Recent Posts

2726

Non-Windows Software / Re: *NIX: Mounting .vdi Files (Even Dynamic Ones)

« Last post by Deozaan on August 25, 2015, 12:52 AM »

Thanks for the info. Could be really useful.

This is slightly off-topic, but I was surprised to discover recently that since Windows 7 (or so) you can mount virtual disks (VHDs) natively in Windows. Just open Disk Management and use Action -> Attach VHD. (You can even configure Windows to boot from VHDs somehow, but I haven't looked into it enough to learn how to do that.)

2727

General Software Discussion / Re: So, what pdf reader app is your fav?

« Last post by Deozaan on August 25, 2015, 12:41 AM »

Lately I've been using Foxit Reader.

Be sure to go into View -> UI Options -> Change Toolbar Mode... and change it from Ribbon style to Classic style.

That's the only way I've found to get the menu items to stop yelling at you. (e.g. FILE becomes File)

2728

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

« Last post by Deozaan on August 25, 2015, 12:32 AM »

IMO the default should be "share with my network" and opt-in to "share with the entire internet."

2729

DC Gamer Club / Re: Windows 10 won't run games with commonly hated DRM platforms

« Last post by Deozaan on August 25, 2015, 12:16 AM »

Thanks for that. I do have a few, such as Fable 3. I guess I'll have to figure something out if I ever want to play those again. . .

2730

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by Deozaan on August 24, 2015, 11:47 PM »

I might be crossing threads, but this looks like "they let the spokesman out of the cage" about a year late.

"Is this going to be the norm from now on? If the August [cumulative] update breaks something, will there be a broken chain from there?"

-TaoPhoenix (August 23, 2015, 05:07 PM)

In theory, you should be able to do a system restore if an update breaks your system. But that assumes you can get booted back into your system long enough to perform the restore.

2731

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by Deozaan on August 23, 2015, 12:49 AM »

Microsoft can now remotely disable pirated games, if you're running them on Windows 10

At least. it can't delete the pirate. I don't think anyone would really want that, especially you!

Microsoft claims Windows 10 EULA that supposedly removes pirated games is about 'security'  GamesBeat  Games  by Jeff Grubb

-Arizona Hot (August 18, 2015, 05:07 AM)

Interesting. Let's see what it says:

Sometimes you’ll need software updates to keep using the Services. We may automatically check your version of the software and download software updates or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the Services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorized hardware peripheral devices. You may also be required to update the software to continue using the Services. Such updates are subject to these Terms unless other terms accompany the updates, in which case, those other terms apply. Microsoft isn’t obligated to make any updates available and we don’t guarantee that we will support the version of the system for which you licensed the software.

-http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/microsoft-can-now-remotely-disable-pirated-games-if-youre-running-them-on-windows-10-277956.html

Really strange language there. What is meant by "the Services"? What is meant by "unauthorized hardware peripheral devices"? These phrases make it sound more like it's talking about Xbox Live and the Xbox console(s) than Windows 10 devices (desktops, laptops, tablets). But Microsoft is going for the whole unified thing, and I can see how in cases such as the Windows Store they might check for and disable pirated copies of apps/games, as I suspect at least Apple if not also Google do on iOS and Android respectively.

Microsoft's attempt at clarification:

"The Microsoft Services Agreement allows Microsoft to change or discontinue certain apps or content where we deem your security is at risk," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement provided to GamesBeat. "This section of the Microsoft Services Agreement is consistent with language in former Terms of Use agreements, which carried over with the introduction of the unified services agreement on August 1. Software that is pirated or botted places the safety and security of our customers at risk, including a higher risk of malware, fraud, public exposure of personal information, and poor performance or feature malfunction. We remain committed to protecting our customers from the risks of non-genuine software and protecting the intellectual property of developers of all types of content."

-http://venturebeat.com/2015/08/21/microsoft-claims-windows-10-eula-that-supposedly-removes-pirated-games-is-about-security/

2732

DC Gamer Club / Re: Game Over. No, really... "The Flock" will shutdown after all players die

« Last post by Deozaan on August 23, 2015, 12:28 AM »

I just watched the release trailer. It looks like a (not-so-great) proof-of-concept Kickstarter video. You know, the kind you throw together as quickly and cheaply as possible to give someone the idea of what you want to make, so they can catch the vision and fund you to actually make it.

See especially the character models and animations shown in the video. Or perhaps more tellingly, the way they cut the video so as to avoid showing those things as much as possible.

I really hope that video isn't indicative of the quality of the "final" product, but judging by many of the user reviews, it is.

And what's up with the (starting/max) population number? Did they just decide to use the maximum value of a signed 32-bit int?

2733

DC Gamer Club / Re: Game Over. No, really... "The Flock" will shutdown after all players die

« Last post by Deozaan on August 23, 2015, 12:17 AM »

Don't worry. They'll "remake" or "remaster" it in the latest equivalent of Super Ultra High Definition 5000^TM every 2-3 years as is all the rage these days.

