Installing program on Windows 10

When you start ShixxNOTE setup file on Windows 10 you will get dialog below saying that “Windows protected your PC”. Windows SmartScreen prevent setup to start ?! And also it scares you with this sentence “Running this app might put your PC at risk”.  This is not correct. ShixxNOTE setup file is 100% safe and I can assure you that your PC will not be in any risk if you start setup file. Why Microsoft put ShixxNOTE setup file in risk group is because now they only trust recognized apps to run. Which means that app must be checked by Microsoft and be created to pass all theirs validation. This is new thing in Windows 10, before in Windows 7 or Windows XP there was nothing to scare you. If you want to install ShixxNOTE 6.net on your PC you must do the following. Check this images and read the text I wrote in green box 🙂

On first dialog you have to click on “More info” link.

On second image you have to click on button “Run anyway” and program setup will start. After that you will have ShixxNOTE 6.net installed on your computer 🙂

I am sorry for this but Microsoft decided that my program setup file is unrecognized. But don’t worry my program is 100% safe and if any of you who installed ShixxNOTE 6.net Trial version or Registered version have some problems after installing program please write comment.

Now I am little worried because people belive Microsoft rather than me, Ozren Sirola, ShixxNOTE program author. So now I am loosing my potential customers just because users are affraid or they doesn’t know that they must click on “More info” and then “Run anyway” button.

I hope this article and ShixxNOTE reputation (listed on English Wikipedia) will assure you that program is perfectly safe.

Kind regards,

Ozren Sirola
ShixxNOTE program author

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ShixxNOTE on Windows 10

After Microsft released new operating system Windows 10 I had to check if ShixxNOTE 6.net is working as usual on it. Answer is YES. But there are some issues. First download of setup file when you got web browser warning, then when you pass this and start installation setup file you will get Windows “Program Compatibility Assistant”. Windows 10 warns you about program that there is no publisher name and ask question if you want to proceed anyway. If you reach this point then everything is OK and you will install ShixxNOTE newest version. Many people are afraid and they click as Microsoft told them and they simply abort installation or download.

I think that Windows 10 is a great OS better than 8.1 and it is cool. So maybe I will have to modify my setup program to be trusted by Microsoft and then write some manifest which will tell Microsoft that ShixxNOTE is program which can be trusted. Never mind maybe one day they will release some update and make this process easier.

After you have installed ShixxNOTE program on your computer with Windows 10 running on it everything works as usual. I received mail that sending note via email is not working. I need to check this problem. But if you set that Outlook is your default email program I think sening notes via email will work.

Here are some screen shots of ShixxNOTE 6.net running on Windows 10 computer. Enjoy 🙂

ShixxNOTE working on Windows 10

If you want to see program icon always you need to set task bar properties as on image below.

ShixxNOTE taskbar icon on Windows 10

Try it and you will see that it is better than Windows Sticky notes which doesn’t have anything with communication. Till then use ShixxNOTE program as a stickies and for instant messaging.

Ozren Sirola

ShixxNOTE Program Author

Sending email note

Hello,

Many of customers and users of ShixxNOTE 6.net program didn’t send email note. But recently one customer asked me more about sending note via email. So now I decided to modify some things regarding sending email note in source code and today I released a new version of ShixxNOTE 6.net Build 138. If you didn’t know when you open “Send note to” others dialog from note menu you get send note dialog. Program already read your network neighborhood and you can see a list of computer in your LAN in the left list. From that list you can select recipients from your LAN, but also you can enter in a text box above for example some email address like somebody@gmail.com and when you press enter that mail address will be added in note recipients list. Also you will see different icon instead of computer you will see smaill Outlook Express icon before email address. When you have finished adding recipients then you click on big “Send note” button.

I suppose that you will be asked by Windows Mail or Outlook if you want allow ShixxNOTE program to send email to mail recipients. You must click on button “Allow”. After that your email client will send ShixxNOTE note via email with all data in it and with picture of note as an attachment.

Now recipient will get in his Inbox new ShixxNOTE email message which looks like this picture (my mail client is Outlook).

Outlook mail with all data necessary for ShixxNOTE program to create you same note on your desktop.

Outlook mail with picture of ShixxNOTE note sended to you.

You can see on both pictures what program sended. All data necessary for note creation and an attachment of note picture. But also you can see in a subject text of the email something like this “ShixxNOTE : Note from Ozren, OZREN-PC” which means that note was sended to you from user Ozren who works on OZREN-PC computer.

