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751

General Software Discussion / Re: Implement features that are known to be loved in other programs, on your own

« Last post by anandcoral on August 17, 2011, 08:32 AM »

Allow me to put my view and notes from experience here.

@urlwolf has made a simple query "Why a programmer can not put feature X in his app A, which exist in app B made by another programmer on another platform/os/hardware etc."

From the time of DOS I could not reply to this simple question to any of my users satisfaction without being called arrogant. But now I have taken help from GOD's creation and have the answer for it.

User will ask "Why can't Notepad show bold and italics in same line as seen in Word, though both are editor and made by same company ?" The answer is "It is created that way to solve intended purpose".

GOD created hand and legs differently for different purpose. Same way notepad and word are created differently for different purpose. Notepad can not show bold/italics but Word can not load faster. If my little finger is smaller than middle one; it is intendend to be like that. At least we can rest assure that GOD did not have the resource and time problem of us programmer. HE could very easily made all figure same length and also could have added wings to our back.

My earlier Boss (fifteen years or so ago) requested me to make the invoice entry look like the actual printed invoice, on screen; as he has seen at his friends publishing house. He was referring to Ventura Publisher (PageMaker was another one), only problem was that he was expecting me to make it in his 8 bit green colour CRT in dBaseII, on which the inventory app I have made.

All these does not mean that we ignore users request. They are our existence. The technology and money was there but Nokia did not make a touch screen phone till Apple did it. Now I am a happy user of Nokia 5230 which is 1/4 of the price of iPhone and does all "what I need".

We have to listen to users and solve keeping in mind the time and money factor.

In one of my implementation, I installed IE4 at a clients site as the website I made did not work correctly in Netscape, and the client paid me for it. He wanted it to work.

So to put it happily to the demanding user, "Yes it can be done, but will take X time and Y money", but you must forsee the solution, as some users do pay for what they want.

BTW, I did made the invoice to show in graphics mode using dBaseII and GWbasic, though only preview and not the input. If any one used WordPerfect will know, it had similar feature for editing the document in text mode and previewing it graphics mode, in DOS.

Regards,

Anand

752

Living Room / Re: In search of ... a lost note app

« Last post by anandcoral on August 10, 2011, 05:19 AM »

Hi barney,

Do not worry. It is JC&MB Quicknote http://www.quicknote.de/
One of the first few apps which I load in a new/formatted machine

BTW let kids be kids. They get less time to be themselves nowadays.

Regards,

Anand

753

N.A.N.Y. 2012 / Canceled NANY 2012 Pledge: You Have Files

« Last post by anandcoral on July 28, 2011, 06:22 AM »

Dear All,

I am facing some problem and needed the machine to help me remember before I logoff/shutdown.

I do project work at office and home. Same project may be done both at office and home, so for continuity of the work I need to take related files from office to home and back. I use pendrive for it. I have good net connection at office and not-so-good one at home (for obvious reasons). I download files, apps etc. for project and so, and may need the same at home. Same situation from home to office.

Below are the cases I faced for last few days which made me think of making an app for it, "You Have Files".

Case 1:
I did work on project_1, in two separate folders. Hold meeting at separate office which lasted well past office hours. Came back exahusted, shutdown the machine and left for home. Damm it! I missed to copy the two folder files, which I need to continue work on project_1.

Case 2:
I downloaded files, though background download, in separate folder. Forgot about it. Shutdown machine and came back home. Cursing my memory.

Case 3:
Worked till late night at home in project_2. Too sleepy now, copied files in pendrive. Forgot about the auto created folder by my home system. Boss angry, as project_2 needs those files to run.

Case 4:
You got the point.

Since I use pendrive and my home net does not work many times, I would be very glad that the system tells me about the files I have at various folders, before I shutdown. I may not need to copy all files, but may just need to check and delete them.

I searched for the required app but did not find as needed, though many similar ones exist.

My need is as below,
1. Watch given folders, with option for subfolders, for each.
2. Option to check newly added files, may have older file-date but added today (downloaded).
3. Option to zip (may use external) or rename files in specific folders with date-time.
4. Option to move files from specific folder to another one.
5. Option to check specific folder which must always be empty.
6. Should inform with BIG message when I close the program, about files on above conditions/options.
7. Option to show tray message, for specific folder.
8. Option to show 'post-it' note type message, for specific folder.

"Watch Folder" comes close, but do not solve my problem.

Before I pledge to make an app as required, I need your help to point me to any existing app which does all I need and I will use that and will not re-invent the wheel.

