The Old New Thing
Practical development throughout the evolution of Windows.
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Dec 25, 2025
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Reading the fine print, episode 4: Holiday promotions
Checking those validity dates.
Dec 25, 2025
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0
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2
Why is the last letter of my string not making it to the clipboard?
The struggle for null termination.
Dec 24, 2025
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4
Why does my <KBD>Ctrl</KBD>+<KBD>M</KBD> accelerator key activate when I press the <KBD>Enter</KBD> key?
Understanding the difference between keys and characters for accelerators.
Dec 23, 2025
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4
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When irate product support customers demand to speak to Bill Gates
So transfer them to his office, or so it seems.
Dec 22, 2025
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25
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All the other cool languages have <CODE>try</CODE>…<CODE>finally</CODE>. C++ says “We have <CODE>try</CODE>…<CODE>finally</CODE> at home.”
The destructor serves as the "finally".
Dec 19, 2025
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A shortcut gives me a weird path for a program shortcut that doesn’t point to the executable, so what is it?
It's a placeholder because the shortcut is to an MSI application.
Dec 18, 2025
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10
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4
Concluding thoughts on our deep dive into Windows clipboard text conversion
Stick to Unicode and you'll be fine.
Dec 17, 2025
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Deducing the consequences of Windows clipboard text formats on UTF-8
Working out the implications.
Dec 16, 2025
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Why is the Windows clipboard taking the scenic route when converting from <CODE>CF_<WBR>TEXT</CODE> to <CODE>CF_<WBR>OEMTEXT</CODE>?
Something is forcing it down an alternate path.