Invis Search

G. Himangi asked:




Introduction

Companies developing document management software, information management software, content management software, asset management software, virtual drives, and database browsers and front-ends are always looking for ways to improve the usability of their product. Adding Windows Explorer integration is one of the ways of achieving this. Windows Explorer integration allows users to interact with the software right from Windows Explorer or File Open/Save dialogs. For example, consider document management software. Every time a user needs to retrieve documents from the repository or add new documents to it, he/she has to first open the software and then interact with the software to achieve the desired goal. On the other hand, suppose the same product was integrated within Windows Explorer, the user can access documents and browse through the document repository right from the comfort and convenience of Windows Explorer. Then, to retrieve a document, he/she could simply drag-drop the document from the repository to his hard-drive. Similarly, to add a new document, he/she would simply drag-drop the document from his hard-disk to a folder within the repository. Of course, all this occurs in Windows Explorer!

And now, EZNamespaceExtensions offers to make the process of adding Windows Explorer integration (via namespace extensions) fast and painless!

Adding Windows Explorer Integration is now a breeze!

EZNamespaceExtensions is a framework library for fast, painless and easy development of Windows Explorer namespace extensions. Namespace extension development is notorious for its difficulty, subtleties and for the sheer amount of work and time that is required. With EZNamespaceExtensions, developers can concentrate on writing the functionality of the namespace extension and not worry about the hundred things that are necessary to integrate the namespace extension seamlessly into Windows Explorer and File Open/Save Dialogs. EZNamespaceExtensions can reduce the time required to develop this functionality by as much as 80%.

Fast-track namespace extension development with project wizards

One of the best features of EZNamespaceExtensions is its Visual Studio integrated project wizard. Create a new namespace extension project using this wizard generates skeletal code for a read-to-build-and-view namespace extension. With the scaffolding in place, it’s a matter of adding functionality specific to your namespace extension. Each functionality is exposed as one or more well-designed API and adding functionality is as simple as overriding methods and writing product-specific code.

Loaded with features

Feature support in EZNamespaceExtensions is quite comprehensive with full support for folders and non-folders, automatic sub-folder navigation, multi-level sub folders, context menus, background context menus, drag-drop, cut-copy-paste, details/report view, tile view, thumbnail view, group view, icons, overlay icons and lots of other things.

Choose your flavor

EZNamespaceExtensions comes in two editions: EZNamespaceExtensions.Net allows developing namespace extensions in .Net languages such as VB.Net or C#. EZNamespaceExtensionsMFC supports developing namespace extensions in MFC, ATL or C++. All versions of Visual Studio including Visual Studio 2008 are supported and all Windows OS including Windows Vista are supported.

Conclusion

Adding Windows Explorer Integration to products such as document management software has never been so easy. EZNamespaceExtensions makes it a breeze to do so. Make your product easy-to-use and stand out from the crowd and shine!

Original Article: http://www.ssware.com/articles/add-windows-explorer-integration-to-document-management-software-content-management-software-and-virtual-drives-using-namespace-extensions.htm

 

Dane Phillip asked:


As Internet Explorer’s component architecture is based on COM, there are many different ways to extend its capabilities. These can be broken down into three broad categories of extensions as follows:

Browser Extensions

This category of end-user extensions adds additional functionality to Internet Explorer content. It includes features such as shortcut menu extensions, custom toolbars, Explorer Bars, and Browser Helper Objects (BHOs).

Content Extensions

These extend the types of content that can be parsed and displayed; their use depends on the content being loaded into the browser. This category includes ActiveX Controls and active documents.

Hosting and Reuse

By hosting and reusing the Internet Explorer components as part of your own application, you can build your own browser or add rich rendering and Internet capabilities.

Browser Extensions:

This class of extensibility adds to the user interface (UI) of the browser and is not directly related to the viewable content of Web pages. It includes add-on functionality that users might install to enhance their browsing experience.

Shortcut menu extensions

It is possible to extend Internet Explorer by adding options to the shortcut menu, which link the menu command to the task to be performed.

Toolbars. Custom toolbars can complement Internet Explorer’s standard toolbars.

