General

Automatic Windows Update

Pete Vidler — Fri, 24 Sep 2004 16:47:00 GMT

Looks like my computer is doing a windows update. I didn't ask it to (I don't have automatic updates turned on), but I guess this is WinXP SP2 installing itself. I'm a bit pissed off that it didn't even tell me it was going to install something -- it just appeared as an icon in the notification area.

If it suddenly pops up a dialog asking me to reset the computer (or worse, does it for me without asking), I'll be going back to Linux. Imagine getting a sudden popup asking you to reset your computer; if you didn't notice the thing installing, an inexperienced user will probably think it was a virus like blaster. The question is, would they be wrong?

Update:

The mysterious update appears to have stopped downloading at 47%. There is no internet activity. There appears to be no way to cancel or restart the download (no context menu, nothing happens when I double-click it). I will have to wait a while then try to end the process, I guess. How is an ordinary, non-technical user supposed to deal with this?

Second Update:

Okay, I ended the process. The icon disappeared and then immediately reappeared. That's cheating! On the plus side, it now seems to be at 48% (and it's only been two hours to get that extra 1%).

What is really getting on my nerves is that I'm moving tomorrow. This computer probably won't touch the internet again for a long time (possibly years, as I will be using computers at uni). I really needed to spend this time downloading the programs and websites that I will need so they can be used offline, and not worrying about whether this weird update will go away or not.

I'm Back!

Pete Vidler — Sun, 22 Aug 2004 18:51:00 GMT

Nearly a year since my last post, I'm finally back (must have lost my password for a while, heheh).

Anyway, for the last year I've been applying for jobs like crazy. The news is that I won't be unemployed for much longer! In september I'm starting a Ph.D at Leicester University in the UK. I will be based in the Embedded Systems Laboratory and my project is to write a compiler for a not-yet-developed language targetting a not-yet-designed processor -- should be fun! So I'll be a student again, but this time they'll pay me for it (a professional student)! And I'm using way too many exclamation marks!

I've noticed that a lot of people have been commenting on my previous blog entries (particularly the ones on Extending RichTextBox). It's nice to see that people are finding these useful, but I can't really help anyone with the code that is there (I barely remember writing it). Sorry, but it shouldn't be too hard to work out if you play with it.

I've also changed my email address -- it's now pvidler@mailblocks.com and uses a challenge/response spam filter (so be prepared for an automated response if you send me email).

Mozilla Firebird

Pete Vidler — Wed, 15 Oct 2003 19:10:00 GMT

Looks like Firebird 0.7 is finally out. Now I just wish I could get the download link to work.

For those that don't know about Firebird.. it's the best web browser available. Go get it now.

Introduction and Test Post

Pete Vidler — Tue, 14 Oct 2003 17:22:00 GMT

Time for a little introduction/test post combo. First, thanks to Jeff for letting me start this blog.

Here's some info about me:

Name: Peter Vidler
Age: 22
Job: None (emails from potential employers are welcome :) )

By nature (and education) I am a programmer. Since I am also unemployed and have lots of free time on my hands, I am currently using that time to play with C# and the .NET framework. Specifically I am most interested in Windows Forms, so you'll be mostly seeing information and links in that area here.

If you need/want to get in touch with me you are welcome to email me at pvidler@gawab.com (which may or may not filter your email so I won't see it), or p.j.vidler@cs.cf.ac.uk (which is an old university account that may go down at any time and cannot be used for outgoing mail). Or just post a comment.