What Windwos freeware adds powerful "phone Susan" & "vipw" commands?

[Arlen Holder]

What Windows freeware adds powerful "phone Susan" & "vipw" commands?
a. Start > Run > phone susan {enter} ==> outputs Susan's phone number
b. Start > Run > vipw {enter} ==> decrypts an encrypted password file

This is a common need that everyone can benefit from your solution.

More detail:

1. Start > Run > vipw
The goal is that the passwd.txt file is an encrypted plaintext file
containing whatever data you want to put in the cleartext file, where, for
this example, passwd.txt contains passwords that you wish to keep handy but
which you wish to keep encrypted until you need it.

2. Start > Run > phone Susan
The goal is that the phone.txt file is a plain text file containing as many
lines as you want which contain the case-insensitive characters "susan" in
them (essentially it's a "grep -i susan" command).

Note: It's not at all hard to get any command to work in the "Start > Run"
box if we simply set up an "App Paths" "exe" key:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\vipw.exe
Where the value of the "vipw.exe" key is, oh, say, "C:\path\command.bat"

The question is what "command.bat" will do these commonly needed tasks?
A. Decrypt & open a given plain text file (after entering the password)
B. Grep a given plain text file for the given keywords

What I'm not asking for:
a. Cygwin (because it's too complex)
b. Win10 Bash Shell (same reason as above)
c. Any solution that won't work from a single "Start > Run" command.
(i.e., we don't want to pop up a complex GUI like Veracrypt is)

What Windows freeware adds powerful "phone Susan" & "vipw" commands?
a. Start > Run > phone susan {enter} ==> outputs Susan's phone number
b. Start > Run > vipw {enter} ==> decrypts an encrypted password file

[Mark Blain]

Arlen Holder <arlen...@nospam.net> wrote in
news:phjm74$u9l$2...@news.mixmin.net:

For (2), your "command.bat" could look something like:

@echo off
find /i "%1" <C:\path_to_my\phone.txt
pause


For (1), your best choice really would be a GUI password manager like
KeePass (https://keepass.info). You could encrypt "password.txt"
with most any freeware compression program and open the encrypted
file with a Start-> Run command to READ the passwords inside, but not
to EDIT them: for that, you'd have to extract the text first and re-
encrypt it afterward. That's not convenient or secure.

[R.Wieser]

Arlen,

> 1. Start > Run > vipw
> The goal is that the passwd.txt file is an encrypted plaintext file
> containing whatever data you want to put in the cleartext file, where,
> for this example, passwd.txt contains passwords that you wish to keep
> handy but which you wish to keep encrypted until you need it.

The last time I thought that would be handy, I simply used any of the
"zipping", command-line programs that are floating around the web. "Zip"
the cleartext file using a password, do the reverse to get the file back.

For the last part you do not even need a batch file, everything can be put
in a shortcuts argument.

Its not really secure though ... (you're re-creating the origional cleartext
file, which you need to remember to delete - every time)

And have you already thought of using something like 7z ? It allows you to
put one-or-more files into an encrypted conrtainer, and extract them by
simply double-clicking the resulting .7z file. Easy as pie. No special
and/or extra stuff needed (apart from 7z ofcourse).

> 2. Start > Run > phone Susan

[snip]

>(essentially it's a "grep -i susan" command).

You gave the answer yourself (put it into a batchfile or, as above, into the
argument of a shortcut). Whats wrong with that approach ?

But I have to say it: "phone {name}" only returning the number of a person
without actually phoning them definitily will confuse the heck outof a
run-of-the-mill user ...

Also, XP has got a program called "wab.exe" (Window Adres Book). As far as
I can tell (see) you can even tell it to, among others, start dialling
(don't know how that exactly works, never used the feature)

And before you compain that its not encrypted, you did not ask for that. :-)

> What I'm not asking for:

...

> b. Win10 Bash Shell (same reason as above)

You're still dumping your W10 centric questions into a fully unrelated
newsgroup I see. :-(

Suggestion: *first* make sure it will work for your (version of the) OS.
Only than consider to extend it to other area's. *especially* as you have
zero knowledge of if what you come up with (used (batch) commands, etc.)
will actually work (or not) on XP. (or if command valid on XP will (still)
work on W10).

> c. Any solution that won't work from a single "Start > Run" command.

Lol. Thats why you have batch and scripting languages available. So that
you can wrap a lots of commandlines into a script, making it look as a
single command.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

[Arlen Holder]

On 5 Jul 2018 04:15:43 GMT, Mark Blain wrote:

> For (2), your "command.bat" could look something like:
>
> @echo off
> find /i "%1" <C:\path_to_my\phone.txt
> pause

Thank you!
Your suggestion worked perfectly on the first pass!

USE MODEL:

a. Start > Run > phone susan {enter}

b. Instantly pops up a window containing the given "grep" results.
c. Pressing return in the resulting window makes those results go away.

Here's how to set that up in three easy steps:
1. Create a data file anywhere of any name (usually ending in ".txt")
containing text rolodex information, for example:
C:\path\data.txt
2. Create a batch file anywhere of any name (usually ending in ".bat")
containing the given grep command:
c:\path\grep.bat
Where that batch file contains the suggested three lines:
@echo off
find /i "%1" <C:\path\data.txt
pause
3. Create an "AppPaths" string key of any name (always ending in ".exe")
which points to that batch file, for example:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\phone.exe
Default="c:\path\grep.bat"

Obviously you can use any file & key names you like.
The doublequotes are only needed if you have long names or spaces in the
path to the batch file.

Note that for example purposes, I gave each of the three items different
names, but there is no reason you can't use similar names, such as:
1. c:\path\phone.txt
2. c:\path\phone.bat
3. App Paths = phone.exe

Note: The key named "phone.exe" simply defines the name of the command that
you will run. There is no need for a file named "phone.exe"; the ".exe"
extension is simply a mandatory requirement of the "App Paths" key.

Thank you for adding to the tribal knowledge of this newsgroup!

[R.Wieser]

Arlen,

> 2. Create a batch file anywhere of any name (usually ending in ".bat")

Have you ever tried to start a batchfile *not* ending in .BAT ? And, what
was the result ?

In other words: when making a "usually" suggestions like that (making it
appear its not necessary), make goddamn sure that another way also works.

> c:\path\grep.bat

Any name, as long as its "grep.bat" ? Maybe you ment that as a suggestion,
but if so you forgot to mention it.

And a problem with that is that .BAT is an extension known to the system,
just as .EXE . In other words, using both of them in the same folder will
cause confusion for the user (which one is started when no extension is
provided).

Also, naming the batchfile the same as an already existing command (grep.exe
vs grep.bat) is a pretty sure receipe for disaster (at some time or
another). In the very least if the .BAT file is found before the .EXE (in
a search path) you will get something called a "fork bomb".

> 3. Create an "AppPaths" string key of any name (always ending in ".exe")

Have you ever thought of just placing the .BAT command in a folder named in
the search path ? Way easier. :-)

And if you do not like that (and do explain your "I do not want to do it
that way" to whomever reads your post) and you have several additional
programs that you think really *must* start from the "run" entry box
(instead of from within a subfolder accessible from the "start" popup -
which I personally find rather handy) you could create a special folder for
those user-added commands, and add it to the systems "path" environment
variable. Needs only be done once, and does not clutter the registry.

> the ".exe" extension is simply a mandatory requirement of the
> "App Paths" key.

Actually ? It isn't.

And as a last thing: grep.exe does not seem to be a part of a standard XP
installation. Meaning that you batch file will, again, not run on XP. :-(

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

P.s.
I can imagine that you want to help other people / show off your knowledge.
But please, make sure that what you offer is actually correct. And that
goes double (at the very least) for the poor noob who tries to follow your
suggestions/tutorials/step plans and than has absolutily zero idea why it
won't work :-((

P.p.s
Put the grep executable "data.txt" file into the same folder as the
batchfile, and, in that batch file, refer to them like this:

%0\..\grep.exe
%0\..\data.txt

Just remember *not* to name the batch file "grep.bat". :-)

It allows you to move the three files around, and you only need to change
the path to the batch file itself.

Works under XP. *Might* work under W10. Yours to check.

[Arlen Holder]

On 5 Jul 2018 04:15:43 GMT, Mark Blain wrote:

> For (1), your best choice really would be a GUI password manager like
> KeePass (https://keepass.info). You could encrypt "password.txt"
> with most any freeware compression program and open the encrypted
> file with a Start-> Run command to READ the passwords inside, but not
> to EDIT them: for that, you'd have to extract the text first and re-
> encrypt it afterward. That's not convenient or secure.

This is a much harder problem to solve, so I thank you for your astute
advice on the harder problem of efficiently accessing the users' passwd
file from the "Start > Run" command interface.

I agree it's "messy" having to add the step of securely deleting the
plaintext file after the fact.

Ideally, you want to decrypt the ciphertext passwd file into memory,
visibly view or manually edit the resultant cleartext, and, when you close
down the viewing/editing window, to automatically encrypt the results and
then save only the newly encrypted results to a file, all in one fell swoop
(leaving no cleartext file except that which may remain in memory).

There are command-line encryption questions for Windows:
<https://superuser.com/questions/434716/looking-for-command-line-encryption-utility-for-windows>
Where not only 7zip, but also openssl, pgp/gpg, & truecrypt/viacrypt
suggestions have been offered.

None of those are native to Windows, but the cipher command looks useful:
<https://www.windows-commandline.com/cipher-command-line-encryption-utility/>
c:\windows\system32\cipher.exe

In that article on Windows native command-line encryption are examples:
To encrypt a file, use: cipher /A /E filename
To decrypt a file, use: cipher /D fileName

I'm sure payware solutions would work, such as this one example:
<http://www.aeppro.com/products/screenshots/how-to-automate-file-encryption-from-windows-command-line.shtml>
But the goal is to accomplish the task "well enough" using free methods.

I will try out some of these solutions, where they all seem to do the job!

[Arlen Holder]

On 5 Jul 2018 20:57:40 GMT, R.Wieser wrote:

>> 2. Create a batch file anywhere of any name (usually ending in ".bat")
>
> Have you ever tried to start a batchfile *not* ending in .BAT ? And, what
> was the result ?

Thanks for that clarification.

What I had meant was that the actual file being executed didn't have to be
a batch file. It could be any "executable" file, where, batch is simply the
most common type.

Perhaps I could have said "Create an executable file" or just "Create a
file", since the file doesn't even need to be executable.

> In other words: when making a "usually" suggestions like that (making it
> appear its not necessary), make goddamn sure that another way also works.

I appreciate the suggestion.

As another example, I just created this system-wide "bookmark" command:
Start > Run > bookmark {Enter}
Where the App Paths "bookmark.exe" key pointed to an ".htm" file:
Default=c:\path\bookmark.htm
And where the result is that the bookmarks open up in the default browser.

> Any name, as long as its "grep.bat" ? Maybe you ment that as a suggestion,
> but if so you forgot to mention it.

I appreciate the critical look at the note where I guess what you're saying
is that once you decided on a name, you have to actually use *that* name in
the App Paths key, which is true.

> And a problem with that is that .BAT is an extension known to the system,
> just as .EXE . In other words, using both of them in the same folder will
> cause confusion for the user (which one is started when no extension is
> provided).

This is also a very good point.

Particularly for noobs who may not have their filename extension viewing
turned on by default.

It should be noted that I store my "data" files in a public/private data
hierarchy which is completely separate from my batch file executable
hiearchies so the word "path" in each description is really "path1" and
"path2" and "path3" in my case - but - the user can store their files
anywhere that makes sense to them.

Had I chosen explicit paths, people would have complained about the paths.

> Also, naming the batchfile the same as an already existing command (grep.exe
> vs grep.bat) is a pretty sure receipe for disaster (at some time or
> another).

Based on the separate input from you about "phone" being thought of as a
verb, a good name for the command could possibly be "lookup"; but again,
the user can use any name they like - which is why I purposefully used
three different names for the three steps, which was to show that the name
is an independent choice of theirs.

Since I chose explicit names, people complain about the names. :)

> In the very least if the .BAT file is found before the .EXE (in
> a search path) you will get something called a "fork bomb".

Luckily, in this case, there is no "exe" file.
The "phone.exe" in the example is merely the name of a registry key.

>> 3. Create an "AppPaths" string key of any name (always ending in ".exe")
>
> Have you ever thought of just placing the .BAT command in a folder named in
> the search path ? Way easier. :-)

Way easier?
Not really.

Different?
Yup.

The advantage of the App Paths method is that the command doesn't pollute
your $PATH. The advantage of the method you suggest is that you don't need
to create an App Paths key.

Different methods.
Both easy.

> And if you do not like that (and do explain your "I do not want to do it
> that way" to whomever reads your post) and you have several additional
> programs that you think really *must* start from the "run" entry box
> (instead of from within a subfolder accessible from the "start" popup -
> which I personally find rather handy) you could create a special folder for
> those user-added commands, and add it to the systems "path" environment
> variable. Needs only be done once, and does not clutter the registry.

Different methods work, I agree.

>> the ".exe" extension is simply a mandatory requirement of the
>> "App Paths" key.
>
> Actually ? It isn't.

Teach me (and us) something.

Does anyone reading this have a *different* last four characters in *any*
entry in the "App Paths" section of the system registry?
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\*.exe

I don't.

If you have a working example that does *not* end with ".exe", that would
be very interesting indeed.

> And as a last thing: grep.exe does not seem to be a part of a standard XP
> installation. Meaning that you batch file will, again, not run on XP. :-(

Huh?
Nobody said anything about a "grep.exe" file existing.
Can you kindly clarify, as we *created* any file we needed in this example.

I've been using the App Paths keys since *before* WinXP days, as I recall,
where I don't see any reason this tutorial wouldn't work on Win95 for
example - since all you need is the "App Paths" key for it to work.

HINT: That's why MSoft invented the "App Paths" key in the first place.

> I can imagine that you want to help other people / show off your knowledge.

My goal is simple which is
a) Ask a question
b. Get help on that question
c. Summarize the results for the benefit of the tribal archives

> But please, make sure that what you offer is actually correct.

A clarification and a correction are two different things.

You mentioned, for example, that a 'grep.exe' is problematic, where I
clarified that there is no file named 'grep.exe' that was proposed.

That you were confused doesn't make it an error on anyone elses' part.
It just means you wish the ad-hoc Usenet post covered more detail.

Had I added more clarifying detail, others would have complained about the
detail since the assumption you're making is that people are confused so I
have to guess where they may become disoriented and confused.

To cover all possible areas of confusion is noble, but it's generally not
something that happens without testing in the real world on users who don't
know as much as we do about the App Paths key and how to use it
efficiently.

Also, the fact you would rather pollute the $PATH is not an error - it's
just a different way of accomplishing a similar task.

You seem to be complaining that the note didn't cover all possible ways and
all possible naming conventions, more than actual errors in the stated
steps.

> And that
> goes double (at the very least) for the poor noob who tries to follow your
> suggestions/tutorials/step plans and than has absolutily zero idea why it
> won't work :-((

If someone tries the steps, and if they don't work for them, I think they
can be man enough to simply ask what they did wrong.

>
> P.p.s
> Put the grep executable "data.txt" file into the same folder as the
> batchfile, and, in that batch file, refer to them like this:
> %0\..\grep.exe
> %0\..\data.txt
> Just remember *not* to name the batch file "grep.bat". :-)

There are plenty of ways to skin a cat.
The proposed method answers the proposed question.

Nobody said there aren't other ways to accomplish the stated task.

If you wish to write a quick note on how you'd accomplish the task so that
noobs can have their own rolodex command, I'd review it for you as would
others, I'm sure.

> It allows you to move the three files around, and you only need to change
> the path to the batch file itself.

Each method has pros and each method has cons.

If you want to write a quick note for others to follow that uses the
methods you propose, I don't think anyone would complain - so my suggestion
is that you write it and then people can choose what method they like best.

> Works under XP. *Might* work under W10. Yours to check.

There's nothing in the method I wrote up that doesn't work in the Microsoft
Operating Systems *before* XP. All you need is the "App Paths" key and the
"find" command.

[Arlen Holder]

On 5 Jul 2018 04:15:43 GMT, Mark Blain wrote:

> For (1), your best choice really would be a GUI password manager like
> KeePass (https://keepass.info). You could encrypt "password.txt"
> with most any freeware compression program and open the encrypted
> file with a Start-> Run command to READ the passwords inside, but not
> to EDIT them: for that, you'd have to extract the text first and re-
> encrypt it afterward. That's not convenient or secure.

Hi Mark Blain,

Thank you for your purposefully helpful suggestion of using KeePass!
Your KeePass suggestion worked perfectly on the very first pass!

Start > Run > vipw {Enter}
Voila!

Here is an apnote written as I installed and tested.
I only ran the sequence once since it worked instantly on the first pass!
I'll test it again on another system where my ad-hoc log file is below.
****************************************************************************
How to set up a "Start > Run > vipw" encrypted access to your passwd file
****************************************************************************
Obtain the suggested KeePass software from the canonical web site:
<https://keepass.info/>

The specific download I installed was obtained from:
<https://sourceforge.net/projects/keepass/files/KeePass%202.x/2.39.1/KeePass-2.39.1-Setup.exe/download>

The installer wants to put the KeePass app in:
C:\Program Files (x86)\KeePass Password Safe 2
I put it in:
C:\app\editor\passwd\keepass
NOTE: Put the program whereever you want it to go.

Initial setup defaults are:
[x]Core KeePass Application Files
[x]Help manual
[x]Native Support LIbrary
[x]XSL Stylesheets for KDBX XML Files
[x]Optimize KeePass Performance
[x]Optimize KeePass On-Demand Start-Up Performance

I changed that to:
[x]Core KeePass Application Files
[_]Help manual
[_]Native Support LIbrary
[_]XSL Stylesheets for KDBX XML Files
[_]Optimize KeePass Performance
[_]Optimize KeePass On-Demand Start-Up Performance

The secondary setup defaults are:
[x]Associate KeePass with the .kdbx file extension
[_]Create a desktop shortcut
[_]Create a Quick Launch shortcut

I changed that to:
[x]Associate KeePass with the .kdbx file extension
[x]Create a desktop shortcut
[_]Create a Quick Launch shortcut


The desktop shortcut target field was autoamtically set to:
Target = C:\app\editor\passwd\keepass\KeePass.exe
(Save this in your clipboard because you'll use it later.)

Optional, I right clicked on that desktop shortcut to populate menus:
a. Rightclick on the shortcut > Send to > Cascade Menu
b. Rightclick on the shortcut > Send to > Orthodox Menu
c. Rightclick on the shortcut > Send to > Heterodox Menu
d. Rightclick on the shortcut > Send to > Task Bar Menu
NOTE: See separate menu-setup tutorial to enable easy-menu population.

When you first start KeePass, it asks to enable or disable
automatic update check (obviously I disable those on sight).

Noice some of the related KeePass default options:
KeePass: Tools > Options > Security > Clipboard auto-clear time = 12 seconds
[x] Clear clipboard when closing KeePass
Keepass: Tools > Options > Advanced > Start and Exit >
[x]Remember and automatically open last used database on startup
[x]Limit to single instance
(There are plenty of other options - this is just a few key ones.)

Create your passwd file (if it doesn't exist already):
KeePass: File > New > OK > C:\data\private\passwd.kdbx
Master passwrod: <enter any desired password or passphrase>
General > Database name: passwd (choose any name you want)
Security > Encryption > AES/Rijindael (265-bit key, FIPS 197)
Compression > (o)GZip
Emergency sheet > skip
Fill out the rest of that passwd database as desired, save, & exit.

Add the custom "App Paths" registry entry:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
vipw.exe

Default = c:\app\editor\passwd\keepass\KeePass.exe

Test:
Start > Run > vipw {Enter}
Voila!

Up pops KeePass asking you for the ciphertext file "Master Password".
Once you type the password, you're in your cleartext password file.

WORK TO BE DONE:
Need to figure out a good way to access this file over the network so that
all Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS devices on the LAN can access the same
file.
--
Please test and review this ad-hoc apnote for accuracy so all benefit.

[Arlen Holder]

On 5 Jul 2018 08:29:05 GMT, R.Wieser wrote:

> Its not really secure though ... (you're re-creating the origional cleartext
> file, which you need to remember to delete - every time)

SOLVED!

Thanks for everyone's purposefully helpful advice.
Both commands worked fine in their very first tests today!

This brings up a ciphertext passwd file on Windows:
Start > Run > vipw {Enter}

This greps a plaintext database file on Windows:
Start > Run > phone susan {Enter}

My next steps will be to try to figure out how best to network those files
so that one file serves all the compute devices, whether they're Linux,
Windows, Android or iOS.

If you have advice as to how to accomplish that goal, please let us know!

[Arlen Holder]

On 6 Jul 2018 01:58:04 GMT, Arlen Holder wrote:

> Add the custom "App Paths" registry entry:
> HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
> vipw.exe
> Default = c:\app\editor\passwd\keepass\KeePass.exe

In the previous post, the App Paths key was set to the executable.
In this post, I tested setting the App Paths key to the passwd file.

Add the custom "App Paths" registry entry:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
vipw.exe

Instead of a default to the KeePass executable:

Default = c:\app\editor\passwd\keepass\KeePass.exe

I changed the default to the passwd file itself:
Default = c:\data\private\passwd.kdbx

Both methods work fine, where the latter method means that I can probably
set up the location of the master passwd file so that a single ciphertext
passwd file can be accessed by all machines on the network.

For example, something like this network path might work?

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\
vipw.exe

Default = \\machine\share\path\passwd.kdbx

I readily admit that I don't know Windows (SMB?) networking well, so if
someone has advice for setting up that capability to store a single
ciphertext passwd file on a network share, please advise so that this
"vipw" command will work on all the systems, whether Android, iOS, Windows
or Linux to access the single master passwd file on the LAN.

[R.Wieser]

Arlen,

> What I had meant was that the actual file being executed didn't
> have to be a batch file. It could be any "executable" file

I already guessed that that might have been the idea behind what you said,
but the way you said it could be explained as *any* extension ("executable"
or not) would be acceptable. And we both know that that won't work. :-)

> Perhaps I could have said "Create an executable file" or just
> "Create a file", since the file doesn't even need to be executable.

You're making the same mistake here: The file really needs to be of a type
that is, in this case, recognised either as a true executable, or linked to
one of the several scripting engines your OS has available.
In other words: the extension needs to be from a (very) small subset of
possible ones.

> As another example, I just created this system-wide "bookmark" command:

Yes, that works too. Because the ".htm" extension is linked to a program
(the browser). Pick an extension that is not a program or linked to one,
and you will get a "don't know how to handle that" error message. :-)

> I guess what you're saying is that once you decided on a name, you have
> to actually use *that* name in the App Paths key, which is true.

Not quite. I meant to say that when you indicate you can use any name that
you should explain (of sorts) why you are using a specific one. Even if its
just a short "For my example I've choosen to use the name {whatever}" one.

> Particularly for noobs who may not have their filename extension
> viewing turned on by default.

Yes, particulary there.

> It should be noted that I store my "data" files in a public/private
> data hierarchy

:-) That would have been a good "I suggest ..." addition to your tut.
Currently the poor noob has no idea where to store such files (and why), and
could easily choose an existing folder or create a bunch in the root of C: -
which could cause problems (and is ugly) ...

And as long as you are talking about a users own place to store such files,
XP offers place for such a folder under the "C:\Documents and
Settings\{username}" (as available in the %USERPROFILE% environment
variable) branch.

> Had I chosen explicit paths, people would have complained about
> the paths.

True, and most likely I would too. :-)

The point is that *you* do not make a choice, but instead you provide a set
of possible options (does not even need to be exhaustive!) and make
suggestions to what you think would be a good one - and explain why
ofcourse.

> Based on the separate input from you about "phone" being thought \
> of as a verb, a good name for the command could possibly be "lookup";

Thats looks like a good one, but does not indicate exctly what it will be
"looking up".

I think I would go for something like "PhoneNumber" or just "PhoneList".
Much more indicative. But again, offer it as a suggestion.

And by the way, have you ever thought to include a "how to use this program"
output when no (or possibly the "/?") argument is provided ? Would be
both helpful for a first-time user, as well as a reminder for a long-time
(but not all that frequent) user.

> Luckily, in this case, there is no "exe" file.

And pray tell, how do you know that ? Your batch file is supposed to work
on *other peoples* computers, about which you should not make assumptions
like that.

Also, its not only the exe extension which could cause problems. *Any*
extenson which is either directly executable or links to a program that will
handle it could cause the same problems. And FYI, my rather default XPsp3
installation has got a "phone.inf" file in the windows folder tree - with an
"install" verb shown in the rightclick context menu (as in: could muck up
your computer but good). Luckily not in the searchpath, but still ...

> The "phone.exe" in the example is merely the name of a registry key.

I know. But as mentioned above, do the noobs know that too ?

If I would have written such a suggestion in the/my full defensive mode I
would have suggested to pick a name that does not already exist - by either
first searching for it, or just, before using it, typing the name in the
"run" box (a bit dangerous, but if no error pops up it must already be in
use - as an external program *or* "internal" command. Maybe even already
specified in another "App path" entry).

>> Have you ever thought of just placing the .BAT command in a folder
>> named in the search path ? Way easier. :-)
>
> Way easier?
> Not really.

Yes, really.