Before I had some problems with sending email notes and getting correct user name but now everything is working fine. After you received ShixxNOTE note you can click on ShixxNOTE main menu item “Check for email notes” (check previous posts to see how to get main program menu) and program will search your Inbox for ShixxNOTE program emails and will create exactly the same note as sender have sent to you on your desktop.

I hope you will use this option more now when you know how to send and receive ShixxNOTE email notes.

Kind regards,

Ozren Sirola

ShixxNOTE Program Author

ShixxNOTE 7.net New version release date

It is time for new version of my program ShixxNOTE. There are lot of changes (autodetect URL in note text, transparency, etc.) and fixes in program which you will be able to see on page “What’s new” on program home page. New program version ShixxNOTE 7.net will work on any Windows platform. It doesn’t need any framework or runtime so you can install program on old Windows 95 or new Windows 7. Still program is written in C++ and because of that it is quick, small and neat. It is client/server application so you have to enable default port “2000” for program in your firewall to work properly. Because one program thread is listening on default port for received note data. In new version there is new function for reading your network (LAN) at program startup and it is faster then previous one. New version release will be available for download in April 2013.

On this image you can see screen shot of ShixxNOTE 7.net beta version:

ShixxNOTE 7.net Beta Screen Shot

Every potential customer who register current ShixxNOTE 6.net program version till December 2012 will get new stable version of ShixxNOTE 7.net and a license bonus for the same price. That means, if you now register for example ShixxNOTE 6.net 5-Users License which costs $24.95, in December 2012 you will get registered ShixxNOTE 7.net 10-Users License version, because you have license bonus.

So register now current program release and get license bonus for new version which will be released in April, 2013

Kind regards,

Ozren Sirola

ShixxNOTE developer

admin@shixxnote.com

www.shixxnote.com

ShixxNOTE 6.net on Windows 7

I can say that ShixxNOTE 6.net is working on latest Microsoft operating system Windows 7 (all editions Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate). Soon I will put some screenshots so you will be able to see it.

Reason for this is that ShixxNOTE program is written in C++ program language using Visual Studio 6. And because of that it doesn’t require any framework or runtime. Program is using all functions from Microsoft original libraries (DLL’s) except one “dll” which is used for image handling but this “dll” is also written in C++ program language.

So my ShixxNOTE program is ready for all future operating systems released from Microsoft Corporation as the latest one Windows 7 which is really good operating system.

But there is one minor “problem”. When you start your computer ShixxNOTE is reading your network neighborhood, before on Windows Vista and all old Windows operating systems that last few seconds or maximum few minutes. On Windows 7 you can experience that you see small ShixxNOTE program dialog above the clock in the task bar, which says “Reading your network neighborhood. Wait for few seconds …”, for up to 5 minutes if you have more than 20 computers in your LAN. In a new version which will be soon released I have implemented fast network reading which will solve this little “problem” and program will read your network in a seconds on all old and future Windows operating systems.

ShixxNOTE program reading network (LAN)

Also if you have problems with sending or reading note(s) then you should manage Windows Firewall and add “ShixxNote.exe” program in exception program list. If you get dialog like picture bellow, click on button “Allow access” and check box like on the picture. This is picture from Windows Security and that could be reason why suddenly you can send or receive note. If you still experience some problems with firewall be sure that port 2000 is open for ShixxNOTE to run normally and that “ShixxNote.exe” file should be in list where are programs that are not blocked by firewall or some other security program.

ShixxNOTE Firewall Alert

Write me if you have any problem running ShixxNOTE on Windows 7 operating system if you read this article. I will always answer you promptly on any email with some question.

Kind regards,

Ozren Sirola

admin@shixxnote.com

ozren.sirola@ri.htnet.hr

ShixxNOTE Program Developer

http://www.shixxnote.com/

Sending note via NET SEND

ShixxNOTE 6.net can send note to other computer in your LAN which doesn’t have installed program, that receipient will receive simple message box with note text. Program is using NET SEND command and Messenger Service.

