software

possible new program

i just created a new program called XdN NetSet.

basically its a network connection profile manager.

i work in an environment where my IP address may change several times. i may be using DHCP in one location, but need a Static IP in another location, and even a different Static IP again depending on what i'm doing on my system at the time.

XdN NetSet will display the current config, and allow you to easily change between DHCP and Static IP profiles.

you can try it out by clicking here: https://xenomorph.net/?p=512

it's in a pretty early stage right now, and will be probably changing some more.

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another program

Another one of the many annoyances I came across in Windows Vista is its "nerfed" file and program association screen.

In previous versions of Windows, you could go to Folder Options -> File Types and be able to change program association or just delete file associations to reset them.

If you associated the wrong program with a file type or wanted to change a file types icon, you could easily do so.

Under Vista, you are simply allowed to change what program a file extension is associated to. That's it. You can't remove a program or do much of anything else without having to open up Registry Editor and browse to a key several branches deep.

I started working on a program that would make things a little easier.
Right now, all it does it remove all associations for the file for the current user, basically resetting the extension to defaults.

I didn't know what to call it, but you can click here to download the XdN File Association program.

Here is an image of what it looks like:

I've tested it under Vista and XP, and it works fine.

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programming madness!

"XdN Directions"

an update to a program i made *6 years ago* ...

XdN Directions

it sits in the tray and gives you quick access to address forms to look up something on Google Maps.

yeah, i *guess* you could just open a browser, then open a bookmark. but this program is for someone who may look up a lot of addresses.

the original program i made was because i worked with several people (mostly nurses) who needed to look up addresses a lot. i thought it was a pretty good idea to have a big shiny icon for them to go to get some forms for address entry.

this new program does what my old program did, and a bit more. it sits in the tray, out of the way, and will keep the address info filled in even if the "X" is hit to send it back to the tray.

its also easy to enter data. just double click the tray icon, start typing, and hit Enter for each field. focus is given to the first address box, and the Enter key takes you to the next one and so on, until at the last address box it then opens your web browser window and hides itself.

the permanent page link for the program will be:
https://xenomorph.net/?p=486

my XdN Tweaker program has also been updated to 0.8.6.2, with some new tweaks for XP/2k3

https://xenomorph.net/xdntweaker/

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running Vista? anyone want to try this?

i just uploaded a Vista-specific XdN Tweaker

0.8.5.0 is posted on my XdN Tweaker page

- remove Media Player items off right click menu
- add Windows 2000 style user account manager to Control Panel
- remove "SendTo" from right click menus
- remove ATI CCC from Desktop right click menu
- disable Zip/Cab folders
- add "Take Ownership" to right click menu
- disable UAC
- force Vista to treat all folders the same
- remove "- Shortcut" text when making new shortcuts
- change tcp/ip settings
- increase/reset folder views
- put Menu bar on top in IE7
- remove Search bar in IE7
- disable Windows Mail splash screen

all items have an on/off toggle to enable/disable all changes.

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shitty virus scanners

lots of people run their computers completely unprotected. anything that wants to infect their system can. usually those who don't bother protecting their systems are the same type that are too lazy to bother verifying if that awesome file link they just clicked on will infect their system.

some people will say "well, i just double clicked the file, and nothing happened!" - well, it may look like nothing happened, but in all reality perhaps that file just extracted several more files on your computer, and just loaded a key logger, a virus, and possibly a back door program so everyone can look at all your files. way to go! it did all that behind the scenes, without showing you that anything happened. after the user double-clicks it a few more times, they just go ahead and delete it. it's too late though, for it has already delivered its payload.

some people install a virus scanner, but then never update it. having a scanner with definition files from 2004 has almost zero effect on everything that has come out then.

its possible to see certain brands of virus scanners advertised and sold at local stores. the two biggest are Norton AntiVirus and McAfee AntiVirus. obviously these are the most popular. not because they are the best, or because they are even good - but simply because they are advertised the most. they spend money to advertise, they make money, and can spend more to advertise even more. clueless people buying these products just perpetuate them being sold to even more clueless people.

they cost a lot and require you to keep paying yearly fees to stay up to date. they usually take up a lot of disk space and system resources. they usually present you with false information as well. false information to make you think you are more secure, or false information about how it has just done something to protect you.

they may end up letting something slip through, or they may mark valid files as "dangerous".

there is also the whole "performance" issue. many people pay top dollar for their computer, and then pay a lot for one of these crummy virus scanners. i've always noticed speed reductions with the popular virus scanners - it seems like someone has done some benchmarks on the issue now, testing many virus scanners and other applications.

you can check out that information and the benchmarks here:
http://www.thepcspy.com/articles/other/what_really_slows_windows_down/5

at the top of the list for slowing down systems the most:
- "Norton Internet Security 2006"
- "McAfee VirusScan Enterprise"

regardless of what virus scanner you get, make sure you pay attention to what files it marks as "bad". many virus scanners will mark legitimate programs and other software as a virus, trojan, or other malware when the file may actually be perfectly safe.

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