Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2010 October 17

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October 17

windows vista wifi problems

I'm trying to figure out why my brother's windows vista laptop suddenly won't connect to the internet any more. The connection would be through the wifi access point which is in the same room and which works fine with other computers. It worked fine with my bro's computer until yesterday or so, but he seems to have screwed around with some settings or something, that messed it up. Now the laptop's connection manager finds the AP and connects to it just fine, but the browser (IE8, I think) says it can't connect, and "diagnose problem" gives a useless message like "windows can't resolve this problem". More generally, what kinds of methods does one use to diagnose this type of thing? I don't see any way to get any indication of what is actually going wrong. Windows Vista doesn't even seem to have a way to get a DOS prompt any more (or anyway I don't see it in the start menu, but I'm a Unix user clueless about Windows in general). Thanks. 72.89.106.242 (talk) 04:18, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

First, move the laptop next to the WiFi transmitter, just to check that there aren't any problems with interference. Then, in Windows "Network and Sharing Centre" (from Control Panel), click "Manage Wireless Networks" (on the left). The WiFi should show here, and you can configure the laptop to connect automatically (and even if the network is not broadcasting). In "security", you can check that the correct encryption is being used by the laptop, and the correct security key (check with other connections). The "diagnose and repair" option should then reconnect, but, if it doesn't work, try resetting the network adaptor, and try disconnecting, then reconnecting manually. I have regular problems with my WiFi and I often go through these processes (in desperation, probably unnecessarily). Vista on my laptop keeps losing contact, but in my case it is probably a weak signal (through two walls) and a dodgy WiFi router, plus an intermittent internet connection.

Vista has an emulation of the "DOS prompt". Just click "Start" then "Run", and type "command". You will then appear to be in DOS and can "ping" etc. (though everything is passed to Windows routines to execute the commands). Dbfirs 08:23, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Run "cmd", not "command". "command" brings up command.com, the old 16-bit command prompt from Win9x, running under NTVDM. "cmd" brings up cmd.exe, a Windows application that will work better and faster. -- BenRG (talk) 18:23, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Go to the command prompt as described above, then type "ipconfig /release" (without quotes) and then "ipconfig /renew". This might clear whatever problem the connection is having. Also check Internet Explorers proxy settings and make sure that it's got the right settings 82.44.55.25 (talk) 10:24, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Router (India) Santhosh.Sharma (talk)

I have been using for the last few years a router with two ethernet ports for connections and a third one for management, and this router has been used to connect two Local Area Networks, but now we also need to connect another LAN as well as to the internet, so can anyone here recommend a router with atleast four GbE RJ45 ports plus one for management configuration. Many thank you very much.

Are you saying that you need to connect a third LAN to the internet, or do you want to combine the three LANs into one bigger LAN and connect that to the internet? Rocketshiporion♫ 08:25, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Each the three LANs has servers which must connected to the internet in order to service the internet to each of their desktops so their users can use the internet. These are under three domain names servers. Santhosh.Sharma (talk) 08:28, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Do you mean that each of the three LANs has a DNS server which needs to connect to the internet? If this is the case, you may want to connect the three servers to a high-speed switch, and connect the switch to your router. Rocketshiporion♫ 08:32, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

convert dvd camcoder to memorystick type..

Hi, i have a dvd -rw type sony camcorder.its dvd is quite costly and the model i have is also no more produced by the company.is there any way to convert or attach a memory stick to it.I have a sony dvd-dcr-705.Kindly help .. Thanx in advance..

59.93.129.55 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 11:42, 17 October 2010 (UTC).

