Recent Posts

426

Non-Windows Software / Re: Android book reader (thinking Moon+)

« Last post by MilesAhead on January 23, 2017, 07:07 AM »

FBReader Premium is 40% off till end of January 2017.

-wraith808 (January 21, 2017, 06:23 PM)

Thanks for the heads up. I think I may try the Moon+ Pro since I already have Moon+ on.  Supposedly they will refund the purchase within 30 days.  If the Google Drive stuff works well then it will be worth the $5.

If I do give it a shot I'll post my impression of the GDrive integration at least. 

427

Non-Windows Software / Re: Android book reader (thinking Moon+)

« Last post by MilesAhead on January 19, 2017, 12:39 PM »

I don't know anything about Moon+. I went with the free version of FBReader.

On Google Play: https://play.google.....zlibrary.ui.android
Homepage: http://fbreader.org

-app103 (January 19, 2017, 10:44 AM)

Thanks.  I have that installed too.  Along with one or two others.  If Moon doesn't do what I need I'll study up on fbr. 

428

Non-Windows Software / Android book reader (thinking Moon+)

« Last post by MilesAhead on January 19, 2017, 10:03 AM »

Finally I am getting into some of these 21st century devices.  I have an Android phone(Marshmallow) and an Android tablet(Lollipop.)  I have Calibre on my PC.  After reading about a few of the book readers for Android I am thinking Moon+ free since I can access my Google drive from all three systems.

If anyone is using Moon+ can you tell me if it is only the current bookmark that is synced in the Pro version?  In other words, if I can store all my books on Google Drive using the free Moon+ I would like to try that out before worrying about doing the Pro.  I am likely to do most reading using my Tablet.

I guess what I am asking is if anyone knows if I copy the Calibre library folder onto my Google drive that is associated with my Android devices, if the files will propagate when additions are made?  The bookmark sync feature may be nice and perhaps in the future it may come in handy.  But I would like to just get the basics handled for now.

I installed Moon+ reader on my phone and it automatically installed on the sd card(I formatted the card as phone storage rather than portable USB.)  So I take that as a good sign.  I have step by step setup from an online page but I'm on the lookout for any tips avoiding the most common stumbling blocks.

On my phone I find my favorite app so far is the one for the public transportation in Miami.  I can check when the next train is due at a particular station and even if the elevator to the train platform is out of order before carding in and looking at the TV monitor.  Help this troglodyte see the light! 

I still hate trying to type into touch screen but I have to admit some of the stuff is fun to use. 

429

DC Member Programs and Projects / Re: Easy Proportion

« Last post by MilesAhead on January 18, 2017, 08:40 AM »

^ has been updated there Miles

-tomos (January 18, 2017, 07:11 AM)

 

430

DC Member Programs and Projects / Re: Easy Proportion

« Last post by MilesAhead on January 18, 2017, 07:05 AM »

I don't see a link or attachment dmytron.   

431

General Software Discussion / Persistent download link for TipOff(comment utility for 32 bit Windows)

« Last post by MilesAhead on January 12, 2017, 07:07 AM »

I see that my TipOff utility is still being hosted on Torrys.  You may download from my author's page there:
http://torry.net/authorsmore.php?id=2087

For details on the utility see this thread:
https://www.donation....msg153434#msg153434

Note that at the time I wrote it, 64 bit versions of Windows came with a 32 bit version of the File Explorer under SysWow64 folder.  This enabled 32 bit shell extensions to work on x64 provided you opened this 32 bit Explorer window first.  However for some unexplained reason known only to MS they seem to have done away with the 32 bit Explorer.exe that made life easier.

As far as I know TipOff will only work on 32 bit versions of Windows or through a file manager that enables the 32 bit shell extensions.  One being the freeCommander file manager.

For those of you running Windows 32 bit who would like to comment files using a tab in the file's property page, you may wish to take a look at TipOff.  It is no longer being developed since after coding several of these type of comment utilities I have come to the conclusion that they cannot be implemented seamlessly unless one happens to have written a file manager application to host it.  In other words, if you copy files by intuitive means, the comment will not travel with the file since it is not built into the file system as it was in the CMS file system used on Vax VMS machines.

