Hamster and Windows 8 64-bit - Does It Work Okay?

[Gertrude Huffnaagel]

Does anyone use Hamster in the 64-bit version of Windows 8
(NON-Professional)? I'm expecting new computer hardware today, as well as
Windows 8 (64-bit) and I'm just wondering if anybody has had any problems.

Thanks,
Gertrude Huffnaagel

[Steffen Hoffmann]

Gertrude Huffnaagel schrieb am 04.01.2013:

> Does anyone use Hamster in the 64-bit version of Windows 8
> (NON-Professional)? I'm expecting new computer hardware today, as well as
> Windows 8 (64-bit) and I'm just wondering if anybody has had any problems.

I do not have Windows 8, but it seems it is very similar to Windows 7.
So the usual caveats:

– Installing outside of “C:\Program Files” or in Hamster’s case of
“C:\Program Files (x86)”. Generally speaking away from all folders,
which are bound to the “User Account Control” (UAC).Or using an
alternative approach, see below.

– First start with admin rights (elevated mode), because Hamster must
add itself (himself *grin*) as OLE server and the according registry
entries can be done only by an admin

– If you have an enhanced beta version (unfortunately only announced
with download links in hamster.de.*) you won’t see tab titles anymore;
you must change under the menu “Configuration” –> “General settings” –>
“Visual”, “Hauptfenster: Darstellung der Tabheader” to “Farblos
(einfache Darstellung)” – yes, it is only written in German until now.


Alternative install:

Create a folder under “C:\Program Files (x86)” and put there in *only*
“hamster.exe” and “ham.exe”. Create also a new empty “hamster.ini” in
it.

This “hamster.ini” must be edited this way with *exactly* two lines
(means, no other entries):

[Directories]
Main=<Full-path-to-user-controlled-folder>

<user-controlled-folder> can be somewhere, but the best will be in
%UserProfile% or %AllUsersProfile%. In this folder come all other files,
also a second “hamster.ini” will be created there automatically.

sph … „Speravir“

[mb]

It works on my W8 Pro PC but i'm sure it works also on a W8 non pro
installation. Follow the instructions of Steffen.

Bye.

[Gertrude Huffnaagel]

In news:hamster.en.misc, mb <m...@freemail.it> posted on Tue, 08 Jan 2013
08:28:48 +0100 the following:

> It works on my W8 Pro PC but i'm sure it works also on a W8 non pro
> installation. Follow the instructions of Steffen.

Thanks. If I ever get my product key problem fixed, I'll be able to
finally find out for myself whether I'm going to have any problems.

Damaeus

[Gertrude Huffnaagel]

In news:hamster.en.misc, Steffen Hoffmann
<speravir...@expires-2013-01-31.arcornews.de> posted on Sat, 5 Jan
2013 00:24:57 +0100 the following:

> Gertrude Huffnaagel schrieb am 04.01.2013:
>
> > Does anyone use Hamster in the 64-bit version of Windows 8
> > (NON-Professional)? I'm expecting new computer hardware today, as
> > well as Windows 8 (64-bit) and I'm just wondering if anybody has had
> > any problems.
>
> I do not have Windows 8, but it seems it is very similar to Windows 7.
> So the usual caveats:
>
> – Installing outside of “C:\Program Files” or in Hamster’s case of
> “C:\Program Files (x86)”. Generally speaking away from all folders,
> which are bound to the “User Account Control” (UAC).Or using an
> alternative approach, see below.
>
> – First start with admin rights (elevated mode), because Hamster must
> add itself (himself *grin*) as OLE server and the according registry
> entries can be done only by an admin

LOL Admin rights. I guess there must be some advantage to having such a
thing, but since I'm the only one who ever uses this computer, I don't
want to have to role-play just to get any program to just install and work
as if the computer has an intimate relationship with me and knows I'm the
one who tickles it with my mouse pointer.

I was doing some things on my friend's Vista computer and anytime
administrator was needed, all I got was a popup that said something about
an administrator approval. And all it became was an extra mouse click.

> Alternative install:
>
> Create a folder under “C:\Program Files (x86)” and put there in *only*
> “hamster.exe” and “ham.exe”. Create also a new empty “hamster.ini” in
> it.
>
> This “hamster.ini” must be edited this way with *exactly* two lines
> (means, no other entries):
>
> [Directories]
> Main=<Full-path-to-user-controlled-folder>
>
> <user-controlled-folder> can be somewhere, but the best will be in
> %UserProfile% or %AllUsersProfile%. In this folder come all other files,
> also a second “hamster.ini” will be created there automatically.

