Recent Posts

801

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / New SnapSuite 2009 screenshot, changelog

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 11, 2008, 03:21 AM »

Alright, some more-than-noticeable GUI changes, fixes, removal of things, adding of things, etc... definitely not your usual update like I planned.

Basically, I revamped the GUI to be more Vista-like, but it still looks good on XP. I also did the following major changes...

• Added statusbar at the bottom of the main window
• Added clock to the statusbar, updating every 1000ms (1 second)
• Added "Common Tasks" to the statusbar - instant systemcare options, and turn off computer
• Removed the about box in the main window
• Added the Windows XP type sidebar to the main window
• Added buttons for misc tasks in the sidebar
• Added an about window
• Added a progress bar in the statusbar to show if the instant systemcare option is working or not
• Disabled resizing on some windows
• Disabled minimize/maximize buttons on some windows
• Major bug check on Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vista SP1 - 2 major bugs found/fixed
• SnapSuite icon added to title bar (16x16)
• SnapSuite icon added to EXE (128x128) (there is an issue with this icon, not sure why)
• and more stuff I can't remember right now...

I have a couple things I want to fix up before I post anything here at DC (except screenshots), such as the white background on the SmartBrowse Trace Cleaner button, and add icons to the statusbar buttons.

On the screenshot (below), items that are "greyed out" or "disabled" are not complete. I do this for private testing purposes so people don't break things (people don't tend to read the important warning you give them, even when it is all CAPS, bold, italic and underlined in 24 pt Arial ).

This is ideally the final GUI layout, minus the icons and enabling the buttons. I also want to make SmartBrowse clean up after itself on exit, so that is another thing on my to-do list.

Feedback/comments?

-Brandon

EDIT: Compare the below image to the previous one, here: https://www.donation...=8345.0;attach=29817

802

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 10, 2008, 02:40 AM »

Thanks for the links, printing both pages out now.

I went back to the website and redid it again, this time hopefully more professional-like and easier to understand. A couple links don't work (the old Maze Craze version, for example) so I will get those done later, but I updated some information and re-worded some things. All webpages are brand new, I was able to practice up in Dreamweaver due to my clan website I run (off-topic). Hopefully it is better than before. (I can't get the darn favicon to work though!)

http://mazecraze.dcisv.com/

-Brandon

EDIT: Also, I was browsing the net today about AERO, and I found this cool Microsoft guideline set for developers, so I printed it out - it gives several tips to help new programs "fit" into Windows Vista and keep the UI consistent. I did a bit of tweaking on SS 09 (and I broke something, I'll admit it ) and it looks and feels more normal in Vista. Kind of strange having the XP Control panel menu with Vista-like apps, but from what I've heard the XP Control Panel is favored over any other one, so...

803

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 09, 2008, 04:42 AM »

TBH I looked over the net and through my VB '05 book and it all looked confusing to me... I might make some dummy project and give it a go, however.

In this case it seems I am able to scan out the keys for the programs individually, but I only have half a dozen right now.

804

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 07, 2008, 05:30 PM »

Some cool news, not overly interesting but whatever

Using AutoHotkey, I was able to *FINALLY* figure out how the heck to detect if, and WHERE, a program is installed. This means that I will probobally end up taking a step backwards and using AHK again for the "Starter" sub-app in SS. But this time it will work as originally intended - look for a list of programs, if it finds it in the registry it will add a button to the GUI to launch it. Otherwise, one less button for you.

Currently it is detecting Firefox 2.0.0.13 and 3.0 RC 2. I am going to install Opera and a few other apps later and see if I can't get those working as well. 3 cheers for the Windows Registry ( the registry is useful for once!).

805

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / SnapSuite 2008 Final is now available!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 04, 2008, 01:30 AM »

Alright, it is up! I did a quick check and there shouldn't be any DcUpdater issues like the last time, so everything should go smoothly.

This is the *final* '08 version, unless some major issue arises and I have to fix it. It is "3.0 Final".

If you have an older version WITH DcUpdater support, fire up DcUpdater and let it do its thing.

If you have an older version WITHOUT DcUpdater support OR you need a new copy, click the link here and install a fresh copy.
http://mazecraze.dci...m/SnapSuite 2008.exe


Assuming all goes well, onward to other small projects and SS 09!

-Brandon

806

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / SnapSuite 2008 is now officially complete

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 03, 2008, 03:03 PM »

Finally!
Yes, I can now call SnapSuite '08 finished - final, done, completed. Woo hoo!

There are 3 known bugs (they can be seen at the MazeCraze/SnapSuite website) - but I cannot locate a fix for any of the 3 - and they are not usually noticeable/you have to tinker to find them. So with normal usage you might encounter one, but the other two are abnormal.

