Andy TaylorLeave a commentUncategorized

DVD Ripper – Back up DVD’s Fast and Free – Part I

DVD Rip Automates One-Click DVD Ripping
From lifehacker.com — “Windows only: Sick of scratched, skippy DVDs, I put together a simple AutoHotkey script that automated DVD rips in conjunction with a freeware application called DVD Shrink. I’ve since gone back and drastically improved the original DVD Rip application complete with options and improved automation…”
See part II for more info and details.
DDTechGuy

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Andy TaylorLeave a commentUncategorized

My DVD ripping experience…Backup your DVD’s fast and free! Part II

So, after grabbing the scripted file from Part I, I had to d/l DVD Shrink before DVD Ripper would work (not a surprise, stated clearly on the Lifehacker page below) and after spending less than two minutes setting up I was rippin’ the first DVD. (an 87 minute independantly published DVD of a conference I recently attended).

Now the author says: “Windows only: Rip and back up any DVD to your hard drive with DVD Rip, a freeware Windows application that automates the entire DVD-to-hard-drive backup process. All you need to do is insert your DVD, run DVD Rip, and let it take care of the rest. “

And he’s not kidding!

The first time you run the automation program you will need to tell it where you want your root directory created for the files to rip to their individual folders for easy access later. (Note: these are all the .vob and .ifo files)

But before you go grab a stack of your DVD’s to back up to your hard drive there are a couple of things you need to know up front:

1. After you insert your DVD and run the ripping program, you’ll be asked to name your file.
2. Depending on your cpu speed, the amount of RAM you have and the speed of your DVD drive, in a few moments the files will be exactly where you expect them to be.
3. At this point you will be asked to insert a DVD-R so you can make a back up copy of your DVD. (The authors intent is to be able to view the back up and not chance harming your original) You can just remove your original DVD and hit cancel and be done.

But then you’ll need something to PLAY the files on your hard drive and Media Player Classic is just thing to use. (open the Video_TS.IFO to start the DVD menu)

And so far, the only hitch I’ve hit is when the DVD is just TOO BIG to fit on a standard DVD disc (“automatically” that is…you can pop into the menu and remove unneeded/unwanted extra’s; like spanish and/or french subtitles, extra commentaries, etc, to make the copy smaller…albeit less complete) — Now I have a Dual Layer DVD +/- R/RW, I’ve just not purchased any DL DVD discs to write to yet…but I will. And I’ll post here if that solves the problem.

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S!ickLeave a commentUncategorized

maximize Internet Explorer

On our radio show, we had talked about how to configure Internet Explorer so it always opens maximized. We received calls with suggestions, and I wanted to post links to articles in our blog. After reviewing the Microsoft website, I sent a message to them (via their website)…

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— Original Message —
Subject : I cannot find an article

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
Message: I am seeking an article on how to configure Internet Explorer so it opens in a maximized position, but one does not seem to exist…

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From: “Microsoft Online Customer Service”
Subject: RE: SRX1060333998ID – I cannot find an article

Hello,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Customer Service.

I understand that you would like to obtain an article where you can know as how to configure Internet Explorer page so that the page opens with a maximized page. I will assist you regarding this.

As there is no article regarding this, I suggest you to follow the below steps mentioned in Method 1 or 2, to accomplish your task of opening up a maximized Internet Explorer page:

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click one of the window corners and drag it out to completely fill your screen. (Do not use the Maximize button to maximize the window).

3. In Internet Explorer 6, press and hold down either “Ctrl” or “Shift”, Select “Exit” from the “File” menu. (Use the Close button in Internet Explorer 7).

Now when you launch Internet Explorer, it should open in a full window. If it opens in the same small window, repeat the steps but hold down the opposite key in step 3, that is either “Ctrl” or “Shift”.

Method 2:

1. Close all the windows that are opened.
2. Open “My Computer”
3. Open “C” drive > “Program Files” > “Internet Explorer”
4. In this folder, right-mouse click on “iexplorer.exe” (or iexplorer). Now, a popup menu will appear
5. Select “Copy” from the menu. Close the window
6. Right mouse click on desktop. A menu will appear.
7. Select “Paste Shortcut” from the menu. A shortcut will be pasted on the desktop.
8. Right mouse click on the shortcut > select “Properties”.
9. Select Shortcut tab, select “Maximized” in the “Run” field
10. Click on “Apply” and “OK”
11. Restart your Internet Explorer page.

I hope the above answers your question. Should you have any other concern, please write back to us.

Thank you,

Sam
Microsoft Customer Service Representative

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It’s great that I received a response, but I still think they should write an article about it…

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