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2901

Found Deals and Discounts / Greenbox LogoMaker: Free

« Last post by app103 on March 23, 2010, 06:01 AM »

Greenbox LogoMaker 3 is normally $29.99, but I found a page on Avanquest's website where you can get the older v2 for free if you register for their mailing list. Additionally, through this mailing list Avanquest will tell you when they have other offers for free software.

http://www.avanquest...om/UK/free-logomaker

I just tried it out and it's a rather nice application for the graphically challenged, much nicer than the Sothink logo maker that is being offered free on GAOTD today.

2902

N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Final Release: Startup Bully

« Last post by app103 on March 22, 2010, 01:46 AM »

No, I appreciate the feedback, but the truth is that my app has no idea what is in your startup folder and only looks for the shortcut you specify. It doesn't scan for anything . If it finds the shortcut you specified, it deletes it. If it doesn't, it just exits without doing anything other than launching the app you told it to. It doesn't even know if the app you want it to launch exists. All this info has to be precisely passed to the app as command line parameters.

2903

N.A.N.Y. 2010 / Re: NANY 2010 Final Release: Startup Bully

« Last post by app103 on March 22, 2010, 12:12 AM »

Maybe there could be a way to watch specified areas for particular shortcuts, or to even prompt for permission to leave a new shortcut in the Start Menu or on the desktop. That would return control to the end user, instead of letting commercial developers leave droppings all over the place without asking.

A one-stop utility would be ideal, where it could watch the HKLM and HKCU startup keys as well!

-Cavalcader (March 21, 2010, 03:34 PM)

This application doesn't watch for anything.

If you identify the behavior as happening every time you run an application, you would use Startup Bully as an alternative launcher that does a 2 step process of launching the offending app, waiting a bit for it to make the shortcut, then it deletes the shortcut you identified by name (as a command line parameter)...then it exits. It does not stay running in the background to do anything, after it has done its specified job.

It has a very simple design.

If I wanted it to do more than what it does, I'd have to start from scratch and write a whole new app to do it and it would be much more complicated than it currently is.

Furthermore, there already exist utilities that can remove from startup those items that write to the registry to do it. My app was created because there wasn't one to handle the Startup folder shortcut issue, which is an unwanted file being created.

When I ran into the situation with an application, I had a whole bunch of people offer suggestions and various tools to try and none of them worked for the particular case, since it wasn't registry based.

I made a tool to handle that particular case with that particular application.

Startup Bully is a more generic application for use with any application that exhibits the same behavior, not just the one application I came across.

2904

General Software Discussion / Re: Dell: No refunds for Linux users who reject Microsoft's OS EULA

« Last post by app103 on March 21, 2010, 11:35 PM »

Dell does sell machines without Windows, at a cheaper price, so you are being charged for Windows when you buy a Windows machine.

That being said, if you don't want Windows, don't buy a Dell with Windows, and save some money and not deal with the hassles of fighting with Dell to get a refund on the unwanted OS.

2905

Living Room / Re: Facebook urged over 'panic button'

« Last post by app103 on March 17, 2010, 07:42 AM »

But yeah, in my post, you will notice I never ONCE say that a panic button is a good idea, only tightening security protocols on the potential victims computer will.

-Stephen66515 (March 17, 2010, 06:57 AM)

If by computer you are really referring to the potential victim's brain, then I agree.

If you mean that literally, I don't see how that would help, unless you completely disconnect the computer from the internet.

I agree that increased sex-ed and what-not will help towards a final solution, but will never be the last we hear of it.

-Stephen66515 (March 17, 2010, 06:57 AM)

It's not really sex-ed that would help in this situation (although that's never a bad thing, any way, for other reasons). What we need is better education on the proper use of the internet.

We tell our kids not to talk to strangers, not to take candy from them, not to accept a ride from them, etc. when they are young, but we don't do a very good job of reinforcing that when they get older and go online. Those rules apply online as well as walking back & forth to school, and this needs to be stressed a lot more.

How many kids are told never to meet someone they know only online, in real life? How often are they told that if they do, they shouldn't be alone, it should always be in a public place, they should have the permission of their parents, and lots of people should know about it before they do it?

