Recent Posts

3926

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows goes Open Source?!!

« Last post by wraith808 on April 05, 2015, 05:07 PM »

People said the same thing about .NET.

-wraith808 (April 05, 2015, 11:18 AM)

One difference.  .NET was documented.  To program Windows using the API without being left behind you had to get "undocumented Windows" programming books.  Some guy had to sit there for months debugging the OS to see what MS did when they wrote their own programs that they didn't tell us.

It's hard to believe a company that didn't want to document the Programmer's API calls would open up the source to the whole enchilada.  But if I see it I'll believe it.  But if they are really going open source do they have to do these trial balloons?  Like if people react with "so what?" they won't but if people say "oh wow!" they will?  Strange business.

-MilesAhead (April 05, 2015, 03:11 PM)

But as you notice with .NET, the parts that were open sourced where the most recent version.  They didn't just open up everything back to 1.0.

Projects under the stewardship of the .NET Foundation currently include the .NET Compiler Platform ("Roslyn") as well as the ASP.NET family of projects, both of which were open sourced by Microsoft Open Technologies, Inc. (MS Open Tech). Xamarin has contributed several open source .NET projects, including the very popular Mailkit and Mimekit projects.

I expect to see the same thing with Windows.  You aren't going to get everything just dumped out there.  They'll package it, and slice it up.  I don't see it as any less far-fetched than the idea that .NET would go open source.  They've seen the future, finally, and realize that selling the OS is no longer the way to stay on top, and causes them more problems in the long run, it seems.

But time will tell.

3927

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows goes Open Source?!!

« Last post by wraith808 on April 05, 2015, 11:18 AM »

I'll believe it when I see it.  For one thing people could look at the code for the File Explorer.  I bet there are modules going back to Win95.  It would be rather embarrassing.  I think the press releases with "would could should might may" wording are picked up because W10 is on the horizon.  Otherwise the tech reporter would say "Great.  Call me when it is open source.  Don't call to tell me what you think you might do until you change your mind."

-MilesAhead (April 05, 2015, 10:42 AM)

People said the same thing about .NET.

3928

Living Room / Re: Recommend some music videos to me!

« Last post by wraith808 on April 04, 2015, 11:39 AM »

That kid has the goods.

3929

General Software Discussion / Re: You can now run Android apps on a Mac or PC with Google Chrome

« Last post by wraith808 on April 04, 2015, 10:49 AM »

Whatever my thoughts on google, this is still a very interesting development..

I am quite skeptical about the widespread value of running android apps on the desktop, because android apps are designed for a small device with no keyboard and mouse -- resulting in a user interface very well suited for a small mobile touchscreen, but poorly suited to take advantage of desktop features.

However, there will surely be some use cases where being able to run a mobile app on the desktop will be a real win -- apps where performance and usability is not essential, but where simply being able to access the app will outweigh any deficiencies in the experience.

-mouser (April 04, 2015, 10:02 AM)

It really depends on how they do it.  If they go the MVVM approach and have different views with the same functionality on the back end, I could see it working.  I've been making extensive use of the app interface that they have now... and it seems pretty well adapted to that approach. I just wish they wouldn't keep changing it needlessly, and without notice.

3930

General Software Discussion / Re: mapping_data_source::init error: file not found

« Last post by wraith808 on April 03, 2015, 03:34 PM »

If you generally use the practice of /f'ing processes (whether with taskkill or by force-qutting from task manager), it's no wonder your system is acting wonky - that way of shutting down processes should only be done as a last resort.

-f0dder (April 03, 2015, 01:22 PM)

/f'ing is admirably and accurately named.

3931

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

« Last post by wraith808 on April 02, 2015, 09:34 AM »

This cat wanted in...

3932

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

« Last post by wraith808 on April 02, 2015, 09:33 AM »

Happy easter... NomNomNom

3933

Non-Windows Software / Re: Any Android coders here? Looking for a mobile DC forum reader!

« Last post by wraith808 on March 31, 2015, 01:45 PM »

[TIPS / TRICKS] Create Android App For Your Forum

http://www.simplemac...sg3734745#msg3734745

That looks like an interesting approach...

