I was asked to provide my scripts that allow me to check for the .NET framework using NSIS.  I'll do one step better, I'll post my custom macros (downloadable of course) that will allow you to plug them right into your NSIS scripts and run required tasks.  Below is a brief introduction to each of the macros, this is so you'll know how to use them mainly:

• eWorld_DetectNetFramework_10: This macro, as the name states, detects the .NET framework v1.0...but due to backwards compatability, it first checks for at least v1.1 of the .NET framework.  If either of the 2 frameworks are not found, the user is prompted and the installation quits.  This macro should be run in the .onInit function of your script, and only when you're installing assemblies compiled under the 1.0 framework.
• eWorld_DetectNetFramework_11: Like its brother macro above, this will only detect for the v1.1 framework.  If the 1.1 framework is not found, the user is prompted, and the installation quits.  This macro should be run in the .onInit function of your script, and only when you're installing assemblies compiled under the 1.1 framework.
• eWorld_DetectPreviousVersion: This will detect a previous version that is installed based on the registry key HKLM \ Software \ {APPLICATION NAME}.  It will also detect if a MSI is installed with a particular application name.  This macro takes 2 parameters, APPNAME and MSIAPPNAME.  If you pass in an empty string for MSIAPPNAME, it will not check for MSI applications.  If this macro detects a previous installation, it will prompt the user to uninstall it.  At this point, it will write a temporary file to note that it is currently uninstalling...then it will launch the uninstaller of the previous version.  This should be used in conjunction with eWorld_LaunchInstaller.  This macro should be run in the .onInit function of your script.
• eWorld_LaunchInstaller: This will remove the temporary uninstall file created by eWorld_DetectPreviousVersion, and will launch the installer.  This macro should be called as the last step in your Uninstall function.

There are a few other macros in this script file, however they're called from the macros listed above, and should not be used in any other manner.

Download the Macros!

My search has finally ended!  I've been looking to either find a Central Illinois .NET User Group, or start one up myself for about a year.  Well, today..by slight chance..the new DevDays portal pointed me to a Central Illinois User Group located no more than 20 miles away from me.  Luckily they're having their 3rd meeting tonight from 6-8:30 PM, so I'm gonna head on out to check it out...free giveaways tonight as well!  So, if you're in the Central Illinois area, and are looking to go, let me know, maybe we could coordinate a meetup tonight.

I've setup a page containing information relating to the NNTP Posting Plugin for NewsGator.  This page will give you more detailed information, a change log, and other stuff (not yet defined).  By using this page you can keep up-to-date on the NNTP Plugin.

As a side note, version 0.5 seems to be the tip of the iceburg for this plugin, so after a few weeks it may be moved into 1.0 status.  I've also setup a new forum where we can discuss the plugin, get support, and ask for enhancements.  Hopefully all this will lead to a community driven plugin.

View the webpage | View the forum

I've been studying my server logs for usage and just general information this morning, and I have to say that I'm just stunned of the amount of outdated software that is still in use.  As you can tell from the subject, I noticed, in the month of January, that there were 46 visits by people using Windows 3.11.  Why in the world would anyone still be using this, let alone a developer.  What's even more suprising, is that it beat out Linux by 20 visits.

Another thing to note, is the use of outdated browsers.  While the top still stands at IE 6, IE 4 comes in a whopping second place, then Netscape 4, then IE 5.0, then 5.5x.  Why? I just don't understand it.  Although the real older browsers didn't make the top 5, it is interesting to note that Netscape 3 and 2 were in use during last month, maybe by those 46 users using Windows 3.11.  How do these people expect to get the best internet usage or experience using this software, it just baffles me.

Have you run across anyone still using outdated (and unsupported) operating systems or browsers recently?

It was brought to my attention Saturday evening (through today) after I released my version 1.9 control set, that a few major "show stopper" bugs existed.  As such, I've patched them up and re-released v1.9 with the updated code.  Here's a list of those issues that were resolved:

• Regular databinding to the Multi-Text List controls did not work.
• Using AccordionExternalResourcePath failed to set properly for the AccordionPanel.
• Javascript errors for CollapsablePanel when AllowTitleExpandCollapse was true.

If you've downloaded my control set prior to 8:45 AM Central time this morning, I would suggest re-downloading the controls to receive the latest build.  Go to my download page.

It seems that Mike Rowe has decided to put 1 copy of the “WIPO book and 25-page letter” he received from Microsoft during their talks and settlement up for sale on eBay.  Mike had to start weeding out the real from fake bids, that exceeded over $200,000 earlier today.  He started by knocking of those who have 0 feedback, then went to pre-approval bidding only to serious bidders.

So far, he has 3 days left, and no one has gotten a real bid through.  It'll be interesting to see if he actually sells this to someone.  Here's the CNet story.