And then there is the "invincibility" factor...

Kids, especially teens, tend to think that adults are too paranoid and that bad things can't happen to them...that bad things only happen to other people. This is one of the root causes of risky behaviors of all types, in young people.

I am not sure how to fix that, though. I am not even sure it can be fixed, except through experience and aging. Acquiring a healthy case of adult paranoia might be the only cure, and that would mean growing up is the only solution.

2906

Living Room / Re: Facebook urged over 'panic button'

« Last post by app103 on March 17, 2010, 06:36 AM »

Would a panic button ever stop a kid from trusting anyone enough to meet them in real life?

No.

Would a panic button ever stop a gullible kid from believing lies told to them by someone looking to lure them?

No.

Would a panic button ever stop a kid from liking the attention they seek, being given to them by strangers online?

No.

The kids that trust people that they shouldn't, will never click this button. The thought would never occur to them. Those that could potentially be helped most by it, will never use it.

So what is the purpose of this panic button again?

2907

Developer's Corner / Re: Facebook, Bebo and Myspace Application Developers Micro-Payment System

« Last post by app103 on March 16, 2010, 06:40 PM »

I have always liked Spare Change. It is about as close to the DC model as I have seen and makes donating really easy.

I wish they would open it up for use outside social networks.

2908

Living Room / Re: Ars Technica on the problem with adblocking

« Last post by app103 on March 11, 2010, 11:20 PM »

This is not a new subject. In fact, I'd say this blog post had a better argument in favor of not blocking ads than Ars had.

But to that, this was my reply, and I still stand behind it, 100%. (the rest of the comments on this article are worth a read, too)

Purpose of the muzzle must be considered.

Is everyone that blocks ads actually muzzling an ox? Or are some people muzzling a rabid dog, in order to prevent themselves from being bitten?

How about if I am viewing your content on an old slow computer with a very slow dialup connection? Is it fair to make me pay a higher price than people with newer computers on a fast connection?

Ads slow down the loading of pages much more in the situation I described, and can potentially cause crashes.

For the better part of last year, the only computer I had was an old P1. It only takes a single flash based ad to freeze it and create a need to hit the reset button and reboot the computer, losing all unsaved work that may have been open at the time.

Is that a fair price to pay for anyone's content? What if I was working on a project that feeds my family and came to your website for information to help complete it? Should I lose my time and work for a glimpse of a small fraction of a page on your site? Should my family go hungry for a tiny useless glimpse of content that I never had the chance to use?

What about sites that use ad networks that do not properly screen their advertisers? Is it a fair price to pay for anyone's content with the security of your computer? There are a lot of malware infested ads out there and one can never be sure what website they will or won't be on.

Is it not unethical and morally wrong to tease people with things they can never have? What about ads attempting to sell things to people with no money? Does it even make any sense? I think it could even be considered cruel in some cases. Imagine forcing someone who is hungry and has no money, to constantly watch advertisements for food.

What about the visitors sensitivities to certain things causing an adverse physical reaction? Is it a fair price to ask of an epileptic, for them to have a seizure from the flashing ads on your site?

It is everyone's right to protect themselves and their property from harm, including the harm your ads may do. The fact that you didn't think of how they may harm someone when you pasted the ad codes on your site, and even if you don't agree with anything I have said, it still does not take away my right to protect myself and my property.

2909

Living Room / Re: Is this True????

« Last post by app103 on March 11, 2010, 06:13 PM »

I grabbed a stack of stuff received within the last 30 days, and most didn't even have a post mark of any sort (permit numbers, instead)

The stuff that did have a post mark all seemed to have the date, time, and zip code. There was no city or state, but I am assuming if you wanted that info, that could be found with the zip code that was included in the post mark.

2910

Living Room / Re: This Car Runs on Code

« Last post by app103 on March 10, 2010, 10:35 AM »

The F-22 is an absolutely AWESOME piece of technology.
Unfortunately, it has proven to be too expensive to build.  So the program will be shutdown.   

-parkint (March 09, 2010, 09:03 PM)

Sorry, it was the first thing I thought of. 

2911

Living Room / Re: Will you miss newspapers when they're gone?

