Geek Fun: Use Double Vision to Stealthfully Watch Television at Work
Another glorious Monday, time to get back to working on that TPS report the boss was hollering at you to get done last week. You want to show the boss you're hard at work finishing the report but it's already been a week - so they can wait another day while you catch up on last week's Family Guy.
Introducing Double Vision, the application that allows you to watch Hulu, YouTube, or surf the Internet while you look busy hard at work. Double Vision is built from Internet Explorer and turned into an online media browser that can become transparent to work from inside "real work" applications.
Editor's Note: We're not necessarily recommending that you waste time at work, considering the economic crisis, pointy-haired bosses and pending layoffs… end of disclaimer, go have fun =)
Using Double Vision
The cool thing is you can actually input data in those spreadsheets and documents all while watching your favorite show or checking out a website.
This is an example of Double Vision at about half transparency… so you can still see your work if needed, and you can even use Ctrl+Esc to quickly hide it completely.
Another option you will most likely want to enable is muting on the Quick Hide key combo.
Of course Double Vision also makes a great tool for stealthfully surfing the web while "working".
If you are a person who doesn't like to actually work while at work, then this might be the perfect utility for you!
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Interesting tool. But can one actually read stuff while its being half transparent like that? It would drive me crazy!
Or you could install Linux and run Compiz . . . standard feature . . .
LOL. Geek, I think you have just put 1000´s of jobs on the line!!
Only trouble here is that if you choose the [CTRL]+[ESC] option to quickly hide the window and you also choose to MUTE THE SOUND, when you come back the sound is still muted. I reckon this is one of the most annoying things about a program which is otherwise absolutely brilliant! You can go on the UserVoice Feedback Forum (Check the plus sign on: "Can I Make Suggestions to Improve Double Vision +-," another window will open, providing a link to the forum.) Next, you can vote for this to be fixed. I did, and voted a whopping 3 points (maximum) to get this done. (I would have provided all of the back links here in the comment page, but they have used some technology which doesn't allow copying of anything…! even if it will ultimately help them..!)
I don't think it's for reading text, it's for watching movies and tv shows online. I downloaded it and if you listen with your headphones and turn the transparency low, it works great. Plus, when you click the "Double Vision" button, all of the blue that you see in the screen shot disappears making just the video visible. Yeah, just tried reading text and it's impossible. I'd recommend it for videos only, not really web browsing in general. Nice find.
You mean I have to download another program just to get transparency? How 20th century. Standard feature of compiz on linux, then I can use whatever movie player I want.
Don't worry, you windows boys will catch up one day
Good one, but most people can't just install linux on their work computer
hmmmm… install a program on your existing operating system, or install an entirely new operating system… gotta say, im good without linux.
You mean you have to install ADDITIONAL software just to do transparency??? On my Amiga, everything is transparent. Automatically. You Windows guys, sheesh!
Of course, I suppose everything's transparent because my monitor died about 5 years ago and I have to imagine what the machine is displaying. Lack of funds you know.
If you think Amiga graphics are excellent with a monitor, imagine how awesome they are in my imagination!
[Hangs head]
Bot
P.S. Sorry Amiga people. Dumb joke. No offense, heh heh. I actually used to own an Amiga 500. Awesome machine. Too bad Commodore neglected it so badly. But it was still awesome. Though I don't remember any transparency at the time.
You're really suggesting that any windows user who wants transparency should install a completely new OS to take advantage of ONE cool feature? You're right, makes WAY more sense than installing a single application.
Video drivers, sound drivers, printer drivers, ethernet drivers, USB drivers, the ability to easily install software without the use of code+a terminal, actual legitimate support… all standard with Windows. You Linux boys will catch up one day
(Ubuntu excluded)
You mean I have to install another program to listen to music? ….I love my linux based OS's as much as the next guy, but seriously, I think simple functions should come before being transparent.
What's wrong with ctrl+tab for a quick switch? noobs…
What prevents the boss from seeing the transparent image also? I don't think this program would be useful for that sort of thing at all.
and i think jason is thinking of the Alt+Tab for a quick switch.
Actually, Windows has cought up.
Windows transparency has been supported sense Windows 2000, it just isn't used by any built-in Windows software but if you look online there are a ton of programs released years before Compiz existed to take advantage of transparency in Windows.
I'm guessing the reason Microsoft didn't think to include a program like this is because Windows 2000 and Windows XP Professional were targeted at businesses so they didn't want to make it seem like it was an Operating System designed for goofing off which already seemed to be the case due to built-in games like Solitaire (Which as I've heard from other system Administrators, removing the built-in games was something that has been done, in fact one system Administrator for NT 4.0 Workstation said that she kept having to remove Solitaire as the users kept reinstalling it; something I can't see an issue with as a normal user of the corporate systems as playing a game of Solitaire helps to deal with the less then great work days).
Also Windows Vista introduced Windows Aero which enables many cool programs to operate like the following:
Video In Picture ( http://videoinpicture.wikidot.com/ ) - This program creates previews just like the taskbar ones only with the ability to crop the preview to only contain the video part of the running program, shrink or expand the previews size to be whatever you want, move the preview to anywhere on the screen and of course it can be Always on top with a certain level of transparency.
