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Old 02-28-2009, 10:50 AM   #1 (permalink)
Hain
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Location: middle of Whywouldanyonebethere
Converting BAT to EXE / Running Skype with Removable Switch

I have been looking for a process to convert a BAT script to an EXE. I know next to nothing about compiling but I would be willing to learn. If it is too complex to learn in under 20 minutes, then I might as well settle for a free application that can do it.

I have found a couple of programs that do this, but a quick Google search reveals that users have found malicious files with some of the programs. These may be false positives, or false warnings from those intending to bad-mouth applications. Still, it makes me wary of trying any applications from people that I do not trust.


My intention is to create an EXE which will be seen by my PortableApps Menu. PortableApps is a rather handy application site with popular programs and utilities that do not need to be installed, and can be run straight from a USB device on any computer. Their forums state that any application that would "over-shadow" Skype is against the [Skype] EULA (or possibly theirs, I don't know). This doesn't make sense; why would Skype write a program that has these command switches if they can't be changed in the program itself? Is it illegal for me to run Skype with the removable switch engaged from the command line? No. I quickly read through the EULA and I do not see why this would against the agreement. I am not modifying code, I am not creating "derivative works", and "Skype Software may be incorporated into software and other technology owned and controlled by third parties". Either way, it is silly that Skype doesn't offer a portable Skype, or a program that would call Skype in removable mode.

My current BAT script looks like this:
Code:
@TITLE Starting Portable Skype
@ECHO Skype is starting in Removable Mode
@ECHO skype.exe /datapath:"Data" /removable
@ECHO -  -  -  -  - 
@ECHO It is safe to close this command dialog once Skype has started
@ECHO For further information, go to
@ECHO http://www.von-phone.com/portable-skype.php
@ECHO or Google search 'portable skype'
@CD "\PortableApps\Skype\App"
@skype.exe /datapath:"Data" /removable
@EXIT
Only that last line is important. This BAT is adequate, but a nuisance as I have to close the dialog window after Skype starts. The command line (I believe) is waiting for skype.exe to end before continuing with the script.

Any thoughts?


Skype End User License Agreement - (2) License and Restrictions (url: http://www.skype.com/legal/eula/#license_restr )
Skype End User License Agreement - (2) License and Restrictions   click to show 

Skype End User License Agreement (url: http://www.skype.com/legal/eula/ )
Skype End User License Agreement   click to show 
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