« Last post by app103 on March 10, 2010, 09:26 AM »

My daughter made a comment today in reference to the concept of "grandma's old things". (she is contemplating moving out and we were discussing what to do with her furniture, which was originally mine when I was a kid)

We usually think of that kind of stuff as the old dusty crap from ages ago, long out of style.

Sometimes this stuff gets handed down to the next generation or 2.

Now think of the kids of today and the things they are into. The music they listen to, the books, furniture they decorate the inside of the cabinets with whatever their favorite celebrities are, the clothes.

Some day they are going to be older too, and the stuff they have now may get passed to future generations.

Some kid in the future is going to end up with anarchy t-shirts, stuff decorated with Miley Cyrus, a bunch of bad punk CD's, and a heap of zombie & vampire related books.

What the heck is going to go through their mind when they see that stuff for the first time?

2912

DcUpdater / Re: Crash on XP Pro SP3

« Last post by app103 on March 10, 2010, 09:08 AM »

The crashes occur especially after startup.

-bgd77 (March 10, 2010, 03:14 AM)

That's the problem I am having too. That's the only time it crashes for me.

2913

General Software Discussion / Re: Putting a Classic Menu on Windows 7 - Redux

« Last post by app103 on March 09, 2010, 02:16 PM »

I haven't installed Win7 on anything I own...yet.

But if/when I do, this will sure come in handy. (bookmarked!)

 

2914

Living Room / Re: This Car Runs on Code

« Last post by app103 on March 08, 2010, 07:49 AM »

This is very interesting. I hope that this software systems (both those on planes and those on cars) are thoroughly tested.

Does anybody know a case in which the on-board software in some of these machines failed?
(I know that Ariane's 5 first launch crashed because of a software bug)

-bgd77 (March 08, 2010, 03:32 AM)

This is actually covered in the article:

Such complexity brings with it reliability issues. IBM claims that approximately 50 percent of car warranty costs are now related to electronics and their embedded software, costing automakers in the United States around $350 and European automakers 250 per vehicle in 2005.

In 2005, Toyota voluntarily recalled 160 000 of its 2004 and some early 2005 model year Prius hybrids because of a software problem that caused the car to suddenly stall or shut down. The time needed to repair the software was estimated at about 90 minutes per vehicle, or about 240 000 person-hours. Even at cost, that is a lot of money.

Last year alone, there were several automotive recall notices related to software problems. For example, in May 2008, Chrysler recalled 24 535 of its 2006 Jeep Commanders because of a problem in the automatic-transmission software. Then in June, Volkswagen recalled about 4000 of its 2008 Passats and Passat Wagons and about 2500 Tiguans for a problem in the engine-control-module software that could cause an unexpected increase in engine revolutions per minute when the air-conditioning is turned on. In November, GM recalled 12 662 of its 2009 Cadillac CTS vehicles for a software problem within the passenger-sensing system that could disable the front passenger air bag when it should be enabled or enable it when it should be disabled. It is a tribute to the automotive software developers, though, that there aren’t many more recalls, given all the software in cars.

2915

Living Room / Ubisoft DRM servers down; Europeans can't play Assassin's Creed 2

« Last post by app103 on March 08, 2010, 07:11 AM »

We had a feeling this might happen and what do you know? We were right. While the PC port of Assassin's Creed 2 is not yet available here in the US, Ubisoft's SINGLE PLAYER ONLY open world action game is available in Europe. And it looks like Ubisoft's DRM servers, which were supposed to protect against the game being pirated, have instead kept legit consumers from playing the game across the pond.

http://news.bigdownl...lay-assassins-creed/

2916

Living Room / Re: In rememberance of....The antiquated hardware/software reminiscence thread

« Last post by app103 on March 07, 2010, 04:31 AM »

I'll have to say... the turbo switch and the hardware keyboard lock. (see attachment in previous post)

-scancode (March 07, 2010, 03:44 AM)

Yes! I used to have a keyboard with a turbo key, and turbo+F11 was awesome! Locked the keyboard so you could do a good job cleaning it without shutting the computer down.

I also miss McAfee Office 2000, but only for 2 things: Crash Protector and Nuts & Bolts.