Hmmm... Well, under WindowsXP, I have two partitions on my hard drive. The
C partition is where programs go. The D partition is where data goes as
well as any programs that can run without being installed, like Hamster:
just unzip and run. Forte Agent's program files install on the C
partition, while I have shortcuts for Agent instances on the D partition,
so all the data files are on partition D. With this setup, when I
reinstall Windows, all I have to do is install Agent, then launch the
shortcut and all my messages (all four gigabytes or so) are right where I
left them. Same for Hamster. I find Hamster in the same state I left it
in, and he doesn't even seem to realize he's running on a clean install.
:)

I'm hoping Windows 8 will just let me do that the way I want to instead of
trying to shoehorn me into putting files where I don't want them. It is
*my* computer, after all. lol

So anyway, are you basically telling me that I'm going to have to move 856
megabytes of Hamster local newsgroups to a user folder on the C partition?
I really don't want to do that. I really want to leave them where they
are now so if I later want to re-install Windows 8 for some reason, I
won't have to move everything back to the D partition just because Windows
8 wants to be bossy about where I can put my files.

Right now, my directory structure looks like this:

D:\NNTP_POP3
+ downloads
- News Servers
- Agent
+ 127.0.0.1
+ news.mindspring.com
- Hamster
+ Groups
+ help
Logs
+ Mails
+ OLE
openssl-0.9.7a_dlls
+ Script
+ Server
Trash
Korrnews
STunnel

So if I start Hamster where it is now as an administrator, and let it
register as an OLE server, then I can just run it from then on like I do
in WinXP without jumping through a lot of hoops?

Gertrude

[Wolfgang Jäth]

Am 11.01.2013 23:10, schrieb Gertrude Huffnaagel:
>
>> – First start with admin rights (elevated mode), because Hamster must
>> add itself (himself *grin*) as OLE server and the according registry
>> entries can be done only by an admin
>
> LOL Admin rights. I guess there must be some advantage to having such a
> thing, but since I'm the only one who ever uses this computer, I don't
> want to have to role-play just to get any program to just install and work
> as if the computer has an intimate relationship with me and knows I'm the
> one who tickles it with my mouse pointer.
>
> I was doing some things on my friend's Vista computer and anytime
> administrator was needed, all I got was a popup that said something about
> an administrator approval. And all it became was an extra mouse click.

But you got at least a notice about someone wanting to chance your
computer configuration. For me a single mouse click is a low price for
an additional defense against an unwanted inruder. Imagine it were'nt
you but a virus or simillar, which tries to install a backdoor, and you
get *no* notice ...

>> This “hamster.ini” must be edited this way with *exactly* two lines
>> (means, no other entries):
>>
>> [Directories]
>> Main=<Full-path-to-user-controlled-folder>
>>
>> <user-controlled-folder> can be somewhere, but the best will be in
>> %UserProfile% or %AllUsersProfile%. In this folder come all other files,
>> also a second “hamster.ini” will be created there automatically.
>
> Hmmm... Well, under WindowsXP, I have two partitions on my hard drive. The
> C partition is where programs go. The D partition is where data goes as
> well as any programs that can run without being installed, like Hamster:
> just unzip and run. Forte Agent's program files install on the C
> partition, while I have shortcuts for Agent instances on the D partition,
> so all the data files are on partition D. With this setup, when I
> reinstall Windows, all I have to do is install Agent, then launch the
> shortcut and all my messages (all four gigabytes or so) are right where I
> left them. Same for Hamster. I find Hamster in the same state I left it
> in, and he doesn't even seem to realize he's running on a clean install.
> :)

The above description is meant for an istallation on a reaodonly medium
like a CD or simillar (e. g. a backup). Thus, Hamster can use
configuration files at a place, where they can be edited.

> I'm hoping Windows 8 will just let me do that the way I want to

Of course.

> instead of
> trying to shoehorn me into putting files where I don't want them.

No (except for - since IIRC XP - you should't install Hmaster into the
designed program files directory because of Windows makes trouble with
any data files there).

> It is
> *my* computer, after all. lol

You're wrong; long since, it's *their* computer (at least do all the
software companies act like). So better treat it like enemy turf. ;-)

> So anyway, are you basically telling me that I'm going to have to move 856
> megabytes of Hamster local newsgroups to a user folder on the C partition?

No; the only thing he's telling you is to not forget running Hamster
with admin rights at least once.

> So if I start Hamster where it is now as an administrator, and let it
> register as an OLE server, then I can just run it from then on like I do
> in WinXP without jumping through a lot of hoops?

That's how it should be[1], and what he tells.

[1] Except maybe if you have somewhere within any scripts or ini files
manually set different paths, you of course need to correct them.

