I have been very very lazy for the last few weeks. It's been hot and humid around my neck of the woods and frankly I have had no great enthusiasm to sit at the computer and do a little writing for the blog. I am sorry for those who expect to see interesting and useful stuff published on a regular basis.
Well, today I felt I could finally come up with some good stuff, which I have been reviewing on some of my favorite computer publications. First, from PCWorld Patrick Miller tech writer, here goes:
(I am not selecting all the items in his publication because it would be too long. However I made a selection of those tips that I think all of you readers of this blog will find very practical and useful).
Super Software Secrets:
The apps you use most--your Web browser, productivity tools, media managers, and Windows and its built-in accessories--are more powerful than you realize. They are loaded with unpublicized features that make your PC easier to use, they respond to superquick keyboard shortcuts that you've never heard about, and they support add-ons and plug-ins that can shave minutes or even hours off of mundane daily chores.
But finding these shortcuts and obscure features usually means perusing dusty manuals or digging through intimidating help menus, and many of the most useful tips are ones that you would never have thought to look for in the first place. Fortunately, you don't have to do the searching yourself--we've done it for you. Read on for the mother lode of expert software secrets.
Work Your Windows Key:
Quickly view your system specs: Press Windows-Pause to bring up the System Info window. This keyboard shortcut can be especially handy if you're troubleshooting a PC and need to pull up the system's specs in a hurry.
Launch taskbar apps: Put your most commonly used applications in the taskbar, and you'll use your mouse a lot less. Pressing Windows plus any number key will launch the program in the corresponding taskbar slot (so Windows-1 will open Windows Explorer, Windows-2 will open the app positioned to the right of Explorer, and so on).
Run apps from anywhere: You can launch applications and set parameters from your keyboard, without having to waste time digging through the Start menu to find the one you want to use. Press Windows-R to bring up the Run dialog box.
Fix the Small Stuff
Don't lose your work to automatic updates: Windows Update often forces your PC to restart after it finishes updating the operating system with the latest fixes--and if you're away from your desk with an unsaved document open at the time, you'll lose your work. To prevent this from happening, open Windows Update in the Control Panel, click Change settings, and in the drop-down menu select Download updates but let me choose whether to install them. That way, you'll never again get burned by a post-update reboot.
Safely remove memory cards without waiting: You're supposed to use the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the system tray before unplugging memory cards and the like--but waiting for it is such a pain that you'll be itching to pull your memory card without waiting for Safely Remove Hardware to do its thing. The key to making quick removal safe is to ensure that Windows isn't writing to the card without your knowledge; if the operating system behaves itself, you can eject the card whenever you want without corrupting your data. To adjust your settings, first right-click the memory card in Windows Explorer, choose Properties, click the Hardware tab, select the memory card reader, and choose Properties; then click the Policies tab (you may have to click the ‘Change settings' button before Policies shows up), and choose Optimize for quick removal. Henceforth, you won't need Safely Remove Hardware.
Mastering Microsoft Office
While your job might be sheer drudgery on certain assignments, working in Office doesn't have to be. Office has its fair share of hidden secrets that can lighten the load of your workday.
Convert your PDF files: PDF to Word is a neat Web service that converts PDF files to Word format so that you can edit them. Alternatively, you can download Nitro PDF Reader, an app that comes from the same company and offers similar features.
Maximize your macros: If you spend a significant amount of time in Word, consider using the built-in Macro function to record and automate repetitive tasks. First enable the Developer tab (in Office 2007): Click the Office button in the upper-left corner, choose Word Options, and check Show Developer tab in the Ribbon. Then switch to the Developer tab in your document, and you can record your own macros (global as well as document-specific) and assign them to keys or toolbar buttons.
Navigate with your thumbnails: Scrolling through long Word documents is a waste of time. Click the View tab and check the Thumbnails box to add a bar on the left side of the window that you can use to skip quickly from page to page.
Find a lost e-mail message: By default, in its All Items searches, Outlook 2007 doesn't include e-mail messages consigned to the Deleted Items folder. If you're looking for a missive that you think you may have deleted, select Tools, Options, Preferences, and click Search Options. Check the box under ‘Deleted Items' that says Include messages from the Deleted Items folder in each data file when searching in All Items, and you may be able to pull your missing mail out of the trash.
Web Browser Tricks and Scripts
Like the exploding ballpoint pen and powerful laser watch that James Bond found so handy in GoldenEye, your browser can do more than meets the eye. Whether you are Firefox friendly or an Internet Explorer devotee, plenty of great add-ons are available for customizing and controlling your Web browsing experience.
Take advantage of the tips in this section, and you'll never again have to endure a lost comment or forum post, spend precious time stripping unwanted formatting out of blocks of copied and pasted text, or waste sheets of paper every time you print out a copy of a Web page. Besides being easy on your processor, these practical add-ons are free, so load up on them.
Firefox Fans Only
Make Gmail better: Grab Better Gmail 2, a suite of scripts and add-ons designed to fix some of Gmail's niggling annoyances. With Better Gmail 2, your mouse will highlight the e-mail message that you hover it over, the Unread count in the Gmail window will appear first (so that it won't get cut off if it's located in a tab), and attachments will show up from the list view, among other useful improvements. Meanwhile, the first version of Better Gmail has become available to users as a Chrome extension.
Never lose another forum post: Use the Lazarus Firefox add-on to save everything you type in a form, just in case your PC crashes at an inopportune moment. Your blood pressure will thank you.
Deep-six the links: Copy Plain Text is another convenient Firefox add-on. It strips all of the nasty, unpredictable formatting out of text that you copy and paste.
Tips for Any Browser:
Save eight keystrokes from every URL: You no longer need to type "www." or ".com" in most URLs. Instead, merely type the unique part of the domain name that you want to visit--say, pcworld--into your browser's navigation bar, and press Ctrl-Enter. Your browser will automatically fill in the "www." and ".com" parts of the address.
Middle-click to open a link in a new tab: Middle-clicking a link (that is, clicking it with the scrollwheel) will cause it to open in a new tab. Middle-clicking a folder containing multiple bookmarks will cause all of them to open in new tabs.
Upgrade Your PC's Accessories:
Windows' built-in accessories are nice, but eventually you may want something more. If so, check out these apps, which pack more useful features while managing to stay svelte.
Notepad++ is Notepad for advanced text wranglers. Most of the features in this application are aimed at people who work with raw code--Notepad++ supports HTML, XML, JavaScript, .ini files, and various flavors of C, among other languages and formats--but the tabbed document displays, macros, and in-document bookmarking features are useful for anyone who regularly works with plain text.
ZuluPad, on the other hand, focuses on the "note" side of the Notepad feature set. With ZuluPad (the Basic version is free; the Pro version costs $15), you can pull in images, automatically link to your other notes while you type, and even sync your ZuluPad documents online.
Paint.net is a lightweight paint program that has been around forever--and with good reason. It's much more capable than Microsoft Paint (which falls short of most people's image-editing needs), and yet at the same time it's smaller and easier to use than professional-caliber applications such as Adobe Photoshop Elements and GIMP.
I hope the above tips will keep you occupied for a couple of days!
George Freire
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
A little laught moment never hurts! The seagul & the cat!
My daughter Isabel sent me this little video that is absolutely killing
Talk about lazy, lazy cats!
Just click and have a funny good time!:
http://www.flixxy.com/seagull-and-cat.htm
George Freire
Talk about lazy, lazy cats!
Just click and have a funny good time!:
http://www.flixxy.com/seagull-and-cat.htm
George Freire
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
VERY PRACTICAL HELP FOR EMERGENCIES-WORTHWHILE CELL PHONE INFO
I received an e-mail from dear good friends , which covers a very interesting subject that can be very helpful to all of us who own a cellular phone; and who doesn't?
Here it is:
"5 Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do
For all the folks with cell phones. (This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you.)
There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies.
Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency
tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:
FIRST
Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find
Yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an
Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to
Establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.
SECOND
Have you locked your keys in the car? Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys In the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot From your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
Editor's Note: It
works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked Our car over a cell phone!'
THIRD
Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time.
FOURTH
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following
Digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the
screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it
somewhere safe.
When your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider
and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset
so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally
useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know
that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there
would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.
And Finally....
FIFTH
Free Directory Service for Cells
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for
411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not
carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation
even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information
option, simply dial: (800)FREE411,
or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all.
Program this into your cell phone now."
I for what it is worth, am going to follow the above tips, right away.
George Freire
Here it is:
"5 Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do
For all the folks with cell phones. (This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you.)
There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies.
Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency
tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:
FIRST
Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find
Yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an
Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to
Establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.
SECOND
Have you locked your keys in the car? Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys In the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot From your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
Editor's Note: It
works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked Our car over a cell phone!'
THIRD
Hidden Battery Power
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time.
FOURTH
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following
Digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the
screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it
somewhere safe.
When your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider
and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset
so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally
useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know
that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there
would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.
And Finally....
FIFTH
Free Directory Service for Cells
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for
411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not
carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation
even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information
option, simply dial: (800)FREE411,
or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all.
Program this into your cell phone now."
I for what it is worth, am going to follow the above tips, right away.
George Freire
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
"Newspapers Around The World"
A friend of mine from Portugal, (Aurelio Peixinho is his name), who sends me lots of e-mails, sent me one that is well worth being made known to you all readers of my blog.
By going to the following address you will be able to read most newspapers around the world with one simple click of your mouse!
Just put your mouse on a city anywhere in the world and the newspaper headlines pop up.. Double click and the page gets larger....you can read the entire paper
Also, if you look at the European papers, the far left side of Germany will
Pop up as The Stars & Stripes (European edition, of course). AND, this site
changes every day with the publication of new editions of the paper.
This incredible address is:
Http://WWW.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/
Enjoy!
George Freire
By going to the following address you will be able to read most newspapers around the world with one simple click of your mouse!
Just put your mouse on a city anywhere in the world and the newspaper headlines pop up.. Double click and the page gets larger....you can read the entire paper
Also, if you look at the European papers, the far left side of Germany will
Pop up as The Stars & Stripes (European edition, of course). AND, this site
changes every day with the publication of new editions of the paper.
This incredible address is:
Http://WWW.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/
Enjoy!
George Freire
HP’s ePrint: Print from Just About Anything
I bet that all of you, who are owners of IPods, IPads Blackberrys etc. have a very common annoying problem: you cannot print contents of your wander machines.
I know, I have a Blackberry and my wife is a proud owner of an IPad.
Well, in a very near future, a matter of weeks, HP will come up with printers for all kinds of budgets, (starting at about $100.00), that will solve this annoying problem.
The following, sent to me by PCWorld explains what HP is planning to bring to the market in a very near future:
4 new Photosmart printers enable printing from gadgets that have no built-in support for printing.
