Recent Posts

426

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY MUGs

« Last post by worstje on January 05, 2011, 04:02 PM »

Images for the uninformed?

427

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 04, 2011, 06:02 PM »

Anything the delay can do is something Jotti can already do, and probably already does. JottiQ needs to get a token from the server in order to do anything for a particular 'file'. Said throttling is the delay you are aiming at that Jotti has FULL control over. If JottiQ doesn't get that token, it can do nothing.

I intend to add stuff to somehow involve the general server load, but again the ideal way is for the throttling to come from Jotti's side where possible. He has most control and insight into those things. His service can be at 100% load and not need to deny anyone. It is his internal queue of files people have uploaded that need scanning that is growing waay out of its intended capacity to the point where even the relatively quiet moments aren't providing enough space for him to minimize said internal queue to managable levels.

428

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 04, 2011, 05:45 PM »

One thing JottiQ could do is insert a delay between uploading files, and a check of the jotti server status that increases that delay when the server is busy.

This really seems like a simple and full solution to the problem, even if its not ideal in the sense of making people wait longer than they should have to wait if the jotti service was a bit more sophisticated.

-mouser (January 04, 2011, 05:42 PM)

There already is throttling. The problem isn't in people uploading a lot of stuff, it is in many people uploading stuff. Delays and all that sort won't change that. Suppose 500 people scan a single file. They all get allowed through. And that is what is clogging Jotti like mad right now. Everyone is downloading JottiQ, and everyone is throwing multiple files at it so by the time one file finally gets done the same person adds something new (although that should have gotten throttled by now.)

429

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 04, 2011, 05:43 PM »

Or to quote an older Dutch ad pay-off "Het waren 2 geweldige dagen" (It where 2 fabulous days)

-Ath (January 04, 2011, 05:35 PM)

More than fabulous if you ask me.

I get a feeling this grew indeed a bit bigger than anyone, mostly Jotti IMHO, could have imagined, so he will probably have to restructure his service (or fix bugs in the Hash search, as that doesn't really seem to work), or get a bigger sponsor
Lest just pray he gets his act together, and JottiQ can provide it's useful service to the public again

-Ath (January 04, 2011, 05:35 PM)

I am not sure if the hash service is broken at present. For as far I can tell, he totally disabled the entire API at present, or at least for JottiQ's API credentials. I don't blame him - it's the simplest solution.

The current errormessage of 'Jotti only supports files upto 0,00 B.' just says it all, I guess, maybe a next version of JottiQ should say 'Service temporarily unavailable' or something in that order? (But it shouldn't be needed I hope)

-Ath (January 04, 2011, 05:35 PM)

It is ironic but true. The 0 bytes thing is what happens when the maximum file size cannot be retrieved, and in this case, it gives a strangely suitable message.

Or you can rename JottiQ to VirusTotalQ, that would make a nice (and probably quick) NANY2012 pledge

-Ath (January 04, 2011, 05:39 PM)

I have considered such a thing, actually. Supporting both services in one app might be nice, but I'd have to check up on VirusTotal, their requirements and all that other jazz. That and it would imply a fairly big huge architectural change.

430

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 04, 2011, 05:37 PM »

I hope so. It is mostly up to him - he is a busy person and I have zero access/say in his actual matters. I offered up a few alternatives for things I can change but right now it is just a matter of NANY 2011 catching the highlights and tons of people trying out JottiQ.

JottiQ was always meant for a bit of a poweruser in my eyes, to check over those few files your own AV package considered to be OK yet you still didn't trust. In case Jotti and in a lesser amount me are not able to find a satisfactory solution, I hope JottiQ simply falls out of favor... but well, let's just say I hope for the best but am secretly preparing for the worst case scenario.

431

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 04, 2011, 05:15 PM »

There's a fair few options open to Jotti. JottiQ has a unique API key it uses which at worst can be blocked all together, and the user agent that is sent includes the JottiQ version so that in case I make a huge blooper bug, he can block that specific version without affecting other versions.

Also, I need to clear something up that I've been meaning to clear up in the next release since I misunderstood Jotti at some point along my numerous emails. (I think we've sent over 100 emails at this point.) The service started out as a hobby project, but it hasn't been like that for a long time. There's a few parties that want some special features and they make up for some funding to keep the service running.

