Recent Posts

2626

General Software Discussion / Re: LastPass alternatives with two-factor authentication? (including premium LP)

« Last post by Deozaan on September 18, 2015, 04:34 PM »

You could try using the free version of APK Permission Remover to remove what might be unneeded permissions from the APK before installation.

https://play.google....eagoo.apkpermremover

-4wd (September 17, 2015, 07:21 PM)

That looks interesting and potentially useful. Thanks! But how do you get the APK of Google Play Store apps without first granting permissions/installing them?


As I said, I got in touch with the folks at Enpass asking for a refund. They got back to me and said that they don't use the location permission, but somehow through their use of Google Play Services, the Google Play Services library automatically added the location permission (against their will/knowledge). So they're working on releasing a new update without the location permission.

In summary: I'm giving Enpass some time to remove the permission before I continue with my stink about it. Hopefully they make it right.

2627

Developer's Corner / Re: Anyone doing Arduino or Raspberry Pi (or similar)?

« Last post by Deozaan on September 18, 2015, 03:02 PM »

I have an Odroid-C1 (which is no longer available since the improved Odroid-C1+ was released), but I'm not really doing any electronics stuff with it. I'm just using it as a tiny little server for some things, such as Mumble or Plex.

2628

Developer's Corner / Re: Confessions of a free-to-play games producer

« Last post by Deozaan on September 18, 2015, 02:55 PM »

So does anyone know how these other games get this kind of info? "We know where you live, we know your income level, we know your relationships, your favorite sports teams, your political preferences. We know when you go to work, and where you work."

-TaoPhoenix (September 18, 2015, 08:44 AM)

The article is specifically about Facebook games/integration. So once you login with Facebook, they now have access to pretty much everything about you on Facebook. All your likes, friends, etc. Not only that, but all of your friends' likes and friends, etc.

And like he said, even if you fill out entirely false information on Facebook, anybody you are linked to on Facebook (as a friend, or as someone you play Facebook games with, or someone who logs in on the same computer or IP address, etc.) they can grab a lot of information from them about you. There are already plenty of other good articles/explanations about how that's possible and how that works.

It's just scary and sad and frustrating all at once.

2629

Developer's Corner / Re: Confessions of a free-to-play games producer

« Last post by Deozaan on September 18, 2015, 02:52 PM »

As someone who makes games as a hobby and hopes to (eventually) make video games for a living, this kind of thing really frustrates me.

The free-to-play games have created a race-to-the-bottom culture where fun gameplay has been replaced by psychologically addictive tasks. It gives players just enough of a taste of potential fun/reward, then blocks progress by money gates or extremely long wait times (to encourage players to pay up). It's essentially one huge Skinner box, with people playing for months, even when they recognize that they're not really enjoying it anymore, simply because of the feeling of being on the verge of having fun with it. There's a perpetual feeling of "Once I get this upgrade things will be fun."  but as soon as that upgrade is attained, the game changes is such a way that the next one is needed to continue progressing.

It sucks. A lot.

But because there are innumerable F2P games on the market(s), trying to sell your game for even a measly $1 can be really difficult.

Why pay $1 for an indie game made by 1 or 2 people which doesn't look nearly as nice as any number of the other "free" games out there in the same category? And how can I, as a developer, survive (economically) in this situation without resorting to the same data collection and other sleazy tactics? (These are rhetorical questions.)

2630

Living Room / Re: Malware uptick using WordPress Exploit

« Last post by Deozaan on September 18, 2015, 02:10 PM »

So what's the solution here? Nothing in that article stated whether the latest version of WordPress was vulnerable or not.

2631

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Tips

« Last post by Deozaan on September 18, 2015, 02:01 PM »

Here's a tip which may or may not be useful:

It's true that Windows 10 doesn't come with the ability to play DVDs by default, and that Microsoft recommends you get their DVD player app from the Windows Store. This is generally seen as a ripoff since it costs $15 and you could just get something like VLC for free to play your DVDs. But if you have (or had) Windows Media Center when you upgraded to Windows 10, you should get the Windows DVD Player app for free.

