Recent Posts

276

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: CardCreator

« Last post by vlastimil on December 14, 2010, 02:10 PM »

Now, it is released. Time to relax. 

277

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Pledge: "VeggieWorld" - Children's Game

« Last post by vlastimil on December 14, 2010, 05:40 AM »

I really like this NANY project.  I have been thinking about doing something like this (a game that is not waste of time) myself, but never got the right idea. I hope you manage to finish it and your game spreads like fire!

278

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Pledge: CardMaker

« Last post by vlastimil on December 10, 2010, 02:12 PM »

Heh, no, greeting cards. I realized I never said that, sorry.

279

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Pledge: CardMaker

« Last post by vlastimil on December 10, 2010, 11:56 AM »

Yes, my ambitions are a bit lower, although I am still considering enabling custom card layouts. But that's for people who are happy sharing the general layout with others. Unique cards will always need more work.

280

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / NANY 2011 Release: CardCreator

« Last post by vlastimil on December 09, 2010, 01:36 PM »

NANY 2011 Entry Information

Application Name	Card Creator
Version	1.0
Short Description	Make greeting cards from your photos
Supported OSes	Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000
Web Page	Card Maker
Download Link	CreateCard.exe
System Requirements	Not much really, you only need Windows 2000 or newer, mouse & display .
Version History	1.0 - it's a baby.
Author	Vlasta

Description
A simple tool allowing users to combine several photos using a greeting card template and delight their friends.

Features
Make greeting cards from your own photographs.

• click on placeholders in the template to add photo or drag and drop it from a file manager
• move photo if it is bigger than the placeholder
• use built-in or custom templates
• save result as .jpg or .png

Planned Features
I'll wait for feedback, but I might:

• direct printing support
• "send to facebook" button
• add custom text to the card
• better template selection

Screenshots


Usage
Installation
No need. Single self-sufficient .exe

Using the Application
Start, add photos, save result.
Kind of short, so here is a guide for your non-programmer friends: http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=rAZPmkgvlk8

Uninstallation
Delete it.

Known Issues
Don't feed it invalid templates or else...

281

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 :: Calling All Volunteers and Entrants wanting a hand

« Last post by vlastimil on December 04, 2010, 03:02 AM »

I guess I can add a free license for RealWorld Icon Editor for those wanting to create icons with 3D-feel for NANY.

Also, if you prefer not to delve into icon design yourself, I might find time to design few an icon for you or forward the requests to friends.

282

General Software Discussion / Re: Why the aversion to .NET Frameworks?

« Last post by vlastimil on November 19, 2010, 02:02 PM »

Could be, but I missed it. Maybe I am too old to abandon my habits 

283

General Software Discussion / Re: Why the aversion to .NET Frameworks?

« Last post by vlastimil on November 19, 2010, 12:55 PM »

OK, no problem 

284

General Software Discussion / Re: Why the aversion to .NET Frameworks?

« Last post by vlastimil on November 19, 2010, 12:19 PM »

Care to explain? I've done C, C++, Java, C# and (tiny amounts of) VB - and I see C# and Java sharing a lot, having C++ legacy... and can't identify VB in C#.

-f0dder (November 19, 2010, 11:39 AM)

They have C++ syntax, true. Programming mindset is different and much closer to VB. They have a framework instead of direct access to C/C++ Windows API. They limit you in order to increase safety. They have quirks, because wrapping something is always problematic. Their IDE supports fast development of simple tools or specialized apps, they usually fail when things get complex.

Though I am not saying C++ is superior to VB, I am just saying C# is closer to VB than to C.

For the cases where MI would be sane in C++, you use interfaces (and possibly composition) in modern languages.

-f0dder (November 19, 2010, 11:39 AM)

Well, then I must be insane  , I am using it a lot and it has saved me a hundreds of lines of code. The multiple-inheritance workarounds cause code duplication or bloat.

---

Eoin, I am explaining my feelings and there is no need for sarcasm. Microsoft is a big company and should not have used superior marketing instead of superior technology to push their thing over Java. Just read the quote in your signature.

