WinXP Desktop Theme Rotator and other Rich Nagel's Stuff

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Rich Nagel
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WinXP Desktop Theme Rotator and other Rich Nagel's Stuff

Post by Rich Nagel »

Hiya Folks,

Here is a little utility that I slapped together during the past few days, the "Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator" version 1.0.

Snippets directly from the included readme:

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator is a program that can automatically and randomly change your current Windows desktop theme using any of the desktop theme files that you have installed on your computer. The Microsoft "Plus! Pack" for Windows 95 and Windows 98 had this capability, but Microsoft (in their "infinite" wisdom) removed this feature from Windows XP.

I had previously searched high and low on the Internet for a similar program, but found nothing... hence, I decided to create my own!

The Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator also features the ability to use a custom edited list of the desktop themes installed on your computer when the randomly chosen desktop theme is applied by the program, so you can use just a selection of your favorite desktop themes when the program is run. This function differs from the "Rotate Theme Monthly" feature of the Microsoft Plus! Pack, as the Plus! Pack's desktop theme control panel applet would use ALL of the available desktop themes that you had installed on your computer (not just a selection of your favorites).

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The program is compatable with Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional, with any of Microsoft's Windows XP Service Packs installed; Windows Vista; and quite possibly (untested) with Windows 95 or Windows 98, with the Microsoft "Plus! Pack" installed.

Anyhooo, snag the ZIP here: http://www.cmoo.com/snor/weeds/Desktop_ ... otator.zip

Readme (also included in the ZIP) here: http://www.cmoo.com/snor/weeds/Desktop_ ... otator.txt

Hope ya find it useful :)
Rich ¥Weeds¥ Nagel
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The lost Ninja
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Re: Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator v1.0

Post by The lost Ninja »

The Idea is great, but when I started this utility from my desktop, after unpacking, my desktop changed to windows-XP standard immediately!
Also my wallpaper disappeared all of a sudden.
I'm using vista 64-bit, discussed this before on RSC, I had problems installing your Soundpack 7,0, for which you found a solution. :D
When trying to read your readme, the data couldn't find the path to it.
So, after using your utilities before, like the practice-tree, driver-converter, options-utility, backup-utility, tracktoy and options-utility
(I admire your efforts & dedication), this was the first one that has been thrown into the trashbin. :(
I changed everything back to normal again, so no further problems.
After all, I have the same desktop-wallpaper for almost 2 years now, and for my theme I use the IconPackager.

Hope I could help,
Thanks anyway
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Re: Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator v1.0

Post by thegreatfalcon »

@TlN: Any tries at the compatibility thingy of XP?

Looks quite useless to me but good job anyways Rich :bg:
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Re: Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator v1.0

Post by Rich Nagel »

The lost Ninja wrote:The Idea is great, but when I started this utility from my desktop, after unpacking, my desktop changed to windows-XP standard immediately!
That's really weird. The utility didn't pop up a 'welcome screen' of sorts, and then the utility's readme file? When you run the program for the first time, that's what it's supposed to do, and it doesn't even execute the routines that do the actual desktop theme changing (?).

The lost Ninja wrote:I'm using vista 64-bit, discussed this before on RSC, I had problems installing your Soundpack 7,0, for which you found a solution.
The problem is prolly the 64-bit edition of Vista. I'm almost sure that this thing won't function properly under Windows XP 64, so I doubt that it would run under Vista 64. I did test it under Vista Basic Home and Vista Ultimate though.

The lost Ninja wrote:When trying to read your readme, the data couldn't find the path to it.
You prolly tried to run the shortcut file, without the program being installed in it's proper location. Per the readme, all of the included shortcuts expect that the program is located in the "C:\Program Files\Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator" directory on your hard drive.

Anyow, thanks for the testing report. I didn't think it would run under the 64-bit editions of Windows, though.

The Great Falcon wrote:Looks quite useless to me but good job anyways Rich :bg:
Hehe, you know me, the purveyor of all things useless <LOL>!


