Recent Posts

4726

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Add "Notes" tab to File/Folder Properties, right after Customize...

« Last post by MilesAhead on November 02, 2011, 05:25 PM »

Agreed on necessity for the need for such an app, but it needs to be more accessible, as in a shell (explorer) extension that allows for viewing and editing comments right there in the explorer folder view. I often make a file that contains notes in the filename, using a special char to make sure, when sorted ascending alphabetically, it is at the top.

-db90h (November 02, 2011, 11:06 AM)

That's why I abandoned the Shell Extension approach entirely.  It's too much hassle to get at the property page tab. I haven't tried file managers that have comment functionality built in.  So I don't know how it is to use one. But I know from themes and other Explorer modification things I've tried that it's not the fun way to go.  You get down to that low a level and everything will change with the next Windows flavor.  That's why themes that modify Explorer are all keyed to OS version and service pack level.

Not to mention that every compile cycle you have to kill Explorer to make it let go of the file before you can recompile. It's just a nightmare to no gain.

When I first started doing this it was for Win98.  The fact that what you suggest hasn't been done in all these years indicates there's no good way to do it.

But if someone wants to sponsor research I'd gladly take another go for a $10,000 stipend.

4727

General Software Discussion / Re: spell checker in any text

« Last post by MilesAhead on November 02, 2011, 04:11 PM »

Not a spell checker, but you can use my Selector program to conveniently paste text in an editor with a spell checker.  Yes, you can do the same thing "by hand" but Selector sits in the tray providing several types of interface between regular apps and the clipboard or selected text.

You may download Selector from this page:

http://www.favessoft...otkeys.html#Selector


As example, I select a few lines from my hotkey page, hit the hotkey for Selector window to pop up, choose PsPad from the list of apps whose shortcuts I have added to the list via drag and drop, then hit the Paste button.



The clipboard text is saved as a temp file and opened in PsPad.  Press F7 to spell check.




I'm sure you can find dedicated clipboard based spelling tools.  Selector is for various tasks that kind of fall through the cracks.  Such as opening the url in the address bar of a browser in a different browser without using a plugin.  Launching any app with selected text as command line param etc..

4728

Coding Snacks / Re: Maximize Windows "partially" [finished]

« Last post by MilesAhead on November 02, 2011, 03:53 PM »

Is it possible to make a program using AHK such that when I maximizes a window, it doesn't fill the entire screen, rather it fills it partially.

The gadgets sidebar in Windows Vista is like this; when you maximize, the window maximizes up to the sidebar, and doesn't cover it. Something like that, but a user defined region, is what I'm looking for.


Thanks.

-kli6891 (August 19, 2009, 05:38 PM)

Since this topic was created I have found a simple approach that works in some circumstances.  It simply sets the Work Area of the desktop using the Windows Set Work Area function.

Note that if Taskbar AutoHide is enabled, the system ignores the work area setting.

You can download Adjust Work Area from this page:

http://www.favessoft.com/downloads.html

As you can see in this screen shot, I use RocketDock. That got me interested in ways to maximize a window without obscuring it.



I have a .cmd file in my StartUp Folder that uses awa.exe to set the work area to leave RocketDock in the clear.  This screen shot shows an editor maximized in the normal way. Notice that RocketDock is not covered.

4729

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Add "Notes" tab to File/Folder Properties, right after Customize...

« Last post by MilesAhead on November 01, 2011, 01:59 AM »

Glad you found it useful. 

4730

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Add "Notes" tab to File/Folder Properties, right after Customize...

« Last post by MilesAhead on November 01, 2011, 12:02 AM »

Another approach, run TreePadGen on your download folder. It will generate a TreePad file that you can use with TreePadLite. Basically every file name is a node in that folder with an empty comment.  Click a node, type or paste a comment on the right side.

Since I've been doing this over 10 years I've come to the conclusion there's no really really good way to do it from the outside. It should really be a function of the file system.

In any case, you can download TreePadGen from this page:
http://www.favessoft.com/downloads.html

4731

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Add "Notes" tab to File/Folder Properties, right after Customize...

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 31, 2011, 10:19 PM »

Here's a screen shot of the Edit Box in the Comment Tab. It's an old screen shot.  I started doing these Comment shell extensions about 10 years ago.  I have no longer any desire to redo them as 64 bit.  They worked, but Windows doesn't really serve up the comment in snappy fashion. It's just kind of a clunky way to get to it. Even with the ToolTip there was a lag between mouse hover and the tool tip display.

4732

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Add "Notes" tab to File/Folder Properties, right after Customize...

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 31, 2011, 09:51 PM »

Are you running 32 bit or 64 bit Windows?

If 32 bit, you can install TipOff
http://www.favessoft.com/tipoff.html

I no longer have it accessible in the menus on my page because I have moved to a hotkey based download comment program. But if you like a small edit box where you can type in comments, this supports about 4000 characters or so... at least for ANSI.

The screen shot you see on the web page shows the ToolTip behavior that gave the program its name.  But in the Comment Tab of the Properties Page you get a standard Edit Box control.

