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Often it's the little things that can make or break your computer experience. I've assembled a small collection of free and legal tweaks, programs and utilities that will enhance, protect and improve the time you spend in front of the PC. If you have suggestions for additional items, please don't hesitate to write me and let me know. Enjoy!
Utilities and programs for your PC:
Screensavers:
American Flag: This is a 3D waving American Flag that looks great. It requires Windows XP and up to date DirectX drivers.
Download American Flag screensaver.
Bliss: This takes your WindowsXP desktop with the rolling hills and adds rolling clouds. It's beautiful and fun to watch. WinXP only.
3D Windows: It's a giant, waving 3D Windows logo. Sounds cheesy, looks pretty cool. WinXP and recent DirectX drivers required.
Where do I get DirectX drivers? Click here. Be sure to read the instructions prior to downloading.
Utilities:
Belarc Advisor: This will tell you exactly what is inside your PC, both hardware and software.
TweakUI: From Microsoft, this will let you change dozens of settings within Windows. It's fun to play with and use to customize your PC.
Xteq X setup: Very similar to TweakUI, but more in depth. Give it a shot, you'll be surprised how powerful it is! Requires Winzip .
Winzip: An indespensible tool. Download it now if you don't already have it.
Spybot: Another tool you really, really need. Download, install and get the updated definitions. A must for any PC on the internet.
Popup blocker: This is a solid, unobtrusive popup blocker. It allows you to set permissions for pages you do want pop ups from as well.
Internet:
Build your own spam filter: Why spend money on a filter when you can build it yourself for free? These instructions are for MS Outlook, but you can adapt the core to whatever email client you use. If you happen to use Internet based mail programs ( AOL, MSN, Hotmail, Logical Solutions, Yahoo and so on) this won't work for you. These instructions work as written for Outlook 2003, but you may have to poke around a little for the buttons in earlier versions of Outlook, as MS likes to change them version to version. Ready? The first thing to do is create a rule for Outlook to compare against when your email is arriving.
Open Outlook, press Tools, then Rules and Alerts. Choose New Rule, then start with a blank template. Put a checkmark in the 'specific words in the message header'. Now click on the blue 'specific words' link in the box below, and a window will open. In the top box, type "multipart/mixed", and press Add. Then enter "multipart/alternative" and "html" ( all of these minus the quotes) and then hit next. From the new list, choose 'move it to the specified folder' and click on the blue 'specified folder' link on the box below. A folder list will open, choose the 'Deleted items' selection. Now press Finish, Apply and Okay. All done!
Warnings: For the first week or so it is a good idea to check your Deleted Items folder frequently for email that is really mail you want. You can tell Outlook to accept it as "good" email by right clicking on it and designating it as 'not trash'. After a week or so you'll find that you've managed to kill off about 90% of the junk email you're getting and still get the mail you want. Enjoy!
Mozilla FireFox: This is an internet browser similar to Internet Explorer. It features popup blocking, better security and less vulnerability to spyware than IE. You can use Firefox and Internet Explorer on the same PC, at the same time, w/o problems.
Zone Alarm Pro: This is the trial version of the outstanding firewall Zone Alarm. If you have a high speed connection to the internet, or like to leave your PC online days at a time, a good firewall is a must to secure your pc from unwanted guests.
Webshots converter: Webshots is like digital crack, and if you're hooked at some point you're going to want to save a special webshots image. This free, legal utility will convert your webshots images into the universal jpg format, so you can email, save and otherwise enjoy the image outside of the webshots program. Requires Winzip.