P.S. For anyone interested, here is the raw source code piped to a text file (the source in NeoBook for Windows looks much cleaner, and is syntax-highlighted with colored text):

Code: Select all


FileExists "[PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt" "[ThemeFilesListExists]"

If "[ThemeFilesListExists]" "=" "FALSE"
GotoLine "FirstRun"

Else
GotoLine "ParseCommandLine"

EndIf

:FirstRun

AlertBox "Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator v1.0" "Welcome to the Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator v1.0!
Since this is the first time that you have used the Windows XP Desktop Theme
Rotator, a new list of the desktop theme files installed on your computer will
be created. The filename of the list of desktop theme files will be
[#34]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34], and will be located in the same folder where the Windows
XP Desktop Theme Rotator is installed on your hard drive.
This list of desktop theme files can be edited using Windows Notepad to easily
remove any desktop themes from the list that you do not wish to be used when
the Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator applies a random desktop theme.
Lastly, the Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator quick help and readme file will be
displayed so that you can familiarize yourself with the program.

Enjoy!
Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator v1.0
©Copyright 2010, Rich ¥Weeds¥ Nagel - All Rights Reserved
richnagel@earthlink.net
http://www.richnagel.net
http://www.cmoo.com/snor/weeds/Desktop_Themes/"

FileWrite "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "1" "@ECHO OFF"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "2" "SET USERPROFILE > [#34][PubDir]UserProfileVariable.txt[#34]"
FileInsLine "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "3"

Run "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "" "Wait+RunOnce+Minimized"
FileErase "[PubDir]ListUser.bat"

FileRead "[PubDir]UserProfileVariable.txt" "1" "[UserProfileVariable]"
StrReplace "[UserProfileVariable]" "USERPROFILE=" "" "[UserProfilePath]"
FileErase "[PubDir]UserProfileVariable.txt"

FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "1" "@ECHO OFF"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "2" "DIR [#34][UserProfilePath]\Documents\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S > [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "3" "DIR [#34][UserProfilePath]\My Documents\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S >> [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "4" "DIR [#34]C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S >> [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "5" "DIR [#34]C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S >> [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileInsLine "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "6"

Run "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "" "Wait+RunOnce+Minimized"
FileErase "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat"

AlertBox "Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator v1.0" "Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator Command-Line Parameters:
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] (no command-line parameter)
Create a new list of the desktop theme files installed on your computer, and
then apply a random desktop theme from the list.
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] /L
Create a new list of the desktop theme files installed on your computer
(without applying a random desktop theme from the list), and then edit the list
using Windows Notepad.
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] /E
Edit the previously created list of desktop theme files using Windows Notepad.
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] /R
Apply a random desktop theme from the previously created list of desktop theme
files.
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] /D
Start the Windows Display Properties control panel applet (without applying a
random desktop theme from the list).
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] /H
Display this quick help message, and then the Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator
readme file.

Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator v1.0
©Copyright 2010, Rich ¥Weeds¥ Nagel - All Rights Reserved
richnagel@earthlink.net
http://www.richnagel.net
http://www.cmoo.com/snor/weeds/Desktop_Themes/"
Run "Notepad.exe" "[PubDir]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.txt" "Normal"

GotoLine "Exit"

:ParseCommandLine

StrParse "[CommandLine]" "[#13]" "[Parameter]" "[NumberOfParameters]"

If "[Parameter2]" "=" "/L"
GotoLine "ListThemesAndEditThemeFilesList"

Else
If "[Parameter2]" "=" "/E"
GotoLine "EditThemeFilesList"

Else
If "[Parameter2]" "=" "/R"
GotoLine "ApplyRandomTheme"

Else
If "[Parameter2]" "=" "/D"
GotoLine "DisplayProperties"

Else
If "[Parameter2]" "=" "/H"
GotoLine "Help"

Else
GotoLine "ListThemesAndApplyRandomTheme"

EndIf
EndIf
EndIf
EndIf
EndIf

:ListThemesAndEditThemeFilesList

FileWrite "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "1" "@ECHO OFF"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "2" "SET USERPROFILE > [#34][PubDir]UserProfileVariable.txt[#34]"
FileInsLine "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "3"

Run "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "" "Wait+RunOnce+Minimized"
FileErase "[PubDir]ListUser.bat"