I removed the "Help" buttons, rearranged some labels, and fixed up some item naming and a tiny bit of code, (just in case I need to pull some for a future project, ahem). I also fixed 2 bugs, and I hope that the outline on KidDraw makes it easier to see just where your drawing "pad" ends.

All in all, I think it came out alright - its too confusing and is too reliant on text. But it works, and I can't find any major issues - or anything that would prevent anything from functioning correctly.

I will post it up to DcUpdater when I get time, probably this week (I say that a lot , but I will try to remember it and set it up to work this week). I would attach a screenshot, but most of it looks near identical to previous screenshots (and the last update), so it is pretty much pointless.

-Brandon

EDIT: You can visit the MC/SS website by clicking here (saves you time from typing it in): http://mazecraze.dcisv.com/

807

Living Room / Re: Annals of Self-Experiment - Seth Roberts is His Own Mouse

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 02, 2008, 02:24 AM »

hah
I thought you meant he somehow became his own (computer) mouse &
was physically moving his body in order to move the arrow
...off to read...

-tomos (June 02, 2008, 02:18 AM)

Ditto. Good read though. Similarly, I don't eat breakfast until about lunchtime, because it makes me nauseous and sometimes dizzy. I don't wake up early though.

Interesting what you can find out about yourself, provided you have the time to dedicate to "test" changes on yourself.

808

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / SnapSystem...SnapSuite..bah! An explanation is here!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on June 02, 2008, 01:27 AM »

Alright, total confusion for most everyone that is going to read this, and everyone that has downloaded SnapSystem's alpha. Please bear with me, it is a learning process doing all of this, and I give great thanks to everyone that has used anything I have made. It helps me immensely, and I hope what I make is able to help you out, too.

To make it brief - I learned a lot from making SnapSystem, but I have too many ideas that are too advanced to finish it without a more professional help system (Google just doesn't cut it sometimes ) - I have confirmed 2 programming classes coming up this year (starting August) in school - so assume SnapSystem is on hold until minimal '10.

That being said, I am taking lots of things I learned and putting it into the "Suite" layout again. This time, however, it won't be as complicated. I decided to make the layout and feel of the main window like the Windows XP Control Panel. You click a button and a new window appears with the program in it - directly over the main window (to keep desktop clutter down).

I also (still confusing, if you aren't lost now you might be in a second) renamed most of the mini-programs that make up SS. The changes are as follows.

AppLaunch > Starter
AutoType > ----- (dead as of '08, the last working version can be found in the NANY 08 release here @ DC)
DateMaker > ClockCal
FastNote > Notes
KidDraw > Crayons n Markers
MediaBurn > MediaBurn
MediaControl > PlayMe
SmartBrowse > SmartBrowse
SystemCare > SystemCare

Now, if you are somehow still following this - and you aren't reading it the 3rd time over - you will be happy to know that, due to what I now know, SnapSuite 09 should run much more efficiently than VB Edition 08 (and I am about to release the final version of that, too) and SnapSystem 09's Alpha releases. So far my tests prove this.

So basically toss SnapSystem out the window (unless you like it...?) and get ready for the final version of SnapSuite 08 and the alpha of 09.

-Brandon

(The image that is attached is a WIP GUI and I am still converting, fixing and cleaning up the code - the buttons need naming and there are missing items) - I also plan to have full printing support this time around!!!

EDIT: In the image, ignore the "DiskBurner" button - it is MediaBurn, I decided not to rename it

EDIT 2: Also, I added this part into the "About SnapSuite 2009" box - and this really is how I feel (however corny it may sound):

"SnapSuite 2009 is a program, made not by one person, but by the entire DonationCoder community. Many people at DonationCoder use my programs - and while they may not post in the forum topic or send me bug reports, they still help the development by giving me not only a reason to keep my want of being a software developer, but also it puts a smile on my face knowing that someone somewhere may be benefiting from something I have done."

809

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 30, 2008, 02:28 AM »

I have had the Sauer server dead for a few days now (looking for an old racing game on old hard drives, and it is the easiest to access as far as hot-swapping goes). It may stay offline for a while, and I might drop offline on my primary machine too more often as well.

Reason (if anyone cares about my personal problems):

Spoiler

Money got real tight real fast, and I figure that my room probably uses the most power out of anything in the house (A/C, fridge, and washer/dryer included) so the more I cut back on energy, the less complaining I have to hear. I am running 2 desktops, a laptop, a Playstation, Xbox, and TV set in here - as well as the modem/cable box, and router, and an all-in-one printer - so it surely can't hurt!

