I noticed many newbies encounter problems in downloading stuffz, viewing certain media clips, posting in the forum etc.. So I thought it would be better if there were a HELP related post for newbies to read over first..

If you would like to post any of these tutorials in other forums, please credit them to behappie.. For the tutorial on the animated GIF text, please credit the tutorial to behappie and the animated GIF files to Tammy @ www.joycemarco.cn.. Thanks!! :hug:

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Different Media Players:

Windows Media Player: Mainly plays .asf, .wma, .wmv, .wm, .mpg, .mpeg, .avi media file formats
Windows Media Player 10 Direct Download Link

VideoLAN Client Media Player: Plays almost any media format except real audio and AMR (3GPP)
VLC Media Player Feature List & Download Page

VideoLAN Client Media Player Screenshots:





RealPlayer: Mainly plays real media, .3gp, .amr file formats, other file formats include quicktime, divx, windows media file formats
RealPlayer Download Page

QuickTime Player: Basically plays quicktime file formats
QuickTime Player Download Page

Alternatively, instead of installing RealPlayer and QuickTime Player on your system, you could install Real Alternative and QuickTime Alternative.

Real Alternative: A codec to play real media files without RealPlayer.
Real Alternative Feature List & Download Page

Real Alternative Setup Screenshot:



QuickTime Alternative: A codec to play quicktime media files without QuickTime Player.
QuickTime Alternative Feature List & Download Page

QuickTime Alternative Setup Screenshot:



Codec packs that I personally recommend:

K-Lite Mega Codec Pack: Feature List & Download Page

K-Lite Codec Pack: Feature List & Download Page

K-Lite Codec Pack Setup Screenshot:



Codec Pack All in 1 (Collection of codecs for playing DivX movies): Codec Pack All in 1 Feature List & Download Page

Codec Pack All in 1 Setup Screenshot:

For URLs that begin with MMS, 'special' download tools like ASFRecorder or download managers like FlashGet are required

ASFRecorder Download

Download Manager

Net Transport v1.87 - Last Freeware Version

• Supports HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, MMS (Microsoft Media Services) and RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) - five protocols used to transfer data
• Use multiple threads to download files (this feature is supported for HTTP, FTP, MMS and RTSP protocols)
• Download PNA streams (URLs that start from pnm:// protocol). Simply rename the 'pnm' prefix to 'rtsp' and add the server port to the resulting URL (PNA default port is 7070)
• Support for HTTPS and ability to download HTTPS streaming via HTTP, SOCKS4&5

Screenshot:



Net Transport v1.87 Download

After extracting the application from the zip file, install, open the program and click on 'New', paste the MMS link and it'll start downloading..

Note: Download managers are only able to download 'direct' links.. Links from savefile are unable to be downloaded using download managers, except as far as I know of, Internet Download Manager..

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BitTorrent Softwares to download BitTorrent (BT) seeds:

BitComet: BitComet Homepage
BitTorrent: BitTorrent Homepage
BitTornado: BitTornado Homepage
Azureus - Java BitTorrent Client: Azureus Homepage

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Open zipped or rar files:

7-zip (Freeware)
7-zip Homepage

To post a flash clip from youtube, take the static link and edit it like so:

For more details, please see: Gone Youtubing in search for Bosco recently?

Credits: GeLiGuoLu

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To download youtube files, copy the youtube URL and paste it into the following website:

Javimoya Video Downloader

If the above website is not working, the alternative websites are:

KeepVid
GooTube FLV Retriever

Note: Remember to change the extension to .flv

In addition, you'll need an FLV Player in order to play these files.

FLV Player Homepage

Alternatively, you can convert the .flv files to other media formats like .avi or .mpg using freewares like Riva FLV Encoder.

Tutorial on how to use Riva FLV Encoder

Tag Codes

Colour Tag Codes

Like This:

Picture Tag Codes

For pictures tag code, first upload to an image hosting site, for instance photobucket or imageshack.. :D
Then, copy the url of the picture that you have uploaded by right clicking on the image properties

To post picture on the forum, the code is as follows:

Some Image Hosting Sites:
ImageShack
PhotoBucket
AlbumTown

Alternatively, when you add reply or post a new thread, you'll see the different codes and buttons right above the content area.. Simply highlight your texts and apply the desired colours you want.. For the picture code, click on the IMG button and paste your image link.

