| Program (click to download) |
Download size KB | Version |
Notes (highlight = recommended / new release) |
| ALBUM | 432 | 5.03 Jan 2014 |
Displays JPG (and BMP) files one at a time from any specified folder, centred on an otherwise blank black screen with no Windows mess. Manual/auto slideshow, delete, sequence options (alphabetic, reverse alphabetic, random), scale up/down |
| BDE | 5856 | 5.01 | This is the Borland Database
Engine, which you will need to run older versions of most of my applications.
Use HAVEBDE (see below) to find out whether or not you
already have the BDE. You must be logged on to Windows as an Administrator to install BDE. |
| CASHAC | Cash
accounting ledger, click here
for details. Superseded by Cashac2 below. Requires BDE, see above |
||
| CASHAC2 | Upgraded version of Cashac, does not require BDE! Click here for details. | ||
| CLOCK2 | 552 | 28 Aug 2017 |
Clock/timer - useful for timing boiled eggs |
| FILING | 626 | 12.00 Dec 2014 |
now obsolete - see Filing2 below |
| FILING2 | For
textual filing, click here for details. Uses Firebird in place of BDE, so OK for Windows beyond XP. LINUX VERSION ALSO AVAILABLE! |
||
| FOLDERS | 3774
551 |
9.04 May 2019 |
Compares the list of files in any
two specified folders (directories). Options to include subfolders, to delete duplicates or superseded
versions, to synchronise the folders (including subfolders if specified), and (basic omission from Windows Explorer) to export the file list to
the clipboard . Now (Dec 2016) uses Firebird in place of BDE, so OK for Windows beyond XP. |
| HAVEBDE | 412 | 1.04 Dec 2009 |
Checks whether the Borland Database Engine (BDE) is already installed on your PC. If not, see "BDE" above. |
| JOTTER | 423 | 3.03 Jun 2020 |
Every Windows programmer has developed their own version of Notepad, this is mine. |
| PLANS | 632 | 3.06 Jul 2018 |
For making
scale drawings. Click here for
user guide. Requires BDE, see above |
| PLAYER | now obsolete - see Player3 below | ||
| PLAYER3 | Audio
jukebox for MP3 / OGG Vorbis, click here for
details. Uses Firebird in place of BDE, so OK for Vista & Win 7 as well as XP. |
||
| REPAIR | 112 | - | Incorporates the Borland utility
TUTIL32.DLL (but
unsupported by them) to repair a corrupt database table. Also
included with the main db apps above. Requires BDE, see above |
| STRONGP | 411 | 1.00 Feb 2020 |
Generates strong passwords |
| UNITS | 230 | 1.10 Apr 2009 |
Converts between different units (eg
metres / feet ) for the same quantity (eg length). Options to to add new
quantities and new units (for example, a 'Post Office Tower' as a unit of
height) Requires BDE, see above Plenty of websites do this, but it's instructive to enter the units and their inter-relationships yourself. Plus you can make up your own units! |
| WHENTRIP | 398 | 2.00 June 2017 |
On startup after a power outage, reports when the outage occurred |
These (apart from BASS, BDE, TUTIL32) are programs that I have written. They run on versions of Windows from 95 to XP, Vista and 7 - except where the BDE is required, which is not Vista or 7 compatible (it is possible to get round this incompatibility, the internet has the answers). None of the programs has been time-limited or disabled in any way. You are welcome to download them, to copy/distribute them, and to enjoy the full functionality for free and without any registration. But please note :
Of course, these programs are basic applications which thousands of amateur programmers besides myself have produced versions of : you will need to compare and contrast to decide your own preference. I have used most of my programs (in particular, the ones highlighted as recommended) over many years, and have ironed out most of the errors and added many features of genuine utility. I believe that such a programme of continuous improvement is a defining feature of most non-commercial software, and offers a level of quality to rival commercial software (although perhaps not the same breadth of functionality), despite (in my case) being squeezed to not-very-much spare time at home alongside all the usual work / family / social commitments.
All of these programs were written using Delphi originally from Borland. Some of them (as indicated) require Borland's Database Engine (BDE) also to be installed. Rather than include the BDE with each application, which at 5+MB would increase their download times, it is included just once as "BDE". Use HAVEBDE to find out whether you already have BDE installed. BDE works fine for versions of Windows up to XP. For Vista a couple of tweaks are required - go to my "Cashac" page for more details.
The BDE supports several different types of database, for example DBASE, Paradox, Interbase; of these I only use Paradox. This is not resilient : for example a power failure can leave your database corrupt. Pah. If you suffer error messages about "Blobs" or about Index problems (including records which mysteriously disappear and reappear), then try the "rebuild" function in the table repair utility "Repair". This works well for Index problems, but is of only limited help for Blobs ('Binary Large Objects", which in this context means big chunks of text), as its approach is to delete the corrupt text from the database rather than to rebuild it, which can result in losing the value of a text memo field. The best you can do is (as always) to take backups frequently.
From 2011 I have started to use Firebird in place of BDE/Paradox for database handling, much better, and more compatible with later versions of Windows. See www.firebirdsql.org for details. I am gradually upgrading my existing applications in this respect.
Apart from the BDE, the downloads are ZIP files. Use Windows Explorer (XP and later) or WINZIP (see www.winzip.com) to unzip them to a folder of your choice. Make sure you keep the 'Use Folder Names' option checked when you unzip the files, so that any folders beneath the EXE file are preserved. If you want to use a folder in "Program Files" then you will need to be logged on as an Administrator. After unzipping, the application is ready to run, with no setup or install required. You will need to create your own shortcut(s) to these applications as you wish. The applications may also be deleted, or moved (with their subfolders if any) to different folders, without worrying about the Windows Registry or about special installation procedures via Control Panel.
If you are upgrading from a previous installation of the same software,
I apologise for not providing any online help. It would be nice to think that the software is so easy to use that this is not needed (and this is certainly a design intention), but this is not an adequate excuse. There are a few sketchy user guides which is a start at least.
Please contact me (email address below) - I promise to help as best I can with any problems associated with my software, and any feedback is always appreciated. Include the application name in the email Subject line to give yourself a chance of being noticed in the blizzard of spam.
Enjoy!
Charlie Thomas
6o6oSoftware
December 2015