Printable View
Wouldn't it be good if there was a program like Napster that allowed VB developers to share VB Code with each other? It would be excellent! You could just do a search on a subject and instantly have access to loads of source code that other developers have chosen to share from their HD!
Is anyone else out there interested in helping with the development of such a program? Post a reply if you're interested... :D As I definately am :)
Laterz
REM
I am, too!! but there's one very important problem left to consider...
we would need a Server where we could run a program. Do you know where to get something like that?
Just use planet-source-code.com to find code. It's full of different kinds of code.
I know we would need a sort of server to run the service on, and I have absolutely no clue whatsoever about setting this up or how to find one:( If you are reading this and know what we would need, then please reply and point us in the right direction :)
Making the app wouldn't be too much of a problem, we just need to get the server side thing going on...
Laterz
REM
I think that it would be cool, but the napster approach is kind of goofy. A message board is probably the best place for code, or maybe like a web database where you post keywords and code then people can search through that by language and what not.
We could have volunteers who have cable/dsl/t1/t3 lines who could just host a server on their computers when they're not using it, and let the program get the list of servers from a website online (a text file) and try and connect to servers which are by the way interconnected with the other servers and they can share codes... if someone acctually starts this project, count me in, I have a whole thing setup in my mind where we can have a really good server/client system...
I hear what you're saying Mega, but it would be so much better to have this Napster type app going on! Think about it... Most of the code on Planet Source code is of a very poor standard (u know it is the truth:)). Check out the sample below:
Anyway, away from all the jokes... With this vb napster type app, we could set the standard for code samples, that would be available anywhere, anytime by searching a database of trusted sources of source code (members HD samples)!Code:'Produces a msg box! :D :D :D
'Add a button named Command1 to a form
'and run the program and click the button...
Private Sub Command1_Click()
Msgbox("Hello World!")
End Sub
The app would provide a direct and efficient way for developers to quickly find the professional standard code they need...
We can make this into something good... Lets do it...
Laterz
REM
WildGhost, I think it would be better if we had a fixed server. We wouild need to get some ££££ together to set it up, but in the long run, i believe it would be worth the investment if enough people were interested in the service! Come on people! Show an interest! It could be so good! just think about it, all the quality code you ever wanted access to, that is only a click away on a reliable server! No more poor quality samples and broken links on web sites!
If you would be interested in using an app like this, then please reply. I would like to know how many people would appreciate a service like this. Thanks.
Laterz
REM
:) :) :) :) :)
Why dont you get a T1 connection and we just run off your bandwidth all day long hehehe. Serious though that is a cool idea, maybe if any of you attend college's and universitys they leave the cpu's up all night. Run proggie from there.
Maybe we could set this thing up in a partenership with the best resource for VB Developers on the Net, VB World!? The program could be kind of a pertenership with VB World. It would be the ULTIMATE resource. John, what do you think of this idea? :) The app could be called VB World-Dev-Res(Developer Resource Network :)). Any other ideas for names?!?!
I don't know about anyone else, but i certainly can't afford to set up my own server and all the stuff that goes with it(I am 16, and I aint got a job or owt, let alone the experience in setting up web based servers etc etc!)
The idea for a partenership with VB World is a good one. The ultimate web site for developers, running the ultimate developers resource, designed by the developers that will utilise it! Wicked...
Anyway, I know it will take a lot of work, and I have no idea of the cost that it would involve, but it could be good if we could try (interested people)... John, what is your opinion on this subject?
Laterz
REM
Oh, No, but if you do that then the big bad greedy Codetaliica, Inc. will come chasing after everyone and sue us all for everything we are worth.
hehehe, sorry could not help myself, if you didnt get it, just ignore it.
Anyway, sounds like a great idea. Why don't you do it in stages. You could start off with the client piece that catalogs and indexes your own code clips that you have collected. Then you could add the user sharing and searching later.
Again, Good Idea.
Hey maybe the app could keep up with the original author information too so that they get proper credit and if you find some good authors you will know their code is worth downloading.
Good Luck,
Richard
The VB-world-Dev-Res sounds like a good idea. But it might be quite difficult to program all of this. Sure it looks easy from far away, but as you get closer, you will get into more problems.
