Notice: New version of Ad-Aware (2007) is now available. When you are installing the program the Wizard says you do not have to uninstall previous version as this new one will do it for you! Ad-Aware 2007 is not currently Vista compatible, a Vista compatible version (32-bit) will be released at the end of August, and all Ad-Aware users with a valid license will immediately receive the Vista compatible version update upon release.

URL for free programs: http://giveawayoftheday.com/

EULA analyzer:

Discover potentially hidden behavior about the software you're going to install

Pick up on things you missed when reading license agreements

Keep a saved database of the license agreements you view

Instant results - super-fast analysis in just a second

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/eulalyzer.html

Making Windows XP More Convenient

Aim

To demonstrate a collection of convenient and usable WinXP (most of us still use WinXP) tips

WinXP still more than adequate and probably better than Vista Basic

This presentation essentially copied from Smart Computing July 2007 pages 28-29

Bypass The Recycle Bin
Reason: save HD space e.g. large file

Hold down SHIFT key while you delete it
Right click on Icon> Properties, etc (permanent and not good idea)

Caps Lock Alert

Reason: inadvertently hitting Caps key

ToggleKeys feature using audible warning (PC s internal speaker)

Start> Control Panel> Accessibility Options> check the box Use ToggleKeys

Also: hold down NUM LOCK for five seconds

Change WinXP s Registered Owner/Organization Info
Reason: edit registered owner

Click Start> Run and type REGEDIT. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version> double-click the RegisteredOwner and Registered Organization entries to change them.

Check System Up Time
Reason: suspect that your PC rebooted itself when you were away
Type systeminfo from a command prompt window> Scroll up near the top to view the System Up Time, (displayed right under the date that Windows was originally installed)

This information not available from WinXP s graphical System Info utility found within Accessories/System Tools

Control The System Tray
Reason: to control the number of icons even though icons are automatically hidden when inactive
Right-click Start> Properties> click the Taskbar tab> click Customize button and note a list of all current and past Taskbar icons> click the setting next to an item and can change to Always Hide or Always Show

Customize Your User Account Picture
Reason: to use your own custom image, e.g. you personal picture
Control Panel> User Accounts> select an account, and click Change My Picture> click Browse For More Pictures> choose any image on your hard drive

Use a square image or use image editing program e.g. Picassa

No Names, More Thumbnails
Reason: eliminate superfluous file names thus allowing more space

Depress SHIFT while opening/switching to thumbnail view (toggle)

Ditch The WinXP Startup Screen

Reason: save a few seconds during bootup

Click Run> type msconfig> click BOOT.INI> check box labeled NOGUIBOOT

Make Your Own Application Toolbar
Reason: easier access to frequently used programs i.e. with a Taskbar Toolbar

How: right click Desktop> select New> Folder and name it then fill it with shortcuts to desired programs> right click Taskbar> select Toolbars then New Toolbar> specify the created folder

Pin Items To The Start Menu
Reason: place favorite application above the Start menu

How: right click application s program or shortcut to it (from Windows Explorer, Desktop, etc)> select Pin To Start Menu; to remove, right click icon and select Unpin From Start Menu

Set Up An Icon To Lock Your Computer
Reason: lock your computer and return it to the login screen

Windows key + L.

Create shortcut on Desktop i.e. Right-click Desktop> New> Shortcut> type rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkStation (include the capital letters)

Slim Down The Volume Control
Reason: make less space (about )

Open volume control (make sure it s highlighted)> CTRL-S.

Quick Access To Windows Explorer & More
Reason: save a little time

Windows key + E (Windows Explorer)

More: Windows + R (Run)

Windows + PAUSE/BREAK (System Properties)

Windows + M (Minimize all open windows)

Reclaim Some Hard Drive Space
Reason: uninstall folders for service packs and updates (names that start with $NTUninstallKB or $NTServicePackUninstall)

Caution: do not delete $hf_mig$ folder and retain updates from the last month or two

How: bring up Win Explorer> C drive> double click Windows> look in right pane