(BTW: is that a proper sentence construction? It looks somehow strange
to me, but I can't figure out why).

Wolfgang
--

[Steffen Hoffmann]

Wolfgang Jäth schrieb am 12.01.2013:

> Am 11.01.2013 23:10, schrieb Gertrude Huffnaagel:
>>> This “hamster.ini” must be edited this way with *exactly* two lines
>>> (means, no other entries):
>>> [Directories]
>>> Main=<Full-path-to-user-controlled-folder>

>> Same for Hamster. I find Hamster in the same state I left it
>> in, and he doesn't even seem to realize he's running on a clean install.
>> : )
> The above description is meant for an istallation on a reaodonly medium
> like a CD or simillar (e. g. a backup). Thus, Hamster can use
> configuration files at a place, where they can be edited.

But at least one user did this with his installation under Windows 7 and
UAC enabled.

sph … „Speravir“

[Steffen Hoffmann]

Gertrude Huffnaagel schrieb am 11.01.2013:

> In news:hamster.en.misc, Steffen Hoffmann
> <speravir...@expires-2013-01-31.arcornews.de> posted on Sat, 5 Jan
> 2013 00:24:57 +0100 the following:

>> – First start with admin rights (elevated mode), because Hamster must
>> add itself (himself *grin*) as OLE server and the according registry
>> entries can be done only by an admin

> I was doing some things on my friend's Vista computer and anytime
> administrator was needed, all I got was a popup that said something about
> an administrator approval. And all it became was an extra mouse click.

And after this it runs in elevated mode.

> The D partition is where data goes as
> well as any programs that can run without being installed, like Hamster:

This should work fine, it’s the install outside of “C:\Program Files”.

> D:\NNTP_POP3
> - Hamster
> openssl-0.9.7a_dlls

Hmm, these are terribly outdated – for security reasons! Go and install
the dlls of version 0.9.8x. For version 1.0.1c you need an enhanced beta
Hamster, if I did understand Alfred’s changelog announcement correctly
(as I already said, unfortunately only in hamster.de.*).

> STunnel

Do you still need it? At least the Hamster does not anymore.

> So if I start Hamster where it is now as an administrator, and let it
> register as an OLE server, then I can just run it from then on like I do
> in WinXP without jumping through a lot of hoops?

Do you mean this literally? ;-)

After the first run you can run it with your normal user rights given
you have write rights to Hamster’s cage^W directory.

sph … „Speravir“

[Gertrude Huffnaagel]

In news:hamster.en.misc, Wolfgang Jäth <jawo.ml...@arcor.de> posted
on Sat, 12 Jan 2013 08:08:28 +0100 the following:

> Am 11.01.2013 23:10, schrieb Gertrude Huffnaagel:
>
> > I was doing some things on my friend's Vista computer and anytime
> > administrator was needed, all I got was a popup that said something
> > about an administrator approval. And all it became was an extra
> > mouse click.
>
> But you got at least a notice about someone wanting to chance your
> computer configuration. For me a single mouse click is a low price
> for an additional defense against an unwanted inruder. Imagine it
> were'nt you but a virus or simillar, which tries to install a
> backdoor, and you get *no* notice ...

Yes, that makes sense.

> > I'm hoping Windows 8 will just let me do that the way I want to
>
> Of course.
>

> > Instead of trying to shoehorn me into putting files where I don't

> > want them.
>
> No (except for - since IIRC XP - you should't install Hmaster into
> the designed program files directory because of Windows makes
> trouble with any data files there).

Good. I don't like any data files in my program files directory. I don't
like having to go back and fish out the data to save if I need to
reformat.

> > It is *my* computer, after all. lol
>
> You're wrong; long since, it's *their* computer (at least do all the
> software companies act like). So better treat it like enemy turf. ;-)

I wish they had paid for it, too.

> > So anyway, are you basically telling me that I'm going to have to
> > move 856 megabytes of Hamster local newsgroups to a user folder on
> > the C partition?
>
> No; the only thing he's telling you is to not forget running Hamster
> with admin rights at least once.

Okay.

> > So if I start Hamster where it is now as an administrator, and let
> > it register as an OLE server, then I can just run it from then on
> > like I do in WinXP without jumping through a lot of hoops?
>
> That's how it should be[1], and what he tells.
>
> [1] Except maybe if you have somewhere within any scripts or ini files
> manually set different paths, you of course need to correct them.
>
> (BTW: is that a proper sentence construction? It looks somehow strange
> to me, but I can't figure out why).

Well, I'm really flexible with English. It's got an unusual structure and
nobody I know talks or writes like that. Written like that, it needs a
LOT of commas to make it clearer. As an ordering of words, it is correct.
Adding commas fixes it completely:

Except, maybe, if you have, somewhere, within any scripts or
ini files, manually set different paths, you, of course,
need to correct them.

