Walker News

Disable Java Plug-in That Causes IE 8 Tab Slow Opening Problem

Walker — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:14:33 +0000

I’ve experienced the slow tab opening in IE 8 since Windows Vista Ultimate. However, the responsive of IE 8 tab opening is more “advanced” now in Windows 7 Ultimate!

Initially, I thought this is another problem of running 64-bit Windows. But then I am surprise after running 64-bit IE 8. Although the tab opening is not as instant as Google Chrome (the latest 4.0.223.16) or Mozilla Firefox, its overall tab opening performance is far better than the 32-bit version.

However, the truth of slowing down IE 8 tab opening is not because of running 32-bit version on a 64-bit Windows platform! The Google search results suggest the “root cause” of slow tab opening in IE 8 seems to be a Java plug-in.

What Is Java Plug-in SSV Helper and why need to install this plug-in? – with reference to Mike Dimmick’s comment:

The SSV Helpers are “Secure Static Versioning”. Basically, a page that loads Java can ask for a specific version of the runtime – “Static Versioning”. Unfortunately that means the page can ask for a vulnerable version. The installer does not remove old versions of Java in case you might have a program that relies on it. SSV Helper forces web pages onto supposedly known-secure versions rather than loading the vulnerable version. Again, the better solution is to uninstall the broken versions; you can then disable SSV Helper but you *must* remember to uninstall the old versions every time.

After disabling Java Plug-in 2 SSV Helper, the 32-bit IE 8 is also open and load tab page faster as 64-bit, which confirm what Michael Hanes wrote in IE8 Slow to Load, Slow to Create New Tabs.

Same for me, I seldom use Java apps except when accessing to securities trading websites. So, I rather disable it and turn it on again as needed. Otherwise, make sure uninstalling old Java runtime before installing the latest update from Sun.

To disable Java Plug-in 2 SSV, click Tools drop down box (or press ALT+T keyboard shortcut), click Manage Add-ons, select / highlight “Java Plug-in 2 SSV Helper” and click Disable button (or right-click the Java plug-in and click “Disable” from the context menu).

If the Java plugin is not shown in the Manage Add-ons window, try to select “All add-ons” of Show option list box (on left-pane of Manage Add-ons window).

Reduce Or Disable Frequent Items Of Windows Explorer Jump List In Windows 7

Walker — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:13:55 +0000

In an earlier post, I show you how to pin (fix) any folder not in the Frequent section to the Pinned area of Windows Explorer Jump List.

Here is another trick on how to control the number of frequent items that can appear in Windows Explorer Jump List (on the Frequent section), if the default of maximum 10 frequent items in the list look messy.

Personally, I kinda prefer to cut it short as the Pinned section of Windows Explorer Jump List in Windows 7 is rather convenient and useful. To me, 1 or probably max. of 3 is enough; otherwise, the Windows Explorer Jump List will appears long / high, and that causes more mouse movements (tired of moving hand up and down at significant scale).

Yes, there is a way to control the Windows Explorer Jump List frequent item. However, the setting is in the Windows Registry and I don’t see any user-friendly program or Jump List utility bundled with Windows 7 Ultimate (version 6.1 build 7600) to control the Start_JumpListItems value, except the Regedit.exe or Regedt32.exe (Windows Registry Editor).

Don’t bother to try, if you’re not familiar with Windows Registry. Serious mistake can cause Windows to become not-bootable, unstable or not working correctly.

1) Open Registry Editor – click Start button, type regedit and click the program shortcut appears atop.

2) Navigate to this Registry path on the left-pane:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced

3) In the right-pane, locate Start_JumpListItems (a 32-bit DWORD value) and double click it to edit:

The Start_JumpListItems registry value in this topic only control the number of frequent items that can appear in Windows Explorer Jump List only (not any other programs).

