Recent Posts

5626

Living Room / Re: "White" Magic

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 22, 2010, 02:05 AM »

On brief perusal the main item of interest was the guy being seized on April 1st. Was his name Dr. Livingston? I didn't notice.

I prefer the Thai movies where the dudes put rune tattoos on their chests with incantations that ward off bullets, knife wounds etc..  Also it's cool when they fight without touching each other.  Just teke fighting. Wave the hands and hit the opponent with a house, wagon, keg of beer.. whatever's handy.

5627

Living Room / Re: How to avoid paying taxes and save billions

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 22, 2010, 01:57 AM »

When it comes to taxation and loopholes, my favorite story is Clark Clifford. A big time man of influence, he made a phone call to a contact in the U.S. Senate and saved the owner of a corporation about $3Million in taxes for the year.  He hung up the phone, turned to the head of the company and said, "that will be $25,000 please."  Whereupon the client turned red and propounded that he'd be damned if he was going to pay anyone $25,000 to make a 10 second phone call.  Clifford said "as you wish" and dialed the contact again.  He just said "never mind" and hung up.

I don't know much about how all the stuff would work, accounting and all that.  But I think the reason it took a constitutional amendment in the U S of A to get income taxes is because, once you have income taxes, you have deductions.  Once you have deductions, you have to justify them. Once you have to justify them, then you have "well this amount here, what did you spend that on? You then went here, why did you go there? Was it a business meeting or a vacation?  Who did you talk to and what about?"  yadda' yadda'.  I'd rather just have a 10% sales tax and not keep tabs on my life under pain of perjury.

Perjury should be way more fun than that!

5628

General Software Discussion / Re: Google Chrome: Time for a Second Chance?

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 22, 2010, 01:44 AM »

It's bad when there's no option in the page context menu either. I've forgotten about the star in the address bar before. I'm likely to forget it again. Not really user friendly. They could at least compromise and put a command in the context menu.

Now I don't know what to think since it's a nightly build and I haven't found anything broken yet.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Google Chrome: Time for a Second Chance?

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 21, 2010, 06:54 PM »

When talking about basic stuff not working, I can't believe it but, I tried to bookmark a page with Chromium using Control-D.  Nuthin'.  I right clicked to get a context menu. Nuthin' about bookmarks!! I had to "Add Page" in the bookmark manager. Not only that but if you add the page title and hit Enter, it just goes away if you didn't already stick the URL in.  Really dropped the ball on that one!!!

-MilesAhead (October 20, 2010, 07:21 PM)

Huh? Just click the star in the address bar. . .

-Deozaan (October 21, 2010, 06:46 PM)

Fine, but every other browser in the world uses Control-D.  I forget about stars in address bars because nobody else uses it. It's lame. If they are going to have a star in address bar, fine, but Control-D hotkey should be linked to it.

5630

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: New MakeMKV beta 1.6.2

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 21, 2010, 06:41 PM »

Hmmmmm, if the info on videohelp is correct, they are now asking $70 for MakeMKV.  Now I don't feel so bad about shelling out $50 some months ago.

http://www.videohelp.com/tools/MakeMKV

edit: not sure what's up.  If you go to Avangate purchase page it still says $50.

5631

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Video Converter Factory Pro giveaway (until Oct. 27, 2010)

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 21, 2010, 03:19 PM »

Did someone pass a rule the UI has to be black with black/navy blue controls?

-MilesAhead (October 21, 2010, 10:43 AM)

You know - I have this problem with a lot of my real-life, non-software components, too (DVD player, radios, etc).  Why have people started to think that invisible controls are fashionable?

-mwb1100 (October 21, 2010, 11:24 AM)

I have an old Kenwood Stereo with CD player made before .mp3 was invented. It drives me crazy!! It's all black with black buttons and no back lighting on the controls. To shift to another track at night I have to slide my fingers over the buttons and count. Even the remote is black with all black buttons and no LEDs.

I like the sound since it has Bose bookshelf speakers. But when I look at some of the newer designs, they may be garishly lit up like a juke box, but at least you can find the knobs and buttons on 'em.