Your whole "step #3" (mucking around with the registry) can be skipped when
you put the batchfile into the C:\Windows directory, or any of the other
paths named in the %PATH% environment variable.

I would not directly advice it (as my suggestion below it already
indicated), but it is definitily easier.

> The advantage of the App Paths method is that the command doesn't
> pollute your $PATH

Adding a single folder (as in: *once*) to that %PATH% (where all such and
similar stuff can be stored) constitutes to pollution ? I learn something
new every day. :-D

And by the way: I've "polluted" mine over a decade that way (or two. Can't
remember), and I have not seen it (try to) procreate. Its precence in that
path variable also acts as a quick reminder where I should put/store further
enhancements (so they do not get put into a gazillion different folders all
over the drive(s) )

> The advantage of the method you suggest is that you don't need
> to create an App Paths key.

I think you mean here that "you don't need to pollute the App Paths branch".
(hint: All monks of the same order should have to wear the same habit).

The third advantage of using a folder is that its easier to manage:
Deleting a program/script there means its gone. No extra registry-editing
cleanup stuff needed.

The next advantage is that the actual program can be easily be found back,
which you cannot do when using your renaming trick using the App Path ...

>>> the ".exe" extension is simply a mandatory requirement of the
>>> "App Paths" key.
>>
>> Actually ? It isn't.
>
> Teach me (and us) something.

Well, why don't you try it yourself ? Create, for example, the entry
"foobar.blurb" {1} and make it point to your "phone.bat". Than go to your
"run" textfield, and enter the name just like that but *including* that
extension, and press enter (or click OK). What happens ?

{1} See what I did there ? The used filename, but in this case
specifically the extension (as that is what we are talking about) is an
*example*. It indicates that there might well be more doing behaving the
same.

And by the way, including the extension of an executable, batch or other
scripting forces the OS not to apply its own precedence rules (read: have it
guess what the extension is supposed to be), and allows you to purposely
execute, in a console window, a {name}.bat when a {name}.exe also exists in
the same folder.

> Does anyone reading this have a *different* last four characters in
> *any* entry in the "App Paths" section of the system registry?

That was not the point.

You where making the mistake of regarding not seeing the presence of
something as it being not allowed. And you where as cocky as to put it
forward as it being a rule. Without actually checking it. :-(

That is how disinformation comes to be. Often by basically well-meaning
people (you) making unbased assumptions and than presenting them as facts to
others. Which, when especially when they are the noobs you are targetting
(read, not knowing how/ready yet to verify such claims) are likely to
propagate them.

> If you have a working example that does *not* end with ".exe", that
> would be very interesting indeed.

See above.

> Huh?
> Nobody said anything about a "grep.exe" file existing.

Damn! You're right! You just named the batchfile "grep", but used the
program "find" in it. My apologies.

But my excuse for that is .... Nah, no excuses. I misread, and thats
fully on my own head.

> HINT: That's why MSoft invented the "App Paths" key in the first place.

Hint: you could already to that in the DOS days by, in some folder that is
part of the searchpath, creating a batch file "linking" to the target
executable, and when Windows came to be by replacing the batchfile with a
.LNK one.

I have absolutily no idea what the "App paths" offers that either of the
above two do not. Do you ?

> My goal is simple which is
> a) Ask a question
> b. Get help on that question
> c. Summarize the results for the benefit of the tribal archives

In that case, make sure to mention that what you post are *not* tutorials or
step plans to be used by anyone, but just your personal experiences while
dabbing into something new (and showing it).

Currently your "benefit of the tribal archives" is to poisson it with
half-truths and full guesses (as shown in the above), which do not help
anyone, least of all the poor noob which thinks you are experienced and know
what you are talking about.

>> But please, make sure that what you offer is actually correct.
>
> A clarification and a correction are two different things.

I was not talking about either of them.

> You mentioned, for example, that a 'grep.exe' is problematic,
> where I clarified that there is no file named 'grep.exe' that was
> proposed.

The problem with that is that while it is true for *your* machine, it does
not need to be for any of the machines reading your message (mine does have
it. Probably came with an installation of (a commandline version of) C or
C++ ).

What I *tried* to tell you is to start thinking defensively. Think beyond
your own and try to take your audiences computers into consideration too.

If you do not than you are in fact writing for an audience of one: You.

> That you were confused doesn't make it an error on anyone
> elses' part. It just means you wish the ad-hoc Usenet post
> covered more detail.

Nope, neither. It was just me recognising the problem it could (and
probably would) create as soon as I put my eyes on it, and trying to make
you aware of it.

And strange though: Seeing that you *know* about grep being a program, you
still thought it would be a good idea to create a batch file with the same
name, regardless of the possiblility of a clash ...

And no, more detail is in no way a good replacement to a bit of common sense
in filenaming.

> To cover all possible areas of confusion is noble

Lol. Thats exactly the very opposite of what you have been doing, and not
at all what I tried to say.

Just start with *not* suggesting (by omission) that what you write down is
the only possible area. Make the reader / your audience aware that there
are others, even if you do not (even) explicitily name them. They are not
dumb, they will be able to respond with a request for more info, or maybe
even just searching google.

> Also, the fact you would rather pollute the $PATH is not an error -
> it's just a different way of accomplishing a similar task.

You keep using that "pollute" word. Are you purposely trying to vilify my
suggested method ? Why ?

And thats apart from me having indicated that neither your App Path method,
nor my suggested addition of a single entry(!) to the searchpath method is
even needed ...

In short, you are comparing two complex methods, while ignoring a much
simpler one. :-o :-(

> If someone tries the steps, and if they don't work for them, I think
> they can be man enough to simply ask what they did wrong.

The problem is, *they* just followed what you posted to the letter, and did
nothing wrong. Its *your* information which contains the errors,
half-truths and full guesswork - all presented as archive-worthy material.

And thats exactly the other problem: what happens when those people find
your posts in those "tribal archives", long (or short) after you moved on ?
Yes, than it will be the thanwhile smartasses in this group who have to
clean up your mess.

And pardon me, the *others* need to man up, confess they did something wrong
and and ask ? Even when all they did was to follow your "this is how I did
it" (even if you have never presented it as such) to the letter ? Where
is *your* responsibility in it ?

>> P.p.s
>> Put the grep executable "data.txt" file into the same folder as
>> the batchfile, and, in that batch file, refer to them like this:
>> %0\..\grep.exe
>> %0\..\data.txt
>> Just remember *not* to name the batch file "grep.bat". :-)
>
> There are plenty of ways to skin a cat.
> The proposed method answers the proposed question.

Wrong answer.

What I showed you there is, as mentioned, an approach to do away with having
to change change paths at different locations (and in this case, in a
script) just to get something, after moving it, working again. It could
even cause your batch script(s) to become copy-paste-and-work, instead of
having to edit them too.

In short, I thought you would see the benefits of it. I guess I was wrong.

Hey, nice talking to you. I'm going to do something else now.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

[Arlen Holder]

Let's stop wasting everyone's time playing silly semantic games.
Let's instead, move the technical ball forward.

What we want now, is to have a *single* encrypted passwd file for the LAN.
It would need to work with all machines & mobile devices on the LAN.

That requires some kind of central "server".

Perhaps that's the native SMB server inherent in Windows?
\\server\share\path\file.ext

Or perhaps that's some other server, e.g., ftp, or http?
http://192.168.1.10/path/file.htm

What do you think?

Now that we have the original tasks both successfully working perfectly on
the first pass on any given Windows machine, what is your astute
recommendation for consolidating both the passwd and data files as a single
file accesssed from all Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS machines on your
local LAN?

[nospam]

In article <phnm4n$1l3j$1...@gioia.aioe.org>, R.Wieser

<add...@not.available> wrote:



>
> > My goal is simple which is
> > a) Ask a question
> > b. Get help on that question
> > c. Summarize the results for the benefit of the tribal archives
>
> In that case, make sure to mention that what you post are *not* tutorials or
> step plans to be used by anyone, but just your personal experiences while
> dabbing into something new (and showing it).
>
> Currently your "benefit of the tribal archives" is to poisson it with
> half-truths and full guesses (as shown in the above), which do not help
> anyone, least of all the poor noob which thinks you are experienced and know
> what you are talking about.

^^ this ^^

> > You mentioned, for example, that a 'grep.exe' is problematic,
> > where I clarified that there is no file named 'grep.exe' that was
> > proposed.
>
> The problem with that is that while it is true for *your* machine, it does
> not need to be for any of the machines reading your message (mine does have
> it. Probably came with an installation of (a commandline version of) C or
> C++ ).
>
> What I *tried* to tell you is to start thinking defensively. Think beyond
> your own and try to take your audiences computers into consideration too.
>
> If you do not than you are in fact writing for an audience of one: You.

that's exactly what he's doing.

[nospam]

In article <phnu5b$ocu$1...@news.mixmin.net>, Arlen Holder

<arlen...@nospam.net> wrote:


> What we want now, is to have a *single* encrypted passwd file for the LAN.
> It would need to work with all machines & mobile devices on the LAN.

no, that's what *you* want.

others may prefer using an established password manager that is known
to be secure, without the numerous pitfalls and limitations of using an
encrypted text file, which can sync across multiple devices without any
extra effort on the user's part along with numerous other features.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <phnm4n$1l3j$1...@gioia.aioe.org>, R.Wieser
<add...@not.available> writes:
>Arlen,
[]

>Currently your "benefit of the tribal archives" is to poisson it with

[]
Sounds fishy to me (-:.

(On a more general note: I've found it more sanity-protective to
killfile this person whenever I spot a new alias of his. I too have
spent much time in discussion with him, thinking I was helping the
general good. But life's too short. Sadly, I am going to continue to let
the "archives" be "poissoned", to preserve my own sanity.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Imagine a world with no hypothetical situations...

[Arlen Holder]

On 7 Jul 2018 11:30:16 GMT, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:

> Sounds fishy to me

J.P. Gilliver,

*Do not again prove yourself to be a lowly coward devoid of reason.*

Do you deny the two capabilities are generally useful?
a. The ability to easily "grep" a rolodex file, and,
b. The ability to easily access a secure password file.

If you deny, then what do you think is not useful about those capabilities?
In fact, to the point what have *you* contributed to those capabilities?

I know the answers to both those questions.
So does everyone who is logical.

Let's hear your defense of your cowardly post, completely devoid of reason.

Unless, you're still a lowly coward, you will truthfully state the answers.

[R.Wieser]

John,

>>Currently your "benefit of the tribal archives" is to poisson it with
> []
> Sounds fishy to me (-:.

:-p I had to google it to understand what you ment (poisson vs poison)

It one of those things that sometimes happens when English isn't your first
language and you're starting to get tired.

> thinking I was helping the general good

Although my first thought was about Arlen himself, that also crossed my
mind - as a close second.

> Sadly, I am going to continue to let the "archives" be "poissoned",

I don't think we have got any say in it I'm afraid. ...And I'm not so sure
it would be beneficial to usenet if we would have.

On the other hand, CLAX, which is moderated, still seems to do well.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

[R.Wieser]

Arlen,

> what is your astute recommendation for consolidating both the
> passwd and data files as a single file accesssed from all Windows,
> Linux, Android, and iOS machines on your local LAN?

https://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/10/06/10-of-the-best-multi-platform-password-managers-for-ios-android-and-the-desktop/

and

https://www.cio.com/article/3168902/mobile-apps/4-apps-to-share-ios-android-and-windows-files.html

... or something like that.

Why ? Because you are asking us to help you to make something {1} you do
not even have a clue about of even half of what is all is involved to make
it become true. And that simply won't work.

{1} combine outof already existing parts ? You where not even clear about
that I'm afraid ...

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

> What we want now, is to have a *single* encrypted passwd file for the LAN.

Question, who is that "we" you are talking about ? Are you working in a
team or for a company ? Or are you perhaps royalty ? If nothing of that
all, whats wrong with saying "I" (as in you, Arlen) ?

Second: You are adding (more) requirements. And by it you are
dropping/invalidating the origional question *and all the already-gotten
answers to it*. How's that for wasting someones (the well-willing people
who responded to you - including myself) time ?

> It would need to work with all machines & mobile devices on the LAN

Kiddo, you definitily have not thought about what you said there, or are
fully clueless. Mobile devices (unspecified!) ? I must than assume you
mean those iThingies (iOS) and googlephones (Android) too.

In that case, good luck with finding either single executable which will
work the same on both windows and other OSes, or with finding a single idea
implemented for all of them. :-D

> That requires some kind of central "server".

...

> Perhaps that's the native SMB server inherent in Windows?

...

> Or perhaps that's some other server, e.g., ftp, or http?

You already have ideas, go google them ! You might even find some other
possibilities too (in other words: do not expect us to do your work for
you).

And by the way: good luck with finding something that runs iOS that will
talk SMB. And there is a good chance it will not even run FTP nativily
either.