Some Free Hosting Servers For File Uploads

FreeFileHosting File Size Limit: 3MB
MyFileStash File Size Limit: 25MB
MyTempDir File Size Limit: 40MB
SendMeFile File Size Limit: 50MB
SaveFile File Size Limit: 60MB
TurboUpload File Size Limit: 70MB
MegaUpload File Size Limit: 250MB
Upload2 File Size Limit: 250MB
SendSpace File Size Limit: 300MB
Fupload File Size Limit: 500MB
FileFactory File Size Limit: 500MB
Badongo File Size Limit: 1GB

The recommended upload servers are: MegaUpload (for bigger files) and SaveFile (for smaller files).. I'm not intending to include RapidShare, cuz it doesn't allow me from downloading.. <_<

Audacity Tutorial - For Karaoke Recording

THIS BOARD ACTIVITY IS OPENED FOR ALL MEMBERS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION!

Please visit the following link for more details regarding the karaoke recording:
Karaoke Recording for All





To record, click on the button with the red circle.. :D Anyway, it's best to test out first to get the optimal recording volume that you want by adjusting the sliders. :hmm: I recommend adjusting the recording sliders only, leave the playback volume slider as default at 100%. :socute:

Removing the original singer's vocals

• First install WinAmp.. the default directory where winamp is installed should be C:\Program Files\Winamp
• Next, install the WinAmp Vocal Remover (NOT the DirectX plugin) from AnalogX Homepage and copy the dll file dsp_vr.dll from C:\Program Files\Plugins to the winamp plugins folder C:\Program Files\Winamp\Plugins
• Then, open winamp, right click, scroll to Options -> Preferences (or simply press Ctrl + P)
• Under Plug-ins, DSP/Effect, you'll see AnalogX Vocal Remover, click on it..
• Open the music file that you want to use for recording (for the best vocal remover effects, scroll to 100%)
• Open Audacity and record as usual.. :D

Note: While recording, your winamp should be kept opened..

Screen Captures for better explanation:

Copy the dsp_vr.dll from C:\Program Files\Plugins to the winamp plugins folder C:\Program Files\Winamp\Plugins



Under Plug-ins, DSP/Effect, you'll see AnalogX Vocal Remover, click on it..



To apply the effects on Audacity, after recording, simply select the entire track by either dragging the mouse from the beginning till the end or juz by pressing the keyboard 'Ctrl' + alphabet 'A' (shortcut function for select all) :love:and the effects can be applied :yea:

After recording and if you're satisfied with it, go to File -> Export As WAV and save it in your directory.. You'll get a rather big file, about 30-40MB or so, depending on the length of your song.. Convert it to mp3 or wma format using this software: dBpowerAmp Music Converter v10.0 (last freeware version)..

dBpowerAmp Music Converter v10.0 Direct Download Link or Free File Hosting Link

Windows Media Audio v9.1 Codec Direct Download Link

After installing the application as well as the codec, open the program, then select the wav file that you've recorded, and you'll see the following screen..



Select Windows Media Audio V9, Windows Media Audio 9.1 under codec, 96kps, 44kHz, stereo CBR under settings.. As for the output, it can be saved under the same directory as the original wav file or you can change to other folders simply by choosing the folder option and juz browse through the directory you want to save.. What I suggest is the former, so that it's easier to locate the converted wma file (it'll be in the same directory as your original wav file).. :D As for the delete source file(s) after conversion, I advise not to select this option juz in case if the conversion process went wrong halfway or something, the original file is still present!! :blink: But this will seldom happen cuz I've been using this software for the past 2 years and the conversion process has always been 'smooth-sailing' for me :keke: But it's better to be safe than sorry, juz keep the original wav file, and then convert the file.. after hearing the wma file and if you're satisfied with it, you can upload the wma file to megaupload or other servers and delete the wav file.. :D Hope I'm clear on my explanation and you're not confused with it.. :socute:

Note: the Windows Media Audio v9.1 Codec will only work on Windows XP, so if you've older versions of windows, follow these three steps..

1st, install this: Windows Media Audio v9 System Codecs
Next, install this: WMA v9 Codec Release 2
Lastly, reboot the computer (full shutdown, not hibernate, suspend or sleep)

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FAQs on Audacity:



If you encounter the above where it is unable to be clicked upon (i.e. unable to select the 'Stereo Mix' option) exit the program first and then reopen the application

FAQs on dBPowerAMP Music Converter:



If you encounter the above, please rename your original wav file to an English name, cuz the converter can only read English characters

Hope the above will help all newbies!! :yea: BTW, if I've missed out something that you feel will provide a great help to newbies, please include in this post.. :grin:

PS: If any explanation is unclear, please feel free to ask.. :love: I won't bite :P

hello! i just tried downloading some bit torrent thing - it's the new ARS series. so i went ot the DVD and VCD website..and I clicked on the links and then saved teh file onto my desktop. i also DL the bittorrent thing. so i tried to open the torrent file with bittorrent thing and it says that there's an error. could you offer some help?

behappie, it's time you change ur title under ur avatar to "forum IT technician" or sth. hahahah :)

:keke: i think i should change it to IT freak or something... lol lol :grin:

hahaha lol I TOTALLY SUPPORT SIMPLICITY! :yea:

Shiny Animated Text GIFs Tutorial

Required Software: Ulead GIF Animator

It's rather complicated to make the background for the animated text GIFs, in fact, I'm not really sure how to do one.. But usually such GIF files comprise at least 2 if not, 3 or 4 similar images with different patterns on each of them.. So I suppose they should be created using Adobe Photoshop and applying brushes at random where the set of images will then be incorporated into Ulead GIF Animator.. Anywayz, this is not the main focus of my tutorial, cuz explaining on how to use Adobe Photoshop will take a million years to do so.. :blink: I'm exaggerating... haha... lol :grin:

Anywayz, I've uploaded some animated background GIF files for those who are interested in making these really cool shiny animated text GIFs to SaveFile.. BTW, it's 4.72MB..

:hmm: Enough of my crapping, on with the tutorial!! :keke: :pointdown:

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1) First, open one of the animated background GIF files that you want. In my example, I've chosen one which has 3 images (Obj - 1, Obj - 2 and Obj - 3). So if your animated background GIF file has only 2 images, you'll only have 2 objects.

Note: Please take note of the Obj - (X) as it is rather important in steps 7 and 8.

2) Next, insert a new frame.





3) Then, move the inserted frame to the front so that it becomes the first frame.





4) Select the text icon and type in your text which then becomes Obj - 4.











5) Once the text as well as its positioning are all done, select the magic wand tool and click on anywhere that's outside the text area..







6) Select the arrow icon and click on the typed text.





7) Click on Obj - 1 and press the keyboard DELETE button ONCE. Repeat these steps for ALL the other objects, i.e. only for Obj - 2 and Obj - 3 (EXCEPT for the typed text, which is also the top object, Obj - 4).



8) Right click on Obj - 4 (the typed text) and delete it.



9) Delete the inserted frame as well.



If NECESSARY, crop the image as follows:
If not, just skip the next 2 steps.





Finally, SAVE your completed work!! :yea:

BTW, for the animated GIF files, credits go to Tammy @ JoyceMarco Fossa.. I learnt how to make these cool GIF texts through her tutorial and was thus able to re-write a tutorial out myself.. Cuz her tutorial was in Traditional Chinese characters, so I thought it would be better if I rewrite it in English, in addition to the fact that it wasn't really very detailed.. I even encountered error messages through her method, but fortunately, I fiddled with the software myself and used my own method thereafter.. :keke:

BTW, below is the completed GIF for the above example:



PS: If you would like to post this tutorial in other forums, please credit to behappie and the animated GIF files to Tammy @ JoyceMarco Fossa.. Thanks!! :hug:

hi! i used bitcomet too. i left it on the comp to run ALL night and it only downloaded 8%! is that normal for it to be that slow? or just a one time thing? btw..u are AWESOME! these IT tips are great! :hug:

:hmm: actually the downloading speed depends on your connection speed as well as the connection speed of the peers sharing the file... sometimes for serials, it may take up to several days to download a 200MB file completely.. :blink: :confused: you can try installing BT Accelerators, but I'm not sure if they'll work effectively, cuz I've tried them before and the speed remained more or less the same.. :sweat2: :collapse: you can still try though to see if it'll work for you.. :D glad that you found the IT tips wonderful!! :socute:

some FYI for BTing:

There are some elements you have no control over (like other ppl's speed), and there are some elements you could control to increase your BT speed.

