NewsBin Shut Down 1.6

[ubertastic]

Here is a small program that some people may like.

It waits until NewsBin is not downloading anything, and then begins a countdown to the specified action (Shut Down/Hibernate/Sleep/Log Off). During the countdown, the program's window is always on top of other windows, no 'surprise Shut Downs.' Image link not allowed for unregistered users This program doesn't create any registry entries or files, doesn't access the internet, etc.

If you would like to change the default behavior, you can do so via command line arguments:

• /xx - number of minutes to wait
• /shutdown - Shut Down
• /hibernate - Hibernate
• /standby - Stand By/Sleep
• /sleep - Stand By/Sleep
• /logoff - Log Off
• /force - 'Force if needed' checked
• /tray - Immediately go to the system tray
• /startnb - If NewsBin is not already open, open it.
  NewsBin Shut Down first looks for nbpro.exe in the same directory it's in.
  If it's not there, it runs the NewsBin that's associated with the .nzb extension
• /activate - Immediately go to 'activated' mode

For example, you could put this for the target of a shortcut:
"C:\NewsBinShutDown\NewsBinShutDown.exe" /15 /logoff
"C:\NewsBinShutDown\NewsBinShutDown.exe" /force /tray /startnb /activate
etc

Screenshots:
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/2185/60961239.png
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/49/22458427.png

Download 1.6:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HZDEPQPP

Enjoy! comments/bugs etc welcome Image link not allowed for unregistered users

[Smite]

Thank you. Perhaps this will stop quite as many people from bugging Quade about it.

[daryllg]

Great program, just want I need!

But it doesn't always work, on my short test runs it worked hands down. Leaving it running for an overnight download or extended download period and it fails to shut down the PC.

Just sticks with "1 seconds until Shutdown". Running Windows XP with 2 minute and force shutdown.

Big Windows XP bug, if another user is logged on using fast user switching then the program will also fail to shutdown as it will stay at the prompt asking if your sure you want to shut down when another user is logged on.

[ubertastic]

Hi, and thanks for the feedback.

Stopping at 1 second remaining was actually the normal operation of the program. (It was assumed that the performed action would immediately close the program anyway) I've changed that to be less confusing. Now the UI is updated to reflect the fact that Shut Down / Log Off was executed.

There were were also a couple other small tweaks.

As for overriding the Windows prompt that asks about shutting down when another user is logged on, it could be done but I think it would be a faux pas. Perhaps if a couple more people find it to be an issue, something will be done.

Please see the 1st post for the updated prog, and let me know how it goes.

[dexter]

Nice utility. If you need me to host it, let me know.

[ubertastic]

New version: 1.1

• Now works with NewsBin 4
• Minimizes to tray
• New icon, to tell NewsBin Shut Down apart from NewsBin itself (it's a combination of the Windows XP shut down icon and the NewsBin robot head.. creative, aren't I?)
• New command line arguments:
  
  • /tray - Immediately go to the system tray
  • /startnb - If NewsBin is not already open, open it.
    NewsBin Shut Down first looks for nbpro.exe in the same directory it's in.
    If it's not there, it runs the NewsBin that's associated with the .nzb extension
  • /activate - Immediately go to 'activated' mode
• Fixed a bug where the count down would needlessly reset after the first 5 seconds, then count down all the way

[dopefisher]

thanks, i will not bug quade.

p.s. i still want my "special porn feature" quade!

YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT TOO!

too lazy to explain, if ya wanna know search the feature request forum. bah g'night.

[itimpi]

Just some thoughts on the utility:

* Does it shutdown Newsbin tidily (e.g. by simulated keyboard interface or using the TCP/IP Command interface) or is the program simply killed off by the Windows shutdown. A tidy shutdown is necessary to ensure all lists are saved.

* Have you thought on how it will work with Newsbin 5.31 which incorporates auto-shutdown of Newsbin itself (if the download list empties), but does not shutodwn the machine. My first question will still be relevant as if there are any files "Stuck" in the Download list because of errors, etc the Auto-Shutdown will not kick in but you would want to ensure a tidy close-down of Newsbin to make sure the list got saved.