Harry McCracken, Technologizer
Jun 7, 2010 11:18 am
Major development this morning: The iPad can finally print! But this breakthrough isn't being unveiled at Apple's WWDC keynote. Apple can't take any credit for it, either -0 and actually, the news also involves the iPhone, Android phones, BlackBerrys, other smartphones, and other devices that do e-mail and file attachments.
This Monday-morning eye-opener is being announced by HP printing honcho V.J. Joshi at an event in New York. It's a new feature called ePrint that HP is building into a trio of all-in-one printers. The goal is audacious: enable printing from gadgets that have no built-in support for printing, without requiring so much as installing an app. It's a logical one for HP to pursue, given that devices that can't print can't help consumers use up ink. And the way HP did it is surprisingly simple: It built drivers into the printers themselves, and gave them Wi-Fi networking and e-mail addresses.
To print a document -- like a photo, a PDF, or a Microsoft Office-format file -- you e-mail it to the unique e-mail address associated with an ePrint-capable printer. It receives the message, detaches the file, and prints it. You can also e-mail attachments to the printers from a PC or Mac, bypassing the computer's driver; people who bring these printers into their homes or workplaces will presumably want to print the old-fashioned way, but ePrinting might be handy in transient-printing scenarios such as at hotel business centers.
Are there security issues here? Well, you won't want to print anything you're not comfortable sending as an unencrypted file attachment. There may also be some risk of spammers trying to target printers' e-mail addresses with junk documents. But HP assigns printers randomly-generated e-mail addresses which it says will be hard for spammers to determine, and lets you set a printer up so that it'll only accept e-mail from whitelisted addresses which you specify.
ePrint doesn't make lack of printer support in devices such as the iPad a non-issue. For one thing, it's available on a grand total of four printers from one company. There's no way to specify options, so it's plain-vanilla, quick-and-dirty printing. And if there's no way to get something into a file attachment, there's still no way to print. Want to print a Web page from an iPhone or an iPad? The best you can do is to create a screen grab, then print that. But what HP has come up with is still ingenious and useful.
The new printers, which HP calls "e-All-in-Ones," include the $99 Photosmart, the $149 Photosmart Plus, the $199 Photosmart Premium, and the $299 Photosmart Premium with Fax. All four build on features introduced last year in the original Photosmart Premium With TouchSmart Web, an all-in-one printer with an iPhone-like touchscreen interface and the ability to run apps that print out content such as maps, crossword puzzles, coupons, and coloring pages directly from the Web. All the new models can access the existing apps and new ones which HP is introducing with partners such as Crayola, but only the $199 Premium has the sexy 4.3″ touchscreen. The other versions all have smaller screens with more prosaic user interfaces; I get the sense that HP thinks that people are interested in printer apps, but aren't willing to pay a premium for an extravagant interface.
In a real sense, the new Photosmarts (some of which won't all be available until September) are autonomous networked computers that happen to be dedicated to the task of printing. And the HP executives who briefed me on today's news were up-front that these first models just scratch the surface of the idea. HP is already saying its buyout of Palm will let it build printers that run Palm's powerful Web OS, and the execs I talked to spoke of possibilities such as customized newspapers that automatically print from the Web every morning, so they're ready to grab from the paper tray when you wake up.
There's huge potential in the concept of Web-based services talking directly to a printer without a PC serving as middleman, especially since browsers are notoriously lousy at printing. If HP builds on this idea, it'll enable scenarios such as Web-based office suites being able to send richly-formatted documents directly to the printer, or Webmail clients that can automatically print certain messages based on rules you specify. Pretty cool, potentially -- especially if ePrint-like features end up being standard equipment in all sorts of printers from all sorts of companies.
I don't know about you, but I am already planning to buy the e-All-in-Ones, $99.00 Photosmart.
I hope this is good info for those of you who are desperate to be able to print stuff from your IPods, IPads and Blackberrys.
George Freire
I know, I have a Blackberry and my wife is a proud owner of an IPad.
Well, in a very near future, a matter of weeks, HP will come up with printers for all kinds of budgets, (starting at about $100.00), that will solve this annoying problem.
The following, sent to me by PCWorld explains what HP is planning to bring to the market in a very near future:
4 new Photosmart printers enable printing from gadgets that have no built-in support for printing.
Harry McCracken, Technologizer
Jun 7, 2010 11:18 am
Major development this morning: The iPad can finally print! But this breakthrough isn't being unveiled at Apple's WWDC keynote. Apple can't take any credit for it, either -0 and actually, the news also involves the iPhone, Android phones, BlackBerrys, other smartphones, and other devices that do e-mail and file attachments.
This Monday-morning eye-opener is being announced by HP printing honcho V.J. Joshi at an event in New York. It's a new feature called ePrint that HP is building into a trio of all-in-one printers. The goal is audacious: enable printing from gadgets that have no built-in support for printing, without requiring so much as installing an app. It's a logical one for HP to pursue, given that devices that can't print can't help consumers use up ink. And the way HP did it is surprisingly simple: It built drivers into the printers themselves, and gave them Wi-Fi networking and e-mail addresses.
To print a document -- like a photo, a PDF, or a Microsoft Office-format file -- you e-mail it to the unique e-mail address associated with an ePrint-capable printer. It receives the message, detaches the file, and prints it. You can also e-mail attachments to the printers from a PC or Mac, bypassing the computer's driver; people who bring these printers into their homes or workplaces will presumably want to print the old-fashioned way, but ePrinting might be handy in transient-printing scenarios such as at hotel business centers.
Are there security issues here? Well, you won't want to print anything you're not comfortable sending as an unencrypted file attachment. There may also be some risk of spammers trying to target printers' e-mail addresses with junk documents. But HP assigns printers randomly-generated e-mail addresses which it says will be hard for spammers to determine, and lets you set a printer up so that it'll only accept e-mail from whitelisted addresses which you specify.
ePrint doesn't make lack of printer support in devices such as the iPad a non-issue. For one thing, it's available on a grand total of four printers from one company. There's no way to specify options, so it's plain-vanilla, quick-and-dirty printing. And if there's no way to get something into a file attachment, there's still no way to print. Want to print a Web page from an iPhone or an iPad? The best you can do is to create a screen grab, then print that. But what HP has come up with is still ingenious and useful.
The new printers, which HP calls "e-All-in-Ones," include the $99 Photosmart, the $149 Photosmart Plus, the $199 Photosmart Premium, and the $299 Photosmart Premium with Fax. All four build on features introduced last year in the original Photosmart Premium With TouchSmart Web, an all-in-one printer with an iPhone-like touchscreen interface and the ability to run apps that print out content such as maps, crossword puzzles, coupons, and coloring pages directly from the Web. All the new models can access the existing apps and new ones which HP is introducing with partners such as Crayola, but only the $199 Premium has the sexy 4.3″ touchscreen. The other versions all have smaller screens with more prosaic user interfaces; I get the sense that HP thinks that people are interested in printer apps, but aren't willing to pay a premium for an extravagant interface.
In a real sense, the new Photosmarts (some of which won't all be available until September) are autonomous networked computers that happen to be dedicated to the task of printing. And the HP executives who briefed me on today's news were up-front that these first models just scratch the surface of the idea. HP is already saying its buyout of Palm will let it build printers that run Palm's powerful Web OS, and the execs I talked to spoke of possibilities such as customized newspapers that automatically print from the Web every morning, so they're ready to grab from the paper tray when you wake up.
There's huge potential in the concept of Web-based services talking directly to a printer without a PC serving as middleman, especially since browsers are notoriously lousy at printing. If HP builds on this idea, it'll enable scenarios such as Web-based office suites being able to send richly-formatted documents directly to the printer, or Webmail clients that can automatically print certain messages based on rules you specify. Pretty cool, potentially -- especially if ePrint-like features end up being standard equipment in all sorts of printers from all sorts of companies.
I don't know about you, but I am already planning to buy the e-All-in-Ones, $99.00 Photosmart.
I hope this is good info for those of you who are desperate to be able to print stuff from your IPods, IPads and Blackberrys.
George Freire
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Google Maps new version 4.2 for BlackBerry.
For those of you who own BlackBerry phones, here is a new Google Maps free app that is super.
I use it on my BlackBerry and it works really well. If you want to download this app directly to your phone, just go to:
http://www.google.com/mobile/maps/
Once there, just click on the button "send to phone".
This opens a box where you enter your BlackBerry phone # and the app will be auto downloaded to it. It is that easy!
This updated app now offers what Google calls a "simplified search results page." This gives you images along with one-touch access to directions, phone dialing, and other users' ratings for the location you're trying to find.
Perhaps more noteworthy, though, is the link you'll now see entitled "Share This Place." After finding a destination, you can simply tap that link to fire off a packet of info -- the building's address, phone number, even a photo of its exterior -- to your friends or colleagues. You can choose to use either e-mail or text messaging.
Have fun with it!
George Freire
I use it on my BlackBerry and it works really well. If you want to download this app directly to your phone, just go to:
http://www.google.com/mobile/maps/
Once there, just click on the button "send to phone".
This opens a box where you enter your BlackBerry phone # and the app will be auto downloaded to it. It is that easy!
This updated app now offers what Google calls a "simplified search results page." This gives you images along with one-touch access to directions, phone dialing, and other users' ratings for the location you're trying to find.
Perhaps more noteworthy, though, is the link you'll now see entitled "Share This Place." After finding a destination, you can simply tap that link to fire off a packet of info -- the building's address, phone number, even a photo of its exterior -- to your friends or colleagues. You can choose to use either e-mail or text messaging.
Have fun with it!
George Freire
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Live From The Bottom Of The Sea
If you want to see how BP is trying to cap the oil leak, the following link will bring you to live transmission, from the bottom of the sea, at this very moment in time:
http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/homepage/STAGING/local_assets/bp_homepage/html/rov_stream.html
It is indeed fascinating.
George Freire
http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/homepage/STAGING/local_assets/bp_homepage/html/rov_stream.html
It is indeed fascinating.
George Freire
Monday, May 31, 2010
About Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) Retirement
I am posting this from Florida where I have been visiting with my daughter Isabel.
We are having a great time, (she lives near Orlando), where there are so many things to do, that your days are always full...
I received today an e-mail from PCWorld which I think will be of great interest for those of you who are still using Windows XP and do not plan to change to other versions.
Mr. Gregg Keizer writes:
Half of the enterprise computers running the aged Windows XP operating system are still relying on the soon-to-be-retired Service Pack 2 (SP2), a researcher said today.According to security risk and compliance management provider Qualys, 50% of the several hundred thousand PCs it monitors for its clients are still running Windows XP2.
