Category Archives: Tips & Tricks

SOLVED: how to bulk rename image files with date and time (VikingOSX’s script using ExifTool)

I’m documenting this for myself in the future, and also in case it helps someone else needing to do the same. I will link to not only where I found the script in an Apple Community forum post, but also where I discussed my tweaking and success in the ExifTool forum as well.

First, here is where in an Apple Community forum post, user-member VikingOSX posted their script that I then modified:

Script to rename pictures with date and time

And then here is where I posted my tweaked script along with some explanations on it:

SOLVED: How to modify Mac Automator Script to rename MOV with EXIF date/time?

 

Quick tech minute: resurrecting a dinosaur, SOLVED: Frontpage cannot open web; the folder isn’t accessible

You’re no doubt here because you googled something like:

frontpage xp cannot open web the folder isn’t accessible

…or perhaps

frontpage xp how to open existing website

…and you found an astounding paucity of help, because Microsoft not only stopped supporting Frontpage, they even deleted all the many support articles and hotfixes.

Sometimes you have to resurrect a dinosaur. I have one client that still uses Frontpage Server Extensions and still needs access via MS Frontpage.

I recently succeeded in getting “Office XP” with Microsoft Frontpage installed on Windows 11 (ARM 64 bit edition). The Windows install is running in a VM on MacOS Ventura 13.6 with the Apple M1 Max chipset.

I had made a disk image of the CD, so I could archive it on my network attached storage drive, and I had attached that image to the CD drive of my virtual machine. The install seemed to go off without a hitch. But, take note, the first time I installed it, it did not require a restart afterward, and it turns out it did not install correctly. It only seemed to.

The first time installed it, launched Frontpage, and then tried to open a web, I ran into the above issue. Instead of being asked for credentials, I was told the web could not be opened.

After careful sleuthing, including multiple searches on the Wayback Machine, I realized the key is the go to the installer file on the CD (SETUP.EXE), right-click on it, select the Compatibility tab, and tell it to “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and select “Windows XP (Server Pack 3).”

For extra measure (just in case), I went further by clicking on “Change setting for all users” and doing the same there.

I also previously did the very same for each program icon (Word, Frontpage, etc). But it was doing this with the installer file, and letting it re-run the installation, that made the difference.

After re-installing from the Office CD with the compatibility option set, I was prompted to restart the Windows PC. After doing that, I again launched Frontpage, and when I clicked to “open web” I was asked for credentials, and all works a treat. Screenshots below.

PS: If you’re attempting what I did, you will also no doubt be looking for an installer file for…

Microsoft Agent 2.0

…which I finally located here: https://forum.winworldpc.com/discussion/11699/request-microsoft-agent-2-0

…And that also worked a treat.

I hope this helps someone.

Screenshots:

 

You won’t believe: Detailers’ Easy Trick to Clean Any Windshield!

Micro$oft gets nasty on forced Windows 10 “Upgrade” — (Update to “How to Stop Windows 10”)

This is an update to what I previously posted here. (I’m a Mac user, but I write such things out of concern for friends still suffering the handicap known as Windows.)

Microsoft has recently gotten downright mean, and certainly unethical. The latest “popup” windows about upgrading now interpret clicking the “X” as “upgrade” instead of “close” — both the “X” and the “OK” button function the same as choosing “upgrade.”

According to a WND article here:

To avoid the forced “upgrade,” a user has to go into the fine print. Inside a logo box in the ad is a scheduled date for a mandatory upgrade. The user must look in the tiny type just below that line and find where it says “here” and click on that to avoid the upgrade.

Read more on their site.

Awesome! Reloading bullet primers with matches

How to Stop Windows 10

Many of you are frustrated at Micro$oft forcing Windows 10 on you against your will. This is no exaggeration. They are silently downloading 3 gigabytes of Windows 10 installer files without consent (which is practically theft since it robs you of bandwidth and storage space you pay for), and they are insisting (via pop-ups that leave you no way out) that people with Windows 7, Windows 8.1, etc, upgrade to Windows 10. This new OS drags many PCs to a crawl. If you were forced into an “upgrade,” there is a way to downgrade, going back to your earlier version, but you must do so within 30 days of the upgrade. Settings –> Restore –> (Google is your friend here). There is also a freeware program that will delete the unwanted Windows 10 installer files and stop the merciless pop-ups. Again, Google is your friend. I am not a Windows user (I use Mac), but again, I am your friend. The freeware I installed on a church computer to stop the madness, is called GWX Control Panel from Ultimate Outsider (link below). http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/