Recent Posts

9751

DC Gamer Club / Re: 30 PC Games to Play Before You Die

« Last post by wraith808 on May 01, 2009, 08:18 AM »

Indeed. Mirror's Edge, Postal 2 (WTH!)... you're not missing anything if you do not play those two.

-Lashiec (April 30, 2009, 05:13 PM)

I thought the premise of Mirror's Edge looked cool... why didn't you like it if you don't mind me asking...

And I really hate sites that divide their articles into little snippets to increase their pageviews.

-ghacks (April 30, 2009, 05:38 PM)

Here, here!  I really like some of Entertainment Weekly's articles, but they always separate their list into separate pages.

I have 90% of these games at home and played about 20% of them.

-Crush (May 01, 2009, 06:02 AM)

You sound like me- more money than time to play.  Especially now that I've gotten into MMOs..

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DC Gamer Club / Re: 30 PC Games to Play Before You Die

« Last post by wraith808 on April 30, 2009, 03:59 PM »

i definitely don't agree with that list (only played a couple of them) but it's an interesting read.

-mouser (April 30, 2009, 01:29 PM)

I'm with you!  I've played more than a couple, but they missed several IMO, and some of the ones they put on there are just plain puzzling.

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Developer's Corner / Re: Easy Small Free Windows Language that does cool GUIs??

« Last post by wraith808 on April 25, 2009, 01:02 PM »

If you like Delphi but want something newer than v5 and you want it for free, you could try the Turbo Delphi Explorer.

Of course you are not going to be able to just drag & drop and have magical custom shaped GUI's. You are going to have to learn how to code them.

I have done some interesting image based GUI stuff in Delphi, coding all the stuff for the buttons & everything myself, in Delphi 6.

Attached is a demo of what I did (buttons don't actually do anything, but it does display how they look when clicked). Eventually, when I finish what I want to do with it (might not be for a long time), I plan on releasing it as a set of components, but don't hold your breath waiting on that.

-app103 (April 25, 2009, 12:10 AM)

Well, that wouldn't work, would it?  You can't install 3p components in Turbo Delphi Explorer...

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General Software Discussion / Re: Windows editors - do they have to be so bad?

« Last post by wraith808 on April 24, 2009, 08:27 AM »

I'm not Jussi, but I've downloaded and installed it and it appears to be a 'registered' copy upon installation.

-mwb1100 (April 23, 2009, 12:21 PM)

What mwb1100 is 100% correct. This is a fully registered version of Zeus that will never expire and can be used free of charged.

But remember this version is about 5 years old, so it is missing a lot of features found in the latest Zeus release.

If you find the software is missing a feature, chances are that feature will exist in the latest Zeus release

-Jussi Jumppanen (April 24, 2009, 12:24 AM)

Well, your participation here made me give it a look, and if it's as good as it seems, I might not have to spend so much money on SlickEdit   Is Zeus portable, i.e. can you run it off of a USB stick?

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General Software Discussion / Re: Windows editors - do they have to be so bad?

« Last post by wraith808 on April 24, 2009, 08:16 AM »

I'll bear that in mind!  But I'd guess that also makes it faster and lighter weight for older hardware like my Win98SE laptop - which, admittedly, even I will have to replace with Vista UAC hell when I get some time to set the new one up.

-rjbull (April 24, 2009, 03:30 AM)

Vista UAC hell is only UAC hell if you enable it... 

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Site/Forum Features / Re: A DonationCoder job section for DC Coders?

« Last post by wraith808 on April 23, 2009, 08:35 AM »

I didn't make it a closed group... should I do that?  I figured that just like this forum, anyone who wanted to should be able to join...

Thoughts?

9757

Developer's Corner / Re: Easy Small Free Windows Language that does cool GUIs??

« Last post by wraith808 on April 22, 2009, 09:24 PM »

If you're familiar with Delphi, then you might try Lazarus. 

From the site:

So just what is Lazarus?

Lazarus is the class libraries for Free Pascal that emulate Delphi. Free Pascal is a GPL'ed compiler that runs on Linux, Win32, OS/2, 68K and more. Free Pascal is designed to be able to understand and compile Delphi syntax, which is of course OOP. Lazarus is the part of the missing puzzle that will allow you to develop Delphi like programs in all of the above platforms. Unlike Java which strives to be a write once run anywhere, Lazarus and Free Pascal strives for write once compile anywhere. Since the exact same compiler is available on all of the above platforms it means you don't need to do any recoding to produce identical products for different platforms.
Yeah, but what about the GUI? What widget set are you using?