SPEED-UP CHECKLIST - questions to ask yourself if you wanna download faster:

1) How many seeds are available for this file? Most BT boards have a table that lists the # of seeds available for a torrent -- seeds are the # of available complete sources -- new releases usually have several torrent files available so choose the one with more seeds -- the more seeds, the faster

2) How many peers am I connecting to? Peers are everyone accessing the same file you are downloading. Almost all torrent software allow you to set a limit to the # of connections per download -- obviously, opening more connections could increase your speed if there are enough peers (if there are only 10 peers, increasing your connections to 100 will not do anything) -- however increasing connections too much could burden computer resources and may potentially damage your harddrive.

3) Did I cap my upload speed? If you are a leecher (someone that DLs but doesn't share), do not expect a high DL speed for yourself. Overall P2P and BT speed is propelled by those who upload. Your upload draws more potential peers to you, from where you tag on to download other parts of the same file. And do not fall for the myth that uploading will impair your download speed, cuz that is BS.


These are the basics. I'll add some more advanced tips later ... for the more technically inclined.

hiya..thanks for everyone's help. i'm a bit technology-dumb..haha! :unsure:

HI all...

I got problem playikng RMVB file...pls advice how can i do it? Which website is the best I can download to play the files I've downloaded?

Thks!
Vic

hihi vicky.. :D actually i wrote this in my first post.. but anywayz FYI, to view real media files, you can download and install RealPlayer from Real Homepage

Alternatively, you can download and install Real Alternative which is a codec to play real media files on other media players (for instance Windows Media Player) instead of the usual RealPlayer.. RealAlternative Homepage

Hope this will help you!! :grin: :grin:

Hi again! I have a question about the avatars. I've noticed that many people have pictures of Bosco that are great quality. I tried uploading pictures and most of them are much too big, even if I crop only his face. So I uploaded one that wasn't such great quality. Is there a way to load up the good quality pictures?

And some of you guys have your name or Bosco's drawn on - how do I do that?

Thanks!

Ellen, to have high quality pictures for the avatar:

First, the picture must be of good quality/high resolution.. (okie.. i think i sound dumb.. :keke: i suppose you would know this..)
Then, crop the image accordingly to what you prefer.. (for instance only the face..)
Next, if the picture is still too big, reduce the image size to 100 pixels x 100 pixels (standard avatar size for this forum)

I'm not sure what imaging software you use, but if you use Adobe Photoshop, to reduce the image size, click on Image and select Image Size.. Alter both the image width and height to 100 and viola!! you have a high quality avatar.. :yea:

for your second question, i'm not sure if i interpreted correctly, but do you mean having an avatar like this with Bosco's and/or personal name on the avatar??



if this is the case, you have to add text on the avatar.. simply click on the text tool and type in your personalised texts.. BTW, the text tool is usually indicated by an alphabet 'T'..

PS: sorry, GL.. took your avatar.. hope you dun mind.. :grin:

THANKS BEHAPPIE! As you can see..I got it to work..I think I'll do more of these! :love: Thanks!

hee.. :keke: you're welcome!! BTW, your avatar is quite nice!! :thumbsup: :grin:

thx behappie! now i can try to make my own hope i could understand it xD

Woah, everybody's so nice here.

Hi, I'm new and saw A LOT of media clips in rmvb format but my computer only reads wmv, mpegs and other "Windows format" stuff correctly. I tried doing a lot of research and started downloading all sorts of RealMedia decoders and players and everything way back but still hasn't gotten it to work! Hehe, as you can see I'm no tech expert. I didn't care about it much before but now I see there's so many rmvb clips of BOSCO, I JUST HAVE TO WATCH THEM!!

So, if this is the right thread to post, does anybody know where I can download a good rmvb to wmv, mpeg converter?? BTW, I'm also looking for a VOB to wmv, mpeg decoder too, ya know for video editing and stuff.

I would appreciate any feedback!

Hihi.. :D WinAVI Video Converter is a rather good one.. You can try using it.. The conversion process is actually quite fast for clips which are short, but if the clip is huge and you're intending to batch convert all the clips, then it'll take a really long time..

If you just want to view the clips, why don't you try installing RealPlayer instead? If not, maybe you could install the RealAlternative codec? The clips will be readable on Windows Media Player and you'll be able to watch them..

