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926

Developer's Corner / Launching Google search in Visual Basic - Help?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 31, 2008, 05:12 PM »

Hey everybody,

Using the WebBrowser control, I had an issue getting a search box (returning a Null variable value). I changed it to search directly (via Google) however VB doesn't want to pass the user's search terms into the Google URL that I have. Tried quotes in every logical location, changed variables, used the {} brackets (not sure what they are called) around the variable... nothing works.

The search box (basic text box) is called txtSearch, and the variable is WebSearch. Here is the code...

[Select]

    Private Sub DoSearch()
        Dim WebSearch As String
        WebSearch = txtSearch.Text
        AppManager.CurrentBrowser.Navigate("http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=", txtSearch.Text)
    End Sub

The browser WILL go to the page, but ONLY the Google home page (because there is no search term being sent).

Can anyone help me out? It has to be simple, but I simply cannot get it!

-Brandon

927

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 30, 2008, 11:25 PM »

Alright, button fiasco has been resolved. The buttons somehow came "unattatched" from their Click event strings (the event that occurs when you click the button) and they therefore weren't doing anything. So that is all fixed.

However, speaking on Curt's issue - all the AppLaunch buttons were fine; make sure the programs are installed to the default directories AND in the C:\ drive. I don't understand the Windows registry very well, so I can't determine program locations on individual computers. I just launched another Firefox window by clicking Start Firefox, so the buttons do in fact work.

No program updates though, I have some more work to do to get SB (SmartBrowse) working with SS (SnapSuite) properly. And I have a couple problems with it I need to fix.

-Brandon

928

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 30, 2008, 04:16 AM »

I plan on making SmartBrowse somewhat Standalone, as it will be launched seperately from SnapSuite as soon as I get this 2.0 ready for mainstream usage (huge gaping bug may force me to remove the Search box ). But it is good to know that you like it!

Yes, IE8 Beta 1 is already out, but all I see in it is more annoying updating (I spent 3 weeks getting IE7 Beta 2 uninstalled, WITH Microsoft "support"!!!) and nothing more than an updated interface and "web standards" support. Nonetheless, I have a lot of options at my disposal currently to tweak this web browser and keep it up to date - it can be annoying, but I learn a lot through trial and error.

Curt, your idea of running SnapSuite to "run" another program died on the last main release. Right now, SnapScreen is built into SnapSuite (you click it and it works right there), SmartBrowse I may add a desktop shortcut to after this, but basically this is how you are "supposed" to use SnapSuite...

SnapSuite is meant to be open all the time now. It is a "holder" for everything inside. You just navigate to what you need and use it. It launches next to no external programs now (check the folder %Program Files%\SnapSuite 2008 and you will see a few EXEs for SystemCare and ~15 other files; mostly for other small uses that I need to clean up. The DLLs control MediaControl, by the way.).

And yes, I know of this strange bug - NONE of the buttons work for some wierd reason ??? Only the SystemCare buttons on the left (OneStep) work. I have absolutely NO idea what is causing this, but it will be fixed before I send out a new update.

929

Living Room / Re: Idea: "DC Member Book X - Volume 1" - Request For Volunteers

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 30, 2008, 04:06 AM »

YAY!!!

930

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: Boot Linux From USB Flash Drive

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 29, 2008, 12:54 PM »

GRUB is nothing more than a boot loader. It lets you choose between various bootable Operating Systems. Most major Linux distributions install it automatically to your MBR when you install the distro - you can usually change it to be installed to the flash drive itself in advanced options.

It can be tricky though, so if you plan on trying what I did, proceed with caution.

931

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: Boot Linux From USB Flash Drive

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 29, 2008, 03:55 AM »

I run a linux destro on my laptop via USB hard drive - I just installed the thing to the external drive and let GRUB be the boot loader. Only problem is that I need the hard drive to boot the laptop, but I always have them both together.