"The normal thing for IT is not to muck around with something that works," said Wolfgang Kandek, chief technology officer for Qualys, as he tried to explain why corporations have stuck with 2004's SP2 and not updated to SP3, which debuted two years ago .
Microsoft will officially retire Windows XP SP2 on July 13. After that date, although it will continue to provide security updates for XP SP3, it will stop issuing patches for the older SP2.
"I would expect that come August, SP2 will be getting hard and harder to defend," said Kandek, referring to the lack of security updates. "I expect to see reliable exploits of unpatched vulnerabilities three or four months later."
Companies have stepped up their efforts to migrate machines to XP SP3 in the last 11 months -- the rate of adoption of the newest service pack during that period was roughly double that of SP3's first 14 months of availability -- but even now, just weeks before SP2 will slide off support, half of the Windows XP systems still run the older edition, according to Qualys.
"I think this simply flew under the radar of most IT professionals," said Kandek, talking about the July retirement of XP SP2. "Personally, I didn't know about it until two months ago. I don't think many people were looking at the [retirement] messages Microsoft was putting out."
Microsoft started warning customers of XP SP2's looming retirement last February, and has been repeating that warning every month in its Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) blog on Patch Tuesday, the regularly-scheduled second-Tuesday-of-the-month security update release day. But not every user reads the MSRC blog.
Windows XP SP3 will exit all support in April 2014; to receive vulnerability fixes, users must update to that service pack by July.
By Qualys' numbers, Windows XP accounts for approximately 80% of all enterprise PCs, a considerably higher share than estimated by Web metrics companies such as NetApplications, which pegged XP's share in April at 63.4% . NetApplications, however, calculates usage share globally -- Qualys' is predominantly U.S. -- and factors in consumers as well as businesses.
Microsoft has made some minor concessions on Windows XP SP2 support. Last month, it said it would take calls from customers running outdated service packs, such as SP2. Previously, it turned those people away.
Instead, Microsoft's support staff will answer questions about old service packs, fill out support tickets and provide what the company's head of support called "limited troubleshooting."
The new support for obsolete service packs isn't free, however. Companies or customers without an in-place Microsoft support plan will be billed on a per-incident rate. A consumer contacting Microsoft support via chat or e-mail, for example, is charged $49, while telephone-based support costs $59.
Windows XP SP3 can be downloaded from the Microsoft site, or obtained from XP SP2 PCs via the Windows Update service.
Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld . Follow Gregg on Twitter at @gkeizer or subscribe to Gregg's RSS feed . His e-mail address is gkeizer@ix.netcom.com .
Read more about windows in Computerworld's Windows Topic Center.
My advice to those of you who have not downloaded SP3:
Do it ASAP.
George Freire
We are having a great time, (she lives near Orlando), where there are so many things to do, that your days are always full...
I received today an e-mail from PCWorld which I think will be of great interest for those of you who are still using Windows XP and do not plan to change to other versions.
Mr. Gregg Keizer writes:
Half of the enterprise computers running the aged Windows XP operating system are still relying on the soon-to-be-retired Service Pack 2 (SP2), a researcher said today.According to security risk and compliance management provider Qualys, 50% of the several hundred thousand PCs it monitors for its clients are still running Windows XP2.
"The normal thing for IT is not to muck around with something that works," said Wolfgang Kandek, chief technology officer for Qualys, as he tried to explain why corporations have stuck with 2004's SP2 and not updated to SP3, which debuted two years ago .
Microsoft will officially retire Windows XP SP2 on July 13. After that date, although it will continue to provide security updates for XP SP3, it will stop issuing patches for the older SP2.
"I would expect that come August, SP2 will be getting hard and harder to defend," said Kandek, referring to the lack of security updates. "I expect to see reliable exploits of unpatched vulnerabilities three or four months later."
Companies have stepped up their efforts to migrate machines to XP SP3 in the last 11 months -- the rate of adoption of the newest service pack during that period was roughly double that of SP3's first 14 months of availability -- but even now, just weeks before SP2 will slide off support, half of the Windows XP systems still run the older edition, according to Qualys.
"I think this simply flew under the radar of most IT professionals," said Kandek, talking about the July retirement of XP SP2. "Personally, I didn't know about it until two months ago. I don't think many people were looking at the [retirement] messages Microsoft was putting out."
Microsoft started warning customers of XP SP2's looming retirement last February, and has been repeating that warning every month in its Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) blog on Patch Tuesday, the regularly-scheduled second-Tuesday-of-the-month security update release day. But not every user reads the MSRC blog.
Windows XP SP3 will exit all support in April 2014; to receive vulnerability fixes, users must update to that service pack by July.
By Qualys' numbers, Windows XP accounts for approximately 80% of all enterprise PCs, a considerably higher share than estimated by Web metrics companies such as NetApplications, which pegged XP's share in April at 63.4% . NetApplications, however, calculates usage share globally -- Qualys' is predominantly U.S. -- and factors in consumers as well as businesses.
Microsoft has made some minor concessions on Windows XP SP2 support. Last month, it said it would take calls from customers running outdated service packs, such as SP2. Previously, it turned those people away.
Instead, Microsoft's support staff will answer questions about old service packs, fill out support tickets and provide what the company's head of support called "limited troubleshooting."
The new support for obsolete service packs isn't free, however. Companies or customers without an in-place Microsoft support plan will be billed on a per-incident rate. A consumer contacting Microsoft support via chat or e-mail, for example, is charged $49, while telephone-based support costs $59.
Windows XP SP3 can be downloaded from the Microsoft site, or obtained from XP SP2 PCs via the Windows Update service.
Gregg Keizer covers Microsoft, security issues, Apple, Web browsers and general technology breaking news for Computerworld . Follow Gregg on Twitter at @gkeizer or subscribe to Gregg's RSS feed . His e-mail address is gkeizer@ix.netcom.com .
Read more about windows in Computerworld's Windows Topic Center.
My advice to those of you who have not downloaded SP3:
Do it ASAP.
George Freire
Saturday, May 22, 2010
HAVE FUN WITH MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
Yesterday a friend if mine sent me an e-mail with the title "Mission Impossible".
This is so funny that I had to show the video to you all.
It has nothing to do with computers or subjects that we mostly discuss on this blog, but I am sure you all will laugh your hearts out when you see it. (How did they train a squirrel to do this "Mission"?):
Have fun,
George Freire
This is so funny that I had to show the video to you all.
It has nothing to do with computers or subjects that we mostly discuss on this blog, but I am sure you all will laugh your hearts out when you see it. (How did they train a squirrel to do this "Mission"?):
Have fun,
George Freire
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The most common computer problem people ask me about
Dear visitors to this blog,
I spend a lot of time, (and enjoy it!), in writing stuff for this blog and finding interesting computer related items in other publications that may be of interest to all of you.
I also spend time helping mostly friends and other people they refer me to, around the area where I live, Chapin in South Carolina.
Can you guess what are the most common problems most people have when they ask for my help?
It should not be difficult to guess: "George, my computer runs so slow", or "my computer freezes for no reason", "my hard drive stopped working and I lost all my files", "I can't connect to my printer", "it takes 15 20 minutes for the computer to boot!" etc. etc.
Most of the above problems could be avoided or at least simplified if such computers would be handled with more care. A lot of people think that computers run forever and follow the principle that "as long as it ain't broke don't try to interfere with it...".
This is bad, very bad. First of all you all should believe that ALL computers, (for sure), some day will break up due to hard drive problems, viruses and spyware infections, power surges, power supply failures, etc. etc.
HOWEVER, if you handle your computer with care, (later on I'll cover what care really means), computers can last a long time and in some cases even be upgraded to the latest,(or close to it), technology available. Take for instance my wife's computer,(which of course is taken care of by me), it is about 5 years old, runs like new, has been upgraded with more RAM memory, Windows 7, and I am now contemplating installing a new 1 TB hard drive.
Let's now talk about what computer care means:
-Fight infections from viruses, malicious spyware, trojans and other invasive malware.
-Reduce atart-up programs that load automatically every time you boot the computer.
-Free hard drive space by eliminating programs that you do not use, or were loaded without you ever noticing.
-Delete on a regular basis temporary Internet files, other temporary files, cookies etc.
-Defrag your hard drive on a regular basis.
-Check for malicious programs like spyware, spam, viruses etc.
-Install more RAM memory, at least up to 4 MB. RAM memory is so cheap today that this is a must.If you have 64 bit Windows 7 you can use as much RAM memory as you can afford, but for any other version of Windows, including 32 bit W7, no point in going over 4 MB RAM, because Windows will not recognize it.
-BACK UP your important files or better still make a mirror copy of you hard drive.
-Keep you computer clean and free of dust that accumulates on the cooling fans openings and inside the computer case.
The above are some of the most important steps most computer owners can easily take care of. If you take care of those I can assure you that your computer will run much better than it does now, and it will last much longer also.
There are many utility programs that can be used to correct all of the problems outlined above. Many are free for the taking, others have to be paid for.
I have made available on this blog, many of these utility programs, which can be downloaded and installed, by just clicking on web addresses also outlined on these pages.
THEY ARE ALL STILL AVAILABLE BY JUST VISITING THE POSTS PUBLISHED SINCE THE BIRTH OF THIS BLOG IN DECEMBER 2008.
All you have to do is scroll down to older posts or check the roster of posts outlined on the left column of the opening page.
Here is a list of the most popular and best utility programs you can find here, that will help you keep your computer in top shape:
-Ashampoo Win Optimiser
-CCleaner
-Advanced System Care
-Disk Keeper
-Free Fixer
-Registry Mechanic
-Defraggler
-Startups-all
-Ad Aware
-Spybot
-Fences
-Speccy
-Starup Delayer
-Avira Antivirus
-Clamwin Antivirus
And many more...
By the way, if you have a problem finding any of the above on the blog, all you have to do is google the name, and for sure you'll find the proper web address to download whatever you are looking for.
I will be glad to help you use all of the above or give you more recommendations, all you have to do is ask me.
George Freire
I spend a lot of time, (and enjoy it!), in writing stuff for this blog and finding interesting computer related items in other publications that may be of interest to all of you.
I also spend time helping mostly friends and other people they refer me to, around the area where I live, Chapin in South Carolina.
Can you guess what are the most common problems most people have when they ask for my help?
It should not be difficult to guess: "George, my computer runs so slow", or "my computer freezes for no reason", "my hard drive stopped working and I lost all my files", "I can't connect to my printer", "it takes 15 20 minutes for the computer to boot!" etc. etc.
Most of the above problems could be avoided or at least simplified if such computers would be handled with more care. A lot of people think that computers run forever and follow the principle that "as long as it ain't broke don't try to interfere with it...".