RealPlayer: Mainly plays real media, .3gp, .amr file formats, other file formats include quicktime, divx, windows media file formats
RealPlayer Download Page

Real Alternative: A codec to play real media files without RealPlayer.
Real Alternative Feature List & Download Page

Real Alternative Setup Screenshot:



Eh.. what's a VOB? :shy: Can you elaborate? Sorry..

Hi behappie!

whao, you're great! Thanks for all the info!

Yeah, I tried downloading RealPlayer and RealAlternative before but still didn't work. SO Frustrating! So I'll try WinAVI Video Converter even though some files can be pretty big. Uh, is it free? Hehe, I don't have my own credit card yet and not allowed to buy software online. :shy:

<Oh, no, I just finished downloading WinAVI Video Converter and it's just the trail version so there's a watermark in front of the screen covering up Bosco!! behappie! Need you're help, is there a way to get rid of the watermark??!>

Oh, VOB files are just video files from DVDs. I have some Bosco DVDs I'd like to edit, but I use Windows Movie Maker so I need them converted to wmv files or somethng or they don't work! ANOTHER frustraiting software! Haha, maybe I need to take a computer class or two. Oh, do you know if I can edit rmvb files in Windows Movie Maker also? Hmm...have to try that. Probably can't cause I can't even play it! Haha.

hee.. you're welcome!! no, it's not free.. it's a shareware.. or maybe you can try this other video freeware converter.. it should also be able to convert to wmv files.. but i haven't really tried it.. not sure if it works well..

SUPER © v2006 Build 19
Homepage Link

Hello! I have seen a lot of you guys have really pretty pictures of Bosco or Bosco and another actress together. I think you guys somehow merge all these pictures together to creaste the signature, or wall paper? Can I get some help about how to do this? If it's too complicated, then don't worry! Thanks!

Ellen: I think many people use photoshop. Well at least, that's wat i would use. Do u have this program? It's called Adobe Photoshop (and then the version number or sumthin). U can use that. I think its pretty easy to use but u gotta fiddle around with it and experiment. Um..if u don't have it..i think u might hafta buy it...u can only download trial versions on..www.adobe.com and those don't last very long. If u need any help ask!

Yep, I believe most people use Adobe Photoshop :) The latest that's out right now is Adobe Photoshop CS2. I'm still currently using Adobe Photoshop 7, which is like two versions older lol. I'm too lazy to upgrade. Don't think my laptop can handle it.

Most of us just fiddle around with it really. There's not one particular to make wallpapers or banners. I just eyeball things.

I've used Adobe Photoshop CS 2 before but I didn't find it as useful as the older version.. So I've downgraded to Photoshop CS.. :grin:

behappie: it's been sooo long! where did you gooooo? :)

Kozzi & Behappie: You think u guys' photoshop is old? im using like....photoshop 5 limited edition. I'm too cheap to go buy a newer version. Yea, and CS2..i don't think is THAT much better than the older version.

hee.. i was busy doing up those BOTA wallies and banners that I posted here a few dayz ago.. now i should be more free.. :keke:

Hi behappie!

I tried the link you suggested and it works!!!!!!!!!
THANKS A LOT, THAT WAS A REALLY BIG HELP, YOU'RE SO COOL! :sing:

No problem!! I'm glad it works!! :grin:

thanks alot behappie , i actually got these problem hehehe
it helped me alot , behappie !
but i dont know how to creat " text" like u gals did !
i mean the Animation Text with colorful !!!
is it made by Ulead Gif ? as u showed us ?

you're most welcome.. :hug: yeah.. you can make those wonderful sparkling texts using Ulead GIF Animator that's in one of my tutorials..

alternatively, you can also use Adobe ImageReady..

Hi Behappie! I have to bother you again for your help. I tried karaoke recording and for some reason the music and and the microphone sound "detached" I don't know if you know what I mean, but it's almost like the microphone is floating on top of the music. And the music is quite soft and the mic is quite loud. But it only records both music and mic if I pick "microphone" in audacity. If I pick "stereo mix" it only records the music and not mic...

I think the thing that's happening is that it's only recording from the mic..so it's picking up the music from the background instead of actually "mixing both"

But if I pick stereo mix, the music is super duper loud...but the mic doesn't record...

any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!