FileRead "[PubDir]UserProfileVariable.txt" "1" "[UserProfileVariable]"
StrReplace "[UserProfileVariable]" "USERPROFILE=" "" "[UserProfilePath]"
FileErase "[PubDir]UserProfileVariable.txt"

FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "1" "@ECHO OFF"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "2" "DIR [#34][UserProfilePath]\Documents\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S > [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "3" "DIR [#34][UserProfilePath]\My Documents\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S >> [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "4" "DIR [#34]C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S >> [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "5" "DIR [#34]C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S >> [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileInsLine "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "6"

Run "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "" "Wait+RunOnce+Minimized"
FileErase "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat"

Run "Notepad.exe" "[PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt" "Normal"

GotoLine "Exit"

:EditThemeFilesList

Run "Notepad.exe" "[PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt" "Normal"

GotoLine "Exit"

:ApplyRandomTheme

FileLen "[PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt" "[TotalThemeFiles]"
Math "[TotalThemeFiles]-1" "0" "[RandomNumberTemp]"
Random "[RandomNumberTemp]" "[RandomNumberTemp]"
Math "[RandomNumberTemp]+1" "0" "[RandomThemeFilesListLineNumber]"

FileRead "[PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt" "[RandomThemeFilesListLineNumber]" "[RandomThemeFilename]"
Run "C:\Windows\System32\RunDLL32.exe" "C:\Windows\System32\Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL C:\Windows\System32\Desk.cpl Desk,@Themes /Action:OpenTheme /File:[#34][RandomThemeFilename][#34]" "Normal+RunOnce"
SendKeys "Desk.cpl" "{Enter}"

GotoLine "Exit"

:DisplayProperties

Run "C:\Windows\System32\RunDLL32.exe" "C:\Windows\System32\Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL C:\Windows\System32\Desk.cpl Desk,@Themes" "Normal+RunOnce"

GotoLine "Exit"

:Help

AlertBox "Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator v1.0" "Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator Command-Line Parameters:
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] (no command-line parameter)
Create a new list of the desktop theme files installed on your computer, and
then apply a random desktop theme from the list.
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] /L
Create a new list of the desktop theme files installed on your computer
(without applying a random desktop theme from the list), and then edit the list
using Windows Notepad.
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] /E
Edit the previously created list of desktop theme files using Windows Notepad.
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] /R
Apply a random desktop theme from the previously created list of desktop theme
files.
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] /D
Start the Windows Display Properties control panel applet (without applying a
random desktop theme from the list).
[#34]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.exe[#34] /H
Display this quick help message, and then the Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator
readme file.

Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator v1.0
©Copyright 2010, Rich ¥Weeds¥ Nagel - All Rights Reserved
richnagel@earthlink.net
http://www.richnagel.net
http://www.cmoo.com/snor/weeds/Desktop_Themes/"
Run "Notepad.exe" "[PubDir]Windows XP Desktop Theme Rotator.txt" "Normal"

GotoLine "Exit"

:ListThemesAndApplyRandomTheme

FileWrite "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "1" "@ECHO OFF"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "2" "SET USERPROFILE > [#34][PubDir]UserProfileVariable.txt[#34]"
FileInsLine "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "3"

Run "[PubDir]ListUser.bat" "" "Wait+RunOnce+Minimized"
FileErase "[PubDir]ListUser.bat"

FileRead "[PubDir]UserProfileVariable.txt" "1" "[UserProfileVariable]"
StrReplace "[UserProfileVariable]" "USERPROFILE=" "" "[UserProfilePath]"
FileErase "[PubDir]UserProfileVariable.txt"

FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "1" "@ECHO OFF"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "2" "DIR [#34][UserProfilePath]\Documents\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S > [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "3" "DIR [#34][UserProfilePath]\My Documents\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S >> [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "4" "DIR [#34]C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S >> [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileWrite "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "5" "DIR [#34]C:\Program Files\Plus!\Themes\*.theme[#34] /B /ON /S >> [#34][PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt[#34]"
FileInsLine "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "6"

Run "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat" "" "Wait+RunOnce+Minimized"
FileErase "[PubDir]ListThemes.bat"

