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3751

General Software Discussion / ColorSchemer ColorPix

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 10:36 PM »

Ever have something you needed to get the exact color of? Well here's a little app I just found that does exactly that. And it does it quite well.

From the site

ColorPix is a useful little color picker that grabs the pixel under your mouse and transforms it into a number of different color formats.

You can use the built-in magnifier to zoom in on your screen, click on a color value to copy it directly to the clipboard, and even keep ColorPix on top of all other apps and out of the way.

Best of all, there's nothing to install - just download the tiny app and off you go. So grab it now, it's FREE!

http://www.colorsche...om/colorpix_info.php

It just got me out of a jam ... May-haps it'll help you too.

3752

Living Room / Re: how does your <insert device here> stack up?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 07:35 PM »

I think I'll get a stone, because they're super durable, ecconomical, and never need charging. 

3753

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 06:11 PM »

I've sat through such hearings, and I never do think the law is on my side.  I've made that mistake before (thankfully only in civil court).  And I've personally seen someone who had no choice and who had nothing to do with pulling the trigger railroaded because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the wrong person carjacked him.  But this isn't "terminator" talk, at least in my case.  It's the talk of someone who'd rather avoid those situations, but knows all too well that in that split second when it's them or you, it had better be you, especially if someone who doesn't have the same respect for life is involved.

-wraith808 (August 17, 2011, 05:31 PM)

+1 Been there also. And you're spot on about the split second part, choices are react or die when it really hits the fan because warnings just don't happen unless you really know what to look for ... and that ain't perfect either. I've left more than a few places (back-in-the-day) because I could tell shit was about to go sideways. I've also had a few less timely exits that required (Um...) non-verbal negotiations...

Good point about the political aspect by zridling as it is a major factor in how things tend to go down. I got a friend doing 10 for a gun he didn't even have. But hick towns just love bank robbery trials. The law is on your side alright, Your Back-Side...

Now as far as self defense shootings go locally. The ones that are reasonably clear-cut (robberies/home invasions) never go to trial...or have any charges filed for that matter.

A few years back a guy in a wheelchair caught someone trying to break down his front door. He fired 3 times through the door killing the would be attacker. After a short (2 week) investigation, it was ruled self defense.

Another one south of here was a guy that walked out of the bathroom at a restaurant, and straight into a robbery. He (having both gun and permit) drew, fired, and ended the robbery. It was ruled self defense shortly there after.

3754

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Windows management script

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 03:55 PM »

I've never had a problem with Alt+F4, but then again I am left handed...

Double clicking the left corner of the titlebar will also close a window by default. But I'm curious as to why right clicking the titlebar would be easier than using the red X in the right corner. Do you have a lot of large multi monitor windows?

3755

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 03:39 PM »

They're too easy to use, too indiscriminate, and take away lot of the personal investment in the violence that you're intending to inflict.

-wraith808 (August 17, 2011, 12:31 PM)

  I did not know you were supposed to savor these moments...

-Stoic Joker (August 17, 2011, 01:07 PM)

Personal investment =/= savor.  Personal investment as in "I'm about to potentially take a life."  If you have to have the visceral experience of actually using muscle power to force an item through flesh from close range where you can experience it with all of your senses, versus the simple act of pulling a trigger, the impact of what you have done is going to be much greater.  The same thing goes into causing harm personally vs. ordering others to inflict it.  You aren't as personally involved.  That's why we sanitize our speech when referring to such acts- to remove ourselves even further from the mental impact of the action, i.e. Collateral Damage < Civilian Casualties < We dropped a bomb on a family < We dropped a bomb on Mr & Mrs Adham and Little Faisal.

-wraith808 (August 17, 2011, 01:30 PM)

I knew what you meant, I was just being difficult (couldn't resist).

As a rule I dislike violence, IRL I am soft spoken, and my manner is quite calm and indeed stoic. I just happen to allow for the fact that occasionally survival necessitates a harsh response to perilous situations.

3756

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 01:07 PM »

They're too easy to use, too indiscriminate, and take away lot of the personal investment in the violence that you're intending to inflict.

-wraith808 (August 17, 2011, 12:31 PM)

  I did not know you were supposed to savor these moments...

3757

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Windows management script

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 11:55 AM »

I understand very little of what is going on here.
On my desktop Vista "Alt+F4" will close active window/program at once. Did I get this feature from strangers?

-Curt (August 17, 2011, 11:18 AM)

Nope that's normal windows behavior. Also Ctrl+F4 will close the active child in a MDI application. Come to think of it, In Windows 7, if you click (and hold) on a window, then shake it. It will minimize all other windows. Shake it again and they come back.