If you still have Windows XP then you can use the following program with has it's own advantages and disadvantages:
Window Extractor ( http://windowextractor.wikidot.com/ ) - This program works similar to the above but it can't create previews, crop or resize video displays. What it does do however, is let you grab objects from almost any program including web browsers like Flash Video from sites like YouTube.
Both programs still have a few bugs as they are still in early development but so is Windows Aero in Windows Vista and the upcoming 7 and compiz on GNU/Linux systems like Ubuntu.
whats a TPS report?
You know, we could all be outside right now doing something…
For all concerned about the linux idea: You can use a usb flash drive to boot a second OS or use a live CD. The New OS would function just like the program mentioned however, the big difference is you can take the flash drive or CD out and no trace. You see I work in IT Net/Security and it is all the users of programs like this that I can bust! All programs whether web based or locally installed leave temp/cache files for me to find. Using a USB bootable device does't. Unless you have a keylogger installed on your computer…You anti-linux people might re-consider when it is your job!
bingojubes….watch the movie office space and you will know. (Definitely worth your time and the $ to rent. You will love it…more so if you have EVER worked in an office…but even if you haven't it is hilarious.)
Mr. IT Net/Security - How secure is it, if your users are allowed to boot on USB/CD/whatever ? :S
Besides, workplaces - most likely using domains - need higher access to join domain, than regular user based.. configuring email klients- proxy, firewall, static ip, dns, etc etc.. - you should know that it isn't for a "common" user
Not to throw rocks, but people in glass houses sink ships!
Havent tried this program, but cant really see the need for such either - nice job making it nevertheless =)
01010111 01001001 01001110 00100001 00100000 01111000 01000100
Yes, Linux and Compiz would get the job done but I think that the point was ..'while at work', which likely would not let you install Linux (or for that matter, install a 3rd party software either.) However, I like this. I think it would be more attractive if it displayed in a small 'inset window' so you can monitor two site simultaneously. -Yes, could watch The Simpsons or Family Guy and still 'work at the computer' but usefulness, -you can watch eBAY to monitor your bit in the final hour while still working on other stuff (or just surfing, or just watching The Simpsons or Family Guy outright..)
I've seen office space about 6 million times and still have not figured out what TPS reports are although I finally got it through my head that we are using the new cover sheets unless we need additional space and I did get the memo so if anyone sends me another copy of that memo that will be the last straw and I am going to burn down the building. Swingline.
Funny, but sometimes if you get catch by your boss, you may be fired, no answers no questions
and who is gonna be responsible if we make a mistake or wrong data is entered….
The Linux fan-boys here are STILL missing a few important points.
Most offices run on Windows machines because that's what your average computer user knows how to use. The Admins and IT guys will probably be using something Linux-based, but they are not "average" computer users.
Fine, you can install and OS on a flash drive. Anyone that's been on the Internet for more than 3 months could have figured that out by using Google. But, you claim you have a strong-hold on your department and it's entirely secure, yet you also claim that these people you are monitoring could easily use a Linux-loaded flash drive without leaving footprints. How does this look on you? Is it more secure now? Aren't you put at a disadvantage? Masters of a trade shouldn't just outright tell everyone their secrets, you know. And you're a Linux user? Congratulations on being a shining example of your group.
Cool! Now I need one for my others softwares, would be very funny be able to do that in any window!
Hey everyone, thanks for taking the time to check out and comment on our Double Vision software. Props to Geek for yet another quality review. We hope to improve Double Vision based on feedback we get so definitely post suggestions etc on the forums or here as we aim to please.
stevetuf
Thanks for the feedback and comments. This issue of the sound mute (wav volume set to zero) is an important one at the top of our list.
Joel
Good suggestions, other added uses like the ebay one that we have heard of folks doing include having stock tickers and web-based chat/support windows set to double vision.
'others'
As many have stated, linux is pretty bada$s, but its not for everyone. So we think this offers some cool features windows users have not been able to enjoy.
As Justin mentioned, transparency has existed for awhile. We feel Double Vision takes it a step further though than other programs because of the ability to click through it to your emails or word docs, or TPS reports*.
Thanks all,
Team DV
p.s.
* TPS - Test Procedure Specification, The Test Procedures are developed from both the Test Design and the Test Case Specification. The document describes how the tester will physically run the test, the physical set-up required, and the procedure steps that need to be followed. The standard defines ten procedure steps that may be applied when running a test.',
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TPS_report
p.p.s. "Why does it say paper jam when there is no paper jam?"
mmmmmmmmm paper jam
how in the world have you seen office space 6 million times and you don't know what a TPS report is? it's at the very beginning!!
"back up in your s with the resurrection"
Nice app! Unfortunately I dont have a job, so i can t make use of it.
Linux USer is correct, Linux can boot from a flash drive/CD and leave no traces and it would also get around lightspeed. Kristi and I have caught children and teachers for all of the 10 years we have been the tech facilitators of FJHS. We are only lucky to have 150 cameras inside and out.