I'm no expert, but I don't think there is any way of attaching a memory stick to it, no. If it has no USB port on it, then you can't stick a USB memory stick in it. Apologies. You could always go about buying a Flip camcorder. They're cheap and have a built in memory stick.--Editor510 ^{drop us a line, mate} 16:21, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

That model apparently was only sold in Latin America and I can't find documentation for it, but the model with the most similar number (DCR-DVD010) was apparently capable of using memory sticks as storage devices, as described at this page. Looie496 (talk) 17:14, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

If your camera doesn't support memory sticks, a more plausible possibility may be hacking it to support normal DVD-RW. DVD-RW are hardly that expensive, even 8cm ones which I guess the camcorder takes although storage space is gonna be a bit limited compared to many memory sticks. See [1] and [2] for example. Remember of course you can copy the contents of the DVD-RW and re-use them many times if you keep them in good condition. BTW I don't know about the accuracy of the claim it was 'only sold in Latin America' as I find references to it in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. [3] for example doesn't say it supports memory sticks. [4] in the US mentions is as a PAL camcorder so perhaps it was sold in many or most PAL countries. BTW I justed noticed that Amazon and the earlier the Australian link mentions it supports DVD+RW as well as DVD-RW so I guess you may have both as options. And BTW are you sure you need to use the Sony branded media? I find references (the Verbatim media link for example) which suggest at worst you may have the camcorder complaining ("Sony disc recommended") if you use non Sony branded media. Have you ever actually tried non Sony branded media? If not, perhaps there's no need for hacking at all. Nil Einne (talk) 09:24, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

Can I make an audio file?

Can I make an audio file out of spoken word, as produced in TextEdit (OS X, Mac computer), that can be put onto my iPod? Bus stop (talk) 11:48, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

I'm a bit confused as to what you want, but it sounds like you either want text to speech software (of which there are many free options), or, if you are talking about simply recording spoken words, a program like Audacity will easily do this. iPods accepts a variety of file formats; mp3 is pretty common. --Mr.98 (talk) 13:30, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

As I read it, you're looking for a program to record the computer generated speech as it 'reads' a text file. Again Audacity could help you here as it can record streaming audio (effectively whatever is coming out of your computer's speakers). --jjron (talk) 14:26, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

At http://etc.usf.edu/techease/4all/learning/how-do-i-use-the-speech-service-in-mac-os-x-to-record-text-into-an-audio-file/ you will find instructions for doing exactly what you want to. Looie496 (talk) 17:18, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Looie496—I don't know what I'm doing wrong. It doesn't work. I'm referring to the supposed ability to add TextEdit files to iTunes as a Spoken Track. I've gone through all the steps, carefully, several times. But iTunes is not opening as it should (at the point at which you click "Add to iTunes as a Spoken Track"), and no recorded track is to be found in iTunes.

I also downloaded Audacity, but I haven't looked into it much, so far. Bus stop (talk) 21:24, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Sorry, I only did a Google search and found that page that claims to do what you want, I have absolutely no understanding of it. Looie496 (talk) 21:35, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

OK. Thanks. It's great. It seems perfect. Maybe Apple disabled it or something. Thanks again. Bus stop (talk) 21:49, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Followup: Yes, that feature doesn't seem to be functioning at this time, according to this explanation. But there is this workaround, and it works. One drawback is the awful sound of the "System Voice." They ought to make it more mellifluous. Thank you to all. Bus stop (talk) 13:24, 20 October 2010 (UTC)

How to install Java?

I am using Linpus Linux. I think it's Red Hat or Fedora-based. Anyway, I need help, because, as per usual, these instructions are written for people who know more about UNIX. Now, I'm not UNIX-illiterate, I do understand some of it, but this is just confusing. Where the hell would I find the /usr/java directory?! Can someone please point me in the right directions?--Editor510 ^{drop us a line, mate} 16:18, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Right, more detail now. I do have a /usr/ area, but there's no /usr/java. The bastard's not letting me create a new folder, either. Any suggestions?--Editor510 ^{drop us a line, mate} 16:27, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

On Linux, normal users can't edit /usr/ for security reasons. Use either

su -

or

sudo bash

to become the root user (system administrator), and then try the instructions again. The first method will want the root password, then second your password. When finished, enter 'exit' to become you again. CS Miller (talk) 16:45, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

