Recent Posts

626

Living Room / Looking for "Compiz for Windows" (or at least virtual desktops)

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 10, 2008, 03:54 AM »

Alright, I'll admit it, I love the Desktop Wall on my Ubuntu. With school coming up I wouldn't mind hiding some things from some faculty's prying eyes, and I can't find a good virtual desktop app for Windows. I can't play anything on Ubuntu that isn't 2D, hence Windows - did I just say that? I mean, I need more space for my... notes and... homework assignments! Yea, yea, lets.. lets go with that. Anyways...ehem...

I tried Cube Desktop (I think that is the name) and it isn't working with me. It looks just like Compiz, but I need something that works; and that isn't shareware (I have a bit of a loan to my parents at the moment, -$40 currently).

I like Vista/XP Virtual Desktop Manager, but it is a bit on the slow side. 3-4 second delay isn't good when you need a switch NOW (as in about 2 seconds ago). Nothing from ~8 Google searches and ~6 software (un)installs has helped much.

Thoughts? I don't need a full blown Compiz, but I would go insane (maybe literally ) for a decent Desktop Cube or Desktop Wall that didn't lag (YODM3D/VDM).

-Brandon

627

Living Room / Re: which operating system you like most....

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 10, 2008, 02:29 AM »

For instance, in Vista's Disk Management console snap-in, you can now shrink and expand partitions (whereas in XP, you had to use Parted Magic or a similar tool, or reformat altogether). The Disk Cleanup tool is improved very much.

Those are the only two major things off the top of my head (its a bit late here) but you can't forget the little things like the volume icon, the improved network status icon, improved Windows Firewall and Security Center, Windows Defender integration, the IE7 Vista-only stuff, Parental Controls, and the new start menu... I love this start menu...

And all the visual tweaks that you would need WindowBlinds or something of the like to do is always nice. And you lose the Web Desktop (targeted by tons of viruses) and gain the ability to play video and similar things on the desktop (StarDock has a program to do that for Vista Ultimate, and I have a program to make a screensaver my desktop).

The sleep mode in vista totally obliterates XP's wannabe Stand By mode (major plus for mobile users). While talking about mobile, you have the all-in-one Mobility Center, and the improved Tablet PC controls. And it improves power consumption, and has a smarter Hibernate mode.

Then you have the "self healing" thing, where Windows tells you if there is a problem and even gives you, in laymans terms, information about the problem and, if possible, a link to a KB article for help and/or the publishers website. And you can check back at any time to see if there is a solution, if Vista doesn't tell you automatically. Cmon, that just beats the crap out of XP's "Send Report" option.

Automatic updates: You don't see them. Finally, it is actually automatic. And it doesn't slow you down!

The wifi, you can not beat the wifi manager on Vista. It just works. You click your network icon, click to see your networks within range, double click the desired one, and your done - and if there is a problem (wire/less) the new diagnostic tool actually does scanning to check for problems: no more, disable, enable, connect, renew IP, clear DNS, and "your fixed". It actually helps you troubleshoot!!

I could go on and on, especially about AERO (that is a 10 page long post in itself, don't get me started), but that's quite a bit of things that make Vista superior to XP.

(This was a small post turned into a speech, but it points out some/most what Vista has over XP)

I am off to play with my Flip3D and Switcher

-Brandon

EDIT: Bold-ed "day-to-day" things

628

General Software Discussion / Re: Best Firefox security addons?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 10, 2008, 01:45 AM »

User Agent Switcher may be of help in some scenarios to trick websites into thinking you are a browser that you are not.

https://addons.mozil...-US/firefox/addon/59

629

Living Room / Re: which operating system you like most....

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 10, 2008, 01:36 AM »

Orb:
I love Vista. 3 PCs in the house run it, my personal machine running it best (2GB, single core too). Only problem is the desktop HP in the house that was "Designed for Windows XP. Windows Vista Compatible." that will NOT install SP1 even if you were to reformat it 2x (speaking of experience).