432

General Software Discussion / Re: AutoHotKey vs AutoIT - why choose one over the other?

« Last post by MilesAhead on January 09, 2017, 07:52 AM »

I used to prefer AutoIt because it had a more basic like syntax vs. the comma delimited function call style of AHK.  Now AHK has support for objects and also has expanded on the Expression syntax that is more like the C language.

As for capabilities that I use, I find AHK has much better mouse hotkey support.  AutoIt makes it very easy to create a Gui with Buttons showing the Icons of the program you would launch by pressing the button.

They both have strengths and weaknesses in various areas and even with various Window objects such as ListViews etc..  But there is no reason to eschew either completely.  If the program Gui I wish to create is easier to do using AutoIt but I wish the superior AHK mouse hotkey support I have the AutoIt program launch an AHK program to handle the mouse clicks and send a Windows message back to the AutoIt program letting it know what to do after the mouse hotkey fires or whatever.  The two work together well.  Also they have an "install" function that will break out the exe and icon files or whatnot into the current folder if not present.  So there is no requirement to have a formal install program.  Everything can be clumped into one exe if desired.

The other area where I prefer AHK is in file operations especially recursive descent through a folder and contained sub-folders processing files matching a wild card pattern.  AHK makes it simpler in my opinion.

433

General Software Discussion / Re: Requires Solution for Windows 7

« Last post by MilesAhead on January 09, 2017, 07:20 AM »

This post on Windows 7 forums might be a good place to start:
http://www.sevenforu...how-when-opened.html

If that approach does not work you might post there as the regular posters are very savvy solving Windows 7 problems.  I haven't used Windows 7 in a few years so I am starting to forget the solutions.  I can remember having the same thing happen to me on a 1 TB WD drive in a USB docking station.  But I did not find any solution other than a slow format to get the use of the drive back.  The error I got was actually that the drive was not recognized.  How the formatting info would disappear I do not know.

Happily your issue is more likely to have a fix. 

434

General Software Discussion / Re: should I be using a VPN? why? what about the recent deals?

« Last post by MilesAhead on January 04, 2017, 02:54 PM »

Ultimately, nothing is foolproof, and it's a serious issue, which is why I recommend The Cone of Silence.

-holt (January 04, 2017, 01:11 PM)

What?  Huh?  What was that you said?   

435

General Software Discussion / Re: should I be using a VPN? why? what about the recent deals?

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 22, 2016, 10:40 AM »

Thanks for the response, f0dder. I was still waiting for someone to answer the "why" part of this thread's question(s).

-Deozaan (December 21, 2016, 09:20 PM)

One of the "whys" in my case is totally legitimate https access to a server.  In the case of MDC WiFi there are times when it does not like the certificate it gets from the server.  HawkHost provided me a work-around by accessing my account control panel via http.  But by using the VPN that comes with Opera I am given the option to access the server via https even though it has a certificate out of date or whatever.

If I log in to the wired network in the college library it connects to the HawkHost server without squawking.  So it is not like it is a pirate site or anything.  Just the WiFi is a bit more paranoid because they leave it open to the public I suppose.

436

Living Room / Re: SAS updates continue after expired subscription

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 17, 2016, 04:53 PM »

Not switching is my choice but I have never used the free version so I don't know if there is a difference.  Should there be?

-crabby3 (December 17, 2016, 09:01 AM)

Without looking at the comparison chart my guess would be the paid version has some real-time function and automatic scans.  I think the free one is manual scan only.

BTW  You have said "I have been using the free version of SAS for years."  Have you been getting app updates too?

Yes, both database and program update.  If I remember rightly I have to download the free version and install it over the current one.  It's no biggie.  In fact for a long time you could download the portable one free.  Now they call it a technicians version and want payment.  So I switched to the free that requires installing.  All I ever use it for is quick scan anyway.  The database update only requires clicking a link in the Gui.  I used to run AdAware also.  But SAS was the only one that I could configure without a lot of hassle, to ignore stuff I did not want scanned.  At least at the time.  AdAware and others may have changed their settings to make it easier.  I don't like scanners that are too enthusiastic to take action without asking.  Programming hotkey stuff I get a lot of false positives.

