Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2014 December 11

= December 11 =

How to write pseudocode similar to code presented in “Beautiful Code” by J. R. Heard?
Deleted question by Ram nareshji as probable copyvio  Nil Einne (talk) 14:26, 16 December 2014 (UTC)


 * This type of code presentation formatting is known as Syntax highlighting. I think most Integrated Development Environments support syntax highlighting - I know Eclipse_(software) does. 183.90.37.241 (talk) 10:21, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * Emacs does it, as well. Or LaTeX with one of the algorithm styles. I don't know if any support pseudo-code officially, but most will be good enough if you stick to the conventions of one language. --Stephan Schulz (talk) 12:18, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * I'll second the vote for LaTeX, it could produce content very similar to the linked image, and has lots of flexibility for how columns are arranged and where line numbers go. It would take some time to learn how to do it, but IMO that time is well invested for such a great too. Emacs is designed as a text editor, and has less (compared to LaTeX) features for control of layout, special characters, etc. I haven't used it personally but this 'listings' package for LaTeX looks like it would fit the bill . Finally, LaTeX is probably the only free/open source system that is fully capable of directly producing publication-quality page proofs. Finally, one of the fun things about LaTeX is it is probably the only typesetting system that allows one to easily typeset LaTeX properly :) SemanticMantis (talk) 17:19, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * You could email the author at the address on the last page and ask him what software he used, although the document was created by Acrobat PDFMaker 8.1 for Word, so it's plausible that he formatted and colored everything by hand in Word. -- BenRG (talk) 17:37, 11 December 2014 (UTC)

computer motherboard
my asus mother board p5pe-vm no beep,cpu fan working already try to change psu,ram, cpu219.94.83.162 (talk) 04:05, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * You're going to have to write your question out MUCH more clearly if you expect to get an answer...what you just typed is incomprehensible. SteveBaker (talk) 04:38, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * @ 219.94.83.162 — I assume that you mean that you have a computer with an Asus P5PE-VM motherboard, your problem is that your motherboard doesn't function correctly or at all, and you've already tried to troubleshoot by changing the PSU, RAM and CPU.
 * If I understand your problem correctly, then my best guess is that your motherboard has experienced the failure of a critical component (such as the chipset), due to which even the onboard buzzer doesn't beep.
 * Your best bet would be to replace the motherboard; but ensure that the replacement motherboard of your choice is compatible with your existing processor and memory modules, if you intend to keep using them.
 * PS: Your question is almost incomprehensible - please try to reformulate your question clearly for the benefit of other RefDesk volunteers who may be able to assist you.
 * 183.90.37.241 (talk) 09:39, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * The specifications for the Asus PEP5-VM motherboard are available on the Asus website. Good luck to the OP! :) 183.90.37.241 (talk) 09:52, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * This board, see http://imagizer.imageshack.com/download/514/img7128p.jpg is using an Accelerated Graphics Port, before you remove the graphics adapter (GA or graphics card), disconnect power from grid, turn on the system to empty the capacitors of the power supply. Wait unil every drive or fan has stopped, all LED indicators are off. When removing the AGP early or in a running system, the 12 volts to supply the GA are short cut to low voltage signals and cause a permanent failure of GA and chipset. Once this happend, you need to replace this components. It also may caused by too cheap computer cases which does not make the AGP card stay in its slot or a missing or damaged plasic lever lock to keep the GA in its slot.
 * if somebody smashed to cicked the hedsink, the nordbridges core below is craced


 * check jumper settings and front panel connections, remove the reset button connector due accidentially locked switch
 * On this board: you may check the low voltage outputs from the Computer power supply:
 * red +5V
 * purple +5V (required to start up)
 * orange +3.3V
 * green < 0.4V if turned on, >3V in standby (corrected --Hans Haase (talk) 20:50, 14 December 2014 (UTC))
 * yellow +12V
 * yellow near keyboard and mouse jack +12V. This 4 head connector feeds the cpu, is it connected?
 * CR-2032 battery (located next to lower PCI port) to top: 3V, if less that 2.96, replace

