Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2006 December 10

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[edit] December 10

[edit] Windows 3.1 colour schemes

Does anyone know where I can find screenshots (or even Windows XP themes) of the colour schemes from Windows 3.1? Google turns up virtually nothing in this regard -- all I've been able to find is a picture of the "Hot Dog Stand" scheme. --Lumina83 00:48, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

I'd like to clarify that he's obviously looking for screenshots of alternate colour schemes. The image on the Win3.1x article is obviously an accurate representation of the default colour scheme.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  04:42, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
Maybe you could find a computer running it? Or I'd bet that maybe Microsoft still has support stuff online that might have something? --Cody.Pope 05:11, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
Do you mean alternate themes that were included default? I know I have 3.1x disks on hand, if that's what you're referring to I can install it and see... 68.39.174.238 23:23, 15 December 2006 (UTC)
68.39.172.238: Yep, that's exactly what I mean, the other colour schemes that were included with 3.1 — Arizona, Black Leather Jacket, etc. Cody.Pope: I did manage to find the hex values for the Win3.1 colour schemes, but I couldn't figure out which colour went where in the interface. I might try looking through it again and see if I can decipher it. --Lumina83 00:31, 16 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Writing a batch file

How can I write a batch file that:

  1. opens CMD
  2. types in "regsvr32 softpub.dll"
  3. wait for a popup window informing the success of re-registering the dll file
  4. click "OK" in the popup window
  5. continue other similar commands
  6. when finished, exits CMD automatically

This is not a homework of any kind but is a required periodic process for me to remove the error message in MSN Messenger (according to the MSN team it could be coped with using the method above)and it has been irritating for me to type in the same commands everyday. Thanks! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 219.78.202.94 (talk) 02:33, 10 December 2006 (UTC).

Windows' batch files can't do step 3 and 4. You'd need something more advanced for that... or you'd have to do it manually. ☢ Ҡi∊ff⌇↯ 03:33, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
Are you sure? I think it would probably wait for regsvr32 to finish before continuing. If it doesn't you can always use the Pause command right after the regsvr32 line but you'd have to hit enter in the DOS prompt. As for opening CMD and closing it automatically, it'll do this on its own you don't have to do anything special --frothT C 04:33, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
You can try Autohotkey. --Russoc4 14:47, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
You might want to write your regsvr32 commands like "regsvr32 /s (filename)" - that suppresses the dialog box from appearing at all. For similar switches for pretty much any command, type "(command) /?" (for example, I discovered the /s switch by typing "regsvr32 /?"). So your batch file would look something like:
regsvr32 /s softpub.dll 
regsvr32 /s softpub2.dll 
regsvr32 /s softpub3.dll
Hope that helps. :) —AySz88\^-^ 16:40, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
Yep, and for *nix tools ported to windows expect the switch to be --help --frothT C 19:20, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
You may want to look at ".cmd" files (I only know they're like NT batch files), or try the "call" command. I will admit it's been a while since I've edited batch files. Also, what about just creating a shortcut in Programs > startup that runs the above command? 68.39.174.238 21:57, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Gmail spam

I have a really "secure" gmail account (it's for personal mails only, and only about 10 close friends know what it is), and though I admit that even that isn't enough to protect it to spam, I've recently received my first spam message, and it's a little bit unnerving.

I checked the BCC, and it looked something like this (I've changed all three of the email accounts).

  • freshfromthebakery@gmail.com
  • freshpest@gmail.com
  • fresiapablino@gmail.com

Since I've never actually entered my email (it was in the first position) into any online forms, I of course first suspect a dictionary attack or a random string search, but this doesn't look right. A dictionary attack wouldn't have missed so many real words, and it's obviously not random. These were definitely taken off of some kind of list, and I'm willing to bet that there's no registered addresses in between freshfromthebakery and freshpest, and freshpest and fresiapablino.

It almost appears as if these three emails (and I can only guess how many) were taken directly from a list of registered gmail addresses, and that scares me. What do you guys think?  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  04:59, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

First, I'd try sending emails to the other addresses and find out if they are actual addresses. Second, I never used to get spam until I signed up for gmail accounts. The two email accounts I used (to sign up for the two gmail accts) now both get identical junk mail. I'm not getting junk mail at my gmail accounts, but I'm now getting oodles of junk mail (like up to 250 pieces a day) at the two addresses I gave to Google. Anchoress 05:05, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
Has anyone looked at the G-mail privacy statement ? Do they claim they won't sell either the old or new address ? StuRat 14:01, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
"We do not sell, rent or otherwise share your personal information with any third parties except in the limited circumstances described in the Google Privacy Policy, such as when we believe we are required to do so by law." (http://mail.google.com/mail/help/privacy.html) –mysid☎ 18:09, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

