You cannot pass arguments to functions with Rundll32

rundll32 is not a good choice if you need to invoke arbitrary Windows functions. The many reasons have discussed at length by Raymond Chen (1, 2, 3). Another pitfall that is not often mentioned is that there is no way to pass arguments to the function you call. Well, you can pass a single string if the function's signature matches what rundll32 expects. rundll32 will not parse out any numbers for you; in fact, it won't split the extra command line parts at all. All it does is pass a pointer to that string (LPSTR) at a certain point on the stack.

So, if you're trying to call a function that takes any set of arguments other than(HWND, HINSTNACE, LPSTR, int), you will, in effect, be passing random parameters. And by "random" I don't mean "something bizarrely different than what you intended" but "actually nondeterministic", as in the function very well might do completely different things from one run to the next.

If you need to call arbitrary functions from DLLs, consider using PowerShell to P/Invoke the API, or just write a real program to do it.

Do Not Use - Strange Form-Factor PCs

Today, I had to deal with an HP Pavilion Slimline 400 that would only power on intermittently despite passing all PSU tests. Though I'm fairly sure the power supply unit is OK, I spent some time researching a replacement. What I discovered is that the Slimline 400 with its half-widthness is the only PC model ever to use this style of power supply. I went to a computer store with a bajillion different types of PSUs, but all the normal ones (and crazy ones) they had were always slightly different than this one, different enough to not work.

Previous experiences just reinforce my irritation with PCs with strange form factors or cases. It just makes maintenance and upgrade more difficult. Also, it's super difficult to find parts that fit the special arrangement of the case. Sure, it's not very original, but you know why there are so many generic beige-box PCs?

They work.

Do Not Use - Pixela Camera Utilities

Canon "FS" video cameras ship with a whole ton of software installation discs. The cameras are great, the software not so much. This is similar to the junk you get when purchasing a new computer from most big-name companies: not-so-great video editors, default music files, and generally useless stuff. It's true that one of those utilities is "necessary" to transfer the video files from the camera, but there's another, probably cheaper, way to do it. Instead of buying all those discs (I'm fairly certain it's actually optional), just get a USB-adapted SD card reader. Pop the card out of the camera, connect it through the reader, and copy the video files out with Explorer. Much cheaper, less junkware.

Do Not Use - Print Shop Pro

Broderbund Print Shop Pro is a pretty nice application. It contains a huge amount of templates for printing on and designing for special papers types in addition to having a massive library of clip art-like stuff. However, it really messes with your system when you actually go to print. The times I have attempted to use it, my printer spooler went insane. I don't remember what I had to do to fix it, but it was awful. There's got to be another good way to lay out labels and special documents - PSP just breaks stuff.

Do Not Use - Blackbaud (NetClassroom)

New series time!  In "Do Not Use", I will talk about applications that should not be considered when setting up a new system.  This time, it's Blackbaud, also known as NetClassroom.  Blackbaud is a school management system, so its purpose is to keep track of student grades, assignments, attendance, and other school stuff that only teachers need to worry about.  It does keep track of those things fine, but its interface is just not good.  Turning in an assignment is painful; it requires going through a menu with "Advanced" in the title and other steps.  The authentication system seems to have some sort of problem: the program has forgotten my password at least two times now.  Yes, I am certain I remember it.  Yes, I am certain I am typing it correctly.  Blackbaud forgets user passwords.  In addition to that, it throws some sort of COM error when I try to log in with Chrome on my home computer.  It's impossible to upload files from a Mac because it requires the client to use a Windows common dialog.  Submission of files is done through a strange pop-up window that forces you to navigate through a variety of classification levels before letting you even see the list of things eligible to be turned in.  The teachers also report annoyances with it, which I haven't seen in person but I believe.  Please spare your students and teachers a major hassle and use something like Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, or even Focus for your SIS.