Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2007 May 14

Computing desk
< May 13	<< Apr | May | Jun >>	May 15 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Computing Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

May 14

De-tokenize a Dragon 32/64 BASIC

This file is a rip of a Dragon 32/64 tape containing a tokenized BASIC program. Either because of the cassette file's container-data or because Dragon BASIC is too dissimilar to GWBASIC, a typical detokenizer won't handle it. I also haven't been able to find an emulator that will route standard or printer output (from a LIST or LLIST command) to a plain text file. What is the text of the tape's program? NeonMerlin 04:15, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

This looks interesting. I didn't decode the text, but I did find some information about the file formats. Color BASIC Cassette File Format describes the format of the cassette file of the compatible CoCo computer. The CAS file you provided seems similar, but I noticed two differences at a casual glance: a. The CAS file has only 16 (not 128) bytes of $55 at the beginning. b. Each block begins with $3C only (not $55 and $3C). Once you extract all data blocks from the cassette file and put them together, Dragon Information Files has documents about the BASIC storage format and tokens. -Bavi H 06:07, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

Also, I found an emulator called "T3" for MS-DOS that can save printer output to a text file. You can download it from this page. Bavi H 03:19, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

Single file download from Huge torrent file

Is it possible to download a single file(2.7Mb mp3) from a torrent archive(1.2GB) file??~~ —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 210.212.194.209 (talk) 08:59, 14 May 2007 (UTC).

Yes. Use a torrent client that supports selective downloading (uTorrent on Windows supports this, for example). 09:13, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

Yes, unless the torrent is a single .zip or .rar. Try Azureus. APL 23:32, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

Don't try azureus unless you particularly like the JRE sitting in your memory. Which I can't see could be anyone at this point.. --froth^t 06:46, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

uTorrent is a much, much lighter alternative and lets you download specific files from a torrent that has many. Down M. 04:46, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

Missing taskbars in Xubuntu

I downloaded the Xubuntu LiveCD the other day so I could give Linux a try, but when I booted the CD, the taskbar and launchbar at the bottom and top of the screen were missing. However, the desktop icons still showed up and I could use the file browser and even open an AbiWord document.

I'm using an Acer TravelMate 2201LCi notebook with the following specs:

• CPU: 2.66GHz Celeron D
• RAM: 256MB (minus 64MB for integrated graphics)
• Video: ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 (integrated)
• DVD/CD Combo Drive
• Acer IPN2220 Wireless card
• HDD: 40GB

Can anyone explain why my taskbars are missing, and how I might get them back? --Lumina83 09:31, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

Don't know why (I've noticed Ubuntu is tetchy with gnome-panel), but if you can get a terminal window, start "gnome-panel" from the command line. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 149.135.125.155 (talk) 10:21, 14 May 2007 (UTC).

I had this happen too, I believe due to Feisty's compiz use. Try sudo apt-get install compiz-tray-icon, and configure that. --- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION!

Sap Insurance

I did PG Diploma in Insurance and Risk management and have experience in insurance industry. I want to do SAP Insurance in India. Would U tell me where I can have it. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 59.165.48.100 (talk) 10:23, 14 May 2007 (UTC).

You are looking for a job? If so, having worked in the insurance industry, you should be better qualified to answer that question that just about anyone else. If you really don't know, ask some of your friends/contacts in the industry. Or, if you are not looking for a job, please restate your question. --Tugbug 23:23, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

testing insurance projects

Do u have any information about insurance projects that you tested or come across. If so please let me have it. How can I become a best tester for Insurance projects —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 59.165.48.100 (talk) 10:26, 14 May 2007 (UTC).

What do you mean by insurance projects? Are you talking about some kind of software? You'll need to be able to write more clearly to succeed as a professional product tester. NeonMerlin 19:29, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

Vandal Proof on Mac OS X?

Hello. I am running Mac OS X 10.4.9, and am trying to run VandalProof via CrossOver. I am recieving an error message that says:

Run-time error '445': Object doesn't support this action

Has anyone ever run this program via Mas OS X or can you point me to another similar program? Thanks, Curran (talk) 19:11, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

^{Fixed your VandalProof wikilink — Matt Eason (Talk • Contribs) 19:52, 14 May 2007 (UTC)}

I used to use VandalFighter, but instead now I use the IRC channels and revert tools from a modified monobook.js. [Mac Δαvιs] ❖ 23:31, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

iPod hard drive model

Which is the ipod hard drive?

^{I've split your question into its own section — Matt Eason (Talk • Contribs) 23:15, 14 May 2007 (UTC)}

The hard drive is the storage space for your songs. See also iPod. --h2g2bob (talk) 02:24, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

In the full-sized iPods, it's typically been a Toshiba 1.8" hard drive. In the Mini, I'm pretty sure it was a Toshiba 1" hard drive.

