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Recent Posts

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4301
General Software Discussion / Re: Is XP really that good?
« Last post by f0dder on December 09, 2008, 01:10 AM »
Weird.

I haven't seen a hosed registry since then Win9x days - neither on any of my own machines, or machines I've been managing (the museum, friends, family, ...). This amounts to 20+ machines (and more if you count replaced hardware), and some of them have been through a lot of abuse, as well as malware, hardware failures, de-synched RAIDs (stripes as well as mirrors), et cetera. On my own systems, it includes getting BSODs during driver development with unflushed filesystem caches (which *has* hosed a system now and then, but never with registry failure).

So I wonder, what do people do to get a corrupted registry? Note that invalid driver configuration doesn't count, as that would leave a system hosed no matter where system configuration is stored and isn't registry-specific.
4302
Living Room / Re: Why Vista's DRM Is Bad For You and other jewels by Bruce Schneier
« Last post by f0dder on December 08, 2008, 01:49 PM »
Well said as usual f0d man.
http://au.youtube.co.../watch?v=j-uulRB1OmY
-Ehtyar (December 08, 2008, 01:21 PM)
That was a pretty funny video - that guy is pretty pissed off. And no wonder.

Finding a no-cd crack has always been one of the first things I've done when I've purchased a new game. I've always thought it to be ludicrous requiring the CD/DVD to be in drive even after all data files have been copied to my harddisk. In the case of Unreal Tournament (iirc), getting rid of the copy protection even caused the game to start around 50-60 seconds faster (yeah, I had a crappy CD drive back then - that, combined with the cd-standard violating copy protection tricks caused quite a slowdown).

In later years, it turned from mere nuisance to "I have to do this in order to be able to play certain games" - either because I had daemon-tools running (when you have a fileserver for storing ISOs, you don't really feel like mucking around with optical discs), or because the game copy protection was buggy or just incompatible with 64-bit windows. Once copy protection is removed, the games tended to work pretty well.

I'm pretty fed up most game titles nowadays. Gameplay usually sucks, system demands are too high, and many games are unstable as hell (and no, this is not because of cracks - checking game forums clearly reveals this). Every once in a while, true gems are released though - like World Of Goo or Left 4 Dead. Both titles that don't have over-the-top copy protection (infact, WoG has none!) and are worth every penny.

DRM sucks. Any form.

Ah yes, I should add that one of my brothers has just purchased the newest Need For Speed, and it doesn't work on his box. He's running a pretty bog-standard 32bit XP, so it's not like it's a 64bit incompatibility or anything. I guess I'll have to go hunt for a crack for him to make the shit actually work.
4303
General Software Discussion / Re: How to share file access between two applications?
« Last post by f0dder on December 08, 2008, 10:20 AM »
Sounds like the application keeps the configuration file open as long as the application is running. The application could be reverse-engineered not to keep it open in exclusive mode, but allow read (or even read/write) access from other application. This isn't necessarily a good idea, though - the two app instances will likely end up clobbering eachother's changes.
4304
N.A.N.Y. 2009 / Re: NANY 2009 Teaser: Mouser's Magic Keyboard
« Last post by f0dder on December 08, 2008, 08:18 AM »
MOAR WIKET SPLELING ERORS!
4305
Living Room / Re: Why Vista's DRM Is Bad For You and other jewels by Bruce Schneier
« Last post by f0dder on December 08, 2008, 06:38 AM »
I remember there was a thread about SuperBoyAC (iirc) not being being able to playback a DRM-protected movie he bought. Multiple DRM vendors have taken down DRM license servers in the past, leaving consumers with unplayable media files. DRM-protected files only work on media players that support DRM, and not all of them do. There used to be a lot of trouble finding a working mix of high-definition playback devices and HDTVs that would actually work, causing many people to curse HDCP (dunno if the issue is largely resolved now, though).

And at the same time, every single content-protection mechanism either has been broken or will be broken. Only the legitimate customers are hurt by this insane crippling shit, whereas the pirates just laugh and enjoy hassle-free media, games and programs.
4306
General Software Discussion / Re: Music files 101
« Last post by f0dder on December 07, 2008, 08:57 PM »
I have both Webspeed and CableTalk (was a beta tester!), and I can assure you that the support I have been given has been superior to anything I have ever met elsewhere! Lift up the phone, wait for your turn, and be directed step by step. And No, the waiting line in the evening was never terrible long.
-Curt (December 07, 2008, 06:58 PM)
Whenever I've needed support from TDC, I've had to wait in queue for a long time, be redirected 3-4 times, and ended up with my problem not being solved, or being solved half-assedly. For instance, they changed our static IP by accident, and then claimed they had no way to change it back.