Browser Helper O Browser Extensions:

This class of extensibility adds to the user interface (UI) of the browser and is not directly related to the viewable content of Web pages. It includes add-on functionality that users might install to enhance their browsing experience.

Shortcut menu extensions

It is possible to extend Internet Explorer by adding options to the shortcut menu, which link the menu command to the task to be performed.

Toolbars Custom toolbars can complement Internet Explorer’s standard toolbars.

Browser Helper Objects

A Browser Helper Object (BHO) runs within Internet Explorer and offers additional services, often without any obvious user interface. For example, a BHO might highlight terms of interest to the user, monitoring the user web habits.

Download Manager. Use Explorer Bars to reserve part of the browser window, either the side or the bottom of the browser window.

Content Extensions:

This category of extensions is invoked specifically by Internet Explorer content. It includes ActiveX controls, binary behaviors, and active documents.

ActiveX Controls. ActiveX controls are a very powerful mechanism for extending the abilities of HTML.

Hosting and Reuse:

Internet Explorer’s components can easily be reused thanks to its COM-based architecture. Two commonly used components are shdocvw.dll (the Web Browser control) and mshtml.dll (”Trident”).

In the majority of situations, it is better to directly host shdocvw.dll than mshtml.dll. This is because shdocvw.dll supports in-place navigation, history, and so on—that is, the full capabilities of the browser. If you host mshtml.dll directly, you gain the use of an HTML and CSS parser and rendered, but you cannot take advantage of the browser’s other capabilities.

An example of a situation in which you might want to host mshtml.dll directly is the scenario of an e-mail application and HTML-based e-mail. In this scenario, the e-mail is displayed within the application, but if a user clicks on a hyperlink within the e-mail, the user would expect a separate browser instance to open rather than the e-mail application navigating in place. This is how applications such as Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express handle HTML-based e-mail.

Jason Moore asked:


As what auto reports reflect, Ford Motor Co., second-largest U.S. automaker, is certainly facing a decline in SUV sales. In connection to this plight, Ford plans to slash the production of Explorer SUV at the same time cut jobs at the Kentucky plant to reduce production costs. The reductions will take place before July next year.

In an interview, Anne Marie Gattari, Ford’s spokeswoman said, “It is likely we will take a capacity action.” She further disclosed that a final decision had not been made and she could not specify how many jobs may be affected.

Ford’s Kentucky plant employs 3,380 individuals. It is the only factory that builds the Explorer SUV. It can be recalled that last March, Ford closed the St. Louis plant that also manufactures the Explorer.

Through October this year, the sales of the midsize SUV fell by 26 percent. Ford North America has reported losses in 8 of the past 9 quarters as customers shift to more fuel-efficient rivals. Hence, Ford has finally decided a deliberate production reduction. This is also in connection with Ford’s strategy of lessening dependence on pickups and SUVs for profit.

The planned decline in Explorer’s production and job cuts was previously reported by Courier-Journal in Louisville. The latter’s website also posted the letter, which was delivered to all employees in Kentucky plant. The affected employees will get 4 opportunities to abscond the company. Further, the letter also divulged that there is also an expected temporary shutdown of the plant on the week of January 8.

Explorer is not a bad Ford model. As a fact, it has been the best-selling mid-size SUV in the United States since its inception. Ford Explorer auto parts, which include V6 base engine that produces 210 horsepower with the 24-valve V8 that generates 292 horsepower, are meticulously made to cater to the desires of SUV fanatics. Rivals of Explorer include Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 4Runner.

In early part of this year, Sports Trac was added to the Explorer. The vehicle is built on a new and bigger platform. Parts Ford Explorer Sport Trac include the the V8 engine as an option. AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control is also made standard in the Sport Trac.

Bill Clinton asked:


Rolex Explorer I is always the most popular and attractive edition in Rolex, black dial with 3, 6, 9 Arab numbers endowing Explorer elegance and dynamic charming. Greatly loved by celebrities, movie stars and broad media report even more makes Explorer I become the pet of fashion.