3758

General Software Discussion / Re: In search of ... a way to kill tabs

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 11:42 AM »

Is there some character, maybe Unicode, that represents a tab w/o actually being a tab?  Or, perhaps, a textarea [HTML] configuration that automatically prefixes content?  Yeah, I know, that's reaching, but when logic fails, sometimes the illogical will work  .

-barney (August 17, 2011, 10:52 AM)

A string of spaces will leave a gap in the output, but tabs don't seem to work that way:

Code: HTML [Select]

1. <textarea rows="2" name="S1" cols="20">     food</textarea>

I too resort to illogic at times.

3759

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 11:27 AM »

Nah, you have it wrong. 

-wraith808 (August 17, 2011, 09:24 AM)

O_o Holy Shit! ...Guess the kids pretty handy with a sword.

3760

General Software Discussion / Re: In search of ... a way to kill tabs

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 07:20 AM »

Have you seen/tried this one?

http://stackoverflow...hin-variables-in-php

3761

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 07:18 AM »

I simply like to keep available a trump-card for those odd times when negitiations completely break down.

-Stoic Joker (August 17, 2011, 06:44 AM)

If someone breaks into my house, negotiations have already broken down...

-wraith808 (August 17, 2011, 06:51 AM)

That doesn't mean you can't lead with a joke:

Wraith: Knock Knock
Burglar: Who's There
Wraith: Jesus
Burglar: Jesus Who??
Wraith: Bang!

3762

General Software Discussion / Re: In search of ... a way to kill tabs

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 07:03 AM »

Just out curiosity...(given that you've already tried the most common correct answers)... Have you considered that something later in the code could be putting the tabs back in?

I've gotten had by that one once or twice.

3763

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 17, 2011, 06:44 AM »

I do keep a .357 Magnum revolver loaded with hollow-points in my car glovebox.  The car stays locked, even when I'm at home.

-kyrathaba (August 16, 2011, 07:31 PM)

Nothing like a little overkill~!

-Renegade (August 17, 2011, 05:22 AM)

Actually no; it's really a much safer round to use for personal defence. Because outside of their obvious effectively benefits ... Hollow points tend to stop after they hit something, open, and break apart. So there is less chance of them going cleanly through the first target and penetrating a second unintended target.

The thing that should be under stood, is that a weapon of any kind is and should be an absolute last resort. Much like 40hz my preferred weapons are tact & humor, as defusing a situation is really the safest option for all parties. I simply like to keep available a trump-card for those odd times when negitiations completely break down.

3764

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 16, 2011, 07:53 PM »

The right to defend your property only works in Texas and maybe one or two other places. Here in NJ, a person is legally required to take all possible steps to avoid use of lethal force. You're only allowed to use lethal force when you reasonably believe that your own, or another's, life is in danger.

-CWuestefeld (August 16, 2011, 02:26 PM)

Which is precisely why the last thing you want in a shooting is a second version of what happened...

3765

General Software Discussion / Re: Implement features that are known to be loved in other programs, on your own

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 16, 2011, 07:49 PM »

Sometimes, a user will suggest an idea, method or some functionality that, to the human brain, is done without a second thought.  However, translating said idea to code is futile.  I've sometimes thought to myself, "Humans are subjective, code is not."

-skwire (August 16, 2011, 03:51 PM)

If I dare to think of the number of times I've had that conversation at the office I'll wake up screaming for a week.

 

3766

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 16, 2011, 11:33 AM »

Indeed, a very passive response for a country where everybody and their grandmother appear to have guns... 

-Shades (August 15, 2011, 10:17 PM)

That's what you're led to believe from TV and news. Most Americans can't afford guns! And unless you have a use for one (hunting, target shooting, killing someone/yourself), they're not much use. They usually lead to far more (legal) trouble than people bargained for when they are used (kids finding them, shooting themselves or a friend).

-zridling (August 16, 2011, 08:33 AM)

You obviously don't live in the south.

Down here you either have a gun in your truck...or people look at you funny. They're also a fairly solid investment if treated (stored/maintained) properly.

Last I heard on the news 1 in 9 people here have a license to carry. And if you spent the $300 to get licensed, you're not going to be planning to whip out a sharp stick.

Kids mishandling firearms (does happen here every few years) is an issue of education & access, not ownership.

3767

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 16, 2011, 06:58 AM »

I'm curious...

What levels of FORCE can one use to stop theft? if someone breaks into your home, and tries to steal from you, what level of VIOLENCE can you use? Can you shoot someone if you warn them and they persist? Can you use a baseball bat? A knife?

There has to be some level of justified force to protect one's property.