Hmmm. Metalicca... Say no more m8, I hear ya loud and clear, and from what my mate tells me, it isn't just Metallica getting pissed at Napster, it is Dr. Dre as well. My mate was banned for downloading one of his latest songs over the Napster network! Jeez!
Anyway, we shouldn't have any trouble like that, as any code that is submited to the network will be public domain - or we could sort something else out :) :) :) We need to look into it etc.
I am now working on a program for indexing sample code on my local machine, when this is finished, i will add some internet support and then hopefully develop the app further... :) I am aware tat some other people have coded code sample indexers, but i want to do this from scratch, I don't want to take someone elses project onboard. I like learning by doing if you know what i mean :)
Anyway, if you're interested in this topic POST! And tell me your opinion! Johnh, whatta ya think?!?!?
Laterz
REM
I'm on cable, if we can't find a server, I might be able to host the server for a while, the reason I said that we should have a couple of servers is for example, there could be servers on different computers in different parts of the world, and the program would ping the server to see which one it connects to faster and connects to that one, also all the main servers will be conected to each other.. let me give you an example of what I'm saying, this is just for the beginning if we get someone to host the server, then that would be great.. but here's what I'm saying..
I start a server, and the server writes the Ip address to a text file on a webserver (using ftp) then this other guy stars a server, and that server adds it's IP to the text file then connects to the servers (on a special server port) using the IPs that are in the text files, and now they're all connected, now this guy turns his client on, and the client connects to the webserver and retrieves the list of IPs and connects to the one that's closest to it, or inother words has the smallest ping time.. and then when you search for codes, you can specify whether to only search for codes using the server that's the user is connected to or to search all the servers, now you can also ask the other server to search for that special code and so forth.. I know that this sounds complicated, but it can work... Ofcourse nothing would beat a T3 server that everyone would connect to.... any more ideas on how we could make servers interact with clients or anything?
Megatron - I like a challenge :D :D :D
Laterz
REM
REM, how about you just create a team of developers, a couple of them who are good at different things like databases, internet protocols etc... and then begin on this project, and present a demo to vb-world, and see if they accept it, and give us the go on developing this application.
So first thing we make a team, and I'm available for programming here, if you're making a team, then count me in, I have experience in the winscock/inet controls... I could also use directX's Direct Play....
What do you say?
Well if you decide to create it, I could try helping out a bit...
I could host one but:
1) I need dough (i will need to buy a 10 gig hd, a cd-rom, and some mem)
2) My server would need a max of about 50 people and it couldn't be taking up tons of bandwith and such, this would only be on 0.2 Meg cable :) along with a hub for direct connect and my name server :)
That's about it so if i get the dough and like i said in #2...
Andy
I don't mean to sound offensive. Napster sucks though. The best thing to do would be to make a web database with not exactly source code. It'd be better to make it code to do certain functions. Like: the winsock functions to do a chat program, API calls to do various things, stuff like that. It's better for obvious reasons.
1. Not dependent on users on/off-line.
2. Have people to review code for errors and bad code.
3. Web-servers are more reliable than Napster/chat type.
4. More bandwidth. Like cable d/ling off 56k would be slow.
Plus more.
With my own experience I like to learn how to program the code from scratch, not just copy & paste it.
thats what I tried to say... if I want to find some code on how to get the windows version, I dont want to have to depend on if YOURm0m is online...
To everyone
Why couldn't anyone of us just join a ISP which offers unlimited web space design a simply web site with a database to hold all this type of info. Evryone could share access to update it then.
I work for a large utilities company in England. We had a similar idea.
We decided to create DLL's stick them in a central location and provided a basic web document detailing how the dll works, how to use it and provide the source code as well.
This has started to make developing very easy now as all you have to do is reference the dll and use it.
This way you don't have as much code to produce, and any help needed with should be in the document or a link to the person who developed it.
Hmmm
Gazza
I think it would be possible to use an FTP Server to store
the user informations.. but it would be VERY slow.
if we'd use an FTP Server this would be my idea:
Every client loggs into the FTP Server at startup, creating a directory with the username as directoryname. Then the client appends the 'topics' of the shared code sources to a file and creates a file for each topic, containing a little description, entered by the User.
If someone starts a search, the client retrieves the folder list and looks what's in them and lists the topics. If the user clicks a topic, he gets the description. If he chooses to dl it, the client connectes to the IP of the user providing the stuff (could be stored in the Userinfo file).