Putting aside the crazy love by movie star loves, Explorer I actually is quite an attractive watch itself, apart from the outstanding technology used on it, behind its semblance full of sports feeling and elegance, Explorer I not only has exciting historical classical stories, but also with labyrinthian details, just like other Rolex sports watches (still remember the stories of Submariner, Daytona Cosmograph and Explorer II?). Although the latest edition I Ref. 114270 or the former one 14720 of Explorer have been quite different from the Explorer with amazing stories at that time, the typical and original 3-6-9 markers have been replaced by steel markers, and case design, movement and mirror have all changed, its look still the same.

In the conception of ordinary watch lovers, Explorer I is specially launched by Rolex just for commemorating Everest expedition. This watch was with British explorer team consisting of Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay etc on 29th, May of 1953, achieving a great task of human being climbing. This story is definitely magic and attractive, but it still has a certain distance to the real fact. Firstly, Rolex indeed had supported Himalayan expedition since 1933, and later in Everest expeditions, Rolex had been always the official supporters, so Rolex supported each explorer team with its wristwatch. However, Rolex was not the only supporter, it is said that when Edmund Hillary climbed up on the top of Everest, what he wore is a watch from the British supporter Smith. But what Tenzing Norgay wore is indeed Explorer. On 19th, July of 1988, this watch was auctioned in Sotheby’s of London, and presently stored in Rolex Museum in Geneva. As for if Explorer is the first watch worn on the top of Everest, I am afraid that no answer will be found forever, as Hillary and Norgay have always not wanted to speak out who first climbed on the top, and persisted in that it is done by both of them.

Secondly, when observing the Explorer worn by Tenzing Norgay when climbing Everest, it indeed has the typical black dial and 3-6-9 night light markers, although the hands are not Skelette (Mercedes) which we are familiar with but the pure nightlight straight ones, the round nightlight spots on central second hand are al little bigger than today’s editions. What needs to concern is the “Precision” mark but not “Explorer” on the dial of this Explorer. In addition, according to the record of Sotheby, the back of this watch is bubble back style. According to these characters, it can deduce that it is Ref.6350. At that time, Rolex used to carve the production date inside the back. The production date for Ref.6350 worn by Tenzing Norgay is IV 53, which means made in April of 1953. So you can see that before Hillary and Norgay climbed on the top of Everest, Rolex did not name Ref.6350 as Explorer. Although Rolex had registered the trade mark of Explorer in Geneva on 26th, Jan of 1953, Explorer gained its name after Hillary and Norgay climbing up Everest, that is, “Explorer” began to be added on Ref.6350 after the success climbing in 1953. as for Explorer I becoming a fix style and classic watch, it was accomplished by Rolex after a certain time of scrabble.

Anyway, Ref. 6350 is indeed specially made for Explorers by Rolex. Ref. 6350 Explorer has highly readable dial design, and its case is also specially strengthened and uses special lubricant based on the need, making this watch can work between -20° C and +40° C and its accuracy will not affected by the change of emplastic. So regardless of before or after Hillary and Norgay climbing on the Everest, many explorers relied on Ref. 6350 as the necessary chronometer. The distinctive dial of Explorer I is not innovative, its big triangle mark at 12 o’clock position and dials with Arab and Roman numerals of some Rolex editions had been widely used in 1930’s and 1940’s, and 3-6-9 Arab numerals and long bar markers had been used in the early cushion and oyster style. However, these elements which had appeared before combined again in a unique way, creating a fresh and clear image for Explorer.

According to the research on the early Explorers by the author of “The Best of Time. Rolex Wristwatches: An Unauthorized History ”James M. Dowling, at the beginning Rolex was obviously not sure about the potential market of Explorer, therefore Rolex also put the dial with the registered trade mark “Explorer” or the name of “Explorer” on other editions. Air King Explorer is one of the most famous examples. The Air King Explorer means 3-6-9 black dial of Explorer is used by some Ref. 5500 Air King, but “Precision” is the mark on the dial, not Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified. Another example is Dress Explorer, means non-explorer dial with steel markers and hands are used by some Oyster Perpetual, but with “Explorer” carved on the dial, including Ref.5700 (also called as Explorer Date) with date display and Ref. 5504 without date display. These explorers which are considered as rare and precious today were mostly made in 1950’s and 1960’s, the earliest one, Ref. 6298 could be traced back to 1953. And their production did not come to a halt until the hot sell of Rolex.

