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General Software Discussion / Re: Why is Google Translate suddenly greeting me "Error 403 (Forbidden)" ?

« Last post by Shades on September 17, 2016, 02:09 PM »

Perhaps they think you have bested their translation service and act like sore losers about it...

On a more serious note: a string of text is passed to Google when you do the translation request. This string of text is like to be formatted in a certain way. Chances are that this format isn't accepted anymore by Google. Or maybe it is accepted from logged in users only. While they do have several impressive server parks...those are "hammered" 24/7. Google isn't a charity and with other Google services they have seen the impact when they applied the policy change to provide the best/full options of those services to logged in users.

It is likely that Google ((more) actively) implemented this policy now also to their translation service.

Now I don't have the translation option either in my Firefox 47.0.1 with only 10 add-ons/extensions (5 are for adblocking/security, 3 for development, one for tab handling and the last one for downloads). From your previous postings I understand your Firefox has much(!) more add-ons/extensions, so I think it is safe to assume one of those gives you the translation option in the context menu. Perhaps that one needs an update or allows you to alter the string in such a way that it is accepted again by Google. 

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General Software Discussion / Re: how should I roll back java?

« Last post by Shades on September 16, 2016, 06:18 PM »

SiS....that is more or less the "bottom of the barrel" brand for computer hardware. Looking for SiS-661GX, Google gives me this. So that is not the brand of your computer, it is the chipset. And that chipset is commonly used on motherboards with CPU socket 775. This is a very, very old type of processor (Pentium 4 class). I certainly hope that you didn't buy this computer, but that you got it as a present.

Now I know the brand of your motherboard and the CPU socket, I wouldn't upgrade your CPU even if you had that option as I expect the functional life of this computer to be (very) short. Especially with a SiS chipset. That would be a serious waste of money.

It is usually not a problem to buy a new network card and use that instead of the onboard one. 10/100 is more than enough for most use-cases for a internet connection at home. Getting a new faster network card just to connect to internet won't make a difference. That is, if the one you have still functions ok. New network cards hardly cost anything, You should be able to get a decent brand network card under 10 USD. Intel is the most stable/best brand and you are likely to get one of those on eBay or web store for that price.

I think we are getting a bit side-tracked here at this thread 

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General Software Discussion / Re: how should I roll back java?

« Last post by Shades on September 15, 2016, 09:51 AM »

There is no technical reason that prevents you from using your laptop's hard disk in your desktop.

However, it is more than likely that the Windows 7 from your dead laptop is an OEM licensed version. That means MS doesn't allow you to use that Windows 7 license key in your current desktop PC. There are many more restrictions on how you are allowed to use an OEM licensed version of Windows, but I won't bore you with that.

Besides this, the hardware inside the laptop and desktop PC is very different. In general, most Windows installations that are transferred from one PC to another try to install whatever they need to copy with the hardware changes automatically...which usually results in such a mess that you need to re-install from scratch.

Transferring a hard disk with a Windows installation on it between computers with identical hardware (and that includes similar devices being connected at similar PCI (express) lanes) most of the time does work. But it is still something you are not allowed to do with an OEM licensed version of Windows.

Retail versions of Windows are much more expensive than OEM versions, but those are allowed to be installed on any one(!) computer, such as a desktop or laptop.

You can find out which version of Windows you have by opening the Start menu and right-click on the 'My Computer' link inside that menu. A context menu should appear where you can select option 'Properties'. When you do that a window will open where you see the current Windows version (and service pack) near the top of this window.

Looks like you can still download XP Service Pack 3 from FileHippo. Maybe there is still a forgotten corner in the Microsoft website where you can download SP3 for XP still, but by the time you find it there, you will likely have downloaded it from Filehippo in the background.

If you do add the laptop hard disk in your desktop PC, you shouldn't have to worry. According to this Wikipedia page the core NTFS file system didn't change between XP and Windows 7. So you should be to access or write files on that hard disk without problems. 

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General Software Discussion / Re: how should I roll back java?