Anyway, a real Server would be MUCH better
...Napster sucks in the fact that the same song is listed & relisted and relisted!
Who decides who is really the originator of code tips?
I've been on sites where you see the same code posted under different names with
"this code is copyrighted by me..you are free to use...."
I've seen some who claim authorship of "Unload All Forms" or other basic VB Functions.
oodles and ooldles of similar code with 200,000,000 self claimed authors....
.....nice thought but it needs thinking!
I am interested in this project, i'm new to net stuff in vb and want to learn, i don't have much cash but, for the server i know one that could be good :
http://www.easyspace.co.uk they offer the following for about £70.00 for a .co.uk adress:
Web hosting
Web registration
Redirection
And some more, or you could try
http://www.webnetics.co.uk they offer the some good stuff for £40.00 for a .co.uk / .com address for 2 years.
Check these....
I agree that the program needs a lot of thought, but I am definately going to try to set this idea up. After monday the 19th June, I am off school for the summer for about 2 1/2 months, so I will be able to really work on the project.
First off, I will develop a code organising app for searching local HD folders and files, browsing files by subject etc...
After this it needs some thought. I agree on the subject of people re-submiting code and calling it their own. How could we get past this? I think that an FTP site that is moderated by a group of us would be the best idea, it would also save a lot of trouble with implementing users on a server, getting clients to connect to the server, then to another client.... yada yada... :)
If you want in on the project, then please post with any expertise that you can offer :D :D :D WildGhost, i take it you're in on the project then? :)
Also, if you don't want in on the project development side of things, then please can you speak out on what type of features you would want in this app? Such as search for, subject areas (API, Network, Beginner) etc. Downloads, articles and tutorials etc.
HeSaidJoe, The project will be a kind of 'moderated' planet source code, so that a group of us can filter out the **** that gets submitted (take not planet source code, you should do this (filter)):) :) :)
Laterz
REM
I'm at school as well, in 6 weeeks i have 6 weeks off to develope, how about an xoom.com acount - free unlimited space and good speed ??. Check it
I'd prefer to steer clear of 'freebie' web server accounts. If i make this into something good and proper, it will be a professional tool for developers, and I think I probably would splash out and BUY myself some reliable, high-bandwidth server space from a reliable company :)
Anywayz, we have a long way to go in developing this app, but when it is finished, it will rule!
Laterz
REM
We could use Xoom until we have raised enough money to make our own server.
I have thought about this idea before and believe that the best solution is to urge the developers of Napster to change there program into a complete Internet file sharing system. Not only could this help to solve our problem, but it would solve some of their problems as well because they would then be able to argue that their program is a file sharing system and if people share .mp3 files, they can't do anything about it. That would help to get a lot of people off their back.
I like fallnwrld's idea about using university resources. I am not sure how much bandwidth it would suck up, but I am sure it can't be a whole hell of a lot for simple code snippets. The university shouldn't have a problem with that. Especially the big ones. I know that the University of Michigan has all kinds of bandwidth. Each hall of every dorm is equipped with an OC-12. The server could have full speed 100BaseT all the time. There have to be some people here that attend there or somewhere like it. Then we just need to come up with a dedicated server to stick in the corner of someone's dorm room. =)
-CD
Getting napster to change their product or to bring out a new one could go bad:
A. The program is not how we want it
B. Could be hard work to get them into doing it
C. It's personal to us and is something we can be proud of
I agree about the server, you could use xoom until you get a decen one.
next, about making it (if we do) we could have certain people doing certain doing certain jobs or we could all design the layout each and then we assign a BOSS and that person(s) will pick ones that are good and put the ideas into one, we could also take screenshots of our layouts and stick them on a free web (TEMP) account we could have for temp files, chat and other utils. This will be GOOD if we work together !
Oh yeah, one other thing. If we are all on the net or most one night we could have an e-mail ring/website which gives an I.P. address that we can all use to meet up on a chat program. I have a good chat program we could use that is Fox's with a nifty skin so it looks cool, howz bout it ?
http://www.members.xoom.com/psyvision
Screenshot soon.
I certainly don't think the best solution would be to get napster to change their program into a complete internet file sharing utility! :O What would we do? One of the reasons I want to make this program is so that I gain valuable experience in programming with VB. That's the fun about it.