Here are instructions and more details on how that works:

Getting the Windows DVD Player app

2632

Living Room / Re: New Computer

« Last post by Deozaan on September 18, 2015, 01:33 PM »

Can someone explain to me how to get VMs to work using with that Hyper-V stuff?

-Deozaan (September 17, 2015, 03:42 PM)

Can you give us a specific case scenario, with the errant behavior and error messages?

-Stoic Joker (September 17, 2015, 05:28 PM)

While searching to find the previous "solution" that didn't really solve anything for me, I found this bug report which almost exactly describes my issue:

I had several 64-bit guests (Ubuntu desktop, server, and Windows 2012 R2 server) that ran on my system (Windows 7 ultimate OS, i7 CPU w/16 GB RAM host) successfully with VBox 5.0. I upgraded to Windows 10 and everything broke. I am using VBox 5.0.3 test build now and have gotten my network adapters to work again, but now I'm seeing another issue that is preventing my VM's from running. I can not see a 64-bit guest OS listed as an option (Windows server 2012 isn't listed anymore). This is for my old VM's - they are still have that from when they were running on a Win 7 host but if you look at settings it tries to change it to a 32-bit guest OS and you don't have the option to select a 64-bit guest OS if you try to create a new VM. When I try to start any of my VM's I get an error message about no VT-x available:

[Select]

Failed to open a session for the virtual machine Anduril.

VT-x is not available (VERR_VMX_NO_VMX).

Result Code: E_FAIL (0x80004005)
Component: ConsoleWrap
Interface: IConsole {872da645-4a9b-1727-bee2-5585105b9eed}

-https://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/14550

And at the bottom of the bug report was a suggested fix which worked for me:

VT-x is most likely not available because Hyper-V is enabled for some reason on your Windows 10 host. Try with

[Select]

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

from a command prompt in Administrator mode.

-https://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/14550#comment:2

All I had left to do was reboot, and now my 64-bit VMs work again!

2633

Living Room / Re: The End of my Macbook Pro Experiment

« Last post by Deozaan on September 17, 2015, 04:35 PM »

Through a long and arduous process I managed to get OSX working in a VM so I could test some stuff with Unity "on a Mac."

One thing that was really ridiculous to me was something that I can't remember the exact details about anymore, but it was something like... I thought I had copied/installed my game onto the VM, but apparently it had just created a shortcut/link to a temporary folder, and I had to drag and drop the icon onto my hard drive in order to really install it. Or something really weird like that. As I said, I can't remember the specifics, but I have no idea how someone is supposed to know to do that weird thing to get things to work. You just have to intuit it or something.

2634

General Software Discussion / Re: Is Windows 10 a trojan?

« Last post by Deozaan on September 17, 2015, 04:27 PM »

I don't have a problem getting a piece of something - that is checksummed and verified - from some pc out there that happens to have a copy, but I need to look at the mechanics of how you determine where. Maybe this is why MS sets up your wifi to connect to everything it possibly can automatically, so you can join their content distribution network!

-x16wda (September 16, 2015, 06:05 AM)

The problem with this is that many ISPs implement data caps. I don't want my PC uploading GBs of data to strangers and using up my data cap. Then being forced by my ISP to pay fines, "upgrade" to a higher package, or lose internet service altogether "due to abuse" of their services.

2635

Living Room / Re: New Computer

« Last post by Deozaan on September 17, 2015, 03:42 PM »

Can someone explain to me how to get VMs to work using with that Hyper-V stuff?

I had plenty of VMs working just fine using VirtualBox in Windows 7 x64, but once I updated to Windows 10, none of my x64 VMs work anymore because the included Windows 10 Hyper-V thing is using some needed thing that VirtualBox can no longer get access to.

I've tried Googling for an answer but the only "solution" I've found is to no longer use x64 VMs, but rather to use the 32-bit versions instead. . .

2636

DC Gamer Club / Re: Fallout 3 (GOTYE) on Windows 10 Pro.

« Last post by Deozaan on September 17, 2015, 12:11 PM »

Related: Windows 10 won't run games with commonly hated DRM platforms

2637

DC Gamer Club / Re: Play it again: One fan’s quest to save old video games

« Last post by Deozaan on September 17, 2015, 12:02 PM »

Interesting article. Thanks for sharing it.

