Do you know that your computer is like your car: it needs periodic maintenance to keep it running at optimum performance. Installing and un-installing programs, surfing the Internet, emailing, and other everyday activities create a sort of “sludge” that builds up in your computer over time, much like an automobile engine. After a while, it doesn't startup like when it was new, it stalls unexpectedly, and performance is sluggish on the (information) highway.
Of course, the fastest and easiest way to speed-up your computer is to allow a software program to do it for you! Although you will find that all of the adjustments in this book will speed up your system, the most effective and easiest way to give your computer blazing speed is to clean up your system’s Registry.
We strongly recommend running a free Registry scan to find out how many errors you computer is hiding from you. Your computer will likely have hundreds of Registry errors that are dramatically slowing down the potential speed and performance.
Or you can try the shareware of these registry cleaner programs, such as System Cleaner, Registry First Aid, RegSeeker or TuneUp Utilities 2009 for tune up your Windows XP and/or Vista.
The System Recovery Options menu Windows Vista
contains several tools that can help you recover Windows from a serious error. You can perform repairs to the files that Windows uses to start itself, perform a restore operation using System Restore, and restore your entire computer and system files using backups that you have made previously.
The Recovery Console in earlier versions of Windows has been removed in Vista and replaced by several tools located in the System Recovery Options menu. The System Recovery Options menu is on the Windows installation disc. The menu might also be installed on your hard disk if your computer has pre-installed recovery options.
Here are the tools you can use to recover your system:
Startup Repair
Fixes certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files that might prevent Windows from starting correctly. When you run Startup Repair, it scans your computer for the problem and then tries to fix it so your computer can start correctly.
System Restore
This option helps you restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. It's a way to undo system changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, such as e-mail, documents, or photos. If you use System Restore when the computer is in safe mode, you cannot undo the restore operation. However, you can run System Restore again and choose a different restore point if one exists.
Windows Complete PC Restore
Restores the contents of your hard disk from a backup. Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore is not included with Windows Vista Starter, Windows Vista Home Basic, or Windows Vista Home Premium.
Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
Scans your computer's memory for errors.
Command Prompt
Command Prompt replaces the Recovery Console from earlier versions of Windows. Advanced users can use Command Prompt to perform recovery-related operations and also run other command line tools for diagnosing and troubleshooting problems.
For more detailed information on how to use these tools type in the name of the tool in Windows help.
To access the System Recovery Options menu
- If you have a Windows installation disc:
- Insert the installation disc.
- Restart your computer.
If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc. If your computer is not configured to start from a CD or DVD, check your BIOS settings.
- Choose your language settings, and then click Next.
- Click Repair your computer.
- Select the operating system you want to repair, and then click Next.
- On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool to open it.
If your computer has preinstalled recovery options:
- Remove all floppy disks from your computer, and then restart your computer.
- Do one of the following:
- If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you will need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
- If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press and hold F8.
- On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press Enter.
- Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
- Select a user name and enter the password, and then click OK.
- On the System Recovery Options menu, click a tool to open it.
TeraCopy is a compact program designed to copy and move files at the maximum possible speed.
Features:
- Copy files faster. TeraCopy uses dynamically adjusted buffers to reduce seek times. Asynchronous copy speeds up file transfer between two physical hard drives.
- Pause and resume file transfers. Pause copy process at any time to free up system resources and continue with a single click.
- Error recovery. In case of copy error, TeraCopy will try several times and in the worse case just skips the file, not terminating the entire transfer.
- Interactive file list. TeraCopy shows failed file transfers and lets you fix the problem and recopy only problem files.
- Shell integration. TeraCopy can completely replace Explorer copy and move functions, allowing you work with files as usual.
- 64-bit OS support. Shell integration works in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of XP
Download this tools at Here or Here.
XP Smoker Pro - Is the newer, more powerful version of the Award winning tweaking utility designed specifically for Windows XP a.k.a WinXP. XP Smoker Pro allows you to change a multitude of settings in the registry. These settings can improve the performance of your computer drastically.