You can find very detailed and straightforward instructions at this page. Looie496 (talk) 16:59, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Since Linpus is based on Fedora, you might find this page more helpful. Fedora has packages for Java which work better with the OS than something you'd install manually. -- JSBillings 14:15, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

cost to replace a netbook's lcd screen

if a netbook (eee pc in my case) has a cracked lcd screen, is it even worth replacing? How much would that cost, including parts + labor (unless I could do it myself without too much trouble). The model in question is this one. 188.174.74.76 (talk) 16:52, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Unless still under warranty, replacement screens for laptops have traditionally been very expensive from the original manufacturer. They are available on eBay (for example, this advert suggests prices around £60 + shipping), but you would need to fit it yourself - something that is not easy to do. If you do go for this, I suggest you download a service manual first and study it very carefully until you are sure you are able to complete job, and only then order the replacement screen. Astronaut (talk) 20:01, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Visual C++ equivalent to Eclipse's Outline View

Yet another question. Again, I'm sorry for all the questions. Is there such an equivalent? KyuubiSeal (talk) 18:07, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Questions are welcome...you may be looking for Visual C++ Class designer, Visual C++ Class viewer, or Object Browser. Smallman12q (talk) 23:20, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Okay, thank you! KyuubiSeal (talk) 20:49, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

ethernet switch

I ask this question previously about hubs, and people said to get a "switch". Today I finally managed to get an "8 port fast ethernet switch". So the question is; can I plug a cable modem into the switch, then plug two computers into the switch as well, and they will share the internet connection? 82.44.55.25 (talk) 18:55, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

I might be wrong on this but I don't think that it will work (i'm open to correction though) as you are trying to use the switch as a router but I think you could designate one of your computers as an Internet host. Then Install a second NIC in to this computer and plug your modem into that. Set up Internet Connection Sharing, and then connect the other computer to the host through the switch. Mo ainm~Talk 19:06, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

If your PC has an IP address in the form 192.168.???.??? then it will work, otherwise you'll need a machine to do Network address translation (NAT) for the machines. If your cable-modem also has WiFi or mutliple ethernet ports, then it will NAT, if not then it may-or-may-not. CS Miller (talk) 19:26, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Usually not, since switches can't normally handle IP addresses. They usually only work for local networks, and address computers by using their MAC addresses. What make and model of switch is it? Most people who use switches connect the switch to a router and then the router to a modem. They do this because a router usually only has four ports on the back. So, if you run a company with more computers, you'd need either a second router or a switch (or even a hub) to connect to the router.

Also, why did you decide to buy a switch? It's actually kind of hard to find switches in retail stores nowadays, since routers have become so cheap, and since routers are more powerful than switches. Hubs are even more rare, so I'm also curious who told you to buy a hub before this.--Best Dog Ever (talk) 02:48, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

The make is "Edimax 8 port fast ethernet switch 10/100 mbps, Palmtop size". I can't find a model number on the box or on the device. I got the switch because people said the hub I had would cause collisions of data and was outdated, and I got the hub because people said just connecting a normal ethernet cable between two computers wouldn't work. This was the thread. Anyway, so the switch can't be directly connected to the cable modem? Ok, thanks for the information 82.44.55.25 (talk) 14:57, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

Wait, wait, wait. The above answers are mostly nonsense. Every cable modem I have experience with over the last 10 years can be connected to a switch, and then you can connect multiple computers to the switch to share the connection. The cable modem itself (not the switch) acts as a DHCP server and each computer gets its own IP address in this situation. Best Dog Ever: You must be confusing switches with hubs when you claim it's hard to find a switch. I buy switches every month from the local computer store. Original poster: Just plug it in and see. It should work fine. If you were to get a router instead of a switch then you'd have a 100% chance of success. Without knowing what cable modem model you have, I'll say that using a switch in the way you describe carries about a 98% chance of success. The only way this will fail is if your cable modem lacks the ability to be a DHCP server, which I'll say has a 2% chance of being true. Comet Tuttle (talk) 16:35, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