Maybe it was a security breach. I'm sure Google is paranoidly hush-hush about their security --frothT C 19:22, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

Could any of your friends have had their computers compromised? Their ISPs? Also, I don't think a dictionary attack is that unlikely, but I'm not sure. -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 08:25, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
Along those same lines, are any of your friends mad at you? :) Or more likely, are they the type to fall for things like Ecrush, or otherwise not be as careful with your email address as you are? Another possibility: If you've previously given out addresses like freshfromthebakery@hotmail.com or freshfromthebakery@yahoo.com, the spammers can easily guess your new email address. Dave6 08:59, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
Nothing like that, though of course there's always the possibility that one of my friends "comprimised" the address. Whatever the reason it's obvious that I'm on a list somewhere now, a list that people with dead African relatives with too much money use to find good Samaritans to hold their money for them. The only common thread between all of the messages is that they come from some web-based email client... ~@sendemailfromabrowserwindow.com or something like that.  freshofftheufoΓΛĿЌ  04:22, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] help!!!!!!!

i got a trojan installed on my computer and can't get rid of it i keep getting this message when i try to delete it: error deleting file: make sure item is not read only or hidden help!!!! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 75.36.209.248 (talk) 08:05, 10 December 2006 (UTC).

Restart your computer and boot into safe mode, then delete it. Are you using anti-virus sofware to remove it? Splintercellguy 08:27, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

k thanks alot.---- Giantmungus9

Also, how do u boot into safe mode?

When the computer is starting up, press F8 before the windows logo appears (if you see a "starting Windows XP" message, press F8 then) and from the resulting menu select safe mode. -- AJR | Talk 23:32, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] storage capacity of CD and DVD

what is the storage capacity of CD and DVD —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.246.70.85 (talk • contribs)

Look at the CD and DVD articles. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 14:23, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
Approximate numbers would be 700MB for a common blank CD and 5GB for a common blank DVD. If you want more accurate numbers, and want to know the theory behind the nomenclature of "megabyte" and "gigabyte", I suggest you read our articles. The storage capacities vary greatly depending on the type of disc used, what's stored on them, how you count bytes, etc.--Russoc4 14:45, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Troubles with Linux.

I'm running Damn Small Linux from my HDD. It all works fine, aside from two problems: (a) Gaim won't run. I downloaded it using MyDSL, but when I click the icon, nothing happens. (b) Firefox 1.5.0.6 needs to be re-downloaded each time I boot. Otherwise it does the same thing as gaim. I'd really, really appreciate any help anyone could offer, especially with the latter issue. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 202.10.86.63 (talk) 15:57, 10 December 2006 (UTC).

You might like to run both programs from a command line window; it's possible that they're displaying some error message, something that you're missing because you're starting them from the menu system. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 17:13, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
Well, running the command firefox starts Firefox 1.0.6, which is included with the system. gaim is not found. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 202.10.86.63 (talk) 17:40, 10 December 2006 (UTC).

[edit] MAKING YOUR OWN MAPPING

Hello,

What program would you reccomend for making your own simple mapping like you get in something like a standard AA road map (of GB). I tried to use just simpally MS Paint but i found it was too basic and i couldnt easilly create the symbols and stuff like the corners, and it was just annoying.

thanks, --William dady 16:00, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

Use vector-based software, not bitmap-based, for things like maps and diagrams. Inkscape is free and pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it. --24.147.86.187 17:01, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
Also, take a look at how Open Street Map does it --h2g2bob 07:15, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] A transformer program

Hello all, Is there a program that transforms a c# program into a .EXE format ? Thx —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 196.218.1.39 (talk) 16:03, 10 December 2006 (UTC).

A compiler? yandman 16:27, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
No not a compiler. I wrote a game using c# and I want this game to be setupped for example.So, I want it to be like any regular file when u double click u can choose a destination to install it...etc.
Then what you want is an installer - see Category:Installation software and Category:Free installation software (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System is a particularly common one). -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 16:48, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

<edit conflict>

Ah, an installation package. A few guesses: are you by any chance only running the program from inside your IDE? If this is the case, are you aware that the program .exe has been created in your hard drive in a subdirectory of the project folder? Does your program need an installation? Does it use the registry, or external libraries? If you really need an installation, I think visual studio (if that's what you're using) has a "build installer" option. If not, I suggest just taking the .exe file, zipping it and giving it to your friends so they can play it. yandman 16:54, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

Thank u guys, but i'm not very experienced with this kind of stuff and i wasnt able to understand how to use Nullsoft Scriptable Install System very well. I wonder if there is a program that does the same task but with easier interface like a wizard or something ?