XP Smoker Pro includes a State-Of-The-Art internet optimizer that runs a series of tests to optimize your internet connection for blazing fast surfing no matter what connection speed you have whether it be broadband or dialup. XP Smoker Pro Includes 94 extra security settings to safeguard your pc from curious children. XP Smoker Pro is compatible with Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3).
XP Smoker Pro now includes "DriveFreeze" a new feature to lock down your removable storage devices so nobody can use them without your permission. You can lock down USB drives, CD-ROM/DVD drives, and floppy drives.
You can try to use this software by downloading at Here.
Smart Data Recovery by Smart PC Solutions is a perfect solution for rush data recovery. If you have no specialized experience in data recovery, but need your data back right away with no risk, Smart Data Recovery is an ideal tool for you.
Fixing your files and recovering your data, Smart Data Recovery is designed as a fully fool-proof solution. A simple step-by-step wizard guides you through the recovery process, asking you questions that are easy to understand and to answer, such as asking you to pick a disk that contains files to recover. To make things run even smoother, Smart Data Recovery has a U3/USB edition that runs from a flash memory card, minimizing unnecessary writes to the damaged disk.
Smart Data Recovery can often recover files even if your disk has been reformatted (on FAT formatted disks). Smart Data Recovery can recover data from disks formatted with all versions of FAT or NTFS. The pre-recovery preview demonstrates you exactly what the recovered file will look like, making you sure that the recovery is actually possible. Don't take our word on it!
Summary: Recovering data lost due to system malfunction or user error requires hours of work preceded by hours of research from unsuspecting victims. Educate yourself about possible ways to recover data from damaged disks and corrupted flash memory cards before the failure happens.
Smart Data Recovery is compatible with almost all kinds of data storage - from computer hard drives to digital cameras. It also supports flash drives, USB drives, floppy disks, memory sticks, PC cards, multimedia cards, and secure digital cards. The Data Recovery is able to restore all sorts of files, including electronic documents and pictures. It restores files from FAT32 and NTFS hard drives, has really simple interface and is compatible with Windows operations systems. Our aim is to prevent information loss, and prevent you from wasting your time and money. For different reasons, important documents and user files are sometimes lost. Without a recovery tool for documents and files, this may become a huge problem (one that leads to considerable inconveniences, and requires expensive solutions).
Smart Data Recovery applies a simple yet powerful algorithm, which makes it possible to restore your lost data quickly and effectively. You can try to use this tools by downloading at Here.
Lock My PC™ is an easy in use, powerful and compact tool to lock your computer from unauthorized use. When you leave your computer unattended, the program disables the hot keys (including Ctrl+Alt+Del), mouse, locks CD/DVD ROM doors and displays a lock screen. Nobody can access your system without providing the correct unlock password.
Unlike another similar computer lock software that cannot lock Ctrl+Alt+Del on a computer running Windows XP, our Lock My PC runs own keyboard driver to block such key combinations. Moreover, bulletproof startup lock guarantee that when your computer locaked at startup, this lock cannot be bypassed even in safe mode!
Why Lock My PC ?
You don't like snoopers. They are always prying into your e-mail messages, programs, data, files, etc. Lock My PC allows you to lock your computer with a password while you leave it unattended. You can lock your computer manually, with a menu or hotkey, or set up auto lock when your computer is idle.
Features and benefits:
- Quick and safe computer lock by hot key, or mouse click
- Autolock when computer is idle
- Correct Ctrl+Alt+Del lock
- Bulletproof startup lock (couldn't be bypassed in safe mode)
- Different installation mode - setup for home or corporate use
- CD/DVD-ROM doors lock
- Multi-user support
- Multimonitor support
- Auto turnoff when computer is locked for a long time
- Blind password option
- Stealth mode
- Windows XP x64 compatibility
- Custom lock screens
- Cycling lock screen images
- Screen saving effects
- Lock screen transparency - you can view movies under the locked screen
- Password protected settings, quit and uninstall
- Command line options
- and many more ...
Difference from standard Windows XP computer lock feature
A lot of users believe that Lock My PC (as well as any other third party computer lock software) is useless because Windows XP has integrated computer lock feature. Well, indeed, you can simply press Win+L on Windows XP computer keyboard and your screen will be safely locked. What advantages Lock My PC has over Windows computer lock?