And at the Museum, which paid for a business ADSL line (TDC's pro@ccess), TDC messed up a routine upgrade, causing the museum to have no internet connectivity (and thus not being able to accept credit card payments) for a week, even though their contract said 8-hour max before an issue is fixed. I ended up having to take a taxi from my flat here in Århus to TDC's office, pick up a new router, taxi to Århus train station, train to Silkeborg, and then replace the router. Service? Oh yeah.

At least their connections used to be pretty stable, but even though the museum is located pretty centrally in Silkeborg (afaik close enough to a central), TDC couldn't even deliver stable 8/2 connectivity... needless to say, we've ended up dumping them in favor of a fibre connection.

Forgive me for repeating: Their prices did not go up when they introduced PLAY, so I am paying the same per month today as then
-Curt (December 07, 2008, 06:58 PM)
The alternative would be not having PLAY and paying less :) (just trying to say that you are paying for it, one way or another. I've never been a fan of forced subscription bundles, things like that should be offered as (cheap) extras for people who want it).
4307
Coding Snacks / Re: When user use Multiple Monitors, how to know which monitor the caret is in?
« Last post by f0dder on December 07, 2008, 09:13 AM »
Let me know what you come up with, I haven't had to make anything multi-mon aware just yet :)
4308
General Software Discussion / Re: 80db max noise detector or fixer (or something like that)?
« Last post by f0dder on December 07, 2008, 09:13 AM »
Ah, I thought you only meant for MP3 playback, sorry.
4309
General Software Discussion / Re: 80db max noise detector or fixer (or something like that)?
« Last post by f0dder on December 07, 2008, 08:23 AM »
What you really should do is process your mp3 library with ReplayGain, and use an mp3 player than supports RG :)
4310
Living Room / Re: I had the strangest dream last night...
« Last post by f0dder on December 07, 2008, 07:31 AM »
Hm, interesting dream.

With traditional computers and display devices, something like this is imho useless. But with a direct brain neuro-interface hookup, it might be usable, and even nice to use?
4311
General Software Discussion / Re: Music files 101
« Last post by f0dder on December 07, 2008, 07:19 AM »
Ah, then I'd have to use dBp to get the .wav/.flac and EAC to produce the cuesheet - that'd be bothersome (even though the higher ripping speed and less drive-strain in dBp might me worth it after all). Or perhaps there's some additional plugin that enables the feature?
4312
Living Room / Re: Recommend some music videos to me!
« Last post by f0dder on December 06, 2008, 08:42 PM »
Vast - Pretty When You Cry. Somewhat disturbing, but nothing that bad :)

Bjarke - White Christmas. A spoof done by a Danish television channel, I love how they've nailed the whole self-importance/obsession of the gothic scene. And the track doesn't sound all that bad either ;)
4313
General Software Discussion / Re: Music files 101
« Last post by f0dder on December 06, 2008, 08:33 PM »
Hirudin: so, it does proper single-flac-and-cutesheet ripping for albums now? Might be worth upgrading, then... dBp is superior to EAC imho, achieving bit-perfect copies faster.

Curt: I've always found TDC to be somewhat expensive compared to the competitors. At least back in the days it was justifiable because they offered more stable connections, but that isn't really so anymore. And their tech support absolutely sucks :)

As for bitrate, isn't WMA designed to sound better at lower bitrates than MP3? I wouldn't even consider anything non-FLAC for paid digital-only music anyway, though.
4314
DcUpdater / Re: Gothic 3 Community Updater
« Last post by f0dder on December 06, 2008, 08:29 PM »
Looks nice... but why oh why do people insist on releasing applications like this in localized versions? ENGLISH PLEASE! >_<
-f0dder (December 05, 2008, 10:34 PM)
That's an interesting perspective from someone who's native language isn't English. I'd expect that from an ethnocentric American, but I never thought I'd hear that from a foreigner. :Thmbsup:
-Deozaan (December 06, 2008, 01:43 AM)
Frankly, I feel that releasing anything that has more than niche appeal without an English version is pretty arrogant. English might not be the largest native language (Chinese, Spanish etc.), but I wager that it's the most commonly known language.

Supplying localized versions is just fine (although I can't stand it - and I hate software that selects language depending on my windows locale and has no manual override, yuck), but providing only a non-english version? Arrogant.

(And yeah, I do realize that I may come off as arrogant with these remarks, but eat my shorts :))
4315
General Review Discussion / Re: Zaine's review of Compression Tools is cited in an excellent book on Compression
« Last post by f0dder on December 06, 2008, 01:10 AM »
That's pretty damn awesome!

How'd you learn of this?
4316
Living Room / Re: Recommend some music videos to me!
« Last post by f0dder on December 06, 2008, 12:44 AM »
There's a really nice video for Tool - The Pot, and if you don't mind disturbing (and I do mean D-I-S-T-U-R-B-I-N-G) imagery, there's Skinny Puppy - Worlock and Nine Inch Nails - Gave Up.