Sorry all, but we still have Trackmania and Project Torque - and I have some other games uploaded that I can send out, but no Sauer anytime soon...

-Brandon

810

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / SystemCare Online Alpha - Take easy PC tuneups on the go!

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 30, 2008, 02:08 AM »

Alright, here I present to you my latest AHK program - the first one with successful downloading, too! And a lot of (confusing) GuiControl manipulations. But it makes sense, and I don't think there are any bugs...

Anywho, you can give it a spin if you'd like - download it via the link below, run it, click OK and take your pick - please do take note that Advanced options MUST be run separately from Simple (hence the reason they disable, and vice versa).

A cool little thing - the "Begin maintenance operations" button changes to let you know what it is up to - downloading a program, running it, or if everything is done (a message box is also opened at task completion).

Enjoy!

Download: http://mazecraze.dci...are Online Alpha.exe

811

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 29, 2008, 05:35 PM »

@ mouser/veign - Alright, I'll bump it down a bit. I do have some examples and whatnot within Dreamweaver, but I'll let you know if extra ideas can help

@ everyone - If you visited the site, you probably noticed the "SnapSuite Online" portion - I have begun to work on a basic outline of this. I am currently coding a small AHK program to download, run, and delete the files as they do their work. Not efficient for limited bandwith or dialup users, but it is made as a simple tool for specialized use.

Assuming it all works, I will post it up here later for people to test out and give opinions on.

812

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 29, 2008, 02:05 AM »

I agree, however by keeping everything in sections, you can view specific items - without the need for multiple page loads (dialup users), or a long list of information that doesn't interest you. Just my way of thinking. Keep it basic and let the user pick and choose. It needs to be a tad more graphical though, IMO. Too gray.

813

Living Room / Re: This might take some of you back - IBM laptop, can anyone give me some info?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 29, 2008, 02:03 AM »

She was out of the house when we (my friend and I) found it... he told her about it when she got home. Enough said.

814

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 28, 2008, 11:44 PM »

Added some more stuff to the site, as well as a homebrew DC button based off of the "Binary" wtfCody.com desktop.

I actually fell back to work a bit on SnapSuite today, to finish it up, and I got another weird bug report from one of my testing friends, so that kinda fell off the wagon. I'm working on it, I swear

I still hate Dreamweaver, as it screwed me over again today, so long live Control+Z

EDIT: I also encrypted all my mailto: URLs, so spam bots can't snag 'em. Hehehe.

815

Living Room / Re: This might take some of you back - IBM laptop, can anyone give me some info?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 28, 2008, 11:41 PM »

Whoa, thats quite a list! Looks like the cheapest one is at eBay, but used- but $25 for new isn't bad at all!

816

Living Room / "iPod" screensaver for Windows, possible?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 28, 2008, 10:18 PM »

Hey there,

I assume everyone has see at least one of those Apple iPod commercials, you know, the ones where the black (colorless, not race) dude dances with his iPod and you get the little color ribbons trailing it. Well, I am wondering if it would be possible to make one of these as a screensaver, but make it based off of a algorithm, or some system to prevent any one "playback" of the screensaver to be the same as a previous one.

I am asking because I (being the Vista lover that I am) am on Vista Home Premium, and use Animated Desktop (Google it, it is at iStartedSomething) to display the uber-fancy Vista "ssbranded.scr" screensaver as my desktop wallpaper. The "ribbon" screensaver is nice, and close to what I am looking for, but I just want a single colored line that is smooth - not 5 that look like they are bouncing into insanity.

Is it even possible to make a "dynamic" screensaver? Could someone make one? Is there one already out on the 'net that I didn't catch?

-Brandon

817

Living Room / Re: This might take some of you back - IBM laptop, can anyone give me some info?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 28, 2008, 06:19 PM »

Nada at Lenovo.com - I'll look at Radioshack and local stores for a generic power adapter that might work if I can't find anything online

818

Living Room / This might take some of you back - IBM laptop, can anyone give me some info?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 28, 2008, 01:37 PM »

Some of you might feel a bit nostalgic here, and plus I could use a hand - so post I will

I went to Goodwill a couple days ago with a friend to return a complete POS Windows 2k desktop PC - that the owner didn't format, and the mom wasn't exactly happy about the pr0n I found on the HD. So back it goes.

I am looking for a new desktop for him when we run into the laptop section. I am always looking for new stuff, and I picked up this old IBM. Fell in love with it. 45 minutes later I leave with a new (old) IBM.