Explorer Ref. 6350 was produced about one year in 1953, and then Ref. 6150 was in production in the same year. Most Explorer Ref. 6350 with black dial was carved with “Officially Certified Chronometer”, and the dial is with special honeycomb. Both Ref. 6150 and Ref. 6350 used A296 movement, but the case is 2 mm bigger than Ref. 6150, both with “Precision”. Ref. 6150 stopped to produce in 1959 and replaced by Ref. 6610. from semblance, Ref. 6610 and Ref. 6150 are almost the same, but since Ref. 6610 used new Caliber 1310 movement, so the back is more flat than bubble back. So these early explorers are all stainless steel made, and all the fonts, Rolex logo and minute markers all use golden color.

After five years production of Ref. 6610, Explorer Ref. 1016 replaced its production in 1963. Ref. 1016 is the most famous edition with longest production in all the Explorers, its production lasted until Ref. 14270 replaced it. Explorer Ref. 1016 looks like Ref. 6610 from semblance, and its movement changed to use Caliber 1560, water resistant increased from 50m to 100m. During the long production of 26 years, Explorer Ref. 1016 also changed a little. The first generation of Ref. 1016 was changed in 1975, changed to use the improved Caliber 1570 with hack from Caliber 1560, and the oyster strap was changed to made of solid stainless steel.

In 1989, Ref. 14270, which is familiar to most watch lovers, came to the market with surprise. Apart from remaining the name of Explorer and Benz hands, the inside and beauty conception of Ref. 14270 were completely different from Ref. 1016: the movement is Caliber 3000 with higher frequency, the mirror is sapphire crystal glass, the case is designed again, the dial changes quite a lot, the original full printed nightlight markers including clock markers, triangle mark at 12 o’clock and 3-6-9 nightlight Arab numerals are all changed into the design of K steel circle plus Tritium nightlight coating. Such a change definitely makes the style of 14270 have a feeling of elegance and modern, but the pure sports and explorer style of Ref. 1016 actually made most watch lovers hard to forget, and since the number of it became fewer and fewer, therefore the price of Ref. 1016 in recent years has risen up quite a lot. The price is nearly as twice as the brand new 14270.

Explorer I changed a little again in 2001: 114270 replaced 14270, changed to use Caliber 3130. regardless the antique Explorer Ref. 6350, 1016, the former generation 14270 or the present Explorer 114270, Rolex Explorer I is always a very simple watch with simple semblance and functions, stainless case and strap, self winding movement and black dial with 3, 6, 9, it is really unremarkable, but maybe it is just because “simple is the best”, Explorer I seems to be more attractive as time goes by. What is more magic is that Explorer I not only loved by male watch lovers, even female consumers are always attracted by its modern and entertainment feeling. Most watch lovers can not understand the low complex but high price and hot purchased by consumers of Explorer I, but why should you need a reason for the love to a watch? 

Its exquisite styling, elegant character and rich history are the best reasons.

Darren Bond asked:


There are a variety of ways in which you can customize Visual Explorer to suit your needs. I’ve described a selection here to get you started.

Tab Views

————–

You can arrange web page tabs and tile or cascade web page windows using the tab options. From the Window menu simply click Use Tab Groups to disable this option. All of your existing tabs will then be re-arranged as cascaded windows - you can re-position these windows to suit your needs. Alternatively, on the Window menu select Tile Horizontally or Tile Vertically to automatically re-arrange the windows.

For more information see http://www.visual-explorer.com/feat_user.htm

Menus and Toolbars

—————————

You can customize the menus and toolbars in Visual Explorer for faster access to commonly performed tasks. Some menu commands have icons next to them so you can quickly associate the command with the icon. Most menus are located on the Menu Bar, which is the toolbar at the top of the screen. Toolbars can contain buttons, menus, or a combination of both. Toolbars can be moved to any position within Visual Explorer, except for the Tab Bar, which can be docked at the top or bottom of the screen.