FileLen "[PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt" "[TotalThemeFiles]"
Math "[TotalThemeFiles]-1" "0" "[RandomNumberTemp]"
Random "[RandomNumberTemp]" "[RandomNumberTemp]"
Math "[RandomNumberTemp]+1" "0" "[RandomThemeFilesListLineNumber]"

FileRead "[PubDir]ThemeFilesList.txt" "[RandomThemeFilesListLineNumber]" "[RandomThemeFilename]"
Run "C:\Windows\System32\RunDLL32.exe" "C:\Windows\System32\Shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL C:\Windows\System32\Desk.cpl Desk,@Themes /Action:OpenTheme /File:[#34][RandomThemeFilename][#34]" "Normal+RunOnce"
SendKeys "Desk.cpl" "{Enter}"

GotoLine "Exit"

:Exit

Exit "" ""


Hehe, you'll notice that even in this 'modern' Windows 32-bit proggie I'm STILL using good-old batch file 'technology' for the utility to do it's magic <LOL>!
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WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by Rich Nagel »

Hi Folks,

I seem to be having a problem with the "Embed" tag in several of my web pages when viewed in the Internet Explorer v6.0. The following seems to work just fine:

Code: Select all

<embed src="music.mp3">
<embed src="music.mid">
...and displays a little Windows Media Player box within the web page.

This doesn't work at all (no sound is played):

Code: Select all

<embed src="sound.wav">
...and simply displays a little square (sort of an empty 'broken image URL' type of thing) where the WMP should be.

This on my PC running Windows XP with SP2.

On my mother's and father's PCs (both running Windows XP with SP3), it works fine in MSIE. I forget offhand what version of MSIE the have on their PCs, but I think it's v6.0 as well.

Here is a prime example -> http://www.cmoo.com/snor/weeds/Star_Tre ... _Rites.htm . The MIDI music plays, but not the WAV file (with a 'broken image' box where the WMP box should be displayed).

Any idea as to why MIDI and MP3 files play properly, but a no-go with WAV files? This is driving me nutz <G>!
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The lost Ninja
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Re: WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by The lost Ninja »

Rich, this is how it looks like when using IE 8:

Image

And the same goes for Opera 10.10:

Image

Hope this helps.
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Re: WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by Rich Nagel »

The lost Ninja wrote:Rich, this is how it looks like when using IE 8:
And the same goes for Opera 10.10:
Hope this helps.

Hehe, I wasn't refering to embeding them within the forums here, the code snippets that I posted will do nothing in my actual message above :wink:

In order to test what I was refering to, you'ld need an HTML with the above mentioned code in it (i.e. on your hard drive), as well as a few sample sounds (MP3/WAV/MID/etc...) with similar filenames as shown in the code snippets.

A better test would be to surf to the above link ( http://www.cmoo.com/snor/weeds/Star_Tre ... _Rites.htm ) and see if you hear a WAV and a MIDI file playing (there will be two Windows Media Player boxes on the page running simultaneously).

Anyhoo, I figured out the problem last night. I simply had to run the (normal) WMP, go to "Tools/Options/Filetypes", and then check the box for WAV files. Then I re-associated WAV files with the normal player that I use, and all was well :) WMP now shows up in a little box on a web page with an embedded WAV file (using the "<embed>" tags), and double-clicking on a WAV on my PC opens the WAV in my player of choice :)

Strange how this got cobbled up in the first place, though.
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Re: WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by thegreatfalcon »

As says this page: http://www.htmlcodetutorial.com/embedde ... EMBED.html, The <embed> tag is used when you want the user to play the file... I guess it's a version problem... What the hell are you doing with SP2 anyways? :doh: Have the SP3 and everything should be fine I think... Also WMP11 is a good solution to fix the problem since it's somekind of WMP that plays the sounds in IE... In FF though, it's a little pretty player which I suspect to be somekind of QuickTime thing... You may also consider a flash player which is way more common or even using the new <audio> which is a HTML5 standard :bg:
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Re: WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by Rich Nagel »

The Great Falcon wrote:I guess it's a version problem...
Nope. Like I replied, I fixed it... 'twas simply something cobbled up with my file associations :)

The Great Falcon wrote:What the hell are you doing with SP2 anyways? :doh: Have the SP3 and everything should be fine I think
Hehe, I'm still installing crapola <G> and setting up this PC. Haven't got around to SP3 (yet).

