Recent Posts

376

General Software Discussion / Re: What Android Apps Do You Use? [City Maps 2Go free upgrade]

« Last post by 4wd on January 13, 2020, 06:02 PM »

BTW, I don't know if this is still valid, (it's four days old and I've already upgraded so I can't check), but both the standard free Android and iOS version of City Maps 2Go can be upgraded to the Pro or Premium version for free via an upgrade code. [HotDealsUK]

Android: CityMaps2Go Plan Trips Travel Guide Offline Maps
iOS: CityMaps2Go Offline Map

Codes: PROSUPP or PREMSUPP for Pro or Premium upgrade, respectively.

How to redeem the codes

A bit of blurb:

About the app:
▶ IN-DEPTH CONTENT: Unlike other offline map apps, CityMaps2Go features photos as well as tips and comprehensive in-depth info for millions of places.
▶ WORLDWIDE COVERAGE: CityMaps2Go covers the whole world. More than 150 countries, 60000 destinations, and 50 million places!!
▶ WORKS OFFLINE: CityMaps2Go works online and offline. Saving you from data roaming charges in foreign cities or connectivity problems in national parks.
▶ PLAN TRIPS: Remember and save all the places you would like to visit. Create lists and have your travel ideas ready when you need them.
▶ DETAILED MAPS: Explore your saves on a detailed worldwide map. Navigate streets, footpaths, and bikeways wherever you are.

Differences:

There are 3 versions of CityMaps2Go, namely:
BASIC: The Basic version is free, however severely restricted and has annoying pop-up adverts.
PRO: All the basic features in addition to more functionality including unlimited offline maps & articles plus no adverts!
PREMIUM: Same features as PRO plus ability to customise maps & lists + premium support

377

General Software Discussion / Re: What Android Apps Do You Use?

« Last post by 4wd on January 13, 2020, 05:34 PM »

List My Apps isn't in Google Play though, right?

-wraith808 (January 13, 2020, 05:17 PM)

https://play.google.....onyxbits.listmyapps

Or, if you prefer F-Droid:

https://f-droid.org/...onyxbits.listmyapps/

378

General Software Discussion / Re: Sagelight Image Editor v4 returns as Pay-What-You-Want

« Last post by 4wd on January 13, 2020, 03:58 PM »

If you purchased Sagelight under the Lifetime Licence deal he had, it will be respected for future versions.

Regarding the apparent discrepancy between $5 and $10 mentioned by @hamradio:
http://www.sagelight...3-post-34.html#pid34

379

Living Room / Re: Legally Buy & Download Music Easily - Is it even possible any more?

« Last post by 4wd on January 10, 2020, 01:47 PM »

No experience of it and I doubt whether it's any better on Android but I thought iTunes, (or whatever it's called now), allowed you to purchase individual tracks for download?
The only problem being their software you have to use to get at it in the first place.

Other than that the only ones I know of are localised and as such have relatively small catalogues, eg. https://www.zdigital.com.au/

Which is the Australia site of 7digital, eg. https://de.7digital.com/ (you need to shop your local site).

380

Coding Snacks / Re: *Batch* JPEG to HEIF converter app

« Last post by 4wd on January 06, 2020, 04:42 PM »

If you're not scared of PowerShell:

https://github.com/D...Anson/ConvertTo-Heic

Windows only as it uses the Windows API.

Otherwise, XNViewMP can handle HEIC/HEIF, does batch operations, and is available for Mac, Linux, and Windows.

https://www.xnview.com/en/xnviewmp/

Your main problem is that those two options rely on the HEIF Extensions from the Microsoft Store ... and you'll be lucky if you can get the damn things to install.
Here's instructions on getting the extensions installed, Windows 10: How to Open HEIC, HEIF and HEVC Files on Windows 10 For Free

381

General Software Discussion / Re: Good Freeware Video Editor?

« Last post by 4wd on January 06, 2020, 04:18 AM »

So I am looking to batch convert many AMR files to MP3 (while also adjusting the Sampling rate so it is at least 16) and it occurred to me I would also like to normalize the volume on these files and possibly make other tweaks.

-sphere (January 05, 2020, 08:27 PM)

Code: Text [Select]

1. ffmpeg.exe -i input.amr -ar 44100 -filter:a loudnorm -c:a libmp3lame -q:a 3 output.mp3

-ar 44100 = Audio sample rate 44100, (ie. same as CD)
-filter:a loudnorm = Apply a single pass normalisation algorithm, (you can also do 2 pass)
-c:a libmp3lame = Encode using the MP3 codec
-q:a 3 = Average bitrate of 175kb/s

Additionally, I have a number of movies I would like to do the same.