285

General Software Discussion / Re: Why the aversion to .NET Frameworks?

« Last post by vlastimil on November 19, 2010, 10:54 AM »

For me, the bad experience with the first versions is important. I had expectations and was disappointed on so many fronts. They turned me from a potential fan into a passionate hater. If Ms kept the first two versions internal and released #3, it could have been a different story. This way, we lost a good deal of time working around unintuitive bugs using a system that was supposed to be simpler.

C# really was much closer to VB than to C. I am not talking about syntax, but about the mindset and concepts used. Java syntax is close to C and yet they use a distinctive name. I do not care much about syntax, it is just a first layer of a programming language and one of the less important ones. Look at .net, you can do almost the same with all of the languages.

Do the later C# versions support multiple base classes? I stopped watching.

So, few examples of the bad things in 1.x and/or 2.0. It's been years, so my memory is a bit fuzzy and I lost my net_sucks.ppt I made at the end of that .net project.
* Unfixable random dll-loading deadlock in 1.x mixed assemblies...
* COM -> .net -> COM is a death circle even if your .net objects and COM objects follow the rules...
* Fatal focus problem with controls created internally by the framework on an invisible form. Do not remember the details anymore.
* Watching windows setting changes in a form from within the form via a harmless delegate caused the form and all it referenced never to be collected. 100s of MB of memory leaks...

286

General Software Discussion / Re: Why the aversion to .NET Frameworks?

« Last post by vlastimil on November 18, 2010, 06:16 AM »

Eh, I am in ".net sucks" camp, because:

* I had a very bad experience with the first few versions. In order to use them properly, I had to learn a lot of useless things. Microsoft wants you to believe that writing .net apps is easy. That is true for simple apps that start, does it thing and ends. But writing larger, correctly behaving .net app is a nightmare. The problem is of course the collision of managed and unmanaged code and you still cannot avoid it, because Windows is unmanaged. I could tell you stories about memory and resource leaks caused by totally harmless and unexpected things. Using .net properly is harder than using C++.

* It misuses the C name. How does Ms sell the new VB? It renames it.

* Microsoft pushed it too early. It was full of bugs and it is still immature now.

* It is not innovative, it is just a Java clone. After Ms lost its case against Sun regarding Java modifications, they decided to use their marketing muscle instead. I hate this bully behavior.

* .net framework is too big, requires admin access and it is changing too often. A no-go if you actually want the broadest audience for your applications. (Don't argue with Paint.net, it is Microsoft's tool for spreading the .net framework.)

So, I'll switch to .net 5 years after the first managed Windows version is released I do not see that coming any time soon. Microsoft is not stupid, just sneaky .

287

Living Room / Re: antivirus false postives - let's do someting about it

« Last post by vlastimil on October 07, 2010, 03:12 AM »

I agree with you, and had a specific idea that i'd like to get up and running by the end of the year:
https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=20810.0

-mouser (October 06, 2010, 06:16 PM)

I read through the topic and sure I'll join any initiative that tries to address this topic. Though I do not think that guide and giving away a certificate is going to change the status quo. At least not in a foreseeable future.

The message must be simple and clear like "take responsibility", not "if you do what we propose, we give you our approval". I am sorry if that sounds aggressive or inconsiderate.

They have millions of users and big marketing budgets. We are just pissed off individuals without any organization or significant power. I would propose to only focus on building the community without any concrete plan of action. The only goal would be to get as many members as possible, spreading the message and then letting them know we are here, we are strong and we want a change.


----

@Renegade I empathize with you, suffering so much adware... Must be horrible. That's why I personally do not use any antivirus and I am happy. Up-to date Windows, non-mainstream browser, firewall, programmer's instincts & vmware for untrustworthy stuff is better than all the antivirus tools out there.

288

Living Room / antivirus false postives - let's do someting about it

« Last post by vlastimil on October 06, 2010, 05:45 PM »

Hi all,

I know it has been discussed here before - this problems with antivirus application (especially Norton Antivirus) are taking wild guesses and reporting problems that aren't there to users. Using pretty scary words like "malicious". And the users freak out. Block, Delete, Go away.