> Now that we have the original tasks both successfully working

> perfectly on the first pass ...

So, you expect us to do all the "will it work?" checking for you too ? If
so, whats than left for you to do ?

> ... on any given Windows machine

And what about all those mobile devices ? Don't expect to find Windows
there.

And thats *again* ignoring the differences between the versions of Windows,
which has been pointed out to you to exist even between the versions of the
OS related to the newsgroups you posted your message in.














"Arlen Holder" <arlen...@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:phnu5b$ocu$1...@news.mixmin.net...

[nospam]

In article <phqjap$57l$1...@gioia.aioe.org>, R.Wieser

<add...@not.available> wrote:

> > That requires some kind of central "server".
> ...
> > Perhaps that's the native SMB server inherent in Windows?
> ...
> > Or perhaps that's some other server, e.g., ftp, or http?
>
> You already have ideas, go google them ! You might even find some other
> possibilities too (in other words: do not expect us to do your work for
> you).
>
> And by the way: good luck with finding something that runs iOS that will
> talk SMB. And there is a good chance it will not even run FTP nativily
> either.

there are numerous ftp and smb apps for ios, either server or client,
as well as many other protocols.

where he needs luck is in getting his convoluted method to work
anywhere near as well as an existing password manager, or as secure.

[Arlen Holder]

On 7 Jul 2018 14:38:54 GMT, R.Wieser wrote:

> https://www.cio.com/article/3168902/mobile-apps/4-apps-to-share-ios-android-and-windows-files.html

Thanks for that list of file-sharing apps between the operating systems.

None of the apps even comes remotely close to solving the stated networking
problem (since they all *copy* the file), but the first 3 of the 4 on that
list are still *nice to have* since they help the user copy files over WiFi
on their local network.

1. Send Anywhere (it *copies* the file, which isn't the question)
2. Feem v4 (it copies the file, which isn't the question)
3. Instashare (it copies the file, which isn't the question)
4. PushBullet (same, but this one requires registration)
<https://www.cio.com/article/3168902/mobile-apps/4-apps-to-share-ios-android-and-windows-files.html>

BTW, even though these don't even come close to solving the stated problem,
these apps are *nice* for "copying" files between devices though!

> https://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/10/06/10-of-the-best-multi-platform-password-managers-for-ios-android-and-the-desktop/

Thanks for that list of payware password managers.

Unfortunately, this list is even worse than the prior list
in that not one of those stores the password file on the LAN.

Summary:
1. Dashlane (shill to rent your passwords off the cloud)
2. RoboForm (shill to rent more than 10 passwords off the cloud)
3. mSecure (shill to rent your passwords off the cloud)
4. 1Password (shill to rent your passwords off the cloud)
5. LastPass (shill to rent your passwords after the 2-week trial period)
<https://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/10/06/10-of-the-best-multi-platform-password-managers-for-ios-android-and-the-desktop/>

It's just not anywhere in the problem set to store any of your private
data, particularly passwords, on the cloud.

What might work though, is to set up a "local cloud", and then see if the
password managers can work with that local cloud (but that's a lot more
effort to set up since server protocols are likely involved).

In summary, neither list even remotedly came close to solving the problem,
but while the second list was nothing but cloud shills, the first list does
seem, at least upon first inspection, to be worth checking out to solve a
*different* problem (which is cross-platform sharing of files).

thanks!

[nospam]

In article <phqr93$b7b$1...@news.mixmin.net>, Arlen Holder
<arlen...@nospam.net> wrote:

> >
> > https://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/10/06/10-of-the-best-multi-platform-passwor

> > d-managers-for-ios-android-and-the-desktop/
>
> Thanks for that list of payware password managers.
>
> Unfortunately, this list is even worse than the prior list
> in that not one of those stores the password file on the LAN.

false, and that's a five year old article that is very out of date.

there are several password managers that can store locally and not in
the cloud, including ones on that list at the time that article was
written.

in other words, you once again failed.

[Arlen Holder]

On 7 Jul 2018 13:32:27 GMT, R.Wieser wrote:

> I don't think we have got any say in it I'm afraid. ...And I'm not so sure
> it would be beneficial to usenet if we would have.

Did you see my latest Windows apnote on the efficient shutdown mechanism?
Start > Run > slideshut {Enter}

What did you think of it?
(HINT: You'll see that tutorial nowhere else on the net, but here.)

[Arlen Holder]

On 7 Jul 2018 14:52:28 GMT, nospam wrote:

> there are numerous ftp and smb apps for ios, either server or client,
> as well as many other protocols.

As you know, I have ftp working well (and have done so, for years).
How to mount the entire mobile device file system on desktops
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/comp.mobile.ipad/ix8xgTcexAY/dlY4nLMfAgAJ>

In fact, you are well aware that I (long ago) already have seamless ftp set
up between all my devices, such that you already complained (long ago) that
I was "spying" on all the devices connected to my LAN, since, by default, I
can 'see' the entire visible file systems of all the devices that connect
to the LAN.

As you know, Windows, Linux, Android, and to a limited extent, iOS, all
"respect" the ftp protocol such that the file browsers open up the entire
visible file system on the devices, just as if they were local to the
desktop - s long as the device is running a suitable FTP server.

As you know, the free FTP server I've found most useful on Android is:
<https://f-droid.org/en/packages/be.ppareit.swiftp_free/>

And, as you know, it's far more restricted on the Orwellian iOS systems
(where entire threads are devoted to getting around those restrictions).

As for SMB, without rooting, as you are well aware, and as Frank Slootweg
can attest to, SMB not better than FTP access if you don't root the device.
<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/comp.mobile.android/6PQmYWSk34I/Dk4cGwEvCQAJ>

> where he needs luck is in getting his convoluted method to work
> anywhere near as well as an existing password manager, or as secure.

You don't have a solution for three reasons:
a. You have no technical expertise (you just punch buttons),
b. You just guess (scoring worse than the monkey does0, and
c. You have never posted with helpful intent in your entire life.

Meanwhile, I almost always (if not always) solve *every* problem set I pose
to the newsgroups (thousands upon thousands of them, in fact).

This problem set is far too difficult for someone like nospam to help
because it requires meaningful comprehension of the stated problem set.

[Arlen Holder]

On 7 Jul 2018 17:18:25 GMT, nospam wrote:

> in other words, you once again failed.

Hi nospam,
I've known you for a long time.

You don't ever have a solution top any problem for three reasons:

a. You have no technical expertise (you just punch buttons),

b. You just guess (scoring worse than the monkey does), and

[nospam]

In article <phqspr$drj$2...@news.mixmin.net>, Arlen Holder

<arlen...@nospam.net> wrote:

> > there are numerous ftp and smb apps for ios, either server or client,
> > as well as many other protocols.
>
> As you know, I have ftp working well (and have done so, for years).

you might think you do, but you do not.

what you have is an incredibly clumsy and convoluted solution requiring
numerous steps that are not needed. worse, you refuse to learn from
others to improve upon it.

[nospam]

In article <phqspp$drj$1...@news.mixmin.net>, Arlen Holder

<arlen...@nospam.net> wrote:

> (HINT: You'll see that tutorial nowhere else on the net, but here.)

for very good reasons.

[Char Jackson]

On Sat, 7 Jul 2018 16:55:00 -0000 (UTC), Arlen Holder
<arlen...@nospam.net> wrote:

>Thanks for that list of payware password managers.
>
>Unfortunately, this list is even worse than the prior list
>in that not one of those stores the password file on the LAN.
>
>Summary:
>1. Dashlane (shill to rent your passwords off the cloud)
>2. RoboForm (shill to rent more than 10 passwords off the cloud)
>3. mSecure (shill to rent your passwords off the cloud)
>4. 1Password (shill to rent your passwords off the cloud)
>5. LastPass (shill to rent your passwords after the 2-week trial period)

I don't know about the others, but Roboform will happily store its
encrypted password file anywhere you want, including on a local drive, a
networked drive, and even a cloud drive. The default is a local drive.

I have no idea what you're trying to say above, when you write "shill to
rent more than 10 passwords off the cloud".

What I *don't* know, because I don't have a need for it, is whether two
or more PCs can point their Roboform instance to the *same* LAN-based
encrypted file.

[nospam]

In article <n032kdhgvla5iubsv...@4ax.com>, Char Jackson

<no...@none.invalid> wrote:

> >Thanks for that list of payware password managers.
> >
> >Unfortunately, this list is even worse than the prior list
> >in that not one of those stores the password file on the LAN.
> >
> >Summary:
> >1. Dashlane (shill to rent your passwords off the cloud)
> >2. RoboForm (shill to rent more than 10 passwords off the cloud)
> >3. mSecure (shill to rent your passwords off the cloud)
> >4. 1Password (shill to rent your passwords off the cloud)
> >5. LastPass (shill to rent your passwords after the 2-week trial period)
>
> I don't know about the others, but Roboform will happily store its
> encrypted password file anywhere you want, including on a local drive, a
> networked drive, and even a cloud drive. The default is a local drive.

1password, definitely can store locally, and both dashlane and msecure
say they do on their website (haven't used either of those).

> I have no idea what you're trying to say above, when you write "shill to
> rent more than 10 passwords off the cloud".

he doesn't either.

> What I *don't* know, because I don't have a need for it, is whether two
> or more PCs can point their Roboform instance to the *same* LAN-based
> encrypted file.

1password can sync over wifi simply by enabling the option.

msecure looks like it can also do that:
<https://assets.msecure.com/websites/msecure/2017/12/22093641/Choose-Syn
c-Method.png>

dunno about the others.

[Arlen Holder]

On 7 Jul 2018 19:25:09 GMT, nospam wrote:

>> I have no idea what you're trying to say above, when you write "shill to
>> rent more than 10 passwords off the cloud".
>
> he doesn't either.

Yet again, nospam, you *prove you're an utter moron!*

a. You just guess (where your record, nospam, is worse than the monkey's).
b. Because ... you know nothing

The reference you failed to read clearly says, verbatim:
"Beyond the desktop, it also offers native apps for iOS and Android
devices. If youe a free user of RoboForm, your auto-logins and password
entries will be limited to 10 items. Naturally, RoboForm Everywhere unlocks
this restriction and costs (currently) $9.95 per year."

Only fools like you, nospam the troll, would fall for that style shill.

[Arlen Holder]

On 7 Jul 2018 18:57:55 GMT, Char Jackson wrote:

> I don't know about the others, but Roboform will happily store its
> encrypted password file anywhere you want, including on a local drive, a
> networked drive, and even a cloud drive. The default is a local drive.

This is what the reference says, verbatim:

"If youe a free user of RoboForm, your auto-logins and password entries
will be limited to 10 items. Naturally, RoboForm Everywhere unlocks this
restriction and costs (currently) $9.95 per year."

What fool, besides the moronic troll nospam, wants that?

[Arlen Holder]

On 7 Jul 2018 17:28:03 GMT, nospam wrote:

> for very good reasons.

Says the nospam troll who has never once done anything but punch buttons
that the Apple MARKETING team fed him.

[nospam]

In article <phr6s7$tlj$1...@news.mixmin.net>, Arlen Holder

<arlen...@nospam.net> wrote:

>
> >> I have no idea what you're trying to say above, when you write "shill to
> >> rent more than 10 passwords off the cloud".
> >
> > he doesn't either.
>
> Yet again, nospam, you *prove you're an utter moron!*
>
> a. You just guess (where your record, nospam, is worse than the monkey's).
> b. Because ... you know nothing
>
> The reference you failed to read clearly says, verbatim:

you failed to read the date of said reference, which is from 5 years
ago and very outdated.

all of the products listed have undergone at least one revision, if not
more.

there are also many *new* options that either did not exist or didn't
make the cut when that article was written.

> "Beyond the desktop, it also offers native apps for iOS and Android

> devices. If you¢re a free user of RoboForm, your auto-logins and password

> entries will be limited to 10 items. Naturally, RoboForm Everywhere unlocks
> this restriction and costs (currently) $9.95 per year."

that was 5 years ago. not now.

<https://www.roboform.com>

note the free option, then scroll to the bottom, where it gives
additional details:

€ Unlimited logins
€ Fills forms
€ Password audit
€ Password generator

[R.Wieser]

Arlen,

> Thanks for that list of file-sharing apps between the operating systems.

Both where the first ones returned when I threw a few keywords from your
request into google. (and yes, thats a hint)

> None of the apps even comes remotely close to solving the stated
> networking problem (since they all *copy* the file)

Maybe you should tell us what you REALLY after, instead of asking us for
suggestions and than rejecting them because they do not match something you
have not yet told us ?

And again, those links where a hinting suggestion. Throw some of your own
energy into it, and google a bit. I'm sure there are many more programs
which will allow you to communicate between multiple machines on a LAN
running undefined OSes.

