Change the computer name

This will help you to change the computer name.
Works with VB6 and .net
The Code:
Declare Function SetComputerName Lib "kernel32" _
Alias "SetComputerNameA" (ByVal lpComputerName As String) As _
Long
Public Function ChangeComputerName(sNewComputerName As String) _
As Boolean

On Error Resume Next
Dim nReturn As Long

nReturn = SetComputerName(sNewComputerName)
If Err.Number = 0 Then
ChangeComputerName = nReturn <> 0
End If

End Function

Change the computer name

This will help you to change the computer name.
Works with VB6 and .net
The Code:
Declare Function SetComputerName Lib "kernel32" _
Alias "SetComputerNameA" (ByVal lpComputerName As String) As _
Long
Public Function ChangeComputerName(sNewComputerName As String) _
As Boolean

On Error Resume Next
Dim nReturn As Long

nReturn = SetComputerName(sNewComputerName)
If Err.Number = 0 Then
ChangeComputerName = nReturn <> 0
End If

End Function

Age Calculation with VB6 or .net

This is a simple utility to calculate age. e.g, if the age is 4 months then it will display in months, if age is 2 years it will display in years. Example of the DateDiff funtion in VB.

'Just place a command button and text box controls on your form.
'Enter a date of birth in the text box and it will calculate age based on the current date.
Private Sub Command1_Click()
If (Int(DateDiff("y", CDate(Text1.Text), Date)) / 365.25) > 1 Then
MsgBox Round((Int(DateDiff("y", CDate(Text1.Text), Date)) / 365.25)) & " Years"
Else
MsgBox (Mid((Int(DateDiff("y", CDate(Text1.Text), Date)) / 365.25), 1, 3)) * 10 & " Months"
End If
End Sub

A Sript to autodetect and map printers

This is part of a login script, used to automatically map printers in an Active Directory environment. It makes use of permissions set on the printer and active directory group assignments to work properly. If you have a printer “Kappa” that only “Site B” can print to, assign the “Site B” group with the ability to print, and remove the everyone entry. By creating an active directory group called “Kappa” consisting of people that can access the above said printer, this script will automatically set this printer to be their default. As a side note, the IsMember() function works recursively, allowing for nested group memberships.

The Script :

Set WSHNetwork = Wscript.CreateObject("Wscript.Network")

' set the local print server name here
Set servName = "printserv"

' remove old printers here
set cprinter=WSHnetwork.enumprinterconnections
for i=cprinter.count-1 to 1 step -2
on error resume next
if instr(cprinter.item(i),"[")<>0 or instr(cprinter.item(i),"\")<>0 then
WSHnetwork.removeprinterconnection cprinter.item(i)
end if
next


' this is the new manager for attaching printers.
' it enumerates all the printers on the server listed above
' and attempts to attach each of them.
' the ntfs settings for each device dictate which connections
' will be successful, and what is visible.
' the IsMember function (declared in the include.vbs above)
' is used to determine if a printer
' should be set as a default device.

Set cont = GetObject("WinNT://"&servName&",computer")
cont.Filter = Array("PrintQueue")
For Each printer In cont
On Error Resume Next

WScript.Echo "Adding: " & printer.Name
Output = WSHNetwork.AddWindowsPrinterConnection( printer.PrinterPath )
WScript.Echo Output
If IsMember( printer.name ) Then
WScript.Echo "Defaulting To:" & printer.Name
WSHNetwork.SetDefaultPrinter printer.PrinterPath
End If

Next


' The following code has been collected from usenet.

Function IsMember(strGroup)
If IsEmpty(objGroupList) Then
Set objGroupList = CreateObject("Scripting.Dictionary")
Call LoadGroups(objADObject)
End If
IsMember = objGroupList.Exists(strGroup)
End Function
Sub LoadGroups(oADObject)
Dim colstrGroups, objGroup, j
objGroupList.CompareMode = vbTextCompare
colstrGroups = oADObject.memberOf
If IsEmpty(colstrGroups) Then
Exit Sub
End If
If TypeName(colstrGroups) = "String" Then
Set objGroup = GetObject("LDAP://" & colstrGroups)
If Not objGroupList.Exists(objGroup.sAMAccountName) Then
objGroupList(objGroup.sAMAccountName) = True
Call LoadGroups(objGroup)
End If
Set objGroup = Nothing
Exit Sub
End If
For j = 0 To UBound(colstrGroups)
Set objGroup = GetObject("LDAP://" & colstrGroups(j))
If Not objGroupList.Exists(objGroup.sAMAccountName) Then
objGroupList(objGroup.sAMAccountName) = True
Call LoadGroups(objGroup)
End If
Next
Set objGroup = Nothing
End Sub

Google Adsense

Adsense is a contextual advertisement program run by Google, and I'm sure you've seen "Ads by Google" on a variety of websites (this is adsense in action). To get enlisted in Adsense is actually simpler that you might think. What you need to do is to create a blog (or site), publish some content (no junk please), and apply for Adsense.

Once approved, you can start making money without having to do that much. Just paste the code that Google gives you into your web-page and away you go. The code they give you is what creates the ads on your blog, or website. And when someone clicks on these ads they go to the advertiser's site listed in the adsense ads. The advertiser is then charged per-click by Google, then Google pays you a share of the money they get. It's as easy as that - and all done for you as part of the Adsense great service.

I mentioned "contextual advertisement" previously, what this means is that Adsense is smart enough to deliver ads that are relevant to your content automatically. Let's say you have a blog about dog training, you'll see ads about dog training on it. Google technology analyzes your content, decides what it's all about, then finds the ads that are most suitable for the content on your site.

By making Adsense ads relevant to your site, Google accomplishes two things: Ads can enhance overall experience of a visitor to your blog because they are relevant to your content, and they will link to other sites he will be interested in. And the best part is, you'll get paid for that person clicking the links in the adsense ads.

Google Groups Traffic for blogs and sites

Did you know that Google Groups can make for your blog more than 500 visitors daily for 1 week in just 3 hours ?

It can be strange, Google part ? Yes I made about 150 visitors in the first time and it was really strange. Google Groups will give you high traffic!

How to do:
first you need a Google Account then redirect to http://groups.google.com/
There start posting, try to use a good title and make your link appearent.
People that comes to the group will open and diret to your blog and then you get new visitors.
Strategy : Post only in groups that have a large number of members.
More : Google sendby email your post to members (thar registred to email posts!) This will help you make extra visitors.
Quantity : 1 post can make 5 visitors in a 1000 members group.
Try to make as much as you can to get extra visitors.
Famous Groups:
http://groups.google.com/group/Blogger-Review
http://groups.google.com/group/grkist
http://groups.google.com/group/sap2jobs
http://groups.google.com/group/Free-Ads-For-You

Add and Retrieve Multiple Values to the Registry

This demo shows how to add and retrieve multiple settings to the registry. The two encapsulated procedures make it easy to quickly add these functions to any app. The demo uses the code for storing to the registry and showing most recently accessed files. It insures only one occurrence of a given value and arranges the values with the most currently accessed value on top.

Download Sample

Registry Handler for VB6

Methods: - DeleteKey --> Deletes key AND all underlying keys
- DeleteValue
- EnumKeys --> Enumerate all keys from a specified key
- EnumValues --> Enumerate all values from a specified key
- GetRegValue --> Reads a value from any specified key
- WriteRegValue --> Writes a value to any specified key

Download Sample

Register/ Unregister Multiple OCXs/DLLs at The Same Time

This utility allows you to register or unregister 1 or more self-registering Dlls and ocx's at the same time.
Download Sample

Read and modify the registry

Modifying the registry with VB.net is quite easy but with VB 6 and VB 5 it's difficult so I browse and found this sample that can helps you.
Download Sample

Call Webservice from VB6

I needed to call a webservice I built in C# from an old application made in VB6. Using SOAP was not an option, so I decided to use MSXML2 to prepare and send my own XML code. MSXML2 comes with IE6, and most users already have it installed, but just in case, I used late binding for MSXML2. Comments preceed each block of code. See comments in Command1_Click method for further details.

Private Sub Command1_Click()
' Start Internet Explorer and type in the url of your webservice page
' i.e.: http://localhost/myweb/mywebService.asmx
' In that page, click on the link to the method you want to call from your application
' Select in upper POST section the xml code from
' Copy this into the strXml variable, escape all quotes and replace "string" your parameter value
' Copy the url to your webservice page (asmx) to the strUrl variable
' Copy the SOAPAction value to the strSoapAction variable

Dim strSoapAction As String
Dim strUrl As String
Dim strXml As String
Dim strParam As String

txtOutput.Text = ""
strParam = "MyParameterString"
strUrl = "http://localhost/myweb/mywebService.asmx"
strSoapAction = "http://tempuri.org/MyMethod"


strXml = "" & _
"" & _
"" & _
"" & _
"" & strParam & "" & _
"" & _
"" & _
""

' Call PostWebservice and put result in text box
Debug.Print PostWebservice(strUrl, strSoapAction, strXml)

End Sub


Private Function PostWebservice(ByVal AsmxUrl As String, ByVal SoapActionUrl As String, ByVal XmlBody As String) As String
Dim objDom As Object
Dim objXmlHttp As Object
Dim strRet As String
Dim intPos1 As Integer
Dim intPos2 As Integer

On Error GoTo Err_PW

' Create objects to DOMDocument and XMLHTTP
Set objDom = CreateObject("MSXML2.DOMDocument")
Set objXmlHttp = CreateObject("MSXML2.XMLHTTP")

' Load XML
objDom.async = False
objDom.loadXML XmlBody

' Open the webservice
objXmlHttp.open "POST", AsmxUrl, False

' Create headings
objXmlHttp.setRequestHeader "Content-Type", "text/xml; charset=utf-8"
objXmlHttp.setRequestHeader "SOAPAction", SoapActionUrl

' Send XML command
objXmlHttp.send objDom.xml

' Get all response text from webservice
strRet = objXmlHttp.responseText

' Close object
Set objXmlHttp = Nothing

' Extract result
intPos1 = InStr(strRet, "Result>") + 7
intPos2 = InStr(strRet, " If intPos1 > 7 And intPos2 > 0 Then
strRet = Mid(strRet, intPos1, intPos2 - intPos1)
End If

' Return result
PostWebservice = strRet

Exit Function
Err_PW:
PostWebservice = "Error: " & Err.Number & " - " & Err.Description

End Function

Calling an API Function From VB.NET

This snippet calls the GetSystemDirectory API function in VB.NET and shows how to use the StringBuilder class to create a string buffer for API functions that require it. See comments within code for more information.

