(update) Blog merger - OH / TTB

Original Hoop has merged with the Tootoz blog

How to install Paint.NET effects and plugins (step-by-step guide with pictures)

The credits for this tutorial go to its respected owner, you can find the tutorial and some more information in the following links:

- http://boltbait.com/pdn/InstallingEffects.asp

- http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/1708-how-to-install-pluginsgeneral-plugin-troubleshooting-thread/

If you have any questions regarding the tutorial feel free to comment in the comments section.

- Hoop

Step 1: Once the download starts, you will be prompted with the following message:

Click the save button to save the ZIP file to your computer.

Note: If you are using Chrome instead of Internet Explorer, after clicking the download link, your screen will look like this:

If so, click the file name as shown above and skip to step 4 below.

Step 2: When prompted for the "Save as" file name, click the "Desktop" button on the left, then the "Save" button as shown here:

Step 3: When the download is complete, click the "Open" button:

This will open a window showing the DLL file (or files) that you downloaded.

Step 4: When the file list window opens, press Ctrl-A to select all of the files in that window:

Right-click the mouse on one of the selected files and choose "Copy" from the context menu that appears.

Step 5: Next, find your Paint.NET icon (either on your desktop or start menu), right-click on it and choose "Properties" from the menu that appears:

Step 6: When the "Properties" window opens, click the "Find Target" (XP) or the "Open File Location" (Win7) button:

This will open a Windows Explorer window to your Paint.NET directory.

Step 7: In the Paint.NET directory, double-click on the "Effects" folder.

Step 8: In the Effects folder, right-click the mouse and choose "Paste":

If you have followed the instructions carefully, you should see the following message during the copy process:

When the copy is finished, restart Paint.NET and look in the Effects menu for your new effects. 

Note: You may need to look around for your effect. Many effects load to submenus in the Effect menu. Other effects load themselves in the Adjustments menu.

A software just like Photoshop, but free!

Photoshop is expensive, there is no denying that.


But thankfully there is a free alternative to Photoshop: Paintdotnet (getpaint.net).

"Paint.NET is a free image and photo editing software for PCs that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools."

"An active and growing online community provides friendly help, tutorials, and plugins."

"It started development as an undergraduate college senior design project mentored by Microsoft, and is currently being maintained by some of the alumni that originally worked on it."

"Originally intended as a free replacement for the Microsoft Paint software that comes with Windows, it has grown into a powerful yet simple image and photo editor tool."

"It has been compared to other digital photo editing software packages such as Adobe® Photoshop®, Corel®Paint Shop Pro®, Microsoft Photo Editor, and The GIMP."

Paint.NET features: getpaint.net/features 


Download Paint.NET here: Getpaint.net/download


A tutorial on how to add effects and plugins to paint.net can be found here:
http://originalhoop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/how-to-install-paintnet-effects-and.html
- Hoop

About the Original Hoop blog.

Hello my name is Jamie and I'm 17 years old.

Why did I make this blog?

I had allot of notes, notes which took me hours to write and get together. After my examinations I had no idea what to do with them, so I took some time out and typed them all up and put them together in this Blog.

The future of the 'Original Hoop Blog'.

I'm thinking of keeping this blog up and running, updating it every few weeks with new useful posts, posts which people will find useful, and hopefully help them in there own lives.

Thank-you for reading, and hope you enjoy reading this blog.
- Hoop.

Programming - Data types and data structures.

Data Types

Programs need to use data for calculations, comparisons, and for output to various devices. The best programs will allways use the most appropriate data types to make the most effective use of memory and to ensure that only the correct types of data are allowed to be input.

A variable can be declared to have a data type, including:

= character – allows any single letter or number

= string – allows any combination of letters, numbers and spaces

= integer – for whole numbers

= real – for numbers with whole parts and fractional parts

= Boolean – can only hold true or false

Data structures

Programs allow the use of data structures with variables including records and simple arrays. They are defined below:

-          A record, data structure contains fields to store information In a similar way to a database table.

-          An array of data structure is a variable with many parts, in simple terms they can be thought of as tables with a number of rows and columns. The array has a number inside brackets (called subscript), which is used to identify an item in the array that is required. For example: an array named customer(100) that has just one column and 100 rows, so custome(12) would be the contents of item number 12 in the list 0 to 99.

Programming terms, with explanations.

Programming terms

Variables

Variables are used to hold data when the program runs. You can think of a variable as rather like a box with a name on it. You can put data into the box, move it to another box, or change it.

Before a variable is used it should be declared so the program knows the name of the variable, the type of data expected to be kept there and how much of the program can use the variable.