So now I have an IBM Thinkpad, "Type 9545-308" - the bottom says its from "1981, 1993" - and I am looking online for a power adapter (its those old 4 pin ones that are like \_/ ) and a floppy drive for it. But I am just wondering if anyone had any info on what this laptop has inside it, and what OS it runs (if any)? It has no floppy drive and the lid doesn't shut properly, but other than that it looks to be in very good condition...

Thoughts?

Image of it is here (but mine actually looks like it works, like a laptop that will run; this one looks like, well... yea): http://www.geocities...mics21/lapparts2.jpg

-Brandon

819

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 28, 2008, 12:03 AM »

I managed to fix the error, after a long walk and some interweb research. It isn't an option, your just supposed to know that if you happen to see the little box called "Border" at the bottom, you put a 0 in it.

Anyways, I don't feel like Photoshopping any images right now, so the site is quite boring. But if you can, stop by Wreckedcarzz's Programming Asylum and see what you think. http://mazecraze.dcisv.com/index.html

Hopefully I don't get bashed for being a total website/HTML/whatever-language-you-make-your-website-in noob

820

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Rant about "Dream"weaver CS3 - revamping the Maze Craze website

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 27, 2008, 10:32 PM »

I just got a copy of Adobe's Dreamweaver (CS3) application, and am working on... making the mazecraze site look like a ****hole making "improvements" to the Mazecraze site. *cough*

In the last 60 minutes I have managed to say things that would offend even the most angry truck drivers. This is the most annoying program I have ever used. And it still sucks more than the previous program I used, Nvu (and that wasn't half bad) - despite the price tag. It has nice options and all, but if you don't have a freaking Doctorate in how to use it, it blows!

I lost the Maze Craze site that I had and had to use a backup to pull it back in (the 4th web page so far). The widgets glitch and don't align properly. You have to use the right click menu to setup font alignment. Its moronic. All the common controls expect you to know exactly what they do, as most of the icons don't make sense. The tooltips are nice... the whole one or two word info tag that it gives you. And on top of that, you know those totally retarded blue lines you get around images that are linked? Yea, I spend 30 minutes trying to remove them. They are STILL THERE!!!

I am going outside and am going to attempt not to strangle some people. Wish me luck.

When I come back, assuming I still have a computer because my arm is now through the motherboard, I might join IRC to relax and try to forget about the torture I just went through.

821

DC Gamer Club / Re: quitting PC version of Assassin's Creed

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 27, 2008, 03:50 PM »

OMG... I have played games like that. Some menus even take you back to the menu you came from, so it becomes a freaking maze of buttons to find your way out.

And FYI, games like Driver: Parallel Lines disable the Alt-Tab and Alt-F4 keys, and if you open Task Manager, the game steals focus. Un-f**king believable. Sucks if the game freezes.

822

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: WiseCleaner Pro 40% OFF

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 27, 2008, 03:44 PM »

I (and others here at DC) have had issues with Wise Registry Cleaner. Just a heads up.

823

Living Room / Re: Why do children love CAPS LOCK?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 27, 2008, 03:40 PM »

Cant understand the kids using caps lock... but I use caps lock every day.  It makes drafting a lot easier. 

Kevin

-kfitting (May 27, 2008, 08:05 AM)

I took drafting (with a 63% at the end of the class...). Very helpful in that type of work, but outside of drawings and plans...

824

Coding Snacks / Temp Mouse Fix - stretch the life of your dying mouse

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 25, 2008, 11:39 AM »

I made this program for a friend yesterday and felt like I should share it here at DC just in case someone has a similar issue.

Temp Mouse Fix is just that - a temporary utility to extend the time before you *have* to go buy a new mouse. It assumes that the left and right mouse buttons are both no more, but that the mouse still functions as a pointing device (you cannot use the keyboard as a mouse with Temp Mouse Fix - Windows Accessibility Tools can do that for you).

There is no GUI and only the default tray menu. When opened you are told that, in short:

Control+1 = Click
Control+2 = Double Click
Control+3 = Right Click

There are a few limitations to the program. When you right click you MUST choose a menu item - the left click option doesn't do anything (I have no idea why). Also, because Control is used, you can end up selecting multiple items when single clicking (good or bad, but a minor inconvenience at the most). Dragging is not available as well.

Hopefully this helps someone out

-Brandon

(If you don't have or know what "AutoHotkey" is, download the EXE)

825

Living Room / Re: Get-togehter: Scandinavia / Denmark

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on May 25, 2008, 12:45 AM »

Oh yeah, didn't think of that. I'll look at other possible solutions then, like UPS or something.

-TucknDar (March 20, 2008, 12:09 PM)

I wouldn't mind being in a box in an aircraft for a few hours. Have to be a pretty big box though