Here is example picture of what will recipient receive (which doesn’t have ShixxNOTE program installed) if you send him note (computer name or IP address) :

Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista has a special program – Messenger Service – that provides for receiving and sending winpopup-compatible messages. If this service is running, the system will receive messages. The received messages are immediately displayed as simple message boxes. To send messages, you can use any winpopup-compatible messenger and also ShixxNOTE 6.net

Windows XP operating systems have this service. Before SP2 service was started automatically, but after release of SP2 for Windows XP this service has been stopped by default. So when ShixxNOTE 6.net is sending (trying to send) note via NET SEND and recipient doesn’t have Messenger Service started he will not receive note text in simple message box. That is why you should have Messenger Service running for NET SEND to successfully send a message.

You can start or stop Messenger Service at any time. And you can also configure it in such a way that it would start automatically at the system startup. There is a special program for controlling all services in the system – Services.

See below the guide on how to launch Messenger Service and configure it to be launched automatically.

Windows XP Professional

1. Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
2. Click Administrative Tools
3. Click Services
4. Double Click Services Scroll
5. Scroll down and highlight “Messenger”
6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties
7. Click the Start button
8. Select Automatic in the Startup Type scroll bar
9. Click OK

To receive messages in Windows 95/98/Me you can use Microsoft Winpopup to receive and send messages. The program is included in the standard distributive package, but you could have failed to install it when you were installing the system.

To install it or to make sure that it is installed:

Windows 95

1. Open Add/Remove Programs from Control Panel.
2. Select Windows Setup tab.
3. Select Accessories and click Details
4. Check Winpopup and click Ok
5. Click Ok

Windows 98

1. Open Add/Remove Programs from Control Panel.
2. Select Windows Setup tab.
3. Select System Tools and click Details
4. Check Winpopup and click Ok
5. Click Ok

In ShixxNOTE 6.net recipient list you can insert computer name or IP address of recipient who doesn’t have installed ShixxNOTE program. In this case program will use NET SEND command and will send note text to recipient via Messenger Service. Off course if recipient doesn’t have Messenger Service started he will not receive nothing and ShixxNOTE will inform sender that note was not delivered.

ShixxNOTE 6.net ready for Windows Vista

 Everybody is talking about Windows Vista and how will old programs work on new Microsoft Windows platform. So I decided to check if ShixxNOTE 6.net is ready for Windows Vista. I have installed Windows Vista Ultimate version on one new computer in my LAN. Everything was prepared for installation of ShixxNOTE 6.net latest release (December 2006).

After running setup file, I got security message if I trust publisher (simple click on yes). Then second question from Windows Firewall asking you to choose „Block“ or „Unblock“ ShixxNOTE program, you must click on „Unblock“ button because network functions, sending and receiving notes will not work properly if you click otherwise (read more about this topic in previous articles). And that was all, installation was completed and ShixxNOTE 6.net was ready for use.

ShixxNOTE Main Menu on Windows Vista

I must say that I was very excited with new look and style of all program dialogs and menus. Dialogs and menus really looks great on Vista. Here you can see some screenshots.

ShixxNOTE Dialog and menu on Windows Vista

Sending and receiving notes works without any problem. I have tested sending and receiving notes, between computer running ShixxNOTE 6.net on Windows XP and this new one running program on Windows Vista Ultimate and everything works perfect. Reading network neighborhood and all other network features works normal.

ShixxNOTE reading network LAN

ShixxNOTE Send To Others Dialog

So if you have bought Windows Vista you can freely install ShixxNOTE 6.net program on your computer. Program is 100% „Windows Vista ready“ and you can be sure it will work.

ShixxNOTE note main menu on Windows Vista

So at the end I must say that I am proud, because ShixxNOTE 6.net (developed in Visual C++ 6.0) works on every Windows operating system from Windows 95 to newest one Windows Vista. And you can send and receive note(s) without worrying which Windows operating system is installed on other computers in your LAN.

Ozren Sirola

admin@shixxnote.com

New Release December 2006

I have just released new program major release. ShixxNOTE 6.net (Released December 2006) Build 125. This new version is now available on program homepage site under Download section.

• Critical security bug is now fixed. Parsing network message is improved and now possible attacker can not cause buffer overflow. This bug was discovered by Luigi Auremma.
• Important bug fixed. All received notes will be visible after computer or program restart. Problem with disappearance of received notes is now fixed. In previous version, received notes sometimes were lost after program restart. Now in this new release you will always see all your received notes and no more lost notes.

Luigi Auremma discoverer of security bug was informed and he changed his ShixxNOTE program change log file with new update that bug is fixed and that new release is now available on his site. Check now ShixxNOTE program info on his official security site.

