Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2006 September 1

Free source C++
Does anybody know of any free source builder/compiler software for download? All I would need is something to take a .cpp file (like these) and build/compile it into a .exe. Appreciate it, &mdash;Akrabbimtalk 02:21, 1 September 2006 (UTC)


 * There are several free C++ compilers. Our article includes a link to which looks like it may be of help to you.-gadfium 03:59, 1 September 2006 (UTC)


 * The most used free C++ compiler is gcc. It's ment for GNU/Linux, so if you are using Windows, use it's Windows port MinGW.


 * Thanks, appreciate it. &mdash;Akrabbimtalk 14:54, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

Prolonged use of the 30-day trial
Is there anyway to use the Adobe Photoshop CS2 30-day trial, donwlaoded from www.adobe.com, for longer than 30 days? Un-install then re-install? (sorry, I posted this in the Miscellaneous section, because I didn't see the Computing section). Jamesino 04:18, 1 September 2006 (UTC)
 * The easiest way is to set your system clock back a few weeks. Un-installing and reinstalling won't do it. (Of course, if you like the program so much, you could, you know, buy it ...) &mdash; QuantumEleven 07:01, 1 September 2006 (UTC)
 * That works still?? After you make sure Photoshop can not access the internet, by downloading Zonealarm, and prohibiting Photoshop, you could download a keygen, choose to register by phone, then... um... not use the keygen. — [ Mac Davis ] (talk) ( Desk | Help me improve )
 * I've never heard of setting the clock back, but the information as to whether your trial version is used up could be hidden somewhere in the registry or even in Application Data. I don't recommend going looking for it, though, unless you can find out exactly where it is. I suggest a free altervative to Photoshop, know by many here as the GIMP. It's just as useful, but it's completely free and open source. --Russoc4 19:07, 1 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Adobe have recently started offering a service where one can "buy" said software. Sum0 20:48, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

desktop themes for Windows 2000 Professional
I got a computer, it was used Windows 2000, problem is, the desktop theme is soooo drab..the corners are square if you know what I mean in comparison to Windows XP, is there a way I can download a theme, and can someone tell me how to install it. It doesn't have to be fancy just it has to look like the default Windows XP theme minus the background. Thanks in advance 66.177.207.173 07:30, 1 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Windowblinds is about it. A shareware version is available, and it's pretty functional besides the annoying buy-me box when you start it (ie. upon starting/logging into Windows). Skins can be found on Wincustomize. Note that you need the old version (4.6) on Windows 2k, which is linked to as "Windowblinds Classic" on the top of the downloads page. -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 08:51, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

Harddrive lifespan?
I often leave my computer on all day, but I'm wondering if my harddrives will live longer if I turn on the option of having them shut down after a certain amount of time. I'm paranoid that if they spin for about 14 hours straight, they're just going to die out real soon. I don't have very good cooling/ventillation in my case either, so they do tend to get pretty hot in a short amount of time. Does turning them off make them last longer? NIRVANA2764 12:56, 1 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Opinions vary: . Many seem to be saying if you are away from the computer a longish time (12-24 hours) turn it off. Moving parts wear out when they are in use but also if you cycle them on/off excessively, especially if they also heat and cool in the process. Weregerbil 13:28, 1 September 2006 (UTC)


 * I mostly hear the same thing: If a drive is left on all the time, it will run OK being left on all the time, but will fail quickly if you start turning it on/off a lot. If a drive is shut down every day, it will run OK being shut down OK, but will fail quickly if you leave it on for a long time.  The rule of thumb boils down to "If the drive is working OK, expect it to continue working OK under the same conditions."  Personally, I wonder why some people never ever turn off their computer.  One person tried to argue that he didn't have the time to waste waiting for his computer to turn on.  The funny thing was that he wasted a good 30 minutes from the time he sat down at his desk to the time he started working.  So, his argument made very little sense. --Kainaw (talk) 19:00, 1 September 2006 (UTC)
 * People who are overattached like to anthropomorphize their computer by leaving it on all the time, it probably makes them feel better when they call it names... but don't get me started --Jmeden2000 20:57, 1 September 2006 (UTC)
 * I always leave my computer on because Im always downloading something (no, Im not gonna say what :P) if Im not working on it and with only 128k downloading anything takes a lot of time. So, Im not just idling my computer whole day, that would be stupid. Shinhan 10:34, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

