Free DVD Software through October 31
October 20th, 2009
2 comments
winxdvd.com is giving away DVD Authoring, and DVD ripping software between now and October 31, 2009.
I downloaded and installed as soon as darkmoon told me about it. Thanks for the tip. They installed smoothly on my system, and at the price of FREE you can’t go wrong. Go grab your copies!
Categories: Computing
Javascript: Focus() on a textbox
August 12th, 2009
2 comments
A dirty way to run js script inline and bring focus to an element:
<html>
<body>
<form method="post" action="index.php" id="myForm">
<p> Login: <input type="text" name="pwd" id="pwd" /> </p>
</form>
<script type="text/javascript">document.myForm.pwd.focus();</script>
</body>
</html>
Notice that both the form and form element have an ID
Categories: General Site Maint
Backup your Notepad++ FTP items
August 4th, 2009
5 comments
So in addition to reformatting friends and relatives computers, about every 2 years I clean out my own. Each time I have, I’ve lost my Notepad++ FTP synchronize settings.
In Vista they can be found in:
C:\Users\AppData\Roaming\Notepad++\plugins\config\FTP_synchronize.ini
Copy them to backup and replace. In case an update gets hosed, or you are re-installing.
Categories: Computing, Programming
Get Acrobat Reader WITHOUT Adobe Update manager
July 30th, 2009
5 comments
Recently I’ve been helping out friends and relations reformat a few computers. They are older, but are speedy enough for their basic needs. One of the sick system hogs (I’ve found) is the adobe update manager.
Most browsers come with update managers, so I feel the update manager is bloated and not necessary. It likes to place its services in the startup causing unneeded processing power.
When it came to reformatting my own laptop, there was no way I was going to install acrobat reader from adobe using their typical download page. Which incidentally, if your not careful will also install a toolbar. You need to uncheck that option.
Adobe does have a page where you can download directly without the ridiculous manager. Hat tip to Walker News, who provided me with the adobe direct download link. (http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/).
UPDATE: This no longer works. I now run older versions from old version.com
Categories: Computing
Despite rampant bailouts, decency and self responsibility still live.
November 17th, 2008
4 comments
So enraged at the bailouts I bought myself a nifty yardsign from cafepress. I’ve had several passerby’s knock on my door and ask where I got it. Even a few cars stopped and inquired.
Last Friday night we had just crawled into bed (was a rough week), and there was a knock at the door. It was one of those "Are you kidding me?" moments. Anyhow I went to the door. As I approached it I heard my next door neighbor lady giving a scolding. Now I was curious.
I turned on the porch lights and found her surrounded by 4 teenage boys, and she was still ripping them a new one. She spotted a strange vehicle parked along the road and had observed the teens yanking and ripping my sign from the ground. She basically arrested them, and brought them to my door. Most of them had a "ruh-roh" look in their eyes. She had asked them if they knew what "restitution" meant. One of them who seemed to care less what happened to them attempted to answer.
Then it dawned on me. It was getting colder, and the leaves on my silver maples finally fell, and I have been incredibly busy with life lately. Perfect! I suggested to the young men that 1/2 hour of raking from each of them would cover the expense as well as the inconvenience. However, it was late at night. My neighbor reminded the boys that she got their license plate. I asked them to return the next day on their honor to come and rake. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my share of mischief in my youth. So in a way I was thinking "awww you are sooo busted". Then I thought about the $30 the sign cost me, and how I don’t work for someone else to throw my work away. So then I was getting upset, especially since the sign was specifically about bailouts.
Much to my surprise 3 of the 4 showed up while I was at work. My wife handed them all rakes and away they went. I just want to say how proud I am of the young men who showed for their correction. These boys will go far in life if they continue to abide by such morals (which certainly means they don’t fit the bill for a congress person).
My wife gave them all bottled water. My toddler even went out and talked with them. One of them was aspiring to be a dentist. Funny how it struck me. At first I could care less. After the whole thing was finished I realized it worked out exactly how it was supposed to. No bailouts for them, no grudges on both parties. Just facing the music, like men, and moving on.
As for the one that had no spine… I’m quite sure that he will someday be forced to grow one, but it’s too bad that it will probably be in a much severe way later in life. If he doesn’t learn life lessons now, he’ll end up in congress.
I’m so glad there are people like my neighbors and that there are young men like this.
Categories: General Interest, Personal, Politics