Regards,

Anand

754

General Software Discussion / Re: Why crack offered for freeware and tiny app uploaded on Megaupload ?

« Last post by anandcoral on July 20, 2011, 02:28 AM »

So a automated system is working somewhere.

Huh ! how we have progressed !
One makes a good thing, and it automatically gets copied into a bad thing !!

Sad but true. We have to live with it.

Regards,

Anand

755

General Software Discussion / Why crack offered for freeware and tiny app uploaded on Megaupload ?

« Last post by anandcoral on July 19, 2011, 06:19 AM »

Generally I google for mine apps to check the reviews, from independent blogs and reviewers, to make the apps even better. While on the tour, I found that "Overlap Wallpaper" was available at crack website with "unlock key" offered !!

Why on earth will someone need a crack for a freeware ? beats me.

Further I found OW in Megaupload. Here the waiting time is too much than the actual download as it is a tiny zip file.

Is this the thumb rule that all apps eventually find place in this type of website, even if they do not warrant for it ?

Any suggestion fellas.

Regards,

Anand

756

Finished Programs / Re: when I download files.

« Last post by anandcoral on July 19, 2011, 04:29 AM »

Hi dbarton,

I wanted a small and simple app for this functionality. After trying many, I settled for Folder Guide and am using it for last few years. It is based on right click and works in all file dialog without any need to change the file dialog.

You may try it in different situation and decide which to keep.

Regards,

Anand

757

N.A.N.Y. 2012 / Re: Gentlemen (and Ladies), Start Your Engines!!

« Last post by anandcoral on July 13, 2011, 07:34 AM »

Thanks kyrathaba, for taking up the job

I have been busy lately with family compulsions and not being able to reply to post though I try to keep myself informed about them. It is good that NANY 2012 started early this year and kyrathaba put condition for two apps only, which will give me more time to make useful app (hopefully).

I request if we can add a certificate with the gift, this year. We may discuss on it further.

Regards

Anand

758

General Software Discussion / Re: Overlap Wallpaper

« Last post by anandcoral on July 04, 2011, 04:51 AM »

Just updated Overlap Wallpaper to version 1.5.0

Main feature added is "Preview mode in settings", to instantly preview the size, transparency and position changes of the overlapped photo.

Regards,

Anand

759

General Software Discussion / Re: Overlap Wallpaper

« Last post by anandcoral on June 27, 2011, 02:57 AM »

After receiving feedback about user not being able to put the apps shortcut link in startup folder and Google not giving any simpler explanation, I made a webpage in this regard.

Simplest way to put shortcut of a program into the startup folder.

I wanted the steps to be very simple and common to even non-technical person. I will request all to give comments on it to make it even simpler, if possible.

Regards,

Anand

760

General Software Discussion / Re: Overlap Wallpaper

« Last post by anandcoral on June 22, 2011, 04:41 AM »

Thanks @kyrathaba

Regards

Anand

761

General Software Discussion / Re: Overlap Wallpaper

« Last post by anandcoral on June 17, 2011, 05:05 AM »

Thanks @siouxdax and @steeladept for appreciation.

Regards,

Anand

762

General Software Discussion / Re: Overlap Wallpaper

« Last post by anandcoral on June 14, 2011, 11:45 AM »

Thanks a lot, Mouser.

I also like to thank here, Martin Brinkmann (gHacks) for such complete writeup.

Regards,

Anand

763

Developer's Corner / Re: Buy & Sell Source Code

« Last post by anandcoral on June 02, 2011, 12:04 PM »

@40hz you did it.

I just planned today to visit Binpress for faq etc. and put points here, you did it for me.

@Eran thanks and I am glad that my comments could bring the positive enthusiasm. I will like to see both sides (Binpress and programmers) to benefit from this new venture.

I will suggest developers here to put forward any queries and get it clarified, before imparting on the new territory.

Regards,

Anand

764

Developer's Corner / Re: Buy & Sell Source Code

« Last post by anandcoral on May 31, 2011, 12:40 PM »

Dear All,

Allow me to put some points on the subject.

First, did anyone noticed that we are all programmers arguing on sale of program codes? In most cases we are not going to purchase any code from there. Take for instance myself. Instead of purchasing 'Cursor Hider', I made 'Park Cursor Aside' which functions similarly. But most users are not programmer and they will happily pay if a program fulfills his/her need.

Second, look at Apple IPad. Initial reviews in all forums, blogs etc. were full of negatives. Starting from very difficult to type holding the IPad with one hand, to neck pain due to too much bending when IPad is put on ones lap. Again all the
comments were from the programmers who were trying to do, what they do best, and failing. The user do not and did not cared what us programmers said and lapped up the IPad in such a a way that now it has become a cult.