Flag:
XP is OK, but I don't like it at all anymore VS Vista. My HP laptop runs XP SP3, and I just feel sad that I can't get Vista on it yet (512MB ram, the poor thing). Once you find out all the little extra stuff you couldn't do in XP that you CAN do in Vista, you won't go back.

Penguin:
My primary box is dual boot Vista SP1/Xubuntu 8.04.1, and I like Xubuntu as well (although it does not like Compiz, so I don't have that, switching to standard Ubuntu soon). The HP laptop runs Ubuntu 8.04 with Compiz like a champ, and I have it setup to look like Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) to tease my Mac-loving teachers at school. (The joys of "Hi, I'm a Mac. And I'm a PC." )

Across the board:
Vista: 5/5 (If you hate it, you havn't run it on a system good enough to support it; it runs amazing)
XP: 3.5/5 (It is aging fast, and if your into games (me) DX9 doesn't cut the cake anymore)
Ubuntu 4/5 (WINE won't run my games, plus it boots SLOWER than Vista! It is like a real Mac! Just kidding *cough* not *cough*, don't kill me fanboys! )
Xubuntu 4.5/5 (it runs great, and faster than Ubuntu, but it lacks an easy Compiz setup)

Side note: I am total anti-mac, and pro Windows/Linux. Just my opinion.

630

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: SnapSuite program family/Free online computer help

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 08, 2008, 02:12 AM »

Ack, I ended up making a new topic instead of adding a reply here. Dunno how that happened

Here is the post:

-----

Just use an existing EULA as your base and modify it to suit.  Just be careful as changing one word could change the whole meaning.

-Veign (August 06, 2008, 12:22 PM)

Mind if I use yours? (I would assume that is why you posted it, but I don't like to use other peoples work without asking)

In other news, I am adding small stuff to SmartBrowse, and have changed the large icons into the small 16x16 ones you see in Notes (although I still have a copy with the large icons, if someone prefers that one). If someone could come up with a list of keyboard shortcuts that <your favorite browser> uses, it would be somewhat simple for me to implement those for you

+Screen real estate
-File size
= all around improvement

Screenshot attached, opinions welcome
-Brandon

Image is here: https://www.donation...14340.0;attach=31857

-----

Still not sure how that happened... but whatever. Strange things happen around DC sometimes

-Brandon

631

Living Room / Re: Request: Does anyone know a good "pet" game?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 08, 2008, 12:06 AM »

I was a NeoPets player once... back during the days when I played Runescape as a member (4 years ago or so). Forgot all about it.

Webkinz looks pretty cool - but she has so many stuffed animals already that her bed has to be diagonal in a corner to put all the animals behind it. They go above the mattress (at least 3 feet tall). (1.5'x1.5'x3' of animals). But you never know...

632

Living Room / Re: Request: Does anyone know a good "pet" game?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 07, 2008, 03:56 PM »

Might have to talk my parents into getting her a DS then for Christmas. She's been after a DS/PSP for a while now as it is.

633

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: new birdy comic website from nudone and timns

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 07, 2008, 02:33 PM »

Very funny comics. Look forward to more of them

Like the website layout and style too. Logical and professional (minus the comics ).

634

Living Room / Request: Does anyone know a good "pet" game?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 07, 2008, 01:30 PM »

My little sister is a pet lover. Major. You have never seen someone so dedicated before that wasn't the crazy cat lady.

However, yesterday my sister's pet (dwarf) hampster Rose (the 2nd... shh..) met her demise. We buried her with a small popsicle stick with her name and date of death, however both I and her cried (yes, I cried) over it. Today she is going out to get a new hampster. But everyone is afraid that this one will die soon as well (2 year expected lifespan) and we know that it will be tragic to her again.

So I figured, although nothing from the real thing, it would be nice to find her a pet simulation game (when I say simulation, not like the Sims (see below), but just enough to be as if it was a normal pet: food, water, and play). She has "Petz 5" (Dogz 5 + Catz 5 = Petz 5), however the game is about as boring to her as Runescape is to most of the world. The Sims 2 Pets works, but she plays with the animals and ignores the Sims. So it is constant death -> new family creation -> play -> repeat. Not very fun.

I have 2 or 3 other similar games, but all follow the same general scenario. So I am looking to you guys to see if anyone has found or knows about such a game.

Ideas?

-Brandon

EDIT: I should point out that she has mental issues, and therefore anything she uses cannot be overly complicated (surprisingly enough, she can run Windows and play The Sims 2 with ease, but new programs/games take her a while to get used to).

635

Living Room / Re: Why is all audio on websites so freakin loud?!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 07, 2008, 01:19 PM »

thats weird, for me, I am turning down the volume when listening to music through winamp and vlc, but I have to turn it up on half the crap on the internet, with the exception of random websites that happen to have audio that isn't so dang quiet that I have to turn the volume up to almost max.

-nite_monkey (May 19, 2008, 06:30 PM)

Ditto - I almost always have to turn UP my system's Master Volume level. And then I'll forget I did, and go play a game, and lose my eardrums for several minutes.

And as for automatic volume control - this can be done somewhat through your sound card's (not onboard, you need a "good" sound card with good drivers) options - I have an EQ that is usually active (just a basic "Flat" mode), and several other similar options. But when you want the volume to go way up, you gotta turn off the automatic stuff.

636

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / SmartBrowse improvements

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 06, 2008, 10:46 PM »

Just use an existing EULA as your base and modify it to suit.  Just be careful as changing one word could change the whole meaning.

-Veign (August 06, 2008, 12:22 PM)

Mind if I use yours? (I would assume that is why you posted it, but I don't like to use other peoples work without asking)

In other news, I am adding small stuff to SmartBrowse, and have changed the large icons into the small 16x16 ones you see in Notes (although I still have a copy with the large icons, if someone prefers that one). If someone could come up with a list of keyboard shortcuts that <your favorite browser> uses, it would be somewhat simple for me to implement those for you

+Screen real estate
-File size
= all around improvement

Screenshot attached, opinions welcome
-Brandon

637

General Software Discussion / Re: Opera and google. Incompatible as ever

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 06, 2008, 06:42 PM »

Not sure on the indexing, I don't think I've ever seen an "indexed" email program (I don't use anything past FF's "I'm Feeling Lucky" search integration and the Vista "Start Search".

But Firefox and Thunderbird are separate - there are no options within Firefox to launch/control Thunderbird (and vice versa). Plugins might be available, but you never know with those...

638

Living Room / Re: Six Free Online Storage Services

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 06, 2008, 05:52 PM »

I've been using DropBoks for quite a while now, I barely put anything on there but when I do it is really nice and convenient. It is all small files, and I don't take the time to upload GB of stuff I'll probably never touch again, so it works for me.

639

Living Room / Re: FCC finds Comcast in violation of net neutrality rules for BitTorrent blocking

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 06, 2008, 11:53 AM »

So you sell more than you own and then turn around and punish the end user. What a load of bull.

640

Circle Dock / Re: Windows 7's Taskbar....Err.....Circle Dock for the DC Programming Contest

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 06, 2008, 11:52 AM »

I know just a tiny bit of C#, so I can't comment on the code, but I do very much so like the folder navigation system. Very interesting and easy to use. I like the new tray icon, too!

641

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: SnapSuite program family/Free online computer help

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 06, 2008, 11:49 AM »

Good points and advice. Didn't know you had to specify the software name. What I did was a quick writeup in Notepad that seemed to cover the bases, but I will go on and improve on it now.

Thanks for the info

642

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / FloorIt download + information

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 05, 2008, 10:17 PM »

Alright, I think FloorIt is ready for primetime. There are a few noticeable changes from previous programs, the most obvious being an EULA. (It basically says don't take it apart, don't alter it, and I don't take responsibility if your house becomes a smoldering pile because you used it ). See, any idiot can be a lawyer, too!