The universities could be a good idea if they area as reliable as you say. I'm gonna work on some shell GUI's later this week and may get some screen shots of what i propose the app to look like soon :D :D :D
Shall we have a project Web site? PsyVision, we could use your Xoom account for the moment. The chat thing would also be a good idea. Lets sort it out, like when we can meet on the net to chat etc. I am based in the UK so my timezone is GMT +00 hours.
Laterz
REM
Hm, your URl doesn't exist...
You want a good file sharing program get direct connect. it's written in VB i think and lets you share any files. go to : vandal405.hypermart.net it's packed with warez and mp3s by the way
Andy
Don't create a napster-like program. I hate Napster!!!! :rolleyes:
I think we should create a program that lets the user connect to a website, download a file (the database), then do offline searches. Of course, the search results will contain the URL to the source code snippet. Then the program will have a function that fires up IE or Netscape upon clicking on the link. From the site itself, the user can view the code. Of course, it would be best if there's a downloadable example of the code snippet.
So far, I am trying to say we create a LiveUpdate-like proggie. (LiveUpdate's from Symantec if you do not know :p)
Hope this suggestion helps! PiKa!
P.S: We can always seek help from VB-World.Net and the 'infamous' Microsoft! :rolleyes:
[Edited by PiKaPrO on 06-07-2000 at 07:35 PM]
But downloading the file might not have enough information. Besides the title, we need more information about the code.
I didt have the time too read each reply so i am just gonna tell you guys.
There is a program out already called "wrapster" and with it you can trade all kinds of files..not just mp3.And i have seen stuff like "visual basic studio" and "teach yourself visual basic in 21 days" am sure it would be no problem to trade code on it...but ..once you downlaod any files you need the "wrapster" program to extract it..but the place i got it from was takin off line for having "the wrong stuff" in it's files.So if you are interested in getting this program email me [email protected]
for anyone who is interested in getting rid of that crappy ban that napster put on user's..here is what you need to delete from your registry
Manual Instructions, just in case this fix doesn't work:
First Uninstall Napster using their Uninstall Program, delete the Napster program folders and reboot.
On Win2k - Login as Administrator or someone with Administrative rights.
Then run REGEDIT and do a search for the following 3 strings and delete the keys that show up:
35D38C13-1434-AB7E-003483943341AA
A1AD8C13-1383-5343-DCC38E43FF0AAE
CAD8C813-1F34-1B3E-00CEAE43FF0AAD
In Win9x you should find 4 instances for each string, in Win2k you should find 5 instances of each string. If you have uninstalled Napster using the Add/Remove Programs then also search the Registry for Napster and delete any keys that show up. Once you delete those registry keys just reinstall Napster and login and create a new account. If you use your old one you will have to start over from scratch.
Explanation of how the ban works:
When you log in with an account that is to be banned Napster makes a couple of registry entries for you. The ones I have found are listed below. This definately works for Windows 95 and 98. With the new ones I just found it appears to work with Win98SE. You cannot use the INF for Win2k, but there are instructions below for doing it manually.
Registry Keys it makes for Win9x:
HKey_Classes_Root\CLSID\
{CAD8C813-1F34-1B3E-00CEAE43FF0AAD}
{35D38C13-1434-AB7E-003483943341AA}
{A1AD8C13-1383-5343-DCC38E43FF0AAE}
HKey_CurrentUuser\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\
{35D38C13-1434-AB7E-003483943341AA}
{A1AD8C13-1383-5343-DCC38E43FF0AAE}
{CAD8C813-1F34-1B3E-00CEAE43FF0AAD}
HKey_Local_Machine\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\
{35D38C13-1434-AB7E-003483943341AA}
{A1AD8C13-1383-5343-DCC38E43FF0AAE}
{CAD8C813-1F34-1B3E-00CEAE43FF0AAD}
HKey_Users\.Default\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\
{35D38C13-1434-AB7E-003483943341AA}
{A1AD8C13-1383-5343-DCC38E43FF0AAE}
{CAD8C813-1F34-1B3E-00CEAE43FF0AAD}
Instead of the HKey_Users\.Default Win2k does the following:
HKey_Users\S-1-5-21-2000478354-1563985344-1343024091-500\Software\Classes\CLSID\
{35D38C13-1434-AB7E-003483943341AA}
{A1AD8C13-1383-5343-DCC38E43FF0AAE}
{CAD8C813-1F34-1B3E-00CEAE43FF0AAD}
HKey_Users\S-1-5-21-2000478354-1563985344-1343024091-500_Classes\CLSID\
{35D38C13-1434-AB7E-003483943341AA}
{A1AD8C13-1383-5343-DCC38E43FF0AAE}
{CAD8C813-1F34-1B3E-00CEAE43FF0AAD}
(the "S-1-5-21-2000....." number will be different on every Win2k Machine)
And i know this is a programing site and not a hacking site..but i figured it could help anyway.
