modernize

Batch File Rename

Ever had a bunch of files you gave the wrong name? I did that recently when I imported a bunch of photos from my digital camera. The files all went to a single album (and folder), when they should have gone into two different ones. To correct this, I downloaded a tiny app created by programmer Nathan Downes. It looks like he wrote the app for his own purposes, but like the other programcitos on the website, he has volunteered it to the public without any license or cost attached.

The program has no documentation, faq, or help links but frankly it is such a simple app that I got it right on the first try. Luck, to be sure. There's no menu and there's only one screen. Still, because it is so hard to find such an application I wanted to not only show others that this program exists, but how to actually use it.

Note: if your files are of any import, you should make a backup copy of them first before you set out to rename them en masse. That way, if you make a mistake you can undo it with ease.

The screenshot below summarizes what happened here; a set of photos called 'blauwkamps' are in a folder called 'naumanns'. Not what I wanted.

My solution: download and launch the brename executable. There is a link for the download at the end of this post.

With the program open, enter a value into the File filter field. If you have some files you do not want renamed, this is your chance to leave them out. In my case, a wildcard (the asterisk) was enough to specify that the entire set of files in the folder should be renamed. From string is where you enter the current name to be changed, and To string is where you enter the new name. Working dir is the full path of the files you are manipulating.

Click on Go and you *should see* your files renamed quickly and predictably!

This program will work for a good chunk of file renaming needs, but is by no means a contender with the commercial programs out there. It is able to replace or remove a string, but doesn't specifically add prefixes and suffixes, doesn't change ID3 tags in MP3s, and doesn't touch the descriptions built into JPEG files.

Thanks to Nathan Downes for publishing a piece of freeware that is simple, purpose-built, and no strings attached. It boggles the mind to think that a Windows Vista operating system with its $200+ price tag can't batch rename files, but such is life.

Batch File Rename

http://njdownes.net/?cat=3

Making a reliable XBOX live connection

BACKGROUND

XBOX Live is a service that is indispensible for those people who have tried it and are hooked. In my case, I use it with my Forza Motorsport racing simulator to let out some aggression on the track, where there is no expense, no travel time, no damage and no injury involved.

Fantastic. When it works.

When it doesn't work I become a cranky gamer, and my XBOX evangelist tendancies rapidly wane. The problem, it turns out, is not to do with the XBOX live service, or even the software routines it uses. Instead, it's more of a concept of pushing yesterday's technology into performing today's miracles.

IN A NUTSHELL

To make XBOX live a service that you will use, enjoy, and stay subscribed to, you will need the following ingredients:

• A good connection to the internet
• A supported router (see Microsoft's list of XBOX Live approved routers)
• A good ethernet cable

That's all it takes. If it could be any simpler, they would have made it so. What qualifies as a good connection? Any connection with high speed and low latency will do:

• Cable
• Digital Subscriber Link / DSL
• commercial T1/Frame Relay

These connections will likely provide a good pipe for Live gaming.  Following are examples of internet connections that will not give you a reliable experience:

• Satellite internet
• Your neighbor's wireless connection

If you decide to use wireless for your own connection to XBOX Live, do so with care. The added complexity and inherent "iffiness" of wireless is the key reason people avoid it for XBOX Live. It only takes a few 1/10ths of a second of lag (latency) to change your whole game experience for the worse.

Resources:

• Microsoft's Diagnosing XBOX Live Connections page, with a particularly good section on so-called NAT conflicts. To quote, "If the players you want to play with are using strict NATs, you will likely experience problems. You may not be able to hear them and they may not be able to hear you. You may not be able to see those players at all."
• Russ Smith offers further insight on NAT as it relates to XBOX Live
• Shopping for compatible products with the Xbox Live compatible logo
• Official XBOX Live Technical Issues forum

Screenshots and the internet

I wanted to post on the use of screenshots, which is a helpful tool in the computer world. I've done it in Question and Answer format, and hopefully in plain English!

Q:
What is a screenshot?

A:
A screenshot is an all-inclusive snapshot of what is on your computer screen, right now. Screenshots are time sensitive because what you see right now might be completely different than 5 seconds ago.

Q:
Why are screenshots used?

A:
It can be difficult to communicate to others what our computer is doing, and how that's different from what we want it to do. Quite often, this is due to a limitation in language. A screenshot is a great way to say "look, that's what it's doing," and have the other person say "oh, I see now." This can be much more effective than a verbal description of the computer's behavior.

Q:
When should I give someone a screenshot?

A:
When your computer shows a confusing or contradictory dialog box, or when you can't find the right button to click on, those are examples of when a screenshot would be helpful. When your problem is easy to see, but hard to tell -- that's a good way to judge whether a screenshot is appropriate or not.

Q:

When should I not use a screenshot?

A:

When a credit card number or other sensitive information is viewable on your screen, you should avoid using a screenshot. This stands even if you trust the person sending it to. It's about as safe as holding your credit card out in front of you while crossing the street. You may be a very trusting person but if you are too trusting, you are likely to get taken advantage of.

Q:
How do I create a screenshot?

A:
See Wikipedia's entry on screenshot for a how-to for your operating system (Mac, PC, or X-Windows):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenshot