Recreating MS Windows Help Popups

November 26th, 2008

Overlib [example] is nice enough, I guess, but I still think the ideal popup behaviour for definitions (seen on 'mouse-over') is the example set by the old microsoft-help model… (seen in 'mshtml').

******************************
HERE’S HOW MS HELP BEHAVES:

if you POINT at link, nothing happens. (changes to HAND icon).

if you PAUSE at link, a small TITLE box comes up : “View definition”

if you CLICK on the link, the overlaid window OVERLAPS THE WORD and STAYS THERE

until … you CLICK ANYWHERE !!!
(click on the popup, click on the main page, click outside the window…. anything.)

THE WINDOW CLOSES ON LEFT CLICK _AND_ RIGHT CLICK.

THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS “CLICK ANYWHERE” behaviour is if you click
on a link in the POPUP itself. In this case, it opens the new definition in the exact
same location.

Relevant Google Search ("dhtml popups")

---- eof ----

Official Gmail Blog: Syncing your Google Calendar

(bookmarked from the web to blog)
Official Gmail Blog: Syncing your Google Calendar

Warning about "Software Informer"?

 

Note the following from an anonymous blog, titled "Removing Software Hijacker: Software Informer or System Informer " [^1] :

ISSUES:

Software Informer is dangerous software hijacker, keylogger, and spyware. Another name  is "System Informer".

2. Uninstallation : This application can't be deleted or uninstalled unless you do a direct manual deletion into registry: The Software Informer also causes high CPU utilization and makes overall computer performance dropped.

2. Hijacking google search:  As part of this company's software strategy, the designers effectively hijack  www.google.com seach functionality: if you try to find information regarding this sofware, the page will only show results from Software Informer  pages.

Workaround: This ADVANCED SEARCH on Google is a specially-crafted string that excludes the hundreds of subdomains used by informer.com : > SEARCH

 

For  information on deleting it, see Removing Software Informer hijaker (aroundsap blog)!

 

[^1] http://aroundsap.wordpress.com/2008/06/01/removing-software-hijacker-software-informer-or-system-informer/

 

Today’s Japanese Lesson : “Taiko Report Card”

... I was playing MASTER of TAIKO #6 ( 太鼓の達人 ゴー! ゴー! 五代目 ) for the PlayStation 2 (PS2), and one menu item had me stumped ...

 

( “What's with the little lacquer boxes," I wondered… ”)

So, after some kanji-reverse-engineering, here's what I found:

 

太鼓の通信簿 =　　Taiko report card = TAIKO no TSUUSHIN BO

 

 

通信= TSUUSHIN　=　communication; correspondence; news, a report.

 

 

 

‐簿 = BO [ボ] 「ぼ」= list, book, record (an ending-compound kanji;

e.g. すいとうぼ, "cashbook".

 

 

 

通信簿　= TSUUSHINBO 「つうしんぼ」｛ツウシンボ｝
                = a report book, a report card

 

 

As for the banners, I think they say "ONSHOKU"…

音色　＝　musical quality

おんしょく　＝　onshyoku : tone color

 

     

 

 

Oh, and there's also "Additional Element" and "Personal Record":

 「追加要素」や「個人成績」を閲覧できる。

 

Red vs. Blue: We Are Not Enemies

"As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours: 'we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.'

To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn: I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices.
I need your help. And I will be your president too.

To all those watching tonight from beyond our shores -- from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world : our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared. And a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you.

And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

That is the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations..."

"[But] it can't happen without You: without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism --of responsibility-- where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder, and [to] look after not only ourselves, but each other."

From Obama's Acceptance (Victory) Speech, November 5, 2008
full transcript: http://www.thestar.com/News/USElection/article/530862

Rewrite for MS Word Visual Basic Error Message

My re-write of a dense error message to improve rapid comprehension.

= Original Message =
[file://C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\OFFICE\Alerts\WatsonAlertHelp.htm]

This error is usually due to insufficient memory or low disk space. It also occurs when the default Word template ('normal.dot') is corrupt, the 'VBE6.DLL' file is the wrong version, or permissions to the Temp folder on a server share do not allow access to the folder by the user.

Low memory or disk space can be solved by either closing unused applications, de-installing unused programs or files from the hard drive, or by adding RAM or a larger hard drive. In some cases, a memory leak may have been encountered and is consuming RAM without your knowledge. If you suspect a memory leak is the problem, shut down Word and VBA and restart the computer.

Rename the normal.dot file and restart Microsoft Office Word. When you exit Word, Word will rebuild a new normal.dot file. If you have a backup of the normal.dot, you can replace the defective one with the backup copy instead of having Word repair the file.

If the VBE6.DLL is not the correct version, replace it.

If the network permissions are inadequate for access to a TEMP folder on a server share, consult the administrator and determine if the permissions can be changed. Otherwise, redirect VB to use a local Temp folder.

[link:
http://watson.microsoft.com/dw/errormessages.asp?
ProductName=Office11&EventSource=OfficeErrorMessages&EventID=10094
&Language=1033&productBuild=11.0.5525.0]

------------------------------
= My Rewrite =

"The Visual Basic environment could not be initialized."

"This error is [often] due to insufficient [system] memory, or low disk space.
[The error can also occur] _when the default Word template (normal.dot) is corrupt_,
[or] _the 'VBE6.DLL' file is the wrong version_,
or [, if the "Temporary" folder used by MS Word resides on a shared server,] _permissions to the 'Temp' folder do not allow access [to the current user]_.

Remedies / Potential Fixes:
1)
Low memory or disk space can be solved by either closing unused applications, de-installing unused programs or files from the hard drive, or by adding RAM or a larger hard drive. In some cases, a memory leak may have been encountered and is consuming RAM without your knowledge. If you suspect a memory leak is the problem, shut down Word and VBA and restart the computer.

2a)
Rename the 'normal.dot' file and restart Microsoft Office Word. This file is located at "C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates".
After you restart and exit Word, Word will rebuild a new 'normal.dot' file.
2b)
If you have a backup of the 'normal.dot' template file, [instead of having Word repair the file,] you can replace the current (defective) file with the backup copy.

3)
If the VBE6.DLL is not the correct version, replace it.[*]

4)
If the network permissions are inadequate for access to a TEMP folder on a server share, consult the administrator and determine if the permissions can be changed. Otherwise, redirect Visual Basic (VB) to use a _local_ Temp folder.**

Link: [More help fixing this error is available online]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* (I can't rewrite this point because there is no info offered on what constitutes "correct", how you would replace it, et cetera.)
** No idea how this would be done...

A Great Day for the Internet

"A Great Day for the Internet" 

It was a great day for the Internet, today [August 1st, 2008].  Just hours ago, the [United States] FCC ruled that Comcast violated federal policy by interfering with certain Internet traffic.  In doing so, it took an important step toward assuring that the Internet remains open and free.  In Chairman Martin's words, consumers are entitled to unfettered access to the Internet. [...] it means that the FCC is prepared to act against tactics that threaten innovation and the level playing field of competition.

... Today's FCC Order does two important things.  First, it makes clear that, while reasonable network management of Internet traffic is permissible, there is a line that cannot be crossed.  Comcast crossed that line, and has been sanctioned accordingly.  Secondly, the FCC endorsed the idea that the rule of law must be accompanied by transparency into what ISPs are actually doing to our Internet traffic.

...

read more: http://blog.vuze.com/index.php/2008/08/01/a-great-day-for-the-internet/

 

An Actual Index

A Message for the CSS and XML Cultists	View
Why Nero is called Nero	View
How You Can Tell Someone's Not In A Relationship	View
Request for Enhancements (RfE) - to Miscrosoft, re...	View
Video Games, and Too Much Free Time	View
Find Other Web Sites Hosted on a Web Server	View
50th Anniversary of the LEGO Brick	View
Microsoft Q2 Earnings Summary	View
About Voicemail & Google Chat	View
Confirmed: you CAN run Windows 95 on Virtual PC!	View
BitPim, a CDMA phone organizer	View
I Sure Stumble on Some Random S&*t...	View
Osaka dialect 大阪弁 Japanese lesson in English	View
OPTIMUS MAXIMUS KEYBOARD	View
SLB: Fixed! TSC.EXE CPU, Hard Drive, and Hibernate...	View
Liberty Miller Individual Sweeps 2nd Place	View
Gordon's Notes: A problem with Megan's Law: the pr...	View
Gee, I wonder what time it is?	View
Tip d'jour: Add Your Own Help Pages to Photoshop C...	View
2004's Cisco Hacker Convicted this week in Sweden	View
What are "Advanced Features" in Google Desktop?	View
Miro (official/ non-beta) version 1.0 Launches!	View
About Vista's "Windows Experience Index"	View
Marvel launches online comic service w/ 250 free s...	View
Blade Runner Final Cut - NOW PLAYING at a theater ...	View
(stocks) Cisco profits up 29%, stock drops 9%	View
OMG! I bought the wrong video card!	View
your computer might be showing the wrong time toda...	View
Easily Add A Storage Hard Drive to Your Home Netwo...	View
Dear Epic Games (Re: Unreal tournament 3)	View
blogger template update	View
Time for a Flash-based ("Solid State") Hard Drive?...	View
stocks for week of oct 15 to 19, 2007	View
rfe: Microsoft Windows Xp > System Restore Utility...	View
unfortunate display of incompetence	View
only the first 60k hybrids qualify for tax credit ...	View
[NOTE] website style - a page (with tabs) detailin...	View
Come on Kids! It's Fun to be Healthy!	View
not "second life" - it's "surreal life"	View
Exploring Beyond 'Guitar Hero' - Add your own musi...	View
Cisco Makes Unimaginable Sums of Money, Single Han...	View
Beyond Guitar Hero - Be a Keyboard Hero !	View
Change and taxes, Cigarette Lighters on Planes	View
Meat Production's Environmental Impact	View
Blade Runner 'Final Cut' DVD will be available for...	View
Add Vista Premium/Enterprise features to XP (or Vi...	View
Web Developer Toolbar for Internet Explorer	View
How to implement abbreviation definitions correctl...	View
Posting to your Blog using Blogger: Post an entry ...	View
Image Blog for July 22	View
Structured Procrastination	View
How I Hacked Your LinkSys Router (Which You Probab...	View
odd relationships : 'blogger.com' to 'blogspot.com...	View

Sigur Ros - Saeglopur

embed test:

Personal Online Journals?

A 'to do' item: which blogging tools allow you to set access permissions? What about posts which you only want to allow yourself to see? Does it have to be for the 'blog' as a whole, or can it be done per-post?

GPS is now awsome

I have been finding my in-car driving directions (GPS) to be amazingly useful. I love the way I've grown to trust it enough to take little side-roads/alternate routes, allowing me to see streets and places I've never seen before (even though I've lived in this area for almost a decade). I got the "TomTom One" around December, and I don't regret my purchase at all.

So I'm currently recommending the "TomTom One", 3rd Edition:
TomTom ONE 3rd Edition 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator

(plain text URL:
http://tinyurl.com/6s9e65
)

a wine recommendation: J.W. Morris Merlot 2005

Had an excellent drinking/dinner wine this evening; thought I'd pass along the recommendation.

J.W. Morris, Merlot, (California); 2005 vintage

---
I saw one review online that really panned the 2004 Merlot, and complained of an "aftertaste"; my experience (with the 2005) was quite the opposite, as I found the wine to be mild and pleasant. A quick search online lead to other amateur reviewers with a few negative reviews, so I thought I should throw in my opinion/recommendation for this "bargain wine." Grab some if you find it! (Try Trader Joes if you're in California.)

Caveat/disclaimer: As with all wines (but esp. with mass produced or 'discount' wines), one never knows if they were able to maintain a consistent vintage, or if the bottling/corking process was consistent. Your experience may vary. (But I think you have good odds.)