Network Tools

[FordGT90Concept]

Maybe a message somewhere to report that? You could add a status bar to the form.

It should say "Pinging '(address)'..." before "Ping complete. ..." What does it say between the apstrophes (if anything)? Do an infinite run if you need it to display for longer.

I am not sure a save to document would be that useful, as different people would want it in different formats (word, pdf, etc.). Why not copy to clipboard and let them paste it into whatever they want?

The same code is used for both but every UserControl needs it coded individually so it will take time to add.

That is always the last thing I do too. Any thoughts on what you want the icons to look like?

Nope. That's why I haven't made any. XD

Btw, for a couple of years I built and did s/w QA on MRI scanners for GE. People's lives depended on the s/w working as it should. I apply the same rules to testing your app.

 

[Kreij]

1) Yes, it does say pinging address. I guess I never noticed it becuase I was watching the results, not the message.

2) Take your time. You're supposed be taking a "longer than expect" leave from the project anyway.

3) Are you planning on making your own or borrowing something from the webz? I can snoop around for ideas if you want. Finding/making icons always drives me nuts. I'm never really happy with the end results. I usually just end up picking out something that looks reasonable and not worrying about it. The users have to look at it, not me.

4) Lol ... no mercy.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

1) Yes, it does say pinging address. I guess I never noticed it becuase I was watching the results, not the message.

What's the address? Nothing? IPv4 or IPv6?

2) Take your time. You're supposed be taking a "longer than expect" leave from the project anyway.

I know but nothing else interests me at the moment so I might as well be productive.

3) Are you planning on making your own or borrowing something from the webz? I can snoop around for ideas if you want. Finding/making icons always drives me nuts. I'm never really happy with the end results. I usually just end up picking out something that looks reasonable and not worrying about it. The users have to look at it, not me.

I make my own with Paint usually. It's only 32x32 so I usually don't get bored before I finish. I just don't have any inspiration to make one (haven't since I started the project).

 

[Kreij]

1) IPv6

2) I'm convinced that for some of us coding is like a drug, it's the addiction to the mental challenge and the speed at which your mind functions when coding. When coding I'm usually doing multiple things too (like coding another app while I am mentally working on a problem in the first ap. Yay Multitasking !!). When not coding, things seem to sort of be in slow motion and irritatingly slow. Usually causes thoughts during human interaction like "will you get to the point already?!?!?". Probably not a good thing, but I enjoy coding. It relaxes me. Maybe I'm just nuts

3) Oh well, you can always modify your avatar for the icon. Your program is blistering fast, after all.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

1) IPv6

Found the problem:
reply.Options.Ttl

Options is null on IPv6. I got it fixed. I think I won't release it until another feature is implemented which will most likely be some time tomorrow.

2) I'm convinced that for some of us coding is like a drug, it's the addiction to the mental challenge and the speed at which your mind functions when coding. When coding I'm usually doing multiple things too (like coding another app while I am mentally working on a problem in the first ap. Yay Multitasking !!). When not coding, things seem to sort of be in slow motion and irritatingly slow. Usually causes thoughts during human interaction like "will you get to the point already?!?!?". Probably not a good thing, but I enjoy coding. It relaxes me. Maybe I'm just nuts

Coding bores me to death most of the time because it doesn't challenge me.

3) Oh well, you can always modify your avatar for the icon. Your program is blistering fast, after all.

Not a bad idea but a GT90 looks like a white blob at 32x32. XD


Edit: FYI, NetTool 1.7 weighs in at 3913 lines of original code in 27 files (161,513 bytes). NetTool 2 already weighs in at 3849 lines of original code in 32 files (141,901 bytes).

 

[Kreij]

Found the problem:
reply.Options.Ttl

Options is null on IPv6. I got it fixed. I think I won't release it until another feature is implemented which will most likely be some time tomorrow.

I will be looking forward to testing b3.

Coding bores me to death most of the time because it doesn't challenge me.

That is because most of the time we are writing boring code. Once the challenging part has been overcome, the rest is tedious detail work. Important, but tedious non the less. Have you solved 340 yet? No? Well?

Not a bad idea but a GT90 looks like a white blob at 32x32. XD

Hmmm ... okay, maybe just a headlight. lol

 

[FordGT90Concept]

That is because most of the time we are writing boring code. Once the challenging part has been overcome, the rest is tedious detail work. Important, but tedious non the less. Have you solved 340 yet? No? Well?

The problem there is processing power (24^64 potential solutions). I have the algorithm that will do it but it has to be fed data until coherent words start forming. Once NetTool is done, I might multithread the algorithm and have my server work on it. It could take years to find the answer though.

Hmmm ... okay, maybe just a headlight. lol

I'm pretty sure Ford owns the patent for those.

 

[Kreij]

The problem there is processing power (24^64 potential solutions). I have the algorithm that will do it but it has to be fed data until coherent words start forming. Once NetTool is done, I might multithread the algorithm and have my server work on it. It could take years to find the answer though.