« Last post by Shades on September 13, 2016, 08:31 PM »

Tnx. I'm using an old desktop celeron; works good with 2gb ram.
The Avira link download failed to open; maybe because I'm using Windows XP. I'll try the oldapps version;
http://www.oldapps.c...hp?old_antivir=16155

-holt (September 13, 2016, 04:14 PM)

Thing is that you shouldn't be lulled into a false sense of security by getting an AV from oldapps.com. New apps aren't necessarily better than old ones, that is true. Anti-virus software is the exception to the rule. Don't expect to get the latest anti-virus signatures for older versions of AV software. Those signature files are the main reason AV software is able to detect viruses.

If that didn't happen yet with your AV software, it will. And when that happens, you essentially are running your computer without AV. Actually it is worse, you lose precious resources on checking files for old and/or obsolete viruses.

Run as much script and ad blockers as you are comfortable with ('ublock origin' and 'umatrix' recommended), get the best/aggressive firewall that still works with XP and use a lot of common sense when surfing. That will help you more in the long run than obsolete AV software ever will. A (real-time) malware scanner would be preferable too. Anti-malware software has the same problem as AV software under XP.

If you can expand your RAM to 4GByte, then Windows 7 will run quite smooth. Even with a Celeron. AV software support for Windows 7 is much better and will be around for quite some time. While Windows 7 will work adequately within 2GByte of RAM, a lack of CPU "horsepower" will make that experience painful. 

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General Software Discussion / Re: how should I roll back java?

« Last post by Shades on September 13, 2016, 01:13 AM »

Not sure which of the free AV's still support Windows XP.

BitDefender, Panda, Avira and Avast are the usual suspects when I fix computers for others.

ClamWin is the only open source AV I know and I would guess that it still supports XP. It doesn't come with real-time protection by default. There are 3rd party tools that make real-time protection possible with ClamWin, but usually at the cost of resources, something Celeron-based processors do not have much of. Not in desktop PCs and definitely not in laptops.

881

General Software Discussion / Re: Hacking Windows 10's My Computer context menu?

« Last post by Shades on September 11, 2016, 10:29 PM »

Which Windows 10 edition are running?
Did you try to 'Run as admin' regedit.exe and import your registry files using its GUI?

Specific files and folders (especially on the C:\ partition) have been getting less and less accessible with each new iteration of Windows since Windows Vista. And the 'Run as admin' functionality has been degrading since Vista too. All done for extra stability and security, as Microsoft deemed best.

However, by typing 'regedit.exe' (in full!) you should be able to open the graphical registry editor, where you have 'Import' and 'Export' menu options that handle your registry files. It might even give you a more descriptive reason if it isn't able to import your file(s).

The only version of Windows 10 I have access to is Windows 10 Enterprise. Not sure if Windows 10 Home comes with 'regedit.exe' or not. I always operate under the assumption that every version of Windows comes with this editor, but I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft removed/disabled it in Windows 10 Home editions. Unfortunately, now and in the future I will have no way to verify this for you...as I have absolutely no interest to work with anything less functional than Windows 10 Pro (from the Windows 10 family of products).   

882

General Software Discussion / Re: calendar that is happy in Windows and on tablet

« Last post by Shades on September 11, 2016, 09:53 PM »

Further research revealed: https://www.ominder.com/  which seems to be quite interesting and free/cheap. Not like this one.

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General Software Discussion / Re: calendar that is happy in Windows and on tablet

« Last post by Shades on September 11, 2016, 09:28 PM »

As designs go, that pimlical site is fugly indeed.

There used to be something called OpenCal. This would allow you to create your own schedule, look into shared calendars from others (friends, family, coworkers) and there was an option for businesses to share their events as well. But it was gobbled up by Groupon in 2011 and well, nothing.

Google provided this overview of alternatives (https://www.getapp.com/customer-management-software/a/opencal/alternatives/). Perhaps one of them works for your intends and purposes.

884

General Software Discussion / Re: Directory Opus 12 Released

« Last post by Shades on September 10, 2016, 06:22 PM »

As long as there is no push to a new version of Dopus, how relevant is the period between new versions? And if the "grace period" for upgrading your existing license is indefinite...there is no added pressure on existing price conscious license holders to upgrade (I didn't see this on the official directory opus upgrade webpage).

michaelkenward is right about the 'under-the-hood' changes of Windows 10, which could negatively affect the functionality/performance from earlier Dopus versions. Better to be ready and prepared for this. The added functionality does warrant a new version number for Dopus in my eyes.

