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4901

General Software Discussion / Re: Microsoft's dropped feature is Linux's gain

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 02, 2010, 02:27 PM »

Damn that does suck, I had a ball playing around with it back during the original WHS beta testing.

4902

Living Room / Re: is someone stealing my bandwidth?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 02, 2010, 06:58 AM »

what about bandwidth monitor you can try use ProteMac Meter.It;s really nice prog)

-Timoth (December 02, 2010, 06:01 AM)

^^^ Spam^^^ Double posted and (way) off topic.

-Stoic Joker (December 02, 2010, 06:36 AM)

Already reported it... check the user's post history as well (oh, and you might want to edit out the URL from your quote-block; I'm pondering whether we should edit out product names as well).

-f0dder (December 02, 2010, 06:37 AM)

link removed. Hopefully a mod can just delete (our posts too) it back to a necro thread...then it no matter we have name.

4903

Living Room / Re: is someone stealing my bandwidth?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 02, 2010, 06:36 AM »

what about bandwidth monitor you can try use ProteMac Meter. It;s really nice prog)

-Timoth (December 02, 2010, 06:01 AM)

^^^ Spam^^^ Double posted and (way) off topic.

4904

General Software Discussion / Re: wireless (wifi) network connection manager with saved profiles

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 01, 2010, 10:24 PM »

I was having trouble connecting my ipad at to my work's wifi.  I find out that to do business type wifi stuff, you need to download Apple's "iphone configuration utility".

-superboyac (December 01, 2010, 09:39 PM)

So in short, what you're telling us is that an as delivered OOB iPad (with no wired connection options available) cannot connect to a secure WiFi network?

-Stoic Joker (December 01, 2010, 09:53 PM)

Well, that wasn't really my point, but yes, that's true.

-superboyac (December 01, 2010, 09:57 PM)

I know, but I just had to ask.

The ipad doesn't have built in features for all that stuff.

It doesn't have built-in security stuff? Given that even the dirt cheapest WiFi Routers/WAPs have some form of security enabled by default ... And require a good beating with a claw hammer to make them run "open". That seems like an awful glaring omission. Or does Apple assume that everyone will get an AirPort (and default them to open) so it's all good?

Mind you I have seen HP do things twice as dumb on several occasions, so it happens.

And frankly, it was a little bit of a pain to get it working.

A subtle incentive to stick to doing it Apple's way?

I had to download that utility, then get the right .net version, then some errors, try again, restart.  Anyway, it worked finally after 2 hours.

 

.NET running on the iPad?!? Granted we can't really (in fairness) entirely blame that one on Apple ... But I may have nightmares about the very existence of that combo.

4905

General Software Discussion / Re: wireless (wifi) network connection manager with saved profiles

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 01, 2010, 09:53 PM »

I was having trouble connecting my ipad at to my work's wifi.  I find out that to do business type wifi stuff, you need to download Apple's "iphone configuration utility".

-superboyac (December 01, 2010, 09:39 PM)

So in short, what you're telling us is that an as delivered OOB iPad (with no wired connection options available) cannot connect to a secure WiFi network?

4906

Living Room / Re: It's NOT Vaporware!

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 01, 2010, 07:54 PM »

Roddy Piper says it on entering the bank in the film "They Live". Perhaps he's quoting Eastwood. I only know of Piper saying the line.

edit:
okay, i admit i've got nothing better to do right now: here's the imdb quotes page for They Live...

http://www.imdb.com/...tle/tt0096256/quotes

-nudone (December 01, 2010, 05:23 PM)

Yeah, I found that right after posting (curiosity got me). Come to think of it Eastwood smoked in most of his movies so (for him) the gum line doesn't really track.

4907

Living Room / How to waste 2 hours on a stupid error

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 01, 2010, 07:42 PM »

So this was the highlight of my day...

While installing the latest (2010) version of TaxWorks for a small accounting firm. I ran into (what became) a total fiasco because of an error message that was (quite frankly) completely wrong. TaxWorks incidentally is owned by RedGear this year, and they were making a big to-do about how much they'd changed/improved/modified the install experience (all of which was pointless nonsense). So...

Server install went ok.

The first 5 client machines went ok.

Client number 6 went completely to shit.

The install went fine, but... ended with the first launch of the program, which launched an updater, which insisted on closing the program ... Which was the last time I saw the S.O.B. for a very long time...

I should probably mention here that TaxWorks is written in VB.NET

Post update, the program displayed a splash screen (for awhile), then gave a string of error messages. Here's some examples:

There is an error in XML document (x, x) during Deserialization. - With tons of other .NET framework verbage referencing System.String and a caption that said System.XML something.

