Simple Windows timer app

On Wed, 6 Dec 2017 17:28:27 +0000 (UTC), June Bug
wrote:

The date is 06/12/2017 07:51

I have a tiny and very basic one called AleJenJes Timer. Does the trick.

https://alejenjes-countdown-timer.en...wn.com/windows

Thanks for that suggestion because the expense of freeware is the cost in
finding the good ones.

To save others that expense, here's my log file for AleJenJes Timer on
Windows 10.

1. Downloaded from:
https://alejenjes-countdown-timer.en...ndows/download
2. Downloaded to
C:\software\hardware\alarm\AleJenJes\alejenjestime r.zip (89KB)
3. Unzips to .\alejenjestimer\
4. Renamed folder & moved to C:\apps\hardware\alarm\alejenjes\
5. Created shortcut to C:\apps\hardware\alarm\alejenjes\Timer.exe
6. Renamed shortcut & moved to Start Hardware Alarm AleJenJes.lnk

ERROR:
The program can't start because MSVBVM50.DLL is missing from your computer.

Duh ....

Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

Since I already have a solution, this freeware failed the quick test
and was deleted.

You should have deleted the OS and kept the app.
Whatever ....
One born every day.
[]'s
--
Don't be evil - Google 2004
We have a new policy - Google 2012

On 12/6/2017 11:28 AM, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:
On 12/5/2017 7:48 AM, June Bug wrote:

Sometimes I forget I have stuff to do in 10 or 15 minutes while I'm on
the
computer.

Is there a good ten-minute free desktop timer app for Windows that you
already use and like?

I have an really old but compact, simple program called alarmsimple.exe.

I love that app! You can set up work week alarms, weekend alarms
birthday and anniversary alarms, doctor's appointments. etc. etc.
Written in 1999 for WIN 95/98 but it just keeps chugging along - WIN XP
- 7 for sure, dunno about later versions of Windows.

Author's description from
http://web.archive.org/web/20010303072809/http://showcase.netins.net:80/web/patrickd/pdproga.html
"Yes, another alarm clock! This one sits in your system tray and can be
easily set to 1440 different alarm settings. You define the time and day
of week and whether a wav file, an executable program or a message that
will display. The program allows you to set a specific date that the
alarm will trigger on. For example you could set the alarm to go off
only if the date is July 17 1999 and it is a Tuesday, or you can set for
any Friday the 13th to play a warning sound. You can adjust how often
the program checks the time. Version 1.4. "

Program: Alarm Simple
Author: Patrick Dugan
Install: (n.i.)
Windows 95; 98; (XP) (64-bit Win 7)
Wa (Freeware) LFW (v 1.4)
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Clocks-Time-Management/Alarm-Simple.shtml

The almsim14.zip download file (144 KB) contains: AlarmSimple.exe,
AlarmSimple.txt, and an ALARMSIMPLE.HLP file that contains the same
info as the text file.

Susan
--
Posted to alt.comp.freeware (using WinXP-SP2, Win7professional-32 bit)
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.pricelesswarehome.org

The date is 07/12/2017 02:43

You failed the test as well.

May be true.

If it needs VB just to count a timer - it's a bona fide freeware fail.

However, software should just work when installed and run.

This did not.

Why do I fail the test when I did nothing wrong?

Apps this simple should not require extensive 3rd-party software.

The date is 07/12/2017 03:23

ERROR:
The program can't start because MSVBVM50.DLL is missing from your computer.

Duh ....

If it requires visual basic, then it's not a good suggestion of freeware
when the job it does is so simple as to not need visual basic.

Also, if it requires visual basic, it should SAY SO during the
installation, should it not?

And, if it requires visual basic, then it should provide a link to that in
the installation process.

Something this simple should NOT require a README just to install.

Here is what is in the README.

===[Installation]==============================================
- No install. Just extract these files to any folder and make a
shortcut to Timer.exe.
- If you are upgrading over a previous version and had custom
wav files, be sure to back them up so they aren't overwritten!


===[Requirements]==============================================
- Visual Basic v5.0 SP3 runtime files, available at my website.

If it needs VB just to count a timer - it's a bona fide freeware fail.

On 12/6/2017 12:47 PM, p-0''0-h the cat (coder) wrote:
On Wed, 06 Dec 2017 12:30:24 -0500, Susan Bugher
wrote:

Download: AleJenJesTimer.zip (89k)
http://web.archive.org/web/20060528021213/http://www.gonebowlin.com/download/AleJenJesTimer.zip

Installation: No install. Just extract these files to any folder and
make a shortcut to timer.exe.
Requirements: vb5 runtime files
/quote

Gosh! that woke me up. You can mod it as well methinks.

VB5 runtime for quick tester twits

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...run-time-files

Thanks Pooh. Much appreciated smile

Susan
--
Posted to alt.comp.freeware (using WinXP-SP2, Win7professional-32 bit)
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The date is 07/12/2017 03:27

Program: Alarm Simple
Author: Patrick Dugan
Install: (n.i.)
Windows 95; 98; (XP) (64-bit Win 7)
Wa (Freeware) LFW (v 1.4)
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Clocks-Time-Management/Alarm-Simple.shtml

The almsim14.zip download file (144 KB) contains: AlarmSimple.exe,
AlarmSimple.txt, and an ALARMSIMPLE.HLP file that contains the same
info as the text file.

Log file to lessen the expense of freeware to others.

1. Obtain almsim for Windows 10
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Clocks-Time-Management/Alarm-Simple.shtml#download
2. Place in software archive hierarchy
c:\software\hardware\alarm\almsim\almsim14.zip (145 KB)
3. Extract to install hierarchy
c:\apps\hardware\alarm\almsim\AlarmSimple.exe
4. Add shortcut in menu hierarchy
Start Menu Hardware Alarm AlarmSimple.lnk

That created an almost hidden hard-to-see teeny tiny icon in the Windows
task tray (which isn't what I want polluted) titled "Alarm Simple V1.4".

Right clicking on that almost-impossible-to-see icon, up comes a nice GUI.

You need to find a WAV file, but I had saved the waves from the previous
download of AleJenJesTimer so I pointed to one of those:
(alarm.wav, pause.wav, start.wav, tick.wav, & warning.wav)

It's nice that it can run an executable, or pop up a custom message.
The bad thing is there is no "iconify" button.
You can only EXIT which defeats the purpose.

So the GUI seems to need to REMAIN on the desktop in your face?
Can that be true?

In message , June Bug
writes:
The date is 07/12/2017 02:43

You failed the test as well.

May be true.

If it needs VB just to count a timer - it's a bona fide freeware fail.

It also needs Windows. Does that make it a fail?
The author could have written his/her own versions of what VB does, but
why reinvent the wheel (and make the file bigger, and non-standard)?

However, software should just work when installed and run.

This did not.

Why do I fail the test when I did nothing wrong?
That's a matter of opinion. You failed to read the system requirements -
which are stated on the download page.

Apps this simple should not require extensive 3rd-party software.

"Extensive" is a matter of opinion. Many utilities of that vintage used
the VB5 .DLLs, for the reasons I've given above - saves coding time and
reduces code size.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

I have never liked children, even when I was one.
- Miriam Margolyes (RT 2014/11/1-7)

On Wed, 6 Dec 2017 19:20:04 +0000 (UTC), June Bug
wrote:

The date is 07/12/2017 02:43

You failed the test as well.

May be true.

If it needs VB just to count a timer - it's a bona fide freeware fail.

However, software should just work when installed and run.

This did not.

Why do I fail the test when I did nothing wrong?

Apps this simple should not require extensive 3rd-party software.

There is no 'should', it's free. Somebody bothered to give it away. Your
sense of entitlement is misplaced and comments plain rude. It's actually
the first timer I've seen that matches my kitchen timer with a small
mod. [copy warning.wav to tick wav and alarm.wav] I've never found
anything quite as neat. I just used it to do some par boiled roasties.
Most excellent.

Sent from my iFurryUnderbelly.

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On 12/6/2017 3:05 PM, p-0''0-h the cat (coder) wrote:
On Wed, 6 Dec 2017 19:20:04 +0000 (UTC), June Bug
wrote:

The date is 07/12/2017 02:43

You failed the test as well.

May be true.

If it needs VB just to count a timer - it's a bona fide freeware fail.