Code: Text [Select]

1. ffmpeg.exe -i input.mp4 -v:c copy -filter:a loudnorm -c:a aac -b:a 160k -c:s copy output.mp4

-v:c copy = Copy the video stream
-c:a aac = Encode audio stream using AAC codec
-b:a 160k = Constant bitrate of 160kb/s
-c:s copy = Copy the subtitle stream

A Finally, I sometimes like extracting the audio from videos so I can listen on the go.

Code: Text [Select]

1. ffmpeg.exe -i input.mp4 -vn -sn -dn -c:a libmp3lame -q:a 3 output.mp3

-vn = Don't process video streams
-sn = Don't process subtitle streams
-dn = Don't process data streams

To do all the files in a directory, for example for the first case:

Code: Text [Select]

1. FOR /F "tokens=*" %G IN ('dir /b *.amr') DO ffmpeg.exe -i "%G" -ar 44100 -filter:a loudnorm -c:a libmp3lame -q:a 3 "%~nG.mp3"

All the above assume ffmpeg.exe is in your path somewhere otherwise you'll have to input the full path to it.

ffmpeg.exe has more options than there are words in the dictionary, (almost), so you can tweak until you're giddy.

For maximum stability you want the Static 32bit release:

382

Living Room / Re: Why did it never occur to me.. You can wash a keyboard in water.

« Last post by 4wd on December 27, 2019, 05:11 PM »

Spent an hour or so yesterday cleaning my G15 V2, (membrane type), first time in about 5 years. Split the case and popped all the keys out.

Chux wipe, sash brush, and a mild spray cleaner - did it while editing JavaScript, (plugged in an old PS2 KB).

Once you get into the flow it becomes pretty automatic and you don't need watch what you're doing, had an image of the kb on screen and popped the keys in as I went. Also didn't need to do anything in the way of drying as by the time I'd popped in a couple of keys any previously cleaned ones had air dried.

Never really noticed it the last time but the top half of the G15 was designed with no real ingress for dirt/etc into the bottom where the membrane/contact board/electronics are, that was still very clean and didn't need anything done.

383

General Software Discussion / Re: How to fix "NTLDR is missing" error in Windows 10?

« Last post by 4wd on December 24, 2019, 04:11 AM »

It seems Lazesoft was a bust. The home edition says it can "fix Windows Boot Problems due to corrupted MBR, Boot Sector, Boot File, Registry, etc." But in order to "fix missing file crash such as 'ntldr is missing', 'bootmgr is missing' etc." I need the pro version.

-Deozaan (December 24, 2019, 02:09 AM)

Damn, missed that in the comparison table ... however, the Pro version is available as a *Free Trial* ... don't know how far it'd get before asking to register/buy though.

384

General Software Discussion / Re: How to fix "NTLDR is missing" error in Windows 10?

« Last post by 4wd on December 24, 2019, 01:05 AM »

Could also try Lazesoft Recovery Suite if you're at the point where you might reinstall anyway.

Home Edition is free but you'll need a working computer to install it on to create the WinPE bootable drive/disc.

And mirinsoft has a couple of nice apps to prepare for the next time.

385

General Software Discussion / Re: Sagelight Image Editor v4 returns as Pay-What-You-Want

« Last post by 4wd on December 23, 2019, 03:23 AM »

Just a FYI the bigger amount he most likely means, but that does make it a little confusing.

-hamradio (December 22, 2019, 03:36 PM)

Could be the opposite since the higher amount seems to be an earlier post, ie. v5 70% complete as opposed to 75% for the lower amount.
A lower amount to get in more donations and hopefully cover all his time and effort.

Costs nothing to have him clarify it.

EDIT: Left him a message querying the discrepancy.

386

Coding Snacks / Re: The Best Way to handle finding and removiong Duplicate Files

« Last post by 4wd on December 22, 2019, 01:27 AM »

I'm looking for something with source code because I'm a bit wary of using a program that's going to be scanning a lot of files -- though in this case it's for someone who is unlikely to be using a non-GUI solution.

My preliminary searches turned up a couple of candidates.

Are there any reasons to not consider the current incarnation of dupeguru or Duplicate Files Finder?

https://github.com/arsenetar/dupeguru

Appreciate some opinions (informed or otherwise)

-ewemoa (December 21, 2019, 01:54 PM)

Used dupeGuru reasonably recently to remove something like 400+GB of duplicate backup files for a friend, (a laborious undertaking - backups of backups of backups of .... ), worked well.

There's also AntiDupl if you want to find primarily image duplicates, (or close duplicates), including across different formats - my go to software for that instance.

387

General Software Discussion / Sagelight Image Editor v4 returns as Pay-What-You-Want

« Last post by 4wd on December 21, 2019, 05:31 AM »

After being kind of dead for awhile it seems Sagelight is once more under development:

From the blog, (first post in 5 years):

SAGELIGHT IS BACK — AND ITS FREE

After a long hiatus, Sagelight editor is back.

Version 4 is now free, which is something I’ve wanted to try for a long time — give away Sagelight (or a version of it) and see of the pay-what-you-want/donation model can work enough to support Sagelight.  I’m looking at a donation model for version 4, and it would be great if it works.

I am currently writing Version 5 (which is about 70% completed), which has a lot of new changes, including a newly-revamped UI about which I am excited.

...

If you are a previous owner of Sagelight, download this version as an update.  It’s exactly the same except for the bug fixes and a few changes.

...

Rob

Sagelight can be downloaded from the main website: Sagelight Image Editor

After installation it has the version number 4.4h (b) which is the last paid version I have, (from 2013).

ADDENDUM: For an insight into what the author had to cope with during the time development was halted I recommend you read his forum post.

388

Living Room / Re: Share your photos! Travel shots, photoblogs, etc.

« Last post by 4wd on December 19, 2019, 12:23 AM »

Just one of those things that happen, one of the front wheels lift off, all the drive goes to it due to the differential, when it hits the ground again it stops spinning and a couple of teeth shear off the crown gear.

Damage continues because it's constant 4wd so the rest of the teeth deteriorate the longer you drive on it, we did have to use the winch a couple of times on the way out.

Made a pretty good *bang* when it happened ... could avoid it by installing a diff-locker in the front diff, (the rear is an LSD).

389

Living Room / Re: Share your photos! Travel shots, photoblogs, etc.

« Last post by 4wd on December 19, 2019, 12:04 AM »

A bit more of Victoria's High Country ... back in November whilst out 4wding I managed to perform some "unscheduled" mechanical alteration to the vehicle:



Resulting in a slow journey back to the nearest civilisation, (5 hours to do 28kms).

But now it's December so out we went again ...

First night spent at the luxurious Moscow Villa^w, (luxurious compared to how we usually camp):


The next day we pass a little bit of the USA, the Washington Winch^w:


A relaxing second night next to the Snowy River^w, the smoke is from the bushfires in New South Wales:


Historic School House, (~1860), at Suggan Buggan^w...


... and Murphy's hut:


Passing a bushfire ...


... on the way to our third night at the bottom of Billy Goat Bluff Track:


Followed by the trip up it the next day to get back to (so called) civilisation:

390

General Software Discussion / Re: youtube downloader?

« Last post by 4wd on December 15, 2019, 04:31 PM »

Re: 'repeat forever'; Okay, now that I know how to 'find' this option, how do I 'select' it? When I click on that 'option', the 'Apply' word does not highlight itself to confirm the choice.

-holt (December 14, 2019, 02:51 PM)

Third image is where you can set a key shortcut for it, it's unassigned by default.

How do I add MPC-BE to my 'Open with' drop-down menu; all I show is VLC as an option.

-holt (December 14, 2019, 03:07 PM)

Same way you add any program you want to the Open With... menu:

• Right click the relevant file
• Choose Open With...
• If you don't see MPC-BE, click More apps
• If you don't see MPC-BE, scroll down to Look for another app on this PC
• Locate MPC-BE

391

DC Gamer Club / Re: Latest GOG Giveaway

« Last post by 4wd on December 15, 2019, 12:36 AM »

@Deo: Thanks, for some reason the DC version wasn't showing up when I tried it, go away for the weekend and return ... and it has appeared.

392

DC Gamer Club / Re: Latest GOG Giveaway

« Last post by 4wd on December 11, 2019, 04:14 PM »

The storefront description of Wasteland 2 says it comes with a code for Wasteland 1. And that includes this giveaway version. 

-Deozaan (December 11, 2019, 11:29 AM)

Not getting that here, maybe geo-specific?

393

General Software Discussion / Re: youtube downloader?

« Last post by 4wd on December 10, 2019, 03:04 AM »

Yes, MPC-BE plays individual brainwave vids with throb. Tnx 4wd. 
edit; I don't see a way to loop playback or change playback speed, in MPC-BE.

-holt (December 09, 2019, 10:52 PM)

Pictures, thousand words, and all that 

394

General Software Discussion / Re: youtube downloader?

« Last post by 4wd on December 09, 2019, 08:21 PM »

Re: 1hr Delta Binaural Beat Session (0.9hz) ~ Pure
Using Brave browser and 4K Video Downloader set to 480 quality...
If I play direct from Youtube online, I get a nice throbbing effect, as; wooOOOoooOOOoooOOOooo
But if I download it and play it back in VLC, it loses the throb, as; woooooooooooooooooooooo.
What gives?

-holt (December 09, 2019, 03:47 AM)

Downloaded and played back fine using SlimJet and MPC-BE.

395

General Software Discussion / Re: Good Freeware Video Editor?

« Last post by 4wd on December 07, 2019, 06:11 AM »

How would I use AVIDemux to process a musical track with Automatic Level Control, or ALC, that is too quiet and then too loud, to even it up?

