Entries for Blkbam

WMP 11 Bug [WMP 11 Bug]

Blkbam — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 18:21:18 GMT

I've been searching around microsoft's site for about an hour (and connect.microsoft.com for about 5 mins) and have come to the realization that there is no way to submit a bug for WMP without actually calling MS so I'll post it here and see what becomes of it. This problem has existed in WMP 9 and 10 now in 11. Hopefully a patch will fix this and I won't have to wait until 12 for it to be fixed.

BUG: If you have two cd/dvd drives installed and insert a cd into both drives WMP will connect online and get the disc info for the cd's. If you eject one of the cd's and put in another cd, WMP will not refresh and get the info for the new cd. You must close WMP and re-open it for the change to be detected. WMP will still display the cd's info even if you close the drive without a cd.

Can someone on the WMP team please correct this. It's a real pain when you are trying to rip a lot of cd's and have to keep closing the application to get it to function the way you want it to.

in reply to WMP 11 Bug

Looking for an Icon creator like in VS IDE [Looking for an Icon creator like in VS IDE]

Blkbam — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 22:35:20 GMT

Anyone know of source or a 3rd party component icon creater like the one in the VS IDE? I want to put some functionality like this into one of my apps but I can't seem to find anything like it on the net.

in reply to Looking for an Icon creator like in VS IDE

One site / Multiple Webservices [One site / Multiple Webservices]

Blkbam — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 21:22:23 GMT

I'm trying to set up an environment where I have one IIS site which serves multiple versions of a webservice. The idea is to use sub folders for each webservice.

From what I can tell, only what is in the root folder can be seen. Has anyone tried something like this or is this even possible?

in reply to One site / Multiple Webservices

Depreciate a method [Depreciate a method]

Blkbam — Tue, 15 Nov 2005 21:26:42 GMT

A recent discussion here at work about Binary Compatability sparked my memory about being able to programatically depreciate a method in .Net however I can't seem to remember where I saw it. I know I saw it happen in a video possibly here or in a MSDN Webcast but I'm not sure where. Anyone have any ideas on how to do this?

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Put text in a stream in C#. [Put text in a stream in C#.]

Blkbam — Thu, 20 Oct 2005 20:35:57 GMT

How can I put text in a stream in C#? Not to sound pushy but nevermind why, I need to pass a stream to a function. It seems the .Net framework will let me create a stream ie:

Stream s = null;

but it won't let me create and instance of it, ie.

Stream s = new Stream();

I know I can get it from other objects such as a HttpRespone or a Assembly.GetSomethingFromStream. Any help would be appreciated.

in reply to Put text in a stream in C#.

Web service Logging [Web service Logging]

Blkbam — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 15:06:27 GMT

We're working on a new web service here at my job and still in the early stages. Due to the requirments I can't run it and test it on my dev box, it has to be tested from a specific IP. Since this is the case we have to log our attempts in some manner so we can read them and see what went wrong/right.

Which brings me to the question, How should we log? I suggested the EventLog since it's structured already and easy to read. Of course one response I got back was it could crash the server if it got full. I've never actually seen this happen. Many programs and apps use the Eventlog with no problems what so ever.

Another suggestion was the good old flat file in some semi-structured way. I hate reading those logs because of the structure, ease of use and opening and searching 5MB text file is a pain, so I'm not really for that idea but it could happen.

Already out is the database and xml format due to reliablilty so I ask you guys, how do you log Web/Windows Services?

in reply to Web service Logging

Repair PTP [Repair PTP]

Blkbam — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 03:47:18 GMT

I have a client that just bought a new Canon SD 400 which comes with no connection software. The camera is supposed to use PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) to connect to Windows. We of course this doesn't work. The camera just shows up as an unknown device. Canon doesn't offer a driver so I'm wondering if there is a way to repair it without reinstalling Windows. Does anyone know of a way to do this or ran into this and fixed it somehow?

in reply to Repair PTP

Netscape patch already [Netscape patch already]

Blkbam — Fri, 20 May 2005 20:18:36 GMT

All I can say is wow... This has to be the fastest patch I've seen after an offical release.

in reply to Netscape patch already

VS Beta Cleanup [VS Beta Cleanup]

Blkbam — Tue, 03 May 2005 01:56:48 GMT

I've tried the current cleaup tool and it doesn't do anything. I can't even uninstall it with the installer that came with the download. I was excited at first with the express beta products and .Net 2.0 but now I'm just getting frustrated with trying to get the damn thing set up. I'm up to 3 machines that I'm stuck with a half installed beta that won't install or uninstall.