The Great Falcon wrote:In FF though, it's a little pretty player which I suspect to be somekind of QuickTime thing
Which is why my main browser of choice is NS v7.02 with the old "NPAudio.dll" (Sound Player for Netscape Navigator, v.1.1.1515)... I *H*A*T*E* QuickTime <BG>! The built-in MIDI softsynth in QT is fine for most folks, but it's hardcoded to use that built-in softsynth... it won't play MIDI files through the normal MIDI devices installed in your PC (in my case, an SBLive with 100 megs of SoundFonts <G>).
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Re: WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by thegreatfalcon »

Rich Nagel wrote:Which is why my main browser of choice is NS v7.02 with the old "NPAudio.dll" (Sound Player for Netscape Navigator, v.1.1.1515)... I *H*A*T*E* QuickTime <BG>! The built-in MIDI softsynth in QT is fine for most folks, but it's hardcoded to use that built-in softsynth... it won't play MIDI files through the normal MIDI devices installed in your PC (in my case, an SBLive with 100 megs of SoundFonts <G>).
Well... Hum... Rich... Maybe you might consider maybe, hum, upgrading your computer... This board is a good and has socket 775 so you can fit any Dual or Quad core on it... It's quite cheap actually and comes with on board audio and video which with you actually maybe beat the performance of your current whole computer...? Well, add a decent CPU and some RAM and you can already run many games... And you still have a floppy & IDE thing! :headbang: :eyes: :doh: :wow: :ugeek:

I point out this board because it's actually the cheapest on TigerDirect... But if you have any wantings to go with one i7 compatible thing that can support 5 GPU in SLi or CrossFire... Go and buy ... But well... That's obviously a bit excessive...
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Re: WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by Rich Nagel »

The Great Falcon wrote:Well... Hum... Rich... Maybe you might consider maybe, hum, upgrading your computer...
Umm... I think you missed the meaning of my previous reply (re: setting up this PC). I have *already* built myself up a new PC. While it's not a speed demon by the newest standards, so far it is able to run everything that I've been able to throw at it :)

The Great Falcon wrote:It's quite cheap actually and comes with on board audio and video which with you actually maybe beat the performance of your current whole computer...?
That's the thing (and what I was refering to about my SBLive): My SBLive with the hundred megs of SoundFonts sounds *considerably* better (MIDI music-wise) than ANY onboard sound :) Hence, why I hate QuickTime... QT uses it's own proprietary built-in software synthesizer for MIDI music, and doesn't hold a candle to most any SoundFont compatable sound card (including the old AWE32s that I used previously in my old 486 -> some examples: http://www.cmoo.com/snor/weeds/ttmusic.htm ).
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Re: WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by Lukeno94 »

That website works for me fine - Google Chrome 3. Dunno why you're complaining if the issue was whilst using IE 6 :lol:
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Re: WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by thegreatfalcon »

Rich Nagel wrote:I have *already* built myself up a new PC
Then what are you waiting after to post your specs in the "Computer Configuration" thread? :hiya: :flip:
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Re: WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by Doorslammer »

It's a long running in-joke that Rich is about 30 years behind everyone else. By my reckoning, he has yet to discover the delights of Rick Astley...

I'm amazed he's even this far advanced in Windows history. ;) :rolf:
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Re: WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by Rich Nagel »

Dave Hunter wrote:It's a long running in-joke that Rich is about 30 years behind everyone else.
*VERY* well put <LOL>!

Dave Hunter wrote:By my reckoning, he has yet to discover the delights of Rick Astley...
Hehe, yep... I had to Google that <LOL>. After reading the Wiki -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Astley , I have come to the conclusion that I honestly have never heard of him before <G>.

Dave Hunter wrote:I'm amazed he's even this far advanced in Windows history. ;) :rolf:
Seriously, as a PC tech (a 'one-man show') I'm usually quite well versed in all of the state-of-the-art PC stuff... that is, EXCEPT for MY hardware and software <LOL>!