Failed to load Path name. - Caption blank.

Error while XML deserialization

And my favorite, Can't load browse for database form error which was also replete with tons of .NET related malfunction info.


Now the damn thing is already running on 6 machines. all of which are pointed at the same database which worked perfectly. So the issue has to be with this machine. All of the error messages when googled point to something being coded wrong which doesn't fit with the other machines that run just fine. But it did seem to fit with the classic .NET meltdown scenario because all of the messages point to an issue reading a string from an XML file that doesn't have any errors in it ... That I can find.

So I do a repair of the .NET framework. No luck.

I completely strip .NET out of the machine, and reinstall it from scratch. No Luck.

I completely strip out the client software and .Net to be double damn sure I'm really starting from scratch. No luck.

I go on a bugg hunt (malware etc.)...No luck.

I try a bunch of other miscellaneous shit that I don't recall...because I don't even want to think about it.

I finally find (after much wild google-foo) a support article for TaxWorks (SO10580 - Failed to load path name error) that mentions the offending error. It also mentions the offending XML file. Which is on the server...that all the other machines are using...So therefore it can't be broken (even tho the article insists it is). However...

Just for fun (lacking a clue what else to try) I popped the file open in notepad to take a look see. and it listed the Server local file path as D:\Taxprep\TY10. Hm... - Mind you I inherited this configuration with several previous years already installed so picking D: wasn't my idea I just had to go with what was there until the next server update.

Now this is a network install, the clients point to a network path, but the XML DB description file points to a server local path of D: - which was correct...for the server. All of the error messages implied that the Db path string could not be read. But the other machine worked with it just fine.

So just for the hell of it - being at my whits end... - I reach down and hit the eject button on the (as usual D: drive) CD-ROM ... and out pops a music CD. W,T,F?!?

The program now runs fine.

I reinsert the music CD and restart the program ... Which returns to failure mode.

Remove CD, restart program, it runs fine.

I continue to repeat said actions for about 15 minutes because I quite frankly refused to believe what I was seeing.


The correct error message should have been:
A file IO error
A permissions error
Path X cannot be accessed
A database location X is inaccessible error
Something that gave the impression that the location given was unavailable.

The error message should have listed the path that could not be accessed...Not tell me that the path STRING or file it was in didn't exist/was corrupt. That is (not helpful) flat wrong.

Not to mention the obvious question: Why the hell is it enumerating local drives looking for a database that is specified as being located on the (very not local mapped drive) server which its already friggin connected to?

Yes for clarity it went through these steps:

Read DB location string from registry (correctly).

Accessed location specified.

Read XML DB description file (from the location specified) for Tax Return storage location (correctly).

Left the location it already was and was supposed to be in...

And then failed to find the specified network location on Local Machine.

Threw a bunch of errors that said the .NET string/XML handler had failed and/or the file it was already done reading was unreadable/corrupt.

This entire fiasco was caused by lazy programming that assumed that function X couldn't possibly fail so there was no reason to create an error message for it (and this is a top dollar commercial application).  Oops!

Incidentially, in the interest of (my version of) fairness, I did not bill the client for the 2 hours of our collective time that this little nightmare wasted.

4908

Living Room / Re: It's NOT Vaporware!

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 01, 2010, 05:14 PM »

Let the bubblegum chewing begin.  Oh wait, "I'm all outta gum."

-y0himba (December 01, 2010, 07:49 AM)

Remember the movie "They"? (Or was it "Them"?) Anyways, "I'm here to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and I'm all out of bubblegum. <opens fire>"

-Renegade (December 01, 2010, 07:59 AM)

...I remember the scene (Don't recall the movie) but I keep thinking it was a Clint Eastwood line.

4909

Living Room / Re: Five Reasons Why People Hate Apple

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 01, 2010, 07:31 AM »

Okay, so the fruit pad is a sparkling work of art ... Well that's just Jim Dandy if the object was to hang it on the wall so folks could ogle it at parties. But what if you have to actually do something with it? Like (Um...) print a report that you worked on for all 10 hours of its (alleged) battery life. Best option, Email it to a Windows machine. Apple's network printing is a total train-wreck functionally speaking.

...But then again it's a "Media Consumption Device" so I guess you're not supposed to be able to get anything back off of it.

4910

General Software Discussion / x64 DVD Decrypter Needed

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 30, 2010, 06:21 PM »

So I've got a client that wants to make backup copies of some exercise videos.