(click for EULA) - it can be noted that this has been setup to be usable in all my programs, as it does not specify a program name, but defines "Program" as anything and everything within the setup EXE.

Spoiler

Wreckedcarzz's Software License, v1.0

Wording:
"Program" refers to all files included within this packaged setup executable.
"Warranty" refers to required payment or assistance from the Author.
"Author" refers to Mr. Brandon Seal
"Yourself" refers to the end user(s) of this Program


Warranty:
This Program lacks a Warranty, implied or assumed. The Author takes no responsibility or liability for and damage, loss, or other negative action that may occur whilst using this program.


License and distribution:
This Program is donationware. You may not redistribute it and charge, monetary or otherwise, for access to the Program. The Author accepts donations for the work of the Program, however only the Author may do so.

The Program may be freely distributed if this following qualifications are met:
-The program's setup file is intact and has not been altered in any way, shape, or form
-You are not charging the recipient for the Program


Source code:
This Program is closed source. You may not:
-Reverse engineer it
-Attempt, in any way, to retrieve any/all source code within the Program
-Change program components
-Alter the program and redistribute it

If you obtain any source code for this program from the Author, it is to be used for personal use only, and/or for collaboration between Yourself and the Author.



Media and/or other methods of reviewing or special distribution:
Before placing this in any type of Media, be it located Online or broadcast over Radio or Television, you must retrieve the Author's permission. The only exception to this is for the Online website www.donationcoder.com - ALL OTHERS MUST CONTACT THE AUTHOR.

Legal action:
If it is found that you have broken any of the above terms, you are subject to legal action. If you have a question about this License, stop and do not accept it- contact the Author before proceeding. Accepting this license makes you subject to the above terms, and binds you to abide by them. If you do not accept this License, you may NOT use the Program and you are required to delete all copies of the Program from your possession immediately.

There are three "Common Questions" on the right side of the app:
"Why can't I run "Registry Optimization" in "Standard" maintenance mode?"
"How long will it take to complete all the tasks?"
"What type of maintenance should I do?"

I hope that the answers will help users to better understand what to do and the duration of a task (depending on their computers condition).

FloorIt has been tested and I don't know of any problems with it. It should, if an irregular situation is to occur (ex: a program is missing), go on and ignore the issue without alerting you. This can be good or bad, depending on the way that you look at it, but it is better for the majority.

Anyways, download away!
-Brandon

643

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: SnapSuite program family/Free online computer help

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 05, 2008, 02:54 PM »

Looks very good but it's not clear to me what "Stay On" maintenance means.

-mouser (August 05, 2008, 07:17 AM)

As opposed to the other two options, this one keeps your computer on (instead of Shutting down or Rebooting). I'll change it to something like "Normal Maintenance" or something like that.

Updates:
I fixed a couple GUI inconsistencies and added a bit of functionality (and some light humor):

When you start the program, the sound of an SUV taking off at full throttle is heard for about 9 seconds. Not too loud, but I have seen similar things in other programs (Steven Gould's CleanUp! makes a "toilet flushing" sound when you click the CleanUp button, for example). I also added another question answer to the side, and fixed text running off the bottom button.

I gave a copy to one of my friends from school and he seemed to like it over the normal SystemCare, so that is a step in the right direction (this friend basically relies on SC to keep the computer running; when I go to explain how it works he kind of does that head bob and goes off to Candy Land world )

It is done, I just want to add another question and fix the "Stay On" issue, and I'll post it up here. Updated image attached.

-Brandon

644

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PC Tools Free Offers. Get them now!!!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 04, 2008, 10:13 PM »

I have a 5 PC license to PC Tools Internet Security for all the (working) computers in the house. If you run it on a solid system that doesn't have previous issues, it runs great. Hefty pricetag, but it works great.

