Assigning a default handler to extensionless files in Windows

I recently ran into a large number of files that have no extension. My attempt at batch processing this files was hindered. In Microsoft Windows, if you double click on a file that has no extension, the "Open With" dialog will appear and ask you which program to use to open the file.

Normally, you could choose the program and then check the box "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" and then the file open process would be automated going forward. When the file has no extension, that box is greyed out, so the automated file opening by a certain program cannot happen.

To fix this (to cause a file without an extension to open in Notepad.exe by default) I looked into the registry.

The registry key Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.txt contains the instructions for the ".txt" extension.

".txt" (Key)
---- (Default) = "txtfile" - (String)
---- Content Type = "text/plain" - (String)
---- PerceivedType = "text" - (String)
---- PersistentHandler (Key)
-------- (Default) = "{5e941d80-bf96-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}" - (String)
---- ShellNew (Key)
-------- etc...

What I did was copy the strings and the PersistentHandler registry key into a new sibling without the "txt" portion.

" ." (Key)
---- (Default) = "txtfile" - (String)

---- Content Type = "text/plain" - (String)
---- PerceivedType = "text" - (String)
---- PersistentHandler (Key)
-------- (Default) = "{5e941d80-bf96-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}" - (String)

The logic behind this is that ".txt" opens ".txt" files with a certain handler and treats them a certain way. A file without an extension is effectively just "." instead of ".txt."

To my surprise, it works. Any file without an extension is automatically opened in Notepad.exe.

WRT54G - The ubiquitous.

I've had a few WRT54G routers over the years and they've been really great. Major kudos to Linksys (and secondarily Cisco) for making a great product and supporting it for so long.

I recently upgraded one of my WRT54Gs to firmware 4.21.5 (Feb 2012). It was running perfect, so I suppose that upgrading was a stupid gesture. My router is a version 2.0 (#3 of 12 versions). The router is old and I should have known.

Well all of the wireless devices started to drop connection on a regular basis since I upgraded the firmware.

Turns out, it is really hard to find a source for the old firmware bin files.

So I turned to DD-WRT, which I had used in the past, but since I prefer to use the OEM firmware (if possible) I had reverted to a newer, working version of the Linksys firmware.

DD-WRT is a free, opensource firmware for the WRT54G (and many other) routers. It is a beautiful thing to not have to throw away a $50 piece of hardware because the manufacturer's firmware turned it into a useless piece of junk.

Updating to DD-WRT
Some tips you may find useful:

Use the latest version recommended on the DD-WRT router database, NOT a version you downloaded from somewhere else (it might be old).

Use a wired connection for the upgrade. You do not want to get frustrated with settings, trying to connect, not knowing what the default SSID is, etc.... just plug it in first and you'll be better off.

You can backup your settings, but considering this is a new firmware, you should start from scratch. Settings are easy to get back if you know what they are.
1. Write down your settings (DHCP settings, wireless security type, key, encryption, channel, etc)

If you upgrade from the Linksys firmware to DD-WRT for the first time, you may need to reset the router to factory conditions.
1. Unplug it
2. Hold down the reset button and plug it back in
3. Keep it pressed for about 20 seconds

When it comes back, remember that the default IP address is 192.168.1.1, NOT whatever you had it set at.

The DD-WRT default username is "root" and the default password is "admin" for versions 23 SP1 and greater.

Last tip. Have an alternate means of connecting to the internet in case you forget everything and need to search for help. A smartphone will do.

Windows 8 comments

Internet Explorer Consumer Preview 10:

• Generally slow
• Rendering takes some time to catch up to scroll location on an average page (msn.com)
• Nice minimalist look and feel

Windows 8 touch integration:

• Keyboard sounds like a WP7 keyboard
• Keyboard layout is nice and has a lot of options like resizing, changing layout for thumbs typing, handwriting recognition, etc.
•  Handwriting recognition is good and works much like Windows 7... but slower. I find that I can write too fast and overwhelm the recognition system. When this happens, it creates more errors in what it thinks I wrote.
• The keyboard takes up about half of the screen, so if you use overlay mode the keyboard blocks the view of anything under it. Using the block mode to pin the keyboard to the desktop will force the text window to fit in the other half of the screen.
• Auto-correct is much less aggressive than it would be on a phone. Type "lke" won't change to "like" or suggest anything. "wont" will add the apostrophe though (in won't) but only if you add the space after it.
• double-tap on the text input zooms in. Nice touch.
•  Will need a screen with no raised bevel edges in order to use the Win 8 edge navigation. My EeePc has slightly raised edge and my finger can't register close enough to the edge to make the navigation kick in.
• It seems like Windows can't figure out whether or not to select or position the cursor or to focus. Touching a word (to edit) sometimes does nothing, and sometimes it places the cursor where I want it. Not sure if that's lack of cpu or a focus confusion.