In short, I don't see much problems if there are 30 months between version instead of the 36 months suggested here. Didn't find that tidbit of information not on their website, admittedly I wasn't looking too hard for this info. Nothing to get your panties in a twist about it.

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Living Room / Re: silly humor - post 'em here! [warning some NSFW and adult content]

« Last post by Shades on September 10, 2016, 03:02 PM »

This is how every error message should be represented:
https://httpstatusdogs.com/

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General Software Discussion / Re: Dropbox alternatives

« Last post by Shades on September 07, 2016, 09:40 AM »

If you mainly use dropbox as a way to share files between devices, than you could consider setting up your own "cloud" (NextCloud is open source and quite easy to setup yourself (in combination with XAMPP or similar tool.)). Besides an online interface, it comes with clients for iP(ad/hone), Android, PC, Mac and Linux.

But if you mainly use dropbox as a way to store data off-site, then hosting your own "cloud" isn't such a stellar idea. Setting up your own "cloud" is initially a headache and you remain responsible for maintenance/upkeep, it also gives you much more control to share data between family and friends, if you so desire.

First, make sure that if you setup your "cloud", that your ISP doesn't object against such things. Or that you don't exceed the limits of your metered internet plan, if you were tricked into getting such a type of internet connection.

887

General Software Discussion / Re: No video after resuming from sleep - Windows 10 Anniversary Edition

« Last post by Shades on September 05, 2016, 12:44 AM »

Failing fans on GPUs is quite common where I live. Subtropical ambient temperatures and often humid...that doesn't help with longevity of fans. That is to say, GPU fans. Case fans are much "sturdier" in my experience and if you don't care much about the looks of the GPU inside your case, then try to fit a case fan onto the heatsink of the GPU.

Fugly, but your GPU is getting lots of cooling and depending on the model case fan, it can be a very quiet solution. Even if you cannot mount a case fan directly, putting an extra case fan as close as possible to the GPU also works quite well. Especially if you can make some sort of funnel to pull the heat from the GPU. Case fans are much easier to replace or maintain and usually cost much less than a new GPU.

888

General Software Discussion / Re: Trigger the Send function in a new email from command line

« Last post by Shades on September 05, 2016, 12:25 AM »

While blat offers their command-line mailer for free (non-commercial use only), I found it to behave problematic in an automatized process, where I generate a custom mail message with attachment. Then I found CMail (commercial use allowed) and that worked much more reliable in my scenario. Perhaps this is of some use to you too.

889

General Software Discussion / Re: Webapp from an existing database to manage digital collections

« Last post by Shades on September 03, 2016, 02:03 PM »

https://www.sqlmaestro.com/products/mysql/phpgenerator/  - While it isn't cheap (159 USD is their lowest cost license), it appears to be able to do what you ask. Looks like they do have a trial version.

They have similar software for Oracle, Firebird, Postgres, MS-SQL, DB2, SQL lite, SQL anywhere and universal (ODBC) databases.

890

Living Room / Re: Interesting "stuff"

« Last post by Shades on August 31, 2016, 07:54 PM »

I foresee the return of the 'luggables' again...

891

Clipboard Help+Spell / Re: How to consolidate separate/disparate CHS databases into a single one?

« Last post by Shades on August 27, 2016, 02:58 PM »

Never installed the software and haven't got any other experience with CHS.

There is a manual way of doing this if those CHS databases store their content in a text-based file (which you can easily find out by opening these files in the text-editor of your choice). You might be able to copy the content of one database file into the database you want to keep.

If these are text based files, links to images (and their associated content) should remain intact.

Re-attaching orphans you could do by matching their ID with the clip ID you desire.

However, if CHS databases are spread over multiple files, even if these are text-based, you will have a harder time (un-)matching IDs for all the tasks you have planned.

There is a piece of software called: FlowHeater Designer (free and commercial license). This software can create a 'connector' between databases and/or files for easy import/export of data in the way that you want. Not nearly as powerful as MS BizzTalk from yesteryear, but it uses those concepts quite well.

892

General Software Discussion / Re: Desktop tool for programmatically removing URL's from PDF files

« Last post by Shades on August 27, 2016, 09:41 AM »

Do you use DNS servers from your ISP or public ones?

A public one, such as OpenDNS (P: 208.67.222.222, S: 208.67.220.220) has (free and commercial) filter options that will help protect your users from themselves when they click on links to bad sites.