2638

General Software Discussion / Re: LastPass alternatives with two-factor authentication? (including premium LP)

« Last post by Deozaan on September 17, 2015, 11:42 AM »

I recently explained my frustrations with LastPass and asked for alternatives:

So, recently I've been a bit unhappy with where LastPass is going. My subscription is due for renewal soon, so I figured I'd consider alternatives.

Things I'm not liking about LastPass:

• The mobile (Android) app is now asking for location permissions. I feel there's no need for a password manager to need my location. I wrote to LastPass support about this and they said it was for their stupid LastPass browser that is also built into the app. I told them the browser was superfluous and that they should separate it into another app if they wanted to include that functionality, because all I wanted from them was to be able to store and retrieve my passwords. They didn't really respond to that.
• The browser add-on is now nagging me to "try LastPass Enterprise!" I'm already paying for LastPass Premium, and I'm just one person. Stop nagging me to try something meant for large companies!
• Every so often, the browser extension's auto-form-fill functionality stops working on sites where it has worked for months (or years). The only way I've found to get it to start working again is to delete the "site" and create it again.

I pretty much only pay for LastPass Premium to access my passwords on Android. And I don't use any of the features of the LastPass app (on Android) other than simply retrieving my passwords. I don't use their stupid browser. I don't have it auto-fill passwords or prompt me with login info, nor generate passwords on Android. Is there anything out there that provides the convenience of LastPass (secure cloud storage/retrieval) for Android without any of the extra crap?

-Deozaan (August 25, 2015, 11:28 AM)

40hz suggested Enpass, which I tried out and was liking alright.

I'm currently using Enpass (www.enpass.io)

-40hz (August 25, 2015, 12:53 PM)

I'm liking Enpass thus far. Thanks 40hz!

-Deozaan (August 25, 2015, 07:36 PM)

Of course, as my luck would have it, I purchased Enpass earlier this month and today they released an update to the Android app which requires the Location permission. Considering that's the primary reason I wanted to switch away from LastPass, and how Enpass is just really clunky and not nearly as convenient or useful as LastPass, I guess I might as well just stick with LastPass.

I've contacted Enpass for a refund. Good timing, since my LastPass subscription would have expired today.

2639

DC Gamer Club / Re: Amnesia: The Dark Descent for free during the next 24 hours (Sep. 15, 2015)

« Last post by Deozaan on September 15, 2015, 11:52 PM »

I'm too scared to download it.

2640

General Software Discussion / Re: Trouble connecting to chat

« Last post by Deozaan on September 15, 2015, 11:26 PM »

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

2641

General Software Discussion / Re: BitTorrent Sync 2.0 Sucks!

« Last post by Deozaan on September 15, 2015, 03:00 PM »

Thanks for the reply Deozaan. Although I'm not trying to protect any state secrets I didn't have a good feeling using it, maybe for the reasons you state. I am experimenting with Syncthing now.

-phitsc (September 15, 2015, 02:58 PM)

I absolutely do not recommend BTSync 2.x, but I'm still happily using version 1.4.110. Good luck with Syncthing. 

2642

DonationCoder.com Newsletters / Re: Super-sized Newsletter for Sep 15, 2015 - Codename: Upgrading Everything

« Last post by Deozaan on September 15, 2015, 12:29 PM »

Thanks for the newsletter! I found some good stuff that I missed, and rediscovered some older topics that interested me.

2643

General Software Discussion / Re: BitTorrent Sync 2.0 Sucks!

« Last post by Deozaan on September 15, 2015, 12:10 PM »

Do you guys have an opinion about the trustworthiness of BTSync from a privacy point of view (it being closed source). I'm thinking about backdoors and stuff.

-phitsc (June 11, 2015, 02:22 PM)

Sorry for the very delayed reply. Either I didn't see your post, or perhaps at the time I did see it but figured I'm no security expert so I'd wait for someone who knew more about it than myself to say something intelligent on the subject.

In my opinion, it's secure and private. At least enough for my needs. Especially since it is direct (private) P2P instead of public like regular BitTorrent. That is to say, it's essentially BitTorrent technology but no one gets access to the .torrent files except for the people you explicitly share the key with.