UPDATE 27 Dec 2006: The author has released a patched version (build 125)

Also I have to inform you that ShixxNOTE 6.net is ready for Windows Vista, check program homepage under section What’s New or Awards to see more.

Ozren Sirola
ShixxNOTE Program Developer
http://www.shixxnote.com

Windows Firewall and ShixxNOTE

If you have Windows Firewall activated on your computer and it is “On”, after ShixxNOTE program first start you will probably get Windows Security Alert dialog. If you have Windows 7 installed then you will get dialog (first picture above) asking you to allow access to ShixxNOTE program ; if you have Windows XP then dialog (second picture) will appear asking you to unblock program (check the picture above). This is normal because ShixxNOTE is multi-thread client/server application (LAN messenger). You can send note and receive notes to others in your LAN. For sending and receiving notes ShixxNOTE program communication port must be open. So if you get this dialog you have to click on Unblock or Allow access button to enable sending and receiving note(s) feature. After you click Allow access (Windows Vista/7) or Unblock (Windows XP) ShixxNOTE program will be added in Windows Firewall – Exceptions dialog and will work properly in your network.

If you have Windows 7 installed then you can open Windows Firewall with Advanced Security dialog and if you allowed access to program you will get dialog like picture bellow.

Windows 7 Firewall Advanced Settings

If you click Cancel or Keep Blocking button then you will not be able to receive notes from others. Because Windows Firewall will block incoming note data for ShixxNOTE program.

Also you can always open ShixxNOTE communication port “2000” manually in “Local area connections” – “Advanced tab”. If you don’t know how write me and I will help you.If you have any problems with sending or receiving notes in program, check your firewall settings first. If you didn’t fix the problem ask your network administrator to help you.

And finally write me if you have any problem regarding sending and receiving notes, or any other problems with program.

Ozren Sirola

ShixxNOTE Program Developer
admin@shixxnote.com

 

Network neighborhood in ShixxNOTE

In this article I will tray to explain how ShixxNOTE 6.net program works in your network neighborhood. Maybe you didn’t notice but on program start, small dialog appears above the task bar. In that moment program is reading your network neighborhood. Dialog disappear after second or less (if you are in big company with more than 100 computers then reading of your network neighborhood may be longer than second).

After that all computers in your network neighborhood will be written in ShixxNOTE data file (NETBIOS name of computers) as a list. One thing, your computer name will be excluded from that list, but you can send note to yourself if you want (write your computer name in text box). Network neighborhood list is useful because when you send note to other(s) and you are in “Send To Dialog”, program will read that list (computer names) from data file and will show it under “Network Neighborhood” list.

 

Then you can select computer(s) which program found and add it to recipients list (“Note recipients”). Other sticky notes programs with sending note feature doesn’t have that. If you are in “Send To Dialog” you can always click on button “Refresh”, which task is to read your network neighborhood again, save the list in data file and refresh dialog “Network Neighborhood” list. For example if you start ShixxNOTE but in that moment other computers are not online or they are shutdown, program will show you list from data file (list may be old), then you can click “Refresh” button to retrieve new situation in your network neighborhood.

Also if you check picture above you can click (right mouse button) on computer and you will get small menu, one option is “Add”, another is “Show IP Address”. So you can find out easily IP address of other computer(s) in your network neighborhood. As you know, you can add to “Note recipients” list computer name, IP address or email address and program will deliver note to all recipients (how it will be delivered check on ShixxNOTE program homepage).

In main program “Settings Dialog” (right mouse click on program tray icon) on tab “Network Settings” there is option “Read network neighborhood on program start” which is by default set to “Yes”, if you don’t want program to read your network neighborhood on program start, because for example you have more than 200 computers in network and reading lasts more than 10 seconds, select “No”. Then later you can always click on “Refresh” button in “Send To Dialog”. Also there is option “Refresh network neighborhood interval period” which is by default set to “0” min. If you set period to i.e. “30” minutes, program will read your network neighborhood every 30 minutes and will save computer names (as a list) in ShixxNOTE data file after reading.

There are many other network features in program which can be set different than default. So check main program “Settings dialog” tab “Network Settings” and see what other things can be changed in settings to fit your needs.

To get settings dialog you must click (right mouse click) on ShixxNOTE tray icon and select “Settings” item in main program menu. As you can see on picture above.

In next article I will write more about exporting and importing notes, sending and receiving note via email. Please write me or comment my posts if you have questions or suggestions regarding program.