Nevertheless, like I said before, it's not a speed demon (but quite capable nonetheless):


Intel P4 2.666 GHZ CPU
512 MB RAM
Onboard Intel 82865G Video w/ 96 MB shared RAM
Two 160 GB Seagate IDE hard drives (one for Norton Ghost backups)
256 GB Seagate external USB 2.0 hard drive
6 USB 2.0 ports (2 on the front, 4 on the rear)
Serial port
Parallel port
Intel Pro/100 VE onboard LAN
Ugly-assed translucent green keyboard
Old Logitech 3-button MouseMan mouse (I have had the same two of these wired ball mice since 1991... wouldn't trade 'em for the world for an optical mouse!)
Sound Blaster Live! Value with ~100 MB of loaded SoundFonts
Onboard sound (disabled)
LG DVD/CD RW drive (I forget off-hand the specs)
Removable hard drive caddy for customer's hard drives
3-1/2" Floppy
5-1/4" Floppy (couldn't live without it <LOL>!)
19" Gateway monitor
12 GB USB 2.0 flash drive (formatted as FAT32/bootable/with MS-DOS, and CDROM/Mouse/SBLive! drivers)
Four Reveal PC speakers
Windows XP Professional Corporate Edition with SP2 (I still need to install SP3 from the CD I got from Mickey$oft)
Cool Windows XP skins and desktop themes that I've created (e.g. the "Weeds Windows Vista Desktop Themes" for Windows XP <G>)
Numerous other crapola, to much to list (i.e. my old Gravis GamePads/gameport versions circa 1990, and Windows Vista Ultimate Edition... which will NEVER see the light of day on my/any of my PCs!)

Oh, and DOSBox installed so's I can run all of my great old DOS games and such... if it weren't for DOSBox, Windows 98 SE would be on THIS PC!
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The lost Ninja
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Re: WAV File with "Embed" HTML Code Problem

Post by The lost Ninja »

Rich Nagel wrote:
Dave Hunter wrote:By my reckoning, he has yet to discover the delights of Rick Astley...
I had to Google that <LOL>. After reading the Wiki -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Astley , I have come to the conclusion that I honestly have never heard of him before <G>.
Consider yourself VERY lucky! :D
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Rich Nagel
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Windows Icon Editor

Post by Rich Nagel »

Folks,

I was trying to edit a few icons that had been extracted from various Windows XP and Windows Vista core files.

I own an older version of a program called "IconForge", and it choked on the extracted icons (memory errors, as well as displaying nothing but black where the icons should be). I figured that since my version was so old, maybe I'd try a trial version of the newest one... same problem.

I also tried another oldie "MicroAngelo", and it wouldn't open the icons either.

Found another on the Internet, "Axialis IconWorkshop", but that sucker was a 32 meg download (Come on... a 32 meg download for an ICON EDITOR?!).

Then I found "IcoFX v1.6.4" ( http://icofx.ro ); a 1.4 meg download, it can edit XP as well as Vista icons... works like a champ (with a ton of features), small download, and is freeware to boot :)
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Rich Nagel
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Windows Cursor Editor

Post by Rich Nagel »

What IcoFX is to icons, AniFX is to cursors (static and animated) -> http://icofx.ro/anifx . Also freeware, by the same author :)
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XYY
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Re: Windows Icon Editor

Post by XYY »

There's also a programme called Realworld icon editor...
it's also freeware....
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Rich Nagel
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Re: Windows Icon Editor

Post by Rich Nagel »

Thanks for that heads-up :) One thing that turned me away from that one though was it's 16 meg download... similar to the Axialis IconWorkshop that I mentioned previously, so much for simplly an icon editor <G>?! Also I wasn't 100% sure that it was freeware (as the author has a purchase/license page on his site as well).

Anyhow, although AniFX that I mentioned previously is quite a good CUR/ANI editor, one gripe that I had about it after trying it out for a while: The editor doesn't support the "inverse" color. Other than that, the program looks really nice.