I have tried guides to making USB devices bootable, and all the ones I have read, quite frankly, suck. It is basically a guess-and-check process - every computer and device is different, so you have to fiddle to get it to work. Just depends on your needs, your options, and your computer setup.

932

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 29, 2008, 03:36 AM »

While 48x48 sounds large, most people have large screens and high resolution graphics cards these days (including integrated) so it is actually just enough to feel "cozy" (IMO). I might make the buttons smaller, but I don't really see a reason to. 32x32 just feels too... Windows 9x (once again, my opinion).

It is easy to use, but it can have issues with multimedia for some reason (YouTube video controls suddenly stop taking commands, for instance). Not sure why. Fixed with a close+open, or waiting a few seconds sometimes. Still looking for problems. Seems that is the only one...so far...

(I am actually using this right now (SmartBrowse), I actually like it...more than my FireFox install... it is kinda scaring me )

933

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 29, 2008, 12:57 AM »

Alright, as a suprise to everyone (with a select three or so excluded) I am now typing this on the new SmartBrowse. This version is deemed 2.0, and was created off of the base code of IE7Clone (publically available code by Thomas Maxwell -the author of the tab control system is Eduardo Oliveira). I took this openly available browser, converted it to VB 9.0 code, and dumbed it down - while some may not like what they are about to read, I may add it in later, depending on requests.

Items removed:

IE7-style notification bar
Download manager interface (it wasn't complete, so I didn't see a reason to keep it...)
Options
RSS reader
History
Bookmarks
a few other things...

However, SmartBrowse is a "basic" browser. Right now though, it has several advantages...

Popup blocker (this is standard nowadays, but still)
Phishing Filter (yep, I left this one in - it is untested, but should work normally; if I did it right, it should be silent)
(Lightening) Fast - opens fast, tabs (oh yea, did I mention tabs?) open and close fast (tabs close faster than you can react!!!)
TABS!!! Open as many as you want! Browser fanatics rejoyce!
Standard Ctrl+T tab opening (however no Ctrl+W tab closing)
Uses the IE rendering engine, so you can use your favorite sites (and Microsoft Update too!)
Has encryption for websites (banks, PayPal, etc)
Pages load EXTREMELY quickly
Supports Java/Flash AND SILVERLIGHT (!)
Large (48x48) buttons keep everything easy to use at the top of the browser
No extra clutter - everything is at the top, with a *tiny* statusbar at the bottom.
Automatically maximizes on startup - allowing you to view the web without anything in your way
Use and manage web search engines
Easy to use - ANYONE can use this - you get no questions, no menus, nothing - it is still the simplest browser (if you know of an easier one, let me know!)

I have attatched a screenshot of the current setup below - note that there is no "Clear Browsing Data" button right now. After I post this (and get done browsing youtube I will add that back in. I will probobally make the URL bar longer, and a couple other things.

  PLEASE! (I don't have a spell checker on this, so please forgive my (most likely many) mistakes )

-Brandon

934

Living Room / Re: 1s y0ur $0n a c0#pu73r h3x0r??

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 28, 2008, 09:44 PM »

I read this article a while back, it is pretty funny when you sit and think about it.

IMO, the best part of the whole thing is the first paragraph in the "article"...

Most American families use trusted and responsible Internet Service Providers, such as AOL.

I couldn't stop laughing the first time I read that Trusted and responsible...HA... (no offense to the poor followers of AOL...well, maybe a little... )

Also, note the poll at the top right...

I'm scared of hackers because...
   They hack into NASA    5%
   They steal things    4%
   They are violent sociopaths    4%
   They use amphetamines and speed    7%
   They help Osama Bin Laden    14%
   They're un-American    5%
   They smell bad    58%

935

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 27, 2008, 10:07 PM »

Yea...that

936

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 27, 2008, 09:34 PM »

OK, here we go - just another beta upload, the buttons still don't work (see above), however this build brings 2 updates and a bugfix

Features:

1) The GUI is now exactly 800x600 (so, while it uses the entire screen, it still works 100% on 800x600 now - and SystemCare hides when you run maintenance now, so there isn't much of an issue with this...)