--Hans Haase (talk) 07:31, 13 December 2014 (UTC)
 * remove IDE drives from board, if present
 * check capacitors for cracked or bulged
 * check RAM voltage. You need to refer the memory modules specification. measure the voltage at the electrolytic capacitor between RAM and label "P5PM-VM". If your RAM modules have the ceramic capacitors accessable for voltmeter pin, use this due removing the board. The ceramic capacitors of the rams buffer the voltage, one pin is VccRAM, the other is GND.
 * see CPUs core voltage specification. You need to find it on the small electrolytic capacitors arround the CPU socket or with interferences on the toroidal coils.
 * If you tried to flash update the BIOS not successful, you find the flst device slotsite next to the AGP. Replace from identical mainboard, only.
 * * Use POST card to see where it stops operating.

--Hans Haase (talk) 08:00, 13 December 2014 (UTC)
 * CAREFUL with electrostatic sensitive devices, never open the power supply if not trained and qualified. The PSU keeps internal hazardous voltage even if removed from power grid.


 * If after attempting the troubleshooting steps listed by Hans Haase, you find that your motherboard remains non-functional, then the only practical solution is to replace the motherboard.
 * If you intend to use the existing processor and memory modules, your best bet may be to buy a used motherboard of the same model from Amazon or eBay.
 * You should be aware that finding a new motherboard which supports an Intel Pentium D processor and DDR1 memory modules may be difficult, as most currently-available consumer motherboards use DDR3 memory modules and an Intel Core or Celeron processor.
 * Even the oldest consumer motherboard models which are currently available use DDR2 memory modules.
 * By the way, please don't type in ALL CAPS, as it's considered the online equivalent of shouting. 183.90.37.241 (talk) 12:42, 13 December 2014 (UTC)


 * A quick check on eBay shows that a brand-new Asus P5PE-VM motherboard is available at US$58 plus shipping costs. 183.90.37.241 (talk) 12:47, 13 December 2014 (UTC)

Trade in digital PS4 game for disc?
I'm getting a PS4 tomorrow, but not picking it up myself. Comes bundled with a disc-based game and a voucher for a digital one. Since I don't live within the physical boundaries of "the modern world", downloading that sucker would take about a week. No joke. It's not a game I particularly wanted, but looks alright, and I did paid for it.

Does Sony (or any retailer) trade these in for actual goods? Google gets me trillions of fanboy opinions on which to buy, but not what to do if one is forced on me. Also see a lot about trading to digital, but that sounds ridiculous to me. Anybody know offhand? InedibleHulk (talk) 07:00, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * I'm not seeing anything like that. If it turns out that you get an access code that is human-readable, then you could probably arrange to trade with somebody else: you give them your code, they send you a game or money, etc. SemanticMantis (talk) 17:09, 11 December 2014 (UTC)

Where are my emails going ?
I have noticed recently (in the last few days) that whenever I move an email from the inbox of my Yahoo email account (or fron any folder even) to another folder, I loose the email.

It is not in the other folder or in the original folder. Have I perminantly lost those emails or are they going to take a really long time to move folders ?

I've already tried contacting the Yahoo Mail Contact Centre but that is taking forever. Any help please.

Scotius (talk) 14:50, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * Have you tried searching? Kayau (talk · contribs) 14:58, 11 December 2014 (UTC)

As in, going through all the folders of my email ? Scotius (talk) 15:04, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * No, I mean using the search box. It's on top of the page if you're using the new version. (I recall there being a search feature in the previous version as well. I don't think one existed in the version before that, but I'm not sure.) Kayau (talk · contribs) 15:37, 11 December 2014 (UTC)

I've tried that & I still don't know where the emails have gone or whats going on. Scotius (talk) 09:29, 12 December 2014 (UTC)

Is there anyone else that uses Yahoo Mail ? & are they having this trouble ? Scotius (talk) 09:54, 12 December 2014 (UTC)


 * Have you tried this page? Kayau (talk · contribs) 02:22, 13 December 2014 (UTC)

Thats the thing, some of the email I moved where moved from the spam folder. But when I selected the folder I wanted them to go to & pressed the button, I checked that folder & the emails where not there. So I checked the other folders before & after the folder I wanted they wheren't there or in any other folder.