Crash Protector added an extra button to the poor excuse of a "task manager" in Win98: a "reactivate" button to kick a not responding program back from the dead so you can save your work and exit nicely.

Nuts & Bolts had the best defragger I have ever used. It was lightning fast and quite thorough, unless you chose the option to 0 the free space, which then it was just thorough. I really wish they would have continued the development of that. I really miss it.

A couple more things I miss:

Crystalport browser: that was the power users browser, with tabs and popup blocker, long before other browsers had them. And it had a few unique features I haven't seen in any other browser yet, like channels, which created subtabs to a main tab, that could load all the bookmarks of a particular category under a single tab. And AppCapture, which allowed you to run any Windows application in a tab.

Big Fix, back in the days when Tucows was THE place to get software. It was as close as you would ever get to a package manager for Windows, watching your OS and installed software, comparing your installed patches to what Microsoft had available and letting you know immediately when anything new was released, with a much better explanation of what the patch was for than Microsoft supplied to end users. It also made sure your antivirus was always up to date, back in the days when you had to manually download and update the dat files, yourself. And if a newer version of any of your installed software popped up on the Tucows site, you were immediately informed about it and could download & install it through the Big Fix application. You could even browse the Tucows site through it and select more software to install, while you were waiting for the huge update files from Microsoft to download on your dialup connection. If your PC manufacturer had a contract with the Big Fix company, you even got driver updates. It also reminded you to do things like defrag, clean out your temp folder, scan for viruses, and even made some suggestions for settings changes to make your pc a little more secure, like not hiding files and folders, and known file extensions, and opening certain file types in notepad by default (.js and .vbs). And all of this in a freeware app!

2917

Living Room / Re: Anyone playing Mass Effect 2 game yet?

« Last post by app103 on March 07, 2010, 02:43 AM »

This is copied and pieced together from various chunks of conversations from yesterday, in the donationcoder IRC channel. All I did was remove the irrelevant stuff. I found it rather amusing. It's a bit long, but worth reading if you want a chuckle.

mouser on gaming:

