Archive for the ‘Windows’ Category

Automated Unrarring

August 3rd, 2009

So, I had a pack of National Geographic TV Episodes — but each one is packaged in little rar packs. In general I have to unrar the files, and remove the pieces. But since there was a folder of like 100 of these episodes I wrote a python script to do it for me! (:

It’s very rudimentary, and probably mostly inefficient –> for example, I didn’t know if there was ‘contains’ method so I just run through a for loop to find the right file. (:

This will remove everything but the avi file that remains once the unrarring is complete. a real time saver for me! (:

You will need this python module to use winrar: it’s by ‘chilkat’ –> http://www.example-code.com/python/rar_unrar.asp
» More: Automated Unrarring

Command Line anywhere

June 30th, 2009

This is a neat little registry edit to allow you to have a “CmdHere” option when you right click either in a folder or on a folder.  After clicking “CmdHere” you get a command line that is located in that directory.  No more going from C:\ to Documents and Settings to .. etc .. etc.

http://www.commandline.co.uk/cmdhere/cmdhere.zip

Cropper: Quick and Dirty Windows Screen Shot/Capture Tool

August 3rd, 2008

Cropper, created by Brian Scott in C# is THE tool I’ve been needing for YEARS. I’m so glad I found it!
Anyway, normally when you wanted to show someone something you had to:

  • Take the screen shot/capture
  • Open an editing program [ I used -> windows key + R, then type "mspaint" then enter ]
  • Paste the capture into the editing program [ CTRL+V ]
  • File -> Save As, Choose PNG, choose location
  • Done.

With this application it’s

  • Make the window the right size
  • Double click

» More: Cropper: Quick and Dirty Windows Screen Shot/Capture Tool

Howto: Multiple Desktop Wallpapers

June 18th, 2008

Hey,

So, one of my favorite wallpaper sites –> http://www.mandolux.com always has these great multi-monitor wallpapers.  For years I’ve only been using one of them, when I could have been using two!

This is on Windows XP.

First, get your two images — say via mandolux ~~ great site, again.

Now, Right click on desktop -> Properties

Set your regular desktop to “(None)”

Click Customize Desktop

Click on the Web tab up top.

Click “New…”

Click “Browse” and find your first image.

repeat and find your second image

Make sure they’re both checked, and then say “ok”

When you say “ok” from the Display Properties, you will see 2 images on your screen.

Move the right one to the right monitor by clicking around on it till a grey bar comes up.

Once you have it to the right monitor, click the black arrow on the top of the grey box and say “cover screen”

then move the other image to the other monitor and repeat the process.

Viola!

I’ve included a screenshot so you can see how it works!

Good luck!

PS: if your two images don’t line up, you should put your taskbar on auto-hide. You can do this from right clicking it, unlocking it if it’s locked, and then going to properties.  There is a checkbox for auto-hide. Enjoy!

Resize Digital Camera Pictures Using Only MSPaint

December 30th, 2007

I’m going to go over a quick and easy way to resize your digital camera images to something more manageable so that you’ll be able to post them online, email them, send them over im, and whatever else you want to do with them. This technique is a quick way to resize a few images, up to about 4-5 I would say before this technique is not useful and there is a better approach.

» More: Resize Digital Camera Pictures Using Only MSPaint

No Reboot After Updates!

December 12th, 2007

Damnit Microsoft.

Fine! I will download your updates automatically. But damnit do not restart my computer without my permission!

Here’s a post about how to disable this ungodly ‘feature.’
» More: No Reboot After Updates!

How to download a remote file in php and then save it

December 8th, 2007

So, I found a site with all the lolcat images named cat1.jpg, cat2.jpg, cat3.jpg, etc. I wanted to know how many were there as I saw cat389.jpg. As it turns out, it’s only 390, so that’s all I need to know.

So, I decided to write a little PHP script to grab all the images. First, I set up a loop to do this, from 1-390. which is done like
» More: How to download a remote file in php and then save it

Bitch of an error in Java3D

December 6th, 2007

This took me like 4 hours to finally complete, so I figured I would write about it for the next unlucky fool to attempt it.

I instantiate a Sphere with a given appearance and after clicking it I would like for that to change. The picking works fine, and I get a reference to the Shape3D. However, I get “Shape3D: no capability to set appearance” exception.
» More: Bitch of an error in Java3D