5632

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Video Converter Factory Pro giveaway (until Oct. 27, 2010)

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 21, 2010, 10:43 AM »

Geez!! Did someone pass a rule the UI has to be black with black/navy blue controls?  Splash Lite Player is the same.  I have to mouse over to find the controls.  Some people are still using CRT. I'm not going to buy a flat screen just so I can see black on black.

I hope the app function isn't as clueless as the gui.

5633

General Software Discussion / Re: Google Chrome: Time for a Second Chance?

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 20, 2010, 07:21 PM »

When talking about basic stuff not working, I can't believe it but, I tried to bookmark a page with Chromium using Control-D.  Nuthin'.  I right clicked to get a context menu. Nuthin' about bookmarks!! I had to "Add Page" in the bookmark manager. Not only that but if you add the page title and hit Enter, it just goes away if you didn't already stick the URL in.  Really dropped the ball on that one!!!

5634

Living Room / Re: The Monitor is a Limiting Form Factor

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 20, 2010, 06:23 PM »

I understand the etiquette is left ear for Linux and right ear for Windows.

-MilesAhead (October 20, 2010, 02:29 PM)

And through the nose for Mac? 

-app103 (October 20, 2010, 05:36 PM)

Heh heh.  You guys have a piercing sense of humor.

5635

Living Room / Re: The Monitor is a Limiting Form Factor

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 20, 2010, 02:29 PM »

It will be replaced by a Wi-Fi earring.  The audio/visual pumped directly into your brain.

I understand the etiquette is left ear for Linux and right ear for Windows.

5636

General Software Discussion / Re: Google Chrome: Time for a Second Chance?

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 20, 2010, 02:22 PM »

The weird thing is you go in Chromium nightly build trunk and you get this '6' number. Like now the latest is: 63243  .. whatever that means. Maybe it's just the build count?  I dunno'.

5637

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: New MakeMKV beta 1.6.2

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 20, 2010, 02:19 PM »

v. 1.6.2 released

http://www.makemkv.c...d04a12830a92fcb1d74a

5638

Living Room / Re: Hidden Taxes... ever considered these?

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 19, 2010, 05:47 PM »

What do people without a computer do?

-Carol Haynes (October 19, 2010, 05:29 PM)

Presumably those without their own internet have to queue up at some free dispenser of internet access. In the US it's the Public Library.  I like the online access for doing mundane things in a hurry, such as driver's license renewal etc..

But when that access is the only access it gets a bit weird. One of the side-effects that causes people to put up with government is the thought that at least it provides some jobs as people do those public service tasks.  But now they're going to automate away the jobs and still charge the fees and baksheesh. You get the worst of both worlds if you don't have broadband.

5639

General Software Discussion / Re: Google Chrome: Time for a Second Chance?

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 19, 2010, 12:49 PM »

My only complaint with Chrome is the way the extensions site is organized.  I would like to sort them by alphabet or at least be able to "See All" rather than the categories, so I can easily browse them.

-y0himba (October 19, 2010, 04:56 AM)

One thing I noticed weird about all the browsers is it seems really tough to find the latest download, and the release notes.  I don't know how many times I've searched around Mozilla site looking for release notes.  Or I search and get the latest beta, from 2008. They have everything set up like they are talking to somebody who never used the thing or even a browser before.  Less newb ad copy and more focussed text would be great.  The other peeve is sites with tiny "log in" button that I can't see.  So I have to search on "sign in" "log in" "Login" and blah blah just to sign in!! Sheesh!!!

5640

General Software Discussion / Re: MD5Hash 2.8

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 19, 2010, 12:43 PM »

MD5Hash 2.8 As of version 2.8, the first copy of the app to run will attempt to set itself up as the "main instance" of the application.  Any copies started after that, that have something on the command line(for instance, launched from Explorer Context Menu) will just send the command line to the main instance, then quit.

If, however, a secondary instance is started with nothing on the command line, it will be allowed to remain open.  This gives more options without having to toggle some .ini file option or use a command line switch.