Things like Filters I've never used & as far as I know are not set up. And I only access my email account on a PC & nothing else. Thanks anyway though. Scotius (talk) 13:04, 14 December 2014 (UTC)

What is dpuf?
A newspaper I read online has these letters at the end of URLs ever since a recent web site upgrade.— Vchimpanzee  •  talk  •  contributions  •  17:47, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * It's for social media buttons.  Konveyor   Belt   17:52, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * (EC)This was the first hit on google for 'dpuf', which led me here , which will give you the answer :"This tag is mainly developed for tracking the URL sharing on various Social Networks, so every time anyone copies your blog content there he gets the URL ending with #sthash and extension with .dpuf or .dpbs" - SemanticMantis (talk) 17:53, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * Does Wikipedia mention this anywhere?— Vchimpanzee  •  talk  •  contributions  •  19:52, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * I would say that this file-type is, definitionally, not standard - it does not, for example, appear in the IANA Media Types registry for internet media types. Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information; any server administrator may configure their web-server to deliver any type of file using any "suffix" in any way they like.  Any third party advertisement-aggregation or web-surveillance company may freely interpret URL extensions in any way they like, including for the purposes of tracking users.  However, our encyclopedia cannot possibly contain a separate entry for every single variant of these techniques.  Our coverage of such topics include articles on the syntax of file extensions; on generic URI syntax; on the topic of trackback URLs for web syndication; but this specific character-sequence is, in itself, not notable enough to warrant an article.  Nimur (talk) 23:03, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * Is there anything we could add to and do a redirect?— Vchimpanzee  •  talk  •  contributions  •  18:18, 15 December 2014 (UTC)

What are the advantages of windows phone 8 over android and the advantages of android over windows phone 8?
[Moved from Misc desk.]

What are the advantages of windows phone 8 over android and the advantages of android over windows phone 8?Whereismylunch (talk) 03:54, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * Type that exact phrase into the website at http://www.google.com and you'll find many websites that will explain it to you. -- Jayron  32  04:04, 11 December 2014 (UTC)

Your tone seems to sound slightly rude, or at least to me it does.Whereismylunch (talk) 04:41, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * I was trying to help you find ways to answer your question. If you didn't want to find answers, perhaps you shouldn't have asked it.  When I did what I described to you, I found many such answers. -- Jayron  32  05:01, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * I think it would have been taken better Jayron32 if you would have a) talked to him privately b) just answered the question AND referred him to google/links or trustworthy sites c) not have responded with your attitude. Thats my 2 sense. Jetstream5500 (talk) 22:47, 16 December 2014 (UTC)

I'm sorry, I thought you wereWhereismylunch (talk) 05:05, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * I have no control over your thoughts. They're your thoughts, after all... -- Jayron  32  05:06, 11 December 2014 (UTC)

I'm sorry, i thought you were being rudeWhereismylunch (talk) 05:11, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * You don't have to apologize. You also don't need to share.  They're your thoughts.  You can have whatever thoughts you want to.  I'm confused as to why these specific thoughts are relevant to answering your question.  Have you tried my suggestion?  -- Jayron  32  05:17, 11 December 2014 (UTC)

Yes, i haveWhereismylunch (talk) 05:20, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * Guess you have no more specific questions since you didn't ask any, and received your answer from the search. Glad we could help. Nil Einne (talk) 06:33, 11 December 2014 (UTC)

I'd caution that you should look beyond the mere technical specifications. Microsoft are having a very hard time breaking into the mobile marketplace - and they have a history (eg with the Zune music player) of simply dropping failed products leaving their owners with a dead-end system. This is especially important for smart-phones, where you have an expectation of being able to add software and get operating system updates for years to come. The debate over the Windows phone (such as it is) does not depend on the technical issues so much as the market issues.