First of all, when your computer is locked by Windows Lock feature, anyone who has Windows Administrative privileges can unlock your computer. Such unlock will force to close your session (all unsaved changes will be lost). If Welcome screen option is enabled on your computer (the default settings for non-domain computer), Win+L doesn't lock the computer at all - it temporary switches the user off and displays the welcome screen - if you share your computer with others, they can logon with their usernames and use your computer. Moreover, if you share your account with other users (it's common for home PC), Windows XP lock feature is useless at all - your folks will unlock your computer without any problem.
Another benefits of Lock My PC in comare with Windows lock feature:
- Custom lock screens and transparent lock screen options - your computer can be used as a presentation machine - the screen displays pictures or video, but nobody can touch your computer;
- Secure Lock before Windows welcome/logon screen;
- Displaying unsuccesfull unlock attempts - you will be notified if anyone tried to unlock your computer;
- If Lock My PC is used in muilti-user mode, a supervisor can unlock the computer without closing user session;
- You can lock CD/DVD ROM doors along with the desktop, keyboard and mouse - this can prevent CD media from being stolen while you are out;
- Command line support allows you to use Lock My PC in Internet kiosks.
Safe and secure
Lock My PC provides reliable locking mechanism that impossible to bypass:
Keyboard driver installed with Lock My PC blocks different key combinations like Ctrl+Alt+Del, Alt+Tab, Ctrl+Esc and many others.
Booletproof startup lock ("Always lock at startup" option) displays password prompt box before Windows logon/welcome screen and (unlikle the most of desktop locking software) bannot be bypassed in Windows safe mode.
Easy to use
As soon as the installation completed, double click on the Lock My PC tray icon to lock the computer.
Right click on the tray icon to get access to the program settings. All settings are groupped by cathegoriies.
Autolock computer after certain time of inactivity
You can set up Lock My PC to lock your desktop automatically if the computer is idle during a certain period of time. Moreover you can set up Lock My PC to switch the computer off (Hibernate, Standby etc.) if your computer was locked during a certain period of time.
Stealth mode
Lock My PC can work in stealth mode. Stealth mode is a state when the program is running on your computer but does not show any sign of its presence in memory. To activate stealth mode, enable options "Do not show tray icon at startup" and "Hide Lock My PC from Task Manager".
Two installation modes
Lock My PC can be used both in single-user and multi-user environment. During the installation process, you will instruct Setup wehter to install Lock My PC in single-user mode or in multi-user mode.
In single-user mode, Setup will create Lock My PC shortcuts only for you. Locked computer can be unlocked only with your password. Some advanced options for corporate use will be blocked. This mode is ideal for home use.
In multi-user mode, Setup will create Lock My PC shortcuts for all user accounts. Each Lock My PC user will have their own password. The user who installed Lock My PC will be Lock My PC Administrator and his/her password - the administator's password. This mode is ideal for corporate use.
Custom Lock Screens
Lock My PC comes with a set of different lock screens. Lock screens are located in LockScreens subfolder of Lock My PC program folder.
You can create your own Lock Screen pictures and use them with Lock My PC. Your computer will look cool and unique when it is locked. You can use GIF, JPEG, BMP and animated GIF images as lock screens. Lock Screen transparency level option will allow you to vary the transparency from fully opaque to fully transparent. The latter allows you to lock keyboard and mouse only and may be helpful when you are watching videos or running presentations on your PC.
By the way, you can get this nice tool by downloading at Here.
Do you know that everything you do on your computer leaves a trace: internet browsing, emails, recent files, chats, and on and on.
Remembering all the places to erase those tracks is not the answer.
Software can delete a few of those tracks, but not everything!
Hidden Desktop allows you to work in safety, it provides you a secret hidden desktop, so everything you do is kept private and your business. Your files and folders are locked away from all searches. Just press your hotkey and no one will ever know your secret desktop exist. Never worry about something being discovered again!
It hides (nearly) all of your private things (secrets), such as :
- Internet (history, temporary files, cookies and favorites)
- Files and Documents (MS Word, Excel, etc.)
