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Change Windows 7 desktop icon size

Posted by Unknown Kamis, 31 Januari 2013 0 komentar

I noticed someone's Windows 7 desktop had huge icons! I wondered how they did that. When I asked they said it was by accident and they didn't remember how.

To reset your desktop icons right click on your desktop

Click View

...and select the size of icon you want: Large, Medium or Small.

Also, you can press Ctrl and move the mouse wheel to increase/decrease the size of your icons! This must've been how the accident happened.

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Create a self-extracting archive exe PART 2

Posted by Unknown Minggu, 27 Januari 2013 0 komentar

Introduction

A self-extracting archive is a zip or similar compressed file that has been turned into an exe (executable). The advantage of this is that the recipient of the file only has to double click the exe and it will do everything automatically. The two actions it would usually perform are:

To run one of the extracted files (to install a program for example)
To extract the files from the compressed archive file (.zip or similar)

Previously in PART 1 I explained how to create an exe file that when run, would extract files and execute a program.

Here I'll explain how to make a self-extracting archive that prompts the user to extract files to a location on their hard disk. The instructions are very similar, there are just a few differences and most importantly the configuration file used is different.

Download
If you've not done it already, download and install 7-Zip for Windows. You can find it here: http://www.7-zip.org/

Also, look on the Downloads page for '7z Library, SFXs for installers, Plugin for FAR Manager' - click to download the 7zXXX_extra.7z file.

Instructions

The 7zXXX_extra.7z is a compressed archive file, like a zip file but in the native 7-Zip format. Extract 7zSD.sfx from the 7zXXX_extra.7z file.

Make a new folder for your project. By 'project' I mean that if you plan to make a self-extracting archive you normally would already have some files you want to include in the archive. It makes sense to put them in a single folder. Also, you can reuse this folder if you update your files at a later stage. For the purposes of this example we'll call our project folder MyProject, but yours could be called anything.

Copy the 7zSD.sfx into the folder MyProject.

Now we have to make two files. The first is a configuration file. It determines how the self-extracting exe will work. This configuration file can have any name but to make life easy I recommend you call it '7config.txt'.

Open Notepad

Type the following:

;!@Install@!UTF-8!
GUIFlags="8+64+4096"
BeginPrompt=" "
ExtractPathText="Extract to:"
InstallPath="C:\\MyFiles"
FinishMessage="Finished"
;!@InstallEnd@!

Save the file as 7config.txt to the MyProject folder you created before.

To create the self-extracting exe we will need to type a command at the command prompt (CMD). But why do that each time? What we can do is make a command file and just edit/run that file when you want to make your self-extracting exe. You'll see what I mean soon.

Open Notepad

Type the following:

@echo off
copy /b 7zSD.sfx + 7config.txt + Install_MyFiles.7z Install_MyFiles.exe
echo.
pause

Save the file as 7makeEXE.cmd to the MyProject folder you created earlier.

Now inside your MyProject folder you should have the following files:

7zSD.sfx
7config.txt
7makeEXE.cmd

Now all we need are the files you want to include in the installation package itself. These files should be compressed into a single .7z file. Do not make a .zip file, use 7-Zip's native .7z format.

Save the .7z file in the MyProject folder. Name the .7z file as Extract_MyFiles.7z (or whatever you have used in your 7makeEXE.cmd file).

Use
Double click the Extract_MyFiles.exe and you'll see a prompt:

It prompts the user to extract the files to a drive and folder. Look back at the 7config.txt we made earlier, you'll see how you can customise this window. The user also has the freedom to click the yellow browse button and select a destination folder themselves.

Once the user clicks OK the files are extracted and they'll get this prompt:

This is just a message to say it's finished. I recommend this as it's good confirmation for the user that all the files have been extracted. Again this is customisable from the 7config.txt file.

Customisation

In the 7zXXX_extra.7z file you downloaded before, there is a help file 7zSD_EN.chm - this includes an explanation of all the commands used in the 7config.txt file.

Conclusion
Using this method to create self-extracting archive exe file makes a lot of sense if you create and recreate self-extracting files often. Especially for those deploying files or updating them. Because you only need to recreate your 7z file and double click 7makeEXE.cmd to rebuild the self-extracting exe file. No messing around with lots of Next prompts. Also the 7z format compresses files so small, if you are supplying installation packages over the internet via FTP, this is perfect.

Reference
If you want to learn how to make a self-extracting archive that runs an EXE at the end, perhaps Setup.exe to install a program - see my first article on this subject: Create a self-extracting archive exe PART 1

Other articles on 7-zip:
http://mgxp.blogspot.com/search/label/7-Zip

7-Zip
7-zip.org

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Sizer - change window size to test your website

Posted by Unknown Rabu, 23 Januari 2013 0 komentar

Introduction

If you are creating a web page you may wish to know how it looks on different screen sizes. For example, a web page may look different on a 4:3 ratio 1024x768 screen from how it looks on a 16:9 ratio widescreen 1440x900. This is especially important for usability, to see if your page will scroll or if the whole page will be shown.

Also for testing any software it can be useful to see how a window looks at any resolution. See how your buttons and text boxes resize and stretch. You need to check that your software will look right and work for your users.

Sizer

Sizer is a very small program that let's you set the size of a window. You can set it to any size and also see what size a window is currently.

You can download Sizer from here:

http://www.brianapps.net/sizer/ [23/01/2013]

It's free and a small download.

Once installed it appears on your Taskbar (near the clock) - here's an example of how to use it:

Click to select the window you want to resize
Right click on the Sizer icon on the Taskbar
Select a size

You can also click the Configure Sizer option to add your own sizes.

For more detailed information see the Sizer website:

http://www.brianapps.net/sizer/userguide.html [23/01/2013]

It's a very easy and simple program. That's the key, it does one job and it does it well.

Recommended: 9/10

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Excel 2010 - Format as Table is greyed out

Posted by Unknown Senin, 21 Januari 2013 0 komentar

Today I was sent by e-mail an XLS file but that when I opened it the Conditional Formatting and Format as Table buttons were greyed out. I wanted to use Format as Table so I could more easily

Make sure you save the file as a real Excel 2010 xlsx. But in my case I found my file was 'Shared' and removing the 'Shared' status solved it for me. Here are the two solutions in more detail:

Convert to xlsx
On the top of the Excel window, to the right of the filename, if it says [Compatibility Mode] do the following:
Click File | Info | Convert
Save the file as xlsx (native Excel 2010 format)

Turn off Shared
On the top of the Excel window, to the right of the filename, if it says [Shared] do the following:

Click Review | Share Workbook

Disable (click to remove the tick) 'Allow changes by more than one user at the same time. This also allows workbook merging.'

Click OK

Click Yes

Click Home and you'll see the buttons are now active!

NOTE: You have to make a choice! If you received the file via e-mail then it should not matter that you have turned off Sharing. But if you opened the file from a shared network drive then you will stop it from being shared - other users will not be able to access this file until you've finished with it.

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First Surface With Pro Version Of Windows 8

Posted by Unknown Jumat, 18 Januari 2013 0 komentar

The first Surface with Pro version of Windows 8 are ready. The new 'tablets' and have left the production line and will be available to users in the coming weeks.

Thus, it seems that Microsoft is going to fulfill its Surface calendar 2013.
The range of 'tablets' Surface is the big bet for Microsoft to promote its new operating system in the field of 'tablets'.

The company has already launched in several markets, not in Spain, the first models that incorporate Windows RT. However, by the time nothing was known about the Pro version of Surface.
These models incorporate boast more power and performance. So far Microsoft had no advance details about the release of these terminals. However, as reported in the Microsoft Surface product manager, Panos Panay, has ensured that the Surface Pro are just around the corner.
Through his Twitter account, Panay confirmed Tuesday that the Pro Surfaces were coming off the production line and, therefore, will be available to users in the coming weeks.
Microsoft expects the arrival of Surface Pro is the device that gets off on the market do its 'tablets'. This week one of the UBS analysts said that sales of 'tablet' in the fourth quarter of 2012 were well below the estimate. Specifically, the company had only managed to sell one million units of its 'tablet' with Windows RT.
This data is not encouraging, especially when compared with estimated sales of Surface great rival, the iPad. Specifically, it appears that Apple has sold 20 million different models of 'tablet', which remains the market leader. Thus, the Cupertino continue well ahead of Microsoft in this market.
The explanation of the low volume of sales is based on two aspects. The first is the limited initial sales campaign developed by Microsoft.

The company has been limited to a few points marketing your 'tablet', which for example has not come to Spain. Second, the delay of Windows 8 Pro version has also been a factor that has limited the sale.

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Asus Padfone Want To Make A Windows

Posted by Unknown 0 komentar

Asus Padfone Want To Make A Windows: Asus and Microsoft are in talks for the Taiwanese manufacturer to create smartphones with the company's operating system.

Inside the Asus interest would also be the possibility of creating a version of its Padfone with Windows 8.

Asus has managed to carve a niche in the catalog of interesting mobile device manufacturers.

The company has signed important agreements with companies like Google, to who makes the successful Nexus 7. In addition, Asus has some devices that excel in quality, among which shines the Padfone.

More than one device, the Padfone is a concept. The idea is to have a 'smartphone' powerful you can become a 'tablet' as required. For this, the Padfone has a phone and a stand with screen size and 'tablet', which is activated when the 'smartphone'.

The idea that Asus has served to have an almost unique device that has managed to differentiate the company.

However, it seems that Asus has not triumphed in the U.S. and is considering an alliance with Microsoft for this. Until now, models of smartphones and Asus Padfone with Android have been released, though that could change.

The Taiwanese company is negotiating with the ability to launch Microsoft mobile devices with Windows 8 and special sense for Asus would do with a new Padfone.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the companies have held talks to reach a licensing agreement that allows the release of smartphones Asus Windows Phone 8. Thus, Asus would compete with other manufacturers like Nokia, HTC and Samsung, which already have WP8 terminals.

However, a Padfone with Windows 8 is the idea that best fits the desires of Asus. In fact, one of its officers has already confirmed this possibility. "Our concept Padfone, more phone 'tablet', I think it makes sense with Windows 8," said the vice president of mobility Asus, Benson Lin.

In any case, before you see a Windows 8 would launch Padfone smartphones with Windows Phone normal.

The reason could be to start the relationship between the two with the most simple, and then launch a more complex equipment as would be the Padfone.

However, the decision to start with only smartphones could be due to the difficulty of choosing a version of Windows for the Padfone.

Microsoft currently has three main versions of Windows shared kernel. On one side is Windows Phone, for a 'smartphone'. Furthermore is Windows 8, which is divided into RT version basically for 'tablets' and ARM architecture computers, and Windows 8 Pro, and more powerful devices PC.

The problem would be to choose between these versions for the Padfone, a 'smartphone' which becomes 'tablet'.

Faced with this dilemma, the differentiation of versions is blurred by Microsoft, making Windows Phone and Windows RT mix. Thus, Asus could wait to see the future of Windows before launching a terminal as the Padfone, half 'smartphone' and half 'tablet'. Meanwhile, it seems that the company did try her luck with simple phones with Windows Phone.

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Flexible Displays From Samsung

Posted by Unknown 0 komentar

Flexible Displays From Samsung: One advantage of OLED technology is that it allows much finer screens than the conventional LED.

Samsung has used this feature to further the development of a flexible screens that could revolutionize the industry.

South Korea presented their progress in this field in the CES 2013 held last week in Las Vegas. In one of his press conferences, taught the display, which has a name, Youm, and several concepts and prototypes.

The screen has a negligible thickness and can play with different designs as possible with current technology. An official of Samsung first demoed a functional screen which reproduced Need for Speed Most Wanted.Since this show is quite impressive.

It almost looks staged. Then Samsung showed some design concepts, some more finals as a device in which the screen is folded into the song to show notifications.

Much more surprising are other concepts, like a sort of strip in which a screen is wound. This device has dimensions almost of a pen, but the screen can be unrolled to take the size of a tablet.

Fold looks like a mobile phone, but inside is a folded OLED screen. Once opened, the screen dimensions are doubled to facilitate the consumption of certain content.

Certainly, an interesting concept, but so far away. However, Samsung seems unwilling to give ground on innovation not to abandon the privileged position that is gaining in the field of mobility.

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