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25651

Official Announcements / September 2007 - Site of the Month - lifehack.org

« Last post by mouser on September 08, 2007, 09:29 PM »

lifehack.org - perhaps one of the most under-rated sites of its kind.

They offer up advice and tips on how to make the best use of your time and how to accomplish things without spending a fortune. They are also are platform agnostic and always recommend interesting and helpful apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux users to try out, though their focus is not on software.

Content is upbeat, lively, and constantly changing. And when we say constantly we mean it, every day they seem to post yet another useful essay or article. Really great stuff, and written always in a straightforward non-hyped way, with almost no fluff -- these guys are serious about helping you improve the way you spend your time. Check out their site and sign up for the RSS feed and start hacking yourself!

25652

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Virtual Flashlight

« Last post by mouser on September 08, 2007, 11:02 AM »

that is really cool  

25653

Living Room / Tower Defense Game of the Week: Turret Wars

« Last post by mouser on September 08, 2007, 07:24 AM »

This is a very nice one, with multiple difficulty levels, maps, and lots of weapons.  Well thought out with some interesting touches like differen enemy AI and boss levels.

http://www.victoryga...mes/turret_wars.html

from http://flash.plasticthinking.org/

25654

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Hotspot program

« Last post by mouser on September 08, 2007, 05:23 AM »

Check out these threads about "StrokeIt" and other such tools:

• https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=2206.0
• https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=9644.0

25655

DcUpdater / Re: For developers who want to add DcUpdater check to their apps: dcuhelper.exe

« Last post by mouser on September 08, 2007, 02:30 AM »

I've uploaded a new version of dcuhelper.exe:

from readme:

//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This tiny helper utility will let your program check for updates by invoking the
 isntalled DcUpdater tool on their computer, or explaining to them how to get it
 and directing them to the DcUpdater web page (and your program's web page)
 if it's not installed.

For help, more examples, sample scripts, see this thread on our forum:
 https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=9607.0

Main DcUpdater web page:
 https://www.donation...r/Updater/index.html
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------


//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version info:
   v1.01.01 - August 16, 2007 - first public release
   v1.02.01 - September 8, 2007 - added dll exports, improved help,
      opens program webpage if updater not installed.
      added version info to usage display (invoke with no arguments).
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------


//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. To register your program's directory with the system updater:
   dcuhelper.exe -r "program_labelname" "full_path_to_app_directory"

2. To invoke the updaterwith various commandline options:
   dcuhelper.exe -[r]i "program_labelname" "full_path_to_app_directory" "missingupdatertitle_or_._for_silent" [commandline options to be passed to updater]
   e.g. if they explicitly ask to check for updates, do so and report results no matter what:
    dcuhelper.exe -ri "ProcessTamer" "C:\Program Files\ProcessTamer" "Error"
   e.g. or if you want to check for updates at startup silently (dont report if no update found):
    dcuhelper.exe -ri "ProcessTamer" "C:\Program Files\ProcessTamer" "."

3. To UNregister your program's directory with the system updater (not really necessary):
   dcuhelper.exe -u "program_labelname"

Note: program_labelname is just a unique arbitrary label that is used to create the redirect files (see below).
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------



//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
How does dcuhelper.exe register your program with the updater?
It creates a file:
   %COMMONAPPDATA%\\DonationCoder\\DcUpdater\\RedirectFiles\program_labelname.dcupdateredirect
Which points to your program's directory.
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------



//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can also load the dcuhelper.exe from within your program as if it were
 a dll, and invoke it that way (and check for updater path/existence):

extern "C" __declspec( dllexport ) int DLLMainCall(int argc, char** argv);  // returns 0 on success
extern "C" __declspec( dllexport ) char* DLLGetDcUpdaterPath(char *appdir); // blank on not installed
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------

25656

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: Small request (Double click the trayicon)

« Last post by mouser on September 07, 2007, 08:36 PM »

This frustrates me as well, the only reason it doesn't do this well already is that i have it set up so left click and right click each bring up a different window.

But i did make the last version (1.15.02) bring up the main window on double click.

25657

UrlSnooper / Re: what's new in v2.20.01?

« Last post by mouser on September 07, 2007, 11:16 AM »

I think the help file says 2.19.02 when it really should say 2.20.02, so the changes are as in the help file where it describes 2.19.02:

• Fixed bug which was causing crashes win win9x/ME
• Upgraded to winpcap 4.1beta
• Added update support
• Changing languages was messing up the network adapter combo box.
• Changing network adapter manually now disables the autonetwork detection checkbox.
• Added instructions and settings so that the program runs with Administrator Privileges in Microsoft Vista.

25658

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Show number of characters as I type in email

« Last post by mouser on September 07, 2007, 10:05 AM »

It makes me very happy to see others making use of the updater!

