I'm an avid portable-apper, but I need some suggestions about portable applications. Think you could help? Here's what I'm looking for...
Text editor. I want a text editor with tabbed editing and syntax highlighting for at least batch files, NSIS, HTML, PHP, CSS, and XML; C/C++ might be nice, as I'd like to learn those languages. I'd also like to have the text editor support in-editor compiling (i.e., I could push a button and it compiles the NSIS script I'm working on), preferably allowing me to use a portable compiler (such as Portable NSIS or Portable dev-cpp). A varying path to compiler is not a problem, since I plan to use the subst.exe command to create a "virtual drive letter" for my USB key -- so I could have the editor always reference X:\PortableNSIS\PortableNSIS.exe, for example.
Media player. I'd like a media player that supports CDDB lookup, ripping from CD, burning to CD, visualizations, and a library. I'd like it to be able to play video and sound files (i.e., DVD (.vob), mp3, WMA, m4a (AAC)). The important thing is ease of use. I like the iTunes/WiMP interface, and I don't want something that looks like Winamp or any other "compact" media players.
Server. I do web developing on the go (i.e., PHP/mySQL scripts) and I'd like a fairly compact server (at most ~35 MB) that has PHP and mySQL.
Zip application. I'd like a ZIP application that supports 7zip, ZIP, RAR, and tar/gz. I love ZipGenius (http://www.zipgenius.it/) but it isn't portable. 7zip would be all right, but it isn't "truly portable" -- I need something that doesn't muck with the computer.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
~nm35
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It works well, syntax highliting, can be set to compile NSIS (it's builtin but needs to be configured/enabled). There are other threads talking about PSPad but I don't have any links offhand.
I used to use PSPad, but I keep getting difficulty with Word Wrap -- Notepad2 does a better job.
Can SciTE support in-editor compiling?
~nm35
a.k.a. Mark
I know for sure it can for NSIS, I use it all the time, but I'm not sure how to make the path of the compliler different, as it just looks for C:\Program Files\NSIS.
-Justin
You need to edit nsis.properties.
Two thumbs up for SciTE.
Text PSPad
Media I have no idea.
Server PortaServ 2 (if you actually bother to work on it :()
Zip application 7za.exe
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R McCue
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
I haven't had any time to work on PortaServ; I've been really busy. The only computers I can get on at the moment at Internet-Exploder-only comps...
I like 7z, but I need something with a good GUI and no mucking with the current computer.
~nm35
a.k.a. Mark
I should have PortaServ 2 ready soon. But try to work on it sometime.
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R McCue
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
I guess you didn't get my e-mail. I still have a custom server ~8Mb.
Thanks -- just saw it!
~nm35
a.k.a. Mark
Integrating NSIS into PSPad. This article shows you how to not only use the syntax highlighting, but also embed the compiler into PSPad itself.
Rob Loach [Website] [Projects]
Can I use this with a portable version of NSIS?
@Justin: Does Portable NSIS support command-line arguments? i.e., could I pass a command to portablensis.exe and expect the compiler to recieve it?
~nm35
a.k.a. Mark
OK, I've set up PSPad the way I want it, and it supports NSIS. My question is, can I add the PortableNSIS directory to %path% and reference it from there in the compiler/help settings? (I want to be able to use embedded compiling on the go.)
My drive letter changes, but I could also use
subst.exeto assign the drive letter L: or something to the compiler directories (I plan to put portable dev-cpp on there too). Could this work?~nm35 {blog} {personal space}
which is my favourite editor, can also be made portable. Check my blog.
Just find out what ini PSPad uses to store compiler paths, make a launcher with the get root function and use WriteINIStr
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R McCue
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
As far as media players are concerned theres VLC which is open source, Haller is working on a portable version. It isnt easy to use by your definition of being like iTunes/WiMP but perhaps with some good skining it could come close. There is an iTunes like software for linux called Rhythmbox, there is work on a windows port. http://mail.gnome.org/archives/rhythmbox-devel/2005-December/msg00008.html
Theres also Mplayer and media player classic.
I know -- I've tried portable VLC. It's fine with me, but I want something with playlist support along with ripping/burning -- none of which I've figured out how to do in VLC yet. (Admittedly, I haven't had much time to play with it, so if you could direct me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it!)
~nm35
a.k.a. Mark
I think using a set of decent applications will be better than finding one mediocre one that just about does everything you need. I don't use the same software for videos and music, because I have different requirements of each. I also don't expect my media player to be bloated with tools to rip, burn, and blow whistles. I don't even like visualisations - I stick to a media player sitting in the system tray responding to my hot keys.
Although everyone has their tastes. Something like Musicmatch Jukebox probably does everything you need.
True. I don't need video support that bad -- though I do want library/rip/burn functions, since those are what I use the most.
Pretty much a portable WiMP or iTunes would do it for me.
~nm35
a.k.a. Mark
Winamp has the library rip and burn functions that you want, if the problem is the interface I'd be happy to work on making a skin for it with you to make it better and we could make the default config work in a simpler way. It has to been Winamp 5 as it incorporates Media Library and has support for M4A, WMA and MP3. We could outfit it with a selection of pre configured plugins to add iPod support and other functions important for a portable media player.
That would be perfect, as long as the pesky registration window doesn't pop up every time I open it (it did that last time I tried).
Can Winamp support "lossless" WMA encoding?
~nm35
a.k.a. Mark
I've got a rough alpha version if you are interested, just let me know where to send it. Also, Winamp 5.03 and later support Lossless and Pro.
Head here and sign up, we can host it for you
http://www.portasoft.org
-Justin
If you want to e-mail it to me, you can send it to nm35@portasoft.org. Thanks!
I read your thread on the matter -- it seems very interesting. Winamp sounds like a good program, but I've never used it, and I don't particularly like the default skin.
~nm35 {blog} {personal space}
I have the first alpha release, you can read about it here.
https://portableapps.com/node/1445
Text Editor - Notepad2 ...
It's just the best. Been using it for months and months, and its got everything I've needed. I learned how to live without tabs for the rest of what this program has to offer.
Media Player - foobar2000
It only writes some data to the 'Application Data' folder. Perhaps someone can make a launcher to prevent this?
Server - XAMPP
Used it quite a bit when I was PHP programming. Good package.
Zip - Universal Extractor
Works with almost every archive type around. However, it only extracts. For compressing, I don't really do that much. Perhaps HJ-Zip?
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zan.thri.a - personal/political/philosophical blog community
has tabs.
pspad.com
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R McCue
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
Thanks.
Now I use 7-zip and Portable Notepad2 (see my blog, link is in my signature) that takes your settings around with you.
I'd use XAMPP, but I don't have 80-odd megs free for that. Thox already gave me a micro-Apache server < 8MB that I use instead.
@Erissiva: Are you the erissiva user from the Meebo forums?
~nm35 {blog} {personal space}
Indeed, I am the same. ^_^
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zan.thri.a - personal/political/philosophical blog community
I came across this list of apps that may have potential and may fit the needs you list.
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=320017
I use the DFX Sound Enhancer plugin (Version 7.5) for Winamp 5.21. Adding this plugin would sure be great. Is there anyway to currently do this or any plans for the future? I've emailed DFX also but just sent their em and haven't heard back.
Jeff Balliett