What happens? The user perceives the antivirus as their savior and the antivirus reputation goes up. They perceive the author of the accused software as a villain and are likely to never ever look at their software again. Some users, if they like the new application, decide to write to the author an email giving them a chance to explain it. But how many people would bother? It makes me angry each time I get such an email.

Let's do something about it

In my country it is illegal to hurt someone's business or good name by spreading lies and slander about them. In my opinion, this is exactly that. I am no lawyer, but I have no doubt these false antivirus reports have hurt honest people and caused monetary losses to commercial software authors or hurt the good name or brand of freeware authors.

I tried to communicate with Symantec in the past, but failed. They are not interested in this kind of talk, I did no even get an answer to my complaint. I am a small fish...

But if enough people join and cooperate, things can change. Let's start a facebook group or whatever is popular right now. Is there someone willing to lead? I'd like to participate!

289

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: RealWorld Paint.COM 2009.1

« Last post by vlastimil on April 23, 2009, 06:00 PM »

You also found Photos? There are a couple of other differences - it is paid, can do batch processing (also via droplets), has few more filters and tools focused on photo retouching (like cropping to given aspect ratio or with perspective removal, cloning tool, comic bubble tool, content-aware resizing, unsharp mask, levels, vignetting correction).

In short, Photos is for photo retouching and batch processing and Paint is for creation of logos and other web graphic.

Yes, the Paint.COM name is controversial, a bit of a joke and something to counterweight the flood of .net apps. I am old school C++.

290

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: RealWorld Paint.COM 2009.1

« Last post by vlastimil on April 23, 2009, 06:49 AM »

that is a hard question, I'll have to find some time to make a comparison, but here are few points:

Paint.COM:
* is not .net based and hence more portable, faster and less resource intensive,
* already has features that are planned fro Paint.net 4.0 like layer effects (video) or soft selections,
* has more advanced drawing tools - you can adjust last drawn shape, use non-integral coordinates, define custom fill gradients or sRGB optimized blending
* good Photoshop .8bf plug-in compatibility

Paint.NET:
* older and more established -> more tutorials and people, who can give you an advice
* more effects and native plug-ins created by community
* simpler user interface

There is much more differences, but for starters it should be enough...

  please note that I am the author and my opinion is biased

291

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: RealWorld Paint.COM 2009.1

« Last post by vlastimil on April 23, 2009, 04:49 AM »

  this one if free

292

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / RealWorld Paint.COM 2009.1

« Last post by vlastimil on April 20, 2009, 09:13 AM »

Hi all,

new version of our freeware image editor is out. Paint.COM supports layers with styles, Photoshop .8bf plug-ins, scripted filters and more.

New version brings:

• portability - all settings are local in portable mode
• languages - application can be translated by ordinary users
• tutorials - on an embedded web page
• lasso, move and fill tools
  

Download from: http://www.rw-designer.com/image-editor

Enjoy,
Vlasta

293

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / RealWorld Photos and Paint.COM released

« Last post by vlastimil on January 10, 2009, 03:12 AM »

Hello coders,

few days ago me and my brother have released 2 graphic applications:



RealWorld Paint.COM is a general purpose freeware graphic editor with simple user interface, but not so simple internals. Supporting layers with assigned effects, gamma-aware blending, Vista-glass-like effects, mouse gestures, sub-pixel precision, etc. As you might have guessed it is build on COM and does not require .net framework...

Download: http://www.rw-designer.com/image-editor

RealWorld Photos is focused on retouching of photographs and batch image processing (while of course having all the capabilities of its freeware sibling mentioned above). It can do lossless and partially-lossless changes to .jpg files and batch processing of photos can be done using droplets - just drag and drop files or folders on a desktop icon and all is done.

Download: http://www.rw-designer.com/photo-editor

Here is one of the retouching tutorials: http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=iprByDAWr8U

Enjoy,
Vlasta

294

General Software Discussion / Re: False Positive on Software (Generic.Dx) by McAfee Today: McAfee Response and Fix

« Last post by vlastimil on April 22, 2008, 05:58 AM »

"...expressed regret in the inconvenience" and allowed you to help them fix their problems...hmmm.  That's the right business attitude.

Sorry for sounding so ironic. You have managed to do much more than many of us in similar position. 

295

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Picture Resizer 3.0

« Last post by vlastimil on April 15, 2008, 01:49 PM »

Hi all,

it may be of interest to some of you... this freeware tool of mine was updated yesterday with a couple of new features. The most notable is support for image aspect ratio change using image carving method - like on the image:



Picture Resizer was designed to be extremely easy to use for newbie computer users, but it has a couple of unique features under the hood...

Download and more information at: http://www.rw-design...r.com/picture-resize

Enjoy,
Vlasta

296

General Software Discussion / Re: False Positive on Software (Generic.Dx) by McAfee Today: McAfee Response and Fix

« Last post by vlastimil on April 15, 2008, 05:25 AM »

If there is to be a boycott, I am 100% supporting it. (see my compaint on the previous page of this thread)

Emailing McAfee may not be enough, they'll just ignore it, we are not their customers anyway and I suppose it even may be their strategy to report the false positives on purpose to appear "useful" to the end user. The truth is, an antivirus is not a replacement for common sense and the virus threat is not that big if you are behind firewall and have OS properly updated.

I'll try to write a blog post about my experiences and give them some bad PR, but I am not sure how effective it would be. I anyone joins the effort it has much better chance to succeed.

297

General Software Discussion / Re: False Positive on Software (Generic.Dx) by McAfee Today: McAfee Response and Fix

« Last post by vlastimil on March 26, 2008, 04:23 AM »

Sorry for the late post, I just got to this thread from the newsletter and it caught my eye, because I was having these problems too. Twice.

First, I was using a VB script in an .msi installer to customize folder icon - to set folder attributes to readonly, because only readonly folders display custom icon (ask microsoft why...). I received complains from users that their AV said that it has detected a malicious script and whether they want to stop it. You can imagine how such a thing affects a first impression of an application. I think it is just outrageous. Not a "potentially malicious script" explaining the situation to the user, but a false and aggressive message. I can understand that when a script in a .doc file tries to access file system, it looks suspicious. But this was a .msi installer, it is supposed to access files. It is really that hard to detect a valid use of a script or are the Norton AV authors that lazy and their law department that good?

Second time, my cursor editor was affected. The animated cursor (.ani) files can contain several frames and if a frame is used multiple times it is not necessary to store it multiple times and instead a vector of frame indices can be used. Well, I took the time to auto-detect duplicate frames to have the smallest .ani files. Unfortunately, there was a exploitable bug in Windows and involving a the vector of frames. Norton AV just considered every .ani cursor with a custom frame vector a virus. A pissed off user gave me lowest rating on download.com because of this false positive and this is just a tip of the iceberg.

So, I have serious issues with AVs, especially with Norton AV. If anyone starts any initiative to improve the situation and force them to be more responsible, I am in. Needless to say I tried to contact them with the first problem, but got no response at all.

298

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: yet another image/photo editor and batch processor

« Last post by vlastimil on January 11, 2008, 08:06 AM »

email is good and there is a link to a simple support forum in the application Help menu or on the "Online" page (http://www.rw-designer.com/forum/images)

There are a couple of improvements in the raster editor since RW Cursor Editor - mainly selections, Brush, Clone, Retouch tools and much better scripting. (and of course the batch mode)

299

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: yet another image/photo editor and batch processor

« Last post by vlastimil on January 10, 2008, 06:05 PM »

Glad you like it.

There will be a free version, but it might have some limitations. It is still to early to say what. We want to keep is as free as possible, but this is not a weekend project and takes a lot of time. Still, if it becomes popular, there might be alternative way how to make some money off it than just selling licenses.

300

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: yet another image/photo editor and batch processor

« Last post by vlastimil on January 10, 2008, 07:27 AM »

Good point  , I completely forgot about it, sorry: http://www.rw-designer.com/photo-editor