Some of the issues I am having is a lack of power. This Atom cpu is just too slow for this version of windows. I'm also sure that the release versions of Win 8 and IE10 will be more refined.

Intel GMA500 Driver on Windows 8

So like many people with Intel Atom based netbooks, I wanted to try Windows 8. I was running Windows 7 Home Premium on my Asus EeePC T91MT. This netbook is underpowered out of the gate, and the Windows 7 touchpack is cool, but not terribly useful. Touch is definitely an afterthought in Windows 7. For this netbook to be useable, all graphical prettiness must be turned off (especially Aero). The Atom 1.33Ghz CPU is a dog and the Intel GMA500 is even worse. I don't expect much out of a graphics chipset, but it won't even play Minecraft with all options on low.

But this is not an Intel bashing session (even though I could say a lot more)...

I heard that Windows 8 is faster on older hardware, especially the Metro touch system. I installed it and it's true. The Metro UI is neat and pretty intuitive as well as fast.

But this is not a Windows 8 review...

If you want to run a Windows 8 app, you'll need a minimum resolution of 1024x768. Without it, the apps refuse to start. As of March 2012, there are no Windows 8 drivers for the Intel Atom GMA chipsets. When you install Windows 8 on a Win 7 netbook, the basic Microsoft driver is installed.

Default resolution...? 800x600.

I believe it's stupid for Microsoft's basic default driver to default to a resolution that disallows its apps to run. Seems a bit shortsighted. Just sayin...

Windows Update finds no drivers.
I download the latest from Intel (Oct. 2010 driver) - Can't install (OS not supported).

Here's the solution.

1. Download the latest driver
2. Go to the desktop (touch top-left corner)
3. Open the Screen Resolution properties box
4. Click on Advanced Settings
5. Click on Adapter Properties
6. Click on Driver tab
7. Click on Update Driver
8. "Browse my computer for driver software"
9. Select the folder you unzipped the driver to
10. Click "Next"

The screen may flash a time or two, and you may need to reboot, but when it's done you should be able to select your recommended resolution and 1024x768 even if the display recommends lower (mine recommends 1024x600).

Apps load and you can now play with Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Enjoy.

WP7 Primary Live ID

So if you've got a Windows Phone 7 you will be required to create a Microsoft Live ID or use an existing one when you activate the phone. If you change your primary Live ID username (email address), your phone will be unable to do many things, like download a paid app, update apps,. Your Live account is listed under settings - Email+Accounts. You'd think that you could just change the account information like you can with your other accounts. This is not currently the case. No way to change the email address, means you cannot update the Live ID that your phone is connected to. No way to change it in the Zune software, online, or anywhere else.

The only solution is to reset your phone, which wipes all of your settings and information, that is unless you have your phone dev unlocked (I do) and can go thru the steps to update a registry entry on the phone.

I hate to be "one of those" people who is hung up on ancient technology... but my last smartphone was a Palm Pre Plus. The Palm profile saved all of my settings (except passwords) online... upgraded phones simply restore to what the profile says was there last. As if that wasn't convenient enough, there were TWO reset options on my Palm Pre... There was the option to reset and wipe, and the other was to reset and retain all user data. Duh.... that makes sense, right?

So I went from an older open system to an up-to-date modern system... but I'm still shocked by how many details have been left out.

How to change primary LiveID email without resetting WP7 (by sensboston)

On the desktop:
1) Go to http://account.live.com and sign in with your old account;
2) Change your LiveID email (use existing email or get new one from @hotmail.com);
3) Save your changes and re-login with new ID.

On the handset:
1) Using registry editor or provisioning file, change these values:

Code:

[HKCU\Software\Microsoft\ActiveSync\Partners\{B2830118-7BC6-4A74-8C9A-3D8B9CEF88E0}]
"Email"=your_new_id@hotmail.com
"User"=your_new_id@hotmail.com

[HKCU\Software\Microsoft\IdentityCRL\Environment\Production]
"DefaultID"=your_new_id@hotmail.com

Oppose SOPA and PIPA

End Piracy, Not Liberty   [Google.com]
The Stop Online Piracy Act Violates the First Amendment [net-coalition.com]
How PIPA and SOPA Violate White House Principles Supporting Free Speech and Innovation [eff.org]

Easy Homemade Pickled eggs

The easiest way to make your own pickled eggs is to buy one jar of them and a jar of sliced jalapenos.

Eat the pickled eggs and keep all of the juice. Boil your own eggs and put them in the original pickled egg juice. Top up with the jarred jalapeno juice and maybe a little white vinegar. Wait a few days and the skin will turn yellow and you'll get the flavor embedded in the eggs. You can put some red onion slices in there too.

Tasty.