Given the fact that I'm a CCNA, rest assured that I know the difference between a hub and a switch. Also, all of the cable modems I've owned can't be connected to a layer-two switch. I have seen some cable modems that are also routers, but my ISP will only give you one of those if you request it. There are some layer-three switches that can assign local IP addresses, but I don't think the Edimax 8-port fast ethernet switch is one of them. The switch I own (Netgear DSS-5+) can be connected to my modem, but each computer connected to it will get a separate public IP address. And, since I'm allowed only one public IP address, only one of those computers will be able to connenct to the Internet. The switch does not have a built-in DHCP server. Layer-two switches are called that because they operate at the second layer of the OSI model. MAC addresses work at the second layer. IP addresses work at the third.--Best Dog Ever (talk) 17:01, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

I concur with what Best Dog Ever states above and I was also going on the assumption that it was a Layer 2 Switch. Mo ainm~Talk 18:35, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

I don't know why Best Dog Ever thinks combined modem/routers are rare things. Every broadband modem I've seen in the UK has had at least two, and more usually four, ethernet ports on the back, a built-in DHCP server and NAT addressing - maybe the situation is different elsewhere in the world. Unless you have other network devices there should be connectivity for your two computers to share the one internet connection through the modem/router and for file/print sharing across the network as well, all with no need for an additional hub, switch or router. Astronaut (talk) 20:39, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

My cable modem only has one ethernet port 82.44.55.25 (talk) 20:45, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

What happened when you hooked up the switch to it, and hooked your PCs up to the switch? (And if you are hesitating to try the experiment for some reason, we could put this to rest if you could tell us the manufacturer and model number of your cable modem, so someone can go look up whether it's a DHCP server.) Comet Tuttle (talk) 23:03, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

The model number is "ambit e08c013". I have not tried connecting the switch because the last time I tried connecting different things to the cable modem I lost the internet for hours because the "host table" on the ISPs server had reached it's maximum allowed allocation of ip address. I want to be sure it will work before risking that again 82.44.55.25 (talk) 23:15, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

From a quick search I think your SOL, the ambit e08c013 appears to be a modem only from what I can tell. You can either buy a router (whether 1 port in which case you'll still need the switch or multiple port in which case you probably won't) or set up one of your computers to function as a router (which will mean the computer will have to be on for the internet on the others to work and may also post security concerns if you're only using one network adapter for both the connection to your LAN and your modem) whether via software for the computer or something in a VM (e.g. m0n0wall). Well if you have a spare computer you can also set it up to be a standalone router (I use m0n0wall as my router for various reasons even though I actually have a 1 port ADSL2+ router/modem). If this spare computer has 2 NICs all the better. Nil Einne (talk) 14:33, 19 October 2010 (UTC)

Is that not what I said in my first post Nil Einne? Mo ainm~Talk 18:06, 19 October 2010 (UTC)

Mostly yes although it wasn't clear at the time whether the modem had router/NAT functions (many single port ones do, I've actually never come across an ethernet ADSL modem without some sort of router functionality although I'm sure they exist). Also you specified they must use a second NIC, this isn't necessarily the case depending on the modem and other factors. In fact with a VM you could probably somehow set it up with only one NIC if necessary (even if the modem uses DHCP, assign private IPs in a range the modem won't see to the other computers turning off DHCP so they never take the public IP and with only the VM having DHCP it will be the only thing to ever take the public IP). You could say this is somewhat cheating though since in that case you do have virtual NICs. However I think with mosts OSes even without a VM you should be able to do something similar with the right software. Of course considering the added complexity and security risks of such a set up and low cost of a second NIC, it's likely easier to just use a second NIC. Also setting up a router solution with only one NIC and without using a VM is I think harder then I thought it would be, at least without vlans. Nil Einne (talk) 09:23, 20 October 2010 (UTC)