For more information see http://www.visual-explorer.com/feat_cus.htm

Media Filter

—————

The Media Filter in Visual Explorer lets you instantly block a variety of web page content from images, Flash animations and sounds to potentially harmful scripts and ActiveX applications. To block specific media content from displaying, select the Filter menu and click on the media item shown in the drop-down menu list to block it.

For more information see http://www.visual-explorer.com/feat_priv.htm

The full list of content that can be blocked is as follows:

- Images

- Flash Animations

- Animations (e.g. GIF animations)

- Sounds

- ActiveX (applications)

- Scripts

- Java Applets

Cloaking Device

———————

This unique and innovative feature is designed to help ensure your privacy when browsing secure web pages. When enabled, the Cloaking Device will make Visual Explorer semi transparent so that casual observers cannot snoop on your browsing activities, particularly useful when entering personal or credit card related data online.

You can quickly turn the Cloaking Device on at any time by using the shortcut Ctrl+Enter or by selecting View menu, Toggle Transparency. Note the current transparency level will be applied (set to 75% by default). Note that a transparency value above 75% is not recommended if you want web pages to remain legible! Download the user guide for more information http://www.visual-explorer.com/downloads/Vexplore_User_Guide.pdf

Search Bar

————–

You can quickly and easily search for web pages on a particular topic just by typing a few words into the Visual Explorer search bar (located on the right of the Navigation toolbar).

For example, if you want to find information about Spanish villas:

- Click in the Search Bar

- Type the keywords Spanish villas (your typing will replace any text currently shown in the search bar)

- Press Return on the keyboard to perform the search

Search results for Spanish villas appear in a new Visual Explorer tab.

For more information see http://www.visual-explorer.com/feat_search.htm

Themes and Skins

————————-

The appearance of Visual Explorer, in terms of its Graphical User Interface (GUI), can be modified to suit the different tastes of its users by applying a custom skin. Applications such as Visual Explorer, which are capable of having a skin applied, are referred to as being skinnable and the process of writing or applying such a skin is known as skinning. Some skins merely make the program more aesthetically pleasing, but others can rearrange elements of the interface, potentially making the software easier to use.

In addition to the default skins that may be found on your computer (commonly found in C:\Windows\Resources\Themes or similar), any Microsoft based .msstyles visual style file or CodeJock based .cjstyles file can be loaded and used within Visual Explorer making the possibilities endless with how the application can be skinned.

Keyboard Shortcuts

—————————

You can quickly accomplish tasks you perform frequently by using shortcut keys - one or more keys you press on the keyboard to complete a task.

For example, pressing Ctrl+T creates a new web page tab, just as clicking the New Tab button located to the right of the last tab or selecting File menu, New Tab.

Mouse Gestures

———————-

The mouse-oriented equivalent of keyboard shortcuts is mouse gestures. A mouse gesture is a way of combining mouse movements and clicks which Visual Explorer recognizes as a specific command.

For example, with mouse gestures enabled, you could navigate to the previously viewed page by pressing the left mouse button, moving the mouse briefly to the left, then releasing the button.

Add-ons

———–

Add-ons, also known as ActiveX controls, browser extensions, browser helper objects, or toolbars can improve your browsing experience by adding additional functionality to Visual Explorer. They can also provide enhanced interaction with associated websites, such as the Google Toolbar add-on and the Google website.

Visual Explorer has been designed to support Internet Explorer add-ons.

There are thousands of Internet Explorer based add-ons available from resources such as http://www.download.com and http://www.ieaddons.com but please be aware - some add-ons can cause your computer to stop responding or display content that you don’t want, such as pop-up ads. Therefore, it is always a good idea to read the user reviews about a particular add-on before deciding whether to install it or not.