This is bad, very bad. First of all you all should believe that ALL computers, (for sure), some day will break up due to hard drive problems, viruses and spyware infections, power surges, power supply failures, etc. etc.
HOWEVER, if you handle your computer with care, (later on I'll cover what care really means), computers can last a long time and in some cases even be upgraded to the latest,(or close to it), technology available. Take for instance my wife's computer,(which of course is taken care of by me), it is about 5 years old, runs like new, has been upgraded with more RAM memory, Windows 7, and I am now contemplating installing a new 1 TB hard drive.
Let's now talk about what computer care means:
-Fight infections from viruses, malicious spyware, trojans and other invasive malware.
-Reduce atart-up programs that load automatically every time you boot the computer.
-Free hard drive space by eliminating programs that you do not use, or were loaded without you ever noticing.
-Delete on a regular basis temporary Internet files, other temporary files, cookies etc.
-Defrag your hard drive on a regular basis.
-Check for malicious programs like spyware, spam, viruses etc.
-Install more RAM memory, at least up to 4 MB. RAM memory is so cheap today that this is a must.If you have 64 bit Windows 7 you can use as much RAM memory as you can afford, but for any other version of Windows, including 32 bit W7, no point in going over 4 MB RAM, because Windows will not recognize it.
-BACK UP your important files or better still make a mirror copy of you hard drive.
-Keep you computer clean and free of dust that accumulates on the cooling fans openings and inside the computer case.
The above are some of the most important steps most computer owners can easily take care of. If you take care of those I can assure you that your computer will run much better than it does now, and it will last much longer also.
There are many utility programs that can be used to correct all of the problems outlined above. Many are free for the taking, others have to be paid for.
I have made available on this blog, many of these utility programs, which can be downloaded and installed, by just clicking on web addresses also outlined on these pages.
THEY ARE ALL STILL AVAILABLE BY JUST VISITING THE POSTS PUBLISHED SINCE THE BIRTH OF THIS BLOG IN DECEMBER 2008.
All you have to do is scroll down to older posts or check the roster of posts outlined on the left column of the opening page.
Here is a list of the most popular and best utility programs you can find here, that will help you keep your computer in top shape:
-Ashampoo Win Optimiser
-CCleaner
-Advanced System Care
-Disk Keeper
-Free Fixer
-Registry Mechanic
-Defraggler
-Startups-all
-Ad Aware
-Spybot
-Fences
-Speccy
-Starup Delayer
-Avira Antivirus
-Clamwin Antivirus
And many more...
By the way, if you have a problem finding any of the above on the blog, all you have to do is google the name, and for sure you'll find the proper web address to download whatever you are looking for.
I will be glad to help you use all of the above or give you more recommendations, all you have to do is ask me.
George Freire
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Comments on a question posed by my friend Harry Studley.
My friend Harry Studley has a question, which I think hits a subject that is of interest for most of the readers of this blog.
He said:
"Hey George..
lately my notebook (vista 32bit w/dual/core pentium) has been running a good bit slower than in the past. I have used oi bit, ashampoo etc. to perhaps clean it up a bit, with no success.. I went through the config utility and found a ton of "services" most "running" and some "stopped". also in the startup tab there are a LARGE number of pgms. I don't recognize, most from MS but others from various authors.. My Q is: Is there a proscribed/recommended set of "start-up"/"services" settings? I suspect this plethora of things running consuming resources may be the culprit.. What do you think ??
best;
Harry S "
OK Harry, here is my response:
There are many reasons why a computer can run slow, and the longer you use your computer and if you do not take steps to clean it up: defrag the hard drive, restore the registry, check for viruses, spam etc. etc. :
One thing for sure will happen, everything will slow down.
Harry, I don't know what version of Ashampoo you have, but I would upgrade to at least version 6 or 7 which is now available, but I'll get back to this in a moment.
There is a web site that explains what all these programs are, (showing the exact addresses that pop up under the start up tab), whether you can or should deactivate each one, (some of them are spam or viruses etc.). This site has thousands of entries, all shown alphabetically, therefore you can get to them fast.
Once you find what the program stands for, then you can deactivate it knowing that it is OK.
The address for this very helpful web site is as follows:
http://www.fairnet.org/agencies/startup_list/startups_all.htm
Now getting back to Ashampoo:
Go to tab "Modules", select "Optimize Performance" go to "Startup Tuner" and click on it. This section basically does the same as "msconfig" but a lot better because it tells you in detail what the programs and services are.
There are two very important sub selections: "Auto Start" and "Services".
If you click "Auto Start" it shows you all the programs that are started automatically, however you can see where they can be found in your hard drive. Each program has a small square box which is either checked, (on) or unchecked, (off). You can then make your selection of the programs that should be on or off.
If you click "Services" it shows you a list of the services that are "started", "manual" or "disabled". As you click on each service, it tells you what it does, whether it is required and a recommendation whether you can disable it, start it or put it on manual modes.
Please read my post of May 11 that refers to the above Web address:
PIRIFORM WEB PAGE AND ITS GREAT FREE PROGRAMS
Download and use Defraggler as well as CClear and you'll do OK.
Finally, there are two other programs that will clean up all your spy programs, spam etc. They are well known: Ad Aware and Spybot. They are free and can be downloaded just by Googling the names and finding the proper addresses.
If all of the above did not help, call me and we will talk more about your problems.
George Freire
He said:
"Hey George..
lately my notebook (vista 32bit w/dual/core pentium) has been running a good bit slower than in the past. I have used oi bit, ashampoo etc. to perhaps clean it up a bit, with no success.. I went through the config utility and found a ton of "services" most "running" and some "stopped". also in the startup tab there are a LARGE number of pgms. I don't recognize, most from MS but others from various authors.. My Q is: Is there a proscribed/recommended set of "start-up"/"services" settings? I suspect this plethora of things running consuming resources may be the culprit.. What do you think ??
best;
Harry S "
OK Harry, here is my response:
There are many reasons why a computer can run slow, and the longer you use your computer and if you do not take steps to clean it up: defrag the hard drive, restore the registry, check for viruses, spam etc. etc. :
One thing for sure will happen, everything will slow down.
Harry, I don't know what version of Ashampoo you have, but I would upgrade to at least version 6 or 7 which is now available, but I'll get back to this in a moment.
You say you ran msconfig and looked at the tab "services". I suggest you do not mess with that section in the msconfig because it does not tell you whether each service is needed or important and if you deactivate by chance a service that is required, you can get yourself in all kinds of trouble.
The tab under msconfig that tells you which programs automatically run when you turn your computer on is the "start up tab". Here you can deactivate programs that you don't want to start automatically. As you install new programs, most of them install themselves to start up automatically, that being the reason why they show under that "start up tab". You must be careful when you deactivate a program, if you don't know what it is. (It is kinda confusing when you look at the list of all programs that start up automatically).There is a web site that explains what all these programs are, (showing the exact addresses that pop up under the start up tab), whether you can or should deactivate each one, (some of them are spam or viruses etc.). This site has thousands of entries, all shown alphabetically, therefore you can get to them fast.
Once you find what the program stands for, then you can deactivate it knowing that it is OK.
The address for this very helpful web site is as follows:
http://www.fairnet.org/agencies/startup_list/startups_all.htm
Now getting back to Ashampoo:
Go to tab "Modules", select "Optimize Performance" go to "Startup Tuner" and click on it. This section basically does the same as "msconfig" but a lot better because it tells you in detail what the programs and services are.
There are two very important sub selections: "Auto Start" and "Services".
If you click "Auto Start" it shows you all the programs that are started automatically, however you can see where they can be found in your hard drive. Each program has a small square box which is either checked, (on) or unchecked, (off). You can then make your selection of the programs that should be on or off.
If you click "Services" it shows you a list of the services that are "started", "manual" or "disabled". As you click on each service, it tells you what it does, whether it is required and a recommendation whether you can disable it, start it or put it on manual modes.
Harry, another important matter that can run the computer to a snail's pace is fragmentation. There is a great free defragmentation program, "Defraggler"
http://www.piriform.com/speccyPlease read my post of May 11 that refers to the above Web address:
PIRIFORM WEB PAGE AND ITS GREAT FREE PROGRAMS
Download and use Defraggler as well as CClear and you'll do OK.
Finally, there are two other programs that will clean up all your spy programs, spam etc. They are well known: Ad Aware and Spybot. They are free and can be downloaded just by Googling the names and finding the proper addresses.
If all of the above did not help, call me and we will talk more about your problems.
George Freire
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
SKYORB PROGRAM SOFTWARE
Friends,
I have been a little under the weather for the last two weeks, with a sinus infection that is driving me nuts.
I'm a little better but not quite well yet, this being the reason why not many posts have been done lately...
The following program is very neat especially for those of you who enjoy space exploration, astronomy and anything related to this Universe of ours, the program is a lot of fun:
From any location in space, this freebie calculates the positions of planets, sun, and moon, as well as the rise and set times of the object's satellites. SkyOrb quickly does 3D rendering of views from space, including solar and lunar eclipses, solstices and equinoxes. Very cool.
Steve Bass, PC World
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,67771-order,4-c,simulation/download.html
Click on the above address and have a good time.
George Freire
I have been a little under the weather for the last two weeks, with a sinus infection that is driving me nuts.
I'm a little better but not quite well yet, this being the reason why not many posts have been done lately...
The following program is very neat especially for those of you who enjoy space exploration, astronomy and anything related to this Universe of ours, the program is a lot of fun:
From any location in space, this freebie calculates the positions of planets, sun, and moon, as well as the rise and set times of the object's satellites. SkyOrb quickly does 3D rendering of views from space, including solar and lunar eclipses, solstices and equinoxes. Very cool.
Steve Bass, PC World
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,67771-order,4-c,simulation/download.html
Click on the above address and have a good time.
George Freire
FOXIT READER
Today I have another program that I am sure you all will love. It is free and very fast as compared with ADOBE Reader:
FOXIT READER
VIEW, PRINT & ANNOTATE ANY PDF
Foxit’s NO BLOAT PDF Reader
Small download, fast, accurate rendering
Take it with you with low cost mobile readers for your phone or PDA.
As a small and fast PDF viewer, Foxit Reader currently has over 90 million users all around the world. Now, Foxit Reader 3.3 has been released and and added the Secure Trust Manager that enables users to allow or deny unauthorized actions and data transmission, including URL connection, attachments PDF actions, and JavaScript functions; efficiently avoiding the attack from malicious content and viruses.
In order to download and install this helpful program go to:
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/
Clock on the above or copy and paste to your browser.
I am using both ADOBE and FOXIT Reader, but there is no doubt that FOXIT is as fast as a fox ...