I think you are going to run into more issues. I don't think he coded it in any kind of sequential manner. Clues could be horizontal, veritcal or diagonal and then not necessarily in any sort of concurrent order or logical pattern. He was upset that his his first message was decoded on the same day it was received, and made 340 a lot harder. Given his ego and desire for public attention, I don't think he planned on making 340 undecipherable, however.

If you look at some of the thoughts on his Halloween message you can see that perhaps some of his other messages contain clues to that one. He consistently spelled Paradise as "Paradice". An elusion to a "pair fo dice"? Madnes or Method? Could he have been rolling dice and placing the pertanent symbols in location based on the outcome of the dice?

Fun stuff for crazy people like us who can't resist a good challenge.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I have several algorithms that can search an one dimensional array forwards and backwards, two dimensional array in any direction, and three dimensional arrays in any direction.

The 408 was broken fast for numerous reasons (repetition of words, failure to stick to the homologous cipher methodology, not enough symbols, etc.). 340 clearly has all those bugs fixed that made the previous ciphers weak.

He was upset that his his first message was decoded on the same day it was received, and made 340 a lot harder.

Or more likely, made it mean nothing. He stopped his killing spree when someone saw him commit a murder (Oct. 11, 1969) this was about the same time the 340 was published (Nov. 8, 1969). I'm rather convinced that the 340 is much like his other ciphers in that it is the ramblings of a madman and highly doubt it contains a name.


He intentionally misspelled words to mask his identity and make the ciphers harder to break.

 

[Kreij]

I agree that it definitely from a madman, but is it just ramblings. I think if you truly believed that you would not go to the trouble to try to decipher the message.

I can't believe it meant nothing (just random symbols). The psychiatric profile one would get from all his action would indicate that he always had a message of some kind that he wanted to taunt the authorities with in its difficulty to decipher. I am convinced that 340 says something, but what that is is sitll a mystery. I could be a clue to anything, a confession, a name or something else, but I don't believe it is totally meaningless.

Btw my first wife had a PhD in Clinical Sociology and Criminal Justice. She taught me crime and sociology, I taught her doctoral level statistics. Even trade I guess. lol

 

[Kreij]

I think we just hijacked your thread.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

This is the only cipher he claims his name is in:
http://www.zodiackiller.com/MyNameIsLetter.html

What is astonishing is that is only 7 unique characters and 13 characters in length:

        public static byte[] Name = new byte[] { 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 6, 4, 7, 2, 0, 6 };

 

[Kreij]

But we can still not make the assumption that each of the characters in his cypher corresponds to a single letter, the order they are in or if each should be used as part of the name.
If, in fact, it is his name. It may be a clue to help find his name and not the name itself.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

"Berkeley" is too close of a match to be mere coincidence:
http://www.zodiackiller.com/images/lennyheller.gif

Result: BERKELEYE RBY

The 408 cipher had gibberish at the end as well...

It also can't be mere coincidence that Berkeley is in San Francisco Bay Area where most of the murders took place.


Edit: I did some more digging into what I discovered above and everything fits like a glove. I won't say anymore until someone can confirm it.

 

[lemonadesoda]

That mean you don't like the beta?

Nettool.exe (1.70) works well for me. Dont want to lose that.

Nettool.exe (beta 2) is still very WIP. I dont like it yet.

1./ When you open it up, the windows/column sizes are all out of whack. That means I have to spend time footling with windows and column sizes before I can start

2./ The input boxes are non obvious and too complex for a KISS tool. All those VB property dialogs that need to be editted. Quite fine for an alpha... but not so user friendly

3./ Sorting of IP addresses is not numeric but alpha... meaning that 192.168.0.2 is AFTER 192.168.0.100, etc.

Keep up the good work!!

 

[FordGT90Concept]

1./ When you open it up, the windows/column sizes are all out of whack. That means I have to spend time footling with windows and column sizes before I can start
http://img.techpowerup.org/091017/Capture039.jpg

The columns on the right are automatically sized according to content. Enabling Save Settings will store/load how large that panel on the left is.

2./ The input boxes are non obvious and too complex for a KISS tool. All those VB property dialogs that need to be editted. Quite fine for an alpha... but not so user friendly

Only the ones at the top (under Necessary) are required. The others can be ignored. Generally speaking, it will work without changing anything but it will only get local info if you do.

3./ Sorting of IP addresses is not numeric but alpha... meaning that 192.168.0.2 is AFTER 192.168.0.100, etc.
http://img.techpowerup.org/091017/Capture040.jpg

I haven't looked into fixing this but probably should. The real concern with handling it as an IP Address is IPv6 support.

 

[oily_17]

The columns on the right are automatically sized according to content. Enabling Save Settings will store/load how large that panel on the left is.

Just tried it on beta3 and it only saves changes to the Optional values and not if you resize the left panel.

EDIT: The values for the splitter size change in the .ini file but dont load when you restart.

 

[Kreij]

The minimum size for the main form works fine for not allowing one to make the window too small, but if you resize the left pane the form does not grow to accomodate what is in the right pane and you can quish it out of existance by making the left pane as large as the entire main form.