2734

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by Deozaan on August 23, 2015, 12:14 AM »

(see attachment in previous post)
Man tries to rob bank with a gun drawn on a piece of paper

-Arizona Hot (August 17, 2015, 08:22 PM)

He plead guilty to armed robbery? Was he actually armed? Details seem missing from the story.

Sounds more like someone who just wanted free room and board at the local prison.

2735

General Software Discussion / Re: Notes associated to a web during our browsing or deep links everywhere

« Last post by Deozaan on August 22, 2015, 11:59 PM »

The new Microsoft Edge browser allows you to write and draw notes on webpages as you browse.

http://windows.micro...ted-write-on-the-web

2736

DC Gamer Club / Re: Windows 10 won't run games with commonly hated DRM platforms

« Last post by Deozaan on August 22, 2015, 11:49 PM »

Weird. I hope I don't have any games that use SecuROM and SafeDisc. I haven't delved much into my game collection since installing Windows 10 on my machine.

2737

Developer's Corner / Ludum Dare 33: August 21st-24th, 2015

« Last post by Deozaan on August 15, 2015, 11:07 AM »

Hi folks! LD33 is next weekend.

Right now voting for a theme is taking place.

http://ludumdare.com/compo/

I won't be participating this time, since I'm heading out the door any minute to start a week-long trip. I won't be back home until partway through the game jam.

I'll update this post with more of my usual details (like links to past events and stuff) sometime after I get back.


See previous DC posts about Ludum Dare:
Ludum Dare 32 - (I made Time Bomb during LD32)
Ludum Dare 31 - (I made Worm Wars during LD31)
Ludum Dare 30 - (I made Planetary Devourers during LD30)
Ludum Dare 29 - (I made It Came From... Beneath!! during LD29)
Ludum Dare [29] topic for other games - A thread about LD29 games.
Ludum Dare 23 - (I made Be Tiny, World! during LD23, and continued to work on it and improve it for years afterward!)
Ludum Dare - Game Programming Challenges

2738

Living Room / Re: Show us the View Outside Your Window

« Last post by Deozaan on August 14, 2015, 07:26 PM »

Sorry, this content isn't available at the moment
The link you followed may have expired, or the Page may only be visible to an audience that you aren't in.
Go back to the previous page · Go to News Feed · Visit our Help Centre

-Stephen66515 (August 14, 2015, 03:23 AM)

Thanks. I fixed the link. The guy changed his username since I posted.

2739

General Software Discussion / Re: What's living in your taskbar notification area right now?

« Last post by Deozaan on August 14, 2015, 06:16 PM »

Windows 10 Task Manager has a new Startup tab where you can see and enable/disable your startup items. Nice!
 (see attachment in previous post)

-Deozaan (August 08, 2015, 10:00 PM)

It doesn't e-enable it for me in Windows 10 when I disable it this way.  

2740

Living Room / Re: Security: Stagefright Vulnerability (Android)

« Last post by Deozaan on August 14, 2015, 01:39 AM »

Stagefright is still a problem.

Stagefright was supposedly fixed, and even an app that detects whether or not your device is vulnerable will say you are not vulnerable, even if you are!

Emphasis added:

We notified Google of the issue on August 7th but have not had a reply to our query regarding their release of an updated fix. Due to this, as well as the following facts, we have decided to notify the public of our findings here on the Exodus Intelligence blog.

• The flaw was initially reported over 120 days ago to Google, which exceeds even their own 90-day disclosure deadline.
• The patch is 4 lines of code and was (presumably) reviewed by Google engineers prior to shipping. The public at large believes the current patch protects them when it in fact does not.
• The flaw affects an estimated 950 million Google customers.
• Despite our notification (and their confirmation), Google is still currently distributing the faulty patch to Android devices via OTA updates.
• There has been an inordinate amount of attention drawn to the bug–we believe we are likely not the only ones to have noticed it is flawed. Others may have malicious intentions.
• Google has not given us any indication of a timeline for correcting the faulty patch, despite our queries.
• The Stagefright Detector application released by Zimperium (the company behind the initial discovery) reports “Congratulations! Your device is not affected by vulnerabilities in Stagefright!” when in fact it is, leading to a false sense of security among users.

-http://blog.exodusintel.com/2015/08/13/stagefright-mission-accomplished/

2741

Living Room / Re: Show us the View Outside Your Window

« Last post by Deozaan on August 13, 2015, 08:36 PM »

It looked like sunset at 5PM:

hope it's not going your direction :-/

-tomos (August 13, 2015, 05:09 PM)

It is, but there's a fairly large river between us and the fire. I'm pretty sure it won't jump the river. But there are people in the path of the fire who are being evacuated.