3934

Living Room / Re: TV shows thread

« Last post by wraith808 on March 31, 2015, 08:08 AM »

There are things that used to bother me. I just try to ignore them now. Or, if it's too much, I just don't watch, e.g. I just can't watch CSI or NCIS.

-Renegade (March 31, 2015, 03:41 AM)

I *love* science fiction and fantasy, and want to be a published writer.  Which is one of the reasons that when I can't stop ignoring it, it hurts even more.

3935

Living Room / Re: Programming/Coder humor

« Last post by wraith808 on March 30, 2015, 11:10 AM »

3936

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: I have put a "share with facebook" type thing on the pages (temporarily?)..

« Last post by wraith808 on March 29, 2015, 01:03 PM »

Mouser knows I am just being honest

-Stephen66515 (March 29, 2015, 09:22 AM)

I wonder if others do? Could there be a more appropriate way to express things?

-cranioscopical (March 29, 2015, 11:02 AM)

^ This.  Because being honest is never a good excuse for trolling and baiting.

3937

Living Room / Re: TV shows thread

« Last post by wraith808 on March 29, 2015, 12:51 PM »

There's a certain amount of 'liberty' that Darabont has taken from the comics, and in some cases it changes the story in very ... charged ways.  Really not looking forward to it like I formerly was.

-wraith808 (March 29, 2015, 08:18 AM)

It's important that these liberties you speak of are taken with the blessing of Robert Kirkman, the creator of the comic book. In a lot of cases, these liberties are solely Kirkman's ideas to change things that he was decidedly not happy with the way they turned out in the comic. Other changes are made to give Kirkman and crew opportunities to explore paths not taken.

Does every alteration strike gold? No, but every path explored in the comic didn't, either. If the  TV show were a 100% accurate adaptation of the comic book I would still watch. However, my enjoyment would be lessened because there'd be no suspense in what came next. I'd always know what was around the next corner.

At least this way I have two different, excellent stories with the same strong cast of characters (more or less) and I can enjoy one freely without worry of encountering spoilers for the other. Just think of the TV show as being an alternate universe.

-Innuendo (March 29, 2015, 11:15 AM)

It really doesn't matter about the blessing of the liberties.  It's the nature of the liberties in and of themselves.  I was going to avoid bringing them up, but others have said the same things that have struck me over time in a much better way than I, so I'll just leave this here:

https://stevenbarnes...-dead-is-dead-to-me/

I'm not expecting understanding- one needs to be in the situation to understand it to an extent.  It's just pervasive and I feel it, so it is affecting my enjoyment of it.  And this isn't the only person that has noticed it- and from a very different perspective because they didn't really 'get' it, other than the fact that it exists.

3938

Living Room / Re: TV shows thread

« Last post by wraith808 on March 29, 2015, 08:18 AM »

Continuing where Stoic Joker left off, 'The Walking Dead' and 'Z Nation' are very enjoyable zombie TV-shows as well. Both are very different. TWD is already around for 5 seasons and none of these are bad. Z finished its 1st season and is much(!) more tongue-in-cheek.

'Helix' is also a very enjoyable. A lot of series from SyFy are. From them also comes a sci-fi mini-series, called 'Ascencion', which is very well done. Know as little as possible about this mini-series as possible for full enjoyment, though. 

-Shades (March 28, 2015, 06:25 PM)

I only watch WD with my family to have some family TV time... but it's becoming less and less enjoyable, and not for the reasons one would say.  There's a certain amount of 'liberty' that Darabont has taken from the comics, and in some cases it changes the story in very ... charged ways.  Really not looking forward to it like I formerly was.

3939

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: I have put a "share with facebook" type thing on the pages (temporarily?)..

« Last post by wraith808 on March 29, 2015, 08:10 AM »

Looks like Ghostery took care of them, so they do not bother me .

-Jibz (March 29, 2015, 03:48 AM)

Ghostery took care of them for me too, but anything that is blocked by Ghostery is a thing i do not want on DoCo.

