Every now and then I like to run this post up the flagpole. I can't guarantee all of these will work on every Windows operating system, but most should. If I know it's only for one OS, I'll point it out.
Programs
AutoSizer — This has two great uses. It'll pop open the browser (or any program) in full-screen mode every time it opens, and for small programs that tend to open wherever they want (like Calculator), it will make them open right in the center of the screen. Won't work with Internet Explorer and 64-bit systems.
Classic Start Menu — emulates the old style of Start Menu perfectly
GIMP Graphics Studio — A great (free) graphics studio
Scheduled Tasks — How to use Scheduled Tasks to pop open Notepad to remind you of some upcoming event
Snipping Tool — A very slick tool that allows you to use the mouse to snip out part of the screen and either save it as a pic or email it directly to someone.
Thunderbird — The best 'multiple identities' email program
The Amazing AVS Video Converter — This is one of the finest, most versatile video conversion program I've ever come across
TreeSize — Shows sizes of files in folders
System Tips
Alternate Characters — How to insert 'alternate characters' (á,é,ñ,ö,¼,¿,²,°,™, etc) into an editor using the keyboard or a program
Backup Time — Backing up files has become a lot easier of late
Capturing Screen Images — This is the traditional way to capture what's on the screen. Snipping Tool just captures it as an image to be saved or sent, whereas this method pops it into a graphics studio for further processing.
Cleaning an LCD Monitor — Don't use anything with ammonia in it
Minimizing Stubborn Programs — Every now and then you'll run into a program that won't minimize while it's running. Here are two ways to take care of the rascal.
Customized 'New' Projects — This is how to set up 'templates' so a program will always open with certain settings already in place, like a certain font in a word processing program, or starting up your graphics studio with a blank picture, ready to have a screen capture pasted into it.
Dust, the common enemy — You'll hear about viruses, lightning strikes and nuclear-bomb electromagnetic impulses, but this is the real bad boy of the bunch.
Security Software — A general rundown on computer security and some program recommendations
Security Update — A few new tidbits, mainly a reminder
The 'Send To' Feature — This is how to easily load files into programs they aren't normally associated with. Got a Notepad file you want to spell-check? 'Send' it to a word processing program, run the spell-checker and save.
Virtual Drives — If you have a program or game that requires a disc to be in the ROM drive, this is how to get around it
Cleaning up the C Drive — Get rid of 5 gigs of ugly fat with these two simple steps
When it breaks — Some tips & progs for when you have problems
Online
Browser Tips — How to tweak Internet Explorer and Firefox
Two Firefox Add-Ons — Update: three at this point
Another Online Tweak — A small adjustment for XP systems
Double Your Browsing Speed? — Windows XP only. All XP users should install this thing. It won't do any harm if you're already getting your max rates, but it could make a big difference if you're not. It flat-out doubled my Verizon Wireless browsing rate. (Vista and Win7 do this by default)
Saving & Playing Web Videos — This will show you how to both save web videos and convert them to a proper computer format for your own use.
Windows
For Windows XP tweaks, see Lesson #4, below.
Removing Context Menu Entries — How to clean up the right mouse button menu
Tweaking Vista — Perhaps the biggest fallacy in the computer world over the past few years is that Windows Vista is "bloated" and "slow". This is just silly. Yes, it has some big programs running in the background, but turning them off is just a mouse click away. Do everything on this page and your Vista system will be quick, stable and solid.
Tweaking Windows 7 — From my own site, the ultimate Win7 tweak page
Windows 8 — A preview of the new tablet OS
Hardware
Disc Carousels — For that ever-burgeoning disc collection
Disc Labeling — Some info on disc label printers
Enhancements — Things to make your computer life more enjoyable.
Recent CPU Advances — A brief overview of the new "dual-core" and "quad-core" CPU chips
The IDE/SATA/RAID Story — Want to really jack up your system?
The Lessons
Introduction
1: Search Engine Tips
2: File Structure
3: System Backup
4: Windows XP Tweaks
5: Ergonomics
6: Building A Home Page
7: Cool Tools
8: Hardware
9: Keyboard Skills
10: Should You Upgrade?
11: Troubleshooting
12: Images
13: Audio
14: Video
15: Streaming Video
16: DOS
17: Facts & Fallacies
Other
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