If you have a multi-core PC and select 20 tiny files in Explorer to launch from the context menu, there's a chance you'll get multiple copies with a result showing in each copy.  The way to avoid this is to select a single file or folder and start it going. Then make additional selections.  They will be added to the job queue instead of starting new copies.

I think this approach is a good compromise.  You don't have to toggle settings.  You get both "main instance" benefits and the ability to launch another copy to do a separate job.

5641

General Software Discussion / Re: MD5Hash 2.8

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 19, 2010, 12:39 PM »

(please delete)

5642

General Software Discussion / Re: MD5Hash 2.7

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 19, 2010, 12:00 PM »

I'll be updating to 2.8 later today.  I have this sorted now. The first copy of MD5Hash will try to set itself up as the "main instance" no matter what.  Subsequent copies, if they have anything on the command line, will send the command line to the main instance.  If a copy is started with no command line params, it will be allowed to open.

This way you can still open a copy to feed on another drive or whatever.  Just drag & drop files to it, or use the Browse Button to select files etc..

Launching from the Context Menu will supply a command line.  So if you launch from a shortcut or command prompt with no command line, I assume you want another copy open.  No need for .ini file or registry setting or option checkbox. It just logically follows.

I'll post a notice when 2.8 is uploaded.

5643

General Software Discussion / Re: Google Chrome: Time for a Second Chance?

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 18, 2010, 10:26 PM »

Google Chrome is the troll of the version world! 1 to 8 in 2 years! That almost sounds like our very own mouser and his sub-version numbers

-Josh (October 18, 2010, 02:19 PM)

Heh. Long as it works they can call it version 800.

5644

General Software Discussion / Re: MD5Hash 2.7

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 18, 2010, 06:28 PM »

MD5Hash 2.7 The /main command line switch has been dropped.  The first MD5Hash to run sets itself as the main instance automatically.

If you have the switch set in any shortcuts please remove it to avoid errors. I found the main way I launch the app is using the Explorer Context Menu. I originally used the "/main" command line switch due to race condition paranoia(one copy may run and try to create the hidden window, then the other might get there before the window class is registered and stuff may not work blah blah.)  But other bugs are much more likely to happen than this theoretical race condition.  So, I just removed the test for the switch and if the message only window does not yet exist, it launches a thread to create it and service the messages, so that command lines from later copies of the app can be passed along.

What's it mean? If stuff works, then forget about it.  If you notice weird stuff instead of normal stuff, please let me know. I tried it on both my machines and it seems to work the way I want.  So I'll try it as is for now. If it really needs to be fixed I can always stick a semaphore creation routine on.  But I suspect creating the window will work just as well.

The upshot is, now you don't need to have a copy already running to avoid Explorer opening like 100 if you right click on 100 files.  100 will open, but 99 will close after the command line is passed along.

5645

General Software Discussion / Re: Google Chrome: Time for a Second Chance?

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 18, 2010, 02:09 PM »

Latest nightly build changed version number to 8.0.558.0 for what that's worth. I just copied it to my W7(no install... using the zip file) and it came up ok.  So far I'm liking this Chromium zip way to doing things better than silent install.  I haven't noticed my extensions breaking or other bugs popping up out of nowhere.

I save my data and old zip for a few days to make sure it's stable whenever I update manually.

5646

Best Dialog Extender / Re: How to stop pulling my hair over "Recent Folders" never working system-wide?

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 18, 2010, 11:54 AM »

One big problem with using MS Common Controls, like File Open and File Save dialogs, MS deliberately made them so you cannot subclass them.  Meaning, if I wanted to open a Folder instead of a File, the easy way would be to take the File Open Dialog, and just change it a bit so that it had another button to open the highlighted Folder.  But these have been made "sealed" so that's not possible.  That's why you constantly see those stupid Browse For Folder dialogs in programs.

Programs that have Folder Open dialogs that look like they were modified from File Open, made them from scratch.  Those components usually cost like $50 or more so you can include them in your program.  Kind of steep for giveaway software.

