What is .NET Framework?

Question Of The Week

What is .NET Framework?

Is it a Software Development Tool, Runtime Environment, Web Service Platform or Operating System? The answer is... it fits into each one in some or other way (For God's sake, don't ask me the explanations for those terms!! Kindly use GOOGLE SEARCH).

The Microsoft .NET Framework is a general-purpose software development platform, similar to Java, but built with internet in mind. It can be installed on computers operating on Microsoft Windows. It is a collection of tools and languages that all work together in a framework to build and deploy user programs. It includes a large library of coded solutions that address the common programming problems and a virtual machine that manages the execution of programs written specifically for the framework. Thus the .NET framework makes software development better, easier, and faster.

How does it concern the PC Users?

The answer is hidden in the above paragraph. In simple terms, if you want to use a program that has been developed with .NET framework, you should first install .NET framework in your Windows before installing that program.

But, it is not so simple to do it !! (That's why it became an issue to be discussed about). The complicating factors are large file sizes, frequent updates in the name of service packs and different versions which work in parellel.

Factor 1:
I know a program whose original file size is barely 2 MB, but it requires 200 MB of .NET Framework for its function!

Factor 2:
Frequent updates (service packs) to the .NET Framework are being sent via the Automatic Updates module of Windows. The problem is, if you want to format your C drive for some reason, then you'll have to lose sleep at least for a couple of nights to reinstall all these versions and updates correctly.

Factor 3:
Versions released so far are 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 and they work alongside each other. If a program has been developed with a particular version of .NET framework, you'll have to install that particular version of .NET framework in your Windows for that program to function properly. The result is just that you would be installing all of them.

If you want to install .NET Framework in your PC, here is the final piece of information. Windows Vista includes upto Version 3.0 and Windows 7 includes upto Version 3.5 while Windows XP includes none (Courtesy: Wikipedia). A consolation for Windows XP users is the fact that they can straightaway go for Version 3.5 (Web Installer) which will automatically install the previous versions also. But remember to reserve at least 1 GB in your C drive.

Java Vs .NET framework?
Although this is a valid question, it is beyond our scope. It can be discussed from two different views. The answer from the point of view of an ordinary PC user may be different from that of a software developer. My only suggestion is... if you haven't installed Java in your PC yet, kindly do it now!!

JDownloader

Program Of The Week

JDownloader

Do you prefer Direct Downloads over Torrents? This is a pretty good FREE software. JDownloader is open source, OS independent and requires Java Runtime Enviroment 1.5 or higher. Starting from Rapidshare and Megaupload, it supports downloads from nearly 250 file storage websites.

Just copy the download link and click on "Add URL" in Linkgrabber tab of JDownloader. If it is just a webpage (batch download for music files etc.), it will scan the webpage and will you the list of all files available for download in that page. You can right-click on whichever file you want and start the download.

Some websites may present the download links in a container file (CCF, DLC etc.,). Just download the container file and load it with "Add Container" button in the Linkgrabber tab.

Whozzat

Website Of The Week

www.whozzat.com

There are many websites in the net which offer free SMS service from PC to mobiles. When I tested a few websites for free SMS service, I found some problems.

1. Website's phone number in place of SENDER.
2. Website name in place of SENDER.
3. Advertisement following main message.
4. A preliminary message announcing that "The following user is trying to send you a message. Select REPLY after reading it".

Obviously a REPLY through the same path will cost more than an ordinary mobile to mobile SMS. It means that the website is earning from our friend for serving us free! Moreover, some websites ask our email's password! NEVER give and never visit that website again.

Whozzat doesn't have the above mentioned problems. It displays your mobile number in place of SENDER. This website offers Free SMS to Indian mobiles only and is one of the best in business. You can save your friends' mobile numbers in the PHONEBOOK.

Tips Of The Week

Tip 1:

If you are attempting to record an online stream into MP3 file as I have described, you should be careful not to touch the VOLUME and MUTE buttons of your keyboard while the recording is going on. Since we are just redirecting the audio output into Mic, any changes unknowingly made by you by touching the VOLUME and MUTE buttons will affect the recording.

Tip 2:

Instead of Sony Audio Studio, you can also use Nero Wave Editor to record audio tapes and online streams into MP3 files.

Tip 3:

The displayed results in Speedtest.net mean only the BANDWIDTH for download and upload streams. The ACTUAL download and upload speeds will fall between 10 to 15% of the bandwidth. To find out the dfference between bandwidth and actual download speed, kindly click HERE.

How To Record Audio Tapes into MP3?

Question Of The Week

How To Record Audio Tapes into MP3?

Many a times, you would've wanted to download a particular rare song from internet. But it wouldn't be available. You might just have that song in your old audio tapes.
What would you do?
Very simple. Convert it into MP3!! All you need is a stereo cable with 3.5 mm stereo pins at both ends (and of course, Sony Audio Studio program).
Step 1:
Connect one end of the cable to HEADPHONES socket of your tape recorder. Connect the other end to MICROPHONE socket in the front panel of your PC.
Step 2:
Double click on the REALTEK Audio Manager Tray Icon in the task bar (Right Lower corner of Desktop). Go to Audio I/O -> Analog -> Connector Settings. Unselect "Mute Rear Panel Output When Front Headphone Plugged In". Then select "Disable Front Panel Jack Detection".
Step 3:
Right click on the VOLUME icon in the task bar. Click on ADJUST AUDIO PROPERTIES. A new window named SOUNDS and AUDIO DEVICES PROPERTIES will open up. Go to Audio -> Sound Playback -> Volume. Now another window named MASTER VOLUME will open up. You will find a series of Volume controls. Keep the MASTER VOLUME about halfway. See that MIC volume is not muted. If you don't find MIC volume at all, go to OPTIONS -> PROPERTIES of the MASTER VOLUME window and select MIC volume in the given list.
Step 4:
In the SOUNDS and AUDIO DEVICES PROPERTIES window, go to Audio -> Sound Recording -> Volume. Select MIC Volume and keep the window open... You'll need it.
Step 5:
Open your Sony Audio Studio. You'll find the menu bar starting with FILE, EDIT etc, as usual. Below that you can see two Icon bars. Click on the first icon of first icon bar. A new window named SOUND1 will open. Now, Click on the first icon of second icon bar. Another window named RECORD - SOUND1 will open. Choose the mode as MULTIPLE TAKES. Select MONITOR; it will show you the decibel levels of both channels of stereo.
Step 6:
Start playing your favourite song in the tape recorder. Now see the decibel levels in the RECORD - SOUND1 window. You should see two active greenish columns with a yellowish tinge on top. If you don't see active columns, kindly repeat Step 2 now. If you happen to see Orange/Red tops, go to SOUND RECORDING Volume Control window which we kept open in step 3. Adjust the selected MIC Volume until the decibel levels in the RECORD - SOUND1 window reach the desired levels (Greenish columns with a yellowish tinge on top). Then press the STOP button of your tape recorder and REWIND it to the starting point of the song.
Step 7:
Click on the RECORD icon in the RECORD - SOUND1 window. Then press the PLAY button in your tape recorder. When the song is finished, click on the RECORD icon again in the RECORD - SOUND1 window and CLOSE it. Now SAVE the SOUND1 file. That's it. Congratulations. You have converted your favourite song into MP3 successfully.
P.S:
You can open the saved file later to trim the edges (Unwanted recording before starting and after stopping the tape recorder). Read the HELP section of Sony Audio Studio to CUT, COPY and PASTE !!