I suppose it's possible that there are backdoors in it, especially considering how BitTorrent.com has sold out the past few years, filling what were amazing, wonderful products with sleazy ads and using other questionable practices. I would say that if you are not attempting to share state secrets using BTSync, or other similarly sensitive documents, it's probably safe to use.

2644

Living Room / Re: Recommend some music videos to me!

« Last post by Deozaan on September 13, 2015, 08:44 PM »

Here is a fun/strange music video.

Foster the People - Houdini

And here's the behind the scenes video:

2645

DC Gamer Club / Re: Buy a mystery game with GOG's Indie Piñatas!

« Last post by Deozaan on September 12, 2015, 12:31 AM »

I read the text a bit more carefully and determined a clue as to what games are available in the capsule machine: Any game that's currently on sale on GOG is not in the piñata. But every few days they'll switch the deals around so maybe if you see a game you want on sale today, you have a chance of getting it in a piñata on another day.

For something like this you should always buy as a 'gift' to make it easier to sell/trade/give away if you don't like it. If you do like it, you can always redeem the gift code yourself.

-mwb1100 (September 11, 2015, 11:32 PM)

The question is, does that make the piñata the gift? Or in other words, does the piñata have to be claimed to an account before the game inside is revealed? Or can you use the gifting method to find out what the game is before you decide which account to send it to?

I just stuck a quarter into the pinata prize machine, and out popped the game Outlast. Kinda wish there was a customize feature. I don't really care for horror games much. At least it was only $3, and I didn't have to pay the $19.99 that Outlast actually costs (Current price on steam as of writing this.)

-nite_monkey (September 11, 2015, 10:49 PM)

Hmm... GOG has a 30-day money-back guarantee. I wonder if it works with the piñata promotion as well.

2646

General Software Discussion / Re: What software do you use to create an Audio CD?

« Last post by Deozaan on September 12, 2015, 12:27 AM »

I mostly just use ImgBurn when I need to create or burn a disc image, but what do you use if you want to burn MP3s to an Audio CD?

-Deozaan (September 11, 2015, 06:36 PM)

ImgBurn can burn audio CDs too, just follow this guide or you can use Burrrn.

-lanux128 (September 11, 2015, 08:32 PM)

Cool! Thanks!

2647

General Software Discussion / Re: What software do you use to create an Audio CD?

« Last post by Deozaan on September 11, 2015, 06:51 PM »

Note 2: CDBurnerXP may use OpenCandy.

-mouser (September 11, 2015, 06:38 PM)

Thanks for the suggestion.

Looks like you can also get OpenCandy-free installers of CDBurnerXP as well:

2648

General Software Discussion / What software do you use to create an Audio CD?

« Last post by Deozaan on September 11, 2015, 06:36 PM »

Hi folks,

It's been forever since I burned audio files to an actual Audio CD, but recently the need/desire has sprung up and I can't for the life of me remember what software I used to use to do this. I mostly just use ImgBurn when I need to create or burn a disc image, but what do you use if you want to burn MP3s to an Audio CD?

I'm on Windows 10 Pro x64.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. Please don't suggest iTunes. I am not installing that on my system.

2649

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Tips

« Last post by Deozaan on September 11, 2015, 02:47 PM »

Does the non-regedit way join you to a group?

-wraith808 (September 11, 2015, 12:05 PM)

As you can see in the gif ("Homegroup: Available to join"), you are not automatically joined to a homegroup when you enable sharing.

2650

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Tips

« Last post by Deozaan on September 11, 2015, 02:42 PM »

Here's a tip:

Windows Power User Menu
Press Win+X (get it? Windows 10?) to open the Windows Power User Menu. It gives you quick access to a bunch of features:



You can also right-click the Windows Logo in the corner (you know, the one that opens the Start Menu) to get the Windows Power User Menu.

I think that by default it opens in the corner of the screen as if you right clicked the Windows logo, but I have an option enabled in DisplayFusion which pops up the menu wherever my mouse cursor is when I use the Win+X hotkey.

EDIT: Apparently this Power User Menu is also a feature on Windows 8 (or introduced in 8.1?), so I guess my idea of Win+X being a pun for Win 10 isn't accurate.