So while I'm probably safe, there are people being affected by this.

Here's a video of firefighters (unsuccessfully) trying to keep it from jumping over the highway:

https://www.facebook...s/10206146221668832/

2742

Living Room / Re: Show us the View Outside Your Window

« Last post by Deozaan on August 13, 2015, 05:06 PM »

There's a wildfire somewhat nearby that is currently spreading about 1.5 miles every 8 minutes. This is probably due in large part to it being over 100 degrees F today, with strong ~12mph winds.

I didn't know it (the smoke) was so close until I came into my office and saw that the light shining onto the curtains from the windows is all brown/orange, making it look like sunset. I looked out the window to see this:

2743

DC Gamer Club / Re: Giveaways of Extra Games from Humble Weekly Bundle: The Return of Space Boy

« Last post by Deozaan on August 13, 2015, 04:43 PM »

Nice. Thanks!

2744

Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by Deozaan on August 13, 2015, 03:06 PM »

Firecracker Battlefield prank.

2745

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Automatic Update Reboots

« Last post by Deozaan on August 12, 2015, 04:24 PM »

I don't get it. What's so hard about changing the setting to "Notify to schedule restart"?

With that setting, it will never automatically reboot without your explicit permission, either by scheduling a time to restart, or by clicking "restart now."
 (see attachment in previous post)

-Deozaan (August 12, 2015, 03:01 PM)

Is this accomplished by Group Policy?

-MilesAhead (August 12, 2015, 04:21 PM)

I don't think so. I just go to Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update -> Advanced Options to get to the screen shown above. I cropped out some of the other options available on that window, so it won't look exactly like the screenshot above, but it should be close enough.

2746

Official Announcements / Re: DonationCoder Major Upgrades - Progress Report Thread

« Last post by Deozaan on August 12, 2015, 03:52 PM »

I have a feature request: Ignore all topics (current & future) started by a certain user.

-Deozaan (August 01, 2015, 12:29 PM)

I'm not a fan of that kind of functionality here - it does run the risk of fragmentation (especially if extended to "ignore everything from <user>" later on), and I think it kinda clashes with my idea of DC as a friendly and respectful place where nobody needs to block anybody; I reckon your interest in the feature is from "I'm just not interested in that stuff" rather than "zomg, that dude is such a jerk", but still

-f0dder (August 12, 2015, 03:30 PM)

Just to be clear: I don't have a problem with being able to see threads made by person X or any posts by person X, so it's not a matter of "totally ignore person X" that I'm asking for. I just don't want threads started by person X to show up in my unread posts feed.

2747

General Software Discussion / Re: Anyone running Firefox 40.0 stable release?

« Last post by Deozaan on August 12, 2015, 03:33 PM »

I thought the thing about 32 bit software was it could not use up all your CPU
(edit// 4 cores)

-tomos (August 12, 2015, 01:27 PM)

32-bit software can't use up all your RAM if you have more than 4GB. (And maybe it was even limited to 2GB per application on 32-bit OSes?)

2748

General Software Discussion / PSA: Windows 10 corrupting wav files from memory cards

« Last post by Deozaan on August 12, 2015, 03:13 PM »

If you deal with audio files stored on CF or SD cards, be aware of this Windows 10 bug:

It appears that when accessing a card reader via USB with Broadcast Wave Files on it (possibly other types of files as well), Windows 10 immediately strips some of the metadata from the files on the original media which is not copy protectable. This renders the files unplayable and they can only be accessed by any flavor of windows with a hex editor afterwards.

If I have the files on another networked location and bring them in via wi fi or Ethernet there are no such issues. So...it appears to be related to something Windows 10 is doing initially when reading the files from a USB connected reader.

[...]

I can also confirm that this corruption does NOT happen with a small portable USB drive on the same USB ports. It's oddly just CF and SD cards via a reader.

-http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-files/transferring-wav-audio-files/50bbf42f-84a7-44b9-ab57-8784b5606d09

Read more here: http://answers.micro...b9-ab57-8784b5606d09

2749

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Automatic Update Reboots

« Last post by Deozaan on August 12, 2015, 03:01 PM »

I don't get it. What's so hard about changing the setting to "Notify to schedule restart"?

With that setting, it will never automatically reboot without your explicit permission, either by scheduling a time to restart, or by clicking "restart now."

2750

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Clean Install Instructions

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

Here's a post on Reddit that seems to indicate that the free Win10 upgrade keys are generic, and I can verify that the one for Pro is indeed the same as reported by ATM on my netbook.

The key reported by Produkey is completely different, although it's quite possible that the one Produkey reports is the "real" one generated by hashing the generic upgrade key with the hardware, I guess.  Think I'll go find what some other software reports.

-4wd (August 11, 2015, 11:28 PM)

The one listed here is the same as what was reported by ProduKey for my copy of Windows 10.