But if you are a diehard, run your own/company DNS server and have much more control over what sites your users are able to visit at any given moment.
Or if you channel internet access from all your users through a hardware or software router device, try to find out if it supports the use of "blacklists". If that is the case, add whatever site to that blacklist and your users are protected as well. Do keep that "blacklist" up-to-date though. All of these pointers do not require you to batch edit PDF files for bad/hidden links. You might want to take inventory of new bad links in new pdf files that come in by batch/manual processing these.

Some routers even let you make a custom "landing" HTML page that is served to a user who tries to visit any link in that blacklist.

For example: I use an old AMD dual core based white-box PC with 2GByte of RAM and 3 network cards in combination with OPNsense router software (FreeBSD). I have 2 different ISPs, each using one network card, the last network card is used to connect to a big switch that provides internet to all computers  hooked up to that switch (by cable or access points). A rather basic setup...but I like things simple.

You manage this OPNsense router software in your browser and gives you a lot of control about what your users can or cannot do on the either the network or the internet at any given time. Routing, NAT, Firewall, DNS, DHCP, Blacklists, VPN, graphical overviews of (current and historical) traffic, it does everything. The amount of options it comes with, might be overwhelming at first, but once it is setup as you like it...you don't want to use any other system anymore. And there are free/open source/commercial expansions available if the standard functionality isn't enough for your intents and purposes.

The OPNsense router software is a fork of the pfSense router software, which is in turn a fork of the mO0nwall software. If you are interested in playing with these software routers, there is a lot of forums and instructional videos available for free support. Especially for pfSense. But if so inclined, you also are able to buy books and premium support for whatever exotic wish (regarding network setup) you might have.

My choice of OPNsense 16.1 over pfSense 2.3 is mainly its interface. Although pfSense version 2.3 has a drastically improved interface, I just like the OPNsense one better.

893

Living Room / Re: Hidden Netflix Marathon Gems to Watch Online

« Last post by Shades on August 26, 2016, 09:15 PM »

I'm in complete agreement with wraith808 regarding Stranger Things. Best to see it without knowing too much. And for some (read: me) it is a nice trip to memory lane too.

894

General Software Discussion / Re: Desktop tool for programmatically removing URL's from PDF files

« Last post by Shades on August 26, 2016, 08:53 AM »

http://pdfedit.petricek.net/index_e.html  - this one should be able to what you ask for free.

Other non-adobe PDF editors that might prove useful:
http://www.tracker-s...t/pdf-xchange-editor
http://code-industry.net/pdfeditor.php
http://www.4dots-sof...pdf-metadata-editor/

895

General Software Discussion / Re: Desktop tool for programmatically removing URL's from PDF files

« Last post by Shades on August 26, 2016, 12:22 AM »

https://appligent.com/server-software/redax-enterprise-server/

Not for free, but the redax server product of the linked company looks to be up to your task.

896

Living Room / Re: Anybody on DC own an RV/Campervan, or completed a conversion?

« Last post by Shades on August 23, 2016, 11:17 AM »

Tiny House Nation is another show about tiny houses (usually on a trailer) that should get you inspired.

897

General Software Discussion / Re: Script or tool to create HTML Signature for Outlook email

« Last post by Shades on August 21, 2016, 10:45 PM »

If you are dead set on having anyone fill in that kind of information themselves, perhaps is it an idea to use a webform generator from which you couple the user-filled in fields to the appropriate fields in the HTML layout you already have created.

However, I would take the necessary user info from the HR database of the company you work for. That way the user content already has been scrutinized/sanitized. In my experience, having users fill in their own content leads to more headache than you bargained for. Practically anything is better than too much user generated input, so if you don't have a HR database but only an excel sheet, use the excel sheet.

From your previous requests I recall that you are a fan of Batch scripts and you can even use that to generate user-specific mail footer. Granted, you need to be a bit masochistic for that.

Spoiler

Each time I need to generate a specific build of my software, I need to run a set of batch scripts (that hardly have been changed the last 15 years) on a specific build PC on a different continent. Last year, I was asked to extend this set of Batch scripts with a new one that generates a specific mail message including build name, number, hash codes, etc. and send this to a very specific mail group. Besides initiating this set of scripts, no other human interaction desired at all. In essence an automatically generated newsletter for a very specific mailing group. Let me say that I am pretty knowledgeable about the level of masochism you need for doing these kind of things in Batch. 