- Emails
- Chats and history
- Pictures and Videos
- and lots of things that you want to keep privately
More Features:
- No need to manage cookies or browsing history
- Keep your existing Desktop for non-private work
- Secure and Hide all your files, videos, and pictures
- All activity is hidden with no traces
- Panic hotkey to quickly log off and revert back to public desktop
- Works with nearly all browsers, chat, and email programs
- Save and Store unlimited files and folders
- Even hides itself if you walk away from your computer!
Download this nice tool at Here.
DriverMax is a new software which allows you to easily reinstall all your Windows drivers. No more searching for rare drivers on discs or on the web or inserting one installation CD after the other. Simply export all your current drivers (or just the ones that work OK) to a folder or a compressed file. After reinstalling Windows you will have everything in one place!
Most of the situations when Windows is running slower are caused by faulty driver installations. Windows stores all versions of older drivers just in case you want to go back; sometimes it messes up older versions with more recent ones. The Export Wizard will only export the drivers you select by copying the needed files to a folder or a compressed ZIP file.
After reinstalling Windows all drivers will be back in place in less than 5 minutes - sparing you of searching, inserting disc after disk and losing precious time. The Import Drivers wizard allows you to install all the drivers that you exported earlier. The entire operation might take up to 5-10 minutes.
Just one single computer restart will be required after all drivers are reinstalled!
DriverMax is able to display a complete report of all drivers (versions, release dates) installed on your system. This feature can also be very useful when you want to analyze the differences between the drivers installed on different machines.
Download DriverMax at Here or Here.
Microsot has just released SP3 Build 5508 RC2 on March 25, 2008. Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers’ experience with the operating system.
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) provides new proactive security technologies for Windows XP to better defend against viruses, worms, and hackers along with increased manageability and an improved experience for users.
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 fixes a range of bugs in Windows XP. It doesn’t matter what XP updates you have previously applied to your system, SP3 will update any unpatched, partially patched or completely updated system (it includes all previously released patches and updates). XP SP3 fixes the security holes so you won’t get attacked.
Microsoft periodically combines updates, fixes, and other improvements into a single package - Service Pack. Microsoft develops updates, fixes, and other improvements that address issues reported by the company’s customers and partners. To make it easier for customers to get these updates and enhancements, Microsoft periodically combines them into a single package, and makes that package available for all Windows customers.
These packages are called service packs”, Microsoft revealed in the introduction of the Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3. With the Release Candidates of Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 heading to increased testing pools the past week, and with Microsoft cooking the first public build of the first refresh for its latest Windows client, the official overview for XP SP3 is the only crumb from the service pack fiesta over at the Redmond company. The Release Candidate of XP SP3 in a pre-final stage has already shipped to MSDN and TechNet subscribers.
As of March 25, 2008, Windows XP users are able to grab their very own XP SP3 RC2 Refresh Build 5508. The latest development milestone of the third and final service pack for XP is available for download exclusively via Windows Update, the update infrastructure Microsoft has built for its operating systems. Unlike the previous XP SP3 Release Candidate 2, Build 5508 does not come as a standalone package.
"The purpose of RC2 Refresh is to validate improvements to the Windows Update experience with Service Pack 3. Therefore, this beta release will be available only on Windows Update, in English, German and Japanese. Beyond fixes for common Windows Update issues and the inclusion of support for HD Audio, there are no substantial differences between this beta release (build 5508) and XP SP3 RC2 (build 3311)", revealed the Release Manager for Windows Serviceability.
Build 5508 is offered as an update to Windows XP SP2. This release does not support build to build upgrades, and this is why Microsoft is advising all XP SP3 testers to uninstall the RC2 Build 3311 version before applying Build 5508. At the same time Microsoft warned end users that despite the public availability of XP SP3 RC2 Refresh, the release is still a beta build and should only be deployed in testing environments.
XP SP3 RC2 Refresh includes all previously released updates for the operating system, similar to earlier service packs. It also includes previously released updates to the latest versions of some system components, as well as functionality that make it easier for enterprises to co-manage both Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista PCs within same corporate environment", added the Release Manager for Windows Serviceability.
What Microsoft is essentially offering with the download for Build 5508 is a script designed to tweak the registry of Windows XP SP2 systems in order to help them identify XP SP3 RC2 Refresh over the Windows Update servers. Without the registry tweak XP SP2 machines will not detect RC2 Refresh.
"The application to enable download of XP SP3 RC2 Refresh is the same application as was used to distribute XP SP3 RC2. This is an application that can be found at the Microsoft Download Center. Running this application on a machine with Windows XP Service Pack 2 will enable Windows Update to offer XP SP3 RC2 Refresh to that machine", concluded the Release Manager for Windows Serviceability.
You can download this new release of SP3 directly at Here.
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) provides new proactive security technologies for Windows XP to better defend against viruses, worms, and hackers along with increased manageability and an improved experience for users.
Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 fixes a range of bugs in Windows XP. It doesn't matter what XP updates you have previously applied to your system, SP3 will update any unpatched, partially patched or completely updated system (it includes all previously released patches and updates). XP SP3 fixes the security holes so you won't get attacked.
Microsoft periodically combines updates, fixes, and other improvements into a single package - Service Pack. Microsoft develops updates, fixes, and other improvements that address issues reported by the company’s customers and partners. To make it easier for customers to get these updates and enhancements, Microsoft periodically combines them into a single package, and makes that package available for all Windows customers.
"These packages are called service packs", Microsoft revealed in the introduction of the Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3. With the Release Candidates of Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 heading to increased testing pools the past week, and with Microsoft cooking the first public build of the first refresh for its latest Windows client, the official overview for XP SP3 is the only crumb from the service pack fiesta over at the Redmond company. The Release Candidate of XP SP3 in a pre-final stage has already shipped to MSDN and TechNet subscribers.
Btw, you can download Windows XP SP3 at Here.
Welcome to the world's largest file search engine!
If you have ever searched for, sent or received any files online, you've probably heard of RapidShare - the world's premium site for uploading files. Literally millions of files are uploaded to RapidShare every day; from photos and movies, to music albums, to software packages. But there is only one one problem... RapidShare doesn't allow you to search their files. So if you are looking for something specific, you don't know where to go.
And here's the solution!
The Collectors.com have built a sophisticated software that locates RapidShare file links on the Web and allows you to search for them. Your only task is to enter your keywords, such as movie title, actress name, song or album title, and so on. Its software will browse through the Web looking for RapidShare links with your keywords in the title or description, and will present you a comprehensive list with results.
The whole RapidShare world - at your fingertips...
This software allows you to search the 3.5 Petabytes (yes, that's 3,500,000,000,000,000 bytes!) of files that are stored on RapidShare servers. From now on, whatever file you want to find, you'll get it there.
You can get tis tool at Here.
Windows Vista from Microsoft takes a lot of resources, we all know that. So here is the tool for easy removal of unwanted components and bootable ISO creation in order to make Vista run faster and to your liking.
vLite is a tool for customizing the Windows Vista installation before actually installing it. This tool doesn't use any kind of hacking, all files and registry entries are in their original form and protected as they would be if you install the full version only without the components you select for the removal.
It configures the installation directly before the installation, meaning you'll have to remake the ISO and reinstall it. This method is much cleaner, not to mention easier and more logical than doing it after installation on every reinstall.
For more info and download link, visit here. Its Free!
This DVD5 ISO image file contains the security updates for Windows released on Windows Update on January 8th, 2008. The image does not contain security updates for other Microsoft products.
This DVD5 ISO image is intended for administrators that need to download multiple individual language versions of each security update and that do not use an automated solution such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
You can use this ISO image to download multiple updates in all languages at the same time. For more info about this, you can visit here. Download this ISO at here now.
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1; Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 for Itanium-based Systems; Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2; Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 x64 Edition; Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition; Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition; Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition; Windows Vista; Windows Vista Business 64-bit edition; Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit edition; Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition; Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition; Windows XP Professional x64 Edition ; Windows XP Service Pack 2
Microsoft® Silverlight™ is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering the next generation of .NET based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web.
Silverlight offers a flexible programming model that supports AJAX, VB, C#, Python, and Ruby, and integrates with existing Web applications. Silverlight supports fast, cost-effective delivery of high-quality video to all major browsers running on the Mac OS or Windows.