-Renegade (August 15, 2011, 11:09 PM)

While the Castle Doctrine allows for the use of Deadly Force to protect ones property. The paperwork they show up with states that it is not your property - You're a squatter in your own home - hence it would actually serve to justify their 'legally" shooting you (gotta love that one).

This is why the pencil necked paper monkey shows up with the fuzz in toe to make sure everyone behaves properly and bends over on cue.

3768

Living Room / Re: Samsung hard drives - don't buy them unless you like subliminal mental torture

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 15, 2011, 06:33 PM »

And where would you put the reset button?

-Shades (August 15, 2011, 10:45 AM)

Close the lid, open the lid. ...The girls should appreciate our finally using that option.

Hmmm, in case of a problem, which crapcleaner do you use?

-Shades (August 15, 2011, 10:45 AM)

That would be fully automated, and attached to the little handle on the tank.

First the mechanism is (...) "Dumped Full", Then Flush...

3769

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 15, 2011, 06:08 PM »

I have nothing to say that is actually printable. Or maybe just 2 'V' words: Vengeance. Venezuela.

-Renegade (April 23, 2011, 10:25 PM)

Hm... V->Guy Fawks-> Anon...

The system on the second video sounds like a great target for Anonymous to torch. The people get free houses, the evil bankers end up pennyless in the streets ...(Shit!)... That'd be a Walt Disney level happy ending me thinks.

3770

Living Room / Re: WinXP: monitor USB port disconnects when computer is locked

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 15, 2011, 05:44 PM »

Is it a Dell? I got a bad batch of T1500s a while back that had certain USB ports that liked to "flicker" a bit.

3771

Living Room / Re: UK Riots: Have you been affected?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 15, 2011, 05:42 PM »

I dont know. I find the idea dubious that without "civilisation", we'd be a bunch of savages. It is prevalent in all "modern" societies & religions that I know of. But that doesnt convince me. In fact I would suspect that the demonising of our "animal" nature is one our greatest problems as a society. The idea also helps society and religions to convince us that we need their ways of thinking, their morals, their beliefs, in order to be, or become, "civilised" - or whatever :p

-tomos (August 14, 2011, 02:18 PM)

Bingo! +100 We should all aspire to be as kind and loyal as our dogs.

3772

General Software Discussion / Re: Problem: I can't understand how to get a W7-64 machine into an XP-32 network

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 15, 2011, 05:34 PM »

[evil joke]

-Shades (August 15, 2011, 03:46 PM)

That is wrong on so many levels ... I like it.

 

3773

General Software Discussion / Re: Problem: I can't understand how to get a W7-64 machine into an XP-32 network

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 15, 2011, 03:29 PM »

Hooray!

All stations on the network are communicating.

-cranioscopical (August 15, 2011, 03:12 PM)

Glad you got it working.

Windows 7 should be able to connect just fine to an XP workgroup right out of the box. I did two of them last week with zero issues.

Main tripping points tend to be Simple File Sharing (unless everybody is Home edition, then you're stuck with it), Blank passwords (MS killed that action by default in XP SP2), Firewalls, and selection the wrong network type/location:
Public (locks it down like a nun's knees)
Work (allows communication to happen)
Home (Lets it be free & easy)

3774

General Software Discussion / Re: Problem: I can't understand how to get a W7-64 machine into an XP-32 network

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 15, 2011, 12:12 PM »

You should find out the IP(v4) number from each of your PC's in the network. (open dos-box and type the command 'IPCONFIG /all')
Normally those start with 192.168.x.x or 10.0.x.x. Disable any firewalls for the time being.

-Shades (August 15, 2011, 11:48 AM)

This is probably the most important part of the diagnostic. Firewalls (especially 3rd party firewalls) create more anguish than they'll ever be worth. Terminate them with extreme prejudice. ...You'll be happier for it later.

Make sure you can ping target machine X by IP

Make sure you can ping target machine by name

Make sure everybody either is, or is not using Simple File Sharing (I prefer it off).

Make sure there are no blank passwords being used.

3775

Living Room / Re: The Foreclosure Scam

« Last post by Stoic Joker on August 15, 2011, 06:40 AM »

I have some friends that both had good jobs years ago and had built their dream house. Then the economy went to shit.

They both lost their jobs, and the mortgage fell behind. The bank foreclosed, but took 3 years to get around to evicting them.

The house sat for a year or two during which time they both managed to find new stable jobs.

--Now here's the weird part--

When the house went back on the market, a friend in real estate let them know ... Which allowed them to once again buy the house. But this time at a substantial discount because of the markets devaluation.

So while the wife & I will probably never make it out from under our house payments. At least I get to laugh about ^that^.