Version 0.5 of the NewsGator NNTP Plugin to allow posting to newsgroups has been released.  This version includes proper cross-posting functionality to newsgroups, a major enhancement in server/newsgroup selection, enhancement in error descriptions now containing the server and newsgroup when sending an email to the developer, and lastly, the user will be restricted from posting empty posts to a server.  The first and last update were to start working towards GNKSA's seal of approval.

Download Now!

Tonight I had to make the hard decision to shut my free online family album service down.  I decided that since it has had very little usage over the last few months, that I'm wasting money on hosting fees.  For those who have never been to http://www.webfa.com, this site - dubbed WebFA - was my senior multi-media project I created in Oct-Dec. of 2002.  It was a GREAT learning tool, as .NET 1.0 was in its infancy stages, and a GREAT way to show off my skills to my professor.  The site was fun, to both use and build...however pulling the plug was the right thing. 

If you would like a copy of the source code...well, too bad.  After several server, and workstation rebuilds, I lost all code to the site...thus making any updates impossible.  I do, however, have the SQL code (well its still on the database) as well as HTML markup...but without the good 'ol VB.NET code behinds, the sites useless.  If you would like a working copy, I can give you what I have...however, I suggest going to something like nGallery, as it has code.

So long, fair well...(song fading as you see the website fading into the horizon).

The long awaited 1.9 release of my Custom Controls has finally came, and gone.  Today I released this version that contains huge improvments over version 1.8.2, as well as 2 new controls, Accordion Panel and Empty DataGrid.  To download these controls, please visit Excentrics World! 

Now, for the good stuff, the changes:

Bread Crumb Trail:
- Added SessionName to allow for multiple bread crumbs in a site.
- Added Reset method to reset the crumbs, viewstate, and session.

Calendar Popup:
- Fixed Text not being applied to AlternateText of the Image.
- Fixed toggling of Enabled on postbacks with DisableTextboxEntry true not allowing manual entry.
- Fixed DropDownLists and ListBoxes not being hidden correctly if more than 1 form exists.
- Fixed VisibleDate not being set correctly when date exceeds the lower or upper bound date.
- Added Holiday collection, Holidays, that will allow you to add special dates or holidays.
- Added ability to bind data to the Holidays Collection using HolidayDataSource, HolidayDataMember, and HolidayDataField
- Added Button and Image display type.  This will not display the date to the user.
- Added NextMonthImageUrl, PreviousMonthImageUrl, NextYearImageUrl, PreviousYearImageUrl properties to set the prev/next month and year links as images.
- Added Reset methods to reset the date.

Collapsable Panel:
- Fixed OnInit method calling OnLoad method inadvertantly.
- Fixed Collapsed being overriden by loading the view state after it has changed from a previous postback.
- Fixed Image or Expand/Collapse text not showing when displayed on the left.
- Fixed support for Opera based browsers.
- Added Sliding effect for IE based browsers.
- Added CollapsedTitleStyle for varying the style for collapsed and expanded views.
- Added JavascriptOnToggleFunction for processing custom javascript logic when toggled.

Faq Repeater:
- Fixed javascript not being inserted when no data exists.
- Fixed javascript error being displayed when no data exists.

Masked Text Box:
- Fixed support for Opera, AutoFillMask is disabled for Opera browsers.
- Fixed overwriting of onfocus and onchange attributes.
- Added IsRequired, RequiredErrorMessage, and RequiredErrorText.
- Added ValidatorStyle for the RegEx and Required Validators.

Multi-Text List Controls:
- Fixed values not being bound when in a DataGrid.

Numeric Box:
- Fixed support for Opera browsers.
- Added ability to accept 1 or 2 characters for the dollar sign.
- Added RawText property that retrieves the text without any currency formatting.
- Added PlacesBeforeDecimal to handle the number of numbers can be entered prior to the decimal point.

Ordered List Box:
- Added SortOrder property and Sort method.
- Added LinkAlignment that allows you to define which side the links are located.
- Added DisplayAsButtons that will show buttons instead of links or images.

Time Picker:
- Fixed Text not being applied to AlternateText of the Image.
- Fixed SelectedTime not correct upon postback.
- Fixed Javascript error when ShowClearTimeText=true and EnableHideDropDown=true
- Added Button and Image type.  This will not display the time to the user.
- Added OneMinute to the TimeInterval enumeration.
- Added Reset methods to reset the time.

Version 0.4 of the NewsGator NNTP Plugin to allow posting to newsgroups has been released. This version includes even more tight integration with NewsGator, eliminating the need of ever configuring your authentication credentials in multiple places. An option has also been added to the configuration section, that will allow you to be prompted each time you post to a newsgroup, even if you're responding to a post. I have also added the ability to post to multiple newsgroups, and increased the error handling to be more descriptive and useful. Lastly, I've fixed a bug that displayed the headers as part of the body when viewed in Outlook Express.

Download Now!