Windows Effects (Stupid App)

Hello again.

Since my previous project is not going anywhere right now. I worked on this yet another (useless) fun app. I call it Windows Effects!!!

It is a simple application. What it does is that when a window from your desktop gets minimized or destroyed, it shows a fireball kinda effect. That's it.

This was to learn how to capture windows shell events in .NET. I could not find a way to do it in the .NET anyways so, I am using a DLL written in C++ for this purpose. I found this DLL on the web.

The effect works most of the time but still it's flaky. Sometimes it doesn't capture the events properly.

Anyways, here it the link for you to try. It's an installer. You should be albe uninstall the application after trying it out without any problem.

Ohh btw, you will need .NET 3.5 SP1 framework for it work.

How to not let Google Buzz clutter your GMail (Tip)

Alright people, Have you started using the Google Buzz? Loving it? Hating it? Well, I started using it since last night and it looks alright. Not sure if I will stick to it and abandon the Facebook altogether. Anyways, one annoying thing I noticed is that Buzz send me the notification if someone comment on my buzz or so. It clutters my GMail and in my attempt to clean it, I tried to delete the notification email. But that deletes the original buzz too. :( So, I created a filter to archive all the Buzz notification and apply a label to it. Follow these steps:

• Create a label called "Buzzz". You can't use "Buzz" because it is a reserved word.
• Go to Setting in the upper left corner of your gmail
• Click on Filters
• Click on Create a new filter link in the bottom
• In the Create a Filter windows, Type in "Buzz:" in the subject field (Image 1 below)
  
• Click Next Step
• In the next window, check the check boxes 1. Skip the inbox checkbox and 2. Apply the label (Image 2 below)
• Pick the Buzzz label you previously created (Image 2 below)
• Click Create Filter

Image 1:

Image 2:


If you want to completely shut the buzz notifications off, you can click on Turn Off buzz link all the way in the bottom of your gmail.


Cheers...

AirPointer (Stupid App)

My next project is going to be AirPointer!! :) Now, someone in the past might have done this type of work already but, I am doing it just for the learning purpose. AirPointer as per my thinking is going to control the mouse pointer by pointing any object in the web cam or your hand gestures.

It seems like very difficult project for me 'cause I don't have background of computer vision, etc.

Anyways, I am thinking of completing the project in following sections:

• Learn how to capture the web cam image and show live on the screen
• Object or gesture detection (very tough!!! can be a show stopper)
  
• Move mouse pointer based on the detection

I will keep updating this blog as I go on with this project.