Nevertheless, I did find another ICO/CUR/ANI editor, "Greenfish Icon Editor Pro" (also freeware) -> http://greenfish.extra.hu/downloads.php ... it indeed supports the "inverse" color for CUR/ANI files, but doesn't have quite as many features and effects that AniFX has.
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"Liero" Freeware Game

Post by Rich Nagel »

Anyone ever play this one before, an old DOS game called "Liero"? I only recently discovered this excellent freeware game... leave it to the Finnish for excellent freeware games that are top-notch in gameplay and replay value :)

http://www.liero.be

Grab the http://www.liero.be/download/liero-1.35b2-bundle.zip file, as it contains the original DOS Liero as well as the newer WinDoZe incarnation of the game "OpenLiero".

Needless to say, my favorite is the DOS version <G>. Running in DOSBox ( http://www.dosbox.com ) I can remap my Gravis GamePads to the keyboard controls (neither of the versions of the game support game controllers), and many of the mods and level editing utilites that have been created/released for the game directly hack the DOS version's executable... so's you need to run the DOS version for any of these sort of mods to use them.

Here's a great level/graphics/mod/hack editor for the game "Wormhole" -> http://hem.passagen.se/otterud/wormhole .

Anyhoo, the other day I created a little utility for the game, the Liero Player Battle Score Calculator v1.0. The utility will calculate battle scores based upon the starting game lives, ending game lives, and kills.

The utility was coded/created using NeoSoft's "NeoBook for Windows", and I added a page over at their 'user submissions' section for the utility. Link is here -> http://www.neosoftware.com/neobook/modu ... =1&lid=110 for more info, download, etc... :)
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Re: "Liero" Freeware Game

Post by 1nsane »

Hahah, oh have I ever played Liero..?

Yes...

Infact... I did it when I was about... 10 years old maybe? So about 10 years ago.

Yup, it is a nice game, although I have played it too much now so I'm not playing it anymore. I liked the modability of the game the most. Well, the Windows/newer version anyways. I did some of my own skins for the "worms" myself. And then all of the nice weapon mods made the game survive for longer than what it would have without the mods. I remember playing this a lot in the high school. We had these major deathmatch tournaments during the breaks. Atleast until a teacher came to shoo us away because we created so much noise. :P I did start out with the DOS version, though.
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The lost Ninja
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Re: "Liero" Freeware Game

Post by The lost Ninja »

Thanks for bringing memories back Rich!

A few years ago, when searching for some freeware games, I stumbled upon Liero.
Downloaded it, and a lot of skins also.
At the same time, someone pointed me towards the game "Soldat", also freeware, and written by one single programmer called Michal Marcinkowski, from Poland.
Furious real-time action, lots of weapons, many levels, skins, mods and online-mode.
Because I found soldat, I never really played Liero.

Soldat Homepage
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Re: "Liero" Freeware Game

Post by Rich Nagel »

The lost Ninja wrote:At the same time, someone pointed me towards the game "Soldat", also freeware, and written by one single programmer called Michal Marcinkowski, from Poland.
<AFAIK> Soldat is not freeware, but rather shareware that has additional features when you pay for it, no?


@All,

Updated the calculator utility to version 1.1 - Added a score averaging calculator, as well as a few things here and there :)

Links and download page is the same.
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Re: "Liero" Freeware Game

Post by egamad »

There are exactly 2 games (not counting the one pre-shipped with windows) that never, ever, EVER(!) leave my HD. And as you must have guessed these are GeneRally and Liero. I'm not going to start telling you how great this game is, blah blah, I can only say there are little things as sweet as kicking your kid brother's butt first in GR and then after 10 minutes in Liero too. :D

Because not everybody will want to play the dos version here is a little addon that allow you to play in windoze with sound and more or less the way it should be played - http://open.liero.be/.

There is also a little workabout where you don't need openliero, but it takes away the ingame sound: create a shortcut to liero and open up it's properties. Select the "shortcut" tab and after the program path add the /n parameter, like this:

C:\games\liero\Liero.exe /n


That's it for my part, now DL and enjoy.:) Oh, and Rich, can't wait to try your addon, thanks. :yummy:
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