Input and output

A program needs to input to get information or control from the user. The program then uses this impact to produce the required results.

Input could be a number typed into a text box that is then used by a calculation to work out a result.

Subroutines

Programs usually have subroutines to structure the code into small sections. Each subroutine is there for a particular part of the program.

Modern programs naturally structure themselves into subroutines, as a new one is created every time an event handler is added to a control.

Annotations

Professional software developers always annotate their code when writing programs to allow for maintenance. Annotations are comments written into the code to explain what parts of the program are there for.

Flow charts explained with diagrams. (terminator/process/decision box/data/connector)

Flow charts

You can use flow chart to help design a program. A flow chart is a diagram that shows how a program works and the routes can be taken through it.

A flow chat shows where the program starts and where decisions are taken. Processing operations, inputs, and outputs.

Process – Used to represent a calculation or general processing operation carried out by the program.

Terminator – Shows where the program starts or finishes.

Decision box – used in any place where the program makes a test to decide on a choice of directions to run the next code.

Data (input/output) – Represents any part of the program that takes data in or shows prints or outputs data.

Connector – aka flow line. These lines connect other parts of the flow chat to show the routes the program can take. Flow lines usually have an arrow at one end to the show the direction the program takes. If there is no arrow the direction will be either downwards or to the right.

The components of a flow chart
Copyright goes to its respected owner.

Programming concepts, high-level programming languages, low-level programming languages, machine code, hardware, characteristics of high/low level programming, and flow charts.

Programming concepts

Professional programmers use specialised skills and creativity to write programs. Some people find programming easy and fun. 

The programming concept you need to understand are described below.

Application software package

This is the end result of programming. When an application is running, the user interface is what you see and interact with by typing or using buttons. Applications software packages are created by programming with a high-level programming language and are used to solve problems and to entertain.

High-level programming language

A high-level programming language is one that is quite close to natural human language (rather then computer language, aka machine code). This is what most programmers use to write programs. 

Examples of high-level programming language are C# (pronounced ‘C Sharp’), C++, Java, and Visual Basic.

Microsoft Office applications, including excel also offer high-level programming functionality using VBA (virtual basic for applications). This allows users to add automation to office documentsby creating macros. 

For example, a user might program an excel macro to go through data, hiding rows that are not wanted making visible rows that are.

High-level programming languages are compiled into machine code so that the computer can understand and run it.

Low-level programming language

These languages are close to machine code, and therefore need less changes before a processor can actually run them (compared to high-level programming language). Low-Level programs are written using an assembler, which is simply a programming environment designed to help write these programs.

Each simple command you type into the program you are writing gets assembled into the equivalent machine code instruction. This is different from high-level language where a single line could compile hundreds of lines of machine codes that the processor will run to action that line of the code.

Machine Code

This is the actual binary code that the CPU can understand. Before any program you write can run on a computer, it must be translated (compiled or assembled) into machine code.

Hardware

The hardware is controlled by software as the CPU decodes each machine code instruction to carry out actions such as adding two numbers together, displaying part of the user interface on the screens or loading a document into RAM from the disk.

Characteristics of high-level programming language

High-level programming languages are powerful and easy to understand.

Programs written in a high-level language are much closer to spoken language then low-level, as well as being a lot more intuitive to use.

High-level programming languages have several ways of working, including:

-          Imperative code – this is used in most languages, both older and modern. In this type of code each program statement is a step towards handling the inputs processing and outputs.

-          Procedural programs – These have definite start and end points. These language were normal before GUI operating systems, as usually have a single starting point then follow as a sequence. Modern programs respond to events so can have many start points within the code.

-          Event-Driven programs – these respond to events such as a mouse click. These are the current approach for modern programming because they need to produce responses to the great variety of events that GUI operating systems provide.

-          Object-orientated programs (OOP) – These view programs as a collection of objects. Such as a database record, and not as a list of tasks in a procedural programming. Each object can be viewed as an independent ‘machine’ within a distinct role or responsibility , which is capable of receiving messages, processing data, or sending messages to other objects.

Characteristics of low-level programming language

Assembly language is written using an assembler, which helps the programmer by checking for errors in the mnemonics before compiling the program into machine code.

Machine code is binary bytes so could be written without an assembler by typing binary numbers direct into memory. However, this would be very difficult as the programmer would only see the program as numbers. The mnemonic abbreviations in assembly languages make understanding the program much easier.

Flow charts

You can use flow chart to help design a program. 

A flow chart is a diagram that shows how a program works and the routes can be taken through it.

A flow chat shows where the program starts and where decisions are taken. Processing operations, inputs, and outputs.

Process – Used to represent a calculation or general processing operation carried out by the program.