[ubertastic]

The program uses the Windows API to initiate the shut down, which is just like you doing it yourself from the Start menu.

When a shut down occurs, Windows informs all programs that the shut down is about to happen, which gives them a chance to do their closing routines. However, I'm not 100% sure as to whether or not NewsBin 'listens' for the message (WM_ENDSESSION or WM_QUERYENDSESSION). Quade would have to shed some light on it.

As for NewsBin closing itself, this situation is actually already handled. Currenty, if NewsBin is closed while NewsBin Shut Down is activated, NewsBin Shut Down is cancelled. This will probably be changed so that it instead jumps right to the count down.

[joao_miguel48]

hummm!

Not so nice tool!

...if a communication problem exists, the rates are 0 kbps and the computer shut down (or log off) when newsbin is trying download.

the option /XX is not good.

This program must have a base in list of files to download (when they are zero), not in the rates.

[Quade]

Uber, I'm pretty sure I don't handle those messages but, I'll add that to my todo list.

[timberflake]

Ok................the link doesn't work. It says the file is not there. Anyone have any idea where I can get hold of this??

[ubertastic]

sorry for the delay.. i've put a new version on rapidshare for you Image link not allowed for unregistered users (dexter, feel free to upload it to the site)

New version: 1.2

• Before Shut Down/Log Off, NBSD now sends a WM_CLOSE message to the main windows of all instances of NewsBin (this simulates a click to the "X", allowing NewsBin to close cleanly)
• New behavior to account for NewsBin's auto close feature. If NBSD is in 'waiting' mode and NewsBin closes:
  
  • If it's not enabled in your NBI file, NBSD deactivates as before.
  • If it is enabled, 'countdown' mode begins.
• The tray icon now blinks when NBSD is in 'countdown' mode.
• A couple other small/cosmetic changes.
• Enjoy!

...if a communication problem exists, the rates are 0 kbps and the computer shut down (or log off) when newsbin is trying download.

the option /XX is not good.

This program must have a base in list of files to download (when they are zero), not in the rates.

perhaps one day i will introduce both a download list checker and a no connection timeout.. but as it is now i think the current method is easiest to implement, and gets the job done pretty well.

from my experience if a connection goes out it'll either be for a couple minutes (covered by the countdown timer) or several hours. for the latter, there's not much sense in having the computer do nothing for 1/2 the day waiting for the connection to kick back in.

as for the /XX option.. not sure what you mean.. you know the X's are just placeholders for actual numbers, right?

[treonews650]

Not sure if anyone is still looking at this thread, but I thought I'd try.

OR is there any way to get in contact with the developer?


I am using windows vista, and the program works very well with it.

HOWEVER, I like to put my system into hibernate mode, rather than shut down.

For vista, the hibernate command is "shutdown.exe /h" or "shutdown /h"

Could anyone possibly change the program (or hex edit it) to add the vista hibernate command?

Thanks

[Thoka]

I would be very interested in a hibernate option too.

[ozzii]

I thought this thread dead.
Me too I would like to see a hibernate and sleep option.

[ubertastic]

NEW VERSION: 1.5

• Added Hibernate and Standy By/Sleep options
• The way Windows is told to Shut Down has changed (now uses InitiateSystemShutdown API).
  
  • This will allow a Shut Down even if the computer is in Switch User/Locked mode.
  • You must check 'Force if needed' for Windows to Shut Down while in Switch User/Locked mode.
• Couple minor things

The last update was almost 3 years ago.. didn't know anyone besides me still used it Image link not allowed for unregistered users

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7FDDIIDR

[ozzii]

Thanks for the update

[Thoka]

Great, thanks for the update!!!

[Hip]

Just what I'm looking for... Thanks uber!

[Andy_Carr]

Thanks

Been using Newsbin for years and never spotted this little gem which is going to come in very handy.

[Skynetfroggy]

Exactly what I'm looking for... Thanks a lot !

