Author Topic: SnapSuite program family/Free online computer help (Read 478,506 times)

Curt · « **Reply #425 on:** May 15, 2008, 03:59 PM »

I am not able to see any difference between the two picture files.

- and what is 'poly'?

mouser · « **Reply #426 on:** May 15, 2008, 05:04 PM »

hehehe ok i think i understand why maze craze discussion is in this thread.. maze crazy 3d is going to be bundled in with SnapSuite v3

ps. i think the boom! character is very cute

Loki15 · « **Reply #427 on:** May 15, 2008, 05:07 PM »

Curt.. Poly is the same as faces.. High poly Boom will be used in visualization videos.. He is smoother.. if you look closely on the low poly version you can see a little roughness on the egdes, but im happy you can see no difference.

cathodera · « **Reply #428 on:** May 15, 2008, 11:37 PM »

I am biologically incapable of resisting offers of Free Computer Help

wreckedcarzz, I don't know if this falls outside your area of expertise, I will post the problem here in case it does, but falls inside somebody else's area, and they want to take a shot at it.

If you, or anybody else, has a solution idea, please PM me so that the thread will not be hijacked any worse than I am doing now by posting this at all.

Here is the situation:

A website consists of html files, with the exception of 3 .asp pages.

When I ftp the files (I use FileZilla or WS-ftp, and yes, I do it ASCII) to my computer, and open them in my browser, whether FireFox or Internet Exploder, instead of displaying correctly, the asp code is splattered all over the place as if it had thrown up on itself, and if I put the file back into the website's directory, so it remains, even though I have not even touched the file.

This is the case even if I have not even opened the file at all, even in a regular text editor. Just the very act of being ftped to my computer turns the file into a hot mess.

This makes it impossible, obviously, for me to make even the slightest changes to the non-asp code parts of the pages.

I have been spinning my wheels for weeks, googling to see if anyone else has ever had such a problem, and if so, how they solved it, but to no avail.

(Attempts to edit php files are similarly plagued. With php files, Internet Exploder even tells me it does not know how to open them, though on the web, it has no problem. And if I tell it that either FireFox or Exploder is to open them, in Exploder all I get is the page source, and in Firefox, vomited code like I get with asp files.)

Again, this is only when the files have been ftped to my machine, on the web, both browsers display asp and php pages just fine.

I am running Windows XP SP3, but the problem was there even before the SP 3 update, so I am sure it is not related to that.

I apologize for inserting such an off-topic topic, but it did say "free computer help," words that should probably not be typed anywhere I can see them.

And thanks to any and all who have any ideas. I do not care how stupid I will feel if someone tells me some totally basic thing I have failed to click somewhere. I have never claimed clue ownership.

Loki15 · « **Reply #429 on:** May 16, 2008, 09:09 PM »

Cody!!!

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn208/Waltman25/Cody-1.jpg

Hasn't been approved by Brandon.. But i present to you the new main character of Maze Craze.. CODY!!! Yes the lovable mascot here at Donation Coder.. Pretty decent attempt in my eyes, little rough on the edges but he has to be. Feedback appreciated.

Thanks

mouser · « **Reply #430 on:** May 16, 2008, 09:23 PM »

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #431 on:** May 17, 2008, 01:10 AM »

@cathodera - have you tried using FF/IE to do ftp://yourwebsite.com and see how that works? Then editing and whatnot and reuploading with your FTP client? Just an idea, I am no website specialist

@ everyone - I like the 3D Cody, cool idea. Must give

for it

EDIT: You could even have him collect Coins for points!!! Or setup a system "get 5 coins and proceed to location XYZ to continue".

EDIT 2: Curt, a "poly" count is the amount of vertices in the 3D object - the more there is, the more detailed the object is, but it takes more power to put it on screen and the file size increases by large amounts.

Quote from: mouser on May 15, 2008, 05:04 PM

hehehe ok i think i understand why maze craze discussion is in this thread.. maze crazy 3d is going to be bundled in with SnapSuite v3

Actually, it has been planned for quite a while now

- for SnapSystem though, not SnapSuite (a "Games Center" or something similar is planned, but if it isn't in 09 then MC will be - 3D or not). I'm surprised someone caught onto that. Hehehe...

cathodera · « **Reply #432 on:** May 17, 2008, 01:28 AM »

wreckedcarzz, you mean use the browser to ftp the files to my desktop and the ftp client to upload them back?

I didn't know we could still ftp in browsers at all anymore! I will google this! Thank you!

mouser · « **Reply #433 on:** May 17, 2008, 01:37 AM »

cathodera and wreckedcarzz you should probably have individual support discussions in private messages.

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #434 on:** May 17, 2008, 01:38 AM »

Sorry mouser, will do - I kinda forget it is there

cathodera · « **Reply #435 on:** May 17, 2008, 01:49 AM »

I am sorry. I should have PMed wreckedcarzz. Maybe the management will be kind enough to delete the messages I posted in this thread?

Deozaan · « **Reply #436 on:** May 17, 2008, 02:09 AM »

Quote from: Loki15 on May 15, 2008, 08:28 AM

One day in 2D Land was far too long.. He was just squirming to become a 3D Model.. And thats what he has done.. I'm proud to present Boom in 3D, High poly and low.
Any feedback is gladly appreciated. Thanks!

I think the low poly version looks better. They're nearly identical, but the low poly one looks more rounded like a sphere. Strange that adding 3000 polys could make it look worse... Anyway, since they appear to be nearly identical, there's really no use in having all those extra polys.

Quote from: Curt on May 15, 2008, 03:59 PM

I am not able to see any difference between the two picture files.

- and what is 'poly'?