The video for the tool song is nice and mellow, the last two are... disturbing. As in gore and violence and spilled guts.
4317
Living Room / Re: Recommend some music videos to me!
« Last post by f0dder on December 06, 2008, 12:04 AM »
headhunter.jpg
Front 242 - headhunter - really cool track by some of the Belgian pioneers from the EBM/Industrial scene... and the video is really cool too :)
4318
General Software Discussion / Re: New duplicate file finder... I am open to features suggestion
« Last post by f0dder on December 05, 2008, 11:59 PM »
Hey Milos,

I don't use dupe finders myself, but just wanted to give a heads-up and say nice seeing you here :)
4319
Living Room / Re: Your favorite quotes?
« Last post by f0dder on December 05, 2008, 11:42 PM »
"People demand freedom of speech as compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use." - Kierkegaard
-Deozaan (December 04, 2008, 12:18 AM)
Kierkegaard is, interestingly, an old Danish poet... you know, Denmark as in the Muhammed drawings :huh: (which I do believe fall within freedom of speech, even if it was a bit over the top posting them in the first place... this isn't meant to spawn a political/religious discussion, anyway).

Anyway, a couple of quotes:

Those were just a few off top of my head this early saturday morning - there's a lot of enjoyable quotes :)

My favorite quote is "Everywhere you go, there you are."
-allen (December 05, 2008, 10:04 PM)
Makes me thing of jolly old Diablo - one of the games I certainly never regretted buying :)
4320
Living Room / Re: Tech News Weekly: Edition 49
« Last post by f0dder on December 05, 2008, 11:39 PM »
#5: bleh, I thought the EU actually had some sense just for once (they previously ruled the French three-strike law illegal)
#6: morons++ :(
#7: cute, but who wants that overpriced junk anyway? :)
#11: ooooops :P
4321
N.A.N.Y. 2009 / Re: NANY 2009 Rewards
« Last post by f0dder on December 05, 2008, 11:07 PM »
Wow, that hoodie looks nice!

I don't have a NANY mug, but I do have a DC mug from the captioning contest - wish I had some (realistic) ideas for NANY so I'd have a chance of getting the hoodie :/
4322
General Software Discussion / Re: Music files 101
« Last post by f0dder on December 05, 2008, 10:57 PM »
Curt: the music you get from TDC's yousee isn't free in any way... you already mention the DRM issue, but you should also keep in mind that you're paying for the music access through your internet subscription. It annoys me that TDC can't just offer you an internet subscription (at a decent pricetag) without all the extra fuss... but at least there's usually alternatives, like CyberCity SOLO - that's pretty good value for the money :)

Personally, I like physical CDs. They sound pretty good on my NAD amp+cdplayer, and I like having the jewelbox and artwork... I still do rip to lossless FLAC format for convenience, though, and I'm looking forward to getting an amplifier with digital SPDIF intput so the file versions of my music will sound as good as the CD versions.

dbPoweramp is a really nice and easy-to-use music ripper, and it's ripping algorithm is superior to EAC speed-wise (while still achieving perfect copies). Unfortunately, the version I purchased can't do single-file-per-album + cue-sheet ripping, which is the format I prefer... as far as I've been able to gather, the most recent version does, but I'm not shelling out for an upgrade unless I'm certain.
4323
Coding Snacks / Re: [REQUEST] Review "Mr. Ping"
« Last post by f0dder on December 05, 2008, 10:40 PM »
Pinging localhost should always work, whether you have a network adapter installed or not - just saying :)
4324
DcUpdater / Re: Gothic 3 Community Updater
« Last post by f0dder on December 05, 2008, 10:34 PM »
Looks nice... but why oh why do people insist on releasing applications like this in localized versions? ENGLISH PLEASE! >_<
4325
Living Room / Re: does win XP 64-bit suck?
« Last post by f0dder on December 05, 2008, 10:28 PM »
maybe because f0dder wrote that message on June.
-jmj (December 05, 2008, 02:56 PM)
@f0dder: Why the 32-bit version? He recently released a 64-bit version that's a free upgrade:
http://www.zabkat.com/x2-64bit.htm
-Edvard (December 05, 2008, 12:13 PM)
The point was that a whole bunch of shell extensions haven't been released in 64bit versions yet. Using the 32bit version of xplorer2 lets you use 32bit shell extensions on a 64bit windows :)

I still use the 32bit x^2, even though I helped beta-test the 64bit version a bit - don't see the need for a 64bit version (apart from shell extensions) to be honest. I wish 32bit x^2 would call Wow64DisableWow64FsRedirection, though :)
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