From dwaters at usinternet.com Sat Apr 1 08:05:14 2006 From: dwaters at usinternet.com (Dan Waters) Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2006 08:05:14 -0600 Subject: [dba-Tech] Multiple Monitors Message-ID: <000001c65595$4fc61ef0$0200a8c0@danwaters> Hello to Everyone - and welcome to April! I'd like to have more than one monitor to use while developing. I'm currently using a Dell 8200 which has a UXGA monitor (1200 X 1600). I put the monitor on a stand I made and I use a separate keyboard so this is the equivalent of having a PC with a 15" UXGA flat LCD monitor. I'd like have two screens like this one, but it appears that flat panel monitors don't go to UXGA resolution until at least the 19" size. This would be too much for me and for my wallet. I did find on eBay that people sell screens from laptops that were originally a part of a laptop, or perhaps they've been refurbished. So, if I could get an equivalent laptop screen, I could mount it adjacent to my laptop and my work space would double. My question - for all you hardware experts - is there a way to connect a disconnected laptop screen to a similar laptop computer so they can be used together as dual monitors? Thanks! Dan Waters From artful at rogers.com Sat Apr 1 21:29:47 2006 From: artful at rogers.com (Arthur Fuller) Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2006 22:29:47 -0500 Subject: [dba-Tech] Movie Maker etc. In-Reply-To: <442B8CAD.8942.C7034@stuart.lexacorp.com.pg> Message-ID: <004601c65605$b16e9f40$8e01a8c0@Camelot.com> A friend of mine wants to make an Internet radio show which ideally would also have video and which would be improvised -- a multi-media blog as it were. I know nothing at all about how to do this. We have a microphone and a silly little webcam thing, which I suspect is not up to the task. What do I need hardware and software-wise to enable this? A digital video camera, presumably, plus the existing mike. What will record both, and what will be the output file, and would it be streamable? What stuff do I need to do this for my friend? Arthur From andrew.haslett at ilc.gov.au Sun Apr 2 18:23:42 2006 From: andrew.haslett at ilc.gov.au (Haslett, Andrew) Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2006 08:53:42 +0930 Subject: [dba-Tech] Movie Maker etc. Message-ID: <0A870603A2A816459078203FC07F4CD26051C3@adl01s055.ilcorp.gov.au> Current hardware sound OK. There's a few software applications around to do what you want. The leader is probably from TechSmith - Camtasia Studio (http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp) which we use here at work. Not free but has heaps of features -> can capture video or audio, can add annotations or graphics and output to any format you like. Probably some free ones around also, a google search on 'video capture' or similar should yield some results. Cheers, A -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Arthur Fuller Sent: Sunday, 2 April 2006 1:00 PM To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues' Subject: [dba-Tech] Movie Maker etc. A friend of mine wants to make an Internet radio show which ideally would also have video and which would be improvised -- a multi-media blog as it were. I know nothing at all about how to do this. We have a microphone and a silly little webcam thing, which I suspect is not up to the task. What do I need hardware and software-wise to enable this? A digital video camera, presumably, plus the existing mike. What will record both, and what will be the output file, and would it be streamable? What stuff do I need to do this for my friend? Arthur _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ *** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may contain information protected by law from disclosure. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email from your system. No warranty is given that this email or files, if attached to this email, are free from computer viruses or other defects. They are provided on the basis the user assumes all responsibility for loss, damage or consequence resulting directly or indirectly from their use, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not. From bheid at appdevgrp.com Tue Apr 4 09:23:51 2006 From: bheid at appdevgrp.com (Bobby Heid) Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2006 10:23:51 -0400 Subject: [dba-Tech] Movie Maker etc. In-Reply-To: <916187228923D311A6FE00A0CC3FAA30D797E0@ADGSERVER> Message-ID: <916187228923D311A6FE00A0CC3FAA30D351D8@ADGSERVER> Arthur, I have started downloading and listening to tech podcasts since my office is now underground and radio reception here sucks. I was listening to Mike Tech Show #16 where he's talking about what he uses for podcasting. You can find a link to this show at: http://www.miketechshow.com/blog/2005_06_01_archive.html Note that this is from June, 2005. So some stuff may have changed. Anyway, he recommends this book form Amazon: Podcasting: Do It Yourself Guide (Paperback) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764597787/qid=1116046990/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp _1/102-7368600-7276967?n=507846&s=books&v=glance It is listed as $13 and is rated 4/5 stars with 24 reviews. Bobby -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Arthur Fuller Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2006 10:30 PM To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues' Subject: [dba-Tech] Movie Maker etc. A friend of mine wants to make an Internet radio show which ideally would also have video and which would be improvised -- a multi-media blog as it were. I know nothing at all about how to do this. We have a microphone and a silly little webcam thing, which I suspect is not up to the task. What do I need hardware and software-wise to enable this? A digital video camera, presumably, plus the existing mike. What will record both, and what will be the output file, and would it be streamable? What stuff do I need to do this for my friend? Arthur From john at winhaven.net Mon Apr 10 10:46:16 2006 From: john at winhaven.net (John Bartow) Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2006 10:46:16 -0500 Subject: [dba-Tech] FW: [AccessD] No display adapter Message-ID: <022a01c65cb5$e7ff6bf0$6402a8c0@ScuzzPaq> John, What video adapter do you have? I just recently had this happen with a customer's PC. If the adapter used to work with the same version of windows then I'd suggest you go into Safe Mode and remove the drivers (and the device itself) from device manager. Reboot into normal mode and windows should find the "new" video device and load the appropriate drivers. If Windows doesn't have a driver for it included in its sources and you don't have a OEM (or otherwise) driver disk from the manufacturer then you can normally download them from the web if you know which adapter it is. HTH John B. > -----Original Message----- > From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com > [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of John Colby > Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 8:35 AM > To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving' > Subject: [AccessD] No display adapter > > I had to "repair" my windows installation a few weeks ago. > In the middle, it asked for a video driver which I did not > have. I clicked continue and when it was finished it came up > with a "non-native" adapter, i.e. I could only get 1024x768. > Worse, there is now no "display adapter" in the device > manager. Just not there at all, which means I can't go in > through that to install the correct drivers. When I go in > through the desktop, it shows all kinds of conflicts for > hardware and doesn't allow me to install new drivers. > > How the heck do I repair this mess? > > John W. Colby > www.ColbyConsulting.com > > > -- > AccessD mailing list > AccessD at databaseadvisors.com > http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd > Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > From Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk Tue Apr 11 11:17:24 2006 From: Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk (Jon Tydda) Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 17:17:24 +0100 Subject: [dba-Tech] Hard Disk recovery Message-ID: <87C856B802C3D511B69B0002A5CD10EAC84BA9@ALCUXB> Hi all Does anyone know of any free or cheap hard disk recovery utilities out there? I've looked at a couple of cheap ones, but I'm always looking to save some money... The utils I've seen (VirtualLab and Stellar Phoenix) can both see the data that Windows can't, so I just wonder if there's anything free that I can use to recover it. Thanks Jon The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are subject to the legal notice available on request from : webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. Registered in England and Wales No 4057291 From marcus at tsstech.com Tue Apr 11 11:56:04 2006 From: marcus at tsstech.com (Scott Marcus) Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 12:56:04 -0400 Subject: [dba-Tech] Hard Disk recovery Message-ID: Here is a free one that I like... http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm Scott Marcus -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jon Tydda Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 12:17 PM To: Dba-Tech (E-mail) Subject: [dba-Tech] Hard Disk recovery Hi all Does anyone know of any free or cheap hard disk recovery utilities out there? I've looked at a couple of cheap ones, but I'm always looking to save some money... The utils I've seen (VirtualLab and Stellar Phoenix) can both see the data that Windows can't, so I just wonder if there's anything free that I can use to recover it. Thanks Jon The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are subject to the legal notice available on request from : webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. Registered in England and Wales No 4057291 _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission is for the use of the named individual or entity to which it is directed and may contain information that is privileged or confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of any information contained herein is prohibited. If you have received this electronic mail transmission in error, delete it from your system without copying or forwarding it, and notify the sender of the error by replying via email or calling TSS Technologies at (513) 772-7000, so that our address record can be corrected. Any information included in this email is provided on an ?as is? and ?where as? basis, and