Terminator – Shows where the program starts or finishes.

Decision box – used in any place where the program makes a test to decide on a choice of directions to run the next code.

Data (input/output) – Represents any part of the program that takes data in or shows prints or outputs data.

Connector – aka flow line. These lines connect other parts of the flow chat to show the routes the program can take. Flow lines usually have an arrow at one end to the show the direction the program takes. If there is no arrow the direction will be either downwards or to the right.

Factors you need to consider before installing or upgrading an operating system or productivity application.

Software installation and upgrades

There are some factors you need to consider before installing or upgrading an operating system or productivity application to ensure it will work. You should make sure that the application you wish to install is compatible with your operating system.

Hardware technology systems – This is the computer specification, particularly the CPU, video systems, amount of RAM and free disk space. If any of these are not good enough for the new software the installation will fail.

Accessibility features – If these are important to the user they should be checked to ensure they are included in the software before it is installed.

Cost of the software – An organization needs to check the full cost of the software before installation. The full cost will be the cost of the licences needed for all the computers plus the cost of setting the software up, training staff and paying for any support and maintenance.

Speed – this is important especially when new software will be run on older hardware. Slow software adversely affects the user experience and reduces the productivity.

Security features – these are important in a new operating system and includes firewalls, malware management and setting user permissions. An organisation needs to understand the security features, so they can be set up to protect the system and protect the users.

Some common types of software applications.

Some common types of software applications..

Word processor – Buisness letters, reports, coursework, …

Spreadsheet – Cash flows, what-if analysis, charts, …

Database - Storing records of staff, stock, customers, …

Presentation – Creating presentation slides and rolling displays …

Graphics – creating logos and editing photographs …

CAD Package – Produce accurate drawings and floor plans …

Multimedia – making animations

Web-authoring – Creating websites

Productivity applications

Productivity applications

Productivity applications are software programs written to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of every day tasks.

-          Home office programs include word processor, spreadsheet, database, presentation software, etc. which can all be purchased individually or as a suite.

-          Graphics software is used to make and edit pictures.

-          CAD (computer aided design) software is used to design components and buildings

-          Multimedia software is used to combine sound and images into cartoon or video.

-          Web-authoring software is used to create, edit, and upload web pages.

Mobile devices - Operating systems, User interface, accessibility and ease of use.

Mobile devices

Mobile devices such as phones have operating systems that are optimised for user interface, accessibility and ease of use. The user interface is usually a touch screen with voice recognition, which the operating system needs to control and make easy to use.

Accessibility on, mobile devices can be further enhanced with onscreen readers and magnifiers to make parts of the screen larger.

The operating system for a modern mobile phone might be Android, BlackBerry, iPhone OS, Symbian, or Windows Mobile.

Five reasons why using GUI is better then using CLI - user interface.

User Interface

There are two common ways users can interface with other computer operating systems and other applications, either using a GUI or a CLI.

Accessibility and ease of use are a lot better with a GUI then with a CLI for the following five reasons:

1.    The mouse is easy to use for controlling the computer

2.    A GUI can be configured to magnify the screen, speak documents to you, or recognise voice commands.

3.    A GUI has drop down menus which list all the available choices, all the user needs to do is click the choice they want.

4.    There is often a search box which you can type the name of the document and then the operating system will then find the document you are looking for.

5.    A GUI uses icons to click on, so you can easily start an action by clicking your mouse.

Utility applications - disk defragment, firewalls, and anti-viruses.

Utility applications

Operating systems may include utility applications which are small programs designed to improve system performance.

Here are some examples of utility applications:

Disk defragment – These make hard disks run faster. When you delete a file it makes a gap on the hard drive which can be reused when another file is saved. If the new file is too big it fragments to another gap which eventually makes loading files slower. Defragmentation rewrites files and brings them together to make the hard disk run faster.

Software firewalls – These stop unwanted traffic from the internet entering the computer.

Anti-virus software – this tries to prevent malware from entering the computer, it also scans the computer and connected devices making sure no malware has gained access.

Note from author:

I would recommend using Microsoft security essentials, it is free and does the job perfectly.

- Hoop

The role of operating systems (OS).

Operating systems

The role of an operating system is to link the hardware with the user and any program running on the computer. The operating system has many functions like the following:

-          Managing files – by copying, renaming, deleting them and using folders.

-          Managing hardware – by loading programs, allocating them resources, and using drivers to link specialist hardware such as a video card.

-          Allocating resources – by sending keyboard/mouse inputs to programs, as well as accesing other resources such as printing and the hard disk.

-          Handling security issues, such as restore points ((to return system files and settings back to an earlier state), backups and access to files when multiple used share a PC.

What is software? - Including 'off the shelf software' and 'custom made' / 'bespoke' software.

Different types of computer software

Software – is any program that can run on a computer containing a microprocessor, when a program runs, it directs the operation of the technology system by controlling the processing and peripheral devices.

There are two main categories of software:

Off the shelf – These programs are usually cheaper than custom made software; they are instantly available, well tested, bug-free, with good support available from books or the internet. Eg. Microsoft Office.

Custom Made – These programs are written especially for the client to meet a specific need. Custom made (aka Bespoke) programs usually take weeks or months to write, but will deliver exactly what the client specified. Some organisations commission custom-made software to solve a specific problem, such as carrying out financial transactions or a robot control program for an automated car production line.

What is binary, and a few binary notations represented in hardware.

Binary

Binary, what is binary?

Binary data is in any computer represented using binary notation which uses only two digits: 0 and 1.

The use of binary notation works well in every part of a computer, which is why binary numbers represent all data within a computer.

Here are a few binary notations represented in different hardware devices.

RAM – Binary notation is represented in the transistors (electrical components with microprocessors).

HDD -  Binary notation is represented in the reflective surface of the disk to a laser disk as north (1) and south (0).

DVD – Binary notation is represented in the reflective surface of the disk to a laser as reflective (1) or not reflective  (0).

How does binary work?

It’s simple, the binary notation increases by 1,2,4,8,16,32, 64, (it simply doubles).

So for 4, you would use 0000100

Word and word length

A word is the term used to de-script the number of bits, for example 32 bits. A word is basically a number of bits.

ASCII

ASCII is a system used to represent characters in a binary format. It uses byte values 48-57 to represent the numbers 0-9, byte values 65-90 to represent the upper face values for punctuation and other uses. You can see the ASCII character set used on a PC in the character map program in the accessories under system tools.

Binary units

The byte is used to describe the size or capacity of memory and data storage.

Mobile devices, what makes a good mobile device?

Mobile devices

We use a wide range of technology devices and systems to communicate and share data. While the components are similar, how the components are used and perform can differ a little. The features on a mobile device can affect both the performance and user experience. More powerful features provide a better experience but reduce the battery life.

Modern mobile devices use a system on a chip (SoC) technology to combine the CPU and GPU onto one chip. This has many benefits, including making the device smaller, easier to manufacture, faster, and needing less power.

The battery life for a mobile device is important, as people need to be able to use it for at least a da and preferably more then a day. Recharging batteries takes time, and inconvenience for the user and reduces mobility. Designers therefore take a lot of care to design mobile devices with just the right mix of processing power and battery life.

The amount of electrical power the processing consumes is not an issue, with a traditional platform such as a desktop PC, as mains electricity is plentiful there is little extra cost involved in running a powerful computer.

The size and weight are also less of a concern then for mobile devices, which needs to be portable and convenient to use.

Storage devices (HDD/SSD/Optical Drives)

Storage devices

Storage devices are used to keep data and documents saved from RAM, so when the computer is switched off they are kept safe for another time. They are also used to keep programs for loading into RAM when they start so the CPU can run them.

HDD (hard disk drives)– These are magnetic media, as they can use tiny magnetic spots on a disk surface to store data. The disk spins round using circular tracks to organise the magnetic spots with a read/write head moving over the disk surface between tracks to use them.

SSD (solid state drives) – These store data in flash memory microchips which contain transistors that retain their state (on or off) and store the data, even when there’s no electrical power supply. Although currently HDD are genrally cheaper and can have larger capacities, this is beginning to change and SSD is becoming increasingly popular and more common.

They are same physical size as a HDD with the same connections and functions, but they don’t have any moving parts so are a lot more faster, quitter, and more reliable then HDD.

Optical drives – items such as DVDs, CDs are used to install new software and to make backups of hard disks.

What is computer memory? RAM/ROM/SSD/ETC.

Computer memory

Computer memory, like cache, RAM, and ROM is a solid state, which means they are microchips and they have NO moving parts.

The different types of computer memory are used in for different purposes.

RAM is used to store programs and data that the CPU is processing and that the user has accessed. PCs laptops, and some game consoles generally use dynamic RAM. This uses a type of transistor (an electrical component contained within the microprocessors) that needs a constant electrical power source to store data. Therefore when a computer is switched off, any data stored within the RAM is lost (deleted).

Mobile phones, digital cameras and some games consoles devices genrally use static RAM (flash memory). This technology uses a type of transistor that retaines its state (on or off), so it stores data, even after the power supply is disconnected.