Example of possible value for Start_JumpListItems value:

If the Hexadecimal Base is selected (default), the value you enter is interpreted in hex mode (e.g. A_hex is 10_dec, F_hex is 15_dec, etc. For those who are not familiar with hexadecimal, select the Decimal Base and proceed to enter value in decimal as usual.

To display maximum of 15 frequent items, set Start_JumpListItems to F or 15 (if Decimal Base is selected).
To display only 1 frequent item, set Start_JumpListItems to 1 (valid for both Hexadecimal and Decimal Base).
To totally disable Frequent item in Windows Explorer Jump List, set Start_JumpListItems to 0 :-)

If you like programming and endeavour to build a simple program to configure this Registry value, you’re welcome to share.

I think a simple console program accept only 1 option switch for taking user input (in decimal format, for brevity) is just nice. Of course, you can also run a .reg file to get it done, but I doubt that all users can precisely change the value in .reg file before execute it. If they do, most likely they can use Windows Registry Editor as well.

Pure CSS Rounded Corner Syntax Without JavaScript or Image

Walker — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:22:43 +0000

You might have spotted some visual changes Walker News. Although my WordPress theme is still not XHTML compliant and even encounters errors + warnings during CSS validation, it’s still “best view” in most modern web browser (I guess). Needless to say, not everyone likes it, the lousy WordPress theme mod by a CSS dummy :-).

OK, there is no change visually for Internet Explorer users (even using the latest IE 8). But for those who are browsing Internet with the latest Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome web browser (maybe Opera web browser too), enjoy the “visual experience”.

Yes, that rounded corner of border style for some of the HTML elements used in this WordPress theme, i.e. PRE tag, BLOCKQUOTE, and DIV tag (for author’s comment), as shown in these screenshots:

The pure CSS syntax used to create rounded corner of border style (without using JavaScript or image):

        -moz-border-radius:18px;
        -webkit-border-radius:18px;
        -opera-border-radius:18px;
        -khtml-border-radius:18px;
        border-radius:18px;

Disadvantage:

Except border-radius, the rest are browser-specific CSS syntax that are not in W3C CSS level 3 draft.
border-radius will be available in CSS level 3, which is stills under development.

CSS 3 includes all features of CSS 2, with addition of demanding features like new selectors, fancy borders, and backgrounds, vertical text, user interaction, speech…
None of the Microsoft Internet Explorer in market recognizes any one of these rounded corner CSS syntax or the border-radius recommended by W3C working draft 15 Oct 09 (not even the latest version IE 8):

While the W3C has specified the border-radius properties in its latest CSS3 working draft, Microsoft has not implemented the border-radius properties in Internet Explorer 8.

Microsoft is committed to providing a browser that accurately supports Web standards. In Internet Explorer 8, we shipped several features from HTML5 and CSS3. Our primary goal was implementing CSS 2.1 (a specification that has reached final candidate stage) completely and correctly before moving on to specifications that are still in development and may change. [ Rounded Corners in Internet Explorer ]
Not all non-IE web browsers support border-radius related syntax, but the the latest version of Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox (and perhaps Opera web browser) are rendering rounded corner of border style accordingly.

For more information on how to implement CSS rounded corner, at this time being, before the final CSS 3 specs confirmed by W3C – Make CSS Rounded Corners, CSS 3 and The Future: Image-free Rounded Corners, Drop Shadows and Gradients, Spiffy Corners: Generate CSS and HTML for anti-aliased corners without using images or javascript, CSS Rounded Corners Roundup.

Instantly Pin Folder To Windows Explorer Jump List In Windows 7

Walker — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:21:13 +0000

You probably know what is Jump List, especially those who have just back from Microsoft The New Efficiency event, Windows 7 webcast or road shows recently.

In brief, Jump List is one of the new features of Windows 7, the latest Microsoft flagship Windows operating system. By using Jump List, users can instantly access to common functions or frequently used items of a program, no matter via good old Logitech mouse or the contemporary touch screen interface.

