I'm really not a blogger and very, extremely, rarely almost never post.  I made an exception here because I found a lot of people were asking the same question I've been asking.... How do you easily identify which virtual desktop you're using when on Windows 11.  The short answer is.... You fake it.  Essentially want a Virtual Desktop Name or Number to display on the desktop or in the taskbar, which is a feature not included in Windows and I could not find any software to do it easily. The answer?  I came up with my own solution. It's not the solution most people are looking for because Windows doesn't do this automatically, but for my purposes it works easily and effectively enough.  Just takes a little setup.

Let's get started.

My first step was to download the "One Photo Viewer" from the Microsoft Store.  It's free so don't panic.

Next create an image for each of your virtual desktops.  I went to cooltext.com to create mine. I saved them in a folder I called "VirtualDesktopImages". Any folder name will do as long as you know where to find it later.

Call them anything you like.  

These are .png images which are perfect for me because I want my "One Photo Viewer" to be set as the default image viewer for .png files while ignoring any other type of image format. If you regularly use .png files convert your images to another image format that you don't use.  Convert To Image Online is a good site to use or just search for image converter. (For the purpose of this blog I'll use .png)

Find the folder you saved your new images in.  When selecting your program make sure you select "ALWAYS" at the bottom of the box.  Right click on the image and chose "OPEN WITH" .  and select "One Photo Viewer". If it doesn't appear chose "Choose Another App".  "One Photo Viewer" can be hard to find because Microsoft likes to hide things in secret folders.  If you can't find it easily follow these steps:

1.  Open up File Explorer

2.  Click in the address bar which is just to the right of Home > Type in shell:appsfolder

and hit enter.  This will show you all the apps installed on your computer.

3. Find the "One Photo Viewer" app and right click on it.  Create Shortcut. (This will add a shortcut to your desktop that's much easier to locate.)

After the shortcut is on your desktop right click on your image again.  Choose "Open With"  "Choose Another App"  then scroll to the bottom and select "Choose another app on this PC". Select your Desktop folder and at the bottom right hand corner where it says "Programs" change it to "All Files"

You should be able to see the shortcut to "One Photo Viewer". Select it and your image should open.

You can then go into the program settings and turn off toolbars and anything else you don't want.  I unchecked everything that was checked and it worked out great!

Right click on the image box and click exit.

Now to make it work.

You'll need a batch file for each virtual desktop.  They're very easy to make.

Right click on an open are on your desktop and choose "New Text Document"

  I use notepad because it's simple and easy.

Double click it to open it for editing.

Each batch file is nearly identical except for your image name. You can copy and paste this

@echo off

start /b D:\VirtualDesktopImages\desktop1.png

exit

Change "VirtualDesktopImages" to the name of the folder you saved your images in.

Change desktop1.png to the name of your image for your first virtual desktop.

Save your file as desktop1.bat

You should now see a file called Desktop1 on your desktop

Edit the file again changing the desktop1.png to desktop2.png

Save the file again using desktop2.bat

@echo off

start /b D:\VirtualDesktopImages\desktop2.png

exit

Make sure you're on Desktop 1 for the next step.

While on desktop 1 click the "Desktop1" batch file you just created.

the image you created for your first desktop should appear.

You can move the image around in the box and position it where you like.

Left click at the top edge of the box to position the image on your desktop.

Change to your next desktop and repeat the process with the "Desktop2" batch file.

Remember.... every time your computer is rebooted you have to run the batch files again.

I am not a techwriter nor do I play one on TV. 

Hope this helps somebody.

Michael

ScatterSlots Slot Game... Not as random as you may think!

I'll keep this post short.  Your ScatterSlots game DOES NOT USE RANDOM SPINS!  I was recently playing the 'Passion Slots' game when I noticed something very strange.  I played awhile on my Pc then switched over to my phone, then back to my PC. These screen shots say it all. They were all taken at different times. You can tell by the GRAND that these photos are not duplicates, yet the reels are duplicated and wins are identical.

BeamsWork LED Aquarium Light Timer Instructions

I recently purchased this light with a timer and was thrilled to find there were no instructions on how to set the timer.  Naturally I did what most people would do...
I went to Google!  I found these instructions, which I followed to the T, and set my timer easily.  So here's a copy & paste job of the instructions.

Timer:

Simple Time Setting & Programming below *this product does not include a manual instruction*

1. First, attach the electrical cord of OEM digital timer unit to the access port on the side of LED light fixture (Timer Ready) before plugging the main power cord to the wall outlet.

2. Now, the readout of OEM digital timer unit blinks, all LED bulbs blinks once, and the manual on/off switch is overridden after the power source is engaged .

3. At any time, press & hold both "green" and "blue" buttons for a couple seconds to set a current time; enter # of hour with "green" button; enter # of minute with "blue" button; your current time now is set.