437

General Software Discussion / Re: Malwarebytes 3.0 out

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 16, 2016, 08:45 AM »

FWIW I ran Ninite the other day and it decided I was going to test MalwareBytes 3 .

So far it hasn't crashed, but it does seem to slow down my computer a lot during its automatic scan.

-Jibz (December 16, 2016, 12:53 AM)

The way I "cheat" with MBAM to get a quick scan is I open it, update the database, then I select perhaps the newest 21 files in my download folder, right click and select Scan with MBAM.  It is much faster than a threat scan and finds most things like Pups and any registry baddies.  It stops at file test rather than going into the heuristics scan that takes forever.  Now and then I do the threat scan just to be safe.

You have to open MBAM and update the database first before selecting files and using Explorer context menu to start the scan.  Otherwise you will end up with the threat scan.  It took a bit of experimenting until I found this work-around.  I did it once with v. 3 before uninstalling.  So it should still work.

438

Living Room / Re: SAS updates continue after expired subscription

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 15, 2016, 04:22 PM »

Thought I would update this a bit.

The SAS Application updates continue after expired subscription as well. 

Unlike most people, I presume, I watch the update process happen and today I got a fleeting glance of the app update along with the virus definitions.

It happened too quickly for a screen shot... maybe next time.

-crabby3 (December 14, 2016, 09:05 AM)

Is there a difference between continuing with this and switching to the free version?  I can understand if it is already installed and both code and db are updating, not switching for the sake of switching to the free.  But I am just curious.

439

General Software Discussion / Re: should I be using a VPN? why? what about the recent deals?

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 15, 2016, 08:25 AM »

Opera browser includes now a free VPN.
 

-Contro (November 01, 2016, 10:40 PM)

No it doesn't.

-Tuxman (December 08, 2016, 04:22 AM)

Not sure if it is just the proxy bits of the browser code but I noticed on my tablet while perusing Google Play Store that Opera has a VPN App.  I could not get it to connect in the public library.  Perhaps the libraries are hip to the servers used and block them since Opera is so well known.

440

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 15, 2016, 08:18 AM »

The good news is that Microsoft is working on an update mechanism that will just update directly to the latest version instead of having to download an outdated update before being able to download the most recent one.

-Deozaan (December 14, 2016, 07:02 PM)

Device users may be comfortable with the mechanism.  But for Desktop/Laptop machines it is too prone to breaking working systems.  There should be a "service pack only" setting to only update when bunches of fixes have been tested together after applying to a system running the last service pack.  If they want to call them "cumulative updates" that's fine.  But I cannot think of a more band aid approach than patching your OS as every vulnerability is found.  There are just too many side effects in coding to get all that stuff right.  Often it takes awhile for a regression to turn up especially if it causes only intermittent problems.

Basically it is a hack that has become institutionalized along with the side effect that MS now controls your system rather than you.  As I say, this may be fine for phone or tablet.  But not a great way to service desktop type environments.

441

Living Room / Re: Movies you've seen lately

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 15, 2016, 08:08 AM »

Dr. Strange

-Shades (December 14, 2016, 06:20 PM)

I used to read this comic book using the All-seeing Eye of Agamoto.. or something like that. 

This and Shin Godzilla are the two flicks I want to see in the theater.  Other than coming attractions I don't think I have ever seen a Godzilla flick in the theater.  The only Toho scifi flick I saw in the theater was The Mysterians way back when it was first released.  Cool flick.  The special effects were a lot of fun.  Lots of energy weapons and streamlined flying saucers.   

Edit: come to think of it, I also saw The H-Man in the same neighborhood theater when it was first released.  I remember feeling bad when all the H-Men were killed at the end.  The age old "fire kills 'em" solution common in many monster flicks of the time.

442

Living Room / Re: What books are you reading?

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 14, 2016, 10:48 AM »

I have been reading the Culture Series by Iain Banks

I haven't been able to read them in order.  I started with The Hydrogen Sonata since it was on the shelf in the local library.  Fortunately they are not tightly coupled.  The commonality is the protagonist gets involved with a group in The Culture known as Special Circumstances.  A section of the civilization's intelligence agency that influences events through clandestine action.