Than again, you are looking for specific solutions, which are not always as
easy to find ... if they even exist that is

> What might work though, is to set up a "local cloud",

Well, seeing that you do not trust cloudy solutions, why whould you set up
one yourself ? And why the F*ck would you go for something complex like
that ? K.I.S.S. (look it up).

> In summary, neither list even remotedly came close to solving the problem,

a) it was not ment as such.

b) That can be, but the one at fault is you, as you have not yet specified
what the problem actually is / what the requirements are a suggestion needs
to live up to. Yes, I can make a few educated guesses but its your
project, so its upto *you* formulate and post it.

Besides, educated guesses ? That doesn't work all that well with someone
who, like you, has very specific requirements. :-)

Besides #2: I do not "do" iOS, Android or any of those other phone OSes, so
I could not give any specific info for it even if I wanted to.


But I have one last suggestion:

Put a (portable) WAMP on one of your local windows machines, and learn some
HTML, PHP and one of the SQL variants (SQLite comes to mind). That way
you can send, from *any* machine with a webbrowser on the LAN, a request to
the computer running that WAMP and have it do all the stuff and just return
the answers.

That way you do not have to trust *anyone*, and can keep-and-hold it all
under your own control.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

[Wolf K]

On 2018-07-07 16:12, Arlen Holder wrote:
> On 7 Jul 2018 18:57:55 GMT, Char Jackson wrote:
>
>> I don't know about the others, but Roboform will happily store its
>> encrypted password file anywhere you want, including on a local drive, a
>> networked drive, and even a cloud drive. The default is a local drive.
>
> This is what the reference says, verbatim:
>

> "If you¢re a free user of RoboForm, your auto-logins and password entries

> will be limited to 10 items. Naturally, RoboForm Everywhere unlocks this
> restriction and costs (currently) $9.95 per year."
>
> What fool, besides the moronic troll nospam, wants that?
>

Ah, I see: you want everything, but you want to pay nothing.

Tsk, tsk, you're a freeloader.

--
Wolf K
kirkwood40.blogspot.com
What you choose to do with your body will, inevitably, have
psychological consequences.

[Nil]

On 07 Jul 2018, Char Jackson <no...@none.invalid> wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-10:

> What I *don't* know, because I don't have a need for it, is
> whether two or more PCs can point their Roboform instance to the
> *same* LAN-based encrypted file.

I don't know about Roboform, but Keepass can.

[Nil]

On 07 Jul 2018, "R.Wieser" <add...@not.available> wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-10:

> Maybe you should tell us what you REALLY after, instead of asking
> us for suggestions and than rejecting them because they do not
> match something you have not yet told us ?

It's the old "Why Don’t You -- Yes But..." game in Transactional
Analysis. The goal is to get attention and keep it as long as possible
by finding fault with all suggestions in order to get people to make
yet more suggestions, which will also be rejected, until they finally
give up in frustration. The goal is not to actually solve any problem.

[Char Jackson]

On Sat, 7 Jul 2018 20:12:57 -0000 (UTC), Arlen Holder
<arlen...@nospam.net> wrote:

>On 7 Jul 2018 18:57:55 GMT, Char Jackson wrote:
>
>> I don't know about the others, but Roboform will happily store its
>> encrypted password file anywhere you want, including on a local drive, a
>> networked drive, and even a cloud drive. The default is a local drive.
>
>This is what the reference says, verbatim:
>
> "If youe a free user of RoboForm, your auto-logins and password entries
>will be limited to 10 items. Naturally, RoboForm Everywhere unlocks this
>restriction and costs (currently) $9.95 per year."

https://www.roboform.com/everywhere

The link above compares the free version to the non-free version. The
very first item is "Unlimited Logins", available in both versions.

Several years ago, Roboform free *was* limited to 10 logins, sort of as
a trial, but they dumped that restriction quite some time ago.

>What fool, besides the moronic troll nospam, wants that?

I don't know what you're trying to do. I'm just responding to keywords.

[Arlen Holder]

On 7 Jul 2018 22:13:44 GMT, Wolf K wrote:

> Ah, I see: you want everything

Oh my God.

The Windows 10 trolls have arrived.

That means this thread is ruined once Nil, Char Jackson, JP Gilliver, and
especially Wolf K, the premier Windows 10 troll who infests this newsgroup.

Since the trolls above have taken over, I'm out of here.
They can have the thread.

The added value of the two commands is our contribution.

Start > Run > phone susan
Start > Run > vipw

The trolls can have it from here.

[Char Jackson]

Neither of those commands does anything useful on my PCs, but you can
save a click by pinning Command Prompt to your taskbar. I pin an Admin
Command Prompt, since that's what I usually want to use. Once you do
that, it's one click to launch the Command Prompt versus two clicks to
hit Start and then Run. Efficiency, you know.

>The trolls can have it from here.

Those bastages.

[Paul]

A "real" computerist, would have Cortana wired
to "phone susan". And if TAPI still worked, you
could do that from your desktop, without even reaching
for anything. (Was that a "voice modem" ? Or a function
of a WinModem ? Don't remember now.)

I remember years ago, some people at work having TAPI
like functions wired up that way. And they were doing
hands-free and the whole bit. Well before it was a
mainstream thing.

Paul

[Arlen Holder]

On 7 Jul 2018 23:48:38 GMT, Char Jackson wrote:

> Neither of those commands does anything useful on my PCs, but you can
> save a click by pinning Command Prompt to your taskbar. I pin an Admin
> Command Prompt, since that's what I usually want to use. Once you do
> that, it's one click to launch the Command Prompt versus two clicks to
> hit Start and then Run. Efficiency, you know.

Hehhehheh ... *I wrote that apnote a year ago for heavens sake!*
(With the kind and expert help of the group here, of course.)

Here it is, although it's old and hasn't been tested recently.
(It's one of the 1st sixty things you do when you set up a Win10 PC!)

Maybe you can *improve* our tribal knowledge?

Look at the section on "DESIRED IMPROVEMENTS" in the header & footer
please.

What would be nice is someone who knows Windows who can add those
desired improvements to our combined tribal knowledge archives!

****************************************************************************
Efficient Windows Admin command prompt of any color in any desired location

Please improve so that all benefit from your efforts.

DESIRED IMPROVEMENTS:
A. Figure out how to get method C to open up a red window instead of black.
B. Figure out how to get method C to work even if a folder isn't selected.
****************************************************************************
============================================================================
Quick summary of the various methods open-command-as-admin methods below:
============================================================================
A. Keyboard method to open a blue admin command prompt:
Windows+X,A
Brings up a blue "Administrator" powershell command window:
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_admincmd3849.gif>
B. Start Menu method to open a red admin command prompt:
Rightclick on the Windows-icon > Command Prompt (Admin)
Brings up a blue "Administrator" powershell command window:
Note: Shift-rightclick also works the same with the latest Windows 10.
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_admincmd3.gif>
C: Context Menu method to open a blue admin command prompt:
{Shift}RightClick on a folder to open an Admin command here
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_cmda_4.gif>
D. Shortcut method to open a red admin command prompt:
Put a shortcut to open an admin command anywhere
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_cmda_2.gif>
E. Batch file method to open a red admin command prompt:
Start > Run > cmda {Enter}
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_admincmd2.gif>
F. Context menu method to open a command window here as admin:
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_cmdwindow01.jpg>
etc.
============================================================================
Here are details for methods to create a colorized open-as-admin command:
============================================================================
A. Keyboard method to open a blue admin command prompt:
Windows+X,A
Note: Win+X brings up the right-click menu for the Start button.
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_cmda_3.gif>
Then A selects Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin)
depending on which version of Windows 10 you have.
(Note: Win+A is the Action Center.)
============================================================================
B. Start Menu method to open a red admin command prompt:
Rightclick on the Windows-icon > Command Prompt (Admin)
or Shift-Rightclick on the Windows-icon > Command Prompt (Admin)
Note: Non-classic users should be able to omit the "Shift".
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_admincmd3.gif>
============================================================================
C: Context menu method to open a black command window here as admin:
RightClick a folder and you'll get a Windows Powershell menu.
ShiftRightClick a folder adds the option to open a cmd window here.

Creating & installing an inf adds the "Open command window here (admin)"
option to both situations.
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_cmda_4.gif>

Note that WinAero Tweaker v0.7.0.3+ also adds the context menu item.
http://winaero.com/download.php?view.1796
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_winaero_tweaker.gif>

a. Create the inf file below & put it wherever you place "inf" files:
For example: c:\app\os\bin\inf\CmdHereAsAdmin.inf
b. Right click on that inf file and select Install.
c. Right click on any folder in Windows Explorer, and select:
"Open command window here (admin)"
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_cmdwindow01.jpg>

*** begin CmdHereAsAdmin.inf ***
[version]
signature="$CHICAGO$"

[CmdHereAsAdminInstall]
CopyFiles = CmdHereAsAdmin.Files.Inf
AddReg = CmdHereAsAdmin.AddReg

[DefaultInstall]
CopyFiles = CmdHereAsAdmin.Files.Inf
AddReg = CmdHereAsAdmin.AddReg

[DefaultUnInstall]
DelFiles = CmdHereAsAdmin.Files.Inf
DelReg = CmdHereAsAdmin.DelReg

[SourceDisksNames]
55="Open command window here (admin)","",1

[SourceDisksFiles]
CmdHereAsAdmin.INF=55

[DestinationDirs]
CmdHereAsAdmin.Files.Inf = 17

[CmdHereAsAdmin.Files.Inf]
CmdHereAsAdmin.INF

[CmdHereAsAdmin.AddReg]
HKLM,%UDHERE%,DisplayName,,"%CmdHereAsAdminName%"
HKLM,%UDHERE%,UninstallString,,"rundll32.exe syssetup.dll,SetupInfObjectInstallAction DefaultUninstall 132 %17%\CmdHereAsAdmin.inf"
HKCR,Directory\Shell\runas,,,"%CmdHereAsAdminAccel%"
HKCR,Directory\Shell\runas\command,,,"%11%\cmd.exe /k cd /d ""%1"""
HKCR,Drive\Shell\runas,,,"%CmdHereAsAdminAccel%"
HKCR,Drive\Shell\runas\command,,,"%11%\cmd.exe /k cd /d ""%1"""

[CmdHereAsAdmin.DelReg]
HKLM,%UDHERE%
HKCR,Directory\Shell\runas
HKCR,Drive\Shell\runas

[Strings]
CmdHereAsAdminName="Open command window here as admin (Uninstall only)"
CmdHereAsAdminAccel="Open command window here (admin)"
UDHERE="Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\CmdHereAsAdmin"
***** end CmdHereAsAdmin.inf *****

Optionally, add a "regular" command-line context-menu entry:
a. Create the following registry file named & placed wherever you like,
For example: C:\app\os\bin\reg\CmdHereAsUser.reg
b. Doubleclick on that registry file to add the new context-menu command:
{Right-click anywhere in File Explorer} > Open command window here
c. Right click anywhere in Windows File Explorer to see the new entry:
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_cmdwindow01.jpg>

*** begin CmdHereAsUser.reg***
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Created by: Shawn Brink
; Created on: December 10th 2016
; Tutorial: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/72024-open-command-window-here-add-windows-10-a.html

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd2]
@="@shell32.dll,-8506"
"Extended"=-
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-5323"
"NoWorkingDirectory"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd2\command]
@="cmd.exe /s /k pushd \"%V\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\cmd2]
@="@shell32.dll,-8506"
"Extended"=-
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-5323"
"NoWorkingDirectory"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\cmd2\command]
@="cmd.exe /s /k pushd \"%V\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\cmd2]
@="@shell32.dll,-8506"
"Extended"=-
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-5323"
"NoWorkingDirectory"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\cmd2\command]
@="cmd.exe /s /k pushd \"%V\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\LibraryFolder\Background\shell\cmd2]
@="@shell32.dll,-8506"
"Extended"=-
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-5323"
"NoWorkingDirectory"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\LibraryFolder\Background\shell\cmd2\command]
@="cmd.exe /s /k pushd \"%V\""
======================================================================
D. Shortcut method to open a red admin command prompt:

Rightclick in any folder (e.g., the Desktop) > New > Shortcut
Type a location of "cmd" (or "cmd.exe") sans quotes
Click Next
Type an optional name (e.g., "cmd as admin in Users with red background")
Click Finish.
Rightclick the new Shortcut > Properties
Change the Shortcut Target from C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe
To any of the following tested examples:
[Note The "/d" allows opening on other disc volumes.]
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_cmda_1.gif>

a. C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /K "cd /d C:\Users"
b. %ComSpec% /K "cd /d %HomePath%"
c. %ComSpec% /K "cd %WinDir%"
d. %ComSpec% /K "cd %HomeDrive%%HomePath%"
etc.
Press the Advanced button
Check [x]Run as Administrator [OK]
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_admincmd1.gif>

Optionally set the shortcut properties as desired, for example:
Properties > General > Screen Background > Red = 100 [Apply]
Properties > Shortcut > Change Icon > (choose an icon) [OK][Apply]
Properties > Font > Size = 28 [OK]
etc.
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_cmda_2.gif>

Optionally set:
Start in = %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% (the Target can override this setting)
Shortcut key = not set

Optionally place that "cmda" shortcut into your normal Windows menus:
Rightclick on the shortcut > Pin to Start (this won't always be there)
Rightclick on the shortcut > Pin to taskbar (this isn't always there)
Rightclick on the shortcut > Send to > Add to cascade menu
Rightclick on the shortcut > Send to > Add to heterodox menu
Rightclick on the shortcut > Send to > Add to quicklaunch menu
Rightclick on the shortcut > Send to > Add to taskbar menu
Rightclick on the shortcut > Send to > Add to senddo menu
etc.
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_cmdwindow02.jpg>

Optionally create a "Start > Run > cmda" command to that shortcut:
a. Put the shortut wherever you store your custom links, e.g.,
"c:\app\os\bin\lnk\cmda.lnk"
b. Create a new App Paths entry named whatever you like,
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths
For example, you can name the new "App Paths" key: "cmda.exe"
c. Set the Default to the path of your cmda.bat file, for example:
Default = "c:\app\os\bin\lnk\cmda.lnk"
Note the ".lnk" extension is optional if that's the only file of
that name in this directory, so this also works in that case:
Default = "c:\app\os\bin\lnk\cmda"

Note: To set up user "Send to" context menus, please see the
separate apnote on setting up an efficient Win10 menu system
or simply place the desired shortcut in the default menu location.

