FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I download programs from your page?
All programs can be downloaded as a ZIP archive, which contains the *.exe file, a readme.txt and sometimes other nessecary files. To download the program, left-click the text link (not the sourcecode button!!), below which you can see how many kilobytes the archive size is. After you have specified a directory for the download, click OK and after a few seconds or minutes the download should be finished successfully. Start your explorer (or file manager program), locate the file and unzip it. To unzip (unpack) the zip archive, I recommend the freeware program FreeZip. Just download it, install it and you can unpack any zip archive by right-clicking it and giving the command "unzip here". Then you can simply move the folder to any place you like and start the program by double clicking the *.exe file.

2. I cannot find any *.exe file inside the downloaded archive. How can I start the program?
You have probably mistakenly downloaded the sourcecode, not the program itself. To download the program, click the text link, not the blue SourceCode button.

3. The *.exe file won't start if I double-click it. What went wrong?
Sometimes a download is not successfull, especially when the server is very busy, so you have downloaded a corrupted archive. Do not fear, this cannot harm your computer. Just repeat the download and it should work.

4. The program starts, but doesn't work properly. What can I do?
My programs should run fine on any modern PC (Pentium and above) with Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows ME installed. However, since the PC is a modular system, there are zillions of hardware/software combinations and it is possible that some of my programs don't run properly on all of them. Besides, some of my programs contain minor bugs (which are not harmful, but might cause trouble on some systems).

5. PacWorld doesn't run, or it runs way too slow on my PC. What can I do?
For PacWorld you need the DirectX runtime libraries version 3.0 or higher (available from most freeware archive, but should be installed on most machines). If PacWorld runs way too slow, the reason is A: your PC is too slow (processor should be at least a Pentium 233, for smooth gameplay a PII/Celeron 333 or better) or B: your PC is busy with one or several other programs running in the background. Start the game right after rebooting your PC. Make sure you have closed any resource consuming tasks or programs before you start the game.

6. How can I start those Java-Applets? Nothing shows up in the window when I click the button "Load applet"?
You must have a Java-enabled browser and you must switch your Java option on. Some users who are working in companies behind a firewall also might be unable to run Java applets. Another reason could be that you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5, which contains a severe bug in the Java VM. In that case, I recommend downgrading to version 5.0, since there doesn't seem to be a fix out yet.

7. I want to learn programming. Where do I start?
First you need a compiler. This is a software (program) which translates your written sourcecode and resources etc into an executable file (*.exe) or into class files, if you program Java. Since I recommend Java and C++, you need either a modern Windows C++ compiler (Microsoft Visual C++ or Borland C++Builder) or a Java compiler. For a start, you are fine with the "Standard Edition" of the compiler (about $100), but if you are serious with programming, you will have to upgrade to the "Professional Version", which is about $250. With Java you cannot make "normal" Windows programs however, usually only applets for web pages but Java is a good choice anyway, since you can use most of what you learn here in C++ as well. Java is a modern, object-oriented language, but it spares you most of the trouble beginners usually have with learning C++. If you want to program Windows programs like those on my page "My Programs" though, you should go for C++. In my experience, it is not possible to learn the language C++ and Windows programming (which are two different things!) only from the online documentation of the compiler and from internet resources/tutorials. You will definately have to invest into some good books, teaching you the language C++ and how to program Windows, using the compiler/IDE and the class libraries that come with the compiler (MFC or VCL). So you will have to buy 2 books at least. After a while you will probably want to buy some more. Take a look at my page Learn it!, where you can find some useful book recommendations. If you cannot afford a professional compiler, you can either try to use a free one (harder to learn, less documentation, no class libraries, so you better forget about Windows programming at first) - see my page Links - or you start with Java, see my Java tutorial with lots of examples and all the tools you need to get started for free download. There are some books with so-called "working models" of a professional compiler on the CD, this is a version that produces programs which only run when the development environment is open - that means you cannot distribute the programs. No fun, if you ask me.

8. How long does it take to program like you do?
It took me about 3 years to learn all I know about C++ and Java, mostly from books (I'm 37 by the way). Fortunately I could afford all the books I needed and wanted and I had lots of spare time. If you have to learn in the evening, you will probably need a bit more time. I don't know everything there is to know about it, but I am able to make any reasonable simple application or game I want to in short time, without having to ponder if I will have to leave out certain features just because I don't know how to implement them, or to make it extra-simple just for not losing the control over the project. A game like PacWorld takes about 3-6 weeks to do, a simple application about 3-7 days (part time, not full time). The more simple programs you have done already, the easier is it to make bigger ones! You wouldn't believe how much programming work is done by just copying and pasting text from older projects. They are a never ending source if you don't neglect them. If you need to learn a new technique, best make a small new project, just to learn and demonstrate this one technique. Make every new program contain at least one new technique and make it a bit harder than the one before, if possible. Make sure you are making progress. If you don't know what to program, let other programmers inspire you. Go to the big freeware/shareware archives - see bottom of my page Links - and "steal with your eyes". Don't think you should always come up with something new. Copying good ideas (and maybe improving them) is the best way to learn. Now sit down and code!

9. I have a problem with my program. Please take a look at the code and tell me where the bugs are!
I have a full time job as a web designer, and I do not have time to do things like this, I'm afraid. If you are really stuck with a certain, specific problem which fits into a few lines, I might make an exception for you, but don't count on it. I didn't have anyone to ask when I got stuck, so I know it is possible to dig your way through it on your own. Don't give up so soon! If you don't find the bug, you should probably go back on your way and start with something easier, or re-read your C++ book. That's a good idea anyway. Read your books (or tutorials) over and over until you really think you have understood what they're talking about. Then sit down and code some more!

10. Will you mentor me?
No, I'm sorry. I'm busy. And besides, you won't need me to hold your hand. If you read all the material on this site, and all the sourcecode, and the documentation of your compiler and the example programs, and your C++/Java/Windows programming books, and visit my links page, and read all the material on the pages it links to, you will be just fine.

11. Can you customize a program for me or write a program for me or my company?
I might. It depends, among other things, on how large the project is, for me being able to do it in my spare time, and on how busy I am. I will charge a modest hourly fee of about $30, but we can agree on a fix price once I have the specifications.

If your question has not been answered here, please make sure you have read all the text on my pages and have visited the Links page. If you still have a question, feel free to mail me.