Enjoy,
George Freire
FOXIT READER
VIEW, PRINT & ANNOTATE ANY PDF
Foxit’s NO BLOAT PDF Reader
Small download, fast, accurate rendering
Take it with you with low cost mobile readers for your phone or PDA.
As a small and fast PDF viewer, Foxit Reader currently has over 90 million users all around the world. Now, Foxit Reader 3.3 has been released and and added the Secure Trust Manager that enables users to allow or deny unauthorized actions and data transmission, including URL connection, attachments PDF actions, and JavaScript functions; efficiently avoiding the attack from malicious content and viruses.
In order to download and install this helpful program go to:
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/
Clock on the above or copy and paste to your browser.
I am using both ADOBE and FOXIT Reader, but there is no doubt that FOXIT is as fast as a fox ...
Enjoy,
George Freire
PIRIFORM WEB PAGE AND ITS GREAT FREE PROGRAMS
Friends,
One more for the day:
I have in the past referred to this web site "PIRIFORM",
http://www.piriform.com/speccy
which is a source of great programs that have been recommended in my blog such as CCLEANER, DEFRAGGLER and RECUVA .
If you clock the above address you will be able to download the three programs referred to above, but a new one "SPECCY" which is an advanced System Information tool for your PC. "PIRIFORM" just published a Final Release version of this software.
"SPECCY" is of great usefulness to all computer users because it will tell you in a matter of seconds everything about your computer:specifications, detailed hardware configuration,all the important components in your computer,speed ratings,component temperatures, (if your computer comes with the proper sensors in the mother board, which is pretty common in new computers),model numbers and info required if you are seeking tech support, etc. etc.
I hope you'll have enough stuff to play with for the next few days.
George Freire
One more for the day:
I have in the past referred to this web site "PIRIFORM",
http://www.piriform.com/speccy
which is a source of great programs that have been recommended in my blog such as CCLEANER, DEFRAGGLER and RECUVA .
If you clock the above address you will be able to download the three programs referred to above, but a new one "SPECCY" which is an advanced System Information tool for your PC. "PIRIFORM" just published a Final Release version of this software.
"SPECCY" is of great usefulness to all computer users because it will tell you in a matter of seconds everything about your computer:specifications, detailed hardware configuration,all the important components in your computer,speed ratings,component temperatures, (if your computer comes with the proper sensors in the mother board, which is pretty common in new computers),model numbers and info required if you are seeking tech support, etc. etc.
I hope you'll have enough stuff to play with for the next few days.
George Freire
Saturday, May 1, 2010
7-Zip compression/de-compression Program
This week-end we will talk about a free and very useful zip compression program as good or better than those you'll have to pay for.
Its name is 7-Zip which description follows:
"You can compress and decompress .zip format archive files using Windows' own built-in capabilities, but that's limited. Or you can use a commercial program like WinZip that's packed with all sorts of goodies, but you have to pay for it. Or you can use 7-Zip, which gives you a couple of the most important features for free. It's available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
For instance, 7-Zip can compress and decompress WinZip-compatible AES-encrypted .zip files. That's vital if you need to e-mail sensitive data, because the .zip format's standard password protection (the only kind Windows supports) is easy to crack. But with 7-Zip, you can share truly-secure data with people who use WinZip, PKZip, WinRar, PowerArchiver, and other programs. And if they use none of those programs and don't want to spend money, you can tell them to get 7-Zip.
7-Zip also allows you to compress and e-mail files in one easy step. Just right-click a file or files in Windows Explorer and select 7-Zip¸ then Compress and email. It even has its own compression format, although I recommend sticking to .zip for compatibility purposes.
This isn't to say that 7-Zip will satisfy every WinZip fan. It can't compress a .zip into an .exe. And the user interface is plain, dull, and unattractive. It can also be intimidating, offering options that most users should never have to think about.
But you don't have to. The default settings are just fine. For most compression tasks, 7-Zip does the job.
Note: This software comes in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. This is the 32-bit version. If your 64-bit PC is running a 64-bit OS, please download the 64-bit version instead.
--Lincoln Spector, PC World"
To download go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,62605-order,4-c,compression/download.html
It is easy to install and works really well.
I hope you'll enjoy it because if you are like me, you'll handle a lot of zipped files, either to unzip or zip them as required.
Have a good week-end,
George Freire
Its name is 7-Zip which description follows:
"You can compress and decompress .zip format archive files using Windows' own built-in capabilities, but that's limited. Or you can use a commercial program like WinZip that's packed with all sorts of goodies, but you have to pay for it. Or you can use 7-Zip, which gives you a couple of the most important features for free. It's available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
For instance, 7-Zip can compress and decompress WinZip-compatible AES-encrypted .zip files. That's vital if you need to e-mail sensitive data, because the .zip format's standard password protection (the only kind Windows supports) is easy to crack. But with 7-Zip, you can share truly-secure data with people who use WinZip, PKZip, WinRar, PowerArchiver, and other programs. And if they use none of those programs and don't want to spend money, you can tell them to get 7-Zip.
7-Zip also allows you to compress and e-mail files in one easy step. Just right-click a file or files in Windows Explorer and select 7-Zip¸ then Compress and email. It even has its own compression format, although I recommend sticking to .zip for compatibility purposes.
This isn't to say that 7-Zip will satisfy every WinZip fan. It can't compress a .zip into an .exe. And the user interface is plain, dull, and unattractive. It can also be intimidating, offering options that most users should never have to think about.
But you don't have to. The default settings are just fine. For most compression tasks, 7-Zip does the job.
Note: This software comes in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. This is the 32-bit version. If your 64-bit PC is running a 64-bit OS, please download the 64-bit version instead.
--Lincoln Spector, PC World"
To download go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,62605-order,4-c,compression/download.html
It is easy to install and works really well.
I hope you'll enjoy it because if you are like me, you'll handle a lot of zipped files, either to unzip or zip them as required.
Have a good week-end,
George Freire
Friday, April 23, 2010
STALLED PRINTER REPAIR TOOL
Hi you all,
This week-end I am addressing a problem that I am sure all of you have experienced:
Who has not had problems with print jobs that get stalled because there is a problem in the printer queue, caused by what?, some times double clicking the print command, some times an old print job that was not terminated etc. etc.
Mr. Rick Broida, of PC World, to whom I have referred many times in the past, sent me an e-mail some time ago, addressing this subject and offering a small but very effective tool that solves the problem:
"Sometimes print jobs get stuck in the queue, and it's not always obvious why. It could be the result of a driver issue, it could be because you're using a Wi-Fi connection to the printer, and so forth. Even more vexing, Windows won't let you delete a stuck print job, which blocks subsequent items from printing. Usually the only solution is a reboot, and no one should have to endure that kind of a hassle just to print a document. Salvation! Stalled Printer Repair is a free utility that purges any stuck jobs it finds, meaning you should be able to resume printing again right away.
What I especially like about SPR is that there's nothing to install (if you download the Zip-file version, that is): Just run the app, click Purge Print Jobs, and you're done. That makes this a perfect addition to the USB Flash drive you use for system-rescue utilities. (You do have one, right?)
If you've been plagued by stuck print jobs, I definitely recommend giving Stalled Printer Repair a try.
--Rick Broida"
In order to download and install this program go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,84019/description.html?tk=nl_ddx_h_dlfeat
Click the above or copy/paste to your browser.
I have installed the program in my computer and it really works well.
Have a good week-end.
George Freire
This week-end I am addressing a problem that I am sure all of you have experienced:
Who has not had problems with print jobs that get stalled because there is a problem in the printer queue, caused by what?, some times double clicking the print command, some times an old print job that was not terminated etc. etc.
Mr. Rick Broida, of PC World, to whom I have referred many times in the past, sent me an e-mail some time ago, addressing this subject and offering a small but very effective tool that solves the problem:
"Sometimes print jobs get stuck in the queue, and it's not always obvious why. It could be the result of a driver issue, it could be because you're using a Wi-Fi connection to the printer, and so forth. Even more vexing, Windows won't let you delete a stuck print job, which blocks subsequent items from printing. Usually the only solution is a reboot, and no one should have to endure that kind of a hassle just to print a document. Salvation! Stalled Printer Repair is a free utility that purges any stuck jobs it finds, meaning you should be able to resume printing again right away.
What I especially like about SPR is that there's nothing to install (if you download the Zip-file version, that is): Just run the app, click Purge Print Jobs, and you're done. That makes this a perfect addition to the USB Flash drive you use for system-rescue utilities. (You do have one, right?)
If you've been plagued by stuck print jobs, I definitely recommend giving Stalled Printer Repair a try.
--Rick Broida"
In order to download and install this program go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,84019/description.html?tk=nl_ddx_h_dlfeat
Click the above or copy/paste to your browser.
I have installed the program in my computer and it really works well.
Have a good week-end.
George Freire
Friday, April 16, 2010
SOME UNDERSTANDING AND CLARIFICATION OF "COMPUTER VIRUSES"
I received an e-mail from one of our Portuguese readers and friend, Mr. Luis Nabais, concerning a "tricky" method for defeating the spread of computer viruses from machine to machine "add infinitum".
Luis also asks whether the method is valid and whether it will work.
I'll explain what this method consists of, but first, Luis, what you are referring to as a virus that can be defeated by this method is not in the real sense of the word, really a virus, it is what is known in "computerese talk" as a "worm" or an "e-mail" spreading malware.
The trick that Luis mentions, will defeat this type of pests and keep your computer "worm" proof, apparently was divulged by a technical super dude from HP and consists of the following,(frankly it makes a lot of sense to me, however it will do nothing to prevent other types of viruses, which operate and attack your computer in totally different ways),:
-Go to your address book in whatever e-mail system you use, (i.e. outlook express, gmail etc), click to open and enter a new contact.
-A window opens where you enter the name, e-mail address of the new contact, etc.
-Enter the name 0000! (four zeros followed with an exclamation point).
-For e-mail address enter "has_virus@xyz.com".
Now, this new contact named 0000! with an e-mail address "has_virus@xyz.com, by virtue of the name 000! will automatically be placed in your address book as the first name of the list. (Try it it really works).
Now, when a worm type virus enters your computer, it looks immediately for the address book and takes control OF THE FIRST NAME ON THE LIST. It is through this name and address that it will send its malware message to all your contacts in your address book on an alphabetical order.
HOWEVER, it is obvious that it will be impossible for the e-mail system service to deliver the message from a totally invalid address "has_virus@xyz.com". When this fails, the "worm" message cannot propagate and stops right there.
FURTHERMORE, because the message could not be delivered, your e-mail system service will send you an e-mail message saying something like this: "your e-mail to 0000! with address has_virus@xyz.com could not be delivered...
Now you know that your computer was under attack by a "worm" type virus.
My opinion on whether this will work leads to the positive, but until I see the results on my own computer, or if any of you readers will advise me, I cannot be absolutely sure.