HINTS:
a. SendTo => %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
b. Heterodox(user)=> %AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
c. Heterodox(global)=> %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
d. Orthodox binary: %localappdata%\TileDataLayer\Database\vedatamodel.edb
e. Quicklaunch => %appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
f. Taskbar => %appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar
g. Cascade => %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\menu
[Taskbar: Toolbars > New Toolbar > {point to your cascade "menu"}]
etc.

Note: Another method to open a command prompt as admin is to create a
"normal" command prompt shortcut & then just right click on that
normal "Command Prompt" shortcut to select "Run as Administrator".
============================================================================
E. Batch file method to open a red admin command prompt:

Start > Run > cmda {Enter}
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=16_admincmd2.gif>

Create this batch file & put wherever you place batch files, e.g.,
C:\app\os\bin\bat\cmda.bat

***** begin cmda.bat *****
@ECHO OFF

REM Open a new shell "Run As Administrator"
REM This is a copy of the script by foxidrive on alt.msdos.batch
SETLOCAL ENABLEEXTENSIONS
IF NOT "%~1"=="" goto :START
SET LogFile=%TEMP%\cmda.vbs"
Echo Set UAC = CreateObject("Shell.Application") >"%LogFile%"
Echo UAC.ShellExecute "%~f0", "%cd%", "", "runas", 1 >>"%LogFile%"
Start "" /MIN "%LogFile%"
goto :EOF
:START
Cmd /k "CD /D "%*" & Echo Administrator: & color 4F"
:EOF
***** end cmda.bat *****

Create a new "App Paths" key named whatever you like, e.g., "cmda.exe"
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths
Set the Default to the path of your cmda.bat file, for example:
Default = "C:\app\os\bin\bat\cmda.bat"
============================================================================
DESIRED IMPROVEMENTS:
A. Figure out how to get method C to open up a red window instead of black.
B. Figure out how to get method C to work even if a folder isn't selected.
============================================================================
Note: Left justify all batch files, inf files, and registry files.
============================================================================
============================================================================
****************************************************************************
End:
****************************************************************************

[Nil]

On 07 Jul 2018, Arlen Holder <arlen...@nospam.net> wrote in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:

> That means this thread is ruined once Nil, Char Jackson, JP
> Gilliver, and especially Wolf K, the premier Windows 10 troll who
> infests this newsgroup.

I can't speak for anybody else, but I never left, except for some
time off for Independence Day parties, so I really can't arrive to
"infest". Indeed, your silly self-stroking nonsense is more
infestive than pretty much anything I see here that I haven't
already kill-filed.

> Since the trolls above have taken over, I'm out of here. They can
> have the thread.

Don't go away mad. Just go away.

[Arlen Holder]

On 8 Jul 2018 00:20:44 GMT, Paul wrote:

> A "real" computerist, would have Cortana wired
> to "phone susan". And if TAPI still worked, you
> could do that from your desktop, without even reaching
> for anything. (Was that a "voice modem" ? Or a function
> of a WinModem ? Don't remember now.)
>
> I remember years ago, some people at work having TAPI
> like functions wired up that way. And they were doing
> hands-free and the whole bit. Well before it was a
> mainstream thing.

Paul,

I'm just an average user who simply asks for help from real computerists!
http://tinyurl.com/alt-msdos-batch

Hence, maybe a "real" computerist can figure out how to get an icon in this
context menu, and to get the resulting window to show up red!
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_cmdwindow01.jpg>

Also, do you think a real computerist would be able to get that
"Open command prompt here (admin)"
context menu to work anywhere ... not just when folders are selected!

I'm not a real computerist - hence that's why I ask for help over here:
<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.msdos.batch/PFke17AzS78/NSLlZJebCwAJ>

[R.Wieser]

Nil,

> It's the old "Why Don't You -- Yes But..." game in
> Transactional Analysis.

...

> The goal is not to actually solve any problem.

Possibly, but I do not really want to make such an assumption.

You see, it can be as easily be either what many projects (commercial or
not) succumb to - because of the "I'm making stuff up as I go" client -
and/or, likely in Arlens case, the "on a need to know basis" one, (he only
tells you when he thinks you should know) thinking that that will protect
his idea against being stolen.

That either of those above waste massive ammounts of effort (at each change)
on the side of the ones who try to understand (and create) what the
end-result should be does not even cross their minds ... Logically, as its
not *their* effort that gets wasted. :-(

I also think that Arlen is most likely (still) a novice, with aspirations
*way* outof his league. But than again, we all went thru that phase (for
shorter or longer times). :-(

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

[R.Wieser]

Arlen,

> Since the trolls above have taken over, I'm out of here.
> They can have the thread.
>
> The added value of the two commands is our contribution.
>
> Start > Run > phone susan
> Start > Run > vipw

I'm sorry, AFAICS neither is finished in any way (you're still in the "how
do I do it?" phase), nor have you posted any kind of end result.

And you really have to tell me, who is that "we" and "our" you are using ?
I don't think you are royalty, so that leaves it to be indicating a group.
But when you post stuff I never see you include the names of the other
group-members ...

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

P.s.
I hope you are aware that that "App Paths" registry trick only seems to work
for the start -> run entry box (it doesn't on the commandline). In short,
its usability seems to be rather limited. :-(

[Frank Slootweg]

R.Wieser <add...@not.available> wrote:
> Nil,
>
> > It's the old "Why Don't You -- Yes But..." game in
> > Transactional Analysis.
> ...
> > The goal is not to actually solve any problem.
>
> Possibly, but I do not really want to make such an assumption.

Fair enough. You'll learn in time.

> You see, it can be as easily be either what many projects (commercial or
> not) succumb to - because of the "I'm making stuff up as I go" client -
> and/or, likely in Arlens case, the "on a need to know basis" one, (he only
> tells you when he thinks you should know) thinking that that will protect
> his idea against being stolen.

It's not either of these. Nil's description is spot on. His comment is
based on - way too much - experience with 'Arlen'.

It's of course fine that you want to make your own decision based on
your own experience, but be careful not to - accidentily - alienate the
good guys, by 'protecting' the bad guy and doubting the good guys.

> That either of those above waste massive ammounts of effort (at each change)
> on the side of the ones who try to understand (and create) what the
> end-result should be does not even cross their minds ... Logically, as its
> not *their* effort that gets wasted. :-(
>
> I also think that Arlen is most likely (still) a novice, with aspirations
> *way* outof his league. But than again, we all went thru that phase (for
> shorter or longer times). :-(

Well, 'Arlen' has already taken many years without *any* sign of
improvement.

As to his MO: He even lies about knowledge which we know he *does*
have, just to prolong his threads, because - as Nil said, "The goal is
not to actually solve any problem.". (FYI: Just recently I threw him
some bait - one of his own solutions - and he bit, like I knew he would:
He effectively ignored it and continued making his 'problem' worse,
instead of better.)

[R.Wieser]

Frank,

> Fair enough. You'll learn in time.

Likely. Than again, I have a short memory for such things (always assuming
that when times change so will people) and will probably stumble into the
same situation a year from now (already got some Deja Vu feelings). Possibly
even with the same person ... :-( :-)

> It's not either of these. Nil's description is spot on. His comment
> is based on - way too much - experience with 'Arlen'.

Hmmm... How do you guys keep track of him ? He nym-shifts (among others)
like there is no tomorrow ...

> but be careful not to - accidentily - alienate the good guys,
> by 'protecting' the bad guy and doubting the good guys.

Yeah, that might be a problem. Although I have no wish to protect a bad
guy, I also do not want to see an oblivious novice villified. Hence my
(carefull?) probing and prodding in his direction. As someone told me
once, "it takes just one pebble to create an avalanche".

> Well, 'Arlen' has already taken many years without *any* sign
> of improvement.

And all that time he keeps running into people who, eventually, call him
out, and he doesn't learn nothing from it ? Its possible I suppose, but
I've got a hard time wrapping my head around it.

But as you say, time will tell/teach me. And don't worry, although I'm
rather willing to *help* someone to grow in what he wants to do, I have a
*very* low wish to be used as a source of (nearly) full-blown solutions (I
learned that lesson "door schade en schande" (dutch) quite a number of years
ago).

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

[Wolf K]

On 2018-07-07 19:33, Arlen Holder wrote:
> On 7 Jul 2018 22:13:44 GMT, Wolf K wrote:
>
>> Ah, I see: you want everything
> Oh my God.
>
> The Windows 10 trolls have arrived.

Nah, I ignored this thread until I noticed what was the most explicit
acknowledgment of your free-loading propensities so far.

As for the question you pose in the subject, "Frankly, ny dear, I don't
give a damn." There are easier ways to do what you want to do, as others
have pointed out, which is why I didn't contribute any "technical
knowledge". Why repeat the obvious?

[Frank Slootweg]

R.Wieser <add...@not.available> wrote:
[...]

[About 'Arlen':]

> Hmmm... How do you guys keep track of him ? He nym-shifts (among others)
> like there is no tomorrow ...

As he says himself, his style and MO is rather easy to recognize.

But to be fair, of late he doesn't nymshift that often. AFAIK/AFAIR,
he has even not nymshifted for several months (with one exception in an
unrelated group).

Take care.

[...]

[Arlen Holder]

On 8 Jul 2018 07:02:43 GMT, Paul wrote:

> That's the kind of program you write, as a cmd.exe
> launcher. The program must be sufficiently sophisticated,
> to recognize the set of "objects" you have in mind.
> Finding window borders is relatively easy...
> The rest, not so much.

Hi Paul,

I admit I don't have the required computerist skills to understand how to
change the INF file below so that the "Open command window here (admin)"
works exactly like the "Open command window here" REG file context menu
entry does.

For example, after loading both the "user cmd" REG file and after loading
the "admin cmd" INF file, neither the "user cmd" or "admin cmd" context
menu entry shows up when I right click in white space on "My PC".
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_showuphere01.jpg>

But when I right click on "C:", the "user cmd" entry shows up,
while the "admin cmd" entry remains dormant:
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_showuphere02.jpg>

Similarly, when I right click in white space inside any one folder,
the "user cmd" shows up but the "admin command" remains hidden:
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_showuphere03.jpg>

Yet, when I right click on a folder, both finally show up:
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_showuphere04.jpg>

And, neither shows up when I right click on a file:
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_showuphere05.jpg>

I already posted the successful REG file, where below is that "Open command
window here (admin)" INF file.

I suspect there are few to no real computerists on this ng who have the
skills (or wish to use them) to prove the entire group's tribal archives
with a modification of that INF file which enables the "open command window
here (admin)" INF to work on any object like the "open command window here"
REG file already does.

Certainly I don't have those computerist skills (maybe Char Jackson has the
skills, or perhaps even Nil, or Diesel, or J.P. Gilliver, or Frank
Slootweg, or Wolf K.). :)

*** end CmdHereAsAdmin.inf ***

[R.Wieser]

Frank,

> As he says himself, his style and MO is rather easy to recognize.

Sorry, but I'm simply not that good I'm afraid. Might be because I need a
bit more than "most likely", as I would not like it in the least if some
unsuspecting newbie gets caught by it.

> But to be fair, of late he doesn't nymshift that often.