You right click a file, click Properties, and you'll see a Comment Tab.
It's an Explorer shell extension.  For that reason it does not work in 64 bit Windows.

4733

Find And Run Robot / Re: Just curious - what's the difference between FARR and UltraSearch

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 31, 2011, 01:15 PM »

btw I got an email back from UltraSearch.  They say next release will have a hotkey to toggle the window when minimized to tray.  As for starting minimized to tray, no plans.

After playing around with it a bit I still prefer Everything Search for file search. I use FARR for launching programs not pinned to taskbar or in a one click stack. I use docking stations. When I power them on Everything picks 'em right up.  UltraSearch seems to need a prod. Also every time I start typing in US it goes "searching..." and churns whereas Everything is smooth.

4734

Find And Run Robot / Re: Just curious - what's the difference between FARR and UltraSearch

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 30, 2011, 08:17 PM »

Here's another macro hack for UltraSearch.  UltraSearch has no option to start in Tray.  If you start it minimized, the tell tale button is in the Taskbar(I sent 'em a suggestion to fix that and add a hotkey to pop up the window.)

For this to work you must have enabled the Minimize To Tray option in UltraSearch and it must be version 1.5.

Compile this script with AutoIt3 if you like. It must be run from the same folder as UltraSearch.exe.  Put a shortcut to usLaunch.exe in your StartUp folder.

It makes sure it can find UltraSearch.exe(no pun intended) then waits 10 seconds to allow other startup apps to do their thing.  It launches the program, gets it's screen location, then clicks the 'x' in the corner to minimize it to tray.  I love watching the mouse go over to do the click!!

[Select]

AutoItSetOption("TrayIconHide", 1)
AutoItSetOption("MouseCoordMode", 0)

$prog = "UltraSearch.exe"
$title = "UltraSearch  V1.5"

If Not FileExists($prog) Then
$eMsg = @WorkingDir & "\" & $prog & " Not Found!"
$eMsg &= @CRLF & @CRLF & @ScriptName & " must be in the same Folder as " & $prog
MsgBox(0x1010,"UltraSearch Launcher",$eMsg,5)
Exit
EndIf

; let other startup programs load
Sleep(10000)
If Not ShellExecute($prog) Then Exit

$handle = WinWaitActive($title, "", 8)
If $handle <> 0 Then
$posInfo = WinGetPos($title)
If IsArray($posInfo) Then
$x = $posInfo[2] - 24
$y = 12
WinActivate($title)
Sleep(10)
MouseClick("left", $x, $y)
EndIf
EndIf

4735

General Software Discussion / Re: Transpose 2.2.6.0

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 30, 2011, 05:19 PM »

Note I just uploaded 2.2.6.0 again.  Just removed a line in About Box referring to EditPadLite7. No other changes. The latest EditPadLite7 the menu change hotkey function works. No need for me to jury rig anymore.

4736

General Software Discussion / Re: Transpose 2.2.6.0

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 30, 2011, 04:41 PM »

Transpose 2.2.6.0 Added Shift Backspace to open UltraSearch if running in Tray.  Note that this requires UltraSearch 1.5 since it relies on "single instance" behavior introduced with that version.

The location is hard-wired in the code.  Just search for comments in the source.  It checks that the file on disk exists to avoid an error.  You can spiff it up or change the hotkey etc..

The ahk source is included in the .zip download. I only compile using AutoHotkey_L now. If you get errors compiling using the regular AHK compiler is likely the reason.

One general note on modifying the source.  AHK allows you to call a subroutine using "gosub" with a hotkey label as the subroutine label.  I think I only use this in one hotkey.  But before changing a hotkey it's a good idea to see if it's used in a gosub statement.

4737

Find And Run Robot / Re: Just curious - what's the difference between FARR and UltraSearch

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 30, 2011, 03:59 PM »

I added a section to Transpose, my eclectic hotkey app.

But you can use it stand-alone to kick up the UltraSearch 1.5 window when Minimized to Tray.  Requires 1.5 of UltraSearch since it uses "single instance" behavior.

edit: I compile with AutoHotKey_L

Also the path to the exe is hard-wired so modify to suit your setup

[Select]

#SingleInstance force
#NoEnv

_EmptyWorkingSet()

;if UltraSearch is minimized to tray
;open when Shift Backspace pressed
;
#If _IsRunning("UltraSearch.exe")
  +BS::
  Run,C:\Utils\UltraSearch\UltraSearch.exe
  _EmptyWorkingSet()
Return

;-------- helper functions from MilesAhead.ahk -----------

; reduce memory footprint
_EmptyWorkingSet()
{
  Return DllCall("psapi.dll\EmptyWorkingSet", "UInt", -1)
}

; _IsRunning(program) from MilesAhead.ahk
; returns non 0 if program is running
;
; call with only program name, not path
; e.g. If _IsRunning("notepad.exe")
;
_IsRunning(program)
{
  Process,Exist,%program%
  Return errorlevel
}

4738

Find And Run Robot / Re: Just curious - what's the difference between FARR and UltraSearch

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 30, 2011, 03:04 PM »

Just trying UltraSearch 1.5.  Seems pretty good but no hotkey to bring up the window like Everything when minimized to Tray.  I have to double click the Tray Icon.