Deliver media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web that incorporate video, animation, interactivity, and stunning user interfaces. Seamless, fast installation for users, thanks to a small, on-demand, easy-to-install plug-in that is under 2 megabytes (MB) in size and works with all leading browsers.
Consistent experiences between Windows-based and Macintosh computers without any additional installation requirements. Create richer, more compelling Web experiences that take greater advantage of the client for increased performance.
Stunning vector-based graphics, media, text, animation, and overlays that enable seamless integration of graphics and effects into any existing Web application. Enhance existing standards/AJAX-based applications with richer graphics and media, and improve their performance and capabilities by using Silverlight.
Download Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 at here or here.
The Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 builds incrementally on the new features added in .NET Framework 3.0. For example, feature sets in Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Windows CardSpace.
In addition, .NET Framework 3.5 contains a number of new features in several technology areas which have been added as new assemblies to avoid breaking changes. New Web protocol support for building WCF services including AJAX, JSON, REST, POX, RSS, ATOM, and several new WS-* standards. Full tooling support in Visual Studio 2008 for WF, WCF, and WPF, including the new workflow-enabled services technology.
Deep integration of Language Integrated Query (LINQ) and data awareness. This new feature will let you write code written in LINQ-enabled languages to filter, enumerate, and create projections of several types of SQL data, collections, XML, and DataSets by using the same syntax. New classes in .NET Framework 3.5 base class library (BCL) that address many common customer requests.
You can download this recommended update here:
Part1 Part2 Part3
Enjoy!
If you're like me, then you probably have friends and family using a variety of IM networks. One way to talk with people on each one of these networks is to open an account for each and then download and install each IM client on your computer. However, running four different IM applications on your computer uses a lot of system resources, is difficult to manage, and broadens your attack surface.
Therefore, I would recommend using a multi-protocol IM client. These applications not only allow you to connect to multiple IM networks, but they are also advertisement free, more secure, and have features that allow you to easily manage your various IM accounts.
For many Gaim would be the first choice. It supports AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, and Zephyr IM networks and is available for multiple platform as as well. It's a solid choice but it's not by cup of tea. I've found it resource heavy and the interface confusing though I must admit the customizability though Guifications is an attractive feature. Trillian Basic is easier to use than Gaim, is less resource greedy and easier on the eye as well . It supports the AIM, ICQ, IRC, MSN, and Yahoo networks. Now, if you're a power user and want support for more networks and the ability to add features via plug-ins, then definitely check out Miranda Instant Messenger.
In addition to the networks supported by Trillian, it has native support for Gadu-Gadu and Jabber (it also will connect to the Google Talk network with a little plug-in tweaking). Its interface is minimalist, but the application is very extensible through the use of plug-ins. Miranda IM is now my IM client of choice
My friend, Fitra, recently started the long task of ripping her 1200 CDs to her hard disk. She knew it was a huge job and one she certainly wanted to do only once. So, before I started to help her, I was determined made sure I did it right.
There are lots of rippers available. All media players including Windows Media Player can rip. There are also some great freebies plus a host of commercial rippers. Most will rip to WAV, MP3 and usually several other formats.
After a lot of experimentation I ended up with three rippers to evaluate in detail: CDEX, Exact Audio Copy and AudioGrabber. All are free. If your CDs are like mine then some will be scratched or have lots of finger-marks. These can cause pops and crackles in the ripped file. Rippers vary greatly in their ability to handle these problems. Some will simply get stuck; others will skip forward over the problem or even create a silent gap.
The best programs will try repeatedly to fix the problem with no audible effects. Of the three products I tested, one product was outstanding in its ability to handle CD imperfections. That product was Exact Audio Copy.
I'm now two thirds of the way through my ripping exercise. Of the 800 or so CDs ripped I've only had 7 tracks that EAC couldn't rip perfectly. Given the condition of some of my CDs, that's a mighty impressive performance.
EAC can rip to WAV, MP3 (using the excellent LAME encoder), OGG, FLAC, APE and more. CD rippers interact strongly with your CD hardware so it's possible EAC may not work with your particular CD drive. If that's the case, try CDEX and AudioGrabber. While their performance with scratched CDs is not as good as EAC they are both outstanding freeware products.