Put this at the top of your module.
'Required in all cases when calling API functions
Imports System.Runtime.InteropServices

'Required in this example and any API function which
'use a string buffer. Provides the StringBuilder class

Imports System.Text

'Put these declarations right under the class declaration
'(e.g., in a Form, right under Public Class Form1)

SetLastError:=True, CharSet:=CharSet.Unicode, _
ExactSpelling:=True, _
CallingConvention:=CallingConvention.StdCall)> _
Public Shared Function GetSystemDirectory(ByVal Buffer _
As StringBuilder, ByVal Size As Integer) As Long
' Leave function empty - DLLImport attribute
' forces calls to GetSystemDirectory to
' be forwarded to GetSystemDirectory in KERNEL32.DLL
End Function

Public Const MAX_PATH As Integer = 256

'How to call the API function:

Dim s As New StringBuilder(MAX_PATH)

GetSystemDirectory(s, MAX_PATH)
msgbox(s.ToString(), , "System Directory")

Accessing LDAP using VB.NET

Option Explicit On
Imports System.DirectoryServices

Public Function GetLDAPUsers(ByVal ldapServerName As String, ByVal pFindWhat As String) As ArrayList
Dim oSearcher As New DirectorySearcher
Dim oResults As SearchResultCollection
Dim oResult As SearchResult
Dim RetArray As New ArrayList
Dim mCount As Integer
Dim mIdx As Integer
Dim mLDAPRecord As String

Dim ResultFields() As String = {"securityEquals", "cn"}

Try
With oSearcher
.SearchRoot = New DirectoryEntry("LDAP://" & ldapServerName & _
"/dc=lippogeneral,dc=com")
.PropertiesToLoad.AddRange(ResultFields)
.Filter = "cn=" & pFindWhat & "*"
oResults = .FindAll()
End With

mCount = oResults.Count
If mCount > 0 Then
For Each oResult In oResults
mLDAPRecord = oResult.GetDirectoryEntry().Properties("cn").Value & " " & oResult.GetDirectoryEntry().Properties("mail").Value
RetArray.Add(mLDAPRecord)
Next
End If
Catch e As Exception

MsgBox("Error is " & e.Message)
Return RetArray

End Try

Return RetArray

End Function

A Function To Simplify ExecuteNonQuery Statements

Use this function to simplify ExecuteNonQuery. Normally, you need to setup a command and connection objects, which this code does. Just pass the SQL statement and the connection object that points to your database.

Function ExecuteSQL(ByVal sSQL As String, ByVal dbOLE As OleDb.OleDbConnection) As Integer
Dim command As New OleDb.OleDbCommand(sSQL, dbOLE)
If command.Connection.State = ConnectionState.Closed Then command.Connection.Open()
Command.CommandType = CommandType.Text
ExecuteSQL = command.ExecuteNonQuery()
command.Connection.Close()
Application.DoEvents()
End Function

Get a list of all Fonts

'This will get all of the available fonts on the computer and add

'them to the 'cmbFont' combobox control.

Dim f As System.Drawing.Text.InstalledFontCollection = New _

System.Drawing.Text.InstalledFontCollection

Dim fFamily As FontFamily

For Each fFamily In f.Families

lst.Items.Add(fFamily.Name)

Next

Remove Extra Space from a string

Quickly remove extra whitespace from inside a string.

Function fSQLSpalten(ByVal sSpaltenZeile$) As String

sSpaltenZeile = Trim(sSpaltenZeile)
Do While InStr(1, sSpaltenZeile, " ") > 0
sSpaltenZeile = fReplace(sSpaltenZeile, " ", " ")
Loop
fSQLSpalten = sSpaltenZeile
End Function

Auto File BackUp with VB.net

This code keeps backup of three different locations at a time in regular interval as per set by the user. It also works through network.

'For this Application you need:
'1. 3 Check Boxes.
'2. 6 text Boxes.
'3. 5 Command Buttons.
'4. 3 Combo Boxes.
'5. 6 Progressbar Controls.
'6. 3 File List Box Controls.
'7. 1 ImageList control.
'8. 3 Timer Controls

'N.B:(Controls that are directly involved with the code is mentioned above.)

Dim fln, root, fld, val, val1, val2 As String

Private Sub Check1_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
If Check1.Value = 1 Then
Text1.Enabled = True
Text4.Enabled = True
Text1.SetFocus
Else
Text1.Enabled = False
Text4.Enabled = False
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Check2_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
If Check2.Value = 1 Then
Text2.Enabled = True
Text5.Enabled = True
Text2.SetFocus
Else
Text2.Enabled = False
Text5.Enabled = False
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Check3_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
If Check3.Value = 1 Then
Text3.Enabled = True
Text6.Enabled = True
Text3.SetFocus
Else
Text3.Enabled = False
Text6.Enabled = False
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Command1_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
File1.path = Text1.Text
MkDir Text4.Text
Label6.Caption = File1.path & " (" & File1.ListCount & ") files."
val = 60 * Combo1.Text
Pr4.Max = val
Exit Sub
err:
MsgBox "Directory Already created", vbExclamation
End Sub

Private Sub Command2_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
File2.path = Text2.Text
MkDir Text5.Text
Label7.Caption = File2.path & " (" & File2.ListCount & ") files."
val1 = 60 * Combo2.Text
Pr5.Max = val1
Exit Sub
err:
MsgBox "Directory Already created", vbExclamation
End Sub

Private Sub Command3_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
File3.path = Text3.Text
MkDir Text6.Text
Label8.Caption = File3.path & " (" & File3.ListCount & ") files."
val2 = 60 * Combo2.Text
Pr6.Max = val2
Exit Sub
err:
MsgBox "Directory Already created", vbExclamation
End Sub

Private Sub Command4_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
If Len(Text4.Text) > 0 Then
Timer1.Enabled = True
Else
Timer1.Enabled = False
End If
If Len(Text5.Text) > 0 Then
Timer2.Enabled = True
Else
Timer2.Enabled = False
End If
If Len(Text6.Text) > 0 Then
Timer3.Enabled = True
Else
Timer3.Enabled = False
End If
err:
MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Command5_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
Text1.Text = ""
Text2.Text = ""
Text3.Text = ""
Text4.Text = ""
Text5.Text = ""
Text6.Text = ""
Exit Sub
err:
MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub ex_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
Dim i As Integer
i = MsgBox("Before Quiting make sure that all Backup Processes are stopped" & vbCrLf & "Are sure to quit?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion)
If i = vbYes Then
Unload Me
Else
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description
End Sub

Private Sub File1_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
fld = File1.path
fln = File1.FileName
root = fld & "\" & fln
FileCopy root, Text4.Text & "\" & fln
Pr1.Value = Pr1.Value + 1
If Pr1.Value >= Pr1.Max Then
Pr1.Value = 0
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub File2_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
fld = File2.path
fln = File2.FileName
root = fld & "\" & fln
FileCopy root, Text5.Text & "\" & fln
Pr2.Value = Pr2.Value + 1
If Pr2.Value >= Pr2.Max Then
Pr2.Value = 0
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub File3_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
fld = File3.path
fln = File3.FileName
root = fld & "\" & fln
FileCopy root, Text6.Text & "\" & fln
Pr3.Value = Pr3.Value + 1
If Pr3.Value >= Pr3.Max Then
Pr3.Value = 0
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Load()
On Error GoTo err:
Dim i As Integer
For i = 0 To 120 Step 2
Combo1.AddItem i
Combo2.AddItem i
Combo3.AddItem i
Next i
Text1.Enabled = False
Text2.Enabled = False
Text3.Enabled = False
Text4.Enabled = False
Text5.Enabled = False
Text6.Enabled = False
Command1.Enabled = False
Command2.Enabled = False
Command3.Enabled = False
Command4.Enabled = False
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Unload(Cancel As Integer)
On Error GoTo err:
Dim i As Integer
i = MsgBox("Before Quiting make sure that all Backup Processes are stopped" & vbCrLf & "Are sure to quit?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion)
If i = vbYes Then
Cancel = 0
Else
Cancel = 1
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub hlp_Click()
MsgBox "Change Mode: F1" & vbCrLf & "NetDel: F2" & vbCrLf & "Refresh: F5" & vbCrLf & "Restore: F6", vbInformation, "DelMas: Help"
End Sub