Other than that, seems to perform.

4739

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 30, 2011, 02:05 PM »

Cool. Glad you got it to work.
Thanks 4wd for the scheduled task set up.

4740

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 29, 2011, 01:44 PM »

This link may also be of interest:

http://hardforum.com...thread.php?t=1538805

4741

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 29, 2011, 01:39 PM »

Here's the command to put in All Users Startup folder

(change "test" to whatever you named the task)

You can make a batch to run commands with any text editor.
Save the file as Command.cmd with "Command" as whatever you want to name it.  Example: save the line below as file DisableStandby.cmd

schtasks /Change /TN "test" /DISABLE

Put a shortcut to it in the All Users Startup folder(see my post above for location.)

Make a .cmd file LogoffAndStandby.cmd
with these 2 lines:


schtasks /Change /TN "test" /ENABLE
shutdown /l /t 10

Make a shortcut to it that you can double click to logoff and standby in one shot.

4742

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 29, 2011, 01:15 AM »

At this point the simplest method would be to use 4wd's task as he set it up.  Use schtasks.exe in a .cmd to /DISABLE it and put a shortcut to that batch in All Users StartUp folder. (usually C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.)

In your "IWantToLogOffAndStandby" batch, just enable the task using the /ENABLE parameter, then log off.  The log off should trigger the task to go into standby.  When you log in, the task gets hit with /DISABLE.

That way it only goes into Standby when you log off via the special batch. The Standby task is disabled at logon no matter who logs in if you have the shortcut in All Users Startup. Pin the "IWantToLogOffAndStandby" shortcut to TaskBar or use something like Standalone Stacks 2 to have it accessible.

4743

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 29, 2011, 12:59 AM »

I think the hurdle is just getting a batch or program to run as System.

You can experiment with schtasks.exe to see if you can create a task that's just a .cmd file with commands to log off, then go into standby.  If that approach won't work you can do the logoff trigger.  But using schtasks you should be able to run the task on demand.

See these pages and try it if you like:

http://msdn.microsof...736357(v=VS.85).aspx

http://technet.micro...ibrary/cc748879.aspx

http://technet.micro...ibrary/cc766529.aspx

http://technet.micro...ibrary/cc721884.aspx

4744

General Software Discussion / Re: Do you know a GUI that does...

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 28, 2011, 10:37 PM »

This .hta script is an example of creating a Gui to set switches for a command line app:

http://www.sevenforu...a-93.html#post656362

Redirecting the output and other features, I haven't done enough with .hta script to know if it's feasible. 

4745

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 28, 2011, 05:07 PM »

btw 4wd's approach is likely the quick way to accomplish what you want. Having a mechanism to do similar things may be a reason to try the Run As Service approach.

I think I hosed Task Scheduler on my PCs when I was killing off a whole bunch of MS info gathering that I didn't want.  Windows 7 seemed to work for a while with a Calendar program, but after a bit it kept complaining something or other was corrupted(probably means the MS stuff is killed off. If I won't run theirs, they won't run mine.)

4746

General Software Discussion / Re: Transpose 2.2.5.0

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 28, 2011, 04:28 PM »

Transpose 2.2.5.0 The only change other than version number is a highly specialized hotkey. I use Newsbin news reader with a floating Groups List.  If you double click a group in the list, it gets new headers, then displays the posts. But since I always hit the button to Get All New Headers first, I don't want it fetching to the server for no reason.  The default way around that is to select a Group with the mouse, then use the key combo Control-l to display posts. But that forces me to let go of the mouse.

The hotkey is Middle Mouse Click which sends Control-l if the active window is that specialized Groups List window.  You will probably never notice the change. If you don't use Newsbin 6.x then you can just use Comment Block to comment that hotkey out. The hotkey is commented in the source if you wish to disable it and recompile.

4747

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 28, 2011, 03:50 PM »

The 2 approaches would be, Task Scheduler, or writing a program and using a utility that runs it as a service.

I would ask on this thread:

http://www.autoitscr...rvice__fromsearch__1

The library is already there to install a compiled AutoIt3 as a service. Basically the service would be running and waiting for notification by a client that it should perform the log off and sleep.  The author of the function may help you since the service would just have to do that in addition to the required service functions such as Start, Stop etc..

To write a program I need to be able to test it.  But I never put my machines into sleep or hibernate. Certain system settings I won't change for testing scripts.

If the author's Run As Service function really works then your request should serve(pun intended) as an easy example program.

4748

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 27, 2011, 10:36 PM »

Thanks for the additional info 4wd.   

4749

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 27, 2011, 09:32 PM »

I found this workaround:

http://www.vistax64....en-put-pc-sleep.html

Sleeps, then logs off when you restart.  Nice simple solution, if it does what you want.

4750

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 27, 2011, 08:47 PM »

If it's set up that way won't it sleep on every logoff? Or can you tune it?