(I personally don't use my copy for my PC anymore, and use Spyware Terminator in its place because I can disable it in a matter of seconds, versus 1-2 minutes + a reboot for Internet Security. Can't be rebooting right before a frag-fest )

645

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: SnapSuite program family/Free online computer help

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 04, 2008, 07:33 PM »

OK, I am going to probably confuse everyone that has been following this topic (assuming you aren't lost already)

I am attempting to make all of my programs as simple and, quoting my dad, "user stupid" as possible. Ease of use is of topmost importance in my opinion. Constantly taking feedback from family and friends helps me out a lot, and I ask frequently for opinions and thoughts.

Just to give you a perspective...

• SS 2008 "NANY" was coded with a tabbed interface in AHK. Not bad, it was lightweight and didn't need any framework. It lacked features from its successors, but it was an amazing feat (being recoded something like 8 times from scratch, and the final GUI was tweaked like 126 times)
• SS 2008 was coded with a similar tabbed interface in VB 2008. The GUI was horrible, inconsistent and badly designed overall. The code behind everything was iffy at best (but hey, for a first VB project it wasn't that bad). I somewhat regret the poor quality of the program as a whole, but it got the job done and I proved that I could make a complete program in a new language.
• SS 2009 is coded with a multi-window interface in VB 2008. The GUI is much improved, but the programs use an unusual "bar" instead of a menu. They lack common options, and the names of the "programs" are strange and confusing. New users have some difficulty navigating at first. Feature requests are abundant, and I have neither the time nor knowledge to fulfill them all.

I am working on several projects, as I have posted about before (new PlayMe and Notes), to help make the programs less confusing and better. This time I think I have a solid update for SystemCare. It incorporates the options that you had in SnapSuite 2008 (assuming you could find the options), with the improved GUI of SS 2009, with multithreading to keep everything nice and responsive. And the code is setup in a way that events are "following" one another, not based on "type" (as done with SS 2008 and much of 2009 (being fixed in 2009 though). That helps debugging speed and makes it easier.

I am testing everything out and it seems to work great. I think I have this multiple threads thing down pretty good. The program "protects" the user from clicking multiple buttons (saving them from potentially disastrous results) and it keeps the user notified constantly along the way (and users with slower PCs will like the fact that when it is preparing to start its actual work, it lets them know what it is doing; most users will not see this, unless you throttle the CPU usage to like 1% or something, but it is there).

Attached is a screenshot - I really do want someone to comment on it, negative or not - if it looks like crap, tell me! Better to let me know that you don't like it than to use it and hate it (or don't use it because you don't like it).

Anyways, this new version is called "FloorIt", and I found it quite amusing that I had a truck icon to go with it (as in, your computer is the slow truck and all the sudden you smash the gas and your PC is "flying"). And the broom icon is from WikiPedia, if I read correctly it can be used and redistributed without any objections or whatnot (correct me if I am wrong).

P.S.: School in 7 days!
-Brandon

646

DC Gamer Club / Re: Race Driver: GRID [LARGE IMAGES]

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 03, 2008, 03:13 AM »

cthorpe beat me to it - and actually, you may be able to run GRID, Shades... your graphics card is a bit below the requirements if I remember correctly, but you could give the demo a run. I have fallen below System Requirements several times before on games and have had no problems.

Also, an image of my totally insane Drift Battle score (I think it is called Drift Battle - it is a hybrid of racing and drifting, whoever has the most drift points wins, but your drift points are multiplied more as you lead the pack) - it is notable that the second best racer, my Teammate, had a mere 32,000 points or something in this race, to give you an idea of how crazy this score is (I also placed first and was passed 2x, but quickly re-overtook my opponents):

647

DC Gamer Club / Race Driver: GRID [LARGE IMAGES]

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 02, 2008, 12:30 AM »

(Sorry about the full size images, but ImageShack wasn't linking correctly for some reason so I had like 2 little images and 2 big ones... so best be consistent)

EDIT: The right side of the images got cut off on my screen, higher resolutions might not have this problem (I'm @ 1280x1024). Sorry. Stupid imageshack. You can use the scroll bar at the very bottom of this post to see the right side of the pictures.