Private Sub Text4_Change()
On Error GoTo err:
If Len(Text4.Text) >= 0 Then
Command1.Enabled = True
Command4.Enabled = True
Else
Command1.Enabled = False
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Text5_Change()
On Error GoTo err:
If Len(Text5.Text) >= 0 Then
Command2.Enabled = True
Else
Command2.Enabled = False
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Text6_Change()
On Error GoTo err:
If Len(Text6.Text) >= 0 Then
Command3.Enabled = True
Else
Command3.Enabled = False
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub selectAll1()
On Error GoTo err:
Dim i As Integer
For i = 0 To Me.File1.ListCount - 1
Me.File1.Selected(i) = True
Next i
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub selectAll2()
On Error GoTo err:
Dim i As Integer
For i = 0 To Me.File2.ListCount - 1
Me.File2.Selected(i) = True
Next i
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub
Private Sub selectAll3()
On Error GoTo err:
Dim i As Integer
For i = 0 To Me.File3.ListCount - 1
Me.File3.Selected(i) = True
Next i
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Timer1_Timer()
On Error GoTo err:
Pr1.Max = File1.ListCount
Label6.Caption = File1.path & " (" & File1.ListCount & ") files."
Pr4.Value = Pr4.Value + 1
Label9.Caption = "Backing up after " & Pr4.Value & " seconds..."
If Pr4.Value >= Pr4.Max Then
selectAll1
Pr4.Value = 0
End If
File1.Refresh
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Timer2_Timer()
On Error GoTo err:
Pr2.Max = File2.ListCount
Label7.Caption = File2.path & " (" & File2.ListCount & ") files."
Pr5.Value = Pr5.Value + 1
Label10.Caption = "Backing up after " & Pr5.Value & " seconds..."
If Pr5.Value >= Pr5.Max Then
selectAll2
Pr5.Value = 0
File2.Refresh
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Timer3_Timer()
On Error GoTo err:
Pr3.Max = File3.ListCount
Label8.Caption = File3.path & " (" & File3.ListCount & ") files."
Pr6.Value = Pr6.Value + 1
Label11.Caption = "Backing up after " & Pr6.Value & " seconds..."
If Pr6.Value >= Pr6.Max Then
selectAll3
Pr6.Value = 0
End If
File3.Refresh
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Toolbar1_ButtonClick(ByVal Button As MSComctlLib.Button)
On Error GoTo err:
If Button.Index = 1 Then
If Len(Text4.Text) > 0 Then
Timer1.Enabled = True
Else
Timer1.Enabled = False
End If
If Len(Text5.Text) > 0 Then
Timer2.Enabled = True
Else
Timer2.Enabled = False
End If
If Len(Text6.Text) > 0 Then
Timer3.Enabled = True
Else
Timer3.Enabled = False
End If
ElseIf Button.Index = 2 Then
PopupMenu stp
ElseIf Button.Index = 3 Then
PopupMenu pbp
ElseIf Button.Index = 4 Then
Unload Me
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub


Private Sub Toolbar1_ButtonMenuClick(ByVal Button As MSComctlLib.ButtonMenu)
On Error GoTo err:
If Button.Index = 1 Then
Timer1.Enabled = True
ElseIf Button.Index = 2 Then
Timer2.Enabled = True
ElseIf Button.Index = 3 Then
Timer3.Enabled = True
End If
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub t1_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
Timer1.Enabled = False
Pr4.Value = 0
Label9.Caption = ""
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub t2_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
Timer2.Enabled = False
Pr5.Value = 0
Label10.Caption = ""
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub t3_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
Timer3.Enabled = False
Pr6.Value = 0
Label11.Caption = ""
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub Tsk1_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
Timer1.Enabled = False
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub tsk2_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
Timer2.Enabled = False
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Private Sub tsk3_Click()
On Error GoTo err:
Timer3.Enabled = False
Exit Sub
err: MsgBox err.Description, vbCritical
End Sub

Open Acrobat Reader

How to open Acrobat in One click !

Imports System.Diagnostics

Public Class Form1

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click

Dim proc As New Process()

With proc.StartInfo
.Arguments = "Your PDF Path eg:- C:\MyFiles\Ebook2007.pdf"
.UseShellExecute = True
.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Maximized
.WorkingDirectory = "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\" '<----- Set Acrobat Install Path
.FileName = "AcroRd32.exe" '<----- Set Acrobat Exe Name
End With

proc.Start()
proc.Close()
proc.Dispose()

End Sub

End Class

List View Example

This code will sum-up the value of a listview and save the entire list of a listview in just one click.

Dim scon As ADODB.Connection
Dim srec As ADODB.Recordset
Dim slist As ListItem
Dim sum As Double
Private Sub Command2_Click()
Dim sql As String
Dim x
sum = 0

For x = 1 To ListView1.ListItems.Count

sum = sum + CDbl(ListView1.ListItems.Item(x).SubItems(2))

sql = "insert into salary2 (idno,name,salary) values "
sql = sql & "(" & CLng(ListView1.ListItems.Item(x)) & ",'"
sql = sql & ListView1.ListItems.Item(x).SubItems(1) & "',"
sql = sql & CDbl(ListView1.ListItems.Item(x).SubItems(2)) & ")"

scon.Execute sql
Next x

Set slist = ListView1.ListItems.Add(, , " ")
Set slist = ListView1.ListItems.Add(, , "")
slist.SubItems(1) = "Total is==> P"
slist.SubItems(2) = Format(sum, "##,##0.00")

MsgBox "save record"

End Sub

Private Sub Form_Load()
Set scon = New ADODB.Connection
scon.Open "Provider=microsoft.jet.oledb.4.0;" & _
"Data source=" & App.Path & "\sum.mdb"

displayrec

End Sub
Sub displayrec()
Set srec = New ADODB.Recordset
srec.Open "select * from salary", scon, adOpenDynamic, adLockPessimistic
If srec.EOF Then Exit Sub
Do While Not srec.EOF
Set slist = ListView1.ListItems.Add(, , srec(0))
slist.SubItems(1) = srec!Name
slist.SubItems(2) = Format(srec!salary, "##,##0.00")
srec.MoveNext
Loop
End Sub

Upload file with ASP.NET

emember to import the system.file namespace
Also you will have to add a upload file server control to your html code. Like this.



The Code :

If FileUpload1.HasFile Then
FileUpload1.SaveAs(Server.MapPath("The_Name_Of_The_File"))
End If

Prime Number Generation

A console Application

Module Module1

Sub Main()
Dim n As Integer
Dim i As Integer
Dim flag As Boolean
For n = 1 To 50
flag = True
For i = 2 To n / 2
If n Mod i = 0 Then
flag = False
End If
Next
If flag Then
Console.WriteLine(n)
End If
Next
Console.ReadLine()
End Sub

End Module

Creating a line and displaying angle

using System;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.Colors;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.Geometry;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.GraphicsInterface;
using Autodesk.AutoCAD.Windows;
using System.Windows.Forms;



[assembly: CommandClass(typeof(ClassLibrary.Class))]

namespace ClassLibrary
{
///

/// Summary description for Class.
///

public class Class :IExtensionApplication
{
private static Editor pEditor;
public static Line pLine;
public Class()
{

}

[CommandMethod("lian")]
static public void test()
{
Database pDatabase = HostApplicationServices.WorkingDatabase;
Editor pEditor = Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument.Editor;
Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices.TransactionManager pTransactionManager = pDatabase.TransactionManager;
Transaction pTransaction = pTransactionManager.StartTransaction();
try
{
//for creating a line
Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices.Line pLine = new Line();
PromptPointOptions pPromptPointOptions1 = new PromptPointOptions("enter first point of line");
PromptPointResult pPromptPointResult1 = pEditor.GetPoint(pPromptPointOptions1);
PromptPointOptions pPromptPointOptions2 = new PromptPointOptions("enter second point of line");
PromptPointResult pPromptPointResult2 = pEditor.GetPoint(pPromptPointOptions2);
pLine.StartPoint = pPromptPointResult1.Value;
pLine.EndPoint = pPromptPointResult2.Value;

BlockTable pBlockTable = pTransaction.GetObject(pDatabase.BlockTableId, OpenMode.ForRead, false) as BlockTable;
BlockTableRecord pBlockTableRecord = pTransaction.GetObject(pBlockTable[BlockTableRecord.ModelSpace], OpenMode.ForWrite, false) as BlockTableRecord;
ObjectId objId = pBlockTableRecord.AppendEntity(pLine);
pTransaction.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(pLine, true);

//to get text
Point3d pPoint3d = new Point3d((pLine.StartPoint.X + pLine.EndPoint.X) / 2, (pLine.StartPoint.Y + pLine.EndPoint.Y ) / 2, 0.0);
DBText pDBText = new DBText();
pDBText.VerticalMode = TextVerticalMode.TextBottom;
pDBText.HorizontalMode = TextHorizontalMode.TextCenter;
pDBText.Height = 0.5;

//to find angle btwn to points
double angle = Angle(pLine.StartPoint, pLine.EndPoint);
//for getting angle in degrees upto 4 decimals
pDBText.TextString = "Angle = " + Converter.DistanceToString(angle * (180.0 / Math.PI), DistanceUnitFormat.Decimal, 4);

pDBText.Rotation = angle;
pDBText.AlignmentPoint = pPoint3d;
objId = pBlockTableRecord.AppendEntity(pDBText);
pTransaction.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(pDBText, true);

}
catch (System.Exception pException)
{
pEditor.WriteMessage(pException.ToString());
}
finally
{

pTransaction.Commit();
}
pTransaction.Dispose();
}

public static double Angle(Point3d firPnt, Point3d secPnt)
{
double lineAngle;
if (firPnt.X == secPnt.X)
{
if (firPnt.Y < secPnt.Y)
lineAngle = Math.PI / 2.0;
else
lineAngle = (Math.PI / 2.0) * 3.0;
}
else
{
lineAngle = Math.Atan((secPnt.Y - firPnt.Y) / (secPnt.X - firPnt.X));
if (firPnt.X > secPnt.X)
lineAngle = Math.PI + lineAngle;
else
if (lineAngle < 0.0)
lineAngle = (Math.PI * 2.0) + lineAngle;
}
return (lineAngle);
}

#region IExtensionApplication Members

public void Initialize()
{
MessageBox.Show("application loaded");
}

public void Terminate()
{

}

#endregion
}
}

Finiding Maximum Value on an Array

This code will show you how your going to find and display the maximum value in your array.