That is the neat part. You decide. Lazarus is being developed to be totally and completely API independent. Once you write your code you just link it against the API widget set of your choice. If you want to use GTK+, great! If you want it to be Gnome compliant, great! As long as the interface code for the widget set you want to use is available you can link to it. If it isn't available, well you can write it.

For example. Let's say you are creating a product on Windows using the standard Windows widgets. Now you want to create a Linux version. First you decide what widget set you want to use. Let's assume you want to use gtk+. So you copy the code over to your Linux development machine, compile, and link against the gtk+ interface unit. That's it. You've now just created a Linux version of the Windows product without any additional coding.

At this point in the development we are using gtk+ as our initial API widget set. Some work is also being done with Qt and the Win32 API. As soon as Lazarus reaches a 1.0 release developers will be able to start to create the interface unit to tie the LCL (Lazarus Component Libraries) to other widget sets.
So is this thing really RAD like Delphi?

It sure is. Is it totally completed? No not yet. The forms design portion is still in need of a great deal of development. The over all IDE is complete and can be used for most programming needs. Several aspects of the project are still in need of help. Hint. Hint.
Can I use my existing Delphi code?

Some of it yes. If the code is standard Delphi pascal and it uses the standard components found in Delphi then the answer is yes. If it uses some specific database, OCX, or DCU then the answer would be no. These items are specific to Windows and would only work on and within Windows. However, if you are only looking to create a Windows product using Free Pascal and Lazarus then the answer would be yes. This hasn't been added to the LCL yet but it should be possible in the future.
Can I create commercial products with this?

Yes. The code for the Free Pascal compiler is licensed under the GPL. This means that it is open source, free, whatever name you want to stick to it. You can modify the code if you wish but you MUST distribute those changes or make them available to others if they wish to use it.

The FCL (Free Pascal Component Libraries) and the LCL (which will eventually become part of the FCL) are licensed under a modified LGPL. In a nut shell this means that you can write your own proprietary software that just links to these libraries. You can sell your application without the need to supply or make available your code. However, as with the compiler if you make modifications to the FCL or LCL you must make those changes available to the general public and the world.

If you'd rather a more stable project, and can use C#, then I'd also recommend checking out SharpDevelop.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Website design recommendations for a small business site?

« Last post by wraith808 on April 22, 2009, 09:21 PM »

Thanks for that, wraith. Can I ask a favor, please? When I look at templates like these:

(1)  http://www.4template...emplates/20/AX0398BL
(2)  http://www.4template...templates/2/AX0237GR

I cannot easily tell whether the section links (the column of blue menu buttons in the middle in (1); the row of black buttons under the main banner in (2)) are made of images or text. Do you know, or can you tell by looking at the screenshots, or by comparing with the templates you have used yourself? The screenshots they show are too small to tell the difference, and whoever is running the site isn't responding to questions asked via their contact form.

Also, the templates you bought from them - are they fixed width or fluid? Thanks a lot in advance!

-tranglos (April 22, 2009, 06:50 PM)

They are usually images- they are given as blank images, and you are given the fonts to put what you want on them yourself.  I usually convert them to photoshop format, then create a new layer for the text and any effects.  Then I save the psd files for later use and flatten them for the actual web images.

Look at this template for an example: http://www.4template...emplates/20/VA0113BL
And my website: http://www.ankhana.net

This template came with the psds of the completed site look, html for the index and the inside pages, and the images sliced into 21 files with no text or anything.

As far as the second part of your question, it depends on the template.  The best way to see is to go to the search form, then search for the item number and click dynamic width.  If it comes back with nothing, then it's not dynamic, i.e. AX0398BL appears to be fixed width and height.  Template monster is better about responding to your queries, but of course the templates there cost more.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

9759

General Software Discussion / Re: Website design recommendations for a small business site?

« Last post by wraith808 on April 22, 2009, 06:15 PM »

I've used templatemonster.com and 4templates.com for templates before, and I love the templates.  I haven't seen anyone using the same templates as I, so the incidence of duplication, at least in my case, was low.  I just used photoshop and dreamweaver to customize, and off I went...

9760

General Software Discussion / Re: What's the dfference between using portable installaions vs PortableApps?

« Last post by wraith808 on April 22, 2009, 03:17 PM »

If you click on options, then refresh menu, it will pick up all executables in the subdirectories directly under the PortableApps directory.  This can be bad of course... which is why I like geek.Menu better since it allows you to hide extra executables, and also to rename the ones that are found to something more recognizeable.