I looked at a whole batch of free VDMs including VirtuaWin, Microdesk, Dexpot and Virtual Desktop Toolbox. VirtuaWin is a competent but basic product that depends on third-party modules for extra features but unfortunately there aren't many around.
Microdesk comes with more standard features such as 99 desktops, configurability of each desktop (name, password, wallpaper and icons), an attractive interface and a configurable transparent menu above the tray bar to navigate between desktops. However, there is no detailed FAQ and no forum.
Dexpot allows even more configurability for each of its 20 possible desktops with its well-organized interface and enables easy switching between desktops and quick movement of windows. However, the online documentation is very incomplete and the most active section of the online forum is in German.
Virtual Desktop Toolbox is loaded with features which the other three lack. The negative is that it takes a little longer to learn. However, the pain is eased by the very thorough user's guide and tips and tricks folder included in the installation and also available online at here and here.
Note that to unlock some time and feature restrictions to Virtual Desktop Toolbox's evaluation version you need to take out a free registration. The four VDMs I reviewed are all very capable products but I recommend Virtual Desktop Toolbox because of its outstanding features list and excellent support. Once you have learned how to use it you will improve your organization and productivity, perhaps drastically so.
I must confess that I'm not a great fan of the practice of routinely deleting duplicate files from PCs. Sure it can free up some disk space but it can also get inexperienced users into a great deal of trouble.
There are quite a few duplicate file detection utilities around but CloneSpy is the one that impresses me the most. It's certainly not the fastest program in its class but it's definitely the smartest. First, you can specifically select what is to be scanned and this can include multiple drives, multiple folders or just individual folders.
Second, it has the ability to detect duplicates by CRC, by file name, by CRC and file name and by file name and size.
Third, it will also detect zero length files.
Fourth, the program does not need to be installed but can be run from the executable so it's a good candidate for your USB Flash drive toolkit.
Finally, it throws up duplicates to the user in a way that at least makes you think about what you are deleting. Click-happy users may find this latter feature an annoyance; to me it's a safety feature. Safety feature or not, please read the help file and use with care. In particular do NOT include your Windows folder in your scan unless you are a knowledgeable technical user.
Open Workbench is a free Open Source project manager that is so feature rich and so powerful that it should at least be considered before any decision is made to purchase a commercial project management package. It's a product that takes time to get your head around.
If you have been using Microsoft Project or other task based manager you'll have to re-orient your thinking because Open Workbench is resource-driven not task-driven.
"An Open Workbench plan is built up from estimates for the tasks of work. Estimates are tied to the resource assigned to the tasks. Duration is then driven by the number of hours each resource will work per week to cover the total number of hours required for the tasks. Open Workbench is best suited for groups that estimate total work effort based on the estimates for all the tasks associated with a project, and then create a staffing plan and schedule for those estimates."
Once you come to terms with this, you will still have to grapple with learning how to use this powerful product. Here is a partial feature list:
- Define projects and create associated work breakdown structures with activities, phases, tasks and milestones
- Create dependencies as finish-start, start-start, finish- finish or start-finish
- Create subprojects and link them to master projects
- Create and manage inter-project dependencies
- Manage advanced task properties such as fixed duration, dependency lag, imposed start/end dates and charge codes
- Schedule tasks manually or automatically using Auto Schedule
- Automatically schedule tasks forwards or backwards
- Schedule across linked master and subprojects
- Schedule to general or individualized calendars
- Define resources as people, equipment, materials or expense
- Assign resources to tasks
- Configure resources on tasks with uniform, fixed, contour, front or back loading
- Track status, percent complete and estimates to complete
- View Gantt charts (both detail and roll-up), PERT charts and the critical path
- Conduct earned value analysis
- Define, compare and reset project baseline setting
- Can read Microsoft Project files
Open Workbench is the real thing, not some amateurish, half baked effort. Like Microsoft Project, it is best suited to large scale projects that can justify the considerable time it takes to learn the product. Those with smaller projects may want to consider some of the simpler (and less powerful) alternatives such as GanttPV or ToDoList.