I am trying to finish up Surface Detail.  I have Excession on hold for a couple more days.  No way do I wish to lug both about town simultaneously.  They tend to be hardcover tomes. 

Needless to say, the author uses the situations and special circumstances of civilizations with technology thousands of years ahead of ours to draw some parallels to the moral quandaries we face.

443

Living Room / Re: Movies you've seen lately

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 12, 2016, 08:57 AM »

Allied

If I had known it was a WWII flick I probably would have passed.  I've seen way to many WWII films and TV shows.  But fortunately it was the espionage angle rather than a bunch of battles.  Also it had Brad Pitt to carry it on his shoulders.

All in all I would say it is more a "chick flick."  However enough people are shot and blown up to keep guys happy. 

Spoiler

The main reason I designate it a chick flick is the focus given to Brad Pitt's daughter taking her first steps.  Less attention was awarded Neil Armstrong's Lunar Ladder escapade.  A bit much.

444

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10: C: (SSD) usage is 100%

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 12, 2016, 07:03 AM »

Is your OS 64 bit or 32 bit?  Do you have Windows Search enabled?  If so you might try disabling it to see if the indexing is pegging the drive access.

Also I would post on
www.tenforums.com

A lot of regular posters there are in the Windows Insider program and have been updating W10 from the beginning of the first trials.  Someone may have a solution there.

445

Living Room / Re: Thank you Donationcoder!

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 09, 2016, 06:57 AM »

Great movie!

I own it!

-jadinolf (December 09, 2016, 12:57 AM)

For a while those lines were used by stand up comedians almost as often as Ed Sullivan impressions. 
I think is has been superseded by "Thank you very much" said with an "Elvis Voice(tm)" though. 

446

General Software Discussion / Re: Malwarebytes 3.0 out

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 09, 2016, 06:51 AM »

I too want to thank Miles Ahead, both for announcing the arrival of Malwarebytes 3 and, especially, for letting us know that there may be problems with it.  I went to the Malwarebytes forum, and there were LOTS of people with a number of different problems.  It seems like it shouldn't have come out of beta quite so soon.  I'm staying with version 2.2 for now.

-cyberdiva (December 08, 2016, 06:29 PM)

You are quite welcome.   

Although not a "problem" per se I do not like the fact that v. 3 makes you kill it from the Tray Menu if you do not want to leave it for real time protection.  With v. 2 you could just click the 'x' and both the program window and the tray icon exited.  But more importantly, as you point out, there are some substantial problems still to be worked out with v. 3.

btw I did announce the problem but not the arrival.  I guess I am by nature a skeptic. 

447

Living Room / Re: Thank you Donationcoder!

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 08, 2016, 05:32 PM »

    Glad to hear Josh's biopsy was benign.   

448

General Software Discussion / Re: Malwarebytes 3.0 out

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 08, 2016, 01:19 PM »

I tried it today.  I made a post in their forum that it forgets settings.  Hopefully they will fix this.  The examples I included in my post, disable tray notifications, disable stats gathering and sending to their server.  Change to another tab in the setting and come back, or quit the program and run it again.  The settings return to the default.  The only setting that seems to survive is changes to the exclusion list.

The other thing that would be nice is multiple select in the exclusion list to remove more than one at a time.  But that is just a convenience feature.

Edit:  Until they fix the settings I have reverted to 2.x.

449

Living Room / Re: Thank you Donationcoder!

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 07, 2016, 07:03 PM »

Thanks Mouser.   

450

General Software Discussion / Re: C Users Journal Nostalgia

« Last post by MilesAhead on December 06, 2016, 07:18 AM »

I am a completely self-taught guy.  GED is the only degree I hold.

-MilesAhead (December 05, 2016, 07:18 AM)

Same here. ...I think it shows more drive to make it that way than being led by the hand and told what to learn.

-Stoic Joker (December 06, 2016, 06:56 AM)

Heh heh.  I can see some benefit adhering to a syllabus.  But I can tell people have a bit of envy when they encounter the self-taught.  You can choose what to read and focus on.  As example I played around for a few hours trying to write a recursive descent parser in C.  Then I asked myself "do I really need to know how to do this when I could just use Lexx and Yacc?"  Well, maybe if I was going to rewrite those tools.  Otherwise...