Especially in File Save dialogs I try to put shortcuts I use most.  That Recently Used thing I ignore because the design of those types of things is usually so that it's easy to program rather than easy to use. And of course for the 3rd party programmer who is not "in the loop" you always have to wonder what's there but not documented.  Like for years nobody told us how to do Shell Extensions.

But, back to the point, I tend not to use programs that stick another control onto Explorer windows because the ones I've tried, tend to work 3 times, then give strange crashes. From 10 years ago when I used to write Shell Extensions I've learned to stay as far away from hooking into Explorer as possible.  It's like waiting for a Mouse Trap to snap shut when you touch it. Way too much stress.

5647

Finished Programs / Re: DONE: Time each Timer

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 17, 2010, 06:10 PM »

I don't know how MT works, but I'm assuming if it doesn't have hotkeys then you click in each control to start/stop/pause timer?

If so, it's pretty easy and a fun experience to make a hotkey that does a mouse click to a certain control in a certain program.  You can get free tools and guidance here:

http://www.autohotke....com/forum/index.php

The AHK script engine and tools come with a "spy" program so that you can get the window and control names and classes. That enables you to zero in with the mouse click.  People on the AHK forum will help you if you tell 'em it's your first script.

5648

General Software Discussion / Re: BD Rebuilder Beta 0.35.01

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 17, 2010, 05:20 PM »

JDobbs says next release will have Movie Only standard DVD creation option.  No need to use another software to back up your BluRay to a standard DVD for playing on a standard player.

http://forum.doom9.o...t=144046&page=27

I'm very curious to see how it compares in output quality and processing time to HC Enc.  In fact my guess is he may use HC Enc from the Gui since it was one of the encoders included with DVD-Rebuilder.

5649

General Software Discussion / Re: SrtStrip 1.1

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 16, 2010, 11:52 AM »

SrtStrip 1.1 I improved the regular expression replace(not my forte) so that the substitution for each line is a single pass.  Latest is on my site for download.

It's just a simple compiled AHK script.  Here's the source in case you need to filter out additional tag types:

[Select]

#NoEnv
#NoTrayIcon
SendMode Input

If 0 < 1
{
MsgBox, 64, SrtStrip Usage, SrtStrip Copyright (c) 2010 www.FavesSoft.com`n`nUsage: SrtStrip filename.srt`n`nOutput is subtitle filename.srt.strip stripped of <> tags
ExitApp
}

InFile := %0%
OutFile := InFile . ".strip"
 IfExist,%OutFile%
    FileDelete,%OutFile%

Loop, read, %InFile%,%OutFile%
{
    result := RegExReplace(A_LoopReadLine,"</?.>")
FileAppend,%result%`n
}

5650

General Software Discussion / SrtStrip 1.3.4.0

« Last post by MilesAhead on October 15, 2010, 01:47 PM »

Someone on another board requested a program to strip those Italic and other angle bracket tags from .srt subtitle files(e.g. <i>some dialog between</i>)

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

SrtStrip 1.0

It's command line based. It's only designed to remove those one character
open and close tags(e.g. <x> and </x>.)

See the Readme.txt for particulars.

There are other ways to remove the tags, such as using an editor, but the person requesting the command line app had several hundreds or even thousands of sub files and loading one at a time would be a chore.  With this utility, you can process all the .srt files in a folder by opening a command prompt in that folder and running this command line:

for %s in (*.srt) do SrtStrip %s

for each filename.srt you'll get an output file named filename.srt.strip

Since every now and then I run into subs where the italic tags just show on screen
I thought I'd knock it off.

I tried using sed but to get that Linux streaming edit stuff to work on Windows you really need to set up bash or another shell.  Otherwise it takes longer to figure out how to work around the incompatibilities than to just program it from scratch. For a one-off it's not worth it.

Anyway, for what it does, it seems to work pretty well. It's just rudimentary. No real error checking.  It checks to see if the output file already exists in the current folder, and if so, deletes it before processing the input.

edit: since it's command line based, no gui for screen shot, but here's the program icon.