With all of the problems people are reporting with removal of the .Net 2.0 products I wondering if there will be a cleanup tool that will remove all of the beta stuff before the final release?

in reply to VS Beta Cleanup

Webcasts need some help (again) [Webcasts need some help (again)]

Blkbam — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 12:52:34 GMT

I'm posting this again in hopes that it will hold its formating plus I think feedback here is needed...

Ever since I discovered the Webcasts the MS offers I've taken full advantage of them. This is one of the things I like about MS, free product training and info.

Over the last couple months they have gone through some changes and I've tried to remain upbeat about them but now I need to say something about it. I've tried leaving feedback in the surveys, emailing the webcast team and even posting on the WebCast Blog but nothing seems to be happening so since I know some of you guys and gals here watch/listen to the webcasts I thought I'd get your feedback as well and hope the webcast team takes notice.

Here are somethings I've notice that needs to be fixed...

1. Registration Process: There seems to be multiple paths to take during the registration process. This was a little understandable when there was more than one means of delivering the webcast but now they have settled on using the Live Meeting software there is no excuse. Please make it simple by having me: a) select my webcast and view its description
b) login after selecting that I want to view it
c) Stop asking me for my attendee name. Use my registration name or save the previous name I have entered. Default the "Confirm" button as the next button and not the "Edit Profile" button.
d) assuming the above step is removed have me confirm my user setting are valid by pressing the "Confirm" button.
e) Take me to the confirmation page and show me the webcast deatails again with date and time in my timezone.
f) bring back the OutLook reminders. I don't know if Thunderbird has a calendar but hey support them too.

2. Webcast Client: Agree on one! Since I've been attending webcasts there has been at least three different clients. Pick one and stay with it.

3. Audio Quality: Just when you finally had an audio provider that worked on a consitant basis with good quality you switched clients now we have to do this dance all over again. The last one you used (I think it was Placeware) was great and reliable. Now we have a new client and the same problems all over again. Polls on the audio content every year is getting old.

4. Webcast list: The means of searching for a webcast is a bit akward. I don't think it should be mixed in with the other events. The upcoming list was a lot better when the webcasts were broken down by technology. Maybe have the columns sortable. Though I do like the idea of the calendars but I think you need to find a way to put all of the webcast for the day on one calendar. Also again, the times are PST, I don't live there!

5. Previously Recorded Webcasts: Too many steps to view a previous webcast. There are more steps than viewing a live webcast. How can this be? I like the multi-format you offer but getting there is a pain. Use something like:
a) select my webcast and view its description
b) login after selecting that I want to view it
c) Stop asking me for my attendee name its prerecorded (though I think this is fixed)
d) take me to the page to select the webcast format.

Also there seems to be some problem with the server. Every other click gives me a "The Server is currently unable to process your request. Please try again shortly. Thank you." error.

And some of them say "We’re sorry, due to the popularity of this event, registration is currently closed. Please search for another event." after you get through the registration process. WTF It's prerecorded!

6. Code Samples: Give presenters a centralized location to keep and store code samples and slides. I know space isn't cheap (sure it is) but having a presenter say "I don't have this available yet but it will be" is just a pain in the ass (sorry got carried away there). Maybe not the slides but code samples yes. That way presenters may be able to use other code already available and say "Hey, modify that and you can to this".

OK I've taken up the end of my work day typing this like I've planned so I'm heading home. Have a good weekend!!!!

in reply to Webcasts need some help (again)

Webcasts need some help [Webcasts need some help]

Blkbam — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 21:17:36 GMT

Ever since I discovered the Webcasts the MS offers I've taken full advantage of them. This is one of the things I like about MS, free product training and info.

Over the last couple months they have gone through some changes and I've tried to remain upbeat about them but now I need to say something about it. I've tried leaving feedback in the surveys, emailing the webcast team and even posting on the WebCast Blog but nothing seems to be happening so since I know some of you guys and gals here watch/listen to the webcasts I thought I'd get your feedback as well and hope the webcast team takes notice.

Here are somethings I've notice that needs to be fixed...

1. Registration Process: There seems to be multiple paths to take during the registration process. This was a little understandable when there was more than one means of delivering the webcast but now they have settled on using the Live Meeting software there is no excuse. Please make it simple by having me: a) select my webcast and view its description
b) login after selecting that I want to view it
c) Stop asking me for my attendee name. Use my registration name or save the previous name I have entered. Default the "Confirm" button as the next button and not the "Edit Profile" button.
d) assuming the above step is removed have me confirm my user setting are valid by pressing the "Confirm" button.
e) Take me to the confirmation page and show me the webcast deatails again with date and time in my timezone.
f) bring back the OutLook reminders. I don't know if Thunderbird has a calendar but hey support them too.

2. Webcast Client: Agree on one! Since I've been attending webcasts there has been at least three different clients. Pick one and stay with it.

3. Audio Quality: Just when you finally had an audio provider that worked on a consitant basis with good quality you switched clients now we have to do this dance all over again. The last one you used (I think it was Placeware) was great and reliable. Now we have a new client and the same problems all over again. Polls on the audio content every year is getting old.

4. Webcast list: The means of searching for a webcast is a bit akward. I don't think it should be mixed in with the other events. The upcoming list was a lot better when the webcasts were broken down by technology. Maybe have the columns sortable. Though I do like the idea of the calendars but I think you need to find a way to put all of the webcast for the day on one calendar. Also again, the times are PST, I don't live there!

5. Previously Recorded Webcasts: Too many steps to view a previous webcast. There are more steps than viewing a live webcast. How can this be? I like the multi-format you offer but getting there is a pain. Use something like:
a) select my webcast and view its description
b) login after selecting that I want to view it
c) Stop asking me for my attendee name its prerecorded (though I think this is fixed)
d) take me to the page to select the webcast format.

Also there seems to be some problem with the server. Every other click gives me a "The Server is currently unable to process your request. Please try again shortly. Thank you." error.

And some of them say "We’re sorry, due to the popularity of this event, registration is currently closed. Please search for another event." after you get through the registration process. WTF It's prerecorded!

6. Code Samples: Give presenters a centralized location to keep and store code samples and slides. I know space isn't cheap (sure it is) but having a presenter say "I don't have this available yet but it will be" is just a pain in the ass (sorry got carried away there). Maybe not the slides but code samples yes. That way presenters may be able to use other code already available and say "Hey, modify that and you can to this".

OK I've taken up the end of my work day typing this like I've planned so I'm heading home. Have a good weekend!!!!

in reply to Webcasts need some help

Google reults browser specific? [Google reults browser specific?]

Blkbam — Mon, 14 Mar 2005 16:16:24 GMT

For the most part I use IE unless I need to to searches in the net then I use FF to throw multiple windows in tabs. To day I did a simple search then realized I had different results in the browsers even when I pointed them at the same url.

Wondering what happened I search Goolge for why it decided to display different results. The only thing I found relating to what I saw was this post in a blog which I would accept but I'm using the same machine just different browsers. Also it should differ if I open another instance of a browser via IE or FF tab. Any ideas?

in reply to Google reults browser specific?

Only because it's fair... [Only because it's fair...]

Blkbam — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 01:07:05 GMT

Firefox patches 17 bugs with 1.0.1. Some of which could allow a hacker to take over the users machine.

"The only reason Mozilla and Firefox have a good track record in security with a low number of security vulnerabilities is simply because they don't tell anyone about them," Thor Larholm, a senior security researcher with PivX Solutions in Newport Beach, California. says via e-mail.

http://www.pcworld.com/resource/article/0,aid,119833,pg,1,RSS,RSS,00.asp

(Insert usual IE security hole bashing here. Then replace "icrosoft" with "ozilla" and IE with FF)

in reply to Only because it's fair...

SQL Expresss XM - FINALLY!!!! [SQL Expresss XM - FINALLY!!!!]

Blkbam — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 20:28:01 GMT

After a two month delay it is finally here! The SQL Express team has finally announced a release of the SQL Express Manager or (SQL XM). I haven't had a chance to try it out yet since I have setup at home but I'll be playing with it in about 3 hours. Anyone have it installed yet and can make my mouth water before I get home?

I'm honestly more excited about this more than any of the other Express produts. I've been experimenting with desktop storage methods (including my own) for applications that I am developing and this has been by far the best! It's great for web applications too but I've just started with them.

in reply to SQL Expresss XM - FINALLY!!!!

Javascript and ASP 2.0 Webcontrols [Javascript and ASP 2.0 Webcontrols]

Blkbam — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 02:47:56 GMT

After hours, ok days I'm new to ASP.Net, of trying to figure this out I figure I'll ask you guys. I'm creating a Web Control as so below to create a number only control.

<%@ Control Language="C#" CompileWith="ZipField.ascx.cs" ClassName="ZipField_ascx" %>

<asp:TextBox ID="txtZip" MaxLength="5" Runat="server" OnTextChanged="ZIP_TextChanged" ></asp:TextBox><br />

<asp:CustomValidator ID="custZip" ErrorMessage="Only numbers are allowed." Runat="server" ControlToValidate="txtZip" ClientValidationFunction="IsNumber"></asp:CustomValidator><br />

<asp:RequiredFieldValidator ID="reqZip" ErrorMessage="Field cannot be blank." Runat="server" ControlToValidate="txtZip"></asp:RequiredFieldValidator><br />

function IsNumber(source,arguments)

{

var sNums = "0123456789";

var cChar;

var sText=document.getElementById("Zip_txtZip").value;

//var sText=document.getElementById("<%=this.ClientID + "_txtZip" %>").value;

for (i=0;i<sText.length; i++)

{

cChar = sText.charAt(i);

if (sNums.indexOf(cChar) == -1)

{

arguments.IsValid = false;

return;

}

return;

}

</script>

As you can see I'm using javascript in the control itself. In this case let's call the control ZIP. When I place the control on a page the text control is named ZIP_txtZip which if I want to reference it I have to use the uncommented code which hardcodes my control name. Or I can do it the way in the commented line above Which is a little more dynamic but what happenes if I rename the textbox?

Is their a property or something I can use other that what is above that will give me the name of the control at at runtime (in the client browser)?

I've done some searching and from what I've found, the naming convention used to name the client controls has changed a few times. Has the convention really changed? I've just started using ASP.Net 2.0 so I'm not sure.

in reply to Javascript and ASP 2.0 Webcontrols

Why so evil? [Why so evil?]

Blkbam — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 16:50:47 GMT

If you're into the IT sector of the society then there is no way you haven't heard these few lines either in the news or forums is some shape or form:

- Microsoft is a monopoly.
- Bill Gates/Microsoft doesn't care about you.
- MS products are Unstable, vulnerable, evil.

Today I thought to myself, "When did Microsoft become so evil?". Better yet,"Why?". I know that hatred is an unstoppable plauge so that explains the popularity of this view today but when did it start and why?

No other company has influenced thier field let along the world (except Ford Motor Company) in a positive, yes I said positive, manner building inspiration, technology and research to expand on not only its own profits but the profits of others (yes they do do that too).

But back to my original question, Can anyone recall a single event, timeframe, application, bug or whatever that caused the MS become the "evil" company it is today?

Note: BlkBam is not a paid spokesperson nor is he affiliated with MS in any way.

in reply to Why so evil?

GPL going the way of patents [GPL going the way of patents]

Blkbam — Thu, 04 Nov 2004 17:26:16 GMT

I've been researching how to create a designer-like program to dynamically create objects and move them around like the VS IDE. At our company we have an app that does that in C++ using the CRectTracker class. I was looking for a way to do this in .Net, which has suddenly become a popular item to do. I remember MS featuring an article on accomplishing it in .Net but I didn't bookmark the link.

Finally last night I found the article after someone posted a link to it.

http://www.divil.co.uk/net/articles/designers/hosting.asp

The post following that one linked to an article from the guys who created SharpDevelop so I took a look.

http://www.icsharpcode.net/pub/relations/amatterofinspiration.aspx

It seems that the author of the original article (Tim Dawson) had code similar/identical to what was in the SharpDevelop source.

Now I'm not debating right and wrong here from the article but what raised a flag to me is that in both cases the same goal was trying to be reached which could yield the same results in code. Had this been a simple application such as a calculator and one was under the GPL using a function such as:

private float DoStuff(float num1, float num2, int operand)
{
   float tmp = 0;
   switch (operand)
   {
   case 1:
      tmp= num1 + num2;
      break;
   case 2:
      tmp= num1 - num2;
      break;
   case 3:
      tmp= num1 / num2;
      break;
   case 4:
      tmp= num1 * num2;
      break;
   }
   return tmp;
}

It would force any calculator that used something like it to be under GPL. Granted there are many ways to do things and one .Net Class to do them with, isn't it inevitable that some code will be similar at some point if it isn't already?

in reply to GPL going the way of patents

A New Age "Old" Debate E&C vs Refactoring [A New Age "Old" Debate E&C vs Refactoring]

Blkbam — Tue, 08 Jun 2004 21:37:24 GMT

OK, so I've read the reasons "why" all over the place and I still don't like them but the fact remains the Refactoring was chosen over Edit & Continue as a feature in Whidbey for C#.

Maybe because I don't fully understand what Refactoring is, being a VB6/C# guy, I don't get how its going to make me more productive than E&C. Seems to me that "fix as you go" is more productive than "variable scramble".

Seems to me E&C would be see more action than Refactoring since you often have to fix errors in your code but I can't see the benefit of having the option of renaming objects/variables on a whim. Maybe someone can enlighten me on why I should care about Refactoring.

http://weblogs.asp.net/jaybaz_ms/archive/2004/05/17/133402.aspx

http://blogs.msdn.com/andypennell/archive/2004/02/03/66949.aspx

http://www.gotdotnet.com/Community/MessageBoard/Thread.aspx?id=181529

http://scottwater.com/blog/archive/2003/10/28/10415.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vcsharp/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dv_vstechart/html/vs2004_intro.asp#vs2004_intro_topic4

http://www.refactoring.com/

and countless others....

in reply to A New Age "Old" Debate E&C vs Refactoring