.

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Living Room / Re: Anybody on DC own an RV/Campervan, or completed a conversion?

« Last post by Shades on August 21, 2016, 12:27 AM »

To be honest, I wasn't aware of such devices. Heat exchangers/heat engines I did know about, but efficiency of such devices is pretty poor (when not in a controlled lab environment).

After skimming over this document (pdf) it says that the efficiency of thermoelectric generators is even worse. Apparently these cost very little, but if the energy returned by these these devices is relatively little, seems to me like a waste of money.

The document also includes a concept from BMW where they their exhaust system in combination with these generators to generate power. Waste heat from an oven or small kitchen device seems to me hardly worth the effort. Besides, whatever waste heat is coming off these devices will indirectly help with heating the inside of the RV. And that goes a long way when the RV is well insulated, as it will help with the expenditure of LPG to keep your RV on the temperature you have set on your thermostat.

Perhaps you would better spend the money you would set aside for those generators om buying thermal underwear. Retaining the heat your own body generates is the most efficient way of keeping yourself comfortable. Your body has no problem heating the extremities (hands/feet) when the torso remains heated. As a bonus, such underwear doesn't get in the way when you move around in the RV. Parking the RV out of the wind will make you spend much less energy than you could ever hope to regain with the use of thermoelectric generators.

899

General Software Discussion / Re: Google killing Chrome apps on Windows/Linux/Mac

« Last post by Shades on August 20, 2016, 11:54 AM »

Which shows that not only Microsoft can make d.ck moves with their software and support.

<rant>
Of course, the software is theirs and both Google and MS can do what they want with it. But if both companies acted with the same mentality in their early years, the computing landscape would have looked very different...no matter how much Balmer would have chanted: "Developers, developers, developers...".

Weren't there also some Google plans to scrap ChromeOS in a year or two, replacing it with their Android product? Now we need only to Apple to come out with 'iOS X' and all of the major OS companies have each only one operating system that drives their phones, tablets, computers and IoT devices.
</rant>

900

Living Room / Re: Anybody on DC own an RV/Campervan, or completed a conversion?

« Last post by Shades on August 20, 2016, 02:20 AM »

Get one where the walls have piping and a pump to push the centrally heated fluids through those. I have spent several days in winter with ice and snow outside (12h a day in the toy expo in Nuremberg, Germany, the rest of the time in the RV) en it was actually very comfortable inside the RV. It used a RV-sized small gas tank and we refilled it once a week. Shower, cooking plate and fridge could be powered by either gas or electricity in that RV, which could handle a max of 6 people sleeping (3x2person bed) in it

Solar energy did cause a problem though. During the day it kept the battery charged, but at night the voltage level dropped, tripping the car alarm, which wouldn't shut off at all. The next day we were rather urgently asked to leave the camping spot and pay a fine for disturbing the rest of the other people staying the night there. Better find out if you have that kind of problem with your RV before you embark on your 12 month journey.

You have different types of solar panels. While most still generate power with daylight alone, some panels are generating more than others. There are even panels that can generate a small amount of power when it rains on them. Those are much more useful in the UK, I would assume. 

Depending on the size of the RV/motorhome you will reduce your energy consumption. Mainly because there is much less room to even have big appliances. Or computers. Laptops won't be that big of a deal, energy-wise or space-wise.

Good insulation and electric devices that only use the infra-red spectrum (instead of the common radiating units) help a lot with keeping the RV warm in winter too. These spend much less energy to keep you comfortable, are much more durable than the standard electric heater and you won't wake up with a major headache afterwards. Consider those if you have an RV without plumbing to heat you in winter.

If you must use a fuel powered generator, get an external one and forgo the use of the engine in the RV. External ones are build for the task and are much easier/cheaper to replace if something does go wrong. And make sure you ventilate, day and night if possible.

Last, but not least...keep your spirits up. Living in rather cramped space requires a certain mindset, which a lot of people think they have or can work on. Two/three weeks everyone can handle, but longer periods, such as 12 months in your case, that is much, much harder. Do not underestimate this, the money you'll be saving by living this way, could easily be spent on divorce settlements afterwards.