Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2017 April 6

= April 6 =

Why do android apps want your phone/call details?
I just downloaded the app Pleco from Google Play. It said the app wanted access to my call details (I didn't understand exactly what it was saying, just something about call details). What possible use would an app have for something like that? It sounded dodgy, although I clicked "yes". IBE (talk) 03:43, 6 April 2017 (UTC)


 * A lot of apps over-request permissions unfortunately. Pleco apparently needs it to reliably identify the device, instead of using the IMEI, according to their support forum. Hope that helps ツ Jenova   20  (email) 10:03, 6 April 2017 (UTC)


 * Many developers use software packages to produce their apps. Suppose that I write an app and I use the Ultra-X package for something - it doesn't matter what. I am using it in a way that I require seeing your photos, but the Ultra-X package has a camera function as well. While my app really only needs to see your photos, the inclusion of the Ultra-X package will make it ask to see your camera as well. A properly written package will only request permission for what is being used, but we live in a world where most apps are written by people who just want money. They don't want to learn how to program. So, you get badly written code using badly written packages which tend to ask for more permissions than are necessary. Also, we assume that the author of the app simply didn't know enough to do it properly. It is possible that the author does know how to program and has added hidden functionality to spy on you. I assume the author is ignorant, not nefarious. 209.149.113.5 (talk) 11:35, 6 April 2017 (UTC)


 * ...It's also possible it's not anything nefarious and they really do need it as they claim. Thanks ツ Jenova   20  (email) 13:01, 7 April 2017 (UTC)


 * Thanks to you both, very interesting and useful, IBE (talk) 16:27, 10 April 2017 (UTC)

Reg Edit File
1) What’s the address/location of it in PC?

2) I installed “Icon Packager” (don’t know which version it is) some time ago, ran out of ‘timeline’ now, re-installed with the hope that it will re-work (received no result) than uninstalled, and now I’m hoping that I could re-use it if I could delete some files from the Registry or so. Could someone help please, with what needs to be done in order for the free trial version to re-work?

Restoring PC option is unavailable.

43.245.120.214 (talk) 07:15, 6 April 2017 (UTC)
 * It sounds like you want us to help you circumvent an access restriction measure in a program. Doing so is illegal in many jurisdictions, notably the U.S., where Wikipedia is hosted. I have the feeling this question should be removed. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if there is free/open-source software to accomplish what you want, but this assumes you're on the right track. Are you the same person who posted the previous questions related to Windows and icons? If so, please take heed of the advice I gave above. --47.138.161.183 (talk) 07:35, 6 April 2017 (UTC)

WMV file issue
I enabled DreamScene on my Windows 7, but some WMV files (converted from animated GIFs) I want to use as animated wallpapers are rendered oversized on desktop, like this one. I thought it could be due to low resolution of original GIFs, but resizing GIFs and downloading larger WMVs didn't solve it (and neither did decrease in size). How to fix this? Brandmeistertalk  20:24, 6 April 2017 (UTC)

Odd website behavior
Hello dear ref desk; Basically I'm having a rendering issue (flickering bar) when loading pages on a message board. It's a very marginal issue, but the technical support person couldn't replicate. I tried it on four (!) different machines (three computers (two Windows 7, one Windows 10) and my Samsung Galaxy S5), happens only on Chrome or Firefox. Edge / IE seems too slow to replicate. Also tried the obvious, like disabling all extensions or background programs. Do you also get it? -- Thank you! Matt714 (talk) 23:39, 6 April 2017 (UTC)
 * Here's the website in question: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php
 * video of behavior: https://sendvid.com/z7rq4pcr
 * screenshot of contents: https://imgur.com/H9ISAro
 * zoomed out video: https://sendvid.com/sl0axczy
 * I can replicate a similar flicker on Forefox. It's the way the website is designed. Firefox and Chrome are both very well optimized for displaying elements quickly, and the element you see quickly appearing and disappearing is an element which is part of the page, but it set to be invisible in some way. FF and Chrome simply load the elements too fast for the invisible element to hit whatever trigger turns it off before it renders. It's perfectly normal behavior and shows why Edge is just IE 2.0 (new and improved, granted, but still). ᛗᛁᛟᛚᚾᛁᚱPants   Tell me all about it.  14:33, 10 April 2017 (UTC)