The Code:
'You will need a FORM and a command button

Option Explicit
Dim A(20), num, i, j, max As Integer

Private Sub Command1_Click()
Print "Your array contains:"
For i = 0 To num - 1
Print A(i)
Next i
Print "Maximum Value= "; max
End Sub
Private Sub Form_Load()
num = InputBox("Initialize your array [1-20]:")

For i = 0 To num - 1
A(i) = InputBox("Enter your array:")
Next i

'find maximum
max = A(0)
For i = 0 To num - 1
If max < A(i) Then
max = A(i)
End If
Next
End Sub

Catch Win32 Services

The following code will allow you to catch running Win32Services

The Code:
Option Explicit On

Imports System
Imports System.Management

Public Class Form1

Private MgClass As New Management.ManagementClass("Win32_Service")

Private Sub ButtonLoadServices_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles ButtonLoadServices.Click

Try
Me.Cursor = Cursors.WaitCursor

ListView1.Items.Clear()

Label3.Text = ""
Label5.Text = ""
Label7.Text = ""
Label9.Text = ""

ButtonLoadServices.Enabled = False
ButtonLoadServices.Refresh()

Label1.Text = "0% Complete."
Label1.Refresh()

With ProgressBar1
.Value = 0
.Minimum = 0
.Maximum = MgClass.GetInstances().Count
.Refresh()
End With

For Each obj As Management.ManagementObject In MgClass.GetInstances()
Application.DoEvents()

Dim MHeader As New ListViewItem()
Dim SHeader As New ListViewItem.ListViewSubItem()

MHeader.Text = obj.GetPropertyValue("Caption").ToString

If obj.GetPropertyValue("Description") <> "" Then
SHeader.Text = obj.GetPropertyValue("Description").ToString()
End If

ListView1.Items.Add(MHeader).SubItems.Add(SHeader)

ProgressBar1.Value += 1
ProgressBar1.Refresh()

Label1.Text = ((ProgressBar1.Value / ProgressBar1.Maximum) * 100).ToString("0.00") & "% Complete."
Label1.Refresh()
Next

ButtonLoadServices.Enabled = True
ButtonLoadServices.Refresh()
Me.Cursor = Cursors.Default
Catch ex As Exception
MessageBox.Show(ex.Message, "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error)
ButtonLoadServices.Enabled = True
ButtonLoadServices.Refresh()
Me.Cursor = Cursors.Default
End Try

End Sub

Private Sub ListView1_AfterLabelEdit(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.LabelEditEventArgs) Handles ListView1.AfterLabelEdit

e.CancelEdit = True

End Sub

Private Sub ListView1_BeforeLabelEdit(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.LabelEditEventArgs) Handles ListView1.BeforeLabelEdit

e.CancelEdit = True

End Sub

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

Label3.Text = ""
Label5.Text = ""
Label7.Text = ""
Label9.Text = ""

End Sub

Private Sub ListView1_MouseClick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles ListView1.MouseClick

Dim SelectItem As String = ""
Dim SelRow As Integer = 0

Try
Me.Cursor = Cursors.WaitCursor

SelRow = ListView1.SelectedItems.Item(0).Index

SelectItem += """"
SelectItem += ListView1.Items.Item(SelRow).Text.ToString()
SelectItem += """"

Dim SelQuery As New SelectQuery("Win32_Service", "Caption=" & SelectItem & "")
Dim ObjectSearcher As New ManagementObjectSearcher(SelQuery)

For Each service As ManagementObject In ObjectSearcher.Get()
Label3.Text = service.GetPropertyValue("PathName")
Label5.Text = service.GetPropertyValue("ServiceType")
Label7.Text = service.GetPropertyValue("StartMode")
Label9.Text = service.GetPropertyValue("State")
Exit For
Next

SelQuery = Nothing
ObjectSearcher.Dispose()
Me.Cursor = Cursors.Default
Catch ex As Exception
MessageBox.Show(ex.Message, "Error", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error)
Me.Cursor = Cursors.Default
End Try

End Sub

End Class

Regular Expression Tester

This is a simple Regular Expression Tester.


Imports System.Text.RegularExpressions
Public Class Form1

Private Function TestRegularExpression(ByVal TestValue As Object, ByVal TestPattern As String) As Boolean

TestRegularExpression = False

If Regex.IsMatch(TestValue, TestPattern) Then
TestRegularExpression = True
Else
TestRegularExpression = False
End If

Return TestRegularExpression

End Function

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click

Dim Ans As Boolean = False

Try

Ans = TestRegularExpression(TextBox2.Text.ToString().Trim(), TextBox1.Text.ToString().Trim())

If Ans = True Then
MessageBox.Show("Correct", "Regular Expressions", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Information)
Else
MessageBox.Show("Not Correct", "Regular Expressions", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Exclamation)
End If

Catch ex As Exception

MessageBox.Show(ex.Message, "Error ...", MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error)

End Try

Prime Number Generation

Open Visual Basic (.net) and create a new Console Application

Paste the following code and run !

Module Module1

Sub Main()
Dim n As Integer
Dim i As Integer
Dim flag As Boolean
For n = 1 To 50
flag = True
For i = 2 To n / 2
If n Mod i = 0 Then
flag = False
End If
Next
If flag Then
Console.WriteLine(n)
End If
Next
Console.ReadLine()
End Sub

End Module

Addition of the Digg Button

After a long search I found the method to add the Digg button to all the posts of the Blog.
Don't forget to Digg anypost you found helpful !

New Site Skin !

Hi,
I just fixed a new skin!! What do you think of it?

How to check a valid IP Address

Another idea to check an IP Address format

The Code:

'will make the text black if its a valid IP address
'or red if its not

Private Sub Text1_Change()
Text1.ForeColor = 255
If IsIP(Text1.Text) Then Text1.ForeColor = 0
End Sub



'place this part in a module
Public Function IsIP(TestAddress As String) As Boolean

Dim IPt As String
Dim TQ As Long
Dim TT As Long
Dim TW As Long
Dim IPTemp As Long

IsIP = False 'Set return value as false

On Error GoTo cockup
'if an error occures the string is not valid

If Left(TestAddress, 1) = "." Then Exit Function
If Right(TestAddress, 1) = "." Then Exit Function
'check first and last are not "."

For TQ = 1 To Len(TestAddress) 'test all chars
IPt = Mid(TestAddress, TQ, 1)
If IPt <> "." Then 'if its not a "." it must be 0-9
If Asc(IPt) > 57 Or Asc(IPt) < 48 Then Exit Function
End If
Next TQ

TQ = InStr(1, TestAddress, ".", vbTextCompare)
'find the three dots
TT = InStr(TQ + 1, TestAddress, ".", vbTextCompare)
TW = InStr(TT + 1, TestAddress, ".", vbTextCompare)
If InStr(TW + 1, TestAddress, ".", vbTextCompare) <> 0 Then Exit Function
'if there is a fourth then the string is invalid

'test each number is between 0 and 255
IPTemp = Val(Left(TestAddress, TQ - 1))
If IPTemp > 255 Or IPTemp < 0 Then Exit Function

IPTemp = Val(Mid(TestAddress, TQ + 1, TT - TQ - 1))
If IPTemp > 255 Or IPTemp < 0 Then Exit Function

IPTemp = Val(Mid(TestAddress, TT + 1, TW - TT - 1))
If IPTemp > 255 Or IPTemp < 0 Then Exit Function

IPTemp = Val(Right(TestAddress, Len(TestAddress) - TW))
If IPTemp > 255 Or IPTemp < 0 Then Exit Function

IsIP = True 'it has passed all tests so make it true

cockup:
End Function

Read the Content of XML file into the DataSet

This is the inverse of the last post!

The code :
Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient

Private Sub btnReadXMLData_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btnReadXMLData.Click

Dim dsPubs As New DataSet()

' Read in XML from file
dsPubs.ReadXml("Pubs.xml")

' Bind DataSet to Data Grid
grdData.DataMember = "publishers"
grdData.DataSource = dsPubs

End Sub

Hope it helps and good luck, any suggestion or questions post a comment !

How to save a DataSet As XML File

This is a cool idea to save a DataSet as XML file with VB.net, So far you can convert an SQL DataBase to XML format.

The code :
Private Sub btnWriteXMLData_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btnWriteXMLData.Click
Dim dsSales As New DataSet()
Dim cn As New SqlConnection _
("data source=localhost;initial catalog=pubs;user id=sa")
Dim daAuthors As New SqlDataAdapter("select * from sales ", cn)
Dim daPublishers As New SqlDataAdapter("select * from stores ", cn)

' Load data from database
daAuthors.Fill(dsSales, "Sales")
daPublishers.Fill(dsSales, "Stores")

' Write XML to file
dsSales.WriteXml("XMLFile.xml")

End Sub

Hope it helps and good luck, any suggestion or questions post a comment !

Create a CSV File with VB

Hi friends,

This is a method to create a CSV file with VB6.
To make it with vb2005 just upgrade the code with the vb2005 tool

The Code :

Dim nfile As Integer
Dim conx as Integer

Private Sub cmdExport_Click()

nfile = FreeFile
ProgressBar1.Value = 1
Open "filea" For Output As #nfile

For conx = 1 To nbr
StatusBar1.Panels(1).Text = CInt(conx * 100 / nbr) & "% completed"

'Print to file each field of the structure "Customer"
Print #nfile, conx & ", " & Customer(conx).Field1 & ", " & Customer(conx).Field2 & ", " & Customer(conx).Field3 & ", " & Customer(conx).Field4 & ", " & Customer(conx).Field5 & ", " & Customer(conx).Field6 & ", "
ProgressBar1.Value = conx * 100 / nbr

Next conx

Close #nfile
FileCopy "filea", App.Path & "\ExportedFile.csv"
Kill "filea"

If err.Number = 0 Then

MsgBox "File exported to working directory!"
Else
MsgBox "Error exporting file: " & err.Number
End If
End Sub

'The data structure has to be defined like this one:
Type Customer

Field1 as String
Field2 as String

'You can add as many fields as you need
...
End Type


Hope it helps and good luck, any suggestion or questions post a comment !

Show/Hide the System Tray

This a good and short code to show and hide the Windows Tray.
It compatible with VB6 and also .net

Declaration :
Private Declare Function ShowWindow Lib "user32" (ByVal hwnd As Long, _
ByVal nCmdShow As Long) As Long
Private Declare Function FindWindow Lib "user32" Alias "FindWindowA" (ByVal lpClassName As String, ByVal lpWindowName As String) As Long
Private Declare Function FindWindowEx Lib "user32" Alias "FindWindowExA" (ByVal hWnd1 As Long, ByVal hWnd2 As Long, ByVal lpsz1 As String, ByVal lpsz2 As String) As Long
Private Const Tray_SHOW = 5
Private Const Tray_HIDE = 0
Dim Trayhwnd As Long
Code :
Private Sub Form_Load()
Trayhwnd = FindWindow("Shell_TrayWnd", "")
Trayhwnd = FindWindowEx(Trayhwnd, 0, "TrayNotifyWnd", vbNullString)
ShowWindow Trayhwnd, Tray_HIDE 'To Hide
'To show the System Tray add this code insteed of above
'ShowWindow Trayhwnd, Tray_SHOW 'To Show
End Sub

How to use text files with VB.net

Hi there!

This is a small tutorial on using files with VB.net.
As VB.net uses new technologies it will be strange for some new developers!

First we must import the Syste.IO Class
Imports System.IO

Reading Text Files:
the easiest way to open a text file is with the System.IO.File.OpenText() method.



Code:'Dim your StreamReader
Dim TextFileStream As System.IO.TextReader



'Load the textfile into the stream
TextFileStream = System.IO.File.OpenText("C:\MyTextFile.txt")



'Read to the end of the file into a String variable.
Dim MyFileContents As String = TextFileStream.ReadToEnd



'Close the Stream object
TextFileStream.Close()



The above code will open a text file on your C drive called MyTextFile.txt. It will load all of the text into a string variable called MyFileContents.
It won't create a file of that name if it doesn't already exist (and will throw an exception which you should handle - but see later in the FAQ for how to create a new file).




Creating Text Files:



Code:'Dim your Text Writer
Dim TW As System.IO.TextWriter



'Create a Text file and load it into the TextWriter
TW = System.IO.File.CreateText("C:\MyTextFile.txt")



'Write a line
TW.WriteLine("Hello World")



'Write another line
TW.WriteLine("Hello World Again")



'Flush the text to the file
TW.Flush()



'Close the File
TW.Close()




Append to an existing Text file:



Code:'Dim your Stream Writer or Text Writer.
Dim SW As IO.TextWriter



'Open a file for Appending
SW = IO.File.AppendText("C:\MyTextFile.txt")



'Write a line to the bottom of the text file
SW.WriteLine("This is another line added to the bottom of the text file.")



'Flush to the file
SW.Flush()



'Close the object
SW.Close()



Here is how to get a random line from a text file with the smallest code I can think of.
Extracting One Line From a File:



Code:Dim RandomNumber As New Random()
Dim Tr As IO.TextReader = System.IO.File.OpenText("C:\MyTextFile.txt")
Dim FileLines() As String = Split(Tr.ReadToEnd(), vbCrLf)
Tr.Close
Dim MyRandomLine As String = FileLines(RandomNumber.Next(0, UBound(FileLines)))
MsgBox(MyRandomLine)



If you know what line you want to access then you can make it smaller like this :



Code:
Dim Tr As IO.TextReader = System.IO.File.OpenText("C:\MyTextFile.txt")
Dim MyFileLine As String = Split(Tr.ReadToEnd(), vbCrLf)(3)
Tr.Close
MsgBox(MyFileLine)



Note that the above code will return the fourth line from the file. It's zero based, so you would enter (0) for line 1, (1) for line 2 and so on.


If you need more, I advice you to focus on the MSDN Library!

Solution for Base Conversion

Option Explicit

'Variables to hold Old Base Type and New Base Type
Private OldBase As Integer
Private NewBase As Integer

>In the form load:

Private Sub Form_Load()
'Initialize Old and New Base Type to Decimal
OldBase = 10
NewBase = 10
End Sub

>in the textbox named txtnumber
Private Sub txtNumber_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
'If the key is NOT Backspace or Delete or Left or Right
If KeyAscii <> vbKeyBack Then
'Determine the Base Type are we dealing with
Select Case OldBase
Case 2
'Only allow Binary numbers to be entered (0-1)
If KeyAscii <> vbKey1 Then
KeyAscii = 0
End If
Case 8
'Only allow Octal numbers to be entered (0-7)
If KeyAscii <> vbKey7 Then
KeyAscii = 0
End If
Case 10
'Only allow Decimal numbers to be entered (0-9)
If KeyAscii <> vbKey9 Then
KeyAscii = 0
End If
Case 16
'Only allow Hexidecimal numbers to be entered (0-9 & A-F)
If KeyAscii <> vbKey9 Then
If KeyAscii <> vbKeyF Then
'If a-f then change to A-F
If KeyAscii >= 97 And KeyAscii <= 102 Then
KeyAscii = KeyAscii - 32
Else
KeyAscii = 0
End If
End If
End If
End Select
End If
End Sub


>in the option buttons (oct, hex, decimal,bin) named optNumber:

Private Sub optNumber_Click(Index As Integer)
Dim OldNumber As String
Dim NewNumber As String

OldNumber = txtNumber.Text

NewBase = optNumber(Index).Tag

Select Case NewBase
Case 2
txtNumber.MaxLength = 50
Case 8
txtNumber.MaxLength = 17
Case 10
txtNumber.MaxLength = 15
Case 16
txtNumber.MaxLength = 13
End Select

'If Base Type was clicked but no numbers entered then
'change Old and New Base to the Type selected and exit
If OldNumber = "" Then
OldBase = NewBase
Exit Sub
End If

'Determine the Base Type combo we are dealing with
Select Case True
Case OldBase = 2 And NewBase = 2 'Binary & Binary
NewNumber = OldNumber
Case OldBase = 2 And NewBase = 8 'Binary & Octal
NewNumber = Dec2Base(Base2Dec(OldNumber, OldBase), NewBase)
Case OldBase = 2 And NewBase = 10 'Binary & Decimal
NewNumber = Base2Dec(OldNumber, OldBase)
Case OldBase = 2 And NewBase = 16 'Binary & Hexidecimal
NewNumber = Dec2Base(Base2Dec(OldNumber, OldBase), NewBase)

Case OldBase = 8 And NewBase = 2 'Octal & Binary
NewNumber = Dec2Base(Base2Dec(OldNumber, OldBase), NewBase)
Case OldBase = 8 And NewBase = 8 'Octal & Octal
NewNumber = OldNumber
Case OldBase = 8 And NewBase = 10 'Octal & Decimal
NewNumber = Base2Dec(OldNumber, OldBase)
Case OldBase = 8 And NewBase = 16 'Octal & Hexidecimal
NewNumber = Dec2Base(Base2Dec(OldNumber, OldBase), NewBase)

Case OldBase = 10 And NewBase = 2 'Decimal & Binary
NewNumber = Dec2Base(OldNumber, NewBase)
Case OldBase = 10 And NewBase = 8 'Decimal & Octal
NewNumber = Dec2Base(OldNumber, NewBase)
Case OldBase = 10 And NewBase = 10 'Decimal & Decimal
NewNumber = OldNumber
Case OldBase = 10 And NewBase = 16 'Decimal & Hexidecimal
NewNumber = Dec2Base(OldNumber, NewBase)

Case OldBase = 16 And NewBase = 2 'Hexidecimal & Binary
NewNumber = Dec2Base(Base2Dec(OldNumber, OldBase), NewBase)
Case OldBase = 16 And NewBase = 8 'Hexidecimal & Octal
NewNumber = Dec2Base(Base2Dec(OldNumber, OldBase), NewBase)
Case OldBase = 16 And NewBase = 10 'Hexidecimal & Decimal
NewNumber = Base2Dec(OldNumber, OldBase)
Case OldBase = 16 And NewBase = 16 'Hexidecimal & Hexidecimal
NewNumber = OldNumber
End Select

txtNumber.Text = NewNumber
OldBase = NewBase
End Sub


>private function:

Private Function Dec2Base(ByVal DecNum, ByVal Base) As String
Dim NHD As Double
Dim HN As String

'Convert until done
While DecNum <> 0
'Get the largest number of the Base Type
NHD = DecNum - (Int(DecNum / Base) * Base)
'Find it's converted Base number then concatenate
'to the beginning of the resulting string
HN = Mid("0123456789ABCDEF", NHD + 1, 1) & HN
'Subtract the amount we converted
DecNum = Int(DecNum / Base)
Wend

'Return our new number in the requested Base Type
Dec2Base = HN
End Function


>another private function:

Private Function Base2Dec(BaseNum As String, ByVal Base) As String
Dim BN As Double
Dim i As Double
Dim j As Double

BN = 0
j = 1

'Step from Right to Left of the numbers
For i = Len(BaseNum) To 1 Step -1
'Determine what number we are dealing with then
'multiply its value by the power of the Base Type
'then add it to the total resulting value
Select Case UCase(Mid(BaseNum, i, 1))
Case "0"
BN = BN + j * 0
Case "1"
BN = BN + j * 1
Case "2"
BN = BN + j * 2
Case "3"
BN = BN + j * 3
Case "4"
BN = BN + j * 4
Case "5"
BN = BN + j * 5
Case "6"
BN = BN + j * 6
Case "7"
BN = BN + j * 7
Case "8"
BN = BN + j * 8
Case "9"
BN = BN + j * 9
Case "A"
BN = BN + j * 10
Case "B"
BN = BN + j * 11
Case "C"
BN = BN + j * 12
Case "D"
BN = BN + j * 13
Case "E"
BN = BN + j * 14
Case "F"
BN = BN + j * 15
End Select
'Multiply our Base Type Power times the Base to get our next power
j = j * Base
Next i

'Return our new number in Decimal format
Base2Dec = Trim(Str(BN))
End Function

How to get the number of days in a month

This is a good idea to get the number of days of any month

'For current month...