Sadly, as I was writing this reply, I got an email that at this time the load has skyrocketed some more to approximately 500% of its usual load. And sadly, the story regarding that remains the same: it is too much at this time to support. As such, Jotti has ceased service to JottiQ at present, hopefully to be reopened in upcoming days.

Jotti will monitor the usage and do several tests across the next few days to see if the demand will lessen. Personally, I am rather fearful JottiQ has garnered a bit too much attention for itself at present. Sites in Brazil, France, Poland and an english one have all done articles on JottiQ thus far, and somehow I expect it only to get worse. (Unless any more reviewers dump JottiQ because the service has now been shut down... hmm, if other methods to alleviate the pressure fail that might be the best I can hope for.)

432

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / JottiQ users: Read THIS!

« Last post by worstje on January 04, 2011, 02:07 PM »

Okay, I doubt the many people for which this is meant will read this, but it needs mentioning in case very slow results haven't made it obvious yet.

Just today, JottiQ has more than doubled the ALL-TIME HIGH queue of the internal scanning engine of Jotti's malware scan. Jotti has been running that since 2004. And obviously, this cannot stay this way, as it is way beyond his resources to manage.

I am currently in discussion with the man on ways to try and alleviate the problems, as I suspect they might be caused for a good part by the fact that NANY is a popular event with lots of people trying new applications. There is already rate-limiting present for an extent, but so far I have the impression Jotti believes this is not enough to handle the situation if it keeps on going.

Thus, possible ways he and/or I may respond are by adding load indicators to the JottiQ interface, automatic shutdown of Queue processing once stuff gets too crazy for him serverside, or as a final resort a full shutdown of JottiQ servicing so the service can remain for the diehards who would like to use the web interface.

So please, play nice with Jotti's server, especially till I get a new version out tomorrow. It's a free service, he wants to keep it that way, and I would truly hate for JottiQ to become a victim of its own success.

433

General Software Discussion / Re: What in the world is "Refactoring?"

« Last post by worstje on January 03, 2011, 04:47 PM »

I think mouser gave a good description of refactoring. However, as an example, think of a function that does a ton of things: get the data from a website, loops over the characters, tries to extract content, perform calculations, etc. Think of a monster that's multiple screenfuls in length.

Such functions can pretty much always be rewritten to be more understandable. How? By splitting it up into smaller pieces that take care of those other pieces. As a bonus, if you need said functionality in the future, you won't be tempted to copy paste, but can use a simple function-call to the same effect... except any bugs only need to be fixed in a single location. So rather than multiple screenfuls, you'll end up with several smaller functions that (as a general idea) fit on a single screen, easily understandable. And the big monster you had before that suddenly fits on a single screen too (again, as a general idea) with all the different tasks explaining themselves (content = GetWebpage(), number = SearchContentForNumber(content), number += 5)...

Of course, that is a bit too simplified, but that is what it in my experience comes down to.

And regarding 'excellent refactoring' in IDEs... it more-so comes down to for example selecting a few paragraphs of code, and immediately putting it in another function with proper parameters, or other often-used tasks to improve code health.

434

General Software Discussion / Re: Is it possible to have a future without a .NET-style takeover?

« Last post by worstje on January 03, 2011, 03:40 PM »

La la la la la la la la.



I am with you, although I hate any iteration of VB past and present. Modern IDEs are often 'redesigned from the ground up' and you notice because they dump half the features and add stuff nobody really cares about.

435

Developer's Corner / Re: Please explain FTP file permissions

« Last post by worstje on January 03, 2011, 07:45 AM »

I can't help you with the 4096, but I should be able to help you out with the rest.

Let's split cut off the d and then split up drwxr-x--- into three groups.

rwx: The first three letters define the permissions given to the OWNER of the file. Read, Write, eXecute.
r-x: The second three letters define the permissions given to the GROUP the file belongs to. Read, no Write, eXecute.
---: The last three letters define the permissions given to everybody else. No Read, no Write, no eXecute.

psaserv is the group the files are assigned and alluded to above, just like root, kyrathaba and apache are the owners of the various files.