Atlant 14:01, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

And in case you didn't know, the Nano and shuffle don't have hard drives.Mix Lord 04:14, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Why don't companies make cheaper computers?

I was thinking, the Wii could be a very cheap computer, if nintendo made a few mods to it. First, turn the output into a VGA or DVI out, so it can be displayed at a decent size. Two, add a couple internal USB connections, and use cheap flash drives for hard drives (Could easily make 2-4GB for under 30$) Three, totally eliminate the Wiimote, package cheap but nice looking USB keyboard and mouse. Cut out the gamecube connectivity. I'm not saying the Wii specifically, but why don't companies make small, cheap computers like this? People have been able to run OS X on an Apple TV, Apple could easily repackage some units as "Mac Nanos" and sell them off cheaper than Mac Minis, bam, Mac just got market share. Obviously there's OLPC, but what good does that do to people who want to BUY a cheap piece of computing awesomeness? My point is, we have the technology to make a 100$ laptop, such as the OLPC would've been, India is even talking about mass producing laptops to make them 10$ each! Why isn't anyone really taking advantage of this blue ocean? Nintendo has shown that even people who aren't gamers can enjoy video games, someone needs to show that even people who aren't computer users can enjoy computers-- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 23:01, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

First of all, seen from a long-term perspective, companies do make inexpensive computers. 25 years ago you couldn't get anything really usable for less than USD 2000. Now USD 400 will get you a decent entry-level system. Factor in inflation, and the price drop has been extreme. Second, beyond a certain minimum, apparently companies just don't make enough profit to stay in business. After all, it has been tried. Sinclair sold a computer for GBP 100 'way back when, but it didn't do them much good. --Tugbug 23:20, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

Not only that, keep in mind that of that $400 computer, a good fraction of the cost is software. Every time you buy a home computer at least $100 is paying for Windows. Some home computers also come with Microsoft Office, which is probably about another $100. At that point, if the computer costs $400 total, the hardware doesn't cost much more than a Wii.APL 23:30, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

This is my point, software is cheap. Hell, a company selling cheap computers would probably want to run linux on them anyway, so software isn't a factor. My question is, why don't companies that could easily sell computers for 100$ do it, not are computers expensive nowdays. -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 23:43, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

Get rid of the Wiimote and it's not really a Wii anymore. In any case you are also talking purely in terms of hardware — companies are also recouping their R&D work, their advertising, etc. No computer product, especially an entertainment product, has its cost based purely on hardware. --24.147.86.187 23:57, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

One of the reasons it's so cost-effective to assemble your own computer rather than have a company do it for you. It's hundreds of dollars cheaper for an hour of work. --froth^t 06:48, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

Another factor to consider is "fixed costs", like research and development, advertising, setting up distribution networks, customer support, etc. If it costs, say $10 million to do this for a new computer, and you sell 100,000 of that model, that works out to an additional $100 per computer, right there. StuRat 03:00, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

I'm thinking the Model T of computers though. Something that could be able to serve people's needs (and thus, stay in production) for a decade or longer (which is easier to do nowadays, since computers are becoming able to do more and more with less power, not counting graphical tasks). For example, I have an iMac next to me that's easily 7-8 years old, and can still do most things I do on a day to day basis, and do it smoothly. -- Phoeba Wright^OBJECTION! 07:33, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

Have you seen our article about Nicholas Negroponte's XO-1 (laptop) computer?

Atlant 14:04, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

I'm not sure about the Wii specifically, but most game systems are actually sold at a significant loss, so this may be another reason why this would be untenable. TheSaddestWookie 21:21, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

And then there is the customer service costs. I think you live in USA. People dont have any doubts using their wii. They dont call wii customer service every week while I call HP customer service may be every week or every two weeks. I dont even think wii has a phone customer support. Each time you call customer support, it will cost $1 to $10! Usually, wii is sold at a loss and profits are made in the game titles yo buy.-Jerry Kim.

Colour Inkjet Refills

Hello. When I refill an HP 28 Colour Cartridge that is low on ink as indicated to me on my computer, I can only refill about 1 mL of each of the three colours (magenta, cyan, and yellow). The cartridge says it can hold up to 8 mL. Why can't I refill 8 mL of each colour? Thanks. --Mayfare 23:58, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

Just speculation, but, if it's an airtight container and you are using a needle to inject new ink, you will need to draw air out to allow room for the new ink. StuRat 01:21, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for your speculation, StuRat. However, I am not sure if my colour ink cartridge is airtight. I went on HP's website and couldn't find any information on it. I even tried searching on Google. No luck there. Does anybody know if an HP 28 Colour Cartridge airtight? --Mayfare 02:45, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

Why not do an experiment and use the needle to draw some air out first, and see if that doesn't allow you to inject more ink ? StuRat 02:55, 15 May 2007 (UTC)