Alright, this one takes the cake. If you like racing games at all you have to try GRID. It is the main rival game to Gran Turismo 5, and I am EXTREMELY impressed at the entire game.

Pros:

• No crashes, glitches, or problems at all.
• No lag, consistent framerate
• Auto-tunes options to your PC
• Great Sound Blaster X-Fi support
• Good array of game modes
• Nice selection of cars
• Detailed maps and cars, to the point of "whoa"
• Fast loading
• Great replay system, easy controls, smooth movement
• "Flashbacks" enable quick replaying of a part of a race (ex: I am leading a race, and hit a wall and total out: one key, I use the replay controls to select my flashback location, and another keypress and I am back in business)
• Smart, quality AI
• Damage is just incredible, and parts come off of all cars (yours and opponents)
• Menus are logical and fast
• Multiplayer is kick*** - I mean it, it is flatout ... kick*** (LAN and Online, private and non private, ranked and non ranked, and every track and car you can touch is at your fingertips)
• Awesome cutscenes
• Cool AI speech, even says your name*! ("Hello Brandon, your car is all ready to go" is just freaking insanely cool)
• Alt-tabbing in and out is seamless
• No lag going into or out of pause menu
• Automatic driving (AI controlled) when chatting or in pause menu online
• Full XFire support
• No in-game "garbage" cleanup - if a car loses a bumper, it stays there. Pile of tires in the road? Stays there. Everything stays put and physics are enabled for every little thing (I have hit lots of bumpers... lots of sparks come out).
• Nice, normal AI speech. No robot babble. Actually sounds like normal people (I believe that it is generated on the fly, but I could be wrong. Who cares, it is nice to hear a human being in a game for once).

Cons:

• 10.1GB installed
• Some races are overly difficult (even in Basic difficulty (my favorite))
• Some complain keyboard control is too sensitive (I feel it is awesome, but that is an opinion)
• $50 pricetag
• Lengthy install (you drool over the preview pictures and time seems to crawl)
• High system requirements may leave people out (only 2 out of 7 computers in my house can run it)

Overall:
Amazing game. I am in love with it. Kills Trackmania, Project Torque, Racer and even Stunts with its physics and just pure sense of awe. I hit 258 MPH on LeMans. Who else has done that? Plus, the menus have the "urban" feel that Need for Speed Most Wanted had, and teens (myself) LOVE that. I don't suppose that applies to most here but it adds a plus for those who are into that.

Personal screenshots:

648

Living Room / Re: FCC finds Comcast in violation of net neutrality rules for BitTorrent blocking

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on August 01, 2008, 11:29 PM »

I read about this issue some time ago, and I find it idiotic that because the traffic is being used for a purpose that the ISP doesn't find "fitting", they find the need to throttle it back to snail speed. Big deal, its data packets - if you don't want users using your service for such a task, then clearly state it somewhere. Not difficult.

649

DC Gamer Club / Re: Sauerbraten Server Updates and DonationCoder map - Sauerbraten FPS fun

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 31, 2008, 11:22 PM »

It took me like 90 minutes to do that stupid fence alone, so I'll host it soon for "review"

Must add some more creepy lighting and some objects to add some sense of being to the open.. dark... quiet field. Too quiet.

650

DC Gamer Club / Re: Sauerbraten Server Updates and DonationCoder map - Sauerbraten FPS fun

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on July 31, 2008, 03:38 PM »

I am working on the map right now and have changed the sky, edited the small hedge maze (of death), added a LOOOOOOONG fence and archway, and clipped the exterior of the map to prevent falling. The fog also looks better @ 150 and not 75, so the new setup for the map is

/fog 150
/waterspec 50

I also added small BARELY noticeable debris from the fallen tunnel pathway, and adjusted 2 lights. Small stuff.

Screenshots are below (click to see full size)

The starting point:

Leaving the tunnel:

Outside, the gate and hedge maze are visible next to the road:

The gate and brick fence:

"YOU ARE NOT ALONE" Easter Egg:

Parking! Weapons, too:

Debris and dents are visible in the tunnel: