Target System: Windows 10 / Windows 11

Core Dependencies: FFmpeg & Windows Registry

Functionality: Instant extraction of high-quality JPG images from the first or last frame of a video file via the File Explorer context menu.

Disclaimer

Use at Your Own Risk: The following instructions involve modifying the Windows Registry and running custom batch scripts. While these steps are designed to be safe, any modifications to system settings carry a risk of unintended behavior. Ensure you have a system backup before proceeding. The author is not responsible for any data loss or system instability resulting from these procedures. Created with Google Gemini & David Rader II.

1. Prerequisites: FFmpeg Installation

FFmpeg must be installed and properly configured in your system path for these tools to function.

To check: Open a Command Prompt and type

ffmpeg -version

• To install: If FFmpeg is not recognized, run the following command in an Administrator Command Prompt:

winget install ffmpeg

• Note: You may need to restart your computer or the Windows Explorer process after installation to update the system path.

2. Script Configuration

Create a dedicated folder for your custom scripts (e.g., C:\Program Specials\) and save the following two files inside it. Pay special attention to this folder, as its exact path is throughout the scritpt.

A. Export Last Frame Script (export_lastframe.bat)

Code snippet

@echo off set "input=%~1" set "output=%~dpn1_lastframe.jpg" ffmpeg -sseof -1 -i "%input%" -update 1 -q:v 2 "%output%" -y

B. Export First Frame Script (export_firstframe.bat)

Code snippet

@echo off set "input=%~1" set "output=%~dpn1_firstframe.jpg" ffmpeg -i "%input%" -frames:v 1 -q:v 2 "%output%" -y

3. Context Menu Integration

To add these options to your right-click menu, create the following registry files.

Installer (AddVideoTools.reg)

Save this code as a .reg file and double-click it to apply. Note: If you used a different folder for your scripts, ensure you update the paths below using double backslashes (e.g., C:\\Scripts\\).

Code snippet

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 ; Generic Video Association [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\video\shell\ExportLastFrame] @="Export Last Frame" "Icon"="imageres.dll,-68" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\video\shell\ExportLastFrame\command] @="\"C:\\Program Specials\\export_lastframe.bat\" \"%1\"" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\video\shell\ExportFirstFrame] @="Export First Frame" "Icon"="imageres.dll,-68" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\video\shell\ExportFirstFrame\command] @="\"C:\\Program Specials\\export_firstframe.bat\" \"%1\"" ; Specific Extension Overrides (MP4/MOV) [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.mp4\shell\ExportLastFrame] @="Export Last Frame" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.mp4\shell\ExportLastFrame\command] @="\"C:\\Program Specials\\export_lastframe.bat\" \"%1\"" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.mov\shell\ExportLastFrame] @="Export Last Frame" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.mov\shell\ExportLastFrame\command] @="\"C:\\Program Specials\\export_lastframe.bat\" \"%1\""

Uninstaller (UninstallVideoTools.reg)

Save this code as a .reg file to cleanly remove the options from your menu at any time.

Code snippet

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\video\shell\ExportLastFrame] [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\video\shell\ExportFirstFrame] [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.mp4\shell\ExportLastFrame] [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.mp4\shell\ExportFirstFrame] [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.mov\shell\ExportLastFrame] [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.mov\shell\ExportFirstFrame]

5. Usage Instructions

1. Navigate to a video file in File Explorer.
2. Right-click the file.
3. Select Export First Frame or Export Last Frame.
4. The extracted JPG will appear in the same folder as the original video.

Also, posted on my LinkedIn profile (David)

To turn off a KTC monitor, one proven method is to simply follow these steps:

1. Hold the power button in (press in on the joystick) the back until the menu appears
2. Let go immediately (the menu should still stay present)
3. Hold the power button again
4. The monitor goes off

If it’s not working, it’s possible either 1. You’re accidentally pressing a directional signal within the joystick or 2. Your monitor has a different method.

Good luck ladies and gentleman.

Anthropics code now automatically “compresses” conversations to limit the necessity to start new chats. Their new project focus allows greater cohesivity.

You’ll notice see on occasion Claude when it says “compacting our conversation so we can keep chatting…” which can reduce the need for this conversation saving script.

At this point, I think Claude may be slightly better, but Gemini is still easier to use. However, I’m taking “slightly better” at this point.

The Value Proposition: Claude Takes the Lead March 5, 2026

For the record, this review is entirely from “browser” based experience. There are desktop programs which may allow for better interactivity with any AI software. They’re not exactly intuitive at this point.

== END UPDATE 3/5/26 ==

Exploring the AI Frontier: Early Impressions of Claude and Gemini’s Subscription Tiers

As a relatively new enthusiast diving into the world of large language models, I’m continually looking for the best tools to fuel my projects. Recently, I decided to compare the $20-per-month subscription plans offered by two of the biggest players: Anthropic’s Claude and Google’s Gemini. While both promise powerful capabilities, my initial experience revealed a stark difference in their usability, particularly for the hobbyist with a demanding schedule.

The Value Proposition: Gemini Takes the Lead Oct. 11, 2025

My hands-on experimentation quickly demonstrated that at the $20 price point, Gemini offers significantly more robust usage limits. I’ve been able to work on projects for an entire day, generating a considerable volume of tokens without hitting any frustrating roadblocks. For someone like me, who might only get a few dedicated hours a week to focus on a hobby project, this “all-day” availability is a massive benefit, allowing for deep, uninterrupted creative flow.

Claude allows you to upload more documents (Gemini, only 10), however, the token limit seems to be incredibly lower. I’ve always binge coded, whether by hand or via A.I. help. Why? Because I’m a time limited human like most of you. I’m going to continue using Claude for a full month, if I can stand the hang-ups. As a hobbyist, I can’t justify putting more than $20 a month into it, but Claude’s token limit by its very nature renders it completely useless for hours at a time.

I just wrote an article on LinkedIn regarding a useful prompt to restart a token-limit reached conversation.

Claude’s Token Trap: A Frustrating Limit

The experience with Claude was, unfortunately, much less forgiving. Despite the identical $20 monthly fee, I found myself hitting the maximum token limit for my entire plan in just a few short hours of focused work.

The system is apparently designed with a token quota that resets every five hours from what I’ve read online. For a user who has a rare window of time-say, a Saturday afternoon-to dedicate to a project, this model is incredibly restrictive. On the occasions I do carve out a few hours to work, Claude becomes essentially useless within two hours, forcing me to wait almost three more hours for the five-hour clock to refresh. This stop-start nature breaks the rhythm of work and makes the platform a poor choice for the dedicated, yet time-constrained, hobbyist. It does excellent when it works, but “when it works” just simply isn’t enough.

Conclusion: Aligning Price with Purpose

While both models boast cutting-edge performance, my early takeaway is that Gemini offers a far more practical and usable experience at the $20 subscription tier. Its generous limits allow for extended, deep-dive work sessions, making it the clear choice for the user who needs their AI assistant to be available when they are. Claude, by contrast, with its restrictive and rapidly consumed token quota, appears ill-suited for the sporadic but intense usage patterns of a casual but serious hobbyist.

It’s a crucial lesson in understanding that the best AI for a project isn’t just about raw performance—it’s also about the practicality and generosity of the subscription model.

Have you experimented with other AI subscription tiers? I’d be interested to hear if this token-limit disparity holds true across other services.

A little review of the Grok LLM;

Grok has been very interesting and I often prefer it due to it’s direct “attitude” – the satirical nature also makes it less of a droning experience. It’s powerful, no real complaints.

I can’t afford to subscribe to all of them to test them fully, so I’m rotating.

So far I haven’t found any that make it “easy” to unsubscribe – layers of menus. Even asking the chatbot itself often doesn’t get you there. By design or are things just changing so fast even the LLM’s can’t keep up? Might be a bit of both.

It’s funny, even premium Grok still watermarks its images though.

You can try it on President Barack Obama (try grade 12, 1979, spring), yourself or your child to determine when they will graduate or what grade they were in at a year in the past.

Grade Year Calculator – ChexEd

Thanks for looking! Let me know what you think on my LinkedIn post!

Snapshot:

Rest assured, it’s just a vague message from Threads, suggesting the post to you. Good User Interface (U.I.) would suggest they should use familiar language “Suggested for you” or more clear language “Threads picked for you.”

Hopefully this clears it up for you better than Threads did!

The question: If a human were to attempt to become a jack of all trades and an expert at a few, what gameplan would you lay out?