If you have one single c# program, build it for release and I think it shows up in my documents\visual studio 2005\projects\PROJECTNAME\release. Chances are, you don't need an installer or anything, just that single executable. If you have multiple executables but no libraries to register or registry entries to insert, consider using something like WinZip Self Extractor. If you're asking about how to distribute your program without forcing your users to install the whole .NET framework, try remotesoft's product which links only the needed .NET framework code directly into your executable. If you actually need a full installer, nothing's easier than MSI or nullsoft --frothT C 19:33, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
The Nullsoft Scriptable Install System, or "NSIS" (website) is really good. It's Free Software and works really well, especially if you use the IDE and the Wizard. --h2g2bob 19:47, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
The Visual Studio IDE has a template for creating a setup project, however good that is. Splintercellguy 04:22, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] NTSC

ARE MOST BRITISH DVD PLAYERS NTSC COMPATIBLE ?

Many (but I can't say whether it's most) will optionally output NTSC instead of PAL. So if you had a British DVD player then it might work in the US, but you'd need to check the specific model. If, however, you're asking whether you can play region 1 DVDs on a DVD player in the UK, you'll (almost always) find out that you can't. That said, there are published workarounds for some players (which tell them to change their internal region, or forget region coding altogether). -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 17:25, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
Yes if you have a bunch of british DVDs with a british NTSC player you won't have any trouble. If you start mixing and matching your DVD regions with your player regions, then the DVD companies don't like that and the region blocking will kick in. I'd highly encourage you to de-region your player, if you're geeky enough to be motivated =) --frothT C 19:25, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
Note that if it's a DVD player that's also on sale on the Continent, there'll almost certainly be a work-around. They're required by some law to do with the European common market. Sockatume 04:31, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
In my experience yes (with american multiregion discs etc) - though few will convert to PAL. Most modern TV's support NTSC and PAL - but older TV's don't.87.102.44.80 17:51, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Uploading plain wikitext to Wikipedia using Wget or CURL

Hi there!

Since I have some basic programming knowledge I was wondering about using it on writing a bot. I know how to download pages from Wikipedia and get their wikitext, but the question is how to upload it. I would prefer if it was doable in Wget, but failing that I will gladly use CURL.

So basically what I want to do is have a normal text file, say 'wikitext.txt', which is uploaded to a page, say Wikipedia:Sandbox, as if the editor had used the text box and clicked the submit button in a web browser.

If I haven't been verbose enough here, just tell me.

(Oh, and one last note: I use Linux.)

Cheers, Yuser31415 18:56, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

Your task is complicated by the two-phase edit process. When you hit the edit get the server sets a short-term cookie, and that cookie must be returned when you POST the updated form. Beyond that you need to manage a login session, which is another form fill and another cookie. You might be better off using one of the existing bot frameworks - see Wikipedia:Creating a bot. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 19:10, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
That is okay, thank you for replying! Yuser31415 06:20, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Browser won't display some flash, mpeg, and mp3 files

Image:Error message.JPG
The error message he gets when trying to view a flash game.

A friend of a friend told me his problem, and I thought I would be extra nice (Santa's watching!) and help him out on it. His browser, IE 7, won't properly display some flash, mpeg (I think that's the file type, but I know it isn't avi or a Windows Media file type) or some mp3 songs. For example, when he tries to play games at school, such as line flyer, a blank screen loads and a small triangle appears with an exclaimation mark in the bottom left corner of the status bar. The game won't work on this site, but it will on different ones, like addictinggames.com. Other times, when he "relieves stress", and relaxes in front of the computer monitor (and maybe visists some sites of questionable merit), some of the videos he likes to watch won't play in the browser, and he has to play them in WMP 11. What can one do to solve this problem? Thanks for the help. --ClockFace 22:50, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

This error reflects a scripting error on the site in question, not a problem with IE7. Droud 02:23, 11 December 2006 (UTC)
The game I mentioned earlier won't work on his home computer, but when he's at school it will work on most of the school computers. Is it still possible it is a scripting error on the site's part, even though it will work on at least most of the computers at any given time? Also, I don't know if it is relevant, but the school uses IE 6 still. It won't work on some computers, but it will work on most of the others. --ClockFace 00:15, 12 December 2006 (UTC)
Also, when he tries to view some of the videos as long as it is not played in Windows Media Player, or if it doesn't have WMP (or something along those lines) embedded into the browswer, no videos will play. So any site with mpeg video (which is a large portion of the sites he likes to visit) will not display in the browser, no matter how many different sites he tries. So that would mean every single site with mpeg made a scripting error? I'm not too savvy about that stuff so I don't know if that is likely or not. --ClockFace 00:19, 12 December 2006 (UTC)
Are you sure flash and the embedded windows media player are both installed and available in the web browser. By which I mean, has your school just turned them off. If flash is turned off in the browser, but still installed, then saving the flash (.swf) file to the desktop and running it using a stand-alone flash player may run some flash files. --h2g2bob 08:05, 14 December 2006 (UTC)