-f0dder (March 29, 2015, 04:14 AM)

This.  I whitelist DC currently.  And my ghostery count has always been at 1, so it's not been a problem.  Now it's at 4(!).  If it's hosted at DC, it's not really a concern... but just like with GHacks (and thankfully he put another way to support the site other than not blocking ads), if it's hosted elsewhere I'll have to start, which would be a sad day.

What is the purpose of sharing on other social media is my thought?  Is there a viable reason?  Or is it just because everyone is doing it?  If there's not a reason for it- and it's just to follow trends, then why do it?

And, just a suggestion- there's a lot of hyperbolic pejorative above- can we tone it down?  Because the reason for a discussion is to bring all opinions together and discuss, and that's the way it's normally done around here, and I appreciate that.

3940

Living Room / Re: TV shows thread

« Last post by wraith808 on March 28, 2015, 01:09 PM »

It's not just a good time at the movies for super heroes:

Agents of SHIELD is really hitting its stride, Arrow is doing well, and The Flash started out with a running start.

Gotham has so much potential, and so many good points, that it's hard to see it struggle.

I'm really waiting for the Netflix Marvel explosion to begin with Daredevil.  I especially love the way that they aren't going string you along week-by-week waiting to see what's going to happen.  Interesting experiment for a variety of reasons.

3941

Find And Run Robot / Re: pretty-software.com does the same as Find and Run Robot and it is really free ;D

« Last post by wraith808 on March 26, 2015, 09:50 AM »

I still say spam:

Date Registered:   March 25, 2015, 12:14:23 AM
Last Active:   March 25, 2015, 12:22:46 AM

He registered, posted this, then left...typical of a spammer.

-Stephen66515 (March 26, 2015, 09:07 AM)

The reason that I wouldn't have a knee jerk reaction in the other direction of spam is the fact that there are countless others who have done the same thing- most of them just say your software sucks!  Or why is this so hard?  And never come back.  Though the way in which it is posed is a bit rude, it still is good for rumination.

3942

Living Room / Re: 10th Anniversary - long time member check-in thread

« Last post by wraith808 on March 24, 2015, 03:20 PM »

ps.
I hope none of you current regulars get any funny ideas from this thread and make plans to disappear for a few years just to get the lost sheep treatment ! 
Don't even think about it!!!!!

-mouser (March 24, 2015, 02:52 PM)

Who leaked our plans? 

-rgdot (March 24, 2015, 03:11 PM)

I told you he'd get wise to us...

3943

Living Room / Re: Downloading from DonationCoder always gives me problems

« Last post by wraith808 on March 24, 2015, 09:02 AM »

Have you tried direct downloads instead of going through a download manager?  Perhaps using DC updater to download the update?

3944

General Software Discussion / Re: WinPatrol going subscription

« Last post by wraith808 on March 24, 2015, 09:01 AM »

I think what we're all reacting to is that it's not a planned strategy from day 1, but it gives off the vibe of being X, then much later the developer (notice with way too little timeline warning) say "oh, by the way, I'm broke, next month I'll do X".

That's what feels like the rip off. If people want to do cool projects, then let them stay cool projects. If you think you can't hold on forever, then plan that in the campaign.

But unfortunately "bait and switch" however naively implemented is abusive.

-TaoPhoenix (March 23, 2015, 10:11 PM)

Well, basically, BillP wasn't going to be around forever; it's a fact of life.  So in order to make sure that his customers that have come to rely on the program where taken care of, he made a deal to ensure the longevity.  All of his current customers will be taken care of in the deal.  Anyone that wants to get on board has had ample time to do so.  It's not perfect... but what is?  I just appreciate the effort from BillP and the new guy.

3945

General Software Discussion / Re: WinPatrol going subscription

« Last post by wraith808 on March 23, 2015, 02:59 PM »

Doesn't seem unfair at all to me.

-wraith808 (March 23, 2015, 11:06 AM)

Depending on the fee, not in and of itself. It just seems indicative of the direction.  Everything going to tighter control.  Browser extensions signed, getting away from Pay Once and use it Until a major version change, for software.  Now if you are flush one month and broke the next everything you click on your PC might come up "Not Implemented."

The movie Repo Men might not be many years away from reality.  I must be getting old and nostalgic for the good ole' days. 