The help menu item opens up a great help file. Excellent job

If you do file->Exit the settings are saved.
If you click the red X the settings are saved.
If you right click in the task bar and close the app, the settings are saved.
If you Ctrl-Atl-Del and go into task manager and kill the process, the settings are saved.
It's getting harder to find anything misbehaving.

[Main]
Width=2576           <--- Giant NetTools lol
Height=1586          <---
SelectedIndex=0

Maybe you should just use the "eek" smiley for the icons.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Just tried it on beta3 and it only saves changes to the Optional values and not if you resize the left panel.

I'm not sure I follow?

EDIT: The values for the splitter size change in the .ini file but dont load when you restart.

I noticed that oddity before but it seemed to fix itself. I'll look into it...

The minimum size for the main form works fine for not allowing one to make the window too small, but if you resize the left pane the form does not grow to accomodate what is in the right pane and you can quish it out of existance by making the left pane as large as the entire main form.

I suppose I could make that slider adjust the size of the entire form but, I think that is a behavior most users wouldn't expect.

The help menu item opens up a great help file. Excellent job

I try.

If you do file->Exit the settings are saved.
If you click the red X the settings are saved.
If you right click in the task bar and close the app, the settings are saved.
If you Ctrl-Atl-Del and go into task manager and kill the process, the settings are saved.
It's getting harder to find anything misbehaving.

Oops.

Maybe you should just use the "eek" smiley for the icons.

Now that's an idea but I fear someone just stumbling across it will think it is a virus and delete it.

 

[Kreij]

I suppose I could make that slider adjust the size of the entire form but, I think that is a behavior most users wouldn't expect.

I understand what you mean, but if you are going to persist (via settings) the left pane's size, the app will start with no results pane at all if the users squishes it out of existance and then exits. Something to consider.

You are right on the eek icon, it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. Maybe you could use something similar to what Windows puts in the taskbar for internet connections (two minitor thingy).

Or maybe a ninja. Everyone likes ninjas.

 

[lemonadesoda]

IMO there are two many applications using the "monitorthingy". Nettool should look different.

Either a spanner (wrentch), or
A nut, or
A crowbar, or
Pink panther

 

[Kreij]

I think Ford should post a few icon choices in this thread so we can vote on them. heheh

 

[FordGT90Concept]

3./ Sorting of IP addresses is not numeric but alpha... meaning that 192.168.0.2 is AFTER 192.168.0.100, etc.
http://img.techpowerup.org/091017/Capture040.jpg

Unfortunately, this can't be fixed. Comparisons are made using integers (-2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647) IPv4 has values of (0 to 4,294,967,295). IPv6 has values of (0 to 2^128). There simply no way to compare the two without losing a lot of data.

All I can really do is pad it with zeros (e.g. 192.168.0.1 -> 192.168.000.001).

Just tried it on beta3 and it only saves changes to the Optional values and not if you resize the left panel.

EDIT: The values for the splitter size change in the .ini file but dont load when you restart.

Finally got it fixed. When docking is set to Dock.Fill, Width is set to 200 and Height is set to 100 (doesn't reflect the actual size). It is impossible to change these values and the SplitContainer.SplitterDistance relies on them to resize. The solution was to use SizeChanged event to manually "dock" it without using the Dock property.

The minimum size for the main form works fine for not allowing one to make the window too small, but if you resize the left pane the form does not grow to accomodate what is in the right pane and you can quish it out of existance by making the left pane as large as the entire main form.

It is impossible to make them go completely go away. Still, I increased the min sizes from 25 to 100.

If you do file->Exit the settings are saved.
If you click the red X the settings are saved.
If you right click in the task bar and close the app, the settings are saved.
If you Ctrl-Atl-Del and go into task manager and kill the process, the settings are saved.

It saves no matter how you close it (except ctrl+alt+del) so long as "Save Settings" is checked. If you uncheck it and agree to delete the settings file, it will no longer save settings until it is checked again. It is designed to only save on close. Clicking Save Settings only enables/disables saving.

Pink panther

That is trademarked by Owens Corning.


If someone wants to make their own icons for me to use, they can. I'll probably use it so long as it is appropriate and legal.


Beta 4 uploaded. I don't remember what I changed.


Edit: By the way, I submitted that "Berkeley, E." result to the Vallejo police (they are handling the Zodiac Killer case). We'll see what comes of it.

 

[Kreij]

Sorry for not posting. I didn't see that you made b4 available.

Cant' find any problems.

One thought I had, do you think it would be better to shorten up the property names.
(eg. GetWMIHostName -> GetHost, GetWMIOperatingSystemAndMemory -> GetOS, GetWMIProcessor -> GetCPU)

I am good with the way it is, I just wonder if people who are not familiar with what WMI is would be confused or even a bit reluctant to set those to true.

As I said, just a thought. Your app, your call.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I think I'll leave in case I want to add more later. GetHostName should be there as an option anyway (ehm, only get IP addresses).


Edit: A few quick changes:
-TraceRoute: GetHostNames -> GetHostName
-Intranet Scan: Added GetHostName with default setting of true.
-Settings: Automatically deletes invalid sections of the INI instead of raising errors. You'll lose settings for that one tab but it automatically corrects the errors it encountered.

Not going to release yet...