English is the only language I can read, speak or write. To get that same
idea across, I would say:

If you have manually set different paths within any scripts
or ini files, you need to correct them.

I know I left some words out, but they're optional as it relates to
getting the general idea across.

Gertrude

[Gertrude Huffnaagel]

In news:hamster.en.misc, Steffen Hoffmann

<speravir...@expires-2013-01-31.arcornews.de> posted on Sat, 12 Jan
2013 23:30:43 +0100 the following:

> Gertrude Huffnaagel schrieb am 11.01.2013:
>
> > The D partition is where data goes as well as any programs that can
> > run without being installed, like Hamster:
>
> This should work fine, it’s the install outside of “C:\Program Files”.

That's good. Thanks! :)

> > D:\NNTP_POP3
> > - Hamster
> > openssl-0.9.7a_dlls
>
> Hmm, these are terribly outdated – for security reasons! Go and
> install the dlls of version 0.9.8x. For version 1.0.1c you need an
> enhanced beta Hamster, if I did understand Alfred’s changelog
> announcement correctly (as I already said, unfortunately only in
> hamster.de.*).

I'll have to wait for the English version, but I'll try getting the
0.9.8x. Thanks for the tip.

> > STunnel
>
> Do you still need it? At least the Hamster does not anymore.

I just left it there because it's been there since the versions were
around that did use it. I wasn't totally sure if it was needed anymore.

> > So if I start Hamster where it is now as an administrator, and let
> > it register as an OLE server, then I can just run it from then on
> > like I do in WinXP without jumping through a lot of hoops?
>
> Do you mean this literally? ;-)

No, but it would be funny to see.

> After the first run you can run it with your normal user rights given
> you have write rights to Hamster’s cage^W directory.

Wow. I guess I'll understand more when I actually get Windows 8
installed. I've only used "home" versions of Windows 3.11, 95, 98, 98SE,
and XP. Windows XP Home, while it has an administrator account, doesn't
notify about anything having to do with the administrator account when
you're just doing your everyday thing. Even my Windows 8 is the
non-Professional version. I just didn't see anything in the Pro version I
needed.

Gertrue

[Wolfgang Jäth]

Am 16.01.2013 03:43, schrieb Gertrude Huffnaagel:
>
>> [1] Except maybe if you have somewhere within any scripts or ini files
>> manually set different paths, you of course need to correct them.
>>
>> (BTW: is that a proper sentence construction? It looks somehow strange
>> to me, but I can't figure out why).
>
> Well, I'm really flexible with English. It's got an unusual structure and
> nobody I know talks or writes like that.

Me? <g>

> Written like that, it needs a
> LOT of commas to make it clearer. As an ordering of words, it is correct.
> Adding commas fixes it completely:
>
> Except, maybe, if you have, somewhere, within any scripts or
> ini files, manually set different paths, you, of course,
> need to correct them.

Ah; written this way, I can see what I felt subconsciously: It's less an
English sentence construction, but rather a German one. The German
language likes to use weakener embeddings (or embeddings at all).
Sometimes my native language seems to shine through ... :-/

Thanks

Wolfgang
--

[Steffen Hoffmann]

Gertrude Huffnaagel schrieb am 16.01.2013:

> In news:hamster.en.misc, Steffen Hoffmann
> <speravir...@expires-2013-01-31.arcornews.de> posted on Sat, 12 Jan
> 2013 23:30:43 +0100 the following:
>> Gertrude Huffnaagel schrieb am 11.01.2013:
> I'll have to wait for the English version

If you speak of the Hamster: Only the announcements are /unfortunately/
found alone in hamster.de.*, but if you manage to get a link, the
program works in English as well.

The great problem is the English help, that already for 2.0.1.11 is not
up-to-date.

>>> STunnel
>> Do you still need it? At least the Hamster does not anymore.
> I just left it there because it's been there since the versions were
> around that did use it. I wasn't totally sure if it was needed anymore.

Stunnel has still its values, but the Hamster does not need it anymore –
the settings must be adjusted, of course.

>> After the first run you can run it with your normal user rights given
>> you have write rights to Hamster’s cage^W directory.
> Wow. I guess I'll understand more when I actually get Windows 8
> installed.

It’s not _that_ different from Windows XP: You just should make sure in
the security settings for a folder (mouse right click), that you or your
user group has writing rights.

> Gertrue

Who’s that? (On 11. Jan. you were “Damaeus”. You’re a multiple person
,aren’t you? *bg*)

sph … „Speravir“