Now back to the question – How to add or pin any folders to the Windows Explorer Jump List in Windows 7, if the folder is not yet appears in the Frequent section of Jump List?

If the folder appears in the Frequent section of Jump List, just right click that folder and select “Pin to this list” option from the context menu, to effectively pin (fix) that folder to Pinned section of Jump List.

If your favourite folder is not in the Frequent section, you can also easily pin the folder to Jump List Pinned section by

Right click the folder and drag it to the Taskbar icon of Windows Explorer.
Don’t release the right-click as you drag the folder to Windows Explorer Taskbar icon, until you see the “Pin to Windows Explorer” option pops up.

Immediately after you release the right-click, the Windows Explorer Jump List appears and highlights the new folder fixed in the Pinned section.

Cannot get it (sorry for poor expression)? Then try to take a look at my another “silent” screencast (below; available at WalkerNewsDotNet Channel @ YouTube).

In this short video clip, it shows you how do I pin My Computer and hard disk drive (D: drive) to Windows Explorer Jump List:

Enable Windows 7 Auto Complete File Name In Save As Dialog Box

Walker — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:26:16 +0000

The Windows 7 auto-append and auto-suggest file name in the Save As dialog box is a nice feature to know. You will appreciate it if you’ve to save number of files in a folder with its name in a serial pattern (e.g. rpt1.log, rpt2.log, etc).

By default installation, both auto-complete file name and auto-suggest file name features are enabled in Windows 7. However, these features might be turned off by some other applications for some reasons.

Well, no matter what reasons are behind, I kinda unhappy with this as I have to manually type the full file name in Save As dialog box instead of only changing the number series.

How to enable auto-complete / auto-suggest file name feature of Windows 7?

This trick makes change to the Windows Registry. If you’re not comfortable to edit Windows Registry manually, don’t bother to try. If you believe me, download and run the .reg file (Registration Entries; Registry file) to get the job done.

1) Click Windows 7 Start button, type regedit, and click the regedit.exe shortcut appears atop of Start menu.

2) Locate this Registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer > AutoComplete

3) On the right-pane, double click the AutoSuggest and change it from “no” to “yes”. Similarly for the Append Completion value.

Append Completion set to “yes” will automatically append or complete the file name as you type, if so happen the folder has a file that match your initial file name.
AutoSuggest set to “yes” will automatically suggest a list of files in the folder that match the initial file name as you type it in Save As Dialog box.

Download AutoComplete.reg (please verify MD5 Checksum before run it).
[ MD5 Checksum: 0d14f2e009e726546f3e5fd0aca6ca37 ]

Backup Or Export Outlook 2007 Exchange Email Account Settings – Step by Step

Walker — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:39:16 +0000

With reference to the previous post, not all get the picture of how to use Windows Easy Transfer program to backup or export Microsoft Exchange email account settings in Outlook 2007. So, here is the step-by-step guide:

The guide tested successful as I exported Outlook-Exchange account settings from Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit to Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit installation. This is particularly useful for those (like me) who would like to duplicate Outlook-Exchange account settings in office computer to Laptop or personal computer at home.

Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit

1) Click Start button, type windows easy transfer in the Start Search text box, click the program shortcut appears atop.

If you don’t get it in the Vista-way, then follow the classic-way: Click Start button > All programs > Accessories > System Tools > Windows Easy Transfer.

Depend on UAC setup, you might get Consent UI – just acknowledge it by clicking Continue button.

2) In the Welcome to Windows Easy Transfer screen, there is only one Next button to click :-)

3) If there are open programs, the “Close programs” screen is shown. Although your target is only Outlook 2007, other programs should able to continue running. However, there is only one “Close all” button. What to do, just close all running programs in order to proceed :-(

4) Next screen asks “Do you want to start a new transfer or continue one in progress?”, click “Start a new transfer” option (select files and settings to transfer to new computer).

5) Another screen asks “Which computer are you using now?”, click “My old computer” option (transfer files and settings from this computer to a new computer, which match with my test case – from office PC to home Desktop).