what does that have to do with hacking?
Sorry goto:
http://members.xoom.com/PsyVision/vb-world/index.htm
This is a dodgy connection so if you can get on, av a look
PsyVision mate, the page you specify is down at the moment. See what i was saying about freebie web accounts :D
Anyway, how old are ya, and where are ya besed (country wise, i aint asking for a specific street address :))
when i get the time in a few eeks I will make a proper project web site for this thing. Wicked.
Laterz
REM
p.s. I really think we should arrange to chat somewhere sometime, as this thread is getting quite long... :)
Sorry Guys,
I'm Richard Caunt from England U.K. running on G.M.T +00 hours, i'm 14 years old.
The web site for me is at:
http://psyvision.members.easyspace.com/
And for the chat picture and link(Friday):
http://psyvision.members.easyspace.c...orld/index.htm
This should work but is new so the server has to register it.
Or why don't we ask John if we can keep it on Vb-world?
Have you asked, when shall we meet for a chat ?
Nope haven't asked, but I will now.
John, do you want to do this idea?
Thats very good, but you have to say it to him!
there is another...imesh.com...kind of dumpy site...deals with apps and whatevers..movies...porn...not a recommendation but it's the same deal as Napster..share files...instead of having files too large to email you upload them and people share them....you might want to look at it to see what you might come up against.
when we meet ?
so what have you guys decided upon?
I'm trying to arrange a chat but no one is ever on, goto:
http://psyvision.members.easyspace.c...orld/index.htm
And get the chat software, client, then we have to meet up
Sorry I didn't weigh in earlier, I've been out of town. I
hate to be another one against this project because I would
like to encourage code sharing as well.
BUT, let's look at how Napster works:
When it enocounters a song on your computer, it checks the
database on Napster to see if the song exists. If it does,
then it adds your machine as a possible host for this song.
If the song does not exist, then it is added to the Napster
database with your machine as the only host (thus giving
many multiple entries when titles don't exactly match.)
Now, consider what you're proposing:
You want to share many lines of code, EACH LINE HAVING
INFORMATION THAT COULD BE A POSSIBLE SEARCH KEY. Say for
example you searched for a code snippet on using the
GetDeviceCaps API call. Presumably, you'd want to find
any example which used it, not just ones called
"GetDeviceCaps example" or something similar.
Here's the point:
What you really want to do is a full-text search of the
available code so that the user can not only locate the
string GetDeviceCaps, but can locate it in the proper
context.
So:
If you're going to set up a server which is running a
full-text catalog of all this code on all of our machines,
then it is already housing the full-text of the code! No
need to go look for it on our individual machines to
complete the transaction. (This, of course, is just a
web-based code warehouse).
Still with me?:
Let me make an analogy to Napster, which is where we started
this discussion in the first place. What you're proposing
to do is NOT as similar to Napster as it seems. You're not
just asking "Find a machine with Layla on it"; instead your
asking "Find that cool piano solo in E-flat which is about
two minutes long in a classic rock song". The server could
answer the first one using a catalog. To answer the second,
it would need to have the actual song.
One more thing:
Don't forget, one of the main motivations for the
architecture that Napster used was LEGAL, not technological.
Napster wanted to be sure that music files were not being
passed directly through their servers because that would
clearly be in violation of the artist's copyrights.
If I can help then I'll help, but I think you've got some
serious issues to resolve on this one...
Thanx for listening.
John
Yeah, but what if the user removes the code from his computer
I did. Notice I said John, do you want to do this idea? But I suppose you're right. I don't think he reads these threads.Quote:
Originally posted by PsyVision
Thats very good, but you have to say it to him!
What we could do is make a program that makes databases of codes.. we can let the user download a database with the program which includes some usefull codes, and then what you could do is let the user add new code into the database and when he/she gets online, you can see what new code they have by reading the database and reading the title and description of the code from the database on their computer... I don't know if you get what I"m saying or not... if you don't understand, then I'll try to present a example...
let's say I make a directx code that changes resolution of the computer...
now I copy that code, and goto the program that REM made, and paste it there and give it a title and description and press save, and it'll save it in a predefined database, now this user goes online and while he's online you can download his snipet of code or whatever....
OK THAT IDEA IS DUMB AND STUPID! DAMN...
If useres submit their own code it should have one title to view by but then eachfile should have another .ini that has keywords of what the code is so if it saved a picture you could have keywords as
Picture
Savepicture
See ?
I think users should be able to submit their own code but for error checking and to stop them removing the code on the website for the program we could have an upload page check http://www.hypertony.co.uk for this style thing, this code then comes to us we check it through our team of members and then it gets published after we give it a suitable title so others can find it, this also stops users from putting stuff called '**** Me' etc onto the program, the app should also have a bit to show which users are online and a chat feature where you can exchange code with a special file transfer thing. there could also be admin (us) who look for twats that piss with our software.
How bout a chat sometime and get this sorted and get some ideas from our brains and into that computer ?
I like the ideas given here. However I have some of my own ideas also that might interest u guys.
1. We need a centralized meeting place. Like a webring with a chat room or bulletin board. Now I am sure we can find a free place for this.
2. I don't like the idea of napster or any other program that searches your hard drive. I am sure someone will shortly make another program to change napster so that people can hack your computer using it.
3. Has anyone considered going to online sources for servers and see if they want to make a deal with this group for a server.
4. I believe it would be better if we keep this mostly web based. It would make it easier to manage the codes being sent to us. It would also make it more secure against hackers on others computers.
5. Has anyone considered using CGI on a web site for a online search engine of codes. We would have to have them fill out a form for each piece of code. We would also have to have requirements on documentation and notification to the person that submitted the code on whether or not we are putting the code into the database.
6. any program that you can create and use to search hard drives would have to keep large files on that persons hard drive. this might not be a very good idea, because some a lot of people dont have very large hard drives. mine is only 1 gig and i dont have the money to upgrade.
7. I am willing to help with this program but the group will have to come to mutual understanding on the legalitiy of this so that no one gets sued years later if this does become popular.
Hi crew, been away for a couple of days, but good to see people still interested :)
Anywayz, i just want ot make my idea for this app clear, as many people seem to have different visions of what the app is 'going' to be like...
1. The program comes in the form of a client that connects to a web database of code and gets a list of available files and articles, alternatively, the user can browse the database, looking at individual files, or downloading them when they wish. The user will also have the option of synchronising whole folders etc.
2. The code that will be featured on the archive WILL be moderated, so we don't get rubbish sample code, or repeats etc. This will ensure a quality database for serious VB Programmers.
3. All code that is submitted will be public domain. We don't even need to touch all the legal **** surrounding napster (Unless Dr. Dre and Metallica enjoy a bit of programming in VB every now and then :), in that case were screwed :))
4. The app will be in a way similar to napster, but not exact. When i initially posted the idea, i just wanted to share what i had, which is a vision of a huge database ocntaining professional searchable source code.
Anywayz, i hope this has cleared things up a little bit. BTW, we need to organise a chat sometime. Email me.
Laterz
REM
Well its a nice idea. But if code on sites like
planet-source-code is below par and sometimes just plan wrong what would keep all the little home servers from having crap code also. And with it all spread out like that there would be no way to control the quality or validity of the code being offered. I would think a website would be the best way to go. Just a search page with a huge bank of code for download on its server. And have it so people could add there site to the search as well. And the search would go though there site as well. That way you could filter out crap at least to some extent. And to make it more handy like napster have a little app that anyone can download and use and it would search the database of the site from a local PC so you would not have to go to the site to search for code. You would not have to connect to the net but not have to open up a browser to search for the code.
Anyways Reply on this idea if you like. It makes more sense to me. It might to you.
Okay, now we have it sorted:
A database on the web that we all can log onto and look at, when shall we chat, weekdays i'm free after nine, weekends all day if i'm home ?