OS: Vista Home Premium x64

My intention was for them to use DVD43 & ImgBurn as the combo has proven to be quick & idiot simple in the past (Coworker used it to backup large video collection). But! I hadn't realized DVD43 doesn't work/run on 64-bit OSs ... I'm not really much on the whole multi-media stuff...So it's a bit of a blind spot...

Anyhow does anyone know of something simple/reliable that works along the lines of DVD43? It's just shows a happy face icon in the notification area that either smiles or turns green (with red eyes) depending on whether or not it can decrypt the disk for coping.

I know DVD43 has an x64 plug-in that (is supposed to) works with some burning applications but I wanted to stick with ImgBurn due to its simplicity ... and freeware is a requirement for this project.

TIA
Stoic Joker

4911

Living Room / Re: Five Reasons Why People Hate Apple

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 30, 2010, 05:54 PM »

 
Um... Are you sure you're in the right thread?

4912

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows Live Sync Alternative?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 30, 2010, 03:25 PM »

My brother has a "fruit pad" and the coolest feature it has is the ability to VNC/Remote Desktop to his Windows PCs from anywhere (with an internet connection, of course).

-Deozaan (November 30, 2010, 02:05 PM)

I'd still (quite honestly) like to know how you're supposed to right-click on anything with one of those.

@40hz - I promise to do my best to give proper credit when I use California Fruit Phone ... It just sums the whole thing up with a bow so nicely - I truly applaud you for that brilliant description!

4913

General Software Discussion / Re: 27 Good Reasons to Love Linux

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 29, 2010, 09:49 PM »

what exactly is it Linux is "supposed" to look like?

-40hz (November 29, 2010, 06:19 PM)

IDK...Linux-y...or something.   It can look like anything it wants to, except Mac ... That's been done (it sucks) and folks need proper alternatives.

P.S. I'm also semi-with you on the launchers and docks. I'm not sure I like them all that much either. But most of the novices that saw and used PinguyOS seemed to like them a lot so I figured I was the odd-man out. Nice to know I'm not. Or at least not the "only one."

-40hz (November 29, 2010, 06:19 PM)

Most novices (a.k.a. sheeple) want a cable they can plug in their nose so the machine can read their mind and auto-magically spit out whatever they're after without having to think about "highly technical stuff" like what button to push or which one of these pretty little pictures most resembles the program that does what they're after.

Let me put it this way, how many times have you caught a user (at "work") playing Solitaire because they weren't even adept enough with a computer to screw-off properly? Do you have any idea how hard I'm trying not to use the term "Food Animal" ... (oops!).

Note: I am trying to be comical here, I'm not ranting... But we as responsible technical types need to carefully protect these fretful childlike creatures from the propaganda machine which is all things Mac. We need to teach them how to use a PC (that's Proper Computer btw ).

Hell, I like Linux, even if it has kicked the shit outta me every time I play with it...I keep trying.

4914

Living Room / Re: Still holding out, won't join Facebook

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 29, 2010, 03:03 PM »

A nice link that explains one of the *big* problems with FB from a social contract perspective.

http://www.wired.com...azine/16-11/pl_brown

-wraith808 (November 27, 2010, 12:22 PM)

Guy's got a point there; I actually feel better about not having a FB account after reading the article. I don't want the friends I have being dehumanized by a media machine.

4915

General Software Discussion / Re: 27 Good Reasons to Love Linux

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 29, 2010, 01:14 PM »

Zoiks, how far did they go with the Mac style desktop? Is it a total one button mouse deal, or can you still right click?

Think I like Linux better when it looks like Linux...this is just frightening.

4916

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011: Ten Timer

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 29, 2010, 07:09 AM »

This is probably more of a philosophical question, but...

I noticed that the program creates a config.ini file, which is a logical choice that I've made myself a time or two ... Therein lying the problem. If someone was to keep a bunch of their favorite small programs in a single folder there is a potential to have a conflict between who is doing what with config.ini.

Would it be better to have a ProgName.ini file? Or am I just looking for trouble where there ain't none?

4917

Living Room / Re: Jeans pocket - the square-ish one on the right

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 28, 2010, 04:35 PM »

Adam Savage does standup?!? ...I did not know that.

4918

Living Room / Re: KewlAid.net - Posted

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 28, 2010, 12:18 PM »

I've got OS9 shoehorned into an antique PowerPC PowerCenter 150 (designed for OS7) and it works perfectly for what I wanted it to do ... It's been holding my office door still for over 5 years now...