Hmmm. The first post of Arlen that I can see (in windowsxp) is of june 8.
Before that Ragunussen Ultred and (march 16, may 3), mike (april 29, may 29)
and Ultred Ragnussen (feb 14, march 8). (and that is as far as I can look
back). Either he took a month off here and there, or I missed a few.

The above seems to show he uses a montly cycle, although he also mentioned
he keeps his nym until a thread ends. Which ofcourse he just did himself
(making it exactly another month).

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

[Nil]

On 08 Jul 2018, "R.Wieser" <add...@not.available> wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-10:

> Nil,
>
>> It's the old "Why Don't You -- Yes But..." game in
>> Transactional Analysis.
> ...
>> The goal is not to actually solve any problem.
>
> Possibly, but I do not really want to make such an assumption.

It's my assumption, but it's certainly not the only explanation.

> You see, it can be as easily be either what many projects
> (commercial or not) succumb to - because of the "I'm making stuff
> up as I go" client - and/or, likely in Arlens case, the "on a need
> to know basis" one, (he only tells you when he thinks you should
> know) thinking that that will protect his idea against being
> stolen.
>
> That either of those above waste massive ammounts of effort (at
> each change) on the side of the ones who try to understand (and
> create) what the end-result should be does not even cross their
> minds ... Logically, as its not *their* effort that gets wasted.
> :-(

I watched that happen where I worked in the '90s. They spent hundreds
of thousands of dollars on a software project that they never defined
well in the first place. Later on the goalposts kept moving and there
were countless delays and dead ends, and in the end we wound up with a
broken, useless piece of junk.

> I also think that Arlen is most likely (still) a novice, with
> aspirations *way* outof his league. But than again, we all went
> thru that phase (for shorter or longer times). :-(

But not usually so publicly and with so much hubris.

[Arlen Holder]

On 8 Jul 2018 18:23:14 GMT, Arlen Holder wrote:

> Certainly I don't have those computerist skills (maybe Char Jackson has the
> skills, or perhaps even Nil, or Diesel, or J.P. Gilliver, or Frank
> Slootweg, or Wolf K.). :)

> HKCR,Directory\Shell\runas\command,,,"%11%\cmd.exe /k cd /d ""%1"""

> HKCR,Drive\Shell\runas\command,,,"%11%\cmd.exe /k cd /d ""%1"""

One empirical success to report is that we are now successful at opening a
red command window with white letters, where the reason for caring about
the color is to ensure that the user will always realize it's an "admin"
command window (yes, it says so on top also).

The solution for the red window was simple, as suggested by John Kerr-Mudd
in alt.msdos.batch, which was to use the "cmd.exe" "/color" option:
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_cmdwindow03.jpg>

Adding that option to the INF file as shown below, worked fine:
HKCR,Directory\Shell\runas\command,,,"%11%\cmd.exe /T:47 /k cd /d ""%1"""
HKCR,Drive\Shell\runas\command,,,"%11%\cmd.exe /k cd /d /T:47 ""%1"""
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_cmdwindow04.jpg>

Now the only thing left is to figure out how to modify the context menu for
the open admin command window to work no matter where you position the
mouse.

[Diesel]

"R.Wieser" <add...@not.available> news:phster$1jve$1...@gioia.aioe.org

Sun, 08 Jul 2018 11:44:05 GMT in alt.comp.freeware, wrote:

> Hmmm... How do you guys keep track of him ? He nym-shifts
> (among others) like there is no tomorrow ...

Their posting style. They don't make any effort to change/alter it,
so, I'm sure they know they can be identified by continuing to do it.



--
To prevent yourself from being a victim of cyber
stalking, it's highly recommended you visit here:
https://tekrider.net/pages/david-brooks-stalker.php
===================================================
'Love is cool' - The Tick

[Arlen Holder]

On 4 Jul 2018 23:45:41 GMT, Arlen Holder wrote:
> b. Start > Run > vipw {enter} ==> decrypts an encrypted password file

*NEXT STEPS TO A GLOBAL TRIBAL KNOWLEDGE CROSS-PLATFORM SOLUTION:*

After a few days of testing, I must thanks the purposefully helpful folks
on this ng for coming up with KeePass as a great solution for the command:
Start > Run > vipw

Where linux-proficient users in this newsgroup (which would likely be most
of you), know inherently what "vipw" muscle-memory means but where the
actual typed command could have been anything:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\vipw.exe
Default = c:\path\to\keepass.exe
or, more usefully:
Default = c:\path\to\passwd.kdbx
*(Where, perhaps, that can be a network path of \\server\share\file.kdbx)?*

The beauty is that the keepass formats are respected by all the platforms,
linux, windows, android, and even iOS.

As is often the case with cross-platform files, there are some
considerations to be made as to the specific keypass format selected:
What's the best KeePass App for Linux, Windows, and Android?
<https://www.quora.com/Whats-the-best-KeePass-App-for-Android>

For Ubuntu, as usual, it's super easy to install & set up:
sudo apt install keepass2

For Windows, where KeePass was written, the choice is easy also:
<https://keepass.info/download.html>

Where we have two main choices for Android, either KeepassDroid:
<https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.android.keepass/>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.keepass>
Or the Keepass2Android application:
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=keepass2android.keepass2android>

And, for iOS, it seems to be a more difficult choice:
<https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/keepassx-minikeepass-a-free-secure-ios-mac-os-x-password-solution/>

As is almost always the case for the Orwellian iOS design, the apps are
less functional, which this article states outright:
"Due to so many restrictions imposed by the iOS, KeePass Touch
is not as feature rich as Keepass2Android."
<https://www.guidingtech.com/51929/use-keepass-android-ios/>

Given the Orwellian iOS setup, it seems that the best solution for iOS
might be either the Keepasstouch (KeePass Touch) or Minikeepass app:
<https://sourceforge.net/p/keepass/discussion/329220/thread/eb00d276/>

Minikeepass:
<https://itunes.apple.com/app/id451661808>
KeePassTouch:
<https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id966759076>

Then there's the issue of syncing the password file where most tutorials
seem to use DropBox, surprisingly (which seems to be a horrid solution):
<https://www.pcworld.com/article/2098428/use-keepass-in-both-windows-and-android.html>
<https://www.guidingtech.com/29652/sync-keepass-android/>
<https://www.guidingtech.com/51929/use-keepass-android-ios/>
etc.

I will not put my passwords on the cloud, which is a high-level
philosophical decision that everyone here, I'm sure, understands the
rationale of. even as they may not weigh the pros & cons the same.

Nonetheless, coming up with a *local* sync solution benefits all.

That means I need to come up with a local sync solution, where, this idea
of setting up a Windows folder as an FTP server of sorts, is one place I
will explore to further the solution for the tribal archives:
<https://www.guidingtech.com/34045/host-folder-ftp-server-windows/>
"This trick can be used to share files between computers when many
of them are connected to the same network. But wait, because that┬
not all! Stay tuned and I will show you how to combine the trick
with an Android app to get unlimited, real-time file syncing
between Windows and Android."

Before I move forward on the local syncing solution, I simply ask the
technically competent users here if they have a working sync solution on
their local LAN that automatically or manually syncs across the platforms,
Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS?

[Arlen Holder]

On Wed, 5 Aug 2020 08:48:33 -0700 (PDT), rheal...@gmail.com wrote:

> And, as you or whoever first said, SAMBA should be usable now,
> and even well before you wrote this thread for access to access
> the password file on a lan, and can be set to not use the
> default lock file, and automatically write changes to the
> password file after any changes.

Hi rheal,

Regarding your recent update to:
o *What Windwos freeware adds powerful "phone Susan" & "vipw" commands?*
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.comp.freeware/A3-8gDntX0w>

While the beauty of, oh, say, "Win+R > vipw" is working well...
o I haven't been able to get Samba/Cifs/SMB to work all that well.

For example, to get vipw to work well, you simply set either this key:
o HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\vipw.exe
default=C:\app\database\keepass\keepass.exe
Or this (both work just fine):
o default=C:\data\database\keepass\keepass.kdbx

Note: The "vipw.exe" is just a keyword; there is no file named that.

Either way, to bring up the password file, you simply type the command:
o Win+R > vipw {enter}

And the Windows "magic" brings up the keepass database, where the same
Keepass database works on Android (it's the same file if you network):
o *Which free Android KeePass kdbx-compatible password database manager?*
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.mobile.android/yUrCZ2v0tmg>

As for Samba, what's new since that ancient thread was opened
is that we found a free version of the latest Android Samba client
version SMBv2 and SMBv3 (which makes the client safe!):
o *Do you know of a free Android SMBv2 (or SMBv3) client?*
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.mobile.android/tl3Q05QGyAw>

Unfortunately, there is no way to put a Samba server on an unrooted Android
phone, simply because Windows won't allow any other port than 443 and
Android (unrooted) won't allow any port below 1024 (AFAIK).
o *What's the best way to forward SMB TCP port 445 to something higher*
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.mobile.android/3QQ8bAZeXNI>

Note: Frank Slootweg knows a lot more about those SMB limitations.

The good news is that SMB seems to be a reliable connection, over time:
o *Why would SMB seem to be more reliable than WebDav or FTP or KDEConnect*
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.mobile.android/KAr3I1KY8Gg>

In summary, with Samba/Cifs/SMB and with the "app paths" key (and a few
other tricks) you can set up quick "vipw" commands to edit the same keepass
database over your private home LAN.
--
Every post to Usenet archives should help someone now & in the future.

[John Doe]

Why did this post show up, after I ignored the thread?
Something to do with this poster constantly crossposting?

--
Arlen Holder <arlen...@newmachine.com> wrote:

> Path: eternal-september.org!reader01.eternal-september.org!feeder.eternal-september.org!news.mixmin.net!.POSTED!not-for-mail
> From: Arlen Holder <arlen...@newmachine.com>
> Newsgroups: alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
> Subject: Re: What Windwos freeware adds powerful "phone Susan" & "vipw" commands?
> Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2020 23:32:45 -0000 (UTC)
> Organization: Mixmin
> Message-ID: <rgffit$ous$1...@news.mixmin.net>
> References: <phjm74$u9l$2...@news.mixmin.net> <pi6npp$9kq$1...@news.mixmin.net> <4a5f12a8-28fa-4efa...@googlegroups.com>
> Injection-Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2020 23:32:45 -0000 (UTC)
> Injection-Info: news.mixmin.net; posting-host="02587b5eb685540b6feaa99bfce61bbe7af5c2f6"; logging-data="25564"; mail-complaints-to="ab...@mixmin.net"
> Xref: reader01.eternal-september.org alt.comp.os.windows-10:123831 microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:146253 alt.comp.freeware:338696

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

On Thu, 6 Aug 2020 at 02:57:39, John Doe <alway...@message.header>
wrote:

>Why did this post show up, after I ignored the thread?
>Something to do with this poster constantly crossposting?
>

And nymshifting.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

By most scientific estimates sustained, useful fusion is ten years in
the future - and will be ten years in the future for the next fifty
years or more. - "Hamadryad", ~2016-4-4

[Paul]

J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
> On Thu, 6 Aug 2020 at 02:57:39, John Doe <alway...@message.header>
> wrote:
>> Why did this post show up, after I ignored the thread?
>> Something to do with this poster constantly crossposting?
>>
> And nymshifting.

Threading is mainly done with References: line, which has
a ~1000 character limit. The sub-thread in this case, has
sufficient <MID> entries, to be associated with the main
thread. An Ignore-Thread should have worked.

Threading is weakly based on Subject, in that if the
References: line is empty, a bunch of posts with "Help"
as the Subject: , could be presented as if they were
the same thread.

I don't think anything else matters when it comes
to the topic of threading, because we do have
posters who change subject mid-thread, and
that never seems to throw off the reader.

The sub-thread in question *is* missing a Google Groups posting.
Maybe that has affected the "math" the reader uses
to judge whether it's a new thread or something.
Looking backwards and noticing there's a gap
and that upsets the "math". I'm really surprised
readers don't place a <Missing> entry on the screen,
to represent an item that is nominally threaded,
but is not available in the spool.

It seems Mixmin treats Google a bit differently than
the other servers do.

Paul

[Arlen Holder]

On Thu, 06 Aug 2020 16:50:40 -0400, Paul wrote:

> It seems Mixmin treats Google a bit differently than
> the other servers do.

Hi Paul,

You're not generally a worthless piece of shit troll like
J.P. Gilliver and John Doe always prove to be (by what they write),
so I'll try to patiently respond to what you wrote about Mixmin
handling Google.

I'm not sure what the controversy is, where all I can tell you
is I saw the post to my old thread from rheal...@gmail.com
since I have a LIFO sort.