The answer below is an amazing answer in my opinion! I would like to add that strong communication is important in large part; because interacting with the right teacher can reduce the time to learn any field significantly. The best teacher isn’t always the best for everyone, but at the right time for the right person; a student/teacher conversation can turn a Volkswagon Beetle into a Falcon Heavy rocket. It might take some time to grow, of course… Sometimes a shifted perspective creates an immediate epiphany though!

Message below from Gemini May 22, 2024:

Here’s a gameplan for someone who wants to be a jack of all trades and an expert in a few areas:

Foundational Skills:

• Learn How to Learn: This is the most crucial skill. Mastering different subjects requires efficient learning techniques. Explore memory hacks, time management for studying, and effective research methods.
• Develop Strong Communication: Being able to explain complex concepts clearly and concisely is valuable in any field. Hone your writing, public speaking, and active listening skills.
• Problem-Solving: A jack of all trades needs to be resourceful and adaptable. Practice critical thinking, breaking down problems, and finding creative solutions.

Building Expertise:

• Choose Your Expertise Areas: Pick 2-3 fields where you truly want to become an expert. Consider your interests, career goals, and market demands.
• Structured Learning: For each chosen field, develop a structured learning plan. This could involve courses, certifications, books by renowned authors, or online tutorials.
• Immerse Yourself: Actively engage with your chosen fields. Participate in online communities, attend workshops, and network with professionals in those areas.

Developing Breadth of Knowledge:

• Microlearning: There are tons of resources for acquiring snippets of knowledge on diverse topics. Explore online courses with short modules, podcasts, documentaries, or audiobooks.
• Thematic Approach: Instead of randomly picking up skills, group your learning thematically. For example, learn basic mechanics, carpentry, and electrical work to become a well-rounded handyman.
• Hands-on Projects: Apply your learnings in real-world projects. This reinforces knowledge, builds practical skills, and exposes you to the realities of different fields.

Remember:

• Focus on Balance: Don’t spread yourself too thin. Allocate dedicated time for in-depth learning in your expert areas while consistently adding to your general knowledge.
• Enjoy the Journey: Learning should be stimulating. Explore topics that genuinely interest you, and don’t be afraid to experiment.
• Embrace Lifelong Learning: The world is constantly evolving. Stay curious, keep learning, and update your knowledge base throughout your life.

By following these steps, you can become a well-rounded individual with a broad knowledge base and expertise in a few specific areas. This combination can be highly valuable in various aspects of life.

The hole is threaded and with the direction of the writing, I assume a pole goes inside to act as a handle.

There looks to be a slot where perhaps a rubber or other softer material would be slid in to.

It appears to be brass and is non-magnetic. We’re thinking about restoring it. Either way, we couldn’t read enough information on it to tell who made it.

A Google image search doesn’t bring it up either. Google brings up “Rope Cleats” made for tying a ships ropes to, but this has distinct features that make it appear to be an incorrect match. For example, the angles of the slopes.

In case it helps another searcher one day, here are some pictures.

1. Open Creative Cloud Desktop (Adobe Software Hub)
2. Click Apps at the top
3. Scroll on the left navigation panel down to “Categories”
4. Click “Beta Apps”
5. Find Photoshop (Beta) on the right
6. Click Install

I wrote this article, because every time I searched for Photoshop Beta in the Creative Cloud, it just took me to the website to reinstall creative cloud. Little to no instruction. Here’s some real instructions!

A hash function is a mathematical algorithm that takes in a set of data (in this case, an image) and generates a fixed-size output, which is a unique representation of the input data. This output is often called a hash code or a digest. Even a small change in the input data will produce a vastly different hash code.

This HASH verification can be used to verify different versions of a file, for example. Hashes are often used to verify the integrity of data and to ensure that the data has not been tampered with.

In the case of AI-generated images, a hash can be used to verify the authenticity of the image, to ensure that the image has not been altered or manipulated after it was generated by the AI system.

Hashes are also useful for content-based image retrieval, where images are indexed and retrieved based on their similarity to other images. In this case, the hash can be used to quickly compare images and identify those that are similar to each other.

You can use VirusTotal to check a files hash up to 650 MB. Of course, you can also scan other files to validate the files have been unaltered as well!

Here is a list of free hash-makers/readers:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/free-hash-checkers-file-integrity/

^{Modified response from ChatGPT.}