TSS Technologies makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained in this email. From fahooper at trapo.com Tue Apr 11 17:05:43 2006 From: fahooper at trapo.com (Fred Hooper) Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 18:05:43 -0400 Subject: [dba-Tech] Hard Disk recovery In-Reply-To: <87C856B802C3D511B69B0002A5CD10EAC84BA9@ALCUXB> Message-ID: <002901c65db4$14936be0$2e01a8c0@fredxp> I've had good luck with SpinRite, from grc.com, over the years. While it's not free, I think its $89 price is reasonable. Fred -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jon Tydda Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 12:17 PM To: Dba-Tech (E-mail) Subject: [dba-Tech] Hard Disk recovery Hi all Does anyone know of any free or cheap hard disk recovery utilities out there? I've looked at a couple of cheap ones, but I'm always looking to save some money... The utils I've seen (VirtualLab and Stellar Phoenix) can both see the data that Windows can't, so I just wonder if there's anything free that I can use to recover it. Thanks Jon The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are subject to the legal notice available on request from : webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. Registered in England and Wales No 4057291 _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com From Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk Wed Apr 12 05:41:02 2006 From: Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk (Jon Tydda) Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2006 11:41:02 +0100 Subject: [dba-Tech] Hard Disk recovery Message-ID: <87C856B802C3D511B69B0002A5CD10EAC84BAF@ALCUXB> Thanks Scott, I'll give it a look. Jon -----Original Message----- From: Scott Marcus [mailto:marcus at tsstech.com] Sent: 11 April 2006 17:56 To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Hard Disk recovery Here is a free one that I like... http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm Scott Marcus -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jon Tydda Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 12:17 PM To: Dba-Tech (E-mail) Subject: [dba-Tech] Hard Disk recovery Hi all Does anyone know of any free or cheap hard disk recovery utilities out there? I've looked at a couple of cheap ones, but I'm always looking to save some money... The utils I've seen (VirtualLab and Stellar Phoenix) can both see the data that Windows can't, so I just wonder if there's anything free that I can use to recover it. Thanks Jon The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are subject to the legal notice available on request from : webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. Registered in England and Wales No 4057291 _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com NOTICE: This electronic mail transmission is for the use of the named individual or entity to which it is directed and may contain information that is privileged or confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of any information contained herein is prohibited. If you have received this electronic mail transmission in error, delete it from your system without copying or forwarding it, and notify the sender of the error by replying via email or calling TSS Technologies at (513) 772-7000, so that our address record can be corrected. Any information included in this email is provided on an "as is" and "where as" basis, and TSS Technologies makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained in this email. The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are subject to the legal notice available on request from : webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. Registered in England and Wales No 4057291 From Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk Wed Apr 12 05:41:15 2006 From: Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk (Jon Tydda) Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2006 11:41:15 +0100 Subject: [dba-Tech] Hard Disk recovery Message-ID: <87C856B802C3D511B69B0002A5CD10EAC84BB0@ALCUXB> Thanks Fred, I'll check it out. Jon -----Original Message----- From: Fred Hooper [mailto:fahooper at trapo.com] Sent: 11 April 2006 23:06 To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues' Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Hard Disk recovery I've had good luck with SpinRite, from grc.com, over the years. While it's not free, I think its $89 price is reasonable. Fred -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jon Tydda Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 12:17 PM To: Dba-Tech (E-mail) Subject: [dba-Tech] Hard Disk recovery Hi all Does anyone know of any free or cheap hard disk recovery utilities out there? I've looked at a couple of cheap ones, but I'm always looking to save some money... The utils I've seen (VirtualLab and Stellar Phoenix) can both see the data that Windows can't, so I just wonder if there's anything free that I can use to recover it. Thanks Jon The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are subject to the legal notice available on request from : webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. Registered in England and Wales No 4057291 _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are subject to the legal notice available on request from : webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. Registered in England and Wales No 4057291 From bheid at appdevgrp.com Wed Apr 19 12:27:01 2006 From: bheid at appdevgrp.com (Bobby Heid) Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 13:27:01 -0400 Subject: [dba-Tech] OT: VS 2005 Express editions are free forever! Message-ID: <916187228923D311A6FE00A0CC3FAA30D3527A@ADGSERVER> I know that some here are dabbling in Visual Studio. Now the Express editions are free forever. Here is a link to a MS blog telling the news: http://blogs.msdn.com/danielfe/archive/2006/04/19/579109.aspx Here's the official press release: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/apr06/04-19VSExpressFreePR.msp x Bobby From Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk Thu Apr 20 09:55:30 2006 From: Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk (Jon Tydda) Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:55:30 +0100 Subject: [dba-Tech] Help with help Message-ID: <87C856B802C3D511B69B0002A5CD10EAC84C11@ALCUXB> Hi all I've got a database that I'm having trouble getting to the help files with, since Microsoft put in some updates. According the the people that write the database, all the information I need is here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892675 , but I've tried just about every combination of the three solutions that MS offer, but none are working... I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about this, or whether I should just give up, and resign myself to never being able to use the help files. Jon The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are subject to the legal notice available on request from : webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. Registered in England and Wales No 4057291 From martyconnelly at shaw.ca Thu Apr 20 11:39:57 2006 From: martyconnelly at shaw.ca (MartyConnelly) Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 09:39:57 -0700 Subject: [dba-Tech] Help with help References: <87C856B802C3D511B69B0002A5CD10EAC84C11@ALCUXB> Message-ID: <4447B95D.4010903@shaw.ca> Tell the guys that wrote the database to provide a sample .reg file that applies the fixes. Jon Tydda wrote: >Hi all > >I've got a database that I'm having trouble getting to the help files with, >since Microsoft put in some updates. According the the people that write the >database, all the information I need is here >http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892675 > , but I've tried just about every >combination of the three solutions that MS offer, but none are working... >I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about this, or whether I should >just give up, and resign myself to never being able to use the help files. > > >Jon > > >The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally >privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are subject >to the legal notice available on request from : webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk >ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. >Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. >Registered in England and Wales No 4057291 >_______________________________________________ >dba-Tech mailing list >dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com >http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech >Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > > -- Marty Connelly Victoria, B.C. Canada From jon at tydda.plus.com Thu Apr 20 15:46:50 2006 From: jon at tydda.plus.com (Jon Tydda) Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 21:46:50 +0100 Subject: [dba-Tech] Help with help In-Reply-To: <4447B95D.4010903@shaw.ca> Message-ID: <002501c664bb$8c99a7e0$0300a8c0@jt2> Ah yeah, they didn't know either... I've done the reg hack that MS suggest, with the correct url, and nothing :-( They're stumped, I'm stumped, and everyone else who uses their DB is stumped. Jon -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of MartyConnelly Sent: 20 April 2006 17:40 To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Help with help Tell the guys that wrote the database to provide a sample .reg file that applies the fixes. Jon Tydda wrote: >Hi all > >I've got a database that I'm having trouble getting to the help files >with, since Microsoft put in some updates. According the the people >that write the database, all the information I need is here >http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892675 > , but I've tried just about >every combination of the three solutions that MS offer, but none are working... >I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about this, or whether I >should just give up, and resign myself to never being able to use the help files. > > >Jon > > >The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally >privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are >subject to the legal notice available on request from : >webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. >Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. >Registered in England and Wales No 4057291 >_______________________________________________ >dba-Tech mailing list >dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com >http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech >Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > > -- Marty Connelly Victoria, B.C. Canada _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com -- This email has been verified as Virus free Virus Protection and more available at http://www.plus.net From martyconnelly at shaw.ca Fri Apr 21 00:45:04 2006 From: martyconnelly at shaw.ca (MartyConnelly) Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 22:45:04 -0700 Subject: [dba-Tech] Help with help References: <002501c664bb$8c99a7e0$0300a8c0@jt2> Message-ID: <44487160.4080109@shaw.ca> There is an HTML Help group on yahoo I subscribe to occasionally. I was looking at an Access Help file creator that Shamil was involved with http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HATT It takes a day or two to get registered to avoid the spammers So I grabbed a couple of posts that might be relevant, you can look through rest;) under message titles CHM files and XP The official WinHelp News At the very bottom here one guy comments on the mistakes made by MS in 892675 ----------------------- Was the .chm downloaded from the web? That's another issue caused by last summer's security update. When a .chm is downloaded from the intranet/internet, by default, it is disabled so that the topics (on the right) display "This page cannot be found." This behavior can be changed by each user if they right-click the .chm in Explorer, and choose Properties from the floating menu. At the bottom of the dialog box they will see the following message: Security: This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer. To the right is an Unblock button. After clicking this button, the .chm will work correctly. There are other ways for your IT department to unblock .chms downloaded from the web. These are described in the Microsoft article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902225/ Hope this helps. -------------------------------------------------------------- So, I summarized all the common reasons why the CHM files aren't displayed properly in a single list. Now I refer such complaining users to this list. You may also chech it: This includes ItssRestrictions key problem http://www.drexplain.com/press/chm-files-the-page-cannot-be-displayed-error ------------------------------------- Well, before they do that they're going to have to come up with a full replacement for application help, which Vista Help apparently isn't (no 3-pane, no TOC at the same time as content (back to the WinHelp paradigm), viewer pane too narrow for decent-sized graphics, OS help integrated with application help). Also, they can't cap both WinHelp and HTML Help at the same time. Well, they can, but if they do they're going to have a serious problem with developers and users: If HTML Help gets trashed as well what is everyone going to do until the MS Help Team deigns to release a viable version of Vista Help that can also be used independently of the sidebar for application help? Use WebHelp / Browser-based Help with hundreds of individual files? And what about field-level help? (For that matter, what about all the field-level help implemented with WinHelp in Microsoft's own products, even when the main help is a CHM?) Or perhaps developers are supposed to suggest to all their customers that now might be an excellent time to buy a Mac? However, I do agree that Microsoft's "support" for HTML Help over the last couple of years would tend to make one think they are not really interested in it. Their security fixes for CHMs on networks have been pretty slapdash -- users don't even get a decent error message when they attempt to open a CHM on a net drive, for Pete's sake.... Both HTML Help and its ActiveX control are still dotted with fundamental bugs that have been documented for years and that Microsoft doesn't appear to be interested in fixing (current directory bug, relative path bug, default url bug for ALinks in the ActiveX control etc). And it's not that fixing them would be a major problem -- unlike system-level WinHelp, HTML Help could easily be updated along with a Windows hotfix. Ramifications for HTML Help also don't appear to have had much priority when testing the other security fixes implemented in Windows -- at least, it's easy to get that impression. > Their response to those concerns in the current version of Windows has > been to reduce the functionality of HTML Help so that it now only > works for local CHMs (unless you engage in Registry-burglary). This > makes me suspect that HTML Help is a bit of a PITA that they'd rather > be without! Well, it's not really registry burglary, any more than making registry entries on installing a program is registry burglary, and if you do it right the only thing that still doesn't work is shortcut links to external files (which may just as well be because of the paths bugs as due to an actual security restriction). The real problem is you may not have access to the registries on the local machines if you're making a network installation. Generally, however, just as you have always needed to register CHMs to make them really work properly you now need to add a few steps to that registration if you install them on network drives. The problem is that Microsoft has hardly advertised this fact and the documentation they *have* published appears to be faulty and hasn't been corrected, so anyone who tries it out can easily get the impression that it doesn't work. For example, in the instructions posted here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892675/en-us#EWADAAA there is no mention of the fact that you need a "//file;" suffix in your registry values when you are registering individual CHMs and/or folders to work on network drives. For example, entering \\hostname\sharename\yourhelp.chm in the UrlAllowList in the ItssRestrictions and HHRestrictions keys, as suggested by the Microsoft instructions, does not work. But: \\hostname\sharename\yourhelp.chm;file://; does. Also, the documentation is incomplete -- it doesn't even mention the ItssRestrictions key, which is essential. I actually have a nasty suspicion is not so much that MS doesn't care about HTML Help, but rather that they no longer have any developers on board who know enough about it. That could explain their behavior just as well -- they see it as a black box whose innards they are no longer going to touch. But if that's true it too would bode very ill for the future of HTML Help, and with no viable alternative in sight that's definitely not a good situation. Regards, Tim Jon Tydda wrote: >Ah yeah, they didn't know either... I've done the reg hack that MS suggest, >with the correct url, and nothing :-( They're stumped, I'm stumped, and >everyone else who uses their DB is stumped. > > >Jon > >-----Original Message----- >From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com >[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of MartyConnelly >Sent: 20 April 2006 17:40 >To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues >Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Help with help > >Tell the guys that wrote the database to provide a sample .reg file that >applies the fixes. > >Jon Tydda wrote: > > > >>Hi all >> >>I've got a database that I'm having trouble getting to the help files >>with, since Microsoft put in some updates. According the the people >>that write the database, all the information I need is here >>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892675 >> , but I've tried just about >>every combination of the three solutions that MS offer, but none are >> >> >working... > > >>I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about this, or whether I >>should just give up, and resign myself to never being able to use the help >> >> >files. > > >>Jon >> >> >>The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally >>privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are >>subject to the legal notice available on request from : >>webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of >> >> >ALcontrol UK Limited. > > >>Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. >>Registered in England and Wales No 4057291 >>_______________________________________________ >>dba-Tech mailing list >>dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com >>http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech >>Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com >> >> >> >> >> >> > >-- >Marty Connelly >Victoria, B.C. >Canada > > > >_______________________________________________ >dba-Tech mailing list >dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com >http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech >Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com >-- >This email has been verified as Virus free >Virus Protection and more available at http://www.plus.net > >_______________________________________________ >dba-Tech mailing list >dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com >http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech >Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com > > > > -- Marty Connelly Victoria, B.C. Canada From Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk Fri Apr 21 03:15:00 2006 From: Jon.Tydda at alcontrol.co.uk (Jon Tydda) Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2006 09:15:00 +0100 Subject: [dba-Tech] Help with help Message-ID: <87C856B802C3D511B69B0002A5CD10EAC84C19@ALCUXB> Thank you Marty, the ItssRestrictions bit fixed it. Off to claim my reward from the authors now :-) Jon -----Original Message----- From: MartyConnelly [mailto:martyconnelly at shaw.ca] Sent: 21 April 2006 06:45 To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Help with help There is an HTML Help group on yahoo I subscribe to occasionally. I was looking at an Access Help file creator that Shamil was involved with http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HATT It takes a day or two to get registered to avoid the spammers So I grabbed a couple of posts that might be relevant, you can look through rest;) under message titles CHM files and XP The official WinHelp News At the very bottom here one guy comments on the mistakes made by MS in 892675 ----------------------- Was the .chm downloaded from the web? That's another issue caused by last summer's security update. When a .chm is downloaded from the intranet/internet, by default, it is disabled so that the topics (on the right) display "This page cannot be found." This behavior can be changed by each user if they right-click the .chm in Explorer, and choose Properties from the floating menu. At the bottom of the dialog box they will see the following message: Security: This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer. To the right is an Unblock button. After clicking this button, the .chm will work correctly. There are other ways for your IT department to unblock .chms downloaded from the web. These are described in the Microsoft article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902225/ Hope this helps. -------------------------------------------------------------- So, I summarized all the common reasons why the CHM files aren't displayed properly in a single list. Now I refer such complaining users to this list. You may also chech it: This includes ItssRestrictions key problem http://www.drexplain.com/press/chm-files-the-page-cannot-be-displayed-error ------------------------------------- Well, before they do that they're going to have to come up with a full replacement for application help, which Vista Help apparently isn't (no 3-pane, no TOC at the same time as content (back to the WinHelp paradigm), viewer pane too narrow for decent-sized graphics, OS help integrated with application help). Also, they can't cap both WinHelp and HTML Help at the same time. Well, they can, but if they do they're going to have a serious problem with developers and users: If HTML Help gets trashed as well what is everyone going to do until the MS Help Team deigns to release a viable version of Vista Help that can also be used independently of the sidebar for application help? Use WebHelp / Browser-based Help with hundreds of individual files? And what about field-level help? (For that matter, what about all the field-level help implemented with WinHelp in Microsoft's own products, even when the main help is a CHM?) Or perhaps developers are supposed to suggest to all their customers that now might be an excellent time to buy a Mac? However, I do agree that Microsoft's "support" for HTML Help over the last couple of years would tend to make one think they are not really interested in it. Their security fixes for CHMs on networks have been pretty slapdash -- users don't even get a decent error message when they attempt to open a CHM on a net drive, for Pete's sake.... Both HTML Help and its ActiveX control are still dotted with fundamental bugs that have been documented for years and that Microsoft doesn't appear to be interested in fixing (current directory bug, relative path bug, default url bug for ALinks in the ActiveX control etc). And it's not that fixing them would be a major problem -- unlike system-level WinHelp, HTML Help could easily be updated along with a Windows hotfix. Ramifications for HTML Help also don't appear to have had much priority when testing the other security fixes implemented in Windows -- at least, it's easy to get that impression. > Their response to those concerns in the current version of Windows has > been to reduce the functionality of HTML Help so that it now only > works for local CHMs (unless you engage in Registry-burglary). This > makes me suspect that HTML Help is a bit of a PITA that they'd rather > be without! Well, it's not really registry burglary, any more than making registry entries on installing a program is registry burglary, and if you do it right the only thing that still doesn't work is shortcut links to external files (which may just as well be because of the paths bugs as due to an actual security restriction). The real problem is you may not have access to the registries on the local machines if you're making a network installation. Generally, however, just as you have always needed to register CHMs to make them really work properly you now need to add a few steps to that registration if you install them on network drives. The problem is that Microsoft has hardly advertised this fact and the documentation they *have* published appears to be faulty and hasn't been corrected, so anyone who tries it out can easily get the impression that it doesn't work. For example, in the instructions posted here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892675/en-us#EWADAAA there is no mention of the fact that you need a "//file;" suffix in your registry values when you are registering individual CHMs and/or folders to work on network drives. For example, entering \\hostname\sharename\yourhelp.chm in the UrlAllowList in the ItssRestrictions and HHRestrictions keys, as suggested by the Microsoft instructions, does not work. But: \\hostname\sharename\yourhelp.chm;file://; does. Also, the documentation is incomplete -- it doesn't even mention the ItssRestrictions key, which is essential. I actually have a nasty suspicion is not so much that MS doesn't care about HTML Help, but rather that they no longer have any developers on board who know enough about it. That could explain their behavior just as well -- they see it as a black box whose innards they are no longer going to touch. But if that's true it too would bode very ill for the future of HTML Help, and with no viable alternative in sight that's definitely not a good situation. Regards, Tim The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are subject to the legal notice available on request from : webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. Registered in England and Wales No 4057291