436

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: Duplicate Photo Deleter

« Last post by worstje on January 02, 2011, 06:38 PM »

So, just so I get this right... this tool can't recognise scaled down versions? I've got some old messy HDs lying around, needing backups, but I know from memory huge amounts of those lack sorting and have been scaled down as needed so other people could reliably view them. If I could easily go through it all and find the smaller-sized images to delete those, that'd help with sorting.

If it can't do this already, is there any chance such similar-image functionality could be added?

_{I plead guilty to not testing the app since I don't actually have said old HD hooked up - it is just gathering dust at present. It is for one of those proverbial rainy days.}

437

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 02, 2011, 12:05 PM »

If there is a proper messagebox, it is completely fine by me. I am against installing if the requirements are not installed - while with a .7z archive it is okay for stuff to break if people deny such a thing, people expect that if an installer completes the application will work. Thus, offering an option that would result in a non-working installation is lunacy by my book.

438

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: askapic.com - Photo Q&A Site

« Last post by worstje on January 02, 2011, 08:25 AM »

To be precise, it is the number of people that noticed a number in the top left corner when they visit the page, and complained about it afterwards. Prepare for that number to skyrocket, folks.

439

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: NetLaunch

« Last post by worstje on January 02, 2011, 05:08 AM »

It looks like this app was featured on ghacks.net: NetLaunch, Start, Stop Programs If Internet Connection Drops, Becomes Available

Congrats!

440

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 01, 2011, 05:51 PM »

JottiQ v1.0.1 is brought to all of you by nobody other than our resident babblemouth cranioscopical.

_{The opening post has been updated to match, by the by.}

441

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Pledge: "VeggieSquares" - Children's Game

« Last post by worstje on January 01, 2011, 05:13 PM »

I never even saw the beta! Then again, I haven't found the time to actually test stuff either, my own apps have kept my busy.

I will definitely give it a shot one of these days, when time permits me a minute or two.

442

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 01, 2011, 05:00 PM »

I'll look into it, thank you.

443

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 01, 2011, 04:58 PM »

HOWEVER having a web page and a pad file for it would definitely help and be a step in the right direction.  let us know if you want some DC web space.

-mouser (January 01, 2011, 04:50 PM)

I already have the DC webspace - where did you think the downloads are hosted? I just totally lack the time to do anything with it. Between real life, Cautomaton and JottiQ, there's barely enough of me to keep things together.

Look into it however, I will. I think you said something about a tiny cms system some other members use for a similar purpose, happen to have an easy link handy to the one you had in mind?

444

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Pledge: "VeggieSquares" - Children's Game

« Last post by worstje on January 01, 2011, 04:39 PM »

Were you ever able to save the code that you accidentally overwrote, CodeTRUCKER? I'd love to see this game come into being, even if it won't be possible for NANY 2011 anymore.

445

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 01, 2011, 04:20 PM »

I don't know if Virustotal was the first of this type of service but it is the most popular. Does the same as Jotti but in a more slick packing. Also has upload tools http://www.virustotal.com/advanced.html I think yours will have more direct appeal to usage being a real application.

-Bamse (January 01, 2011, 04:05 PM)

Whether or not VirusTotal was the first, I wouldn't know. According to Wikipedia it was launched in 2004. I know from personal use (and the footer on Jotti's malware scan) that Jotti also goes back to that same year. Either way, who cares who was first - it is good that other people thought of the usefulness of such a service, and even better that people have an active community such as the one VirusTotal seems to have.

If you throw your self at security forums at some point be sure to mention dependencies, auto-download during installation. Harmless details like that can make some people go crazy in a non-productive way

-Bamse (January 01, 2011, 04:05 PM)

This matter has been given plenty of attention in the Readme file. Or do you mean that the installer installs those dependencies without asking the user? I haven't tested the installer into cruciating detail myself - Ath was kind enough to offer his services and I gladly accepted that offer. If you confirm this, I'll let him know (or he might read) that asking the user might be preferable.

However, as far as I am personally concerned people can use the installer-less .7z archive. It will work just fine assuming said dependencies are installed.