25659

Find And Run Robot / Re: Latest FARR v2.00.140 ALPHA PREVIEW Release - Aug 15, 2007

« Last post by mouser on September 07, 2007, 08:48 AM »

from the help file:

The following virtual folders are available for specification in the search folder list. Using them won't effect search speed and can keep your configuration valid even if you use a portable usb drive, etc.:

%USERPROFILE%
%USERNAME%
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%
%MYDOCUMENTS%
%MYFAVORITES%
%MYDESKTOP%
%MYSTARTMENU%
%COMMONSTARTMENU%
%PROGRAMFILES%
%MYPICTURES%
%MYMUSIC%
%MYVIDEO%
%MYAPPDATA%
%COMMONAPPDATA%
%COMMONMUSIC%
%COMMONPICTURES%
%COMMONVIDEO%
%FONTS%
%SYSTEMDIR%
%FARRDIR%
%CONFIGDIR%

You can also use relative directories in the search folder tab:

..\etc (up one directory)
\blah (on root directory of the program drive)


When specifying alias commands you may occasionally want to refer to the home directory of the alias:

%ALIASDIR%

Therefore I *think* you should simply be able to do \dir\file
to refer to directory \dir on the drive, or refer to %FARRFIR%\subdir\file to refer to a subdirectory of FARR.

please let me know if the \dir\file approach doesnt work -- i'm not sure that's been tested much.

25660

Official Announcements / Re: FreeThesaurus.net - new official DC web service, is now up and running!

« Last post by mouser on September 07, 2007, 06:47 AM »

that slowdown you are experiencing is an invisible window where cody is doing a dance.  it's true you can't see it, but just knowing that your computer cpu is being used for a complex physics simulation of Cody doing his special Worm dance should bring you immense satisfaction and outweight any sluggish pc performance.

25661

Living Room / Re: question on compression and storage: help me be less stupid

« Last post by mouser on September 07, 2007, 04:04 AM »

Compression works when you can find patterns in the data that can be respresented in a more compact form..  If you are compressing english text, you know that certain words and letters occur more often than others, so you choose a compression scheme that can take advantage of that.  If you are compressing images where each byte represents a pixel, and you expect to have long sequences of the same color, then you would focus on a compression algorithm that takes advantage of that fact.

There is nothing to stop you from compressing at the bit level, with things like strings of bits, but the question is would it give you higher compression than working at the higher levels, and the answer is almost never, because the chunks of redundant information (the patterns) are occuring at a higher level (like repeated letter pairs in english, or byte-patterns representing colors, etc.).  It's also the fact that working at the bit level is more time consuming for the cpu as opposed to working with bytes or words.

I urge you to delve more into compression, it really is a beautiful subject.

25662

Developer's Corner / CodeGear (Borland) Announces Rad Studio 2007 (Delphi, C++ Builder, etc.)

« Last post by mouser on September 07, 2007, 03:40 AM »

This is sort of big news to those of us who use Delphi or C++ Builder..

CodeGear, a leader in developer tools, today announced CodeGear RAD Studio 2007 , a new version of the award-winning rapid application development (RAD) environment for Microsoft® Windows. The new offering is designed to help developers more quickly and cost effectively build rich database-driven Windows and Web applications. Previously code-named "Highlander," CodeGear RAD Studio delivers Delphi® for Win32®, C++Builder® and new Delphi .NET 2.0 development in a single integrated environment. It is the only integrated development environment (IDE) solution that supports rapid application development of both native Microsoft Windows and .NET applications on and for Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. This allows developers to build Web, client/server and desktop Windows applications on all three platforms, and to deploy to any of the three. "CodeGear RAD Studio gives developers the flexibility to use the operating system that best suits their needs, while developing for multiple Windows operating systems, including Windows Vista, and the Web," said Nick Hodges, Delphi Product Manager at CodeGear.

New features and capabilities include:
Enhanced Delphi support for the Microsoft Vista Aero user interface - including themed applications, Visual Component Library (VCL) and VCL.NET support for 3D user interface effects and animations, transparent glassing, File and Task Dialog components. VCL is CodeGear's visual, component-based framework for Windows.
Delphi language support for Microsoft .NET 2.0 (compatible with .NET 3.0) and ASP.NET 2.0 development. ASP.NET is a set of technologies in the .NET framework for building Web applications and XML Web services.
...

http://blogs.codegea...007/09/05/38722.aspx

25663

Find And Run Robot / Re: Latest FARR v2.00.140 ALPHA PREVIEW Release - Aug 15, 2007

« Last post by mouser on September 07, 2007, 02:09 AM »

on the hotkey configuration check the box marked "highlight search text" -- then when farr pops up with the text its already selected and you can just type new stuff to search and it will replace the starting text.

