When you create a project in MPLABX, none of the files that it creates can be used to open MPLABX. Instead, you have to open MPLABX and then open your project by navigating to it (or leave it open in MPLABX when you close the IDE). I have devised a means to open a project in MPLABX by double clicking on a file.
 
(MPLABX is based on Netbeans version 6, so I imagine something similar could be done to open Netbeans projects. I'm not familiar with the native Netbeans or other types of Netbeans projects, so I'm just guessing here.)
 
Basically, it works by saving a script that opens MPLABX with a command line, sending it the project's folder path. I rename the script file with extension ".mplabx" and then set up an association that calls the scripting engine for that type of file. I chose to use VBScript as the language for this.
  1. Create a VBScript file. See attachment for source code. It looks for a folder that ends with ".X", in the same directory as the script file. If more than one is found, it looks for a folder with a similar name as the script file, e.g. MyProject.mplabx will open the project in the folder named MyProject.X.
  2. Rename the script file to ".mplabx".
  3. Add an association to the Windows registry for opening .mplabx as a file that can be run by the Windows scripting host. The most important part here is the HKCR\MPLABXFile\ScriptEngine\(Default Value) needs to be set to "VBScript". The attached registry file sets up this association and sets the icon for the new file type. This reg file is based on the built-in .vbs and VBSFile keys.
  4. Add an environment variable named "MPLABX" which points to the installation location of MPLABX. The command sent by the script uses that variable to determine the location, like this: "%MPLABX%\mplab_ide\bin\mplab_ide.exe"
 

 

Traffic Question 15: Mailing a letter

Traffic Question 15:

During a period of heavy traffic, you want to mail a letter and then head in the direction of the pink arrow. How do you do it?

  1. Stop at Mailbox A, then do a U turn
  2. Park in a spot near Mailbox A, then turn left out of the parking lot
  3. Use Mailbox A, then use the left turn lane at the intersection to do a legal U turn
  4. Turn right at the main street, turn left into the parking lot for Mailbox B, then go through the intersection in the desired direction

Traffic Question 14: A traffic light turns yellow and you’re not quite going to make it through before it turns red... what do you do?

Traffic Question 14:

A traffic light turns yellow and you’re not quite going to make it through before it turns red... what do you do?

  1. Stomp on the gas pedal and zoom through
  2. Continue through the intersection without any change in speed
  3. Wait until the last second and then stomp on the brake
  4. Start coming to a gradual stop immediately
  5. None of the above

Traffic Question 9: If you get a phone call while you’re driving, what do you do?

traffic-09q.pngTraffic Question 9: If you get a phone call while you’re driving, what do you do?

A. Answer it right away

B. Wait until you get to a stop light and call back.

C. Stop at a stop sign and call back.

D. See who it is. If you think it might be an emergency, park the car in a designated parking area and then call back.

(Yes, this is pretty similar to #2 If you get a text while you’re driving... The main difference is, texting on the phone is illegal whereas talking on the phone is legal. At least in Moline.)

Traffic Question 12: Which of the following are factors in whether or not a vehicle is going to be slower than normal?

Traffic Question 12:

Which of the following are factors in whether or not a vehicle is going to be slower than normal?

* Car is Buick, Cadillac, or similar type

* One or more children are present

* Vehicle is a minivan

* Age of driver is over 60

* Handicapped license plates

* Driver is using cell phone

* Vehicle is a "sporty" color

* Driver is female

Traffic Quiz 6: Is it possible to back out of a driveway and use only one lane?

traffic-06q.pngTraffic Question 6:

The blue dots indicate the path used to pull IN the driveway.

Is it possible to back out of a driveway and head in the direction indicated by the pink arrow, using only one lane of the road?

A. No, one lane is not enough room.

B. Yes, it can be done in one lane.