Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2013 August 23

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August 23

Firefox

if i have 8.0 installed in one directory, and i instal 23.0 in another, can i co-run them? the reason i ask is i want to be able to use 8.0 in case 23.0 doesn't work. thank you, 70.114.248.114 (talk) 04:07, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

Yes, you can use multiple versions at the same time. For example, I can run 1.5.0.8, 3.6.12, and 12.0 at the same time. You'll need to create shortcuts to the different installations and link to the different installations' profiles in order to do this: See here and let us know if you have any further issues. -- 140.202.10.134 (talk) 16:09, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

Also, I don't think you have to worry about 23 "not working" - (I've used it with no problems.) --.Yellow1996.^(ЬMИED¡) 16:33, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

well, by "not working", i mean in case they did something weird like disable my ability to disable java and pictures, witch near as i can tell they did. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.114.248.114 (talk) 22:56, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

The PRAGMA user_version=$version in places.sqlite differs between Firefoxes 8 and 23 (see this, line 631). I've had a problem with Firefox because of this, once, so co-running them might be dangerous. →Σσς. (Sigma) 05:51, 24 August 2013 (UTC)

Firefox bookmarks

I have two computers. A desktop running Windows 7 and Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and a laptop running Windows 7 and Ubuntu 13.04. All four OS have the latest Firefox installed with the bookmarks synched. Over time the bookmarks have got out of control so that on the laptop it can take up to 5 minutes for them to pop up on Ubuntu. I cleaned them out but over the past week they seem to have returned. Any idea which of the four Firfoxes would be the best one to clean out and sync from? I am assuming the original Windows on the desktop. Is that correct? CambridgeBayWeather (talk) 16:15, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

Thunderbird on Ubuntu

I'm currently not at home and staying in a hotel. When I first checked my email on Ubuntu 13.04 I had no problems replying with Thunderbird. However, later in the day I could not reply directly. I had to go to my domain and log in and send from there giving all my email an odd send address, instead of myname@myaddress.com it's mycom@myaddress.com. However, if I do it through Windows I don't seem to have the same problem and it works fine. Could this be a Thunderbird problem or a Ubuntu 13.o4 problem? I have had trouble with 13.04 dropping the wireless and it just will not work at all with a wired connection, even after I followed the instructions to fix it. CambridgeBayWeather (talk) 16:15, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

After returning from sleep mode, iTunes needs me to unplug and replug my iPod in order to recognize it

I have heard that USB ports can only take so many plug-ins before wearing out, so this is maybe not a good thing to be doing in the long term. I was wondering if anyone knew a work-around. Thanks. Oh yes, and simply closing iTunes down and starting it again doesn't help. Vranak (talk) 18:23, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

At hardware-level, I'd suggest you by a usb hub with maybe around 4-8 plugins. Then, plug that into the usb port on your PC, and keep it there. Then, there will be no wear and tear on your PC's port, only the hub (which can be easily replaced.) IIRC they aren't that expensive... and I know they can be found cheaply at thrift shops and similar places. Good luck, --.Yellow1996.^(ЬMИED¡) 18:41, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

That won't help if his usb isn't refreshing the connection or something's failing in that process, which sounds like what's going on. Most USB hubs are simple signal boosters with extra ports. They won't help at all. You may try updating your USB drivers on your cpu (from the manufacturer's website), which sounds trite but it's worked at times. Shadowjams (talk) 06:10, 24 August 2013 (UTC)

I did this -- updated the USB driver, but no luck. Thanks though. Vranak (talk) 13:57, 27 August 2013 (UTC)

I was addressing the OP's concern about physical wear of the USB ports, not the problem with iTunes; since they were concerned about the wear due to iTunes requiring constant unplugging and plugging back in. Though then again my solution isn't very practical if you had a laptop that you traveled around with constantly, as the hub dangling off the side could be a bit clumsy. --.Yellow1996.^(ЬMИED¡) 19:34, 24 August 2013 (UTC)

mp4

is mp4 an open format? and, are there free programs to convert from mp4 to others? thank you, 70.114.248.114 (talk) 22:58, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

also, i can't get mplayer to work on my pc (windows 7), but smplayer works fine. when i click on "program file (x86)/smplayer/mplayer/mplayer.exe" a command prompt window flashes error text and closes. thanks, 70.114.248.114 (talk) 23:30, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

If you haven't already, I'd recommend trying Media Player Classic. -- Tohler (talk) 23:39, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

SUPER can do this; though I've never used it and it's known to be a little spammy, but get the job done. See also comparison of video converters. Also for the player I'd reccomend VLC. --.Yellow1996.^(ЬMИED¡) 01:22, 24 August 2013 (UTC)

MPlayer is a command line program. When you double-click it, it's opening a console window, probably telling you that you need to specify a file name on the command line, and then exiting, which makes the console window disappear. If you drag a video file into mplayer.exe, it will probably play it.

The MPEG-4 specification is open in the sense that anyone can obtain a copy (you don't need to sign an NDA, though you probably will have to pay). But the specification is copyrighted and not freely distributable, and the algorithms it describes are covered by software patents (see MPEG-4#Licensing).

yes, dragging a video into mplayer does play it, but it disables window 7 hero themes Intel i close it. 70.114.248.114 (talk) 23:15, 24 August 2013 (UTC)

I think that's a problem with the default directx video output, which you can fix by putting vo=direct3d in the config file (which may be in the same directory or a subdirectory called mplayer or elsewhere, I'm afraid I don't know). You can also add -vo direct3d to the command line. -- BenRG (talk) 08:25, 26 August 2013 (UTC)