[sreyaxy]

What does hibernate mode for your laptop do? I just got an hp laptop and I mostly got the hang of it. But I dont know what the hibernate mode does to the computer so ive been shutting it down. Is one better for the computer than the other?
____________________
market samurai ~ marketsamurai

[flatounet]

i got "problème" sometime :

NB dont dl files ,because he cant on the serveur
and nb have 0.01 to 2 ko/s of downloading
cause nb try to download and NewsBin Shut Down 1.5 dont turn off computer
....

so can you let us chose a limit of speed for fix it ?

dl = < 5k/s let count down ...
thank's to you Image link not allowed for unregistered users

[Skynetfroggy]

Hi ubertastic,

Not working with 6.xx version.
It's a great tool, and this function is still missing in V6
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28935&p=178818&hilit=shutdown#p178818

Have you planned any update for V6 ?

Thanks

[ubertastic]

Sorry guys, haven't visited in a while..

For 6.X the interface is no longer made up of the standard window classes, thus breaking NBSD.

As far as I can tell there is no way to check for 'Busy' via the remote interface.. so I'm going by NB's response to WM_QUERYENDSESSION which is another clean way of going about it.

[Quade]

You can query for the count of items in the download list. To me that defines "busy".

[davemuk]

Sorry guys, haven't visited in a while..

For 6.X the interface is no longer made up of the standard window classes, thus breaking NBSD.

As far as I can tell there is no way to check for 'Busy' via the remote interface.. so I'm going by NB's response to WM_QUERYENDSESSION which is another clean way of going about it.

Any luck with that ubertastic ?

[flatounet]

anyone can post the file again ???
megaupload is dead

thank's Image link not allowed for unregistered users

[sc00byd00byd00]

Anybody got a copy of this still as original link is on the megaupload site which has now been banned by the US District Court

[Quade]

I believe 6.3 will be able to shut windows down. Just needs me to add an option. I already added the code. You'll have to set Newsbin to Autoshutdown and then if you also set "Shut Down Windows" it'll ask windows to shut down too.

[JayPea]

https://rapidshare.com/files/3118820045 ... utDown.rar

Just uploaded this for the people asking for the original file.

Enjoy.

[JayPea]

I believe 6.3 will be able to shut windows down. Just needs me to add an option. I already added the code. You'll have to set Newsbin to Autoshutdown and then if you also set "Shut Down Windows" it'll ask windows to shut down too.

Is there any chance of it sleeping the PC also? I rarely shut the machine down, I always (hybrid) sleep the box instead. I've tried using external apps (like Alarm Clock Pro) but it's so inefficient and most recently stopped working altogether.

As always, thanks for the best NNTP client out there.

[Quade]

Is there any chance of it sleeping the PC also? I rarely shut the machine down, I always (hybrid) sleep the box instead.

There'll be a couple different modes. Even I'm not clear what they all do. Shutdown will just be one mode.

[JayPea]

There'll be a couple different modes. Even I'm not clear what they all do. Shutdown will just be one mode.

Many thanks for the swift reply & the update.

[sc00byd00byd00]

Thanks JayPea

[JayPea]

There'll be a couple different modes. Even I'm not clear what they all do. Shutdown will just be one mode.

Many thanks for adding the sleep command. It's hugely useful to myself and, I hope, many other users.

Would there be any chance of making the option available so we can customise our toolbars by adding an icon to toggle it on and off?

Thanks as always.

[JayPea]

There'll be a couple different modes. Even I'm not clear what they all do. Shutdown will just be one mode.

Many thanks for adding the sleep command. It's hugely useful to myself and, I hope, many other users.

Would there be any chance of making the option available so we can customise our toolbars by adding an icon to toggle it on and off?

Thanks as always.

Quade, is there any progress on getting the above incorporated into the next release candidate? A toolbar button would be ace for enabling/disabling the shutdown command. I can see there's a bunch of Dummy entries in the customise toolbar/commands/all commands list so is it possible to have Shutdown replace one of these or added as a brand new entry? Then we can drop it onto our toolbars if we want.

Thanks for all you hard work.

Jay.