However, software should just work when installed and run.

This did not.

Why do I fail the test when I did nothing wrong?

Apps this simple should not require extensive 3rd-party software.

There is no 'should', it's free. Somebody bothered to give it away. Your
sense of entitlement is misplaced and comments plain rude. It's actually
the first timer I've seen that matches my kitchen timer with a small
mod. [copy warning.wav to tick wav and alarm.wav] I've never found
anything quite as neat. I just used it to do some par boiled roasties.
Most excellent.

Sent from my iFurryUnderbelly.

Went back to the Wayback Machine's web page and found the runtime file
was archived - Downloaded that file, ran it and gave.it a brief test -
then revised my program description:

Program: AleJenJes Countdown Timer
Author: Tim L Winkfein
Install: (n.i.)
Windows "all"
W: LFW
Wa (Freeware) LFW (v 2.1)
http://web.archive.org/web/20060528021213/http://www.gonebowlin.com/freeware.html

Requirements: vb5 runtime files (error message if not present in your
machine)
If needed DL below file and run then retry AleJenJes app.
http://web.archive.org/web/200606150...s/msvbvm50.exe

Susan
--
Posted to alt.comp.freeware (using WinXP-SP2, Win7professional-32 bit)
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.pricelesswarehome.org

On 12/6/2017 12:38 PM, June Bug wrote:
The date is 06/12/2017 09:30

I like that one too. Adding more info for June Bug et al:

Thanks Susan for adding the info because the expense of freeware is that
each of us has to expend copious time finding & testing (and sometimes
fixing) the freeware before deciding which is the one to use.

Most of us probably don't need multiple countdown timers, so I summarily
dropped that AleJenJes Timer the moment I saw this error on Win10:

ERROR:
The program can't start because MSVBVM50.DLL is missing from your computer.
Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

Do you get that error on Win10?

See my signature file below (I don't use Win10)

It could be just me because I never use the common hard-coded paths like
"Program Files" so maybe the software has a hard coded path somewhere to
the DLL?

The problem with freeware, as always, is the expense in finding and testing
it, so I dropped it like a hot potato - but it may work for others.

The problem with cross-posting is it often leads to confusion as it did
in this case. grin

It helps if you specify your OS. I hadn't tested the app on my Win7
machine but have done so now and found I did need the runtimes - dunno
if you'll be able to run it on Win10 fi you get the runtimes which were
archived by the Wayback Machine. Revised description below:

Program: AleJenJes Countdown Timer
Author: Tim L Winkfein
Install: (n.i.)
Windows "all"
W: LFW
Wa (Freeware) LFW (v 2.1)
http://web.archive.org/web/200605280.../freeware.html

Requirements: vb5 runtime files (error message if not present in your
machine)
If needed DL the additional file below and run it then retry the
AleJenJes app.
http://web.archive.org/web/200606150...s/msvbvm50.exe


Susan
--
Posted to alt.comp.freeware (using WinXP-SP2, Win7professional-32 bit)
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.pricelesswarehome.org

On 12/6/2017 12:28 PM, June Bug wrote:
The date is 06/12/2017 07:51

I have a tiny and very basic one called AleJenJes Timer. Does the trick.

https://alejenjes-countdown-timer.en...wn.com/windows

Thanks for that suggestion because the expense of freeware is the cost in
finding the good ones.

To save others that expense, here's my log file for AleJenJes Timer on
Windows 10.

1. Downloaded from:
https://alejenjes-countdown-timer.en...ndows/download
2. Downloaded to
C:\software\hardware\alarm\AleJenJes\alejenjestime r.zip (89KB)
3. Unzips to .\alejenjestimer\
4. Renamed folder & moved to C:\apps\hardware\alarm\alejenjes\
5. Created shortcut to C:\apps\hardware\alarm\alejenjes\Timer.exe
6. Renamed shortcut & moved to Start Hardware Alarm AleJenJes.lnk

ERROR:
The program can't start because MSVBVM50.DLL is missing from your computer.
Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

Since I already have a solution, this freeware failed the quick test
and was deleted.

Judas Priest, whatever! I've been using this since W98. Moving on...