Mandelbrot set

Does anyone know where I could download an SVG of the Mandelbrot set from? ╟─TreasuryTag►constabulary─╢ 19:42, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

It's just not something that lends itself to a vector format(see caveat below); it's an intrinsically bit-mapped format. You can always force a bitmap into SVG, but it's not a good idea - the 800x600 jpg version of File:Mandel_zoom_00_mandelbrot_set.jpg, when turned into a SVG by ImageMagick's convert, balloons from 41K to 26M; that's because it's been rendered in SVG as about half a million tiny circles (and the resulting SVG is, unsurprisingly, entirely unviewable). Caveat: strictly, I suppose someone could write a Mandelbrot (etc.) engine that a priori targeted a vector format, it might (I'm just guessing, really) be able to produce a multi-scale (but not deeply so) vector image. While this might be fun to write, it'd likely produce an image quite unlike what you're used to (perhaps rather Braque-y), and surely still much less space-efficient than a bitmap. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 20:03, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

I doubt an SVG representation would be doable or visually meaningful. the Mandelbrot attractor is (if I remember correctly) everywhere non-differentiable, so one can't break it down into simple arcs or lines as an SVG does. further, the coloration is usually based on escape trajectories for points not in the set itself, and I have no idea how you would capture that in SVG format. --Ludwigs2 21:22, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

geometric construction of fractal curve with circles

If you're willing to really have just the set, rather than pretty pictures that really show the execution of the algorithm, it's possible to analytically construct a mandelbrot with (I think) just cardiods and circles. Circles are SVG native; I don't think cardioids can strictly be represented with the splines SVG uses, but it's possible to hack them up (like this). Illustrated right is a comparable rendering, just with circles, of a similar fractal. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 21:55, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

computing - software

to whom it may concern

my question is simple.

why is software written in English. in the sense that commands and actions are in this language

thank you —Preceding unsigned comment added by 186.59.20.61 (talk) 20:44, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

You might find the Non-English-based programming languages article relevant. -- Finlay McWalter ☻ Talk 20:49, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Also see English in computing. This is probably due to the fact that English was among the first languages to have Character encoding and early computers did not have sufficient capacity to store multiple character languages. Also, early computing made heavy usage of assembly language which was also written with English characters. You should be aware though that though software is written in English, or other languages, it is usually compiled to binary code which is language independent.Smallman12q (talk) 23:30, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

I interpreted this as a question about user interfaces, not about program source code. User interfaces are not always in English - it's just that much software is written by English-speakers. Internationalization and localization is the process of designing software to be easily translated for users of different languages (and regions). But, it's expensive - it requires technical rework of the code and detailed knowledge of foreign languages. Hiring programmers who speak multiple languages is prohibitively expensive for many companies (and free software projects). But many commercial softwares (such as Windows and Microsoft Office) as well as many free softwares (such as Ubuntu and OpenOffice.org) are available with user interfaces in dozens of languages. Nimur (talk) 04:10, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

You don't need a multi-lingual programmer. What normally happens is there is a look-up table for each language. Each table contains multiple StringID:Translation entries; the program loads the appropriate table for the language it is using at present. When it needs to display a string, it looks up by the StringID (which is fixed for each message), gets the human-readable string, and displays it. The initial table is normally written in English, and the English look-up table is sent to a human translator to convert it one of the targeted languages. This is repeated for each supported language. However, hiring the translators is expensive, and each time the UI messages are changed, the new messages need to be sent off to get translated. Also, as the displayed length of the messages changes per language, the dialog boxes need to be checked in each language to see that they are laid out correctly, which adds to the testers time. CS Miller (talk) 10:59, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