25664

Find And Run Robot / Re: Latest FARR v2.00.140 ALPHA PREVIEW Release - Aug 15, 2007

« Last post by mouser on September 07, 2007, 01:46 AM »

I was wondering if it would be possible when the hotkey is hit that we can customize the default icons.  Where we can choose which ones and however many we want showing.

you absolutely can do this already -- it's part of the reason for the new hotkey system.
to do this, go to the hotkey (either use the default one or create a new one with a different trigger), and configure some starting text.  Like for example put: myapps

then create an alias group called myapps
and put in it all the programs you want listed.

now when you hit your hotkey up will pop your designed list of programs.

25665

JGPaiva's GridMove and Ahk Tools / Re: Links to JGPaiva's AutoHotkey Coding Snacks

« Last post by mouser on September 06, 2007, 10:20 PM »

This is done already in one form:
http://codingsnacks.donationcoder.com

(with a link to this page from Software page).


I think the idea of a standard about box is very fun.

25666

JGPaiva's GridMove and Ahk Tools / Re: Links to JGPaiva's AutoHotkey Coding Snacks

« Last post by mouser on September 06, 2007, 09:29 PM »

you should make a page for them really -- you and lanux both.  when you are ready drop me a line and i'll set up the web space.

25667

Mouser's Zone / Re: Hanselman likes DC :)

« Last post by mouser on September 06, 2007, 09:08 PM »

Who the heck is Hanselman

He is a respected coder and blogger.

25668

DcUpdater / Re: Won't shut down

« Last post by mouser on September 06, 2007, 08:11 PM »

Something must have gone wrong in checking for farrfox update that freaked it out, even though that really shouldn't be able to happen.  let me know if it happens again.

25669

DcUpdater / Re: Trials...

« Last post by mouser on September 06, 2007, 08:10 PM »

Hi Owen!

Let me answer your last question first.  It's not a bad idea regarding a dll, but i might suggest that it might make more sense to always show the menu item, and let dcuhelper.exe (https://www.donation...07.msg72215#msg72215) pop up and tell them how to get the updater if they don't have it.

I am going to very soon enhance dcuhelper so that if the updater is not found it will give them the choice to visit dcupdater page to get it OR visit your program webpage to check for an updater manually.  I think with this it's always going to be a good idea to show a menu item saying update -- because regardless of whether dcupdater is installed for them, it will be a useful way for them to find out about updates.

--

Regarding localization of dates -- you very well might be right, i'm going to test it on some differently localized pcs and see if i can spot anything.  maybe you could send me your .dcupdate file to help me test? ([email protected]).

--

Regarding the <root> issue -- dcupdater doesn't really care about the <root> but adding it makes the xml files compliant with the standard, so i now suggest that be used -- helps if you try to view the xml from browser or another tool.  Thanks for alerting me to update the help file.

25670

DcUpdater / Re: Won't shut down

« Last post by mouser on September 06, 2007, 08:03 PM »

Very strange.. i'm not sure what would cause that.

25671

Official Announcements / Re: FreeThesaurus.net - new official DC web service, is now up and running!

« Last post by mouser on September 06, 2007, 06:59 PM »

Don't forget that Nick has recently put his toe in the water as a freelance artist, so if you know a business that might want to hire him for some design work, drop him a line.

25672

ProcessTamer / Re: Config always says Tray prog isn't running.

« Last post by mouser on September 06, 2007, 06:49 PM »

great
Thanks for that reminder that i need to add a check for that from within the program so that i can warn people when it's not set.

25673

Official Announcements / Re: FreeThesaurus.net - new official DC web service, is now up and running!

« Last post by mouser on September 06, 2007, 06:38 PM »

Fantastic stuff. 

25674

Living Room / Re: question on compression and storage: help me be less stupid

« Last post by mouser on September 06, 2007, 02:48 PM »

Data Compression is a truly beautiful subject, and there are tons and tons of fascinating algorithms employed.

Since you're interested in it, i encourage you to visit some of the links at the bottom of that wiki page and surf for a nice good tutorial on it.  It's going to be hard for someone to post a reply as comprehensive as you probably need to learn what you want.

ps.
does everyone already know that jibz and I made a little (and little used) open source compression toolkit called octane?

25675

General Software Discussion / Re: Realtime Screencasting Software

« Last post by mouser on September 06, 2007, 11:25 AM »

There are actually a lot of programs for this (and some built-in features in windows xp and later).
But you won't find them listed under "realtime screencasting".

What jgp sited is one class of programs to look at, although those tend to be specific PROGRAMS that you use with others.  Rather than generically sharing control or display of a PC (regardless of what software is running on it).

For that, you might want to look at remote pc control type programs.  Here's one thread on them:
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=3576.0

Most of the ones i know about those are for 1 user controlling a pc at a time.. What you want is more interesting, which is multiple users watching and controlling a pc.  I look forward to hearing what others find, but at least that thread will give you some sites to look at.