Author Topic: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...  (Read 6088 times)

Offline TomTech71

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Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« on: August 04, 2014, 07:18:36 PM »
I discovered this wonderful software a few weeks back....

Let me introduce myself....

In the following Darwin2.47.03 VB6 function:

MIDIForm1.loadpiccy_Click()

It is noted: "for some reason this doesn't work. I have given up on it for now"

Make the following changes:

    CommonDialog1.InitDir = App.path

Always, Always, Always (Enough Already)...Reference from inside your app. Especially if your looking for max portability, and true DRM free.


    CommonDialog1.Filter = "Pictures (*.bmp;*.jpg)|*.bmp;*.jpg"

The minute I ran into the issue with the dialog-box while using the app, I knew this would be the line. I had to go back and refresh on how to use that property correctly.

I have a lengthy dissertation (bug-report?) on this software if you want it. Thought of posting it on the forum as my introduction, then thought this would be more effective, once I got the VB project working on my Win7 (typical control-registration-issues)

You say you're looking for help?

Tom Nelson

Offline spork22

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2014, 07:21:30 PM »
Nice to meet ya
Hubba Jubba Lollywash!

Offline Botsareus

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2014, 10:48:21 AM »
That was a pretty stupid one. Good find! and welcome! One of the features I never really used so had no idea it was messed up.
Windows7 ocx registration issues? Did you try the installer?

Go ahead and send me your bug report, as long as you have clear vb solutions for most of them I would not mind the help :)

Offline Botsareus

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2014, 10:51:50 AM »
Quote
I have a lengthy dissertation (bug-report?)

Wait a minute, you are writing a bug report as your final PHD prep project? Interesting!

Offline Botsareus

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2014, 11:14:54 AM »
(sorry, for multiple reply - need to organize my thoughts better)

Does the dissertation include a general introduction to the software? If so, I would like to reference it if you do not mind.  ;)

Offline Botsareus

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #5 on: August 05, 2014, 11:48:50 AM »
Also, if you like, there are ways to install vb6 on windows7 and windows8 even. It is good to have fresh eyes on the project.
If you need a fully portable version of Darwinbots I can hook you up with that as well (no need to worry about the registry (I think))
Other then that, DB works pretty much the same on XP as on windows7, I have yet to find a very specific difference.

Offline TomTech71

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2014, 01:23:03 PM »
The OCX issue is the usual Common Control registration. Not an issue to clear up.

(laughs) Sorry...Misuse of the word 'dissertation'. It's just a bunch of bullets and such with a programmers 'User' perspective as I found myself obsessed with playing with DB2 when I discovered it a month ago. Quirks, unfriendly things, bugs, "why is it programmed this way"...things like that. In programming projects, I'm known as the 'front-end' programmer. Always putting emphasis on the user iteration with the program. The minute I realized I would want to get involved, I started jotting down notes as I played.

Installing VB6 on Win7 (32 and 64) is not an issue if you know the trick: Install the base program, then SKIP installing SP5, which introduces MDAC issues, and go straight for SP6B. Done this on several Win7 machines, and actively program VB6 at work and at home, both on Win7.64.

DB2 is already very standalone. I even run it from a stick no matter where I am. That's one reason I press the local-referencing for paths and such. To ensure it stays that way.

Tom

Offline Panda

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2014, 11:48:28 AM »
Heya~! I'm glad there's another person who loves DB2 so much. :D

Offline Botsareus

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2014, 10:25:30 PM »
Gives me someone to hand over the project when I am done with it  :D

Offline Peter

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2014, 04:11:09 PM »
Someone to help you with bugs. ;)

I dislike users. They never know what they want and too stupid to use the damn interface properly. :P
Oh my god, who the hell cares.

Offline TomTech71

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #10 on: August 13, 2014, 01:34:13 PM »
It helps if the interface is programmed to be friendly to the User...and maybe some instructions...

I got indication that a cutoff date for current update work development is upon us.

My first contribution was a bug-fix. This one is a feature enhancement.

In code comment, and on the forum, I see a desire for a better indicator for SunStatus. I desperately needed that as well.

Here is a simple, but very effective solution.

* Plant a PictureBox on the MDIForm. It will probably try to set just below the toolbar, which is great: That's where I want it.

MDIForm1 Form File Control Parameters:
============================================
Begin VB.MDIForm MDIForm1   
  Begin VB.PictureBox picSunStatus
      Align           =   1  'Align Top
      BackColor       =   &H00FF0000&
      BorderStyle     =   0  'None
      Height          =   80
      Left            =   0
      ScaleHeight     =   75
      ScaleWidth      =   14295
      TabIndex        =   10
      Top             =   420
      Width           =   14292
   End
End
==============================================


* In the Vegs.feedvegs Subroutine, place one line of code at the end of the routine. Ends up looking like:
==============================================
    End If
    Next t
getout:
    MDIForm1.picSunStatus.BackColor = IIf(SimOpts.Daytime = True, &HFFFF&, &HFF0000) <++++++ ADDED LINE
End Sub
==============================================

What results is a thin color bar just below the toolbar, stretching the entire length of the parent form. Shows a dark (night) color when the sun is down, and yellow (obvious) when the sun is up. Is visible no matter what size and position the MDI form takes. Is not intrusive. Works Great For Me.

I'm very busy reverse-engineering this package (when I'm not busy just playing with it). I'm creating my own executable, descendants of the latest package, with enhancements and corrections for testing. I'm already enjoying using the software more with the changes I've made.

Tom

Offline Botsareus

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #11 on: August 13, 2014, 01:40:37 PM »
That is kinda cool.
Love to see your entire mod.
What else are you working on?

Offline Botsareus

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #12 on: August 13, 2014, 01:43:42 PM »
I may push that date a little as I still did not get IM working. It was planned for 15th

Offline Numsgil

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #13 on: August 13, 2014, 06:16:29 PM »
If you'd like to take an active role in the development we can set you up with subversion write priveleges.  Probably will do it as patches for the first few just to make sure you know what you're doing and that you can play nicely with other coders, and then after that you can have more freedom to do whatever.

Especially it sounds like Bots wants to wind down the time he spends doing proper dev stuff anyway in the nearish future, and it's better for the community if there's some amount of visible dev work going on.

Offline MysticalDumpling

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Re: Greetings From A DarwinBots Newbie...
« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2014, 12:17:23 PM »
Yay! A new programmer for db. Botsareus can't do it all!  :D Wish I could help, but VB is far from my expertise...
To być albo nie być, oto jest ze pytanie