<rant>Seperating programmers from translators is not always a bright idea. Firefox 3.6.10, to this day, contains a bug when you try to save a bookmark - the title of the pop-up screen where you can enter the description for the bookmark probably says "set bookmark for this page" in English, the German translation turned it into "Lesezeichen für diese Seite gesetzt" ("Bookmark for this page has been set") - when it clearly hasn't been set yet. Clearly, the translator had no idea where the string belongs in the application, and, lacking context, picked a wrong translation. Not sure how QA is implemented in the Firefox translations, but this bug going unnoticed/unfixed for so long, when it's in such a prominent place, is pretty disappointing.</rant> Now, does anybody know how to quickly file that bug without jumping through various you-need-to-create-an-account-first hoops? -- 78.43.71.155 (talk) 17:35, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

Actually, the English text in 3.6.10 is "Page Bookmarked", and I think in earlier versions of the new bookmark dialog it was "This page has been bookmarked" or some such. I think it's bizarre too, but it's not a clueless translator, it's a clueless UI designer (or clueless users who don't see that this is really a good thing). -- BenRG (talk) 19:18, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

If the translator is given the the application and user-manual in the original language, and instructions on how to access all the dialog boxes, then they can see all the messages in context, and thus make a better translation. CS Miller (talk) 21:24, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

<quote>and instructions on how to access all the dialog boxes</quote> - and here lies the problem. Either such instructions aren't made available to the translator, or the translator doesn't care about them - that's my experience with most botched translations I encounter. -- 78.43.71.155 (talk) 22:45, 19 October 2010 (UTC)

English is the lingua franca of programming language keywords and library functions. The advantages of a common language far outweigh the disadvantages in a situation like this. English won out because so much pioneering work in programming languages happened in the U.S., though why that's true I'm not sure. -- BenRG (talk) 19:18, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

iPhone Clones

I've seen some iPhone clones that run Android and more that run Windows Mobile, but what operating system(s) do the other iPhone clones run? I've identified that a few of the big iPhone clones (namely, Sciphone and HiPhone) that are made by CECT—which is a subsidiary of ShenZhen HuiTimes Technology—run an operating system called MTK, a variant of Nucleus developed, I think, by MediTek, Inc., but what about the iPhone clones such as ePhone, Miphone, or iiPhone? --Melab±1 ☎ 22:27, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

MTK isn't the operating system but the chipset. The vast majority of cheap Chinese phones, including iPhone clones do use cheap MTK chipsets with Nucleus RTOS. The MTK chipsets are cheap and usually I think one chip solutions and MediaTek themselves provide a relatively complete solution including I think the OS and software for phones so it's easy for manufacturers to put something together, see [5] for example.

Also the SciPhone and HiPhone and likely all of the complete clones are not made by CECT. The CECT branding is just as fake as any Apple branding. Very often no one really knows who makes these phones and there are many makers and different clones of the clones as for example firmware makers like Javquisoft and astute buyers have found out.

In the case of the Sciphone, the originals appear to come from [6] who call themselves "Shezen Bluelans". [7] also has some helpful info on the phones (can't comment on their other stuff) although it may be getting a little outdated, and finally there are plenty of forums dedicated to discussion of clones.

Nil Einne (talk) 06:34, 18 October 2010 (UTC)

Free software java application for editing PDF file properties

Resolved

Is there any (tiny) free/open source software, GUI, java application availabe, that comes in a .JAR file, and which lets me edit only those document properties of a PDF file that are stored inside the PDF file? (That is: I do not want the file properties that are handled by the operating system where the PDF is residing at the moment, because those will disappear when I send the file somewhere else).
--Seren-dipper (talk) 23:18, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

You're probably looking for software to modify PDF metadata...have you tried googling for a pdf metadata editor?Smallman12q (talk) 23:23, 17 October 2010 (UTC)

Thank you! :-)
--Seren-dipper (talk) 00:15, 20 October 2010 (UTC)