-holt (December 03, 2019, 01:04 PM)

In that case you need to normalize the audio track, AVIDemux doesn't have a filter for that.

You can, however, by adding a couple of steps do it outside AVIDemux and then mux it back in:

• Open the file in AVIDemux
• Save the audio track, Audio->Save Audio

Then use ffmpeg to normalize:

Code: Text [Select]

1. ffmpeg -i input.aac -filter:a loudnorm -c:a aac -b:a 128k -vn -sn -dn output.aac

Then add the audio track into AVIDemux, Audio->Select Track, then choose ... Add audio track from the dropdown to select the the output from the ffmpeg operation.



Then it's just the same as my post above with regards to saving the remuxed output - if you set ffmpeg to output in the final desired audio codec then you don't need to encode it in AVIDemux, just set Audio Output to Copy, (same as it is for Video Output).

396

Living Room / Re: TurboTax’s 20-Year Fight to Stop Americans From Filing Their Taxes for Free

« Last post by 4wd on December 07, 2019, 05:40 AM »

Here in Australia the ATO switched to online tax returns 3 years ago, (before then they had their own software you had to download and install): log in, fill it out, submit, done.

For an individual it takes about 60 minutes if you include a coffee break, most of it gets pre-filled with all the relevant info, (from investments, wages, interest, etc).

397

General Software Discussion / Re: Some advice with recursively applying changes to multiple text files

« Last post by 4wd on December 07, 2019, 05:12 AM »

So you're talking about search and replace of a string within 100+ text files in one folder?

I say one folder because you're kind of contraindicating with this which indicates one folder:

... all 100+ text files in the folder while keeping the file names unchanged.

...

This has to be done to over a hundred urls stored as named text files in a master folder.

-questorfla (December 07, 2019, 01:47 AM)

Followed by this which indicates a whole directory tree:

... walk the directory recursively ...

Anyways:

gsar.exe -sdomain1.com -rdomain2.com -o *.txt

Disclaimer: Thou who shalt not test before shall weather the consequences of thy actions.

PS. SOLVED: Recursive Search and Replace in Nested Folders

398

Coding Snacks / Re: [LONGSHOT] Passionate appeal to community - Costco price tracker

« Last post by 4wd on November 27, 2019, 06:05 PM »

I've talked to the author and he mentioned he created as a side hobby project and doesn't have the time to maintain it.

-dcsev (November 27, 2019, 04:51 AM)

Have you approached him about having someone else take it over since he's almost abandoned it?

It would save a lot of duplicated effort.

399

General Software Discussion / Re: Good Freeware Video Editor?

« Last post by 4wd on November 25, 2019, 10:40 PM »

I would like to find a free video editor to reset the volume more evenly on about a dozen youtube music vids which vary widely in volume and are all under five minutes in length.

-holt (November 25, 2019, 09:08 PM)

You could try AVIDemux, set it to Copy the video component and encode the Audio using the Automatic Gain Mode.
Choose whichever Audio Output format you prefer and the Output Format suitable for the chosen Video/Audio format, (eg. MP4 Muxer or MKV Muxer would be the most likely candidates).

400

Post New Requests Here / Re: REQ: CLI : basically unzip + run PDFTextChecker and move resulting files

« Last post by 4wd on November 22, 2019, 06:00 PM »

Edit 2:
I forgot I had this error message :

[Select]

PS C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0> C:\Users\E\Documents\tests\jityPDF.ps1
Add-Type : Cannot bind parameter 'Path' to the target. Exception setting "Path": "Cannot find path 'C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\itextsharp.dll' because it does not exist."

So I have copied "itextsharp.dll" in C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\itextsharp.dll
It may explain why if I try to use 4wd's code in another hard drive (example : L:\) even if I copied the 7z.dll, 7z.exe and itextsharp.dll files and adapt the code for new locations, the script doesn't show errors but it fails to run properly the Check-PDF part. It moves some image based pdf in folder2 instead of folder3 for some files ? So I stay in C:\

-jity2 (November 21, 2019, 09:09 AM)

That's because with starting the script from outside the folder it resides in, the working directory is no longer it's folder.

PS C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0> C:\Users\E\Documents\tests\jityPDF.ps1

Since you started the script from the folder in bold above, that becomes the working directory so if a file that's referenced by '.\' isn't found within that folder it'll fail with the above error.

PS C:\Users\E\Documents\tests> C:\Users\E\Documents\tests\jityPDF.ps1
PS C:\Users\E\Documents\tests> .\jityPDF.ps1

Changing your current directory to the same as the script would have let either of the above work OK.

An easier way would be just to use a shortcut and set the Start in parameter once you've set up the folder1/folder2/folder3 variables, then you can just double-click the shortcut.

I've attached an example shortcut.

I'll have a look at the other things.