"Poly" is short for "polygon" which are usually triangles or squares. All 3D objects (when referring to computer rendering) are made up of polygons. If you've ever seen a 3D object's wireframe, you get to see the outline of every polygon. There's a nice picture of a low poly Dolphin on this wikipedia page

Deozaan · « **Reply #437 on:** May 17, 2008, 02:15 AM »

Quote from: wreckedcarzz on May 11, 2008, 11:51 PM

So I am wondering - does anyone have an interest in a 'Maze Craze 3D'? I would love to make a 3D version, but the full version of 3D Rad is $160 (4 months savings, plus I am 9 weeks in the hole with my mom), so I don't want to start saving up all this money and end up buying it just to find out that no one would care.

Opinions? Thoughts?
-Brandon

Why not use Panda3D, Irrlicht, Blender, or another freeware/Open Source engine listed here?

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #438 on:** May 17, 2008, 02:58 AM »

Because 3D Rad is a game engine - a GUI that makes game creation (once objects and textures are complete) a drag, drop, and option-setting process. It still takes time and effort, but makes the whole process much simpler.

I'll give Panda3D a shot, it looks similar, so it might be better than 3D Rad. Not to mention free. Worth a try nonetheless.

*Downloads*

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #439 on:** May 21, 2008, 12:27 PM »

Alright, I am temporarily bringing focus back to SS here...

I am reading my programming book (see above for name and author) and editing quite a few things to help aid in usability and performance. Printing support was started but has been dropped and will be attempted again at a later time.

RAM usage reduction:
Right now, all variables are only "alive" for as long as the command executes. Meaning, basically, this:

Quote

A user performs a somewhat simple operation:
Bob opens SnapSystem and begins listening to music in MediaControl

To do this, SnapSystem must do this (this is a VERY shortened version ):
MediaControl, to play this music, must "Dim" the media selection dialog box and the playlist
"Dim" makes a new variable, prepares RAM for the variable, and can open certain windows/other things
So while the dialog box is open to select your song, a variable is being used waiting to see what song you want
When you close the dialog box, the variable sends its data and then closes (freeing the memory)
When you stop playing a song (it ends/you stop it/pick a new song) the playlist variable is cleared, freeing that memory

More intelligent GUI:

I have removed the individual "Hide/Close" buttons on program toolbars, and put them into one universal button. This has an added bonus, in the event that you are somehow able to open 2 "programs" at once, they will both hide (opening a program while another is open hides the former). Also, not to confuse people, the button is NOT enabled until you open a program from the "My Programs" list (for the case of "How do you close the whole program?" - as the button is clearly "greyed out" until you open something).
I also added a couple of icons to the so-called "SmartBar" to make it easier on the eyes.
The "Information Area:" label has been moved next to the Music Status label.
The SystemCare interface got an overhaul.
KidDraw now has more brush sizes.

Test SnapSystem '09:
If you want to test out SnapSystem, I am now making it a Public release. There are a couple things you should know, however...
As with SnapSuite, .NET 3.5 is REQUIRED - it will not run without it
When you first start SnapSystem, it will have a blank white screen with a somewhat blue-green bar at the top. Use the SnapSystem menu to change your SmartBar color and set a desktop background!
When playing Video in MediaControl, SnapSystem usually lags (at least on single core CPUs, in my experiences). I do not think that this is a fixable occurrence, but I am not sure. Sorry about this.
SnapSystem cannot yet open external programs. I am searching for a way to get a working Program Files variable, but all my attempts so far have failed

Code

ProgramFilesVariable.Attempt = Fail

Other than that, everything should be pretty basic - my sister (9, but her brain is at about age 6) was able to use it quite simply, once I showed her how it worked. She had an absolute blast in KidDraw.

Even if you can't get it right away, its fine - PM me or post about what you don't understand. IMO if you can't get something to work it is probably my fault for not making it simple enough/easy to access.

Download link: http://mazecraze.dcisv.com/SnapSystem.zip (8.41MB, ZIP format)
(Download, extract to a location of your choosing, delete the ZIP, and run SnapSystem.exe)

-Brandon

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #440 on:** May 22, 2008, 09:23 PM »

I am now officially done with this school year, and that means I can have more time to work on things here at DC. Hopefully I won't get *too* sidetracked with my games, hehehe.

I should just have to fix 1 or 2 things in SnapSuite 08 before I call it final, so I plan on having it up in a couple days. Check back sometime soon!

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #441 on:** May 28, 2008, 03:32 AM »

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.

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #442 on:** May 28, 2008, 05:03 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

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #443 on:** May 29, 2008, 04:44 AM »

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.

mouser · « **Reply #444 on:** May 29, 2008, 05:01 AM »

When it comes to website design, I think the simpler and more standard the look, the better. just my 2 cents.

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #445 on:** May 29, 2008, 07:05 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.

Veign · « **Reply #446 on:** May 29, 2008, 03:15 PM »

Except for dialup users you have to load all the page data not just the data they want to view. I agree with Mouser, simple and clean. Give users what they expect in a website and they gain confidence in your product. Stray too far from the norm and your users will require a level of trust before trying your application.

Sample website I put together for an application of mine (http://www.cfontpro.com/). ; Simple, clean design. The code isn't the best as it was one of the first websites that I designed and developed myself.

An option for you is to pick up a free template somewhere and use it as a starting point. If you need suggestions on places to get some good, well designed, free templates just let me know.

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #447 on:** May 29, 2008, 10:35 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.

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #448 on:** May 30, 2008, 07:08 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.dcisv.com/SystemCare Online Alpha.exe

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #449 on:** June 02, 2008, 06:27 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.

Quote

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):

Quote

"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."