Luis also asks whether the method is valid and whether it will work.
I'll explain what this method consists of, but first, Luis, what you are referring to as a virus that can be defeated by this method is not in the real sense of the word, really a virus, it is what is known in "computerese talk" as a "worm" or an "e-mail" spreading malware.
The trick that Luis mentions, will defeat this type of pests and keep your computer "worm" proof, apparently was divulged by a technical super dude from HP and consists of the following,(frankly it makes a lot of sense to me, however it will do nothing to prevent other types of viruses, which operate and attack your computer in totally different ways),:
-Go to your address book in whatever e-mail system you use, (i.e. outlook express, gmail etc), click to open and enter a new contact.
-A window opens where you enter the name, e-mail address of the new contact, etc.
-Enter the name 0000! (four zeros followed with an exclamation point).
-For e-mail address enter "has_virus@xyz.com".
Now, this new contact named 0000! with an e-mail address "has_virus@xyz.com, by virtue of the name 000! will automatically be placed in your address book as the first name of the list. (Try it it really works).
Now, when a worm type virus enters your computer, it looks immediately for the address book and takes control OF THE FIRST NAME ON THE LIST. It is through this name and address that it will send its malware message to all your contacts in your address book on an alphabetical order.
HOWEVER, it is obvious that it will be impossible for the e-mail system service to deliver the message from a totally invalid address "has_virus@xyz.com". When this fails, the "worm" message cannot propagate and stops right there.
FURTHERMORE, because the message could not be delivered, your e-mail system service will send you an e-mail message saying something like this: "your e-mail to 0000! with address has_virus@xyz.com could not be delivered...
Now you know that your computer was under attack by a "worm" type virus.
My opinion on whether this will work leads to the positive, but until I see the results on my own computer, or if any of you readers will advise me, I cannot be absolutely sure.
What follows now is a definition and comments on different types of viruses that unfortunately are a big pain in the neck for all of us computer users:
E-Mail Viruses
Most of the time a e-mail virus is one of those types of computer viruses that is generally a macro virus and it will multiply itself by seeking out the other contacts in a e-mail address book and then send itself to those addresses in hopes that they will activate the virus too. Thus it spreads over and over again exponentially. There are even times an email virus can spread by only previewing it in the mail client. One that was very successful in spreading worldwide was the ILOVEYOU virus and it was destructive too.
The Difference Between a Computer Virus, Worm and Trojan Horse
Combating Viruses, Worms and Trojan Horses
Last updated: September 25, 2009
The most common blunder people make when the topic of a computer virus arises is to refer to a worm or Trojan horse as a virus. While the words Trojan, worm and virus are often used interchangeably, they are not exactly the same. Viruses, worms and Trojan Horses are all malicious programs that can cause damage to your computer, but there are differences among the three, and knowing those differences can help you to better protect your computer from their often damaging effects.
What Is a Virus?
A computer virus attaches itself to a program or file enabling it to spread from one computer to another, leaving infections as it travels. Like a human virus, a computer virus can range in severity: some may cause only mildly annoying effects while others can damage your hardware, software or files.
Almost all viruses are attached to an executable file, which means the virus may exist on your computer but it actually cannot infect your computer unless you run or open the malicious program. It is important to note that a virus cannot be spread without a human action, (such as running an infected program) to keep it going.
People continue the spread of a computer virus, mostly unknowingly, by sharing infecting files or sending e-mails with viruses as attachments in the e-mail.
What Is a Worm?
A worm is similar to a virus by design and is considered to be a sub-class of a virus. Worms spread from computer to computer, but unlike a virus, it has the capability to travel without any human action. A worm takes advantage of file or information transport features on your system, which is what allows it to travel unaided.
The biggest danger with a worm is its capability to replicate itself on your system, so rather than your computer sending out a single worm, it could send out hundreds or thousands of copies of itself, creating a huge devastating effect. One example would be for a worm to send a copy of itself to everyone listed in your e-mail address book. Then, the worm replicates and sends itself out to everyone listed in each of the receiver's address book, and the manifest continues on down the line.
Due to the copying nature of a worm and its capability to travel across networks the end result in most cases is that the worm consumes too much system memory (or network bandwidth), causing Web servers, network servers and individual computers to stop responding. In recent worm attacks such as the much-talked-about Blaster Worm, the worm has been designed to tunnel into your system and allow malicious users to control your computer remotely.
What Is a Trojan horse?
A Trojan Horse is full of as much trickery as the mythological Trojan Horse it was named after. The Trojan Horse, at first glance will appear to be useful software but will actually do damage once installed or run on your computer. Those on the receiving end of a Trojan Horse are usually tricked into opening them because they appear to be receiving legitimate software or files from a legitimate source. When a Trojan is activated on your computer, the results can vary. Some Trojans are designed to be more annoying than malicious (like changing your desktop, adding silly active desktop icons) or they can cause serious damage by deleting files and destroying information on your system. Trojans are also known to create a backdoor on your computer that gives malicious users access to your system, possibly allowing confidential or personal information to be compromised. Unlike viruses and worms, Trojans do not reproduce by infecting other files nor do they self-replicate.
What Are Blended Threats?
Added into the mix, we also have what is called a blended threat. A blended threat is a more sophisticated attack that bundles some of the worst aspects of viruses, worms, Trojan horses and malicious code into one single threat. Blended threats can use server and Internet vulnerabilities to initiate, then transmit and also spread an attack. Characteristics of blended threats are that they cause harm to the infected system or network, they propagates using multiple methods, the attack can come from multiple points, and blended threats also exploit vulnerabilities.
To be considered a blended thread, the attack would normally serve to transport multiple attacks in one payload. For example it wouldn't just launch a DoS attack — it would also, for example, install a backdoor and maybe even damage a local system in one shot. Additionally, blended threats are designed to use multiple modes of transport. So, while a worm may travel and spread through e-mail, a single blended threat could use multiple routes including e-mail, IRC and file-sharing sharing networks.
Lastly, rather than a specific attack on predetermined .exe files, a blended thread could do multiple malicious acts, like modify your exe files, HTML files and registry keys at the same time — basically it can cause damage within several areas of your network at one time.
Blended threats are considered to be the worst risk to security since the inception of viruses, as most blended threats also require no human intervention to propagate.
Combating Viruses, Worms and Trojan Horses
The first step in protecting your computer from any malicious there is to ensure that your operating system (OS) is up-to-date. This is essential if you are running a Microsoft Windows OS. Secondly, you need to have anti-virus software installed on your system and ensure you download updates frequently to ensure your software has the latest fixes for new viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Additionally, you want to make sure your anti-virus program has the capability to scan e-mail and files as they are downloaded from the Internet, and you also need to run full disk scans periodically. This will help prevent malicious programs from even reaching your computer. You should also install a firewall as well.
A firewall is a system that prevents unauthorized use and access to your computer. A firewall can be either hardware or software. Hardware firewalls provide a strong degree of protection from most forms of attack coming from the outside world and can be purchased as a stand-alone product or in broadband routers. Unfortunately, when battling viruses, worms and Trojans, a hardware firewall may be less effective than a software firewall, as it could possibly ignore embedded worms in out going e-mails and see this as regular network traffic.
For individual home users, the most popular firewall choice is a software firewall. A good software firewall will protect your computer from outside attempts to control or gain access your computer, and usually provides additional protection against the most common Trojan programs or e-mail worms. The downside to software firewalls is that they will only protect the computer they are installed on, not a network.
It is important to remember that on its own a firewall is not going to rid you of your computer virus problems, but when used in conjunction with regular operating system updates and a good anti-virus scanning software, it will add some extra security and protection for your computer or network.
I hope this will be of help to you all. Thanks to Luis Nabais for bringing this intriguing subject for discussion.
Have a good week-end,
George Freire
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
KEYBOARD SHORT-CUTS FOR WINDOWS (AGAIN)
Do you readers remember this post published Sunday October 4, 2009?
I have recently been asked by several of my friends whom I have been helping resolve problems with their computers about "key board short cuts".
I thought that probably many of you did not read this post, which I consider a must to learn for those of you who want to be proficient when working with your machines. Therefore here it comes again. Do not ignore, for this is good stuff easy to learn and so helpful to you all:
"Here are some good and easy to remember keyboard short-cuts that work in most windows related programs.
They are easy to remember, (especially those that you use more regularly), and as the title says, very fast and easy to use:
SAVE THE CURRENT DOCUMENT: Ctrl-S
SELECT THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT : Ctrl-A (this is useful if you want to copy and paste the document).
TURN ITALICS "ON" , "OFF' : Ctrl-I
TURN BOLD "ON" , "OFF" : Ctrl-B
TURN UNDERLINING "ON" , "OFF" : Ctrl-U
TOGGLE FULL SCREEN MODE
"ON" OR "OFF" IN IE AND OTHERS: F-11
GO TO YOUR HOME PAGE: : Alt-Home
REFRESH WEB PAGE: : Ctrl-F5
There are many more keyboard short-cuts that you can use, however, remembering them all is "kinda" hard to do. I though that the above cover most of the actions that we all need when using "WORD", "EXCEL" Internet Browsers, (IE, Firefox and others); once you start using them, you'll find out that it all comes naturally when you are working in your computer."
Happy computing,
George Freire
I have recently been asked by several of my friends whom I have been helping resolve problems with their computers about "key board short cuts".
I thought that probably many of you did not read this post, which I consider a must to learn for those of you who want to be proficient when working with your machines. Therefore here it comes again. Do not ignore, for this is good stuff easy to learn and so helpful to you all:
"Here are some good and easy to remember keyboard short-cuts that work in most windows related programs.
They are easy to remember, (especially those that you use more regularly), and as the title says, very fast and easy to use:
SAVE THE CURRENT DOCUMENT: Ctrl-S
SELECT THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT : Ctrl-A (this is useful if you want to copy and paste the document).
TURN ITALICS "ON" , "OFF' : Ctrl-I
TURN BOLD "ON" , "OFF" : Ctrl-B
TURN UNDERLINING "ON" , "OFF" : Ctrl-U
TOGGLE FULL SCREEN MODE
"ON" OR "OFF" IN IE AND OTHERS: F-11
GO TO YOUR HOME PAGE: : Alt-Home
REFRESH WEB PAGE: : Ctrl-F5
There are many more keyboard short-cuts that you can use, however, remembering them all is "kinda" hard to do. I though that the above cover most of the actions that we all need when using "WORD", "EXCEL" Internet Browsers, (IE, Firefox and others); once you start using them, you'll find out that it all comes naturally when you are working in your computer."
