The Stonetable » IT Secrets

Understanding software bug reports

Matt — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:54:36 +0000

Ever wondered what those release notes and hot fixes really mean? Follow this simple guide.

“Our support engineers have now isolated the cause of the problem”

We’ve no idea how to fix this.

“Some customers will be affected by this issue”

All customers will be affected, but we figure you won’t meet them and compare notes.

“Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience that this may have caused.”

Don’t blame us, you’re on your own.

“We believe…”

We don’t know…

“Upgrade to the latest version”

…and you’ll get issues that make your current bug look like a feature.

“A security update is available”

Bug fix so shameful we don’t want to admit what it is.

“Service pack”

Everything we forgot in the main release.

“Under certain conditions…”

We don’t know why this happens.

How to export selected mail from Outlook Express

Matt — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:52:41 +0000

Problem
You want to export a selection of one or more messages from Outlook Express.

Solution
The Outook Express ‘Save as’ feature does not help here because it is not available when you select multiple emails. The ‘Export’ menu item looks promising, but this is specifically for exporting to other MS apps. What does work is to drag and drop the mail from Outlook Express to a folder in Explorer.

How to switch off Windows Messenger pop-ups

Matt — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:51:36 +0000

Problem
You are receiving annoying pop-up message boxes while online.

Solution
Open My Computer/Manage/Services and Applications/Services/Messenger/Properties and set startup type to disabled. For more information see http://grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm

Tab complete in Windows 2000

Matt — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:50:24 +0000

Problem
You want to use tab completion in an MS-DOS box, just like in a Unix shell.

Solution
It’s enabled by default in XP, but in Win2000 you need to set the completion character to ’09′ (hex for tab) in following registry keys:

[c]
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\CompletionChar = 09
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor\PathCompletionChar = 09
[/c]

Sticky Alt key

Matt — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:48:20 +0000

Problem
Sometimes, after logging on, I find that the mouse behaves as if the Alt key is permanently down: when you double-click an icon, the properties page opens instead of the app. The problem seems to be associated with wireless keyboards.

Solution
Hold down both Alt keys (or Alt and Alt Gr) to clear the sticky state.