WARNING: contains foul language

<mouser>   
<mouser>   videogames have taught me i am an old man
<mouser>   so i tried mass effect 2 last night
<p3lb0x>   What do you think mouser? Have you played the first one?
<mouser>   i played the first one a bit
<mouser>   as for 2nd one.. i didnt enjoy my first play of it
<mouser>   ive turned into an old man
<mouser>   just too much noise and information overload
<mouser>   and things to deal with
<p3lb0x>   Hahahaha
<mouser>   i fucking hate squad games with a passion
<mouser>   i have enough trouble controlling my own life
<p3lb0x>   Oh
<mouser>   the idea of telling the rest of the squad what to do
<p3lb0x>   Just ignore your friends
<mouser>   is insane
<p3lb0x>   That's what I did like, 80 percent of the time
<mouser>   just do your fucking job
<mouser>   and leave me out of it
<p3lb0x>   I only controlled them when the game forced me to or when I had to position them to soak up fire
<mouser>   hey this makes me wonder
<mouser>   are there games where the player is in a squad and never has to think of orders
<mouser>   but just follow them
<mouser>   hell that seems 100x more relaxing to me
<mouser>   and fun
<p3lb0x>   Pretty much ever call of duty game so far, lol
<p3lb0x>   mouser, if that is your sole complaint about ME2 so far
<mouser>   hmm.. i might have to check that out
<p3lb0x>   Just do like me and ignore them unless the game forces you to order them around to continue
<mouser>   the first mission in ME2 was like designed to make me hate this game
<mouser>   a million explosions
<mouser>   everywhere
<scannie>   <mouser> and fun <- what? you find following orders without thinking fun?
<mouser>   ugh.. i just wanted to shut off the pc
<mouser>   i have no 3d sense of space
<mouser>   i get lost easily
<p3lb0x>   I enjoyed the talking sequences of ME2 the most though
<mouser>   and having to switch and use special forces
<mouser>   too much!!!
<p3lb0x>   All the small hints to ME1 when you import a save was great
<mouser>   just let me shoot things!!!!
<scannie>   protip: width height depth... not that complex :-)
<mouser>   yeah i really just want the story
<mouser>   and to kiss girls
<mouser>   in their tight suits
<mouser>   in space.
<p3lb0x>   The Japs create lots of games like that mouser ;P
<scannie>   and you need a gf, quick.
<mouser>   women i should say
<p3lb0x>   Also, where's App when you need something quoted?
<app>   <--
<p3lb0x>   Quote mouser, do it
<app>   what do you want quoted?
<mouser>   app dont listen to them
<p3lb0x>   Should be self explanatory
<app>   <mouser> yeah i really just want the story
<app>   <mouser> and to kiss girls
<app>   <mouser> in their tight suits
<app>   <mouser> in space.
<p3lb0x>   Yes
<mouser>   i never said such a thing
<mouser>   pay no attention
<app>   <mouser> just let me shoot things!!!! <--obviously not a puzzle game guy
<p3lb0x>   I thought mouser loved tower defense games
<mouser>   i need to go back to only playing sniper games
<mouser>   where its quiet
<mouser>   and i can just look through scope while hiding in hole
<p3lb0x>   Aren't there only like
<p3lb0x>   2 sniper games
*   scannie hands mouser a pet rock
<mouser>   there are some good ones
<p3lb0x>   Sniper Elite and one more I don't remember
<mouser>   Sniper Elite was great
<p3lb0x>   Oh yeah
<p3lb0x>   JFK reloaded
<mouser>   actually in ejoy the Hitman games too
<p3lb0x>   oh lol
<p3lb0x>   Hitman
<mouser>   s in/i
<p3lb0x>   Hitman is like
<mouser>   there were a couple of fps that were sniper-heavy too
<mouser>   delta force 2 i think
<p3lb0x>   Strangle two guards, someone spots you
<p3lb0x>   Decimate everyone in the level
<app>   i hate shootem up games
<scannie>   i hate games
<p3lb0x>   I think I've only achieved the best score on two levels in Hitman Bloodmoney
<p3lb0x>   Mouser, I just realized
<p3lb0x>   Do you realize that Mass Effect 2 is one of the EASIER games on the market?
<p3lb0x>   It's dumbed down for the consoles
<p3lb0x>   They took out the weapon upgrading
<p3lb0x>   For example
<mouser>   yes
<mouser>   i know thats why i thought i would like it
<mouser>   im going to start over
<mouser>   set it to "casual" mode
<p3lb0x>   Okay
<p3lb0x>   This time
<p3lb0x>   Play the solider
<mouser>   instead of normal
<p3lb0x>   *soldier
<p3lb0x>   They have like
<p3lb0x>   2 active abilities
<mouser>   i tried infiltrator
<p3lb0x>   And 4 passive
<mouser>   since they have sniper
<p3lb0x>   The Soldier also has the sniper
<mouser>   but maybe i should try solider as you say
<p3lb0x>   They have uh
<p3lb0x>   Concussive shot which is like a grenade launcher
<p3lb0x>   And 3 different special ammo types
<p3lb0x>   Oh yeah, they also have bullet time
<mouser>   im going to make a game
<mouser>   called AYHIASR
<mouser>   aka All You Have Is A Sniper Rifle
<app>   lol
<mouser>   special powers are for babies
<p3lb0x>   Mouser, so basically you're going to remake JFK reloaded
<mouser>   yeah
<app>   sounds very simple...nothing to remember
<app>   that's why i can't stand these games...too much shit to remember
<p3lb0x>   Oh yeah, you're not going to like the second sniper you get
<p3lb0x>   app, lol. Point gun at enemies, press fire. Ocassional press 1, 2 or 3 depending on whether your enemy is a robot, organic or you don't know
<p3lb0x>   *occasionally
<app>   but i can never remember what 1 2 & 3 are supposed to do
<p3lb0x>   Okay then
<mouser>   wtf
<mouser>   123
<mouser>   just let me pull the fucking trigger
<mouser>   arghhhhh
<mouser>   stop with all the buttons!!!!
<p3lb0x>   Mouser
<app>   it's like playing pinball on the computer...i can never remember which keys are for the nudge, which is for left and which is for right
<app>   so i never bother with them
<p3lb0x>   You do realize, that you only need to press one of those once per engagement as the effect is on until you chose the next one
<p3lb0x>   Hell
<mouser>   thats so annoying
<app>   i agree
*   Intrepid gives channel operator status to Metshrine
<p3lb0x>   You could just use the general ammo type that does +30% damage to everything and not bother with the specialized ones that do +40% to a specific type
*   Metshrine has kicked mouser from #donationcoder (oops, meant button 3)
*   mouser has joined #donationcoder
*   MouserBot gives channel operator status to mouser
<mouser>   i wish they had made a version of the game that makes you not have to make these choices
<mouser>   and this time im going to play as a woman
<mouser>   i thought i would enjoy playing as a man so i could have a girlfriend in the game
<mouser>   but its annoying watching me
<p3lb0x>   you know
<app>   lol
<mouser>   so ill be a woman, at least i can enjoy watching myself
<p3lb0x>   You can still have a girlfriend as a female
<mouser>   yeah that too
<app>   what mouser needs is a special version of the sims, where he can go postal and shoot people, then visit his sim girlfriend
<Metshrine>   They have the second part already
<Metshrine>   plus a nudity mod
<Metshrine>   so he can even simulate that part of it!
<scannie>   <@mouser> so ill be a woman
<scannie>   nuff said
*   Metshrine has changed the topic to: <@mouser> i thought i would enjoy playing as a man
*   JeseRchlr has joined #donationcoder
<Metshrine>   scannie: Donde esta un biblioteca?
<JeseRchlr>   I am Mr. Bombastic! When we have sex it's fantastic! I stick to you like your underwears elastic. I do all of that because I am Mr. Bombastic!
*   JeseRchlr has quit (Client Quit)
<scannie>   josh: UNA biblioteca
<Metshrine>   I say un
<Metshrine>   deal with it!
<Metshrine>   ;-)
<mouser>   who wants to go shopping with me
<Metshrine>   OMG!
<Metshrine>   He's turning into a woman!
<mouser>   oh be quiet
*   Metshrine throws testerone boosters at Jesse
<Metshrine>   Quick
<mouser>   who is the one who has been begging for a teddy bear
<Metshrine>   take them all!
<mouser>   for months
<Metshrine>   We will save your manhood
<mouser>   and crying himself to sleep without it
<Metshrine>   Mouser: I am trying to add to my support of donationcoder
<Metshrine>   if you would prefer I won't
<mouser>   im just teasing!!
<Metshrine>   heh
<Metshrine>   such a tard
<scannie>   mouser: that´s prolly me