On 12/6/2017 12:38 PM, June Bug wrote:
The date is 06/12/2017 09:30

I like that one too. Adding more info for June Bug et al:

Thanks Susan for adding the info because the expense of freeware is that
each of us has to expend copious time finding & testing (and sometimes
fixing) the freeware before deciding which is the one to use.

Most of us probably don't need multiple countdown timers, so I summarily
dropped that AleJenJes Timer the moment I saw this error on Win10:

ERROR:
The program can't start because MSVBVM50.DLL is missing from your computer.
Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

Do you get that error on Win10?

It could be just me because I never use the common hard-coded paths like
"Program Files" so maybe the software has a hard coded path somewhere to
the DLL?

The problem with freeware, as always, is the expense in finding and testing
it, so I dropped it like a hot potato - but it may work for others.

Opinionated, aren't we?

On 12/6/2017 2:35 PM, June Bug wrote:
The date is 07/12/2017 03:27

Program: Alarm Simple
Author: Patrick Dugan
Install: (n.i.)
Windows 95; 98; (XP) (64-bit Win 7)
Wa (Freeware) LFW (v 1.4)
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Clocks-Time-Management/Alarm-Simple.shtml

The almsim14.zip download file (144 KB) contains: AlarmSimple.exe,
AlarmSimple.txt, and an ALARMSIMPLE.HLP file that contains the same
info as the text file.

Log file to lessen the expense of freeware to others.

1. Obtain almsim for Windows 10
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Clocks-Time-Management/Alarm-Simple.shtml#download
2. Place in software archive hierarchy
c:\software\hardware\alarm\almsim\almsim14.zip (145 KB)
3. Extract to install hierarchy
c:\apps\hardware\alarm\almsim\AlarmSimple.exe
4. Add shortcut in menu hierarchy
Start Menu Hardware Alarm AlarmSimple.lnk

That created an almost hidden hard-to-see teeny tiny icon in the Windows
task tray (which isn't what I want polluted) titled "Alarm Simple V1.4".

Right clicking on that almost-impossible-to-see icon, up comes a nice GUI.

You need to find a WAV file, but I had saved the waves from the previous
download of AleJenJesTimer so I pointed to one of those:
(alarm.wav, pause.wav, start.wav, tick.wav, & warning.wav)

It's nice that it can run an executable, or pop up a custom message.
The bad thing is there is no "iconify" button.
You can only EXIT which defeats the purpose.

So the GUI seems to need to REMAIN on the desktop in your face?
Can that be true?


You know, if you want something that works superfantastic absolutely
perfectly on W10, it would behoove you not to post in W7 newsgroups.
Making a note to never respond to another one of your posts.

You might try this one if you haven't found one yet.
https://compact-timer.en.uptodown.com/windows

File-new to define the timer(s) name and duration

Haven't used it in a long time but the copy I have works in win10.

I think you can even define the popup info when the timer runs out.

Once defined, then on the menu pick which timer and hit the start

On 12/6/2017 2:35 PM, June Bug wrote:
The date is 07/12/2017 03:27

Program: Alarm Simple
Author: Patrick Dugan
Install: (n.i.)
Windows 95; 98; (XP) (64-bit Win 7)
Wa (Freeware) LFW (v 1.4)
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Desktop-Enhancements/Clocks-Time-Management/Alarm-Simple.shtml

The almsim14.zip download file (144 KB) contains: AlarmSimple.exe,
AlarmSimple.txt, and an ALARMSIMPLE.HLP file that contains the same
info as the text file.

SNIP

It's nice that it can run an executable, or pop up a custom message.
The bad thing is there is no "iconify" button.
You can only EXIT which defeats the purpose.

So the GUI seems to need to REMAIN on the desktop in your face?
Can that be true?

No.

As I mentioned befoe one of the 3 files contained in almsim14.zip is
named AlarmSimple.txt. That readme file has instructions for using the
program. I suggest you read it.

Re your question it says:
quoteThe "Exit" button will quit the program entirely. If you press
the close button (upper right corner) the settings window will disappear
but the alarm program itself will remain active and in the tray./quote

Susan
--
Posted to alt.comp.freeware (using WinXP-SP2, Win7professional-32 bit)
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.pricelesswarehome.org