2) A much planned and finally completed update of InstantSweep. This version is *really* instant, as you will only see it for ~1/2 a second on older computers (newer PCs in good condition may only see a flash). It eliminates the annoying MessageBoxes, and replaces it with an updating GUI. A ProgressBar was planned, but it cleaned so fast in my tests that I found it idiotic to add such a thing.


Bugfix:

1) NTREGOPT was missing its language localization file (I only include the US English version, just to let you know). I have added this file back in so NTREGOPT is now usable. (Visual Basic didn't know what the file was, so it ignored it at build time.)

It is at the same link, http://mazecraze.dci...202008%20Private.exe, so grab it if you want it.

Just FYI, this version is codenamed "Minimized" (due to the loss of 88 pixels in width and 16 in height!)

-Brandon

EDIT: It appears that NONE of the Custom maintenance buttons work! I will fix this and upload tomorrow along with a couple other tweaks.

937

General Software Discussion / Re: What’s this "Linux" thing and why should i try it?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 27, 2008, 08:17 PM »

Ubuntu is nice if you don't need to do anything special, but as soon as you do, you're back to opening terminals and hand-editing config files. Last time I checked, things like installing Java, decent video drivers, and getting multi-monitor support were to be considered special

-f0dder (March 19, 2008, 04:55 AM)

Yes, I had to reformat my Xubuntu install because of a bad video card setup (the built in drivers fscked up) and after reinstalling, reconfiguring and getting all my files back on the partition, I had to use the RECOVERY CONSOLE to login as root to install my ATI drivers. Most idiotic process I have ever seen.

Although, my Java install was quite easy...

938

Developer's Corner / Re: Programming in the Linux operating system: where to start?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 27, 2008, 04:53 PM »

I am trying out KDevelop now, the designer is similar to that of Microsoft Visual Studio. I like it, but it will be a while before I understand how to work with everything and get an actual application working.

939

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 27, 2008, 01:45 AM »

Double posting, but oh well...

Curt and tomos can try out the latest beta, available at http://mazecraze.dci...ite 2008 Private.exe

Sorry Curt, it is still a little over 800 wide, but you *shouldn't* miss anything important. I still need to shrink it a bit.

The Custom buttons for Total Care in SystemCare do NOT function yet, but you can still use the ones above them (same buttons, but the bottom ones just don't have functions yet).

Please tell me what you like and don't like, and tell me if the CrossLoop idea (see the second SystemCare tab) is good or bad.

-Brandon

940

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / SnapSuite Box Art

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 27, 2008, 01:03 AM »

By the way, Walt did this for me about a year or so ago, when I was in the middle of building the 3rd rewrite of the AHK SnapSuite. It is a very good graphic and I plan on putting it on the website soon.

Image here: http://img187.images.../snapsuiteboxwq9.jpg

Now, if only that was on a shelf, in a store...

941

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 26, 2008, 11:55 PM »

You have to enter some command into the ... whatchamacallit...

Its like "/newent base 0" or something? I don't quite remember (you could just copy paste a base from the DC map...).

942

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 26, 2008, 11:32 PM »

 

You didn't miss anything, the server was down all today (hosting a personal clan server on Halo Custom Edition, and torrents, and Linux conversion)

It has been up about an hour now, so if you get it working, join up!

EDIT: The map also supports "Capture" mode now (essentially a CTF varient). Very fun.

943

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 26, 2008, 07:45 PM »

Ahh! I will see what I can do about trimming those extra pixels off. Will work on it later today as I am currently in Linux, tinkering about (SnapSuite for *nix, one day, perhaps ).

I was hoping that 800x600 was gone, but oh well - it is no problem

944

Developer's Corner / Programming in the Linux operating system: where to start?