Happy computing,
George Freire
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
FREE APPLICATIONS FOR ALL PURPOSES
A friend and reader from Portugal, Mr. Carlos Esteves Vinhal who happens to be a Co-Editor and Administrator of one of my favorite Blogs, "Camaradas da Guiné", sent me an e-mail with the title "Here is a list of free software applications, worth keeping..."
I saw it and I must confess that I am familiar with quite a few of them, some of which I have recommended in this blog. The list is quite extensive and has all kinds of good free stuff for everyone, therefore, with due respect I take the liberty of publishing here the list he enclosed in his e-mail:
3D GRAPHICS:
3Delight Free - http://www.3delight.com/index.htm
Anim8or - http://www.anim8or.com/
Aqsis - http://www.aqsis.com/
Blender - http://www.blender3d.org/
Houdini (Free Edition) - http://www.sidefx.com/apprentice/index.html
Now3D - http://digilander.libero.it/giulios/Eng/homepage.htm
OpenFX - http://www.openfx.org/
POV-Ray - http://www.povray.org/
SOFTIMAGEXSI EXP - http://www.softimage.com/products/exp/v3/
Terragen - http://www.planetside.co.uk/terragen/
Toxic - http://www.toxicengine.org/
Wings 3D - http://www.wings3d.com/
ANTI-VIRUS:
A-squared - http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
AntiVir - http://www.free-av.com/
Avast - http://www.avast.com/i_idt_1018.html
AVG - http://free.grisoft.com/
BitDefender - http://www.bitdefender.com/
ClamWin - http://www.clamwin.com/
ANTI-SPYWARE:
Ad-aware - http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
Bazooka - http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html
Hijackthis - http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
SpyBot Search & Destroy - http://spybot.safer-networking.de/
SpywareBlaster - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
SpywareGuard - http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html
WinPatrol - http://www.winpatrol.com/
AUDIO CREATION:
Gungirl Sequencer - http://ggseq.sourceforge.net/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage
HammerHead - http://www.threechords.com/hammerhead/introduction.shtml
Jesusonic - http://www.jesusonic.com/soft.php
KRISTAL Audio Engine - http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/index.php
OrDrumbox - http://ordrumbox.sourceforge.net/
Tu2 - http://www.brambos.com/news.html
AUDIO PLAYERS:
1by1 - http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/~pesch
Billy - http://www.sheepfriends.com/?page=billy
CoolPlayer - http://coolplayer.sourceforge.net/
DeejaySystem MK1 - http://www.deejaysystem.com/prod_mk1.asp
DeliPlayer. http://www.deliplayer.com/
Foobar 2000 - http://www.foobar2000.org/
ITunes - http://www.apple.com/itunes/
Jet Audio Basic - http://www.jetaudio.com/
Mixere - http://mixere.sourceforge.net/
Mixxx - http://mixxx.sourceforge.net/
MonoRAVEik - http://www.mono211.com/monoraveik/mr1200.html
MoreAmp - http://sourceforge.net/projects/moreamp/
Musik - http://musik.berlios.de/
MusikCube - http://www.musikcube.com/
QCD Player - http://www.quinnware.com/
Sonique - http://sonique.lycos.com/
Winamp - http://www.winamp.com/
XMPlay - http://www.un4seen.com/xmplay.html
Zinf - http://www.zinf.org/
AUDIO UTILITIES:
Audacity - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
AudioShell - http://www.softpointer.com/AudioShell.htm
BeSweet - http://dspguru.doom9.net/
CDex - http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/
DBpowerAMP Music Converter - http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm
EAC - http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/
Encounter 2003 - http://www.waschbusch.com/
GermaniXEncoder - http://www.germanixsoft.de/
K-MP3 - http://www.katarncorp.com/
KraMixer - http://www.kramware.com/
MP3 Book Helper - http://mp3bookhelper.sourceforge.net/
MP3 Tag - http://www.mp3tag.de/
Mp3 Tag Tools - http://massid3lib.sourceforge.net/
Mp3DirectCut - http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/~pesch/
MP3Gain - http://www.geocities.com/mp3gain/
Mp3Trim - http://www.logiccell.com/~mp3trim/
MusicBrainz - http://musicbrainz.org/
Rarewares - http://rarewares.hydrogenaudio.org/
SoundEngine Free - http://www.cycleof5th.com/en/index.htm
TagScanner - http://xdev.narod.ru/tagscan_e.htm
The GodFather - http://users.otenet.gr/~jtcliper/tgf/
TigoTago - http://www.tigotago.com/
CD/DVD BURNING:
Burn4Free - http://www.burn4free.com/
Burnatonce - http://www.burnatonce.com/
Burrrn - http://www.burrrn.net/
CDBurnerXP - http://www.cdburnerxp.se/
CDRDAO - http://cdrdao.sourceforge.net/
CDR Tools Frontend - http://demosten.com/cdrfe/
Deepburner - http://www.deepburner.com/
DVD Decrypter: http://www.dvddecrypter.com/
Easy Burning, DropCD & Audio CD - http://www.paehl.de/cdr
ImgBurn - http://www.imgburn.com/
FILE COMPRESSION/DECOMPRESSION:
7-zip - http://www.7-zip.org/
bzip2 - http://sources.redhat.com/bzip2/index.html
ExtractNow - http://www.extractnow.com/
FilZip - http://www.filzip.com/
Info-Zip - http://www.info-zip.org/
IZArc - http://www.florida.plus.com/izarc/
QuickZip - http://www.quickzip.org/
TUGZip - http://www.tugzip.com/
UPX - http://upx.sourceforge.net/
Zip&Go - http://www.handybits.com/zipngo.htm
Zipgenius - http://www.zipgenius.it/
DEFRAGMENTATION SOFTWARE:
DIRMS & Buzzsaw - http://www.dirms.com/
OpenVMS - http://www.execsoft.com/freeware/freeware.asp
DESKTOP ENHANCEMENTS:
AveDesk - http://www.aqua-soft.org/board/showthread.php?t=17372
CursorXP - http://www.stardock.com/products/cursorxp/download.html
Desktop Sidebar - http://www.desktopsidebar.com/
Filehand - http://www.filehand.com/
Glass2k - http://www.chime.tv/products/glass2k.shtml
Kapsules - http://kapsules.shellscape.org/
Konfabulator - http://www.konfabulator.com/info
Lost Goggles - http://www.lostgoggles.com/
MobyDock - http://www.mobydock.com/
Panorama - http://www.ivory.org/panorama.html
RunFast - http://www.idiogensoftware.com/runfast/index.htm
Samurize - http://www.samurize.com/
SlickRun - http://www.bayden.com/SlickRun/
Snippy - http://www.bhelpuri.net/Snippy/
TaskSwitchXP Pro - http://www.ntwind.com/taskswitchxp/
tclock2 - http://home.inreach.com/2tone/tclock2/tclock2.htm
Trip - http://trip.glenmurphy.com/
Weather Watcher - http://www.singerscreations.com/
WinRoll - http://www.palma.com.au/winroll/
DOWNLOAD MANAGERS:
Free Download Manager - http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/
Fresh Download - http://www.freshdevices.com/freshdown.html
LeechGet - http://www.leechget.net/en/
Retriever - http://www.halogenware.com/software/retriever.html
Star Downloader - http://www.stardownloader.com/downloads.php
Sun Download Manager - http://www.sun.com/download/sdm/index.xml
wackget - http://millweed.com/projects/wackget/
wget - http://xoomer.virgilio.it/hherold/
WellGet - http://www.wellget.com/
ENCRYPTION AND DATA SECURITY:
Axcrypt - http://axcrypt.sourceforge.net/
Blowfish Advanced CS- http://web.bsn.ch/lasse/bfacs.htm
Eraser - http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/default.php
File Shredder - http://www.sys-shield.com/fileshredder.htm
KeePass - http://keepass.sourceforge.net/
GnuPG - http://www.gnupg.org/
PGP Freeware - http://www.pgp.com/products/freeware.html
PicoCrypt - http://picofactory.com/picocrypt.html
TrueCrypt - http://www.truecrypt.org/
WindowsCleaner - http://www.winnowsoft.com/internet-eraser.htm
FILE MANAGERS:
2xExplorer - http://netez.com/2xExplorer/
A43 - http://www.shawneelink.net/~bgmiller/
ExplorerXP - http://www.explorerxp.com/
freeCommander - http://www.freecommander.com/index_en.htm
Gyula's Navigator - http://www.wanari.com/
JExplorer - http://home.megapass.co.kr/~woosjung/
MeeSoft Commander - http://meesoft.logicnet.dk/
FILE REPAIR AND RECOVERY:
PC Inspector File Recovery - http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm
FIREWALLS:
Jetico Personal Firewall - http://www.jetico.com/index.htm#/jpfirewall.htm
Kerio (Kerio Personal Firewall is FREE for home and personal use) -
http://www.kerio.com/kpf_home.html
NetVida Safetynet - http://www.netveda.com/consumer/safetynet.htm
Outpost Firewall (version 1 is free) - http://www.agnitum.com/download/outpost1.html
SoftPerfect Personal Firewall - http://www.softperfect.com/products/firewall/
Sygate - http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm
Wyvern Firewall 2004 - http://www.wyvernworks.com/firewall.html
There are quite a few more, but the above are plenty for you all to check out and experiment with. Next week I will publish a few more he included in his e-mail.
Have fun, all of the above are free to use.