This is the post that I responded to in a normal "reply" fashion:
o <https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.comp.freeware/A3-8gDntX0w/S2syip-JBAAJ>

These are the headers of that article, which I simply responded to:
o <https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/alt.comp.freeware/A3-8gDntX0w/S2syip-JBAAJ>

Since it was my old thread, I responded, although I admit the post from
rheal...@gmail.com was difficult to comprehend, and all I did was add
back the original newsgroup list, since my intent, always, is to create
and update permanent references for permanent Usenet archives.

I realize common worthless piece of shit trolls like J. P. Gilliver
and John Doe are too child like to comprehend that adult purpose,
but the fact the worthless pieces of shit (who have never once in
their entire lives written even a single tutorial for others to
benefit from) can't comprehend that value-added strategy.

Since "rheal" discussed Samba, I updated the thread that our SMB/Cif/Samba
skills have since improved, and I noted details on the "vipw"
tutorial which we learned afterward, which allow us to "vipw"
the _same_ file (whether it's on Android or on Windows or on Linux).

Given my post was a direct simple normal "reply" (which is no different
than this reply to you), I didn't do anything to the Reference header.

In summary...
1. I saw an update to my old thread by rheal
2. I responded with new information
3. Worthless pieces of shit like Pooh trolled the thread
(it's all they can do since they have no technical capabilities)

And then you responded something about mixmin handling Google headers.
o What's going on?

Seems to me a lot of ruckus for a simple technical response, but if
you want to see the entire thread, it's all here, I would think:
o What Windwos freeware adds powerful "phone Susan" & "vipw" commands?
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.comp.freeware/A3-8gDntX0w>
<https://alt.comp.freeware.narkive.com/YHEkveYg/what-windwos-freeware-adds-powerful-phone-susan-vipw-commands>

BTW, despite the worthless pieces of shit like JP Gilliver and John Doe
trolling this thread, bear in mind having a "vipw" command (and hundreds
more like it) that edits the same password file on Android & Windows
is a pretty neat feature of Windows, which is why I wrote the tutorial.

So that everyone benefits from every tweak I make to my system that
I document sufficiently for them to be able to make the same tweak,
now, and for years to come since it's archived in the permanent record.
o <http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-freeware>
o <http://alt.comp.os.window-10.narkive.com>
o <http://tinyurl.com/windowsxp-general>
etc.
--
There are two kinds of people on Usenet but only one adds any value.

[John Doe]

This is not much of a surprise. He held it for a long time,
but now the Mr. Hyde is emerging from the Dr. Jekyll.

Getting most of its jollies from trolling the Apple group,
this poster might very easily be "Good Guy"...

--
Arlen Holder <arlen...@newmachine.com> wrote:

> Path: eternal-september.org!reader01.eternal-september.org!feeder.eternal-september.org!news.mixmin.net!.POSTED!not-for-mail
> From: Arlen Holder <arlen...@newmachine.com>
> Newsgroups: alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware

> Subject: Re: What Windwos freeware adds powerful "phone Susan" & "vipw" commands?
> Date: Fri, 7 Aug 2020 01:20:40 -0000 (UTC)
> Organization: Mixmin
> Message-ID: <rgia97$2ns$1...@news.mixmin.net>
> References: <phjm74$u9l$2...@news.mixmin.net> <pi6npp$9kq$1...@news.mixmin.net> <4a5f12a8-28fa-4efa...@googlegroups.com> <rgffit$ous$1...@news.mixmin.net> <rgfrj3$5sr$1...@dont-email.me> <NAmgZ7LV...@255soft.uk> <rghqf1$foj$1...@dont-email.me>
> Injection-Date: Fri, 7 Aug 2020 01:20:40 -0000 (UTC)
> Injection-Info: news.mixmin.net; posting-host="02587b5eb685540b6feaa99bfce61bbe7af5c2f6"; logging-data="2812"; mail-complaints-to="ab...@mixmin.net"
> Xref: reader01.eternal-september.org alt.comp.os.windows-10:123915 microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:146267 alt.comp.freeware:338719

[John Doe]

Arlan Holder's (a.k.a. "Good Guy") post shows up as messed up here on
Eternal September.

On Astraweb, his post shows up as the second original post in the
thread, after his first, even though it is supposed to be replying to
somebody.

I'm convinced the poster is Good Guy. He acts like he's on a mission
to serve Microsoft (just like Good Guy). Constantly shilling for
Microsoft (including trolling the Apple groups). If not being paid,
he's loony.

This "Arlan Holder" stuff is his attempt to drop the HTML, going
incognito, trying to save face.

Notice how well he takes correction... :D
Just like Good Guy responded so well to the HTML criticism from
EVERYBODY.

[Arlen Holder]

On Thu, 6 Aug 2020 19:41:25 +0100, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:

> And nymshifting.

For the permanent Usenet record to preserve...
*Every time J.P. Gilliver posts, he proves he's a worthless piece of shit*

Devoid of any on-topic technical added value.
o Normally I ignore worthless trolls like JP Gilliver...

Except he follows me around the Internet like a sad lost puppy
o So I will begin to point out JP Gilliver's posts in threads I author

As _never_ even once in his life ever adding any on-topic technical value.
o He, himself, proves the assertion that he's a worthless piece of shit.

Every single time he posts to Usenet.

In the entire history of Usenet, nobody can find even a _single_ thread by
JP Gilliver, let alone a response, or a tutorial, or anything whatsoever of
on-topic technical value - on _any_ Usenet newsgroup - in his entire life.

Not even one.

As he proved the merit of that claim, yet again, in this thread.
o Pointing to JP Gilliver's post is proof he's a worthless piece of shit.
--
Whenever JP Gilliver proves he's a worthless piece of shit in threads I
author, I'll simply point out that JP Gilliver is incapable of adding value
to ANY thread topic - I'll point that out simply by point to EXACTLY what
JP Gilliver posts to Usenet.

[John Doe]

Arlen Holder (a.k.a. Good Guy) dreamt he was a real poster and loved it.
But now the dream is over and the troll is awake...

--
Arlen Holder <arlen...@newmachine.com> wrote:

> Path: eternal-september.org!reader01.eternal-september.org!feeder.eternal-september.org!news.mixmin.net!.POSTED!not-for-mail
> From: Arlen Holder <arlen...@newmachine.com>
> Newsgroups: alt.comp.os.windows-10,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,alt.comp.freeware
> Subject: Re: What Windwos freeware adds powerful "phone Susan" & "vipw" commands?

> Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2020 00:18:10 -0000 (UTC)
> Organization: Mixmin
> Message-ID: <rgnfc1$j53$1...@news.mixmin.net>

> References: <phjm74$u9l$2...@news.mixmin.net> <pi6npp$9kq$1...@news.mixmin.net> <4a5f12a8-28fa-4efa...@googlegroups.com> <rgffit$ous$1...@news.mixmin.net> <rgfrj3$5sr$1...@dont-email.me> <NAmgZ7LV...@255soft.uk>

> Injection-Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2020 00:18:10 -0000 (UTC)
> Injection-Info: news.mixmin.net; posting-host="02587b5eb685540b6feaa99bfce61bbe7af5c2f6"; logging-data="19619"; mail-complaints-to="ab...@mixmin.net"
> Xref: reader01.eternal-september.org alt.comp.os.windows-10:124071 microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:146286 alt.comp.freeware:338729

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

On Sun, 9 Aug 2020 at 00:41:53, John Doe <alway...@message.header>
wrote:

>Arlen Holder (a.k.a. Good Guy) dreamt he was a real poster and loved it.
>But now the dream is over and the troll is awake...
>

He's obviously got a template document; I've seen it before, with other
people's names filled into the slots. Now he's put mine in. (I'm not
worried; I'd say my posting record is fine. Sure, I wander off-topic a
_lot_, but have posted enough helpful material - and without feeling any
necessity of _saying_ I'm doing it for the general good: happy to let it
speak for itself. [And not posted _bad_ advice very often: if I don't
know, I usually say so, or drop out of the thread.])

--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

It's no good pointing out facts.
- John Samuel (@Puddle575 on Twitter), 2020-3-7

[Char Jackson]

On Sun, 9 Aug 2020 01:57:58 +0100, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
<G6...@255soft.uk> wrote:

>On Sun, 9 Aug 2020 at 00:41:53, John Doe <alway...@message.header>
>wrote:
>>Arlen Holder (a.k.a. Good Guy) dreamt he was a real poster and loved it.
>>But now the dream is over and the troll is awake...
>>
>He's obviously got a template document; I've seen it before, with other
>people's names filled into the slots. Now he's put mine in. (I'm not
>worried; I'd say my posting record is fine. Sure, I wander off-topic a
>_lot_, but have posted enough helpful material - and without feeling any
>necessity of _saying_ I'm doing it for the general good: happy to let it
>speak for itself. [And not posted _bad_ advice very often: if I don't
>know, I usually say so, or drop out of the thread.])

Don't give it a second thought. I'm on his list and I consider it a badge
of honor.

I recently posted to one of his threads, but under a different name because
he freaks when he sees my name, and he called me brilliant, a genius, and
amazing for being one in a million people who were able to understand his
problem set. I considered identifying myself to him after the fact, but you
never know how thin the edge is with some people and I didn't want to tip
him over.

[Arlen Holder]

On Sat, 08 Aug 2020 23:47:31 -0500, Char Jackson wrote:

> I considered identifying myself to him after the fact, but you
> never know how thin the edge is with some people and I didn't want to tip
> him over.

I don't give a shit what "nym" someone uses to post as it doesn't matter.
o A nym is just a single line in a header.

The only part of the header which is meaningful is the SUBJECT line.
o The BODY of the article is where the on-topic technical value lies.

My point, Char Jackson, is that J.P. Gilliver is incapable of adding value.
o The proof is that nobody can find a _single_ thread from him, of value.

Not even one.
o In his entire life.

Not one thread of on-topic technical value to this newsgroup from him.
o Do you deny that fact?

Bear in mind I added on-topic technical value in this thread...
o You and J.P. Giliver are utterly incapable of doing so.

All JP Gilliver "can" do, Char Jackson, is play silly infantile games.

The proof is in me pointing to EXACTLY what J.P. Gilliver posts.
o It's that simple to prove J.P. Gilliver is a worthless piece of shit.

However...
o I believe in the water under the bridge philosophy, Char Jackson.

Rest assured, I follow the "mirror" tactic; if you post as an adult,
I treat you as an adult, where the nym you post under is meaningless.

The problem I'm pointing out is that J.P. Gilliver has _never_ even once
posted a thread of adult on-topic value to Usenet - in the entire history
of Usenet.

I will continue to ignore both you and J.P. Gilliver, forever, unless and
until you post your utterly worthless drivel to threads that I author.

If either you, or he, actually composed a thread of on-topic technical
value, or if you responded with on-topic technical value to a thread that I
initiated, I'd congratulate you.

Can you name even a _single_ thread of on-topic technical value that J.P.
Gilliver has ever authored, Char Jackson?

Not even one?
o That proves my point, does it not?

However...
o I do believe in the water under the bridge philosophy, Char Jackson.

If you or J.P. Gilliver ever posted on-topic technical value...
o I'd congratulate you on posting as an actual adult.

It has just never happened.
--
There are only two kinds of people on Usenet, one of which adds value.

[Arlen Holder]

On Sun, 9 Aug 2020 01:57:58 +0100, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:

> He's obviously got a template document; I've seen it before, with other
> people's names filled into the slots.

Three words prove that J.P. Gilliver is a proven worthless piece of shit.
o (1) Name (2) just (3) one

Name once in your entire life, J.P. Gilliver, where you've added, to this
newsgroup, or to any newsgroup ever, a thread of on-topic technical value.

Name just one.
--
Worthless pieces of shit like J.P. Gilliver can't ever post on-topic value.

[Arlen Holder]

Update (for the crosslinked Usenet permanent record to preserve)

See also how to create a series of powerful Win+R commands:
o What syntax combines 2 commands into a single shortcut TARGET line?
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.comp.freeware/5yMnlyud-Fo>

See also how to handle links in the same folder with the same names:
o Tutorial to set up 3 Microsoft web browsers (Edge UWB, new Edge, & Internet Explorer) to work concurrently coexisting peacefully even after subsequent Windows Updates
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.comp.freeware/fZlJTYRxYFg>

See also how to eliminate the UAC consent popup for Win+R commands:
o Expert help requested for removing UAC user account control task scheduler syntax
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.comp.microsoft.windows/7wpgdNscZNA>

See also how to create unique recognized custom icons for batch commands:
o Tutorial for creating custom Windows icons from screenshots using only Irfanview freeware
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.comp.freeware/qeHbJySBp0M>

See also how to pin all three types of batch link icons to the taskbar:
o Please follow this cut-and-paste tutorial to get batch command shortcuts working perfectly on Windows
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/1PzeGP4KMTU>
etc.
--
Those who have never added value to Usenet long ago proved they can't.