.

Do your colleagues a favor and change it to 75hz or 85hz. I'm sure they'll appreciate.

FWIW, I'd refuse working with a CRT anymore. My workplace provided me with a cheapy 19" CRT and had no interest getting me a TFT. So I brought my own. If you've beginning troubles with your eyes, it'd be best to do something now before it'll get worse. Also use a RSI-preventing tool (like Workrave) to remind you doing pauses.

241

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Screen Dimmer

« Last post by wr975 on September 25, 2006, 05:13 PM »

So anyway, I'd like an app that has a user-customizable amount to dim the screen. I'd use it for night time computer use to get rid of the brightness headaches. Could also be useful to dim the whiteness on monitors that flicker.

-Deozaan (September 25, 2006, 03:05 AM)

I'm not sure, but perhaps this one will work?

http://www.quickgamma.de/indexen.html

242

Post New Requests Here / Re: PPMd ZIP packer/extractor (i.e. WinZip 10 compatible)

« Last post by wr975 on September 24, 2006, 03:50 PM »

All those different compression/encryption algorithms in ZIP files are quite confusing. I'll never forgive WinZip for messing with the ZIP standard. 

PPMd is just a compression algorithm and IMO very slow. For enhanced zip files you can still create "normal" archives. If necessary (larger than 2 GB, splitfiles) it'll be a ZIP64 file. I think there's more support for ZIP64. Even WinRAR can unpack split ZIP64 zip files (unless it's encrypted in anything else than "Zip 2.0 standard").

I'd recommend creating a self extracting ZIP file, if you use a different compression algorithm and/or stronger encryption. So anyone can unpack it.

243

Living Room / Re: Windows Passwords

« Last post by wr975 on September 24, 2006, 03:58 AM »

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think fSekrit is meant to be a password manager. There're other tools, like Keepass or PINs.

Relevation is pretty nice. I've used it myself, but it's old and got no update since 2000. And it can't handle password fields introduced in Win XP (dots instead of asterisk). So, I'm using SIW (http://www.gtopala.com/index.html). It's showing system information, but in the tools menu there's an entry called "Eureka!". This will start a password revealer(just like Relevation) which is sometimes able to uncover "dot" fields... Wish it would work always.

244

Living Room / Re: Windows Passwords

« Last post by wr975 on September 24, 2006, 01:55 AM »

Try "Protected Storage Passview".

http://www.nirsoft.n..._recovery_tools.html

You can use this tool to export passwords.

Sometimes I use it just for fun... Users are usally deeply shocked if all their passwords suddenly appear. 

To clear this data, you can use the Internet Options of Internet Explorer. Somewhere there're buttons to clear History, saved Autoform data and passwords. Or you can use a tool for doing such tasks. My favorite is CCleaner (CrapCleaner): http://www.ccleaner.com/

245

General Software Discussion / Re: What Labeler / Cover Printing Software Do you Recommend?

« Last post by wr975 on September 23, 2006, 03:03 PM »

I'm also searching for the "perfect" cover printing program. Never found one, yet.

For CD/DVDs I'm using SureThing CD Labeler and for other labels I use use a program called "Labels Unlimited 1.0" from 1994. I even used it under Windows 3.11. Perfect combination of "ease of use and powerful". It still works and serves my purpose. There's an enhanced version 2.0 of it, but I never got it working.

http://www.surething.com
http://www.nothingbu...age/ProductCode/8748 (can't find a trial)


Other programs I tried

SureThing Office Labeler
Droppix Label Maker (http://www.droppix.c...oduit.php?produit=10)
"My Labels"  (http://www.avanquest...my_label_des_dlx.asp)
Visual Labels (http://www.rkssoftwa...labels/overview.html)

246

Mini-Reviews by Members / Ultra CPU Monitor

« Last post by wr975 on September 22, 2006, 03:10 PM »

Basic Info

App Name	Ultra CPU Monitor
App URL	http://www.darmon.ho...nitor/index_eng.html
App Version Reviewed	1.2
Supported OSes	W2K/XP, unsure about W9x
Support Methods	None mentioned. Probably email.
Pricing Scheme	Freeware. Author asks for a postcard if you like it.

Intro:

This is my first mini-review and English is not my native language, so please... be nice.

I like to see the CPU activity all the time. I know a minimized taskman can do it, but I accidently close it all the time. So for many years I've used Active CPU and thought there'd be never another tool of its kind, but today I found something better: Ultra CPU Monitor. I don't like programs with SUPER or ULTRA in their name (sounds like cheap hype) but I still gave it a try.


Who is this app designed for:

Power users who like to know what's happening with their system. If the PC acts "sluggish" for no reason and you see CPU = 100% you know at instant something's not correct. You also know at one glance if the PC is still busy with some task (MP3 encoding).


The Good

The good thing about this app is of course the price no one can beat. Also it's not showing a "block" like taskman or Active CPU do, but a real graphical presentation (diagram) of the CPU load.

So, instead of



you'll see



You can extend it to up to 8 tray icons, to expand the "history"



Or use a tray icon as number.



Colors can be changed



and, last but not least, the update interval can be adjusted. (no picture). 


The needs improvement section

I guess there's not much to improve. As I started it the first time it took 30 MB memory, but dropped to 9 MB. That's not much for an application these days. Active CPU consumed 7 MB.

Slighty annoying:

• Clicking on info starts the about box (as it should) but also opens your browser to load the homepage.
• To save the settings you've to select "Save settings" in the tray menu. I'm lazy... Autosave please!

Why I think you should use this product

Anyone who likes to see the current CPU load all the time.


How does it compare to similar apps

The graphical presention (with history) makes it unique. Don't know of any other application doing this only.


Conclusions

Instant keeper and after many, many years Active CPU had to go.


Links to other reviews of this application

Since I mentioned it various times, here's the link to Active CPU (also freeware): http://www.protect-me.com/freeware.html

247

General Software Discussion / Re: Motherboard Monitor, or Something Else?

« Last post by wr975 on September 22, 2006, 01:47 PM »

Perhaps you'll like this one better?

http://www.techpowerup.com/systool/

248

General Software Discussion / Re: Motherboard Monitor, or Something Else?

« Last post by wr975 on September 22, 2006, 10:22 AM »

SpeedFan all the way.

It also checks S.M.A.R.T. and can compare/explain the results online (click "In depth online analysis").

249

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Best Freeware...no, Best Audio File Tagger Period.

« Last post by wr975 on September 22, 2006, 10:16 AM »

Actually hirudin did a nice minireview of The Godfather and it sparked a lot of discussion:

https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=1492.0

-mouser (September 22, 2006, 05:44 AM)

You've a good memory. 

250

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: Best Freeware...no, Best Audio File Tagger Period.

« Last post by wr975 on September 22, 2006, 05:37 AM »

I like Tag & Rename. Registered it many years ago, got all updates for free. Development slowed down, but I guess there's just nothing else to add. I'm so used to it I'm unable to switch to a different software. I see no need to use something different. I can tag anything with ease, no matter how messed up the tags are. I really started to appreciate the copy/paste tags feature lately.

Best Freeware...no, Best Audio File Tagger Period.

If it would be the best, it would have folder view... like T&R offers.   

Anyway, giving my "vote", I think the best tagger is probably The Godfather (http://users.otenet.gr/~jtcliper/tgf/).