MsgBox DateAdd("m", 1, Now) - Now

'For some other month (Example: June)

Dim FirstDate As Date
FirstDate = "01/06/2006"
MsgBox DateAdd("m", 1, FirstDate) - FirstDate

Another way to eject a CD

This is another way to easily eject CD in only 5 line of code.

Private Sub Form_Load()
Call eject
End Sub

Public Sub eject()
'code to eject cdrom ok
Dim owmp As Object
Dim colCDROMs
Set owmp = CreateObject("WMPlayer.OCX.7")
Set colCDROMs = owmp.cdromCollection
If colCDROMs.Count >= 1 Then
For i = 0 To colCDROMs.Count - 1
colCDROMs.Item(i).eject
Next
End If
End Sub

Search Text in a database

This code will help you search any text in a database and show it in a datagridview
Create a button named utOk, a text box named txtName and a datagrid named Datagrid1.

Private Sub butOk_Click(ByValsender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles but_ok.Click
Dim strConnection As String = "Data Source=your SQL data source;Initial Catalog=your database; Integrated Security=True"
Dim cn As SqlClient.SqlConnection = New SqlClient.SqlConnection(strConnection)
Dim ds As New DataSet
Dim strSelect As String
'strSelect As String
strSelect = "SELECT * FROM " & YourTable & " WHERE [Search Field] = '" & Me.txtName.Text & "'"
Dim dscmd As New SqlClient.SqlDataAdapter(strSelect, cn)
dscmd.Fill(ds, "your table")
Me.Datagrid1.DataSource = ds
Me.Datagrid1.DataMember = "your table"
Dim con As Integer
con = Me.BindingContext(ds, "your table").Count
If con = 0 Then
MessageBox.Show("Recourd could not be found")
End If
End Sub

How to Eject a CD or DVD

This short code Snippet will help you eject a CD or DVD using Windows Media Player API

Public Class frmEject
'you need window media player reference in your project
'1 combo box
' 2 button control
Dim omal As New WMPLib.WindowsMediaPlayer
Dim total As Integer
Dim i As Integer

Private Sub Form1_FormClosing(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.FormClosingEventArgs) Handles Me.FormClosing
omal.close()
End Sub
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
total = 0
i = 0
total = omal.cdromCollection.count
If (total >= 1) Then
For i = 0 To (total - 1)
ComboBox1.Items.Add(omal.cdromCollection.Item(i).driveSpecifier)
Next
ComboBox1.Text = ComboBox1.Items.Item(0)
End If
MyBase.CenterToScreen()
End Sub

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
If Not (ComboBox1.Text = "") Then
omal.cdromCollection.Item(ComboBox1.SelectedIndex).eject()
End If
End Sub

Private Sub Button2_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button2.Click
For i = 0 To (total - 1)
omal.cdromCollection.Item(i).eject()
Next
End Sub
End Class

Finding Maximum Value

This code will show you how your going to find and display the maximum value in your array.

'You will need a FORM and a command button

Option Explicit
Dim A(20), num, i, j, max As Integer
Private Sub Command1_Click()
Print "Your array contains:"
For i = 0 To num - 1
Print A(i)
Next i
Print "Maximum Value= "; max
End Sub
Private Sub Form_Load()
num = InputBox("Initialize your array [1-20]:")

For i = 0 To num - 1
A(i) = InputBox("Enter your array:")
Next i

'find maximum
max = A(0)
For i = 0 To num - 1
If max < A(i) Then
max = A(i)
End If
Next
End Sub

Try Windows Live Space

Good I'm Back Again
I had just tried out Windows Live Space. There you can make a home page very customizable and you can include many gadget. The thing that I loved is to include the blog summary or photo of my friends in MSN on the Blog. I liked it so much, plus you can include HTML and Script Text.
Just have a look @ my space : http://omarabid.spaces.live.com

Exam Finished

Yeah I've just finished school exams, but oof I didn't do well in this term.
I know I have much since my lastet posts, but I think I have to start a new project.
Now I don't have time, it's true that I have about 15 days of holiday, but I must also take care of my studies.
And now happy holidays for all students.

The MSDN forum Tracker Blog

Hi!
I just strated the Msdn Forum Tracker Blog!
What's that ?
A very simple idea invented by me! This consist by getting best answered topics and posting them in the blog.
How this will help you ?
+You can subscribe to the feed burner and receive newest answered posts by email
+You can browse on any topic and the solution is 100% found !

Help us grow !
Link to the blog
Comment the posts

The blog is here : www.msdntracker.blogspot.com

Using Registry keys with VB.net

Now we pass to an important part. How to use the registry keys (add, delete and modify) with VB.net
First let's start: Create a new project, and add a button where you'll put the code.
Open the registry editor to check that the changes are applied correctly.
Now as you see there's keys (that are folder) an contain value.
Let's start by making a key.
This will make a key in the Current user root folder.
My.Computer.Registry.CurrentUser.CreateSubKey("TestKey")
Now expand the The Current User root folder and you'll find a new key (folder) made!
Lety set a value on it.
My.Computer.Registry.SetValue("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\TestKey", _"TestValue", "This is a test value.")
As you'll see a new "REG_SZ" value was added.
Very Important : If you want to presice the registry key value type just type ',' and Visual Studio editor will list you the value types.
Now let's read what we wrote!

Dim readValue As String
readValue = My.Computer.Registry.GetValue _
("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\TestKey", "TestValue", Nothing)
MsgBox("The value is " & readValue)

Let's finish by deleting it.
My.Computer.Registry.CurrentUser.DeleteSubKey("TestKey")
I think now you know a lot about Registry keys with vb.net but just now we didn't affrod the most important thing : Modify registry keys made by the System (windows)!
This can be difficult but we'll do it, now watch out this code.

autoshell = Registry.LocalMachine.OpenSubKey("Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon", True)
'' Set the value to 0
autoshell.SetValue("autorestartshell", 0)
autoshell.Close()

The following code change the "Autorestartshell" to 0. be carefull to make the following steps. Make a new object and set i to a Registry.Rootfolder.opensubkey("the sub key",True) If True is false or not set the change will fail!
Now set the value with Name.Setvalue("valuename", depend on the value type)
Finally don't forget to close the key!
Have questions ? Post a comment and I'll reply with a comment!

Introduction to Windows Registry Keys

As you know Registry Keys are quite important when you are programming an application to interact with the Windows Interface and properties.
This a simple tutorial to show you how to use registry keys with VB.net
You can edit them manually using the Windows Registry Editor. To launch it, click on "execute" and type "Regedit"


As you'll see there's a 5 different folders keys (root folder).

1. HIVES
   The Registry is split into a number of logical sections, or "hives". Hives are generally named by their Windows API definitions, which all begin "HKEY". They are abbreviated to a three- or four-letter short name starting with "HK" (e.g. HKCU and HKLM).
   The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_CURRENT_USER nodes have a similar structure to each other; applications typically look up their settings by first checking for them in "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Vendor's name\Application's name\Version\Setting name", and if the setting is not found looking instead in the same location under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key. When writing settings back, the reverse approach is used — HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE is written first, but if that cannot be written to (which is usually the case if the logged-in user is not an administrator), the setting is stored in HKEY_CURRENT_USER instead.


2. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
   Abbreviated HKCR, HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT stores information about registered applications, such as Associations from File Extensions and OLE Object Class ID's tying them to the applications used to handle these items. On Windows 2000 and above, HKCR is a compilation of HKCU\Software\Classes and HKLM\Software\Classes. If a given value exists in both of the subkeys above, the one in HKCU\Software\Classes is used.


3. HKEY_CURRENT_USER
   Abbreviated HKCU, HKEY_CURRENT_USER stores settings that are specific to the currently logged-in user. The HKCU key is a link to the subkey of HKEY_USERS that corresponds to the user; the same information is reflected in both locations. On Windows-NT based systems, each users' settings are stored in their own files called NTUSER.DAT and USRCLASS.DAT inside their own documents and settings subfolder.


4. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
   Abbreviated HKLM, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE stores settings that are general to all users on the computer. On NT-based versions of Windows, HKLM contains four subkeys, SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE and SYSTEM, that are found within their respective files located in the %SystemRoot%\System32\Config folder. A fifth subkey, HARDWARE, is volatile and is created dynamically, and as such is not stored in a file. Information about system hardware drivers and services are located under the SYSTEM subkey, whilst the SOFTWARE subkey contains software and windows settings.


5. HKEY_USERS
   Abbreviated HKU, HKEY_USERS contains subkeys corresponding to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER keys for each user registered on the machine.


6. HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
   Abbreviated HKCC, HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG contains information gathered at runtime; information stored in this key is not permanently stored on disk, but rather regenerated at boot time.

As you'll focus each folder and sub folder you'll find values. Values have different format

Binary Value
REG_BINARY
Raw binary data. Most hardware component information is stored as binary data and is displayed in Registry Editor in hexadecimal format.

DWORD Value
REG_DWORD
Data represented by a number that is 4 bytes long (a 32-bit integer). Many parameters for device drivers and services are this type and are displayed in Registry Editor in binary, hexadecimal, or decimal format. Related values are DWORD_LITTLE_ENDIAN (least significant byte is at the lowest address) and REG_DWORD_BIG_ENDIAN (least significant byte is at the highest address).

Expandable String Value
REG_EXPAND_SZ
A variable-length data string. This data type includes variables that are resolved when a program or service uses the data.

Multi-String Value
REG_MULTI_SZ
A multiple string. Values that contain lists or multiple values in a form that people can read are generally this type. Entries are separated by spaces, commas, or other marks.

String Value
REG_SZ
A fixed-length text string.

Binary Value
REG_RESOURCE_LIST
A series of nested arrays that is designed to store a resource list that is used by a hardware device driver or one of the physical devices it controls. This data is detected and written in the \ResourceMap tree by the system and is displayed in Registry Editor in hexadecimal format as a Binary Value.

Binary Value
REG_RESOURCE_REQUIREMENTS_LIST
A series of nested arrays that is designed to store a device driver's list of possible hardware resources the driver or one of the physical devices it controls can use. The system writes a subset of this list in the \ResourceMap tree. This data is detected by the system and is displayed in Registry Editor in hexadecimal format as a Binary Value.

Binary Value
REG_FULL_RESOURCE_DESCRIPTOR
A series of nested arrays that is designed to store a resource list that is used by a physical hardware device. This data is detected and written in the \HardwareDescription tree by the system and is displayed in Registry Editor in hexadecimal format as a Binary Value.

None
REG_NONE
Data without any particular type. This data is written to the registry by the system or applications and is displayed in Registry Editor in hexadecimal format as a Binary Value

Link
REG_LINK
A Unicode string naming a symbolic link.

QWORD Value
REG_QWORD
Data represented by a number that is a 64-bit integer. This data is displayed in Registry Editor as a Binary Value and was introduced in Windows 2000.

Advantages of Registry Keys: Here's the aim! Why to use registry keys ? Suppose for example you are making a program where you want to disable the Task Manager, How to do that ? Simply using Registry keys. I'll describe in the following post how to use it with VB.net and then I'll give you samples of Registry keys that let's you take control of your Windows !

For more information about Registry Editor see Microsoft Site

Google-Mini Dead

Google-Mini is dead ? Try out Microsoft search engine express with advanced features and best of all : FREE ! http://www.microsoft.com/enterprisesearch/serverproducts/searchserverexpress/default.aspx

Alexa Ranking System

Lots of you know Google Page Ranks for sure, but what about Alexa.
First of all alexa don't rank pages but whole sites. Second if Google Page Rank is based on the pages that links to you, Alexa is based on the Traffic and this make it more real!
Alexa compare traffic between sites and give top 500 sites, and also a search engine to search the top 100,000 sites.
Then getting in top 100,000 is so hard? Yes so hard but why not getting linked in the Top 100,000 ?
This is another thing but the thing that I liked most in Alexa is the real ranking
For example : number 1 is yahoo then 2 is google 3 is you tube 4 is live (ms) and 5 is MSN.
With Alexa, you can know the sites that are linking to you and their rank. and now the rank help you more than Google PR because you know the site traffic and how much it can drive traffic to you;)

Alexa.com visit it and give it a try !

List of sites like Digg

Ah Digg! a good sites for us (( Says reader)) We find fresh informations!
Ah Digg! a wonderfull site for us ((Says webmasters)) We get huge traffic throght it.

AAA Says both we want sites alike DIGG.
Ah Good, this is a list of sites like digg.

Digg.com : Number 1 The most powerful, easy to use and drive most traffic to you.
Fark.com : I didn't try it a lot but good traffic
Stumbleupon.com : yes but no so easy in navigation
Reddit.com : Okay it drives also traffic but you can't submit many urls a time!
i-am-bored.com : need that admin accept link
isnare.com : you submit the whole article (few traffic)
News.ycombinator.com : fast, easy and simple but small traffic

this is the list and I'll update it every day I found interesting site.
If you know another site, post it in a comment and 10x

3 month of blogging and 300 $ in Google Adsense!

Yes you see well I think! I have only 3 month of blogging with this blogger, but I have 300$ now on my account and that are increasing day by day!
My earning reached 20 $ per day now and I have only 3 month!
I'm not joking or just attracting attention, I speak seriously.How could I do this ?

Posting Topic :
Simple and easy, posts on anything you like (but interesting). Like Me, source code and example helpful for VB.net programers.
Post a lot of topic and make a clear title for your post, that attract seekers.
You'll need at least 50 topic to attract readers, but you can do them quicly.
Digg with me !
Google isn't very good for traffic, but for long. That mean Google direct to you a small traffic but every day.
Digg drive to you huge traffic, but only the moment when you submit!
So you have to make 5 posts per day and submit them to Digg. Interesting posts will attract lots of readers. Digg give me about 120 reader daily (if I submit) and 3 or 4 if i don't. But Google drive traffic constantly and the traffic of google increase as your Page Rank Increase!
Comment:
Comment every ones blog, but hey don't forget your link. Comment on Youtube for example
Forum:
Yes, but High Page Ranks forums only
Blog Directory:
I'm using but they don't drive well
Ping Your blog:
Use automated ping and ping your blog.

That's all! and you'll start having traffic and then money

My first mail from Google Adsense

Today 10 November, I received my first mail from Google Adsense, wait it isn't the check but the PIN code.
I'm very happy and I entred it and all goes well and I'll receive my check the end of this month. Nice, no?
What about you ? Post a comment!

Another Way to get traffic and increase page rank

OK, if we'll see all the sites want traffic and page ranks for it self! So don't run behind those sites "that increase page ranks of traffic", but just read reall interesting posts.
I'm making those days, reasearch how other people have traffic. It's interestant to know. I see that many people post comments and add their link to the comment.
Ah here it come! Suppose a person with PR 7 blog. And just posted a new topic (in the first page) and thousands of hits come. If you posts your link in a comment, you get small traffic of his traffic. But if you make an interesting post you'll get more and more and more until you say : "thanks god I don't need more".
Let say this person have 1000 hits daily and you make the comment. If good comment you recieve at least 50 hits! and let say you posted 20 comments, then you'll receive 1000 hits! and more over page rank increase. 1000 hits ?! What do you want more.
Sart commenting now! But first you must find the PR high blog, oh another difficult step to do!

How Google Adsense detects click fraud

Many of webmasters wants to know how Google detects click frauds, perhaps to prevent from being banned. No one right now have the correct answer!. I had (with some of my friends) made two Adsense account and made the tests.

Account Number 1:
The site was accepted! We added the ads, and then I started my self by clicking on the ads. I was the only person that access to this site. So when seeing the Adsense reports, I see that the CTR level is high (80 %) due to the huge number of click and few impression (Ex : 50 impression and 35 clicks). After some days, Google prevent me from being banned. So Google won't delete your account from the first time, but it will inform you! I continue in click frauds and google disabled my account.
Account Number 2:
I have good traffic with this one because of my friends! We made a lot of traffic and page impression and few clicks (CTR = 5 or 8 %) Google Adsense Generate money. After some days we get an email alerting us from click frauds! (Note : We use a fix IP Address)

Conclusion:
How Google detect clicks then:
1/ Google detects CTR and inform (Adsense robots) it's engineers when a CTR reach a high level (25 % for example) for a long period of time. The engineer won't disable the account, it will visit the site and see what's going on and then alert you.
2/ Google detects the IP address of the computer that make clicks and impression (If always the same that made clicks and impression, then something is strange) Google will alert you before any action he will take
3/ The normal CTR is from 2% to 8% max. If you have 2% or less then you adsense need optimization. If you have more than 10% (for a long period, 1 week for example) and you don't make clicks frauds, then try to detect (with google analytics) who is coming to your site and abusing your ads. tell Google (with email) when you found an abusing IP Address.
4/ As your impression and visitors are numbrous as google won't see click frauds (will pass them). If you have for example 5000 page impression daily, Google Adsense won't take care of an abusing IP Address and will block it him self (simply the clicks of this IP won't generate money, so if you have good traffic don't make click frauds because this don't generate money)

I'm not sure of that (In other words it can be not google method to detect click fraud), you'd better make more research if you want to know!.
Afraid from being banned ?
Simply follow yout CTR and all should go well. If you found for example 5 clicks without revenue then those clicks are click frauds (in normal condition 1 click generate 0.28 ot 0.48 $) and also page impression generate up to 1 $ per 1000 impression (not much but good if you have enough money)

Helpful information about Adsense on : www.Ad-sensing.com (it isn't my site)

Working Ads, Earning Money

As I have a blog, then I must have a traffic because of numbers of posts, PR and other pages that links to me. Most of bloggers use Adsense to earn money from their blog. But I'm seeing in almost of blog only Adsense working. what about other ?. I make a small analytics. When you have a blog, where you made long and many posts, the page size (height) will be large! in the right or the left panel you won't have anything to display! As Adsense allow only 3 ads to display you can use others ad provider and earn more money.
Let say you have added 3 other ad publisher then your earning will be 3 times more and also from different sources. For these reason I started to try Adbrite that I had seen in some sites. I just put it and the ads shows that I must wait 30 minutes until showing !!! But perhaps until it track the web site content.
Any Way some days later I'll speak about the earning with Adbrite Vs Adsense

Suggestion, question ?? Post a comment

How Page Ranks Works !

Page Rank, page rank and all web masters are talking about! What's this other thing?

PageRank is a numeric value that represents how important a page is on the web. Google figures that when one page links to another page, it is effectively casting a vote for the other page. The more votes that are cast for a page, the more important the page must be. Also, the importance of the page that is casting the vote determines how important the vote itself is. Google calculates a page's importance from the votes cast for it. How important each vote is is taken into account when a page's PageRank is calculated.
PageRank is Google's way of deciding a page's importance. It matters because it is one of the factors that determines a page's ranking in the search results. It isn't the only factor that Google uses to rank pages, but it is an important one.

How to increase your page rank ?

It's easy to increase page rank, simply by linking to other sites and also to be linked (this is what we call links exchange). You can also use my future service : http://hittracker.freehostia.com that will help you increase your Page Rank. PR don't mean that you have a huge number of visitor. You can have a high PR while you don't have visitors. But it's related! If you have a high PR Google will display your sites before others sites (that have less page ranks) Also if you have a high page rank this means that your site is linked by other sites that have high Page Rank (as they have a high page rank, they have good traffic) and then they direct traffic to you :) So as your Page Rank is higher as you have more visitors from sites that link to you and Google

How Page Rank is calculated ?

To calculate the PageRank for a page, all of its inbound links are taken into account. These are links from within the site and links from outside the site.
PR(A) = (1-d) + d(PR(t1)/C(t1) + ... + PR(tn)/C(tn))
That's the equation that calculates a page's PageRank. It's the original one that was published when PageRank was being developed, and it is probable that Google uses a variation of it but they aren't telling us what it is. It doesn't matter though, as this equation is good enough.
In the equation 't1 - tn' are pages linking to page A, 'C' is the number of outbound links that a page has and 'd' is a damping factor, usually set to 0.85.
We can think of it in a simpler way:-
a page's PageRank = 0.15 + 0.85 * (a "share" of the PageRank of every page that links to it)
"share" = the linking page's PageRank divided by the number of outbound links on the page.

How to know Sites linking to me and the Page Rank ?

To know sites that link to your site, type "link:http://yoursite.com" in google and google will search for you.
For the Page Rank download Google ToolBar and it will displays Page Rank Information for each page

Make more traffic with your blog

Founded on http://sethgodin.typepad.com, I think the best and most helpful idea,for you to read and comment
Use lists.
Be topical... write posts that need to be read right now.
Learn enough to become the expert in your field.
Break news.
Be timeless... write posts that will be readable in a year.
Be among the first with a great blog on your topic, then encourage others to blog on the same topic.
Share your expertise generously so people recognize it and depend on you.
Announce news.
Write short, pithy posts.
Encourage your readers to help you manipulate the technorati top blog list.
Don't write about your cat, your boyfriend or your kids.
Write long, definitive posts.
Write about your kids.
Be snarky. Write nearly libelous things about fellow bloggers, daring them to respond (with links back to you) on their blog.
Be sycophantic. Share linklove and expect some back.
Include polls, meters and other eye candy.
Tag your posts. Use del.ico.us.
Coin a term or two.
Do email interviews with the well-known.
Answer your email.
Use photos. Salacious ones are best.
Be anonymous.
Encourage your readers to digg your posts. (and to use furl and reddit). Do it with every post.
Post your photos on flickr.
Encourage your readers to subscribe by RSS.
Start at the beginning and take your readers through a months-long education.
Include comments so your blog becomes a virtual water cooler that feeds itself.
Assume that every day is the beginning, because you always have new readers.
Highlight your best posts on your Squidoo lens.
Point to useful but little-known resources.
Write about stuff that appeals to the majority of current blog readers--like gadgets and web 2.0.
Write about Google.
Have relevant ads that are even better than your content.
Don't include comments, people will cross post their responses.
Write posts that each include dozens of trackbacks to dozens of blog posts so that people will notice you.
Run no ads.
Keep tweaking your template to make it include every conceivable bell or whistle.
Write about blogging.
Digest the good ideas of other people, all day, every day.
Invent a whole new kind of art or interaction.
Post on weekdays, because there are more readers.
Write about a never-ending parade of different topics so you don't bore your readers.
Post on weekends, because there are fewer new posts.
Don't interrupt your writing with a lot of links.
Dress your blog (fonts and design) as well as you would dress yourself for a meeting with a stranger.
Edit yourself. Ruthlessly.
Don't promote yourself and your business or your books or your projects at the expense of the reader's attention.
Be patient.
Give credit to those that inspired, it makes your writing more useful.
Ping technorati. Or have someone smarter than me tell you how to do it automatically.
Write about only one thing, in ever-deepening detail, so you become definitive.
Write in English.
Better, write in Chinese.
Write about obscure stuff that appeals to an obsessed minority.
Don't be boring.
Write stuff that people want to read and share.

Boost Windows Vista Speed

While the discussion pertains to Vista particularly, the same applies to Windows in general too ! For a general user the first three are usually more than sufficient to make your Vista faster. The remaining are some more which a tweak enthusiast may wish to consider. Utilities like WinPatrol or Tune-Up Utilities can help you in most of the cases.

1. Restrict the no. of start-ups. Why have programs starting up when you dont really use them. Even those you use can always be started manually by clicking on the. I personally prefer not to have ANY starups. I click on my Internet Defense Suite manually, before connecting to the Internet. So decide for yourself which one's you really need as start-ups.

2. Disable services which one may not require. For example, if your pc is a stand-alone one, there may be sevral services which you can disable or switch over to manual mode. Auto-starting and closing down of services takes time & resources. These can be saved. BlackViper's Vista Service Configurations Windows Vista Service Configurations by Black Viper is an excellent guide to follow.

3. Reducing visual effects (eye candy). Right-click on “My Computer” > Properties > Advanced > Performance-Settings > Visual Effects > Adjust for best performance > Apply > OK.
To allow the themes and the glass effects, you may have to check on the boxes : enable transperant glass and use visual styles; this way atleast the spirit of Vista will be preserved- else be prepared for a really bland Vista ! Use your discretion. I know disabling all can actually negate the purpose of 'eye-friendly' Vista.

4. Ensure that boot defragmentation is enabled, so that files used during start-up are clubbed together.
Start Regedit. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Dfrg\BootOptimizeFunction . Select Enable from the list on the right.
Right Click on it and select Modify. Change the value to Y to enable and N to disable. Reboot.

5. Disable : "clear page file on shutdown" option. Cleaning the page-file on every shutdown means overwriting the data by zeros, and it takes time.
To clear/not clear page file you can apply this reg tweak. Back up registry before trying this.
Start->run->regedit [enter]
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Session Manager\Memory Management
Modify (if not present, rt click in open space and create) the Value Data Type/s and Value Name/s :
Data Type: REG_DWORD [Dword Value]
Value Name: ClearPageFileAtShutdown
Setting for Value Data: [0 = Clear Page File Disabled / 1 = Clear Page File Enabled]
Exit Registry and Reboot.

6. Defragment your System Disk & Fine Tune your Registry. If you find the Vista's in-built defragger slow, you can try SysInternals Power Defragmenter Download Power Defragmenter 2.0.125 - Power Defragmenter takes defragmentation process to a whole new level - Softpedia which works on Vista too ! Use the freeware CCleaner to clear up your PC Junk and clean up the Registry. Compacting the Registry occasionally is a good idea too !

7. Generally people also recommend emptying the Prefetch directory once in a while. But Windows uses this directory to speed up launching
applications. It analyzes the files you use during startup and the applications you launch, and it creates an index to where those files and applications are located on your hard disk. Using this index, Windows can launch files and applications faster. Nevertheless clearing the Prefetcher say once a month is what I do !

8. Go to BIOS settings, by pressing del key during boot-up, and disable 'seek floppy drive' option. This saves time for those who do not use floppy drives. There are also some BIOS hacks like Enabling Quick Post, Disabling Boot Daly, etc but best to refrain from these.

9. Change Boot-Order Sequence : Normally, the bios is set to boot from floppy first, then CD and then Hard Disk. Changing the Boot-Order to be: Hard Disk first, then maybe CD/Floppy, could possibly "shave" a second, I guess !

10. Disable windows startup/shutdown/logon/logoff sounds. Go to control panel, sounds & audio devices, sound tab, in program events select 'no sound' for these events.

11. Disable the ScreenSaver if you dont need it. Rt-Click desktop>ScreenSaver>None>OK.

12. Fonts take time to load. Removing some can save on resources. But one must be careful in deciding which fonts to remove. If you delete some system fonts, you may b in for trouble. Tweak VI Pro is a good shareware to manage fonts. It uninstalls fonts without physically removing them. Open its help file. It lists down the system fonts which must not be deleted ! use the list; and then decide what to delete and what to keep.

13. To REALLY reduce your shutdown time.
Start Regedit. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Control.
Click on the "Control" Folder. Select "WaitToKillServiceTimeout"
Right click on it and select Modify. the default value is ( i think) 12000.
Setting it to a lower 4 digit value,( say 1000) will make your PC shutdown faster, but you could end up losing data, so use this tweak judiciously.

14. Get rid of all the extra programs Windows Vista installs. You may not be using some like WLM, Calculator, Games, Meeting Space, Fax, etc. Go To Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features > Turn windows On or Off and do the needful.

15. Go To Control Panel\System and Maintenance\Performance Information and Tools. On the LHS you will see options to Adjust Indexing options, visual effexts, power Settings, etc. These all help directly and indirectly.