George Freire
I saw it and I must confess that I am familiar with quite a few of them, some of which I have recommended in this blog. The list is quite extensive and has all kinds of good free stuff for everyone, therefore, with due respect I take the liberty of publishing here the list he enclosed in his e-mail:
3D GRAPHICS:
3Delight Free - http://www.3delight.com/index.htm
Anim8or - http://www.anim8or.com/
Aqsis - http://www.aqsis.com/
Blender - http://www.blender3d.org/
Houdini (Free Edition) - http://www.sidefx.com/apprentice/index.html
Now3D - http://digilander.libero.it/giulios/Eng/homepage.htm
OpenFX - http://www.openfx.org/
POV-Ray - http://www.povray.org/
SOFTIMAGEXSI EXP - http://www.softimage.com/products/exp/v3/
Terragen - http://www.planetside.co.uk/terragen/
Toxic - http://www.toxicengine.org/
Wings 3D - http://www.wings3d.com/
ANTI-VIRUS:
A-squared - http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
AntiVir - http://www.free-av.com/
Avast - http://www.avast.com/i_idt_1018.html
AVG - http://free.grisoft.com/
BitDefender - http://www.bitdefender.com/
ClamWin - http://www.clamwin.com/
ANTI-SPYWARE:
Ad-aware - http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
Bazooka - http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html
Hijackthis - http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
SpyBot Search & Destroy - http://spybot.safer-networking.de/
SpywareBlaster - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
SpywareGuard - http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html
WinPatrol - http://www.winpatrol.com/
AUDIO CREATION:
Gungirl Sequencer - http://ggseq.sourceforge.net/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage
HammerHead - http://www.threechords.com/hammerhead/introduction.shtml
Jesusonic - http://www.jesusonic.com/soft.php
KRISTAL Audio Engine - http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/index.php
OrDrumbox - http://ordrumbox.sourceforge.net/
Tu2 - http://www.brambos.com/news.html
AUDIO PLAYERS:
1by1 - http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/~pesch
Billy - http://www.sheepfriends.com/?page=billy
CoolPlayer - http://coolplayer.sourceforge.net/
DeejaySystem MK1 - http://www.deejaysystem.com/prod_mk1.asp
DeliPlayer. http://www.deliplayer.com/
Foobar 2000 - http://www.foobar2000.org/
ITunes - http://www.apple.com/itunes/
Jet Audio Basic - http://www.jetaudio.com/
Mixere - http://mixere.sourceforge.net/
Mixxx - http://mixxx.sourceforge.net/
MonoRAVEik - http://www.mono211.com/monoraveik/mr1200.html
MoreAmp - http://sourceforge.net/projects/moreamp/
Musik - http://musik.berlios.de/
MusikCube - http://www.musikcube.com/
QCD Player - http://www.quinnware.com/
Sonique - http://sonique.lycos.com/
Winamp - http://www.winamp.com/
XMPlay - http://www.un4seen.com/xmplay.html
Zinf - http://www.zinf.org/
AUDIO UTILITIES:
Audacity - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
AudioShell - http://www.softpointer.com/AudioShell.htm
BeSweet - http://dspguru.doom9.net/
CDex - http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/
DBpowerAMP Music Converter - http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dmc.htm
EAC - http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/
Encounter 2003 - http://www.waschbusch.com/
GermaniXEncoder - http://www.germanixsoft.de/
K-MP3 - http://www.katarncorp.com/
KraMixer - http://www.kramware.com/
MP3 Book Helper - http://mp3bookhelper.sourceforge.net/
MP3 Tag - http://www.mp3tag.de/
Mp3 Tag Tools - http://massid3lib.sourceforge.net/
Mp3DirectCut - http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/~pesch/
MP3Gain - http://www.geocities.com/mp3gain/
Mp3Trim - http://www.logiccell.com/~mp3trim/
MusicBrainz - http://musicbrainz.org/
Rarewares - http://rarewares.hydrogenaudio.org/
SoundEngine Free - http://www.cycleof5th.com/en/index.htm
TagScanner - http://xdev.narod.ru/tagscan_e.htm
The GodFather - http://users.otenet.gr/~jtcliper/tgf/
TigoTago - http://www.tigotago.com/
CD/DVD BURNING:
Burn4Free - http://www.burn4free.com/
Burnatonce - http://www.burnatonce.com/
Burrrn - http://www.burrrn.net/
CDBurnerXP - http://www.cdburnerxp.se/
CDRDAO - http://cdrdao.sourceforge.net/
CDR Tools Frontend - http://demosten.com/cdrfe/
Deepburner - http://www.deepburner.com/
DVD Decrypter: http://www.dvddecrypter.com/
Easy Burning, DropCD & Audio CD - http://www.paehl.de/cdr
ImgBurn - http://www.imgburn.com/
FILE COMPRESSION/DECOMPRESSION:
7-zip - http://www.7-zip.org/
bzip2 - http://sources.redhat.com/bzip2/index.html
ExtractNow - http://www.extractnow.com/
FilZip - http://www.filzip.com/
Info-Zip - http://www.info-zip.org/
IZArc - http://www.florida.plus.com/izarc/
QuickZip - http://www.quickzip.org/
TUGZip - http://www.tugzip.com/
UPX - http://upx.sourceforge.net/
Zip&Go - http://www.handybits.com/zipngo.htm
Zipgenius - http://www.zipgenius.it/
DEFRAGMENTATION SOFTWARE:
DIRMS & Buzzsaw - http://www.dirms.com/
OpenVMS - http://www.execsoft.com/freeware/freeware.asp
DESKTOP ENHANCEMENTS:
AveDesk - http://www.aqua-soft.org/board/showthread.php?t=17372
CursorXP - http://www.stardock.com/products/cursorxp/download.html
Desktop Sidebar - http://www.desktopsidebar.com/
Filehand - http://www.filehand.com/
Glass2k - http://www.chime.tv/products/glass2k.shtml
Kapsules - http://kapsules.shellscape.org/
Konfabulator - http://www.konfabulator.com/info
Lost Goggles - http://www.lostgoggles.com/
MobyDock - http://www.mobydock.com/
Panorama - http://www.ivory.org/panorama.html
RunFast - http://www.idiogensoftware.com/runfast/index.htm
Samurize - http://www.samurize.com/
SlickRun - http://www.bayden.com/SlickRun/
Snippy - http://www.bhelpuri.net/Snippy/
TaskSwitchXP Pro - http://www.ntwind.com/taskswitchxp/
tclock2 - http://home.inreach.com/2tone/tclock2/tclock2.htm
Trip - http://trip.glenmurphy.com/
Weather Watcher - http://www.singerscreations.com/
WinRoll - http://www.palma.com.au/winroll/
DOWNLOAD MANAGERS:
Free Download Manager - http://www.freedownloadmanager.org/
Fresh Download - http://www.freshdevices.com/freshdown.html
LeechGet - http://www.leechget.net/en/
Retriever - http://www.halogenware.com/software/retriever.html
Star Downloader - http://www.stardownloader.com/downloads.php
Sun Download Manager - http://www.sun.com/download/sdm/index.xml
wackget - http://millweed.com/projects/wackget/
wget - http://xoomer.virgilio.it/hherold/
WellGet - http://www.wellget.com/
ENCRYPTION AND DATA SECURITY:
Axcrypt - http://axcrypt.sourceforge.net/
Blowfish Advanced CS- http://web.bsn.ch/lasse/bfacs.htm
Eraser - http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/default.php
File Shredder - http://www.sys-shield.com/fileshredder.htm
KeePass - http://keepass.sourceforge.net/
GnuPG - http://www.gnupg.org/
PGP Freeware - http://www.pgp.com/products/freeware.html
PicoCrypt - http://picofactory.com/picocrypt.html
TrueCrypt - http://www.truecrypt.org/
WindowsCleaner - http://www.winnowsoft.com/internet-eraser.htm
FILE MANAGERS:
2xExplorer - http://netez.com/2xExplorer/
A43 - http://www.shawneelink.net/~bgmiller/
ExplorerXP - http://www.explorerxp.com/
freeCommander - http://www.freecommander.com/index_en.htm
Gyula's Navigator - http://www.wanari.com/
JExplorer - http://home.megapass.co.kr/~woosjung/
MeeSoft Commander - http://meesoft.logicnet.dk/
FILE REPAIR AND RECOVERY:
PC Inspector File Recovery - http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm
FIREWALLS:
Jetico Personal Firewall - http://www.jetico.com/index.htm#/jpfirewall.htm
Kerio (Kerio Personal Firewall is FREE for home and personal use) -
http://www.kerio.com/kpf_home.html
NetVida Safetynet - http://www.netveda.com/consumer/safetynet.htm
Outpost Firewall (version 1 is free) - http://www.agnitum.com/download/outpost1.html
SoftPerfect Personal Firewall - http://www.softperfect.com/products/firewall/
Sygate - http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm
Wyvern Firewall 2004 - http://www.wyvernworks.com/firewall.html
There are quite a few more, but the above are plenty for you all to check out and experiment with. Next week I will publish a few more he included in his e-mail.
Have fun, all of the above are free to use.
George Freire
Saturday, April 3, 2010
HAPPY EASTER TO OUR READERS, PASCOA FELIZ , "TUX PAINT" FOR YOUR CHILDREN
Happy Easter to all our readers, Pascoa Feliz para os nossos leitores em Portugal.
Today I have a program that children will love.
It comes to us from a PC World selection, which I think is very appropriate for the Season, when possibly you'll have your grandchildren and children all around you:
"This free program is a labor of love, designed and maintained by a community of volunteers. And it's user-friendly for parents and teachers as well: There is a long list of interface languages to choose from, and when you install the program you're treated to a comprehensive how-to, then asked to configure the program. You can simplify it for use with younger children, make it run in full-screen mode, disable printing, and more.
Tux Paint is easy to use. Small children (ages 3 to 5) might need a little guidance at first, but even beginning readers should be able to follow the penguin guide's advice on how to use the various tools. Children can start with a blank drawing space or choose a background (a castle, undersea scenes, maps, and so on). Older children will likely appreciate the grid options, which allow for more precise drawings.
The download linked to this review is compatible with Windows XP, 2000, Vista, and Windows 7. But there are many versions available on the Tux Paint site, including earlier versions of Windows, Mac OS X, Linux distributions, and many more. The source code is available as well. The developers also offer a free download with extra "stamps" to add to the program.
Tux Paint is Open Source software, distributed under the GNU General Public License. It is especially well suited for schools and educational institutions--though children anywhere will enjoy it.
--Kim Saccio-Kent"
To download and install go to
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,71229-order,4-c,drawpaintsoftware/download.html
Click the above address or copy/paste to your browser. That is all.
Again Happy Easter to you all.
George Freire
Today I have a program that children will love.
It comes to us from a PC World selection, which I think is very appropriate for the Season, when possibly you'll have your grandchildren and children all around you:
"This free program is a labor of love, designed and maintained by a community of volunteers. And it's user-friendly for parents and teachers as well: There is a long list of interface languages to choose from, and when you install the program you're treated to a comprehensive how-to, then asked to configure the program. You can simplify it for use with younger children, make it run in full-screen mode, disable printing, and more.
Tux Paint is easy to use. Small children (ages 3 to 5) might need a little guidance at first, but even beginning readers should be able to follow the penguin guide's advice on how to use the various tools. Children can start with a blank drawing space or choose a background (a castle, undersea scenes, maps, and so on). Older children will likely appreciate the grid options, which allow for more precise drawings.
The download linked to this review is compatible with Windows XP, 2000, Vista, and Windows 7. But there are many versions available on the Tux Paint site, including earlier versions of Windows, Mac OS X, Linux distributions, and many more. The source code is available as well. The developers also offer a free download with extra "stamps" to add to the program.
Tux Paint is Open Source software, distributed under the GNU General Public License. It is especially well suited for schools and educational institutions--though children anywhere will enjoy it.
--Kim Saccio-Kent"
To download and install go to
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_download/fid,71229-order,4-c,drawpaintsoftware/download.html
Click the above address or copy/paste to your browser. That is all.
Again Happy Easter to you all.
George Freire
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