 

4919

Living Room / Re: Jeans pocket - the square-ish one on the right

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 28, 2010, 09:01 AM »

The mini one's scissors are well under the 4 inch blade length allowed.

-app103 (November 27, 2010, 09:04 AM)

Box cutters have a 1 inch blade and they're not allowed. It's probably safest to leave that in the suitcase especially if it has any sentimental value.

Of course I did toss it in the clear plastic bag containing the kit, in my purse, rather than keeping it in my pocket or on my keychain. That might be why I was allowed to keep it with me.

(I'm betting "they" just missed it, but...) This reminds me of an interesting experience I had first hand. During a service call at the local court house, I had to take my laptop/tool bag through security (oh joy). Now historically having no luck with these things, I'd already strip-searched myself in the parking lot to be sure I wasn't carrying anything eyebrow raising...

I empty my pockets in the tray, included in the pile are keys, wallet, pen, & a Leatherman pocket tool. As would be expected the "guard" had issues with the tool because of its 2 inch blade - screw the laptop case burgeoning with much larger and potentially more dangerous metal objects (tools...) ... One-track here just found his-self a genuine bladed "weapon".

***k me...

So I explain (to Rosco P. Coltrane) that the tool is part of the job that I am here to perform. ...Which results in a 10min step out of line to initiate a thought process... - Stoicism really pays off here because the last thing you want at this point is any of what you're really thinking to cross your facial expression or this is going to be a really long-er day...

Finally a "decision" is made. He places the Leatherman in my tool-bag for "safety reasons" and sends me on my way. ...And what exactly did this actually accomplish? Nothing.

Point being, these days it's better to be (bored) safe than strip-searched by a team of bored "professionals" doing a thankless job on a power trip.

4920

Living Room / Re: Homeland Security Shutting Down Web Copyright Violators

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 27, 2010, 07:14 AM »

Okay, this has officially gotten out if hand.

4921

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows Security Essentials

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 26, 2010, 06:55 PM »

I'm SERIOUSLY tempted to try the beta of MSE 2 on my main notebook. The resource hogging issue has returned and I really don't care about the firewall

-Darwin (November 26, 2010, 01:45 PM)

I've been using the MSE beta 2 for a few months and even with the automated scans allowed/running I hardly notice it's there. I did see it fp on one of its own update files once...but I needed a laugh that day anyhow. Other than that it has worked perfectly at all times.

-Stoic Joker (November 26, 2010, 03:08 PM)

Sorry - I posted in haste... I meant the resource hogging I have experienced intermittently with GFI's VIPRE...

-Darwin (November 26, 2010, 04:02 PM)

Indeed (that's how I took it), I was just tossing in another endorsement for MSE to enhance your temptation...

4922

Living Room / Re: Well, this should get interesting... Novell sold for 2.2B; Microsoft benefits

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 26, 2010, 06:50 PM »

Sometimes I can imagine him wholesale replacing John Lithgow in 'Buckaroo Banzai' yelling "INSTALL MY OVERTHRUSTER!!!".

-Edvard (November 26, 2010, 05:44 PM)

  Damn! ...Now that (oddly catchy) theme music will be stuck in my head for a week.

4923

General Software Discussion / Re: Seeking a truly functional software KVM ...

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 26, 2010, 06:39 PM »

If it can't be handled by a local KVM switch or remote desktop/shell I've learned it's easier and faster to just take a little walk over to the 'whatever' and plug in a keyboard.

-40hz (November 26, 2010, 05:51 PM)

Amen to that!

4924

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows Security Essentials

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 26, 2010, 03:08 PM »

I'm SERIOUSLY tempted to try the beta of MSE 2 on my main notebook. The resource hogging issue has returned and I really don't care about the firewall

-Darwin (November 26, 2010, 01:45 PM)

I've been using the MSE beta 2 for a few months and even with the automated scans allowed/running I hardly notice it's there. I did see it fp on one of its own update files once...but I needed a laugh that day anyhow. Other than that it has worked perfectly at all times.

4925

Living Room / Re: KewlAid.net - Posted

« Last post by Stoic Joker on November 26, 2010, 01:28 PM »

That one appears to be just pictures, but it's companion article iPad's big upgrade: The top 10 iOS 4.2 features for business Definately deserves a sound thrashing.

This Just In! - New for Apple iPad "Business Users" - Steve Jobs invents Folders!
OMFG it's a miracle ... Not!


@Darwin - Yes, it appears this job will require that I be a bad stoic...

It's good to know you guys liked the first one, I was a bit worried.