Random Software topics

[Brian Boru]

So I was making a new Gmail account today, and the amount of unavailable usernames for an obscure first-last name combo is ridiculous. I tried a bunch of numbers, a few initials-only, no go.

Spammers must have so many billions of addresses in reserve

 

[Brian Boru]

I agree with 6 of these 8, and I'm not familiar with the other 2—the VPN and AV extensions. 7m

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMV2SZsxeDI

 

[Colif]

Ad blockers that accept money from companies to not block their ads are pointless. Its why I swapped to Ublock origin...
If you use chrome, you don't need to worry about that as Google won't let you use ad blockers... how are they supposed to keep making money if people can block ads...

 

[Brian Boru]

Ublock origin

Yep, that is the best around at the moment acc to knowledgeable commentary I read.

Simple to unblock for sites—or just pages—you want to support.

 

[Colif]

i forget what internet looks like with ads. Easy way to remember is to come here on a browser I am not logged in on.

I remember wondering a few years ago why websites seem to have so much blank space, then I remembered its where all the ads would be.

 

[Colif]

Norton 360 for Gamers... is a waste of space on drive. It doesn't do anything

its just Norton exploiting their user base.

 

[Brian Boru]

i forget what internet looks like with ads

A few sites I visit have pushed back re ad blocking recently. YT and MUO that I recall, couple of others too.

 

[Brian Boru]

Video Ripping software

I have a 2-300 discs in wallets here which I need to get digital while I still have a front-loading optical drive in my PC. Some might be CDs, but mostly DVDs I imagine—and shouldn't be any Blu-Ray. All videos, did my music years ago, desired output is standard MP4.

I haven't looked at ripping software in yonks, so what do you recommend as best for the job these days? Desired Quality = medium, 720p should do, 1080p nice [ie non-audio/videophile], Budget = free, OS = Win10, GPU = 1060.

Disc Image to Disk?

Is it possible to just copy the disc contents to HDD first, before ripping to MP4? I'm thinking work flow, that fiddling with each disc rip individually in optical drive would be time-intensive—whereas working from a HDD [ISO?] image should minimize seek, load and swap delays… possibly even be partially scriptable or operate in batch mode.

Tool List I have so far

List from years ago, plus look-around now:

Unless someone suggest otherwise, I expect best choice to be one of these 5:
Freemake Video Converter—fast, editor, free
WinX DVD Ripper—fast, free
MakeMKV—fast
Handbrake—big rep, complex, free
Shutter Encoder

Others as fyi for anyone interested in looking at more:
Aurora—Blu-ray only, ISO maker, free
Blu-ray Master Free DVD Ripper
CloneDVD and CloneBD—copy to ISO on HDD, dear
DVD Decrypter—zap restrictions, free
DVDFab—can extract audio-only, dear
Free DVD Ripper
VLC Player—slow, free
WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro—fast, not free

 

[Colif]

 

[Brian Boru]

^ is that what Zed used for Bananarama?

 

[Colif]

^ is that what Zed used for Bananarama?

no idea but I blame you for putting a song in my head.

 

[Brian Boru]

"For the first time ever, both commercial and consumer customers will be able to subscribe to Microsoft's ESU program."
That's for extended support for Windows 10 beyond 2025-10.

Microsoft announces paid subscription for Windows 10 users who want OS updates beyond 2025

A new "Extended Support Updates" (ESU) program for Windows 10 will launch after support ends in October 2025.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[Brian Boru]

Windows 12 might be called Windows 11—weird, huh?

Windows 12: New features, AI experiences, expected rollout, and everything we know so far

The next big Windows update is coming in 2024, and it's all about AI.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[Colif]

It might just be an update to win 11, is a better way to say it.

We don't know until June.

I thought you might need an AI chip to install it but as there are only about 9 of those in existence and they all for laptops, I may have been wrong... it happens sometimes. Requirements are as unclear as the name is.

 

[Brian Boru]

If you don't use Fences, but would like to organize your desktop icons a bit without them dissolving into a messy blob at Windows' next whim, these 2 apps might be for you.

How to Restore Your Desktop Icon Positions on Windows

Are your desktop icons a mess? Restore order with these third-party apps.

www.makeuseof.com

 

[Colif]

i haven't seen a desktop icon in years... I used to use a taskbar for it but Windows 11 doesn't let me make those anymore so I just ignore the desktop completely... it is a mess but its hidden so I don't care

 

[Brian Boru]

I just ignore the desktop … its hidden

What do you hide it behind?

 

[Brian Boru]

Wi-Fi Win11 WUpdate Woes

"problem does not seem to currently affect home wireless networks and regular internet usage"

"wireless networks with fast-transition/fast-roaming enabled"
So campuses—should also be airports, large apartment blocks, and similar large built areas people wander around in, I imagine.

Universities are recommending students rollback the latest Windows 11 update after finding it breaks Wi-Fi connectivity for some student and enterprise users

Another Windows 11 update tale of woe, although this one seems to be affecting students and enterprise networks specifically.

www.pcgamer.com

 

[Colif]

What do you hide it behind?

the desktop wallpaper... its like a big rug, I just lift one side and hide them under

 

[Brian Boru]

a big rug

Same one you're using for your pointy head, or did you get a second for the season?

 

[Colif]

no, i hide them under a blue rug

the red one not big enough.

 

[TonyMartin]

I'm fine with win11.

 

[Colif]

 

[Brian Boru]

^ summary ^

If you leave laptop out on lawn, and give sleeping pills to your watchdog, then burglar can get your lappie!

Brain.exe is still required to start when you boot up.

 

[Brian Boru]

Reading a WinCen article re updated PC Manager app, I liked this comment from xd1936:

"Wow. This'll go great next to my Task Manager, Windows Security Center formerly Windows Defender, Settings app, Control Panel, Device Manager, msconfig System Configuration, Group Policy Editor, Disk Manager, Action Center, and Windows Copilot."

Poor chap forgot God Mode!