New program idea for VB developers!

[REM]

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... As I definately am

Laterz

REM

[Razzle]

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.

[REM]

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

[JasonGS]

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...

[REM]

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:

'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

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)!

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

[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

[fallnwrld]

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.

[REM]

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

[rbenfield25]

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.

[REM]

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?

[REM]

Megatron - I like a challenge

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...

[AndyC]

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

[DiGiTaIErRoR]

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.

[JasonGS]

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...

[Gary.Lowe]

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

[Razzle]

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

[HeSaidJoe]

...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!

[PsyVision]

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....

[REM]

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 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

[PsyVision]

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

[REM]

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.

[kevin77]

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.

[CreepingDeath]

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

[PsyVision]

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 !

[PsyVision]

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.

[REM]

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

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

[Fox]

Hm, your URl doesn't exist...

[AndyC]

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

[PiKaPrO]

Don't create a napster-like program. I hate Napster!!!!

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 )
Hope this suggestion helps! PiKa!

P.S: We can always seek help from VB-World.Net and the 'infamous' Microsoft!

[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.

[Sophtware]

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.

[Sacofjoea]

what does that have to do with hacking?

[PsyVision]

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