6) Now, the screen asks “Choose how to transfer files and settings to your new computer” – just click the last option in the screen, i.e. “Use a CD, DVD, or other removable media” (USB flash drive or external hard disk).

The dump-size of Outlook-Exchange email account setting is just about 200KB for one particular Windows user. If “System and program settings (all users)” is selected, that could be easily few ten Megabytes.

7) The screen asks “Choose how to transfer files and program settings” – what storage media to save the output file? If USB drive is attached, click that option. Otherwise, click “External hard disk or to a network location” (local hard disk is used if no external hard disk or network location is found).

8) Tell the program where to save the MIG file (migration store file). Optionally, specify a password to protect the MIG file (min. length of password is 1 character).

9) Click Advanced options in order to selectively export Outlook application setting only.

10) Deselect all the check boxes except the “Microsoft Office Outlook 2007″ of your Windows user account.

11) When the export process completes, you will see SaveData.MIG (default file name; Migration Store file) appears in the folder you’ve specified.

The MIG file will then be restored / imported to Windows 7 by its own version of Windows Easy Transfer program.

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

Now is about import or restore the Outlook-Exchange email account setting that exported from Windows Vista (32-bit) to this Windows 7 (64-bit).

1) Start Windows Easy Transfer (refer to Windows Vista steps on how to locate and run the program).

2) Use the external hard disk or USB flash drive option to restore the MIG file (known as Easy Transfer file in Windows 7, which is the Migration Store file created in Windows Vista).

3) Obviously, you have to click “This is my new computer” option, to restore the MIG file to Windows 7 now.

4) Click Yes and locate the MIG file you have saved from Windows Vista. If there is a password that protect the MIG file, Windows Easy Transfer will prompt you to enter the required password.

5) Now, just click Transfer button to restore or import the MIG file content for the logged on, active user account; otherwise, click the Advanced Options to tell Windows Easy Transfer which local user account it should restore the MIG file.

Exports Outlook 2007 Exchange Account Setting From PC To Laptop

Walker — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:37:10 +0000

I am using Dell Latitude while working in office or travelling abroad, but I really no mood to bring it home every day after work (not fun to commute with such a bulky and heavy “notebook”).

Therefore, I have to configure Outlook Everywhere feature of Outlook 2007 on home Desktop, just in case there is need to access the Exchange email account.

Although I could instantly access Exchange emails using OWA (Outlook Web Access) with Internet Explorer, but working with emails in Microsoft Outlook is a better as compare to using OWA in a web browser.

Due to lacking of VPN access to corporate office network, I don’t think it’s possible to add Exchange account to the MS Outlook at home, and hence could not move forward to configure Outlook Everywhere and Microsoft Exchange Proxy Settings.

If you have a secret trick to do this, please share it with comment form (bottom), but I am going to show you an easier way to backup and restore the existing Outlook-Exchange account settings to another computer:

The following trick was just tested last week, to transfer Outlook-Exchange account setup from Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 to Windows 7 Ultimate. I am guessing this trick works in earlier Windows platforms as well (at least Windows XP, if not all).

1) Open Windows Easy Transfer program. In Windows Vista, just click Vista Orb (Start button), type “windows easy transfer” in Start Search text box, and click the program shortcut appears atop.

In Windows XP, Windows Easy Transfer is called “Files and Settings Transfer Wizard”. This official program is bundled with Windows installation, specifically built to migrate user data and settings from one to another Windows computer, especially during OS upgrade.

2) Follow instructions shown in the program dialog box, click Next button to continue. In this particular case, I am only interested to export or backup Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 application settings.

3) Now, a reverse process starts. Open Windows Easy Transfer in Windows 7 to import or restore Outlook 2007 application settings, with reference to the MIG file (Migration Store file) created in Windows Vista computer.

Done. What next? Well, open Outlook 2007 and it should prompts you to login Exchange account before you can read the latest emails.