Of course, we don't have a crystal ball here - Microsoft did finally succeed in breaking into the video-game console market - but on past history, this is what you should look into in order to form your own opinion. SteveBaker (talk) 17:42, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * I partially agree but partially disagree with SteveBaker. The lack of software for Windows Phone, particularly some high profile stuff you may want is a definite issue, and there always is the risk that Microsoft may abandon Windows Phone at least in the current form. (It does appear they are moving towards converging WIndows Phone and Windows, although it's not clear that this is going to mean you won't be able to get software for older Windows Phones unlike what happened with the 7 let alone 6.5 to 8 move, probably partially as the convergence has already been there.)
 * However the idea you should expect OS updates for years to come for smartphones is frankly extremely unrealistic even in the Android world. Outside certain high profile high end devices, you probably shouldn't even definitely expect updates a year later. With high profile, high end devices you can probably expect OS updates from about 18 months to 2 years, this is e.g. what Google have suggested with their Nexus devices (who are probably the best with updates). The time frame is from when the device is released, not when it's sold. You can probably expect similar for Google Play Edition devices. Non GPE high end devices are generally similar except you may have to wait longer (and some are worse than both at time frames and at updating others, unfortunately it isn't always consistent either).
 * To give an example, I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 mini from October 2013. Won, not bought, while it's a fine phone, I probably wouldn't have chosen it if buying particularly not given the price it was selling at the time. This was released in July 2013. It came with Android 4.2. Android 4.4 is available, but its availability is dependent on which carrier variant your phone is (this is somewhat the case even here in NZ where high end phones are hardly ever locked, GPE does of course get around this). It now looks likely that it will get Android 5 eventually. But this wasn't taken as a given even though the phone is a relatively high profile one. The S3 mini and evenn some of the S3s didn't even get 4.4.
 * My mum has a cheap recently released phone (Huawei Ascend Y330), it came with Android 4.2 despite being released in May 2014 (this isn't uncommon), I'm not expecting any updates to be guaranteed. (The phone was purchased recently, I did consider Windows Phone but eventually chose Android. Partially because I'm more familiar with it, but mostly because the cheapest equivalent Windows Phone devices were about double the price at the time.)
 * Presuming the hardware is compatible for a number you can often flash different carrier firmware. A number of devices are also supported by various unofficial firmware such as Cyanogenmod (a number are properly supported so you don't lose anything other than features offered by the device manufacturers customisation although many also have limitations imposed by the lack of hardware drivers and the like). However while this isn't hard to do (depending again on your phone, how locked down it is, how well supported the firmware is etc), I'm not sure if it's something to recommend if you have to ask this sort of question on the RD.
 * Partly in recognition of this, Google has tried to move as much of the functionality they can in to the various Android apps and services (such as Google Play Services ) so that it will be updates along with the app/service instead of relying on the manufacturer to update the OS, which does help. Still different from expecting smartphone OS updates for years to come.
 * In terms of Windows, it IMO seems unlikely Windows 10 for Phones, won't launch. Beyond that it's harder to say (although even with the new direction by the new CEO, I do think there are a number of reasons why Microsoft would be very reluctant to abandon the mobile OS space, far more so than the consumer music space). And I also have no idea what devices will get updates to 10 as I don't follow Windows for Phones much. (Although from what I've read, Microsoft have tried to push things in the Apple direction as far as they can while still attracing hardware manufacturers, where they impose certain hardware requirements so it's easier for OS updates for as many phones as possible. And from a quick search, it does seem they are promising them for their devices, i.e. Lumia devices .) Of course as mentioned earlier, an OS update in the middle of next year (or whenever) doesn't guarantee that you will be able to get much software 2-3 years down the track if the store is mostly abandoned. Whereas you can still get some software for Android devices stuck on 2.3 or earlier (but support is ever decreasing, particularly with the limited hardware these devices tend to have).
 * Nil Einne (talk) 04:34, 12 December 2014 (UTC)

Windows 8.1 paint program
My old PC that crashed was Windows 7. I bought a new laptop and it has Windows 8.1 and I can not find the Paint program. Help! Thanks.--Doug Coldwell (talk) 20:19, 11 December 2014 (UTC)


 * -- Finlay McWalterᚠTalk 20:29, 11 December 2014 (UTC)
 * Dah! Way easy.... Thanks. Just got to get used to this new Windows. Its actually easier than Windows 7.--Doug Coldwell (talk) 21:15, 11 December 2014 (UTC)