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FHteam
Admin
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2005 15:46
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XP Style Hacker by Skyjuice Software
Desktop → Cosmetic Tools → Miscellaneous Changers
Get your old Win32 apps looking like their Windows XP counterparts! XP Style Hacker is a small unique tool that
instantly transforms applications, that do not recognise Windows XP visual
styles, to be "style aware". Just select the EXE file from the program dialog
and the next time you run the program it will adapt to your current XP theme....
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fabricio
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# Posted: 22 Jan 2007 15:32
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i hate the tricks, this link download a "downloader", be carefull, is the entrace for rootkity or spyware, don·t download
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FHteam
Admin
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2007 06:14 - Edited by: FHteam
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fabricio
Our links take you to the Skyjuice Software website, their links for their program "XP Style Hacker" go to their listing & download on Simtel. I have now updated our listing to provide a direct link to their own download which I have also tested. It downloads the program nothing else.
What you saw wasn't a trick or even malicious, this is what it was...
Simtel is a public listing site, the files are hosted on their Worldwide Content Distribution Network. Their latest method of downloading is to "bundle" files with their own download manager which has to be installed first, it then checks the user's computer location, selects the closest download location & processes the download as quickly & efficiently as possible. It also makes sure you get a complete download.
It only works properly in Internet Explorer!
I don't see how it can work at all if you use another download manager!
I think they have probably done this to distribute file downloads more evenly over their servers. Also probably to stop complaints about downloads from people who don't understand about multiple download locations or glitched downloads.
I personally don't like this & I don't think I'd ever use it because I couldn't find any explanation AT ALL on the Simtel site. I had to do a Google search & then go to another site to find out what it was!!
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gorlash
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2007 13:39
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Also, I suspect, they want to use their downloader because it gives them more opportunities to to splash their name across the user's screen, since in most cases the user doesn't care about Simtel at all, they just want the file.
I originally dealt with Simtel back some 15 years ago, when they were mostly an ftp-hosted file repository (at ftp.cdrom.com) with a mailing list and usenet newsgroup to notify people about new software that became available. In those days, it was my preferred method of keeping track of what new software became available or got updated.
Unfortunately, about a decade ago they moved to the web-site format, and have put more and more emphasis in using advertising to pay for their service; much of the hoops that they make users jump through hoops is to make sure that we are exposed to as many advertisements as possible.
On the plus side, though, Simtel is one of the few sites that will actually host software; most sites [ such as FWH 8-{P ] only maintain links to software in their listings. So I guess trying to pay for the servers isn't unreasonable, but they've managed to make their site very unpleasant to use. Generally, I just avoid Simtel whenever I possibly can.
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Dee
Member
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2007 23:34
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As far as I can tell CNet's Download.com is beginning to implement the same procedure!!
gorlash I honestly don't think it's about pushing ads. Simtel lists all kinds of programs not just freeware & AFAIK they offer premium services they charge for just like TUCOWS & Download.com. These days ads generate respectable income, *without* stuffing them in people's faces, if you have sufficient traffic, which these sites do.
I don't think this is about server cost, I think it's about support.
As I said earlier, I think they have probably done this to distribute file downloads more evenly over their servers. Also probably to minimize complaints about downloads from people who don't understand about multiple download locations or glitched downloads.
I get *several* messages every single day from people who have download problems - Browser blocks download; can't find download links; download doesn't start (click the link again!); page not found (click the link again!); don't know which link to click (duh!); can't open zip files (yup I still get those!).
Imagine how many similar messages Simtel gets!
We *don't* host files so we *don't* have to provide support but I answer those messages anyway. It's repetitive, it's time consuming (even with pre-written replies) but *I* consider it's an essential part of who we are at FH.
HOWEVER -
There's only 2 of us & Eugene also has a full time job!
That's why we decided not to host files ;-)
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derelict
Member
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2007 10:40 - Edited by: derelict
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Yeah, I understand the extra problems related to actually hosting the files; on top of the other support problems, you also need a terrabyte of reliable, redundant, backed-up storage. Then you also gotta figure out how to keep all your files up-to-date in a world of constant version changes, since authors often don't remember where they've uploaded files.
My online experiences started back in the BBS days, when *every* file site was a machine in some person's den or bedroom. Plus, in those days, there was only one phone line into the server, so only one person at a time could access!! That was *not* better!! (at least from a file-access standpoint).
Either way, I've also noticed the increasing problems with download.com. With either site (simtel.com or download.com), if the user is blocking Flash (which I *always* do, because flash ads are SOOOOO obnoxious), you can't access their services at all... I wish FireFox would let me selectively block Flash ads, like it does with other ads.
(BTW, gorlash is derelict, I was confused at work and created a duplicate account)
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Dee
Member
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# Posted: 12 Feb 2007 02:58 - Edited by: Dee
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Quoting: derelict since authors often don't remember where they've uploaded files.
Not to mention the ones who "update" 3 times a week just to stay on the 'what's new' pages of the sites that pad their new listings with updates!
Quoting: derelict My online experiences started back in the BBS days
Uh huh, I wasn't far behind you! My *computing* days go back a lot further but I didn't move over to a PC & get online until 1996.
Also, because I choose to live in the middle of nowhere, I only upgraded from a dial-up connection 3 months ago! My satellite connection by comparison is wonderful BUT not as fast as DSL or cable so I know what you mean about ads although I don't seem to have the same problems that you do. For me the ads on Download.com play once & then stop.
You might find that a better solution for controlling flash ads is to use the flash player settings. You can get to them by RIGHT clicking on any flash ad then click on "Settings". If you want even more control click on the "Advanced" tab which will take you to Adobe's page here.
(BTW, gorlash is derelict, I was confused at work and created a duplicate account)
Sssshhhh, do what others do, keep one for when you want to post something different to your normal style hehehe.
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