-MilesAhead (March 23, 2015, 02:23 PM)

I actually like the pay on a regular schedule better than the pay until next version change- as long as the updates keep coming.  But before it was a pay once and never pay again.  I don't think that *anyone* can make a profit on that model.  BillP just wasn't concerned about it... he was just doing it because he wanted to.  But if you've invested money into buying the software, I don't think it's unrealistic to expect to get that money back, personally.

3946

General Software Discussion / Re: WinPatrol going subscription

« Last post by wraith808 on March 23, 2015, 11:35 AM »

Bill P recently sold WinPatrol.  There was a big deal made on the transition about picking someone who would continue the same traditions yadda yadda.  I'm not really bashing the new developer trying to make a few $$.  It's just that everything seems to be trending to having a meter attached.  People with longer names will change them to short ones because when they sign something online they will be charged per keystroke.  Pay toilets won't have a coin box on the door but on the toilet paper dispenser.  Pull on the roll and watch your bankroll dwindle.

It's like the bean counters are going to nickel and dime us all to death.  Every gimmick and angle will be exploited.

-MilesAhead (March 23, 2015, 10:40 AM)

As far as I am concerned that's still the equivalent of what I said, I believe it's been only a few months since the sale

-rgdot (March 23, 2015, 11:31 AM)

Almost a year, officially.  A bit more than that unofficially.

http://billpstudios....au_=i5VHj3cqQTT5RJVs

3947

General Software Discussion / Re: Microsoft is retiring Internet Explorer

« Last post by wraith808 on March 23, 2015, 11:31 AM »

...

3948

General Software Discussion / Re: WinPatrol going subscription

« Last post by wraith808 on March 23, 2015, 11:06 AM »

If you bought a license before (or buy it before the time is up), you get a program that you don't have to pay for ever again.  And once that time passes, it will be upfront with the costs.  The only people I can see that would be possibly screwed are the ones using the free version that don't know about the transition.  But then again, if you were willing to buy... then you would have bought.

So it seems that he is continuing the tradition for those that were a part of the tradition, IMO.  And a subscription based service probably means the same thing as the others in this space have done... a yearly cost.  Doesn't seem unfair at all to me.

3949

N.A.N.Y. 2014 / Re: NANY 2014 Release: Reference Overlay Tool

« Last post by wraith808 on March 21, 2015, 09:27 PM »

Oh man, this tool is exactly what I need!... except it's missing one thing. Any chance you can implement a new feature/option?

I was looking for something that would let me take a headshot image of me and let me easily overlay it dynamically on anything I wanted to, specifically web shopping sites for clothes. I think it could be very helpful for picking out clothing online. I can do it manually of course in something like Photoshop, but that's incredibly time consuming and would only slow down the process, while I'm trying to speed it up.

So, your tool is perfect, except it does not seem to support mask-based transparency/opacity (as opposed to overall window transparency/opacity, which you do support). Supporting transparency would be hugely useful, first because I can't get a good impression of how a shirt fits me (particularly the collar) if my head is surrounded by a white box that overlays some of the shirt. But also especially because it enables things like having a full body shot with only my arms and head showing - in the right positions - and the body transparent, to hopefully give an even better impression of fit. This is more relevant for color theory approaches to clothing rather than body-shape stuff of course, but it still seems quite helpful.

So if you can implement mask/transparency support that would be fantastic! An option to hide the UI controls would also be super nice, but not mandatory. Maybe like a double-click on the main interface will toggle show/hide the controls?

Thanks in advance!

- Oshyan

-JavaJones (March 21, 2015, 04:21 PM)

That actually seems like a really cool addition!  Let me take a look, and get back to you!

3950

Living Room / Re: 2014-2015: Best tablet specs for ebook reading

« Last post by wraith808 on March 16, 2015, 09:36 PM »

Very interesting device, thanks for sharing.

Interesting to see if anyone manages to "extend" or "modify" the system that ships with it...

-ewemoa (March 16, 2015, 08:32 PM)

From the way that they're marketing it, and the 'interview' process and the reasoning behind that, I don't know if it will get into the hands of someone that would do that.