Now come to binpress.com. Do you think I will purchase a 5$ code for converting number to word? No. But the user will. Who is user here, the developer who just got a 100$ project and sees that investing 10$ is going to save him another month or so. The company manager, who after been told that the required logic will take 3/4 months time to built, will buy the code and give it to his/her programmer to use it.

All the above I am telling from my work experience as a professional developer for last 15 years. I am not alone, as other developers here may have similar work experience.

To think that 'open source' will get affected due to 'selling of code' is wrong. Programmers who put there code for all are not inclined to sell it, as they already have earned from it, but now want some fame from it. So this will continue to happen. Selling a compiled code or source code does not makes any difference to a user. A non-programmer will happily use the compiled code whereas a programmer will like the source to make further changes, if required.

Users criticized but waited for Apple to release iOS with 'copy-cut-paste' option and paid for it.

Hope I was able to put forth the correct perspective.

Regards,

Anand

Disclaimer: I do not have any apple product and I earn my livelihood from developing Windows and DOS Apps. Though now I am getting pressure to make IPad Apps as many of my loyal clients have one.

765

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / Re: NANY 2011 Certificate

« Last post by anandcoral on May 27, 2011, 02:00 AM »

@mouser, NANY 2012 mug is still 1 year to go (I may get that mug in Apr'12)

@cranioscopical, you just post yours here and we will adjust it, if required, and then Mouser and Perry will approve it. It will not be a fake but official certificate for NANY 2011.

You see, DC is community work and we need the Coral Draw / Photoshop guys here to make it. I myself will try my hand on image editors, though I do not use or know CD/PS, and upload the same for approval. If we all try, we may make one sooner than later.

Regards,

Anand

766

N.A.N.Y. 2011 / NANY 2011 Certificate

« Last post by anandcoral on May 26, 2011, 03:17 AM »

Hi All,

You see most of my friends and relatives are not in computers. For them I am just a person who works in computers. Now when they see the NANY 2011 MUG on my table, they pleasantly ask about it. No matter how I try to boost or convince them that I WON it, they look suspiciously at me. Since there is no mention of my name or my contribution, they do not take my words for it. Showing them the websites and my photos on them is easier said than done. Since they are not in computers, they understand nothing, forget about specify programming.

I was just wondering what can be done so that to make it legitimate. One thought came was to have a 'certificate' beside the mug.

I think if we can make a certificate of the sort "This to certify that Mr/Ms [Name] has participated in NANY 2011 by contributing [1. Apps], [2. Apps] etc. and so on". This certificate we can make as pdf downloadable with NANY logo, ribbon etc., which the members can download and print.

Well hope you got my point. Any other idea is also welcome.

Regards,

Anand

767

General Software Discussion / Overlap Wallpaper

« Last post by anandcoral on May 15, 2011, 12:55 PM »

I promised to make an App as a thank you to DC members, so here it is.

Latest version is 2.6.0 (03 Feb 2015)

Description (of the application) :

Displays a photo on the desktop wallpaper in overlap manner, so that one can have the photo of loved ones on different wallpaper images on desktop. The overlapped photo can be sized, and positioned on desktop as required; and also can be made semi transparent.

Benefits (of using it) :

I like to have my family photo on my desktop (who don't). Now sometime I come across a good nature image as desktop wallpaper (I like nature, abstract etc.). To have my loved ones photo over the nature's wallpaper, I open up image editor, adjust the two images, save and set as wallpaper, done. In another few months, I find a breath taking image of water fall and want it as my wallpaper. Open image editor, and ... done. When I need to change the family photo with the latest naughty one of my son, I look for the image editor, and ... done.

Well as a developer, somewhere inside me I was not feeling good. I wanted the benefit of both worlds and in automated manner.

Googling gave me many freeware wallpaper changers and some with collage facility. All these does the job but not as I required. I wanted the wallpaper to change the main background image but keep my family photo overlapped on it.

I made one, which does as required. It shows the given image overlapped on the existing desktop wallpaper. Further one can use a wallpaper changer and have the loved ones photo always overlapped on different wallpaper images.

My colleagues, who wanted the same but could not use image editor properly, love it. We all have our religious photo (looks like we all turn religious as the pay day nears), overlapped on different wallpapers on all our desktop now.

Download:

https://sites.google...verlapwallpaper/home

(sites.google.com/site/overlapwallpaper/home in case the above link does not show fully)

Hope you will find this software useful.

Regards,

Anand

768