cpuhack

The Internet: 1934 style

// June 7th, 2012 // No Comments » // Computers, Science

Windows WebDAV <=50MB. Overcome it.

// November 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Computers, Server, Windows

Windows limits the file size for WebDAV shares to 50MB per file. Weak. Read on and get strong…

You may have encountered an error message that says, “Error 0x800700DF: The file size exceeds the limit allowed and cannot be saved.” Make this change on your client computer, reboot, and you’re good for 4GB per file.

Modify or create the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WebClient\Parameters

Right-click on the FileSizeLimitInBytes and click Modify
Click on Decimal
In the Value data: box, type 4294967295, and then click OK.
Exit the registry editor and reboot your computer

2010::Patriot Day

// September 11th, 2010 // No Comments » // Holiday

Always remembered, never forgotten.

Students: Microsoft will give you the farm for free. Really.

// September 3rd, 2010 // No Comments » // Computers, Server, Windows

This isn’t exactly news, but is still fairly recent, and under-marketed enough to deserve a mention. The folks in Redmond call it DreamSpark, and it’s a pretty sweet deal for high school and college students. They’ll let you use many of their high dollar enterprise products (e.g. Windows Server 2008 R2, SQL 2008, etc.) for free.

Check out Microsoft DreamSpark…

How-to: Enable Windows Installer in Safe Mode

// July 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // Computers, Windows

The Windows Installer Service is the subsystem that Windows provides for adding or removing software. Many software applications rely upon the Windows Installer Service and they cannot be removed cleanly (or easily) if it’s not working. Most of the time it works fine, but there are always exceptions.

There are many situations that can occur where you may find yourself stuck in “Safe Mode” trying to remove a program (e.g. a program crashes your computer while it’s trying to boot). This is complicated by the Windows Installer Service not running while in “Safe Mode”.

Thankfully, there is a kind gentleman named Harry Bates that wrote a freeware tool called SafeMSI. It will enable the Windows Installer Service to run while Windows is running in “Safe Mode”. The usage of this tool is simple:

Download the tool
Extract the contents of the file you downloaded in Step 1 to a memorable place (e.g. your Desktop)
Run the tool while in Safe Mode

2010::Independence Day

// July 4th, 2010 // No Comments » // Holiday

Happy Independence Day!

2010::Memorial Day

// May 31st, 2010 // No Comments » // Holiday

I give thanks to those that have, and will, sacrifice for our freedom.

iTunes for Windows: Make the arrow go to your Library and not the iTunes Store

// May 30th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Computers, Windows

iTunes. It’s the undeniable standard for music playback and management on computers. It’s not a one-trick pony though, as its capabilities enable an entire eco-system of products to obtain content. If a (wagon) wheel in the sky keeps on turning, then iTunes is the hub to which all of the spokes connect.

Impressive.

For being such an important software package, it’s surprisingly light on user customizable features. For example, way back when iTunes 4.5 was released (>5 years ago), a small arrow showed up next the songs in your Library. It looks like this:

Those arrows have, and very well always will, take you to that content in the iTunes Store. Personally, I don’t find that useful. I already have that song in my Library, and would rather see similar content I already have. For example, if you were to click on the arrow for the artist Rush, you would be taken to all of the Rush music in your Library.

The arrow doesn’t behave in a manner that provides the best user experience, but it does behave in a manner that ensures the most user exposure to the iTunes Store. It’s not a show-stopper, but it’s a nuisance.

Thankfully, there is a very unintuitive way to make the arrows capable of working for you. Simply Ctrl-Left click the arrow and it takes you to similar content in your Library. It makes getting around your music Library much easier.

I don’t know of a method to make this the default behavior with iTunes for Windows. If I ever discover one, I’ll be sure to share it here. It would also be great if this could become a preference, but I won’t hold my breath.

Happy Ctrl-Left clicking your way to a more enjoyable iTunes experience!

Addendum on November 14, 2010: iTunes 10.x versions do away with the arrow and replace it with a Ping button. Ctrl-Left Clicking this button offers you the option to jump to various points in your library. Nice improvement on this already useful feature!

Addendum on December 1, 2012: iTunes 11 finally brings sensible UI/UX to market. The arrow now shows you what it should without any additional effort from the user.

The Top 15 Google Products for People Who Build Websites

// April 17th, 2010 // No Comments » // Computers

Read the excellent article here…

Effects of the 2010 US Health Care Bill Explained – Gulf Stream Blues

// March 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // Health, Learning, Sign of the times

So, we’re pretty much at the beginning of this health care reform thing here in the United States.
Here’s an incredibly well written, layman’s explanation from a person that seems to have a solid bead on the ways of the world…

The US healthcare bill explained – Gulf Stream Blues