4. With your current time already set, press & hold "green" button for a couple seconds; the readout shows "ON", then enter your desired time (hour & minute) to power on all 10,000k LEDs (Reef LED fixture) or larger # of LEDs (Fresh Water Planted LED fixture) automatically; momentarily, the readout shows "OFF", then enter your desired time (hour & minute) to power off all 10,000k LEDs (Reef LED fixture) automatically , or vice versa.

5. Also with your current time already set, press & hold "blue" button for a couple seconds; the readout shows "ON", then enter your desired time (hour & minute) to power on all Actinic Blue LEDs (Reef LED fixture) or smaller # of LEDs (Fresh Water Planted LED fixture) automatically; momentarily, the readout shows "OFF", then enter your desired time (hour & minute) to power off all Actinic Blue LEDs (Reef LED fixture) automatically , or vice versa.

6. Repeat all procedures if the OEM digital timer has been reset to default (the readout blinks) or the main power source has been cut off.

Win 10 - Classic View For The Control Panel

One thing I don't like about the Windows 10 Control Panel is the Category View. I'm never quite sure which category I need for whatever I'm looking for. I searched for ways to change to an icon classic view and came up with a lot of articles that told me to edit my registry. Now, while I'm comfortable with editing the registry, this is not the easiest way to get a default - classic icon view. Try these steps if you're looking for an easy way to change your control panel view. 1. Open up your start menu and type CONTROL in the RUN box. This will open your control panel with a classic view. 2. In the upper right of your control panel find the VIEW BY: section and choose either small or large icons. 3. In your task bar locate the control panel icon and right click on it. Choose PIN TO TASKBAR. 4. Close out your control panel. 5. Your icon will open your control panel into whatever view you chose in step 2. You can leave the icon in your taskbar or drag it to your desktop.

TopHatter.com Fun Auction Site... but deceptive and sneaky.

I mentioned deceptive advertising practices in my last post. I decided to toss in one more example that illustrates the phrase 'Buyer Beware'. This image shows a tablet with stylus. Many people are bidding on the item they see in the image, having no idea that they ARE NOT bidding on a tablet with stylus. First of all, you can buy tablets on Amazon for $50 or less. Where do they come up with the $1,265 suggested price?

As I stated before 'Buyer Beware'. The description for this product clearly states that the bidding if for a stylus for a tablet. No tablet. Just a stylus.

Some unsuspecting bidder paid $16 for a stylus, probably thinking they got a great deal on a tablet with stylus.

Wish.com - Beware of the "Great Shopping Deals"

If your looking for good stuff, dirt cheap, wish.com may just be the site you're looking for.  I'm not going to go into all the products they have or the prices, you can check that out for yourself. I've gotten some really good stuff and been burned by cheap quality on others. Have you seen the TV ads for Night Angel?  Electrical wall outlet plates that have built in LED night lights. They're a great product. I have a few. On TV they're advertised 3 for $19.99. Wish has them for $1! Here's the catch. These products ship from China and usually take a month or more to arrive.  So, if you're willing to wait, you can find some great deals here.

As the title of this blog states though.... BEWARE.  Read the descriptions of the products before you buy.  The initial product display might show one thing, but a more detailed description will tell you a different story.  Here are two examples.
Image #1 below shows a 30TB hard disk drive. It sells for $9.00. You may think you're getting one hell of a deal on a drive but if you click on the product the description clearly states that you are buying a hard drive case.  No drive inside... just the case!

Image #2 shows a backup camera with monitor.  A great deal at only $6.00.  The truth is, all you get is a small camera (1" X 1") and the wiring.  A monitor, as shown on the ad, is not included.

I've found dozens of other products that you really need to read the detailed product info or you may get burned.  An example would be the wireless phone chargers.  Read the detailed description to find out if it works on your phone. All chargers, (or phones), are not created equal!

This is not a promotion for wish.com.  I don't have any affiliate status with them and will not make any money from them if you visit them.
There are auction sites popping up that sell these same products that you also need to be careful on.  Two such sites are Tophatter.com and Dollarstart.com.   These auction sites sell the same products that wish.com sells, but also contain some deceptive product images.
You might bid on an item based on the picture, but the detailed description will state that product shipped will be determined by supplies.

   This is the product shown......  

  This is what was actually shippied...  

In close, enjoy your shopping but
 "Let The Buyer Beware"  

Caveat Emptor

A Better File Explorer For Windows.

Starting with the dawn of Windows, the file explorer has always lacked functionality.  With its two panel view, moving or copying files always required you to select move or copy then click over to another folder and paste.  Now there's a much faster, easier way. FreeCommander XE.   FreeCommander not only gives you a 4 panel view, allowing you to view 2 hard drives or folders simultaneously, but has faster search functions, ftp, built in compression software and a multitude of other features that Windows Explorer lacks.  FreeCommander's tool bars and panel views speed up tasks by allowing you to click and go, eliminating the need to click multiple tabs in order to find your desired function.  I'm not going into a huge, long article telling you how great I think this program is.  Try it for yourself and see.  Views of File Explorer (Windows) and FreeCommander XE are below.


Windows File Explorer

FreeCommander XE