Also, I am not sure if I will do much in the way of advertising JottiQ. The way I see it, a good product/application will sell itself, especially so when it is free. If you feel JottiQ deserves sharing with others, by all means go ahead - if JottiQ helps people I am more than satisfied.

446

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 01, 2011, 03:52 PM »

This is definitely one of my favorite NANY entries this year.. really awesome.  

-mouser (January 01, 2011, 03:05 PM)

And you, stop it. One of these days you're going to make me blush in front of all of DoCo and its visitors.

447

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 01, 2011, 03:47 PM »

If blinded by polishing I think you will find that program is begging to be announced on security forums once you are done, like Wilders for example.

-Bamse (January 01, 2011, 02:59 PM)

If anything, I think Jotti's malware scan itself deserves the bigger praise. I only made the outside shell.

I just stumbled over program so have no other input - other than perhaps you should have a confirmation box for the "Adds the executables of currently running processes to the queue" Is a hefty task for Jotti and much "Avaiting processing" Cool feature though but should probably not be used without real intentions. No way to stop it once it sets off. Can delete individual entries I guess but a big task anyway - a "Are you sure?" box would be fine.

-Bamse (January 01, 2011, 02:59 PM)

Duly noted. I didn't originally intend to add the processes feature in the first place - I am afraid it will detract from its primary purpose to investigate specific objects. The more easily one adds things, the more likely one is to throw his/her entire PC over the internet. (Slow as a process as the throttling might make it, it is still a form of abuse that is very easy to achieve.)

Once I am done bugfixing the current release and aiming towards a v1.1 or thereabouts, I'll look into adding a progress window. I intended to add it at one point, but the delay wasn't all that noticeable to me originally. Not enough to make me feel the urge to throw a dialog up, anyhow.

Good competition for VirusTotal  

-Bamse (January 01, 2011, 02:59 PM)

I do not know VirusTotal at all, so I can't really comment. However, you did remind me of something else I feel needs mentioning.

The ability to add processes is severely limited in its current form. It only adds processes you have access to inspect, and far less than you might expect if you are for example used to using Process Explorer. It doesn't add the svchost.exe, nor lsass.exe, nor other things running as a service or otherwisely out of JottiQ's reach. (I intend to find out why though - PE seems to have no issues divining the executable of a process without needing to be elevated.)

To boot, one needs to remember that JottiQ _only_ adds the executable of the process, and that a process can be malicious even if its executable is completely harmless. svchost.exe is a good example of that - it is a Windows component that runs services, and those can very well be malicious in nature.

All in all, thank you for posting. I am glad someone else sees the purpose and usefulness of JottiQ.

448

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 :: The Event Closes

« Last post by worstje on January 01, 2011, 02:41 PM »

NANY is awesome, NANY is great, give us more NANY! (Waiting ~363 days is going to be a pain though...)

I must say, the software giveaway is an awesome surprise I hadn't at all counted on! Thanks for setting that deal up for us!

One question though... why several softwares with the same/similar purposes? For example, I don't know the difference between 'Documentation Authoring' and 'Help Authoring', and the two screenrecording applications also seem like one too many. While I know Axialis (I actually used the trial for some of my minor icon adjustment fiddling in JottiQ), I don't know the other nor its purpose all that well. Of course, choice is always great - I just think more variety would also have been great.

Then again, I'll probably get yelled at for not knowing most of the apps in detail, so maybe they're far more different than the two-word descriptions so far make me think they are.

_{P.S.: Kindly cease your manhandling of my first NANY app; Cautomaton is written without an i.}

449

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Release: JottiQ

« Last post by worstje on January 01, 2011, 06:31 AM »

Just installed it, and it has really gotten better! The extra features just make the difference, and the UI improved by applying 'Less is more' .

-Ath (January 01, 2011, 05:52 AM)

Yeah, the aim was to polish and apply the final touches.

And thanks for the credits it was a nice job to do.

-Ath (January 01, 2011, 05:52 AM)

No, thank you for your work. It is very much appreciated.

450

Official Announcements / Re: HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 FROM EVERYONE AT DONATIONCODER!

« Last post by worstje on January 01, 2011, 05:13 AM »

Weee. Happy new year all!