2918

Living Room / Re: Will you miss newspapers when they're gone?

« Last post by app103 on March 07, 2010, 02:12 AM »

Their is a problem with getting your news, second hand, from friends, co-workers, and neighbors (word of mouth)...

They always throw their own spin on it and I have come to the conclusion that my husband only knows crackpots, with the "news" he comes home with...and some recent email forwards to me from someone he is very good friends with, confirms it.

Be really careful where you get your news from, even when it's in print. Do a little research and either find and read all the different opposing views, or at the very least find a good source of objective news (nearly impossible, these days).

2919

Living Room / This Car Runs on Code

« Last post by app103 on March 06, 2010, 08:20 AM »

The avionics system in the F-22 Raptor, the current U.S. Air Force frontline jet fighter, consists of about 1.7 million lines of software code. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, scheduled to become operational in 2010, will require about 5.7 million lines of code to operate its onboard systems. And Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner, scheduled to be delivered to customers in 2010, requires about 6.5 million lines of software code to operate its avionics and onboard support systems.

These are impressive amounts of software, yet if you bought a premium-class automobile recently, ”it probably contains close to 100 million lines of software code,” says Manfred Broy, a professor of informatics at Technical University, Munich, and a leading expert on software in cars. All that software executes on 70 to 100 microprocessor-based electronic control units (ECUs) networked throughout the body of your car.