Summary

————

Visual Explorer is the free full-featured web browser from BlueG. It includes advanced phishing filters, true WYSIWYG web page printing, plus instant Google searches with a single click. You can download Visual Explorer from http://www.visual-explorer.com

Author - Darren Bond, Creative Director, BlueG

Kelly Wheeler asked:


The Forerunners of Ocean Exploration

Bartholomew Dias and Vasco Da Gama

The Portuguese have often been credited as some of history’s bravest explorers and the establishment of the Spice Route to India is to this country’s credit. What drove much exploration of the seas in the early years was a desire to gain the best access to the rich resource of spices in the East. In his quest to find such a route, Bartholomew Dias became the first European to navigate around the southern-most tip of Africa. It was Dias who first named the Cape the “Cape of Storms” and while the explorers did not make it all the way to the East on their 1488 journey, they have never been forgotten for their feat of being the first Europeans to sail around the tip of the African continent.

Vasco Da Gama was more successful in his quest to create the best Spice Route for the Portuguese and, in 1498, reached Calicut in India. The tales of his cruel treatment of the people living in the places along the route are chilling, but his victory was claiming the best Spice Route possible in the name of the Portuguese. This sea route was far less treacherous than heading overland through Asia and gave Portugal the ultimate advantage in trade in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Christopher Columbus

By 1493, Italian Christopher Columbus was convinced that a quicker route could be found to the East by travelling west. What resulted was a discovery that changed the face of world geography forever. When he could not convince his own countrymen of his theory, Columbus moved to Spain and managed to convince the authorities to fund his expedition. He set sail in August 1492 and was in sight of the Bahamas within only ten weeks, which he mistakenly believed to be Japan. Further west when the voyagers reached Cuba, they were convinced they had found China and moved inland to “India”. The dark-skinned people they encountered were soon labelled “Indians” and Columbus returned to Europe victorious in his achievement of finding the quickest route to the riches of the East. Columbus returned to his East three times during the remainder of his life exploring Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Trinidad. He died believing he had found the shortest route to the East, never knowing that he had in fact discovered something much, much more important.

Ferdinand Magellan

Ferdinand Magellan was not discouraged by the subsequent discovery of Columbus’ actual failure to find a westerly route to the East and set of in 1519 to prove that it could be done. Although from Portugal, Magellan undertook this journey with Spanish backing and set sail in 1519. The five ships in the party housed 260 men who had no idea where they were going as Magellan believed they would be too frightened too continue. A massive storm along the coast of South America forced the ships to seek cover and thus Magellan discovered an inlet – completely by accident. The Magellan Strait, as it is now known, offers a route through the South American continent to the Pacific Ocean on the other side.

With one ship deserting the voyage, Magellan and his four other ships suffered extreme hardships on the Pacific and only 18 of the 260 men made it back to Spain three years later. The journey went through the Philippines where Magellan himself was killed in battle and on to the East where the ships were loaded with spices. The Victoria continued west and made it back to Spain, while all of the other ships were lost at sea. The westerly spice route discovered by Magellan and his crew was not used for many years, thanks to the treacherous outcome it had for the many men on board. Instead of discovering a new Spice Route, Magellan is actually credited with captaining the first circumnavigation of our globe, a more impressive feat by miles.

Modern Ocean Explorers



Ocean exploration has never stopped since the great explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries, but has simply evolved to become more in depth, competitive and adventurous. By the beginning of the 20th century, most of the earth’s waters had been explored and ocean travels became more about setting records than discovering new places. The year was 1895 when American Joshua Slocum set out to become the first man to sail solo around the world. He sustained himself during the three year trip by stocking up on supplies from islands along the way and his safe return home in 1898 cemented his place in the history books.

The next person to better this record was Sir Francis Chichester in 1967 who managed an around the world feat that only required one stop in a year long trip aboard Gypsy Moth. It was a fellow Briton, Robin Knox-Johnston who, twelve years later, managed to finally circumnavigate the world without stopping – in a lightning fast 312 days. In 1988, Kat Cottee became the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around the world in an improved time of only 189 days. To date, the fastest solo trip every recorded to circumnavigate the globe occurred as recently as 2008. Francis Joyon, a 51 year old Frenchman, climbed aboard his 98ft fire-engine red trimaran Idec and reappeared around the world just 57 days later. This took a massive 14 days off the previous record which was held by the fastest female sailor in the history of yachting, Dame Ellen McArthur.