AOE 2
Hello, Wikipedia. I have the popular computer game Age of Empires 2 (not yet installed). Every time I try to put the disk in the computer, nothing happens. No window pops up, asking me if I want to install it. Nothing happens. I would really appreciate some help. Partisan 5 16:07, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

I think you can do start-> run...I'm not sure exacly what you have to type in though, i think it would be somewhere in the instruction book.Paragon12321 17:05, 1 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Or open 'My Computer', and click on the CD icon (if this just shows you files that are on the disk, right-click the icon and select 'Autoplay'). &mdash; D a  niel  (‽) 17:11, 1 September 2006 (UTC)
 * That was a fun game man. Never could get multiplayer to work. Also, never look up the cheat codes because you won't be able to stop yourself from using them. — [ Mac Davis ] (talk) ( Desk | Help me improve )


 * You probably have AutoPlay (the feature in Windows which automatically starts playing the CD when you put it in the drive) disabled. It's not a major handicap (as Dbmag9 said, just open My Computer and run it from there) if it's turned off. Howeer, if you really want AutoPlay back, follow these instructions: http://www.real-knowledge.com/autoplay.htm. Hope this helps, and enjoy AoE 2! &mdash; QuantumEleven 07:11, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Free Slideshow Creator
Does anyone have a suggestion for a free slideshow creator, preferably one similar to MS powerpoint?Paragon12321 17:05, 1 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Pencil and paper! — [ Mac Davis ] (talk) ( Desk | Help me improve )


 * I guess think reflex answer for many of us would be OpenOffice.org Impress. Well, that's actually my only answer. But, as Mac Davis suggested, pencil and paper isn't bad. Or mabye printer and transparencies. —Bromskloss 18:49, 1 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Oh, I forgot my favourite – chalk and blackboard. Not always satisfying your needs of course. —Bromskloss 08:13, 2 September 2006 (UTC)

Normally I'd agree with just doing things the old fashion way, but my penmanship sucks. OOo Impress works fine. Thanks a lot!!! Paragon12321

Firewall issues
I'm running a WinXP box and I need a good Free and Open Source firewall (no, I will NOT switch to linux). Somehow, knowing that people have access to the source for my firewall and have reviewed it makes me feel safer. It needs to support IP and port filtering, network-based intrusion detection, host-based intrusion detection, and application-based intrusion detection.--Frenchman113 on wheels! 21:17, 1 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Edit - I meant... Intrusion-Prevention, sorry.--Frenchman113 on wheels! 21:27, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

virtual directories
hello im having a small problem. i have webhosting/domain name with dreamhost.com. lets call it example.com. i also have an IIS webserver set up at my house, which hosts my 300gig media hard drive and is password protected at http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xx/m/. the directory is password protected. i have created a new directory called www.exampled.com/media/. i would like it so that when i click on www.example.com/media/ appears that im still ont hat site but imr eally browsing my harddrive. so i could do something like www.example.com/media/mp3/jsdfjsdf.mp3 BUT id really be working off my own computer. i have been successful in doing a straight redirect using .htaccess, but i would like it to appear im still at example.com/media and not my ip adress. i know my ip address will still be easy to see but just want it a little cleaner. thanks and i hope you understand what i mean:> Modesty84 02:07, 2 September 2006 (UTC)


 * I have wanted to do the same several times. It sounds like what you would need is a proxy. There is a proxy module for Apache. Of course, since you're not running example.com yourself, you can just hope that dreamhost has that module activated. Btw, a user visiting example.com would not see the address xxx.xxx.xxx.xx. —Bromskloss 08:22, 2 September 2006 (UTC)


 * could someone else try to answer my question i dont think the person who replied quite understood what i meant. i can clarify more if anyone would liek to help me Modesty84 01:50, 3 September 2006 (UTC)