9761

Site/Forum Features / Re: A DonationCoder job section for DC Coders?

« Last post by wraith808 on April 21, 2009, 05:04 PM »

Done.  The page for the group is http://www.linkedin....6&trk=anet_ug_hm

If there needs to be changes or someone else wants to be administrator, let me know... I just figured I'd get it started

9762

Living Room / Re: Is your online life in your will? (Backups, passwords, etc.)

« Last post by wraith808 on April 21, 2009, 04:55 PM »

^ This.  And when in the absence of your influence, best laid plans about what happens to your data after you pass can go awry...

9763

General Software Discussion / Re: CintaNotes

« Last post by wraith808 on April 21, 2009, 12:34 PM »

It doesn't lock up on my machine- I just didn't find myself using it.  It's still on my portable drive, but I now have nothing stored in it

9764

Living Room / Re: ZDNET: Have we arrived in the post-Windows era?

« Last post by wraith808 on April 21, 2009, 12:33 PM »

Well, in the scheme of things, I fell into the Vista is already installed, why not try it.  I've even received free upgrades to vista that I didn't install b/c of the press and the feeling of "it's already working, so why try something that everyone is complaining about."

The real reason(IMHO) to upgrade from 3.1 to 95/98 to XP was software- there's no such impetus for Vista.

9765

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: fishCode Library .NET and Capture .NET Pro 20% discount

« Last post by wraith808 on April 21, 2009, 09:54 AM »

It's good to state your relationship to the software in question for the sake of full disclosure...  especially with two posts, both harping this one product...

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Living Room / Re: ZDNET: Have we arrived in the post-Windows era?

« Last post by wraith808 on April 21, 2009, 09:22 AM »

I truly don't know why it gets such bad press.  I've had my moments, but most of those have been a result of wanting to do things myself, and vista 'protecting' me from messing things up, because it wanted to fix it (and admittedly did- if not as fast as I wanted).  But overall, it hasn't been a bad experience.

9767

General Software Discussion / Re: What's the dfference between using portable installaions vs PortableApps?

« Last post by wraith808 on April 20, 2009, 12:17 PM »

I always have hardtime understanding the logic behind a "portable app" "installer". Why cannot they provide a simple zip file containing what is needed to run the damn thing?

If someone wants to provide a menu application that is fine but however an installer does not make life easier. I think that the best way would be a menu builder that scans the pointed drive for exe, bat, jar etc then it creates the menu based on those apps on a drive or in folders.

-kartal (April 20, 2009, 12:33 AM)

Actually, the portable apps menu (and by extension geek.menu) allow you to do this.  There is a directory where your portable apps are installed, and if you install/unzip a new .exe there, then refresh the menu, it automagically picks up any apps directly in subdirectories under the PortableApps directory.

9768

General Software Discussion / Re: Set GMail as default email client - not just in browser

« Last post by wraith808 on April 17, 2009, 12:49 PM »

I'm sorry, ill share. It is not doable with google talk or notifier. I wanted gmail to act as default e-mail program, so when a program or my keyboard sent the command to open mail, gmail will be opened.

-Coeluh (April 17, 2009, 10:50 AM)

That's specifically what that article I linked talked about doing... I might have to try to see if it acts as advertised; I know yahoo does, because I installed the yahoo version for my wife.

9769

Note Taking Software / Re: SuperboyAC's Notetaking Software Roundup #1

« Last post by wraith808 on April 17, 2009, 09:52 AM »

Folks, the main point of my post was retention...

...
One thing about Evernote 2... ...that is not documented is its ability to save in real time. 

I have never lost any keystroke when the screen went the BSOD-ish shade of blue!   So, if one needs to have the assurance that what is being typed will not be lost, then Evernote 2 is the ticket. 
...

-CodeTRUCKER (April 16, 2009, 12:28 PM)

Unfortunately, the Evernote 3 client lost this very valuable capability.  In my trials of E3 if there was a BSOD or in random testing of cutting power manually and my assistant dropping the battery at an unannounced moment while I was typing E3 did not retain the keystrokes after the Return/Save.

For whatever reason, I am unable to retain my train of thought while typing since I think fast and type slow.  In cases where I was typing away and the PC glitched, I was unable to rebuild the scenario.  Most frustrating.  

Evernote 2 kept every keystroke regardless of the reason for the PC calamity.  This significantly lowered the stress level and I never had to worry about AutoSave either.

To me this is the singular, albeit, "undocumented" feature that makes Evernote 2 stand taller than the rest. 

If there is a chance to lose what you write, what good is any editor, note-taker, word-processor, etc.?

-CodeTRUCKER (April 17, 2009, 12:49 AM)

Since I started using EN3, I haven't had that issue, and I've had a variety of issues with crashing and such, even as far as the sysadmins shutting down my machine with no notice!  Perhaps it was an issue with the version of EN3 that you were using?  Without saving or syncing, my stuff is always there...

9770

Note Taking Software / Re: SuperboyAC's Notetaking Software Roundup #1

« Last post by wraith808 on April 16, 2009, 03:50 PM »

I open evernote 3, and my information is there.  If I enter a password it syncs.  If  I don't, it lets me edit what I have locally.  Even if I do sync, my information is not publicly available, but secured by a password.  I can also create a local notebook that never syncs, but I haven't used that facility.  *shrugs*

I could do things another way as far as syncing my information, but tools like dropbox, evernote, and google documents make it so I don't have to.  As far as features, it does support nested tagging, attributes, and multiple notebooks, but beyond that I couldn't tell you if it was dumbed down as I never used it very much before 3, even though I had a license.   Now with version 3, I use it all the time.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Another 'Lifetime' license bites the dust

« Last post by wraith808 on April 16, 2009, 02:34 PM »

Slysoft should have created a new product AnyHD that cannot do DVD at all, and then package with every license of AnyHD a free license to AnyDVD so that its users can do DVDs as well.

-CWuestefeld (April 16, 2009, 01:24 PM)

Why should a user of AnyHD have to suffer for the sake of mindset?  Suffer how you ask?  To have to open separate applications just so people's 'mindset' would be in a certain way.  It's sort of like regular versions vs pro versions- the pro version has more features than the regular version, but both are built into the same application.  What's wrong with that?

-wraith808 (April 16, 2009, 02:10 PM)

It is not a "separate app"; it simply adds the ability to strip the copy protection from HD-DVD and BRD. People open the exact same application that they always have. It just has more capabilities.

Slysoft was the first to break the copy protection for the HD-DVD and BRD, and then when a newer, supposedly better copy protection was introduced, Slysoft broke it again. Don't you think they deserve to earn a little more revenue for that?

-J-Mac (April 16, 2009, 02:27 PM)

I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm disagreeing with the quoted user.  They stated that there should have been an AnyHD product that didn't include the ability to do DVDs, and my thoughts followed from that...  Look at the quote below and you can see what he says about that stance, and my response defending the action...

Why should a user of AnyHD have to suffer for the sake of mindset?  Suffer how you ask?  To have to open separate applications just so people's 'mindset' would be in a certain way.

-wraith808 (April 16, 2009, 02:10 PM)

Because Slysoft screwed up, that's why.

-CWuestefeld (April 16, 2009, 02:17 PM)

How did they screw up?  Several companies have released a Pro version of the product after the original version, and haven't gotten any bad press about it, especially if they offer a reduced cost upgrade path to the Pro version.  The only 'screw up' I can see is not naming it something other than AnyHD- perhaps AnyDVD Pro or something would have absolved them?  But why?

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Note Taking Software / Re: SuperboyAC's Notetaking Software Roundup #1

« Last post by wraith808 on April 16, 2009, 02:32 PM »

^ Totally agreed.   I think people freaked out at the online bit, the interface, or one of the many changes, and didn't take the time to evaluate the product as an evolution rather than an incremental change so missed out.

9773

General Software Discussion / Re: Another 'Lifetime' license bites the dust

« Last post by wraith808 on April 16, 2009, 02:10 PM »

Slysoft should have created a new product AnyHD that cannot do DVD at all, and then package with every license of AnyHD a free license to AnyDVD so that its users can do DVDs as well.

-CWuestefeld (April 16, 2009, 01:24 PM)

Why should a user of AnyHD have to suffer for the sake of mindset?  Suffer how you ask?  To have to open separate applications just so people's 'mindset' would be in a certain way.  It's sort of like regular versions vs pro versions- the pro version has more features than the regular version, but both are built into the same application.  What's wrong with that?

9774

Note Taking Software / Re: SuperboyAC's Notetaking Software Roundup #1

« Last post by wraith808 on April 16, 2009, 02:07 PM »

No, it's stored locally then synced.  If you don't want it to sync, then don't put in the password.

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Note Taking Software / Re: SuperboyAC's Notetaking Software Roundup #1

« Last post by wraith808 on April 16, 2009, 01:23 PM »

It's not web only... I use the desktop app, and love that everything is synced up between my work, home, iPhone, and web...