Static RAM is more expensive and physically larger then dynamic RAM, but it uses less power and is faster which makes it more suitable for smaller portable devices.

What is ROM? (Read only memory)

ROM

Read-only memory (ROM) is memory that keeps the contents when the power is switched off. PCs have ROM on the motherboard and keep setup information such as the boot sequence to control whether the computer starts with the hard drive (normal) or the DVD drive (to reinstall a operating system).

What is memory and storage?

Memory and storage

The performance of memory and storage devices comes from their speed and storage capacity.

Faster speed and lots of storage space make a better user experience

What is Cache memory, with an example.

Cache memory

Cache memory is used between faster and slower devices to let them work more quickly together. The fast device writes or reads to/from the cache memory and the slower device updates as quickly as it can.

For example, the processor has cache memory to speed up access to the slower RAM, which means that the processor isn’t idle while It waits for the RAM to respond to an instruction. Also, slower hard disks have a cache memory to speed up disk accesss between the RAM and a hard disk.

Powerful microprocessors generate lots of heat. Without a heat sing the fan heat dispersal system to cool them down they would quickly burn out.

The Power supply unit (PSU) must produce enough power (watts) for all the components in the computer.

What is a data bus?

Data buses

A data bus is simply a circuit that connects one part of the motherboard to another.

The more data a bus can handle at one time (capacity), the faster it allows information to travel between components and the better performance of the computer (internal buses) and for transferring data between computers (external).

The main components of a computer with brief descriptions.

Main components of a computer

Motherboard – The main printed circuit board (PCB) where all the other system components plug in.

CPU – Central processing unit, each computer has at least one CPU or a microprocessor, which runs instructions contained in computer programs and undertakes input/output operations. The CPU has many parts, including arithmetic and logic (ALU) unit, control unit, registers, etc.

Arithmetic and logic unit – This completes basic calculations (arithmetic) and comparisons (logic). Comparisons are used in sorting and searching operations.

Control Unit – Each machine code instruction is extracted from memory. Decoded and run calling on the ALU when necessary. The output is either written  to the register for fast recall as part of subsequent instructions or back to main memory. The control unit is there to make the rest of the computer hardware do whatever is the result of the completed instruction.

Registers– There are several types of register whithin the CPU are used to store a small amount of data in the form of bytes. This is useful for the ALU so it can work out a calculation from two bytes held in registers. Registers are also used to hold addresses in RAM so the CPU knows where the next machine code instruction will come from and where to send the results of a calculation.

Memory – The RAM is used to hold all the programs that have been started and all opened documents, so the CPU can access them. A large amount of ram allows you to have lots of applications open at the same time and to edit large files such as music and video easily.

Graphics card (or video card) – this is used to make visual images that can be displayed on a monitor.

Sound – Hardware used to drive (send sound signals to) speakers is usually built into the mouseboard.

Heat dispersal – The fan and heat sing are needed by the CPU and other hot parts of the computer so they don’t burn out.

Storage devices – A solid state magnetic drive is needed to keep programs and documents when the computer is switched off. You will need a large storage device if you want to keep the large files such as videos.

Optical drive – An optical drive uses laser light to read data from CDs and DVDs. This optical drive is used to install new software and to make backups.

Wireless methods of transferring data - Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Wireless methods of transferring data.

Wi-Fi – very common technology build into laptops for connecting to LANs, many printers also have WiFis.

WiFi needs WAP (wireless access point), which is often part of a router and acts like a switch to connect the wireless devices together.

Bluetooth – Bluetooth is a short range, fairly slow wireless technology that is built into most mobile devices. It can be used to connect devices to other devices and for data transfer.

Physical methods of transferring data - (Optical fibre, UTP and Coax cables)

Physical methods of transferring data

Optical Fibre – used for very fast connections between switches in a network and to bring broadband to buildings and business premises

These are very fast connections but not good for places the cable might be moved like in a workstation.

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) – used widely to connect computers and printers to switches in LANs with CAT6 or CAT5 cabling. UTP is a great all-rounder for cables LANs, but is poor at very high speeds.

Coaxial cables (coax) – Used to connect homes to optical broadband systems.

This is good for short distances, but poor for longer stretches.

Magnetic Strip readers, Optical character readers (OCR), Optical mark readers (OMR), and Radio frequency identification systems (RFID).

Magnetic strip readers – Used to read loyalty and other cards.

Optical character readers (OCR) – Scan document into text.

Optical mark readers (OMR) – To input survey and multiple choice forms.

Radio frequency identification systems (RFID) – These are used for automatic identification and tracking, they have a radio frequency, electromagnetic fields to transfer data.

An RFID device is strapped around this persons leg.