Alfred Katzenbach, the director of information technology management at Daimler, has reportedly said that the radio and navigation system in the current S-class Mercedes-Benz requires over 20 million lines of code alone and that the car contains nearly as many ECUs as the new Airbus A380 (excluding the plane’s in-flight entertainment system). Software in cars is only going to grow in both amount and complexity. Late last year, the business research firm Frost & Sullivan estimated that cars will require 200 million to 300 million lines of software code in the near future.

http://spectrum.ieee...s-car-runs-on-code/0

2920

Mini-Reviews by Members / Re: KidsMenu - a shell replacement for kids

« Last post by app103 on March 06, 2010, 04:05 AM »

I was thinking about that option, but also for the wifes laptop rofl

-Stephen66515 (February 01, 2010, 08:09 PM)

And I was thinking this might be good for my husband. 

2921

Living Room / Re: Will you miss newspapers when they're gone?

« Last post by app103 on March 05, 2010, 02:00 PM »

The only part I will really miss is the coupon section in the Sunday paper.

And Facebook is not a substitute for a high school yearbook.

Yearbooks are frozen in time and that is their appeal. A Facebook account changes as you change the display pic, update info, post status updates. There is nothing permanent about it, at all.

And I have never seen a high school yearbook that advertised and allowed your friends to pester you with Mafia Wars, day after day.

2922

Living Room / Re: What annoys you to no end?

« Last post by app103 on March 04, 2010, 10:34 AM »

People that forward crap to everyone in their addressbook and have no clue what BCC is or why they should use it. 

-app103 (March 03, 2010, 05:19 AM)

I wholeheartedly second that and have given my friends numerous hints to no avail!

-CleverCat (March 03, 2010, 11:53 PM)

I must be much more effective at explaining it, since once I do, I don't get that type of forwards with a millon email addresses on it any more...and in some cases, they even stop forwarding me crap, out of fear I will mark their mail as spam, revoking their privilege to send me anything, even important stuff.

I just can't stand having to send out that canned response + threat to people I know and generally like.

2923

Living Room / Re: What annoys you to no end?

« Last post by app103 on March 04, 2010, 10:28 AM »

People who promise they will send something that belongs to a larger group of people only to keep giving excuses

*cough* BABY CODY *cough*

;-) We all love you app103!

-Josh (March 03, 2010, 05:45 AM)

Baby Cody said one of the first things he learned as a tiny hatchling was that you are supposed to fly south for the winter, and if you don't and find yourself stuck in the north with all the snow and cold weather, seek shelter till March, which is when spring begins.

Now that March is here, Baby Cody has continued his travels around the world, although he regrets not being able to stick around to see the cherry trees all in bloom here, next month.

So, Josh, he's on his way and he has a big chunk of metal to smack you in the head with. (better hide your wallet before he gets there  )

2924

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Create Shortcut on the Destop (hopefully not as stupid as it sounds)

« Last post by app103 on March 03, 2010, 06:19 AM »

Eóin: When I right click on a file, it takes approximately 5 seconds for the context menu to open.  Any idea why this would happen.  I have a 2-yr old Dell lap top with decent processor and 2 gig RAM running with Windows XP .

-jdd (March 01, 2010, 06:41 AM)

Take Eóin's advice, and if you are still having issues with it, read on...

A lot of software likes to stick entries on that SendTo menu (and the "New" menu), and the more stuff you have there the longer it takes to show the menu.

Might want to clean it up if that happens to be your issue.

There is lots of stuff you will never use and cleaning it up not only makes it faster, it makes it easier to find the entry on the menu that you are looking for. Just make sure you are not deleting any of the original stuff.

Keep these (yours may or may not have those odd file extensions showing, depending on how your system is configured):

• Compressed (zipped) Folder.ZFSendToTarget
• Desktop (create shortcut).DeskLink
• desktop.ini
• Mail Recipient.MAPIMail
• My Documents.mydocs

(this is from XP, there may be more with Vista/Win7)

Another thing that could cause it to be slow is an issue with one or more of your drives (very large single partition external drives are great for causing this), or having an unusually large number of drive letters it will have to add to the menu. (If you are up to W like I am, you'll be waiting a little bit for that SendTo menu to show)

2925

Living Room / Re: When 40%-Off Your Total Purchase Becomes 0.3%-Off

« Last post by app103 on March 03, 2010, 05:29 AM »

That was very kind of you not to use their name in your blog post. Most bloggers would have.

Glad to hear O'Reilly cares and the issue is resolved for you, and soon for everyone else, too.