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 26, 2008, 07:42 PM »

I have recently made a somewhat successful (and exciting) attempt to switch to the Linux operating system, and have chosen to use Xubuntu with the Xfce 4 desktop environment to let me get a good solid chance this time around (I have tried many Linux distributions before, but this one seems to just "work" for me). I have it installed and all is running well so far (updates are downloading, music is playing, Firefox is letting me post, etc).

So I am wondering, if and how can I produce small/basic applications on my distro? According to what I have read about this particular distribution, the desktop environment has many options for developers looking to create items for Xfce.

Could anyone point me in a direction of where to start? I would really love to learn how to make things for Linux, as I have done for Windows.

-Brandon

945

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 26, 2008, 03:52 PM »

I have not yet uploaded that version above, simply because I am making small changes to unrelated things in the program (MediaControl's player interface is not tall enough, for example). I am currently preparing to install Xubuntu, but I will try to remember to upload a beta version to be played with later today/early tomorrow

946

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / New GUI for SystemCare - lots of room for additional items

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 26, 2008, 01:54 PM »

OK, I have a new idea for the GUI setup, screenshots attached, opinions requested

I moved everything into a more easy-to-understand setup on the main page, and the second page is now organized (I may put the virus scanner web browser into that large space on the right, but I am not sure yet).

Note the black background by the way - it is a hint to another thing I am working on.

EDIT: Also, I am working on several more options for SystemCare, so this will NOT be the final GUI, but it may be very close to it. There will be more tabs and options, etc.

947

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 26, 2008, 12:12 PM »

In the process of "repairing" the somewhat crappy GUI, I have gone on a deletion spree and had to ask Wordzilla to help me repair my Startup Form (or lack thereof). All is fixed though now.

(If you don't know, a "Startup Form" is the window that opens when you run a program )

I am going to dive into the SystemCare interface next, as I think that is what most people use SnapSuite for anyways. I hope to set it up so that is it more "comfortable" for most people to use. (You don't have to pause and ask yourself, wait, what does this really do?)

I personally hate the current setup, as it is nothing but buttons - default buttons in a typical tabbed layout. It works, but thats about all you can say for it.

So basically, I will try to push an update through DcUpdater late this week/end and see how it works.

948

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online/CompuTech (my) programs

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 25, 2008, 06:53 PM »

Few improvements, some stuff changed, not a lot, but it works.

The latest version (BETA) can be had here: http://mazecraze.dci...ite 2008 Private.exe

It has the new button configuration as well as some font changes and a few other things. Nothing to get overly excited about.

Oh, AutoType hotkeys work now - you have to have SnapSuite as the active window, but you can be on any tab - it hides SnapSuite, then sends the text to the window behind it, then brings SnapSuite back. Not the best setup, but they work.

949

Living Room / Shopping for a cheaper-than-dirt MacBook

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 25, 2008, 06:49 PM »

I have been looking for the past couple weeks ALL OVER the internet (Google, ebay Amazan, and a few more) for a Macintosh laptop that I can use for tinkering and possibly programming. I don't need anything dual core or more than a GB of RAM, just a basic system that can work and not stall out. If anyone has an older Macbook/iBook/G3/G4/G5 that they don't need anymore, and they can sell it for around $300, I would really be interested in buying it. I have found a couple really good deals, but the hardware is too minimal for what I need (10GB HD, 256MB RAM, basic CD drive).

Can anyone direct me as to where I can find a stable but cheap Mac laptop? Or does anyone have one collecting dust?

-Brandon

950

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

« Last post by wreckedcarzz on March 24, 2008, 03:41 AM »

Just an FYI: The server will be down for about 6-8 hours starting now, due to a power shortage where I live (it would seem some individual has collided their vehicle into a local power generator). So to help keep the whole house running and keep the server PC from harm, I am simply going to shut it down. It will be back up later today.

-Brandon

EDIT: Server back online - it killed my computers MAC address data (the server) so I had to fix the DMZ on the router, but it appears all is working now.